Soul, Kid, and Liz: 24
Tsubaki: 23
Black*Star, Patti, and Maka: 22

Soul dropped the phone the second them dreaded words rang in his ear.

Maka was in the kitchen and had asked Soul to 'Get off his ass and answer the damn phone' when it started ringing. Soul did so reluctantly. He knew Maka only made him answer since his brother had been pestering him for the past two weeks to come and visit him so he had been leaving answering the phone entirely to her.

Soul grumbled as he sauntered over to the phone, sighing heavily before picking it up.

"Albarn-Eater residence," he drawled in a lazy voice, frowning when an unknown but shaking voice asked if it was Soul Evans speaking.

"Yes," he stated reluctantly, clutching the phone a little tighter at the sound of his former name. "Who is this?"

"T-this is Maya Vankov," the woman choked out, Soul's eyes narrowed as he noticed how hysterical she sounded. She sounded heartbroken.

"Vankov?" he repeated, finally noticing the woman's foreign accent. Bulgarian, like his brother's wife. "Wasn't that Ana's last name before she married Wes?"

Maya's cries grew worse as he spoke Ana's name. A strange sense of dread started to gnaw in his stomach.

"Y-yes. She is - Was my sister." She choked out.

"Wait, was?" Soul asked as a knot seemed to tighten in his stomach. "What do you mean was? Where is Wes, I want to talk to him."

Maya started to breathe in short little pants. "I-I'm – They - " She started, the gnawing in Soul's stomach was making it hard to breathe.

"Where is Wes?" he asked in a slightly weaker voice.

"I'm sorry S-Soul," she said again. "There was an accide-" Maya cut herself off as she broke into sobs. Soul heard some shuffling before a new, male voice spoke in his ear. Soul could hear his blood pounding in his ears as a calmer voice spoke up.

"Soul Evans? Wesley Evans brother?" The man asked.

"Yes," Soul managed, hardly finding his voice. "Where is my brother?"

The man took a deep breathe before speaking in a softer voice. "Mr Evans, I am the man who treated your brother after he and his wife were in a car accident."

"Oh my Death," Soul ran a hand over his face, his heart pounding in his chest. "Are they okay? How bad is it?"

The man sighed heavily before finally speaking the words that Soul never knew thought he'd have to hear. "I'm sorry Mr Evans. Ana Evans died on impact and Wesley died on the table at 9:49 am this morning," He trailed off before speaking again. "I am very sorry for your loss."

And that is when Soul dropped the phone.

Soul didn't argue when Maka insisted on coming to the funeral. Travelling back to Italy, Soul's home, felt like it took a thousand years. Nothing felt real. He could tell Maka was worried due to his lack of emotion. But he just felt numb. One word answers and the nod or shake of his head was all he could offer her, and he did so with no remorse. He couldn't think of anything but Wes.

The funeral was a blur. If someone asked how it was, he would come up blank. It was sunny, which he hated. He kept his head down and his brow furrowed as he dropped his white rose in between the two graves when people drew away to talk amongst themselves.

He thinks it's the regret which is hurting him the most. Losing his brother is hard enough as it is, especially when losing him in the same kind of accident that took his parents so many years back. But it's this regret. It's crippling.

The last time Soul saw Wes was around seven years ago, for Wes and Ana's wedding. Wes had also been very persistent in Soul coming to visit for the past five years, but with finally becoming a Death Scythe Soul just didn't have the time. Soul knew he had something to tell him but he refused to tell him over the phone or Skype. Claiming he had to come 'see for himself' and Wes was one stubborn bastard.

Soul clenched his teeth. He couldn't think about that. He couldn't think about how there would be no one late nights on Skype to his brother. No more scolding for not visiting or calling more. No more good-natured laugh when Soul rants about missions or Maka being on his back. Never again.

"Mr Evans?"

Soul welcomed whoever had come to speak to him to distract him from his thoughts. He turned with glassy eyes to see a small, rather old man. Late fifties or early sixties Soul would guess, with greying hair and his mouth pulled down into a permanent frown.

