Mama Mia (Here I go again) (Chapter 3: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)
Words: 3.6k
Warnings: None
Summary: With an unplanned pregnancy affecting her ability to return home, Yuu decides to stay in Twisted Wonderland to raise her child. The problem however, was that she was unsure who the father of her child was. It could be the second prince of the Sunset Savannah, Leona Kingscholar. Or perhaps the actor and model, Vil Schoenheit. Or even the prince of Briar Valley, Malleus Draconia. Whichever the case, Yuu decides to take on the responsibility alone- and raise her daughter Yume, without the father knowing.
None of this would come to light though until her daughters 10th birthday party...
Notes:
Im Semi-back- more at the end of the chapter 👍
“So… what now?” Yuu asked as she held her daughters hand outside of the clinic. Initially- it was one of the most embarrassing things that had ever happened to her- walking in with her daughter and three men, and then asking to know which one was the father. Yuu’s only saving grace was that there was only two people working that early in the morning- as requested by Vil as to limit the amount of people who would know about this whole situation and the people involved.
It could have also been so much worse- the receptionist was rather kind about the whole situation- not outwardly expressing judgment towards Yuu as she guided her and her daughter to one of the multiple empty rooms and did a simple swab test of the inside of Yume’s cheek- merely to gather the skin cells and compare them to Leona’s, Vil’s and Malleus’s. After it was done, Yume grabbed her cheek, more in astonishment than in pain.
“Thats it?” She asked, her eyebrows raised in a similar manner to how Yuu often looked as of late. She gave a toothy grin, as she exclaimed. “I thought it would hurt! Television always made it seem like they took blood-”
“They do that to make it look cooler and more dramatic-” The clinic technician explained to Yume as she set the swab in a medical sterilized container to send up to their lab. “In its own way- it is extremely cool- but its not painful. And just for being a good patient-” She pulled a sticker from her pocket- a purple bird- and handed it to Yume. “heres a sticker for you.”
Yume gladly took the sticker with much enthusiasm, and looked at it and its holographic edges shining different colors under the fluorescent lighting of the building. Yuu smiled softly to the technician and nodded. “Thank you- Yume, what do you say?” She patted her daughters shoulder, and Yume looked up- breaking her entrancement with the sticker.
“Thank you!” And with that, the two of them walked out to the waiting room as Leona went in next, leaving Vil and Malleus with the two of them. It was much preferred compared to the intense rivalry between Leona and Malleus- and as far as Yuu remembered, there was never any feelings of ill-will from either one of them towards the other. Yuu even recalled how Malleus had fixed the SDC stage- doing their whole group a huge favor, as well as had saved Vil from his precarious situation after saving Idia and Grim.
“Vil, Malleus- look at the cool sticker the kind lady gave me!” Yume waved her sticker up high. Vil held out his hand, as Yume placed the sticker in it, and he examined it with the same level of attention that he might have given an in-season blouse or priceless jewel- and yet… it was the sticker that her 10 year old simply liked. He then smiled and handed it over to Malleus for his turn to enjoy the sticker.
“It is lovely- I imagine you already have an idea of where you might stick it?” Vil asked, and Yume nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes- Im going to put it on my school binder.” Yume replied back. Malleus was still looking over the sticker, running a finger over it and turning it sideways, before laughing and handing it back to Yume.
“How fascinating- such a vibrant caricature of an animal as mundane as a bird- and yet, joyful to gaze upon.” Yume’s eyes widened at Malleus’s statement, as she looked down to the sticker he had just handed her back and then up to him again before holding it out towards him.
“You can have it then! I have plenty of stickers- and you seem to really like this one.”
Malleus and Vil looked astonished at the young girl, Malleus carefully reaching and taking the sticker as if he was using the utmost care to do so. “Are you certain?” Yume nodded, and Malleus gently smiled down at her. “Thank you child of mine- I will cherish this for the rest of my life.”
It was finally at that point that a smile broke out onto Yuu’s own face from watching the whole scene in front of her. A gift as simple as a sticker had managed to sway the heart of an almost 190 year old fae- and whats even more- it seems Yume had now her own “nickname” (if you could call it that) given by Malleus; “Child of Mine” probably similar to how he had referred to Yuu as “Child of Man”.
Then it was one big blur- Leona eventually came out, looking no different than he usually did, and Vil went in, then Malleus- and in no more than 15 minutes, they had all submitted their DNA to be compared to Yume’s. “The results should be in within the next three days!” The technician said cheerfully as she waved them out of the clinic before they officially opened. “You all have a nice day!” And with that- all three were left outside wondering what would come next. Yume had the day off given such an important life event was in the midst of occurring- and all three of the men had voted on it in lieu of spending time with her.
“So…. what now?” Yuu asked, as she gripped her purse on her right side and held Yume’s hand on her left, and turned to the three of them. “I understand that you three wished to spend time with Yume- have you discussed amongst yourselves how you would like to go about it?”
“We have not had time to discuss it, however I would not be opposed to spending time with our daughter today.” Malleus smiled- however Vil and Leona both frowned at his statement.
“Its not certain that she is your daughter-” Vil started however Leona was much more resistant in his words.
