And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
-Lyrics to 'Let It Be' performed by the Beatles
Crimson Bonds Epilogue
"Thanks again for babysitting, sister," Heero said into his cell phone. "We'll be back at the hotel in a couple of hours." At that, he closed the flip to the device and joined his Companion as the rest of their tour group filtered out of the crude facilities where dozens upon dozens of Auschwitz prisoners had been crammed.
Staring in disbelief at the rotting assembled bunks where the incredible journey his Clan had embarked on began, Duo shook his braided head. "I think it's a sad thing that history will never reveal how you and the rest of our family saved countless lives from here and other camps like this," he frowned deeply.
A small smile tugging his lips, Yuy shrugged and stated quietly, "We never wanted notoriety for what we did, so it's as it should be." Peering over the catacomb-like beds, he gestured to one in the far corner near the side door as he shared, "That was where Halina and her family were piled when we found them."
Gently slipping his hand around his Vampire's between them, Maxwell squeezed onto it. "I know I go on about this," he began in little more than a thick whisper, "but I couldn't be more damned proud to be tied to you... to all of you."
Leaning his head onto his partner's, Heero smiled warmly. "And we couldn't be happier than to have you," he replied softly. He snickered, "Especially me, of course-" Whatever more he had to say was cut off when the Hybrid shifted in a blink to claim his lips in a fierce kiss that he gladly returned in kind once he managed to regain his senses.
When they finally broke apart, Duo rested their foreheads together and smirked, "I think we should pay a visit to some of the more secluded hillsides and landscapes I noticed on the way here while we still have some time before we're due back."
The corner of his lips curling up, the Original purred, "I love the way you think."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Septum Millers walked the long hallways of the Vampire prison deep in the Antarctic. His wrists bound in shackles and wearing a deep blue jump suit, the living was taken aback by the comfortable room temperature inside the facility. But then again, he supposed that it had been headed in preparation of his arrival.
Just the day before, he stood before the tall podiums of the Vampire Council to await his sentence. He was given life in captivity, but he was to be held in the fortress of the Infected... the first mortal to ever have such a judgment.
The 'life' decree was only a formality, no one could doubt that. By ordering him to be sealed up with the worst offenders amongst Rogues that had been apprehended, no human would last for long. But then, no one was about to care whether or not Millers survived.
Stepping into the cell that was opened to him while his handcuffs were removed by one of his Vampire escorts, the researcher did not have a chance to try and appraise his surroundings when the loud slam of the barred door jolted him. He spun on his heels to watch as the immortal guards that had led him in walked away.
Mentally plotting a way out of his situation, the ever resilient Septum craned his head up and to the sides to assess the size of his dark quarters.
"Cozy, isn't it?"
A sharp gasp hitching in his throat, the scientist's eyes widened as far as they could at the familiar voice that came from only a few feet behind him. Slowly turning around, his growing panic elevated at the sight of the creature reclining back on the hard bench beyond the shadows.
Her arms folded behind her head and legs crossed as she kicked her top foot back-and-forth, Anna smirked, "It takes a little adjusting to, but eventually you get used to it." Dressed in her own blue jumpsuit, she shrugged, "It's been a while since I've been here, but it kinda feels like a second home in a way."
Pacing away from the Infected that he had attempted to kill until his back hit the door, Millers stammered, "W-wha...what are you doing here?"
The Siren tilted her head and pouted, "Aw, not happy to see me again? And here I thought you'd be excited to learn that we're going to be cell mates for a while."
Curling her right hand and raising it, she inspected her nails as she informed, "As fate would have it, I had been released a little early from completing my full ten-year sentence here for turning Wufei. But considering how hormonal I've been, I just don't think it's safe for me to be out of confinement. So, I volunteered to finish out the last three months that I was actually on parole."
Beads of sweat forming on his brow, Septum swallowed roughly. "T-three months?" he sputtered.
