Song for inspiration and to set the mood: "You Prove Me Wrong" by Fireflight. I know they sing religious music, but being non-religious myself I try and take an ambiguous meaning when they don't mention God in their songs. Picture is drawn by me with reference from VK image

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December 12:

The raven and the wolf. . .The rose and the thorn. . .what can these things make?

"Ew. Ew. I still don't know what these are." I complain for the billionth time today about these disgusting vegetables, but I'm very lucky that it's finally nine months. Once they're born, I'm pigging out!

"Alondra-sama, you've been eating vegetables for the last nine months. Bear with it a little longer." Aido-dono says to me. Trying to be supportive.

"That's easy for you to say. You still get to enjoy delicious meat." I say playing around with my vegetables.

"Anyway, who eats vegetables for breakfast?! Can't I get fruit? I'd eat that." I plead with Nurse Chiharu. She sighs, and orders the maid to prepare fruit for me.

"I'll give you this one whim, Alondra-sama. Considering you only have like a week or two left." Nurse Chiharu says like only a real mother would. I hardly remember mine, so I can't help feeling that Nurse Chiharu is like my mother. And Aido-dono is sort of like that second father figure I needed. Although, I'd never admit to it. Just like I won't admit it to Headmaster Cross.

"Good morning everyone." A lazy Aido says stepping into the kitchen. I'm surprised that I came earlier than him. Seiren was the one that helped me out this "morning".

"Morning!" I say as I happily receive the delicious fruits. Aido-dono and Nurse Chiharu laugh.

"What?" I ask them with a mouthful.

"It's just I find that child like innocence in you very adorable. But I can tell you'll be a wonderful mother." Nurse Chiharu says to me. I blush, and eat my fruit.

"What can I get for you Hanabusa-sama?" A maid questions him.

"I'll have what she's having." Aido says jokingly watching me happily eat every single piece of fruit with no hesitation.

"What? Wouldn't you feel happy eating the delicious food you've been deprived of for almost a year?" I say to him accusingly. He rolls his blue eyes, and takes the plate of fruit gratefully as well.

"Alondra! It's finally time you started talking!" I nearly jump out of my seat at Zero's abrupt entrance.

"DAMN IT! GIVE ME A WARNING NEXT TIME!" I yell out. Now I really wish I hadn't.

"What gives you the right to come into her home like that?!" Aido yells out to Zero.

"Um guys-"

"The same rights you have for living with her." Zero interrupts me.

"Hey-"

"Now, boys! You shouldn't yell around in Alondra-sama's home like this." I puff my cheeks as Aido-dono steps in.

"H-"

"Dad! You know I'm right!" Aido yells out. I wince.

"Hanab-"

"Alondra-san?"

"MY WATER BROKE!" I scream over them as the pain becomes too much to bear.

Silence. And then people start to overreact. Well, I mean everyone, but Zero and Seiren who both seem kind of confused.

"Oh dear! Someone please bring her upstairs!" Nurse Chiharu quickly orders. Aido rushes over to me, and lifts me in his arms. That is when all secrets are completely revealed. Zero finally knows the truth. If I wasn't in pain right now I probably would have looked away shamefully.

"What is going on?" Zero questions Aido-dono as he follows after him and Seiren.

"A secret Alondra-sama has kept from everyone. She's been with child for the last nine months. My son, this young lady, and I have been caring for her well being this whole time." Aido-dono tells him now that everything is discovered. Alondra's secret is finally revealed to a stunned Zero.

Doing the math, he comes to one conclusion. That the babies are his. When he makes it upstairs he sees Aido and his father pacing around. Seiren stands at the door, also looking nervous as they all hear Alondra in pain.

Her yells of pain are heard through the thick door. This sudden news leaves him with many mixed emotions. He has no idea how to react to the news of his sudden fatherhood.

"So, now you know. What will you do?" Aido questions Zero, who looks up at him.

"Why didn't she tell me about this?" Zero asks instead of answering Aido's question.

"Because she was scared of your reaction. She was afraid that you might leave her if you knew. She wanted to spend as much time with you before she prepares to let you go, if you decide to abandon her and her sons." Aido says seriously, but the pain and sorrow is there in his eyes.