“And why do you get first dibs, lizard? I hardly think thats fair-” Yuu raised a hand to stop them all from beginning this fight- shooting them all a scalding glare that she had managed to perfect in her years as a mother- and it quickly had them backing off. It actually was so effective, that she wondered why she had not tried to scare them like that sooner?
“I’ll decide then, lest you all start bickering again…There isn't exactly a guide as to how to do this-” Even though Yuu wished there was. “But I feel its only fair by going in order…” She sighed and crossed her arms. “Which means Yume and I will spend the day with Leona.”
“Yay!” Yume jumped up and down.
“Very well- then we shall meet up with you three for dinner then?” Vil asked and Yuu nodded her head in agreement. Malleus looked like he wanted to further argue back, however backed off once Yuu agreed with Vil.
“That sounds good. We will convene for dinner later tonight then.” And with that, Malleus and Vil left for their lodgings, probably to visit around the island, or do whatever they needed/wanted to do. It was then that Yume asked Leona-
“So, what are we going to do?” He didn't seem surprised by her question, as he gave a quick stretch of his arms and looked around.
“Hm- well, I think I know a nice spot for us to go to… but first, we need to go home and change.” Yuu raised an eyebrow at his words. “And perhaps grab some towels and umbrellas.” Then it dawned on her as she smiled.
“Yes then, let us.” She answered back as her, Yume and Leona all walked towards home.
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“Its a beautiful day- is not not Yume?” Yuu asked as she and Leona set out the towels onto the warm and dry sand below them. Not too far off in the distance, the crashing of soft waves against the shore could be heard- close enough that the sound was calming but far away enough that the they could hear one another. “A perfect day for the beach.”
“It is! Thank you Leona for bringing us!” Yume chirped as she skipped a step as she set up her area on the sand. Whilst doing so, she kicked up some sand towards their direction, however Leona didn't say anything as he simply dusted off the towels he had just set down- with surprising patience for the child. It shocked even Yuu as she watched the scene unfold.
As soon as he was done helping to set up their spot, he plopped himself down on the towel, spreading his legs and about to lay back before Yume came up to him. In her arms was a volleyball, which Leona could easily fit into one of his hands, and she extended it towards him. “Come on! We are at the beach- lets play!”
“Oh yeah? What do you wanna play?” He asked with a casual tone as he leaned back where he sat. Some rays of sun managed to make its way through the slits between the umbrellas, illuminating some of the beads he wore.
“Volleyball, duh?” She raised the ball and tossed it to Leona, who was unsurprisingly quick in his reflexes as he, indeed, caught the ball in one of his hands.
“Im not gonna go easy on you. I don't care if you’re a kid- I will beat you.” Leona warned, raising his eyebrows. If he was trying to deter the kid though, his plan failed, as she folded her arms.
“Prove it then!” Yume challenged him. For a brief moment, he looked like he considered it, before turning to Yuu- who just shrugged. When it came to Yume today- he would be on his own. If he wanted to try and be her father, and prove he could handle a kid, Yuu would let him- but she would let him on his own terms. She wouldn't interfere unless absolutely necessary.
“Guess you’ll have to show her.” Was all Yuu said as she looked to the ocean, reclined onto her back and placed the sunglasses over her eyes. He looked taken aback- before nodding his head.
“Alright-” The sand shifted underneath him as he stood up. “Guess we are doin’ this.”
They made their way over to a section of the beach further from where Yuu sat- with a line created from pebbles and rocks that Yume has scavenged from around the beach- to show which side was theirs. It was far from the perfect set up- but it was well made enough that it seemed easy to understand.
Even though Leona was obviously going easy on Yume, Yume was still able to hold her own just fine against the prince. The ball was being tossed between the two of them as Yuu weighed the idea of Leona being Yume’s father in her mind seriously now. What traits did they share? Unfortunately not looks- that alone was Yuu’s doing… but Yume was prideful like Leona- but so were Vil and Malleus. So then what else? Well, she was competitive for one… and had a sort of craftiness for getting herself out of situations where she might be in trouble- that neither Vil nor Malleus had.
Her daughters professional skills in Volleyball could be considered questionable though- as she lost the ball for the 10th time after a rather powerful spike from Leona, and having to go and retrieve it. Unfortunately, the ball had rolled towards the ocean, eventually rolling to a stop just short of the water by a few feet. Yume turned and ran to get it.
“Yume- be careful near the water-” Yuu called out to her daughter as she sat more upright and watched intently as Yume got closer and closer to the waters edge. Many who lived on the island knew to be careful of the waves- even though they looked calm, they were strong, and could sweep small children and animals up easily.
Yume crossed her arms- more playfully than deterrent on her mothers words. “Ill be fine!” She laughed, and continued her march towards the edge of the water where the volleyball. At Yuu’s concerned voice though, Leona walked up behind Yume, walking with her near the water to retrieve the ball. Just as they approached, the Volleyball was swept up by another incoming tide, and he reached to grab the ball.