The man held his hand out when Soul nodded. "My name is Joseph Clark. I was your brothers and sister in law's lawyer."

Soul frowned but shook his hand, turning his head slightly before he spoke. "Nice to meet you. Is there something you need?"

The man nodded before looking down to his hand, Soul followed his gaze as he lifted some documents, his eyes blank as he handed them to Soul.

"This is some of your brothers and his wife's will. In the will it stated that in the event of Wesley Evans death, all his belongings would go to his wife, Ana Evans. But due to her death also, it goes to the next of kin."

Soul shook his head before he even finished talking. "I don't want any of their stuff. Just give it all to some-"

"I was not talking about you, Mr Evans." The man interrupted him. Soul frowned. "The closest next of kin of Wesley and Ana Evans would be their five year old daughter."

Soul's eyes near enough popped out of his head. Realisation dawned on him so fast it made his head spin. That is why Wes was so persistent in Soul coming to visit. Something he wanted to tell him in person? He had a daughter. And Soul was so fucking stubborn he never met her when Wes wanted him too. He stumbled back a few steps, holding a hand up when Mr Clark followed. He followed regardless.

"I understand that this must be very overwhelming for you, Mr Evans. I am aware her existence was unknown to you."

Soul ran a hand over his face, letting his hand resting over his mouth as he stared blankly at the floor. "H-he had a kid and I didn't even know? Fuck, I seriously am the worst brother ever." He muttered, choking on the word brother.

"…I am sure you had your reasons. Anyways, in the event of their death, if neither parent was around to raise their child then they had to pick a… back up guardian." He spoke in different terms in hope it would make the traumatized male understand easier. Soul got it right away. He gave a dry laugh and stepped away.

"Wait… Wait, no – No, you're not saying-"

"But I am, Mr Evans." Mr Clark said. "You were chosen by both Wesley and Ana Evans to have full custody of their daughter in the event of their deaths."

Soul rested his hands on his head, closing his eyes. "What about Maya? Why didn't they pick her?"

"She's only seventeen, you were the more reasonable option." Mr Clark dismissed before resting his blank grey eyes on Soul once more. "You do not have to accept the child Mr Evans. You can always say no."

Soul breathe caught in his throat. "And what if I did say no? What would happen to the kid?" he asked in a taut yet weak voice.

Mr Clark shrugged. "With no grandparents or other relatives to take care of her, she will be put in a foster home. She'll be put in the system until a family become known."

Soul swallowed thickly before closing his eyes and shaking his head. "N-no. No, I can't put the kid through that after what she's been through. Shit, no."

Mr Clark tilted his head, his blank grey eyes narrowing slightly. "Then you are willing to take full custody of your niece?" he asked, needing a straight answer.

Soul squeezed his eyes shut before dropping his arms so they hung at his sides, his eyes blinked open to glare at the floor. "Yes."

Mr Clark smirked before handing Soul the forms. "Fill all of these forms out accordingly. Meet me at Wesley Evans previous house hold to fill out the forms I must witness you sign and then give you the child."

"Wait, I get her today? Just like that?"

Mr Clark nodded gravely. "I understand this is sudden and overwhelming due to these circumstances but… This five year old child has just lost both of her parents, very suddenly. She had no one else except for you to accept her." He shrugged. "Now that you have accepted, she had nowhere else to go but with you. Understand?"

Soul gulped before nodding, grinding his teeth while he tried to collect his thoughts. A flood of sympathy flooded through Mr Clarks usually blank eyes as he steps forwards to rest a wrinkled hand on Soul's shoulder.

"You're doing such a brave thing, Soul Eater," he told him quietly. "I would personally advise you to treasure this child. She is your brother's daughter and the one person he loved more than anything in this world. Love her for him and his wife. Don't let your brother down. You can make up for your mistakes with this."

