Chapter Text
Everything was blurry.
She tried to narrow her eyes to see better, to examine her surroundings, but she couldn't move. It felt like all her limbs weighed a ton, like being envelopped in something soft.
Probably because blankets were wrapped around her.
Am I in a hospital?
Had she been in an accident? She must have been in one. Painkiller had a huge effect on her. That would explain why everything felt so far away, like she was floating on a cloud.
It didn't feel like an hospital though. Everything felt warm, familiar. Almost like home, but not quite. Why were things so confusing?
Her friend had asked her to come with her to see a movie. She didn't remember which one. It was one she had been waiting for. She had been so excited...
Marvel. It was a marvel movie. Her favorite kind, though she wasn't as obsessed about it than her friend. It was a special occasion, but she didn't know why. She forgot.
Didn't they stop somewhere before going to the cinema? She couldn't remember. It felt important, but she couldn't grasp it. Why was it so hard to remember?
It was an important movie too...
She heard voices whispering around her, as if trying not to wake her up, and whimpered. A voice shushed her, and she scowled -or tried to- at whoever was doing so. She was tired, but she wanted to know what was happening.
Something moved, and she noted with vague surprise that what she thought was a bed was actually a breathing person. Someone was holding her, and she understood that this same person was the one shushing her.
She scowled at them, and she felt the chest vibrate as the person chuckled lightly.
The voices sounded far away, but she thought it sounded like english. The voice shushing her was whispering in a language she couldn't understand, soft and kind. It contrasted with the english and professional voice, and it hurt her head.
Something kissed her forehead and rocked her slowly. Faintly, she wondered how it was possible. She had always been small, but not that small. It didn't make sense.
A whimper escaped her, and warmth tightened around her. It felt like sleep was determined to drag her into darkness, but she tried to resist.
Soon enough, she let her head rest on the person's chest, and drifted away.
“It is impossible.”
“Nothing really is, Mordo.”
The bald woman had given birth just hours ago, but she barely seemed tired. She was observing the girl she was holding with a curious expression.
The younger sorcerer pursed his lips, still frowning.
“Still. It has never been seen. It is unnatural.”
The woman lying on the bed looked away from the baby in her arms and stared at her student. Her face didn't change, still calm and collected despite her paleness, but Karl Mordo had been here long enough to recognize disapproval when he saw it.
“It is uncommon. Rare, even. But to say it is unheard of would be a lie.”
Mordo grimaced and didn't answer, examining the baby with narrowed eyes. As if on cue, she whimpered and struggled inside her blankets, startling the young sorcerer who took a step back. The little girl blinked, and her blurry eyes stared at the man as if judging him. Behind him, Wong hid a smile.
“Are you afraid of a baby, Mordo?” he asked, face blank, “I assure you that you are in no danger from her. We will protect you.”
Mordo scowled, but he glanced at the child guiltily, looking ashamed.
“I am sorry.” he said, staring at his teacher, “This was rude and unnecessarily cruel of me. Forgive me.” he slightly bowed his head.
The Ancient One nodded but didn't answer, eyes on her daughter.
“You're quite the surprise, little one.” she said softly. She seemed hypnotized by the little being, and though no one saw, her hands shook a little before tightening around the blankets.
“I've never been a mother.” she whispered like a secret, more to herself than to her colleagues. Mordo and Wong exchanged a glance, unsure as to how to reply.
Fortunately for them, they didn't have to. The midwife, who had left a few minutes before, came back with papers in her hands.
“Sorry for taking so long.” she said, slightly out of breath., “Ancient One, you must be tired, do you really not wish to rest? It can still wait until tomorrow.”
“No.” said the Ancient One. Upon seeing the young woman's taken aback expression, she added, “I am tired, but I would like to at least get the basics done first. The details can wait tomorrow, if you desire.”
The woman looked ready to ague, but Wong nodded.
“The Masters will probably come visit once the news reach them. Students are already talking, and it's only been a few hours.” he said, disapproval in his tone.
He obviously didn't like the gossip and rumors which had been growing since the pregnancy couldn't be hidden anymore. It was disrespectful, especially towards the Ancient One. Wong didn't look directly at him, but Mordo winced, knowing he was one of the curious and nosy students who had often in the past months interrogated his teacher.
“It's better to start now so the rest can be finshed quickly.” Wong concluded simply.
Mordo stayed quiet, eyes flickering between his teacher and her child. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to act. It was the first time he was near a newborn, the child of someone he was close to. He tried not to fidget.
The midwife nodded, still looking dissatisfied.
“Well then,” she said, frowning. “The basics first. What do you wish to call her?”
All eyes turned towards the little being who had fallen back to sleep during their brief conversation. The Sorcerer Supreme blinked and stared for a long time at the baby in her arms. At her daughter.
She smiled.
“Eirin.”
(Years later:
Stephen stared incredulously at his teacher, unsure if he had heard right.
“You have a child?”)