"Sons?" Zero asks still letting everything sink in.

"That's right. She's having twins. Just like you and your brother. Just like her and Yuki." Aido says looking back at the door as the first cry is heard. Zero closes his eyes listening to the innocent cries of the baby.

"So, if you're going to walk out on her. Do it now. I'll tell her, and comfort her." Aido says turning back towards Zero. He looks towards the door again, and feels so many emotions tearing him apart.

"Well?" Aido says angrily now. Zero clenches his hands, and looks back at Aido.

"I'm not going anywhere." He says forcefully. Aido was afraid of that answer, and walks into his room, slamming the door shut.

"You two must really love Alondra-sama." Aido-dono says to Zero, who starts to pace around.

"Since I met her." Zero admits. Aido-dono nods and goes into his son's room to check up on him. Leaving Zero and Seiren alone.

"Alondra-san said that she and her children are my family. I promised to protect them from any pain that wishes to befall them. I will not forgive you if you bring pain to them." Zero looks at Seiren who is truly speaking to him for the very first time. He sees that Alondra has touched Seiren's life and changed her.

"I won't hurt them. . . They're my family too." The second cries overlap with the first.

~0~

"Alondra-sama, are you still awake?" Nurse Chiharu questions me. I'm still trying to heal myself after all that work. I smile sleepily, and nod my head.

"I'm okay. Can I see them?" I say opening my eyes and sitting up super carefully. I see the two squirming bundles in Nurse Chiharu's arms. I feel my heart race, my throat getting all clogged up, and my hands begin to tremble.

"Look how lovely they are." Nurse Chiharu says showing me their faces. I catch my gasp as I see their appearance.

The one in her right arm has silver hair, and one eye he has open shows me an instant flash of reddish-brown before he closes his eyes again.

The one in her left arm has brown hair, and his eyes are wide open for me to see the lilac-gray in them. He looks at me curiously, not sure who I am.

"Atsuko." I say with a smile. I don't know if he understood, but that smile on his face nearly breaks my heart. I touch their rosy cheeks, and I stroke their soft hair. "Rei." I whisper to my other son that is deep in slumber.

"Would you like to hold them?" Nurse Chiharu questions me. I shake my head instantly.

"I'm scared. They look so fragile, and I'm afraid to drop them." I say putting my hands behind my back. Nurse Chiharu smiles understanding me.

"How about just one then? I'll teach you." Nurse Chiharu says gently. I hesitate, but in the end I agree. She puts Atsuko down in his crib, and walks over with Rei, who had woken up.

"Alright, put your arms like this." Nurse Chiharu says moving my bent arms to the proper position. Then she moves to put Rei in my arms. I tense up at the warmth that radiates through his blanket.

"Relax. I'll let go when you're ready." Nurse Chiharu says reassuringly.

"Careful with his head, sweetie." She says not realizing that she didn't call me 'sama' this time. That gives me a boost of confidence as I feel more of Rei's weight in my arms.

"I-I think I'm ready." I say to her. She smiles, and moves her hands away slowly.

"Rei, you look so much like Zero. You know he's your dad. I told you about him while you were inside of me." I say watching his big reddish-brown eyes look into my reddish-brown eyes. Even though he's just a baby I can tell that he recognizes my voice. We both jump as a tear drop lands on his rosy cheek. I hadn't even realized I was crying. I kiss away the tear, and distance my face as my tears fall.

"Atsuko." I call out to my other son. Nurse Chiharu rushes towards the crib, and brings him to me. She adjusts Rei so I can carry both boys in my arms.

"You're both so beautiful. I just met you two, and I already love you both so much. Well, the moment I knew you two existed, I loved you so much. If I have to, I'll be mother and father to you two. You'll be my entire world." I say to them. I feel pathetic. They must find my crying face ugly. I press them close to me, taking in their baby scent. I begin to sob as I hear one of them give a tiny yawn in my ear.

"Shouldn't you be happy?" My eyes open wide as I hear Zero there. He sits in bed with me. Watching me hold my sons close. Zero reaches for Atsuko, and strokes his brown hair.

