Chapter 22: Ever After

Many months later,

"I'm going to kill him!" Meg screeched.

Marian exhaustedly held onto Meg's hand. "Robin's probably on his way here with him." Meg squeezed her hand in a death grip. "Ouch!"

"My…damn husband!" She screamed as the midwife fought a smirk. "Why'd I marry him?!"

"You know why dearie. Now," she smiled as she adjusted the sheets and Meg's night dress for the final time. "breathe and prepare to push."

"Meg!?" Guy's footsteps came thundering up the stairs. The door blew open with Guy bursting in and Robin right behind him!

"Have we missed the birth?" He asked as he peered around Gisbourne's shoulder. "Oh, God!" he covered his eyes as he realized Meg was still in labor, turned and headed back out the door. "Sorry Meg!"

"I…hate you!" She screamed, vexed that again, Robin had caught her in a moment of exposure.

"Meg?" Guy approached her.

She whipped her venomous gaze towards him. "You!" She spat as he continued towards her, ignoring the look on her face. "You're late!" She pointed to the door. "Get out!"

Guy held up a hand. "Now Megan-

"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

Marian winced, marveling that Guy didn't even blink at his wife's tirade. In fact, he didn't even stop and kept advancing towards her. "Meg, calm down." She said gently. "You're in the final stages and you should remain calm."

"Shut up Marian!" Guy had the audacity to chuckle as Meg inhaled deeply. "Just shut up and hold my hand!"

Marian released her hand and looked to Guy. "Hold your wife's hand, she's nearing the final moments and I'd like my hand in one piece."

Guy smirked and pressed a kiss to Meg's hand. "No problem there!" Meg hit him on the head with her other hand. "Hey!"

Marian smiled and hurried out of the room as Meg violently cursed her husband. She shut the door, startling Robin Hood. She straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat. "Guy's helping attend to his wife."

Robin's brow arched. "Unusual couple."

She nodded in agreement. "Yes. He bought her you know?" Robin nodded as he approached her. "He actually bought her for me, but, decided she was such an interesting woman that he wanted to see what she was before giving her to me."

"And did he?"

She shook her head. "No." She turned towards the door as another cry and curse escaped from Meg's lips. "He asked me to look after her, but, I didn't fare so well. truly, no one can look after her like he can. She's….a different woman and he's very protective of her."

"I've noticed. It's rather endearing to watch." His playful tone causing her to smirk. "So, tell me Marian? When are you going to marry me?"

Marian arched a brow and placed a hand on her hip. "When you're worthy of me…Robin in the hood."

He laughed and leaned forward to kiss her. "Oh, I believe we're very worthy of each other."

"We'll see," she murmured as he drew closer. "we'll see." Meg let out a loud screech, causing them to break apart. "I do not want children!"

"What?" Robin looked offended. "You don't want children with my face running around Locksley manor?" Guy let out some kind of encouragement for Meg, earning another scream from her. he winced. "I see what you mean. you wouldn't be like that, would you?"

"I'd have no way how knowing how I'd act when I'm in labor but, I cannot guarantee that I wouldn't act like her."

About 40 minutes later a tired midwife came through. She sighed. "Normally, I'd tell the father this, but you two may go in now."

Robin nodded. "Thank you." he reached into his pocket and handed her a few coins. "For your pains."

She shrugged. "The father paid me."

"Well, they were a taxing couple." He insisted on placing the coins in her hands. "I insist."

She smiled. "Taxing, yes, but sweet. In all my years, I've yet to see a husband get into the bed with his wife, hold her hand, brace her back and wipe her brow. Interesting couple."

Robin nodded as he turned to enter the room. "Yes." He hesitated before entering, turning to Marian. "Do you think it's safe to come in?"

"Come in Robin!" Meg called from the other room. "It's not as if you haven't seen me naked," Marian shot him a look as he pushed the door open. He shrugged in embarrassment. Meg smiled wearily, and somewhat mischievously as she added on. "several times."

"Those were all accidents!" he added. "I swear!"

Guy nodded. "I know, otherwise, you'd be dead."

Marian approached the bed. "Boy or girl?"

Meg smiled. "A son. I'm letting Guy name him."

"Really?"

"We have a pact, we're attempting to hold. He picks the first name of the males I bear, and I pick the middle name."

"And if it's a girl," he adds. "it's the opposite."

"Charming." Robin said. "So, what's this one's name?"

"David." Guy smiled as he kissed Meg's brow. "My wife's still thinking on a middle name."

She yawned. "I'm tired."

"As you should be." He kissed her again. "You should rest. You had a very hard job, which you pulled off effortlessly." Guy nipped her ear with his lips, causing her to giggle and blush. "You made me a wonderful son, bright eyes."

"We did." She corrected him. she looked up adoringly at her husband, all traces of her temporary insanity gone. "Hold me tight husband, I need you."

"As long as you need me." he assured as he pulled her close and kissed her brow. "I promise."

Robin reached for Meg's elbow. "Come on, we'll leave you two to rest."

"Thank you."

Marian nodded. "I'll come tomorrow, if you wish for the company."

"That would be nice Marian. Thank you."

Robin shut the door behind him and leaned against the frame of the door. "During dark times like these, those two do my heart good."

"The future is looking brighter." Marian supplied kindly.

He nods and he rubs her chin. "And, ours?"

She reached up and kissed him lightly on the mouth before heading down the stairs. "We'll see Robin. We will see."

I hope everyone enjoyed 'Eclipse of the Heart'! This is the final chapter. I tried to come up with another chapter, but, it felt right to end it here.

Keep your eyes peeled for 'Girl's of the Night'! It'll be my first fic, writing Robin Hood and I hope I do him justice. Guy and Meg will be the secondary characters.