The Last Shadowhearth

「The Beginning (pt. 2)」

It was getting late, the sun was setting at the horizon. The creaking of a wooden door opening interrupted the time I was spending with my brother. A tall man around six-foot-seven entered the house with his white hair falling over his charming blue eyes. Strong winds entered the house before he slammed the door shut.

Hearing the noise come from the living room a bright smile formed on my face. "Daddy is home!" I exclaimed before running out to the front door to see my dad. It was a daily routine that I always looked forward to.

Akane got up and chased me to the front door. "Hold on Liz, wait up!" He probably wasn't ready for me to suddenly run off like that, causing me to snicker when I heard him call for me.

After I made it to the living room I hugged my dad tightly, and with a blissful smile on my face, I shouted: "Welcome home, papa!" followed by a warm and welcoming smile to make him feel better in case his day was rough.

(Abelardo's POV)

I finally came home after a long day of hunting. As I entered, Elizabeth hugged me tightly. The feeling of having a family to return to was more than enough motivation for me to keep working for them.  I set the bag down and picked up Elizabeth, cradling her as she made herself comfortable in my arms. "You are supposed to be asleep, why are you still up?" I asked as I playfully ruffled a hand through her hair.

Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks while making a pouty face, she hated going to sleep, especially since she had way too much energy that made it difficult for her to be able to. "I was waiting for papa to come home!" she protested.

I chuckled at her response and set her down while patting her head. "Well go have Akane tuck you in, it's bedtime." I smiled at her. Akane had a bitter look on his face. I noticed and raised a brow. I walked to Akane and asked, "Is everything alright? You look like you saw a ghost." I set a hand on his shoulder.

Akane put his hand on mine and gently pushed it off with a sigh. "Father, I need to talk to you in private." It took me a while to process what he just said before I felt a wave of unease tie my stomach in knots.

'In private? Is something wrong?' along with many other thoughts were racing through my mind. I became extremely worried and noticed that my wife wasn't in the room. 'Linda...' Out of an act of impulse I instantly held Akane's shoulders firmly. "Is she okay? What happened?!" I shouted as I had a distraught look on my face.

The sudden change of atmosphere made Elizabeth scared. She slowly and quietly made her way to her bedroom and hid in her room.

Akane stayed surprisingly calm and sighed again. "You are scaring Elizabeth, and mother is okay." He looked at me in the eyes with a serious look as a calming smile formed on his face. I calmed myself down and put my hand to my forehead, a bit of sweat dripping down the side of my head. 

"Sorry son, I just don't want to lose you guys. Especially your future baby sibling." I took a few deep breaths and put my hands down to my side as I stood idly. "What did you want to talk about?" I asked calmly. 

Akane pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for a few seconds to prepare himself for the sudden reaction to the conversation they were about to have. "It's a girl, and her name is Elenore," he told me.

(Elizabeth's POV)

After calming myself down from my father's sudden breakdown I silently opened my door a crack, peeking through to watch their conversation. I was always told eavesdropping was bad; but, not knowing what happened after witnessing my dad's breakdown was making my anxiety skyrocket.

When I started to eavesdrop and their conversation I heard Akane say, "It's a girl, and her name is Elenore." I blinked several times after hearing this and only grew more curious. So, I continued to eavesdrop on them.

My father's demeanor suddenly changed from calm to excited and happy. He shot up, I could see his smile turn to an excited grin, and tears?... 'Why is daddy crying? He looks happy..." I thought to myself. I didn't think much about it since people cried tears of joy, right? 

"Oh my goodness, you aren't joking with me right now are you?" My father asked desperately, this was important to him. "I have to go see them, go tuck Elizabeth in alright?" Then he ran off to mommy's room.

Then Akane started making his way to my room, causing me a bit of panic. I didn't want to get in trouble for eavesdropping so I quickly jumped into my bed with one of my dolls that I grabbed and pretended I was playing with her. The doll had wavy brown hair that was half down the doll's back with emerald green eyes. It wore a plain pink dress with purple trim, though it had puffy sleeves you'd see on the dress of a wealthy person. There was a mini polar bear stuffed animal that was about a third of the size of the doll. She took the bear and hid it behind her back. "Oh no Sally, they took Snowy!" She said, moving the doll so it seemed like it was speaking, but before she could speak Akane entered the room.

"It's time for bed Lizzie. Get on your pajamas and I will tuck you in." Akane told me. A smile formed on my face as I nodded while Akana left the room

After I finished putting on my pajamas I called out, "Akane-niichan I am ready!" Then I jumped into bed with my stuffed bunny while waiting for Akane. He soon came in and tucked me in which made me smile. "Can you tell me a story?" I asked.

Akane chuckled as he pats my head while shaking his. "Ah Lizzie, what am I going to do with you?" He said in a teasing manner to which I puffed out my cheeks.

"Tell me a bedtime story... You make the best!" I pout quietly as I stared at Akane with an adorable pouty face. 

He shook his head before putting his hands behind his head. He smiled at me and pat me again. "How can I resist someone as adorable as you?" He asked once again in a teasing manner, though he wasn't lying. 

She stares at him while getting more upset. "I am not adorable! I am scary, fear me!" She hissed and playfully pounced onto him. "Now tell me a bedtime story or I will attack you more." 

Akane shook his head as he lifted me up and set me back on my bed. He took the blanket that had fallen on the ground and tucked me in again, giving me my stuffed bunny. "Midnight!" I smiled while hugging the black-furred stuffed bunny. Its snout and legs were white and it had a pink nose with yellow eyes. 

Akane chuckled and waited for me to calm down from my sudden excitement of him giving me my stuffed bunny. After a few minutes, I soon calmed down and yawned. "Tell me a story now please." I smiled happily. 

With a quiet laugh, Akane nodded to me. "Alright, Once upon a time..."

Next Part: The Beginning (pt. 3)

Sorry for the cliffhanger, my brain has been failing me and I needed to get a part out for something