"He's a lot like you." He says with a gentle smile that makes me catch my breath.

". . .eyes. . ." I manage to whisper out.

"What?" Zero questions me as he takes Atsuko into his arms thanks to the help of Chiharu. She bows, leaving us alone.

"He. . .has your eyes." I manage to say, and then I look down at Rei.

"He does. Does he have yours?" Zero asks looking over at Rei. I nod my head as I touch his tiny mouth, that twitches into a smile. A tiny baby laugh makes me lightly laugh too. I see that Atsuko senses emotions around him too. Maybe he is like me. Maybe he's the one who made me weird all this time.

"His first laugh." I say with a smile looking over at Atsuko looking between us both.

"Have they seen each other?" I blink thinking about it, but I don't think they have. I shake my head. He carefully moves Atsuko on his lap, to sit. I get his message, and adjust Rei. I see the two of them looking at each other full of curiosity. I start to lightly giggle.

"What?" Zero asks me smiling back at me.

"It's just that confused look on babies always makes me laugh. And cry. It's weird I know, but cute things make me want to cry." I say wiping away my tears. Zero helps me out, and I blush brightly.

"I know." He says pulling my face close and kissing me gently.

"You're not leaving?" I finally question getting to the moment I was dreading the most.

"I can't, not when I love you like this." My heart feels like it just stopped at those three words. He had never really said those words to me before, and I had no idea how they would make me feel. Now I know. I feel like I'm flying, like I'm living the ultimate bliss, like I've just eaten the sweetest thing ever, like. . .like home.

"I still love you too." I say feeling my heart come to life. I've never felt this happy before. A family and a lover all in the same night. A kiss seals the deal, and two small laughs seal it permanently.

They're home. . .You're home. . .Our family is together. . .I'm finally not alone. . .

Random Day Week 1:

"Eh? Why? What is this?!" I am awoken in the middle of the "night" (human day) by the cries of my babies.

"They're probably hungry." I'm fully woken up as I see that Zero is here by my side. This is the first time he's spent the night here in this manor. It may have taken a week to convince him, but he's finally here.

I mean he kinda spent the spent the night when these two were conceived, but that's another story.

I smile a bit as I remember what happened the moment after our sons were born. He decided to stay with us and we'll finally be a family.

"Well we'd better go check on them, huh?" I say a little reluctant to get out of bed. Although, I'm also very eager to see my squishy bundles of cute!

"Yes, we'd better go do that." We get out at the same time and I hold on to his arm as I rub my eyes. He leads the way over to the cribs. My eyes are half closed so I have no idea which twin I grabbed.

"Uh, Alondra, please don't hold our son half asleep." I open my eyes and look down to see I'm holding Rei upside down as he cries. I shift his weight over to my opposite arm so I'm holding him normally.

"My bad. . . Okay, so what cries are these? Hungry? Or does otousan have to change your diaper?" I question as I try to look into his diaper to see the mess.

"Looks like it's a feeding this time." Zero tells me. I nod and grab the prepared bottles from the mini fridge and hand them to him as he goes to warm them a bit.

"I know, I know you're hungry, Rei. Otousan will come with your bottle or do you just miss Atsuko too?" His cries quiet a bit as I mention Atsuko. I can't help but giggle.

"Be a good Oniichan to our sweet baby boy. You know, I didn't put much thought into it before, but Atsuko smells strongly of sunshine, I didn't even know there was a smell to it. Or maybe that's how you'd describe it even if the sun has no scent. I wonder if you two have something special in you both." I ramble to my baby boy who probably has no idea what I'm saying.

"I agree." I jump as I hear a response. My brain was still not working so I thought Rei actually responded.

"I think he's a little too young to speak." I see a bottle put in front of me.

"Psh, I know that!" Once I take the bottle from Zero's hand I feed Rei. Both boys drink their milk, getting sleepy again.

Even though they're asleep we burp them and set them back in their cribs. I drop against him and he takes us back to the bedroom.

"At least walk yourself to the room." I just mumble falling asleep. Last thing I feel is a kiss to my forhead as I'm plopped down on the bed.