Soul blinked, taking in the words. But when he looked up, the man had walked away.

Soul slipped into the car beside Maka. After the service she told him she would wait in there as he gave his flower to his brother. She cleared her throat when he didn't start the car.

"Hey, Soul. Who was that man? He seemed to be giving you a hard time."

Soul shook his head before grasping the wheel, needing something to hold onto. "That… That was my brother's lawyer. He came to talk to me about Wes and Ana's will."

Maka nodded. "Oh… So, what happened?"

"…Maka, I have something big to tell you and I don't know how you're going to take it."

Maka frowned in confusion, tilting her head. "Okay…"

"Wes… Wes and Ana had a kid." Soul heard Maka gasp quietly but went on before she could interrupt. "I didn't know because he wanted me to meet her in person. But with missions and my new Death Scythe shit I… I didn't have the time. I just – I don't know. But, I got full custody of the kid when they died."

Maka's eyes widened. "Oh my Death, Soul... Soul, this is huge." she exclaimed, Soul looked away nodding his head.

"The kid – They've got no one else. Maya can't take them and my folks are long gone and so are Ana's. They has no one to accept them but me."

Maka went silent. The air was thick in the car before she finally spoke up. "...What is the child? A boy or girl?"

"…She's a girl." He looked to the documents, his heart thumping more when he read the name printed. "Amara. Amara Evans." He choked out. He groaned heavily before resting his forehead on the wheel.

"I'm sorry, Maka," he said. "If it's too much I can get an apartment for me and the kid to live in. But I can't leave her, I can't. That's wouldn't be cool. I owe it to Wes and Ana. And to the kid. I just-jus-"

"Soul," Maka said sharply. She yanked his shoulder before cupping his face, making him look at her. "You are not alone in this. You're not moving out and we are not leaving that child. We're a team, aren't we?" Soul hummed and Maka thumped him. He gave a gruff chuckle before his face turned solemn again. Maka dropped her hands and met his eyes seriously.

"Soul, you are my best friend, and you're right. You do owe it to your brother and his wife. You're doing the right thing." Soul nodded slowly and Maka smiled. "Alright? We can do this. I'll help you. Everyone will. How old is she?"

Soul closed his eyes. "Only five. She's just lost her Mum and Dad. And now she's gonna be stuck with me."

"Oi," Maka flicked his forehead. "She'll adore you. I'm sure."

Soul smiled slowly. It was a real smile, not cocky or cheeky. He was grateful.

She helped him fill in the forms before they headed to Wes's old house to meet his niece.

Soul's heard broke the moment his eyes landed on the little girl.

He had only just finished filling out all of the required forms for Mr Clark who had just left. Amara's babysitter had come down stairs to tell Soul she had just woke up before leaving also.

She was tiny, even for a five year old. She looked a lot like Ana in the face with her tanned complexion and almond shaped eyes. But she took after Wes with her delicate, snow white hair but they fell in natural, elegant curls down her back just like her mothers. She also had Wes's deep, crimson orbs that were red rimmed and full of pain. She looked up to Soul when he entered her small, pink bedroom, looking up from where she had been burying her small face in a scruffy teddy to look wide-eyed at Soul.

"Daddy?"

Soul's heart almost stopped. Even Maka had to fight a grimace. Soul pressed his lips together before shaking his head and approached her slowly.

"Uh, no," he said quietly. "I'm your Daddy's brother, Soul."

Amara's eyes widened. "Zio Soul? (Uncle Soul?)"

Soul smiled sadly and nodded as she spoke in Italian. He should have known Wes would ensure his daughter could speak both languages.

"Sì. In quale lingua sei più brava, l'inglese o l'italiano? (Yes. Which language are you better at, English or Italian?)" he asked gently. He didn't miss Maka's double take as he spoke his native language and watched Amara frown as she pieced his words together.

"Daddy and Mummy spoke to me in English." She told him quietly. "But, Daddy and Mama's friends and Mara's friends would speak Italy, so Mara can do both." She smiled, proud of herself. Soul smiled at her. Talented kid.