Lowering her hand and focusing on her fellow prisoner, Anna grinned in a way that anyone would have considered sweet... innocent.... kind. However, it was only chilling... threatening for the researcher.
"Yep," the Irish Vampire answered. "And at some point before those three months are up, you're going to die. Slowly. Painfully. And thanks to my generous little brothers, it'll happen by my hands. On my terms. You'll never know when that time will come, but I promise you..." fangs growing in, she concluded in a low hiss, "you'll be begging for it when it does."
A stifled whimper broke from the shaking living. Oh, he had no doubt that she meant every word of that promise. Already, he could see the workings of her dark thoughts and plans for him behind her bright eyes. Before he knew she was moving for him, he felt and heard the click of heavy steel close around his throat followed by the sound of a long, metal chain dragging across the floor.
It was the same collar he'd used to humiliate Solo and Duo by pulling them along like animals through the lab.
Anna's smile was long gone and in its place curled a sneer joined by a heated glare. "Now, Pet, if you recall when we first met, you asked me if Wufei was worth spending my years in this cell for," she growled past her fangs. "Well, just as I had stated in response to that, my time spent back here will be worth every... damned... second."
Unable to breathe in his horror, Septum could feel a wet warmth spreading down the legs of his jumpsuit.
* * * * * *
Much later that evening, Anna sighed deeply at having the room as much to herself as it could be as the living that she had already scared to nearly the end of his life, already slept curled up in a shivering fetal position on the lone cot in the cell.
Like so very many nights before when she had been held in that very space, the Irish Infected used the small cracks and exposed bricks as foot and handholds to climb the main wall up to the long, barred window. Perching herself on its wide ledge, she stretched her legs out and closed her eyes as she leaned back against the support beam.
Automatically reaching out between the first set of bars from memory, the redhead felt another hand slip into her own and squeeze. Rubbing the pad of her thumb over its scales, she smiled.
"Heero was right," her husband's voice mused, "This spot's actually kind of comfortable."
Opening her blue-and-gold eyes to drink in Chang's face on the other side of the window, Anna giggled, "I hope so. Otherwise it's going to be a long stretch for you."
At that, Wufei grinned, "I wouldn't care if I had to sit on a mattress of nails in a vice. I'd still be here every opportunity I get to spend time with until you're released."
Biting her lip that began to quiver on her, Anna pulled her Other towards her for a sound kiss between the bars. Separating after a good stretch of exchanging their eternal commitment on that level, the scaly Infected asked, "So, what would you like to talk about first?"
Not needing to consider, the Siren replied, "Tell me all about how getting the kids registered for school in the fall went. I know how excited they are about being able to be around others their ages..."
* * * * * *
The tall, wide gates to the Vampire prison creaked loudly as they opened towards Anna at the end of her three-month stint of captivity. Duffle bag strapped over her shoulder as she stood atop a floor of ice and snow, she brushed down the front of her deep purple sweater and the sides of her blue jeans in nervous anticipation of being with her soul mate again.
When the gates were pulled back enough to reveal them, Wufei and Heero smiled widely in greeting. Gasping sharply at the sight of her brother, the first since she had been taking care of Septum, the Irish Vampire tossed her bag aside and ran for him. Snickering deeply as he was all but knocked over by the embrace he intercepted, the Original clung on just as tight and rained kisses on her face as Chang chuckled deeply.
"I missed you, brat," Yuy murmured by his beaming sister's ear before they pulled apart. Cupping her face in his hands, he pressed their lips together in a sweet peck. "I was too anxious to see you again to wait another second."
Anna giggled, "That... means more than you could ever know. I missed you, too, brother."
Taking a deep breath, the Siren turned to her husband as he opened his arms to her with a smirk. Latching onto each other, their deep kiss was of a far more intimate and emotional nature. Even for spending every night on the ledge of her cell window, there was a need for their closeness that they both made sure to capitalize on in the moment.
Separating only when they were both satisfied, the couple smiled lovingly at each other. "Let's get you home," Wufei suggested softly, a hand running over the thick curls cascading down his Chosen's back.