Random Day Week 2:

"Why must Otousan be so busy?! They require too much from him! Okaasan is bored. I think it's time to see our old friends. You should meet them! Especially your second cousin Senri! He's our only other living blood relative." Atsuko makes tiny noises which makes me squeal. Rei just frowns, he's so got Zero's face.

"Too bad Rei you anti-social potato! You're going to meet people! Just gotta know where they live. I wonder if I can call Senri." I grab my phone and look for his number.

~0~

"Wow that's a lot of cars there in the Touya manor. Did they tell everyone to come over?!" I question as I step out of the taxi with my two bundles on each arm. I pay my fair and walk up to the manor.

"I sense a lot of people. Ah I'm gonna have upset friends in there, aren't I? Play up the cute factor. They can't yell at me with you two in my arms." I look down and Rei makes a grumpy expression.

"Oh Rei, you defiant meanie. You are my son." I look over at Atsuko who is looking at me with his big eyes happily. I smile at my little angel and walk up the manor. I have no way to knock with my hands full. All I can do is unleash pureblood aura which startles my babies a bit. I quickly make it go away.

"You made it. This is them?" Senri looks at my two wrapped up bundles. I smile and nod at him. He looks at them and smiles at their faces.

"So who is here exactly?" I question Senri as he leads me inside the Touya family manor. Seems like he's been staying here over the toxic environment of the Shiki household. At least that's what he told me it has felt like since his mother went mad with heartbreak.

"You'll see." I dread that response, but can't run away just as he gets me through a doorway that must be the guest living room. Now I wish I'd come with Zero.

"Ah!" The people who hadn't seen me in over half a year are startled to see me with the two babies in my arms.

"Um hey guys." I awkwardly say to the former Night Class students who I grew close to during my time with Kaname and Yuki as well as being the president of the Night Class. The only one missing is Aido. I guess he's not ready to see me yet.

I'm glad I get to see Seiren here today. She kindly let Zero and I stay alone together for the month in the Kuran manor. I guess she's going to find a place of her own now that Zero is there for me. Maybe. We should chat soon.

"Wow! Your package has arrived!" Ichijo breaks the awkward silence. I'm actually grateful for that for once.

"Aha, yeah except now they're called Rei and Atsuko. My sons with Zero. I wanted them to meet the people important to me." I don't look at anyone but my baby boys. I'm startled as everyone surrounds us. Rei makes a bad face and Atsuko manages a smile for a few seconds.

"Whoa, that's not a cute expression at all." Rima mentions as she looks at Rei. I can't help but laugh a little, he's cute to me. . . But he also knows how not to be cute.

"Something smells sweet and nice." Ichijo mentions. I sniff around wondering if they mean Atsuko. I've gotten used to his scent so I don't smell it anymore, but I guess others will.

"Hmm, well before I got used to Atsuko's scent he did smell of what I'd describe as sunshine. My cutie is a special baby!" I nuzzle against his cheek and his tiny arms escape from the blanket to touch my face.

"It's good to see you so happy again." I'm startled and look up at Senri as everyone looks at me with a smile. I blush and smile, using my babies to hide a bit.

"Yeah, I'm finally happy again. I have my precious sons and I have the man I love back by my side." I can't help but smile happily at all of them. I didn't put thought into it since then, but I think this happiness is finally here to stay.

"Is Aido, doing alright?" I question as I let the others take the boys to hold them for a while.

"Well, Akatsuki and I tried to talk to him, but he didn't really respond to us, forgive us. What happened?" I blush and look to the side.

"Um, I suppose it's a little complicated and awkard to explain. Well, uh. . . He uh developed feelings for me and once my sons were born and Zero has stayed by my side, his duty ended and we no longer had a reason to live together in the same home." I explain as best I can. The members who didn't know are rather surprised.

"Yeah, I know. I hope we can meet again. I really wanted Aido to meet Rei and Atsuko. I'll give him his space." Seiren walks up to me, Rei in her arms. I smile at her and she returns it as well.

"Hi, Seiren. Thanks for letting Zero and I spend time with our sons. We should talk." She looks at me a bit surprised and then nods her head. I look around to see who has my sunshine baby.

"Well looks like Atsuko is in good hands with his cousin, Senri." I take Rei back from Seiren and kiss his forehead.

