Hush Little Baby.... [for vowedtostay]

[traumatized]

This time he spends the time with Betrys more often than not. He delegates to his commanders, he will not lose another child. She may blame herself for Cai's death but Cullen takes as much responsibility for it, if not more so. So he tries to help her as much as possible. Josephine and Leliana pick up slack for them as well. They manage and the reward was more than worth it.

After hours of labor she had delivered a beautiful baby girl. Mia. Like his sister. Currently Cullen is sitting in the chair, rocking her to sleep as he sings softly. He never imagined having a family of his own because of his life as a templar but now that he has one? He can't imagine have anything else.

"Come, little bird: fly faster, fly home. Your wind-beaten wing-beats have carried you far.Is your soul so weary? so lonely as mine? No moonlight outshines your bright home-guiding star...."

Comments

[traumatized]

"That's what I've always heard. That they grow quicker than you can imagine." He likes the idea though, of watching his little girl grow up. He thinks this time -- that'll happen. The Maker wouldn't put them through that pain a second time, would he? She's already so much bigger than little Cai was -- that has to count for something doesn't it?

"I'll have to find a way to take her with me to meet all my troops." He imagines a little girl perched on his shoulders, shouting at soldiers to keep their shields up.

He likes that image.

[vowedtostay]

"So have I." He's more likely to know than she, having seen it--if only as a child. She's quiet a moment, considering the idea of how Mia might begin to meet the people of Skyhold.

"I'd like to go downstairs in a day or two." So far, she's been resting in bed, hasn't even left their bedchamber since her labor began. Soon, it'll be time to start taking on a bit of work again, if only to keep her mind active. "I could bring Mia with--we could invite everyone to meet her."

It might be a bit pompous to sit at her throne and receive visitors, her daughter in a cradle at her side. But it would give anyone who wished to speak with the Inquisitor the chance--and would be a way to assure the Inquisition that they wouldn't need to brace themselves for another funeral.

[traumatized]

"I remember a little when my younger siblings were born -- they got bigger quite quickly. It was astonishing."

He listens to her idea and smiles. "I think that's an excellent idea. I know our friends must be eager to meet her."

Some more than others, of course.

[vowedtostay]

Even their friends who don't much care for children will be pleased to see Mia safe and healthy, she's certain of that. And she can't help but want to see Varric meet the baby--and Cassandra, and Josephine. They were such comfort after Cai's death, and she's certain they'll share their joy.

"Perhaps we should invite Cassandra to see the baby first," she says slowly, considering. "I never told her what we planned to call the baby. I was worried things wouldn't--it might be nice to tell her privately."

To keep from blindsiding her in front of the entire Inquisition when they announce Mia Cassandra Rutherford's first public appearance.

[traumatized]

"I'd like that. And I'm sure she'd appreciate it as well."

Cassnadra is a private woman in many ways, she wouldn't want to be blindsided like that -- nor would Cullen want to do that to his friend. Her friendship had been a gift after the loss of Cai, he just wanted to honor that the best he could.

It's the least they could do.

"I'll talk to her and see if she'd like to stop by tomorrow, would that be okay?"

[vowedtostay]

"That would be perfect." A day to talk with Cassandra in private, perhaps also Josephine (and Dorian? and, and, and), and to rest a little bit longer. And then a day of returning as the Inquisitor and inviting her people to speak with her.

It's a fine plan, one she's already looking forward to.

"You'll have to be here, too. I want you to see her reaction." Betrys smiles up at Cullen, a bit of amusement in her eyes. "I can't imagine she's expecting anything of the sort."

[traumatized]

"I think I can manage that. Leliana and Josephine have done well delegating my work to other soldiers." He'll need to go back to it eventually, but for now? There's no place he would rather be than by her side.

"Besides, I want to see her reaction too." Cassandra is often such a stoic woman -- it was fun to think they might truly catch her off guard -- in a good way, of course.

[vowedtostay]

"Good." It's selfish, but she's been so happy to have him with her so much over these months. One day, hopefully one day soon, they'll be able to leave the Inquisition in capable hands and have a quiet, happy life together with their daughter. A country-spanning organization is a needy child in itself, one Betrys is growing ready to hand off to another parent.

"She'll be so surprised, Maker." So stoic and so humble. She'd never expect anything of the sort. "I can't wait."

[traumatized]

Cullen is more than ready to hand off the Inquisition as well. He loves what they've done, he's proud of their work, but they have a new chapter now, and a daughter he loves more than anything that's come before her. That has to be the center of his universe now.

"Should I go see if I can get her?"

No time like the present and all that.

[vowedtostay]

"I'd like that." She'd gladly go with, but the healers have been quite clear: she needs to rest and regain her strength. Betrys reaches over for the Mia, carefully lifting the sleeping baby from his arms. "Thank you, Cullen, darling."

He's been so helpful through all of this, even through late-night cravings and morning sickness.

[traumatized]

"Anything for my two favorite ladies," He replies with a smile, pressing a kiss against Betrys' forehead before getting up and leaving the room to go find Cassandra.