The Great Escape (IC)

[Avenger Assembled]

For his part, Heyzel was rather less exuberant in his excitement, but he was nonetheless happy. He found himself clapping giant metal bees on the back as all the giant insects celebrated, a happy moment that nearly got him knocked out of the sky. There was something to be said for physical fellowship, and something to be said for keeping it to emotional ties with gigantic creatures some five to ten times his size and mass. As the echoes of Gabriel's world-reaching shout spread through the air and reverberated to what was surely a quiet Heaven in this dimension, Heyzel whipped the bees up for one last song: the first that came to mind and the most appropriate to welcome a child into the world. (Well, one that wasn't holy, anyway.)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BAAAYYYBEEEE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOUUUU!" From the air, he could see where more giant bees were arriving, as well as a small party from the settlement near Fleur's house. It seemed the word was out on this joyous occasion to all!

[Electra]

It was still awhile before the well-wishers were allowed in to visit the family. There were cleanup chores to be done, which Anne accomplished with cheerful efficiency while Stesha and Derrick bonded with their new daughter, and then weighing and measuring to be done as well. Amaryllis Marie Lumins weighed in at a healthy seven pounds, six ounces, and eighteen inches long, with the requisite complement of fingers and toes and a downy crop of spring green hair. She cried in protest to be cleaned up and diapered, but settled down again once placed in her father's arms while her mother got herself cleaned up. Outside, people and bees were arriving from all over Sanctuary, and the atmosphere was convivial.

The heroes were the first group of friends allowed into the bedroom. Stesha looked a bit tired but enormously happy, dressed in clean pajamas and propped up in bed with the baby. Amaryllis was wrapped up like a baby burrito in a pink knitted blanket, her face squashed up and peaceful in sleep. Stesha smiled at all her friends as they came in. "I guess this wasn't how you were all expecting to spend your afternoon."

[Cyroa]

Derrick marveled at the tiny figure in his arms, just looking on as he felt ready to burst, while Stesha was getting cleaned up. His daughter. In all his years of travel and the sights he'd seen, only one sight could even compare to the little bundle of joy and that was his wife. He had never once imagined having anyone in his life like Stesha, of being married to a wonderful woman. Nor had he ever dreamed of being so lucky as have daughter. The universe had conspired to bless him, doubly so, with such wonders as the two most important woman in the universe.

Later, even without holding his daughter, he stood by and still marveled at the two of them lying together. He stood and nodded to the others as they entered, a huge smile plastered unknowingly along his normally calm and relaxed face. Even if he lived to be a thousand, ten thousand, forever, it didn't matter. This was a day he would never, ever forget and cherish for eternity.

[KnightDisciple]

For his part, Gabriel had slipped into the kitchen when the bees started up their song; after all that flying and singing and voice-projecting, he needed a drink. Of course, he found a box of crackers, and had to grab a couple of handfuls to get back a bit more energy, too. All that sonic energy didn't come for free!

Still, when it was time for visitors to come see the child, the hero in white came into the room, all smiles.

"Congratulations! Both of you! A daughter! What did you decide on for the name, again? I think you told me earlier, but all the excitement in here and outside kind of pushed it from my mind."

He reached down to gently poke the nose of the adorable child, humming a gentle tune as he does so.

[Avenger Assembled]

"Bless you, baby," said Freedom Angel, folding his wings in so he didn't get in the way of everybody as they crowded in around the baby. Mindful of the new parents, he didn't want anything to be between Derrick, Stesha, and their little girl that day. He did reach down and lightly touch the newborn on the forehead, just for a moment, looking pleased as he pulled his hand back a second later. "Yes, everything is in order here. Congratulations, Stesha and Derrick. This is a blessed day for everyone. And you too, Mrs. Madison," he added with a smile for Stesha's mom. "A new member for your family, and the family of all people. What a blessed day this is!"

[Fox]

"I bet you'll be happy to be able to take the stairs again," Gaian Knight joked, looking fondly at the little girl. New life! Birth is a crazy, crazy thing. "As for you, kid, you gave your mom a hard time! You gave us all quite a scare, too. Shame on you."

He'd pulled his goggles up to his forehead when he entered to get a better look at the new arrival, and now he glanced side to side conspiratorially, putting a hand to the side of his mouth like he was sharing a great secret...loud enough to be heard, and from several feet away. "But I tell you what: when you get older, you come on over to Mister Gaian's house and I will spoil you rotten. Just don't tell your parents."

[Gizmo]

Hanging to the back of the room to let the others get a closer look at the newborn, Jill rested her chin in one palm. "That kid is going to have one bizarre life..." she remarked quietly with a soft, bemused smile and a tone that made it clear she didn't think that was anything but a blessing in and of itself. She'd never given much thought to children herself, certainly not since certain realizations, but it was hard to watch the parents with their baby and not muse on the possibilities of the future.

[Cyroa]

Derrick was doing his best not to gush and fawn over his wife and daughter. He was only partially successful, but still. He was so happy, he was having a little trouble keeping his energy bottled up. He was fairly certainly his face had frozen into a giant happy smile.

"Thank you, everyone, for being here for us on this perfect day. Your presence means a great deal to us and we will treasure this, always. Thank you," he said sincerely, shaking hands and even giving a brief hugs in his joyful mood. "She is going to be the luckiest girl ever," he said with a beaming smile at his two lovely ladies.

[Electra]

Stesha was pretty tired and there were many other well-wishers in the wings, so no one stayed too long in the bedroom. Even so, the party shaping up outside was enough to stick around for. Stesha's baby had been an eagerly awaited arrival to Sanctuary, and both the bees and the human occupants were ready to celebrate. Between baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and the potent fermented honey that the bees had decanted into containers and brought along, it was quite a shindig, one that went on into the evening. Adding to the festive atmosphere was the fact that Sanctuary itself seemed to want to get into the action, with flowers blooming riotously everywhere, adding color and scent and atmosphere. For a day that had started out rather inauspiciously, it was an especially nice ending.