"Seiren, listen, I don't know what your plans are now that I have Zero with me. I mean, I don't want you to be my guard for the rest of your life. I want you to have a life, find your own lover if you're into that, and if you're into kids to raise, then those too. But as a Kuran, I will help maintain your sanity and prevent any fall to Level E. I'm not saying it has to be now, but if it happens naturally, then let me know." I tell her, she looks at me with a slight furrow on her brow.

"But if I leave your side, I will always worry about your safety and the boys." I giggle and play with Rei's  cheeks as he makes a stink face again.

"Well, that feeling really never goes away when someone you care about isn't near you. Like right now, I know where Zero is, but I worry about his safety and if he's alright. We just gotta live with that feeling and hope they come back to you in one piece." Seiren kneels before me and holds the skirt of my dress.

"Ah, Seiren. . ."

"Thank you, Alondra-san. For being so kind and gentle and for thinking of me the whole time we have gotten to know each other. If I ever leave your side, can I still be your family?" She looks up at me and I adjust Rei and put my hand out.

"Whether we are across the ocean in distance, we will always be family, Seiren." She takes my hand and stands up, smiling at me.

"Wah, so Seiren can be cute too!" I look over at Ichijo and the rest of the Night Class members that are watching us. I guess they heard us too.

"Well of course she can be! I brought out the cute." I grin at him. He chuckles and then nods.

"Huh, I guess you really are special. No wonder Kaname was intrigued by you. It's also no wonder you got a guy like Zero to love you." I try to cut off Ichijo, but he's not paying attention to me.

"Ah, Ichijo."

"Yes, Sen- oh. . . Welcome, Zero!" He smiles brightly at my glaring love. I go over to him and put my free hand to his shirt.

"You found us. We missed you." Zero looks down at us, and his glare turns into a gentle look.

"I saw your note. I'm glad you're alright." He leans down and kisses me, I blush and give Rei to him once he pulls back. He takes him and greets him gently.

"Where is my sunshine?!" I look around for Senri, his arms are empty. He points over to Ichijo who is talking to my adorably confused, happy baby.

"Hi, Atsuko, I'm Takuma, you can call me Oniichan when you're older." I squint and walk over taking my baby back.

"Don't even think about it, Ichijo. If you couldn't get me to call you that, you won't get my angel baby to." He pouts and I walk back to Zero so Atsuko can greet him too.

Random Day Week 3:

"Wah you're so boring. You sleep too much! You're lazy like your father! Ow!" Zero pinches my cheeks as I watch our babies sleeping for the fourth time today after making me feed them.

"They're babies. They won't do much for awhile and anyway, you're going to miss them being this tiny." He finally let's go and I rub my possibly reddened cheeks.

"You're right. I mean I miss feeling them in here. The safest place I could have for them." I rub my now empty belly. It's nice to see my feet again, but now I miss having them in my womb. I'm also glad to have them out here to hold in my arms though.

"Well we can work on that later. Let's just wait for these two to be older." I blush brightly and look up at him.

"Y-you want more kids?" He looks over at me and then looks away, I guess he got embarrassed too.

"Well, I wasn't here through the whole process with these two. . . This time I want to be there and see how you look pregnant." He gets quieter and I just feel like I'm turning more red. I really love this guy.

"I love you." I mumble as I press my forehead on his arm. I feel his large, gentle hand touch my hair that is mostly covering my face.

"I love you too, Alondra." I'm unable to control my smile. Hearing him say that now means so much to me. This time he won't take it back.

"Oh I just remembered. . . The President wants to see the boys."

"Wow, is he finally not busy?"

"I guess so. Shall we go to him?" I look at my baby boys and then at the world outside.

"I really don't want to go out with the boys during the winter. He's gonna have to come to us if he wants to see them!" There is no way anyone was going to change my mind and I also didn't want to expose them to any possible dangers of the Association.

"My cute child- agh!" Zero masterfully scoops up Atsuko in his arm and with a swift kick he sends Kaien Cross through the kitchen door. Of course his loud yell startled the boys awake and they start to cry.

"Whoa that really hur- ah Alondra. . . That's a really scary expression."