There was no need for details of what had become of Septum. When or how he had been killed didn't matter. He had paid for what he did. He was no longer a danger to anyone. Their family was whole and safe again. That was all that mattered.
Unable to contain her excitement, Anna nodded enthusiastically and gathered up her duffle bag. "Let's go!" she cheered as she rejoined two of the most important beings in her existence.
Together, the trio disappeared from the world of white and silver and blurs of themselves.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Moments later, the newly returned Infected materialized in the Chang residence's living room. Lowering her bag, Anna called, "Kids! Mommy's home!" When there was no immediate response, she frowned and walked around, stepping out into the hallway. "Kids? Duo? Trowa? Midi?" she tried again, only to have silence as her response. Under her breath, she muttered, "Where is everyone? Quiet and little ones is a pretty frightening thing."
"They're probably playing outside," Wufei guessed. Taking hold of his wife's hand, he led her towards the back patio with Heero close behind.
Still confused by how empty the estate was, the redheaded immortal was very quickly aware of what was going on when the back yard came into view through the window of the enclosed deck. "W-what...?" she breathed as she was taken through the door to step out on the front step.
For as far as she could see, friendly faces filled the backyard as they smiled and shouted, "WELCOME HOME, ANNA!" Breaking out into cheers and applause, streamers and confetti were thrown into the air.
Everyone closest to the Irish Vampire from the Khushrenadas to Rosshe, Dorothy, Trent and their Clan, living descendants of the Holocaust victims that had she had been instrumental in their rescues, fellow Preventer agents, Sally, TJ, Rachel, and even Nancy McAdams and her kids... they flooded the estates' hilly lot in a pack of over a couple hundred.
Covering her mouth with her hands, the stunned Infected stared in disbelief at the crowd that had gathered all for her homecoming. Music was playing, tables laid out with an array of foods and game for the children present were all spread throughout the masses for the surprise celebration.
Heero bit his lip at the sound of his sister's whimper. Hugging her from behind, he rested his chin on her shoulder and said quietly, "I remember a newborn Vampire crying to me over how no one missed her when she peeked in on her funeral."
Tears rolling down her cheeks at the memory of that day in Ireland, Anna peered at him from the corner of her wet eyes with a soft sob. "I think it's safe to say now that she's pretty well loved," he managed thickly, his own gaze watering over. Spinning in his arms, his beloved soul mate threw her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder as Wufei wiped away a couple stray droplets rolling down his scaly face with a proud smile.
"I couldn't have said it better," Treize smirked as he led his family up the steps towards them. He laughed when he was suddenly taken in for a firm hug. Closing his eyes as he held her back, he lifted her from the ground and whispered, "Good to have you back, Celtic Rose."
No sooner had the redhead been set back on the ground did her children and their Companions mob her. Laughing as she hugged and kissed all of them, she allowed her tears to go unchecked. Sporting a very round bump beneath her orange sundress, Midi had her own reunion after the younglings and was instantly followed up by Trowa, Solo and Celeste.
Bringing up the end of the pack, Duo spun his sister around in a bear hug as he kissed her. "The Dream Team's back together," he chuckled, setting her back down and holding her face in his hands. "It hasn't been the same without you sis."
"Thanks, little brother," Anna grinned. Shaking her head, she sighed, "I'm looking forward to never having to be back in confinement ever again. You know I wouldn't have made it through what we faced if you hadn't been there."
Smiling back warmly, Maxwell winked a violet-and-silver eye. "Same here with you," he replied just as quietly.
Like so many other dark times that they had faced together, they either leaned on or encouraged each other whenever either was called for. Now they were both able to let their ordeal go and finish their healing processes with the help of their family as well.
* * * * * *
"Happy birthday to you.... Happy birthday to you.... Happy birthday, Hajime, Stephen and Annabelle.... Happy Birthday to you!"