"Which would you prefer me to talk to you in, Amara?" he asked, kneeling before her bed and she giggled before tapping her chin.

"I'm best at English." She stated finally, tilting her chin up. Soul chuckled before nodding.

"English it is then." He declared and she giggled again. "Now Amara, I need you to be very brave for a moment, okay?" he told her. She nodded firmly. "Okay. Now, y-you're Mama and Papa gave you to me when they went up to heaven." He said, swallowing thickly before going on.

"So, my friend Maka and I," he pointed to Maka before looking back to her. "Will be taking care of you from now on. Is that alright?" Amara's bottom lip quivered a little bit.

"But Mara wants to stay with Mama and Papa. Please, can she just see them before she goes?" Soul suppressed the urge to squeeze his eyes shut as her voice got desperate and patted her head.

"I'm afraid you can't do that right now, kiddo," he told her in a strained voice, hoping she didn't pick up on it. "But you know what? They'll be looking after you still, you just can't see them." Amara looked at him in confusion.

"Non riesco a vederli? (I can't see them?)" she whispered, and Soul nodded somberly.

"No. Ma sono lì. (No. But they're there.)" he muttered back. Amara held his gaze before her face crumbled, bursting into small sobs and throwing her arms around Soul's neck suddenly, burying her small face in his shoulder as she cried. Soul released a small heartbroken sound before sitting on her bed as she climbed onto his lap. He rocked her gently as wiped away a stray tear that fell from the corner of his eye.

"Non lascerete anche voi Mara? (You won't leave Mara too?)" she sobbed and Soul shook his head, muttering into her hair that he wouldn't. Amara relentlessly begged him to let her see her parents. Promising anything and everything if he would let her one last time. Soul let her vent and get it all out, just wrapping his arms around her tiny torso as she sobbed into his shoulder, his eyes squeezed tight shut.

After a small while, the young girl eventually fell asleep. Soul took her downstairs where Maka chose to wait with her balanced on his hip, her arms still wrapped around his neck as she snored lightly on his shoulder. Maka's heart clenched at the sight of his and her red rimmed eyes as he entered the kitchen.

"Clark said he will sort out all of her belongings and send them to our apartment for us." He whispered, bouncing the small girl lightly on his hip as he did. "He is having a company clean out the house and they're gonna sell it for us and send the money. Clark organised our flight back and Amara's ticket too so we can get her settled in as soon as possible. Sooner the better, he said." Maka nodded and leant on the counter, tilting her head at the two before her with a small smile.

"She's beautiful," she whispered. Soul smiled and nodded, looking to the sleeping girl.

"Yeah," he agreed. "It's good she speaks English; I was worried she'd only speak Italian. We will have to keep speaking Italian when we get back to Nevada, though. Don't want her to forget it just because she doesn't live here anymore." Maka hummed thoughtfully.

"I never knew you were Italian," she observed. "You don't have an accent or anything. I just assumed you were American." Soul shrugged one shoulder, not wanted to disturb the small girl.

"I don't know. I had an accent at first but it just faded I guess. I lived in America for a while before I found out I was a weapon because my Dad had work there. After he and Ma died Wes and I moved back to Italy and I awakened my weapon blood right after, so I just went straight to Shibusen."

"O-oh," Maka frowned. She looked at her partner holding the small girl before shaking her head, her eyes clouding with an emotion Soul couldn't place as she looked at him. "You haven't had it easy, Soul." she said quietly. "Not at all."

Soul looked away, shaking his head. "We need to get ready for the flight," he dismissed her comment, casting his eyes to the ground before readjusting his grip on the small girl. "We need to be an airport in a couple of hours so let's just pack up, okay? I'll go grab some stuff for Amara."

Maka shook her head lightly as he headed back upstairs, glaring at the kitchen floor before running a hand through her hair. Things were about to get very eventful.