"You woke up my babies. . ." I crack my knuckles as Zero tries to calm them down.

                    ~0~

"Wow they're as cute as their mother! Eh? Eh? Why is he frowning? That's so cute!" Headmaster watches my two boys who look up at him from Zero's arms. Rei makes his grumpy look, I think he knows Headmaster is a troublesome person. Oh but my precious little Atsuko always has a smile for everyone.

They're so tiny in Zero's hands. It's such a beautiful sight. Wah, how lucky I am to call this man my lover and the father of my children. Kyah!

"You're making a stupid face." And he kills it with that mouth of his. We are startled as Atsuko starts to cry.

"Sorry, sorry, my baby boy we won't curse! Geez you shouldn't even know when we curse. You must be a smart baby." I rub his belly as he starts to quiet down. Zero works on calming him down too.

"Hey, is this child even a vampire? He doesn't feel like one at all?" Headmaster touches Atsuko's cheek. He turns his head and opens his mouth. He smiles gently at him and moves his finger to stroke the side of his head. His face twitches into a smile.

"Well he should be. He came from my womb." Although, he's not wrong. Atsuko doesn't feel like a vampire at all. That worries me a bit. I don't know what this entails, but for a long time now I've felt a sense of dread. That's probably another reason I don't want to take the boys out while they're so small and defenseless.

I'm startled as Headmaster gently puts a hand to my head. I look over at him, his tan eyes smiling as he looks into my eyes.

"Let's hope nothing bad happens, but if you're worried, I'll help protect my grandsons. You four are my family and I want to make sure history never repeats itself again." Geez this guy. I hug him, which totally catches him off guard, but he automatically responds with a hug.

"Thank you, father." He doesn't overreact this time at me calling him father. Thank goodness.

"That's why I'm here now too. I won't let anything happen to my family." I smile at Zero's words, the dread goes away.

Random Day Week 4:

"And then I scared the cattle while your Auntie Yuki tried to keep me from slaughtering them too. I tell you, she was a goody two shoes when she shouldn't have been. But I loved anee-san anyway." I talk away stories about Yuki and Kaname to my sons. I lie on the floor on the blanket with them. All three of us looking at the high ceiling.

"Hah, you know I wish Kaname would have been a little bit different and maybe we could have gotten along. He's not awake, but maybe I can take you to see your uncle ancestor. Because someday there will be a way to awaken him. I continue to hold Yuki in my heart until then." I tell them as well. It feels good to get this stuff out in the open even if they can't understand the majority of what I'm saying.

I'm startled as a laugh escapes Atsuko. I look over at him, he's behaving almost like as if someone were playing with him. Rei can't help but act in the same manner. Slowly I turn on my stomach and watch my tiny weirdos.

"Hey, what are you two laughing at? Is it a ghost?!" I sit up and just watch them a little freaked out. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen a ghost since I gave birth. Holy shit!

"Huh, wonder if it's you. . . Ichiru or Yuki." I look over at Black and Blue Rose who I always keep somewhere close just in case. "Or maybe it's you. . ." I just sigh and smile down at my babies. They look over at me and smile at me as well.

"Ah I love you boys so much. I can no longer see a world without you." Our attention is taken to the living room entrance. I smile as Zero walks in after a long day at the Association offices.

"Well, finally people I'm glad to see." I grin at him as he walks over to give all of us a gentle kiss. We really miss this guy a lot.

"Neh, Zero?" I sit up to look at him as he removes his jacket and snow boots.

"What is it?" I wonder if it would be weird for him. I mean, he is still the one who was my older brother.

"Um, I want the boys to see their uncle. The place where his ice coffin is." He looks at me surprised and then I look down at my babies. I touch their hands gently.

"Alright, but like you said, right? When it's warmer and we let the Association know so traps don't activate when you three are there.

I stand up and knock Zero down on the couch as I hug and kiss him.

"Hey, easy! That hurt!"

"I am a dangerously over eager lover." I hear him chuckle and he puts his hand to the back of my head and his other arm goes around my waist.

"Well, I suppose if this is only for me, I'll let it slide." I giggle and take comfort in his arms.