At the end of the song, the excited triplets leaned forward in their chairs to blow out the candles shaped like the number '7' atop their personal cakes in one blow at the same time. Cheering and clapping, their family and friends shifted around to remove the cakes for the next round of festivities.
Duo walked up to kiss each of his little ones as he snickered, "Nice job, kiddos. Did you all make your wishes?"
"Yes, Daddy," the giggling bunch replied in harmony, their feet kicking up and down over the edges of their chairs while Heero and Trowa worked together to shuffle the pile of gifts into the dining room.
His six-year-old son laughing as he ran just under his feet, Barton snickered, "No need to run, Triton. You're going to get your shot at some cake, too."
The brunette youngling grinned back at his Papa sheepishly over his shoulder before he climbed up to a seat next to his Mama. Shaking her head in amusement at their bundle of energy, Midi kissed the top of his head and proceeded to feed their infant daughter the last bit of her bottle.
Off in the background, Nancy, was engaged in a lighthearted conversation along with all three of her children and John.
Solo and Emma reemerged from their quick little getaway for some private time, their hands linked tightly and the young woman's arm bearing her gold band that announced their bond. At the sight of them, Broderick, Isabelle and all of their siblings snickered and poked fun at the newlyweds for not fooling anyone with their disappearance.
Treize, Rosshe and Sally's Clans laughed and discussed the latest ongoings in the world while Solo and Celeste stood by in their own talks.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Anna and Wufei were cutting the cakes and dishing out servings of ice cream to be passed out to the livings, Companions and younglings. "I can't believe how the time flies," the Siren sighed as she plated up a few slices she'd prepared. "It still seems like yesterday I found out I was pregnant with those little wrist biters."
The Mimic finished making another small bowl of ice cream as he chuckled, "Well, we would know more than most how quickly everything changes." His smile growing, he commented, "Now that we have a few of our own married off, we should be hearing news of grandbabies coming soon."
"I know," the Irish Infected grinned. "I can't wait for-" Dropping the knife she was using, she instinctively reached out to stop it in midair when her hand wrapped around the sharp edge and she cried, "OUCH!" The blade fell to the floor at her release of it and she held up her bleeding fingertips to suck on them.
At the taste of her own blood, her eyes widened and her back turned rigid. Sweet. There was a definite underlying sweetness that normally was not there. And the only time that presence existed, she was...
Unable to move, Anna breathed, "Wufei? I-I..." Slowly craning her head to her husband, she turned still again at the knowing smirk on his scaly face. "Oh my God," she whispered, holding the sides of her face. "Am I...?"
Holding onto her hands, Chang laughed, "I was wondering when you were going to notice." He leaned in and claimed her lips in a chaste kiss and pressed their foreheads together with a mist in his eyes. "Congratulations, love," he murmured.
The redheaded Infected jumped up and down, shouting, "Oh my God!" Throwing herself around her husband so that her legs hooked around his waist and her arms looped his neck, she initiated a thorough kiss.
In the dining room, their family and guests looked to the kitchen entrance in confusion. However, only one being lit up in a wide smile. Now in her mid-teens, Rosie giggled, "Looks like Mom and Dad just found out they're gonna need a nursery."
"What?!" Heero exclaimed in disbelief as their friends gasped in surprise.
Duo yelled, "Oh my God!" To the chimes of the excited mutterings, the expecting pair emerged and were instantly caught up in embraces, kisses and congratulations from their loved ones with none being more thrilled than the younglings looking forward to a new series of siblings.
Allowing their siblings a moment to collect themselves after they'd had their chance to offer their warmest wishes for the new life that had begun, Yuy draped his arm around his Companion's shoulders and sighed, "Well, it's official. All's right in the world again."
"Yea," Maxwell leaned his braided head on his shoulder as he took in the happiness that flooded the room. He smirked. "Existence is pretty damn good."
Another new chapter had begun for the family. And whatever was about to be thrown at them, there was not a doubt that they'd face it head on and make an amazing adventure of it.
OWARI
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