Chapter 9: New Life
After Wendy healed Bixlow, Erza led him to Lisanna's room where she slept, still under the influence of the sleeping powder. Mirajane looked up and smiled at him. Her belly was slightly bigger than Lisanna's own, and Bixlow guessed that Mira didn't have much longer before a little Freedjane was running around the place.
"I'll let you stay with her," Mirajane whispered, standing. "She'll be hysterical when the dust wears off..."
Bixlow nodded. "Thanks, Mira..." He replied. Mira got up, putting a hand on Bixlow's shoulder.
"You did your best. Maybe it wasn't the purest way to go...but I think that it was the best."
Bixlow nodded. "Don't make it hurt any less..." He muttered dejectedly.
"I know; not on the level you do and I won't pretend that I do. But I do know what it's like to lose a sibling. I wish you luck in your mourning; it'll be a long, hard road...but Lisa will help you through it." Mirajane smiled. "You two make a great team."
"Yeah...yeah, I guess we do..." For the first time that night, Bixlow allowed himself to smile.
o0o
"I AM BREATHING, PORLYUSICA! MY GOD, IF I WASN'T BREATHING I THINK SOME ONE OF YOUR MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE WOULD NOTICE!" Lisanna screamed in uncharacteristic hostility as she tightened her vice grip on Bixlow's hand. Child birth... Bixlow thought weakly, caressing Lisanna's knuckles. Everybody talks about how it's such a beautiful thing, but I don't think it's the process they're talking about...
Lisanna let out another shriek of pain, back arching as she tried to push the baby out. "I see the head," Porlyusica reported in her serious monotone.
"Almost there, honey..." Bixlow whispered. He'd opted to leave the 5 dolls outside; they would've zoomed out anyway, though. About 5 hours into labor, things began to get just a bit dicey... Bixlow did his best to comfort the distressed Lisanna, but it was kind of like trying to settle Natsu down after the simple dragon slayer ate a barrel of ice cream when Gray told him he couldn't handle it...
"Shoulders," Porlyusica updated as she began to gingerly guide the baby out. "Not much longer and you'll meet your child."
Lisanna nodded, panting and sweating. Bixlow caressed her cheek, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Almost there, love..." He whispered into her ear. "Almost there. Just a few more pushes and we'll meet our little one..."
A little bit of the insanity of childbirth faded from Lisanna's eyes. "Okay..." She murmured. "Almost there," She repeated, giving Bixlow's hand a gentle squeeze before she winced and screamed again. Bixlow wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her left one a small squeeze.
"Come on..." he whispered. "Come on..."
A baby's wail split the air, cutting the tension like a knife that was just waiting to be dropped. Lisanna's expression faded from pain to relief and joy. She was still hurting, he was sure, but it's like the sight of the child just washed everything away.
"A little girl," Porlyusica gave them a rare smile, handing Lisanna the baby girl after she'd cleaned her.
"She's beautiful," Bixlow murmured, kissing Lisanna's hair. "Just beautiful..." The little girl was born with a head full of silver hair and once the redness began to fade, they saw that she had creamy skin.
"She is..." Lisanna agreed, looking up at Bixlow. "What do you suppose we name her?"
Bixlow leaned his head against Lisanna's, smiling. "What do you think of Avis?"
Lisanna nodded. "Our little Avis..."
Bixlow reached and stroked Avis's hair, his smile broadening. "Hey Avis...Welcome to our new life."
A/N: FINALLY DONE! Sorry it's short, but hey, that's an epilogue for you lol. Thanks everyone who supported and still supports this fanfiction, the reviews have brightened my days and encouraged me greatly. I hope you like this story over all. Oh, and if you're wondering; the reason I had them name the little girl Avis is because it's Latin for bird. (If I'm not mistaken lol. You know how google works haha)