Leona looked up from grabbing the ball from the water, however, and quickly let it go as he watched Yume’s unsteady legs buckle underneath her from the sudden rush of water coming onto land. “Hey, be careful!” and before she could go tumbling into the water, he was swiftly beside her and scooping her up by the back of her swimshirt. She raised from the ground easily, as he held her up in the air and walked back towards the dry sand. Yuu chuckled at the sight- like seeing a lion carry its cub by the scruff of its neck as the cub wiggled to try and break free.
Yuu stood up, walking a few steps towards the pair as Leona finally set Yume down near their set up umbrellas. “I said I had it-” Leona and Yuu looked down to Yume, raising an eyebrow.
“No you didn't." They both said at the same time, in such perfect sync that they had to look to one another- caught off guard. Yuu was mildly relieved to see they both had the common sense to detect when their daughter was incapable- Wait- she wasnt… their daughter. Or was she?
“How about we settle down for some lunch? We’ll call it a tie… for now.” Leona asked, however Yuu was too focused on her previous thoughts. There was a chance that Leona could be Yume’s father- even if that chance was a sliver compared to Vil and Malleus. After all, how could she get pregnant after only one evening with Leona? “Yuu?” Leona gave her a look, before she snapped out of it.
“Yeah- I think thats a good idea.” She nodded and Yume grinned.
“Did you bring the mangos?” The child asked, immediately reaching and clinging onto Yuu whilst she unpacked the bag she had packed with their food.
“Yes…” Yuu answered, setting them down on one of the towels.
“How about the sandwiches?”
“Yes.” Yuu pulled out the sandwiches.
“And the sodas?”
“Yume- I packed everything.” Yuu opened the bag and showcased it to Yume. “Check for yourself.”
The girl inspected the bag herself as she rummaged through it and then pulled away, nodding in approval. “Good, I just wanted to be sure.” Yuu gave the girl a look, as she smiled and shook her head.
Sometime in between their lunch and Yume munching on the remainder of the Mango’s they had packed, the child ended up falling asleep. She had saw how Leona had laid out with no cares, and tried to copy him, with much success as she passed out almost instantaneously. Where she had chosen to drift off though was a rather unfortunate spot, given how she was directly in the sun. Yuu stood up, lifting Yume and placing her underneath one of their umbrella’s as her and Leona watched the ocean.
It was silent for a good while, neither saying anything before Yuu decided to break the silence; “Who would have thought we would be here almost 10 years later… Its insane.” Yuu was no longer the same person she was a decade ago. Having a child changed a person- changed a person in a different way that perhaps Leona changed over the years- or didn't. “Who would have thought just a single night together would lead to this?” To them being there, on a beach together, and trying to find the right words to say to one another.
“I certainly didn't- didn't know I would be signing myself up for this years later all because I thought you looked good in that dress… well, not much we can do now.” He shrugged. “Besides- if it makes you feel better… there are worse people to have a kid with.”
Yuu gave a half hearted “Thanks.” At the backhanded compliment, but she knew deep down it came from a good place. Words had never been either of their specialties with one another- and it was better that way. She appreciated the actions Leona did do to make her feel better- like how as the sun moved as the day progressed and Yume napped, he would nudge the umbrella to always be covering her.
At the time, it didn't seem like such a big thing; she had thought Leona was extremely attractive and his actions assured her in a way that words sometimes did not- however, where she was currently in her life, it meant so much more to her.
“I agree.” She finally said. “There are much worse people to have a kid with- and I should be thankful that it could be you…. I mean… I did not expect any of you to show up even if you did learn of Yume’s existence- much less, all three of you. Whichever one of you should be her father, I know she’ll be the luckiest daughter in the world.”
Leona looked over to Yuu, shock on his face as he digested her words before a smirk replaced the expression on his face. “Have you gone soft, Herbivore?” He teased as he poked her with one of his fingers.
She swatted at it quickly, sighing- her thoughts returning to her earlier musings of their personal growth over the years. “I stand corrected- You are just as I remember you.” Yuu put her hand down as she leaned back, relaxing more. “And no… I just… relaxed. I guess having a child does that to you… that and no longer having to deal with Overblots.”
There was another round of silence between the two of them, though it was a much more comfortable silence. It didn't feel as long or as tense as it had before. That was until Leona spoke up once more.
“So- you left the lizard?” Yuu’s face deadpanned as she looked to Leona- his face also holding a serious expression, and a moment of silence between the two. Before Yuu finally cracked a smile, leading to the both of them laughing- and attempting to laugh into their hand to not disrupt the young girl that was snoring just a few steps from them. “Ill take that as a yes-”
“Nope- no no no, im not doing this with you-” Yuu laughed out, and then wagging a finger towards Leona as she shook her head.
“Doing what-”
“I cant sit here and talk badly about the other two- Vil and Malleus- and what I experienced with them. That wouldn't be fair-” She shrugged. “Im sure you wouldn't appreciate it if I did that with them about you-”
Leona scoffed. “Well, there wouldn't be much to share- It was only one night.” He chuckled then as he rubbed his chin. “Unless its all of the best parts of the night- then I wouldnt care-”
“Leona-” Yuu frowned and scrunched her nose. Even though it was a joke- she knew if she even confided in the other two, they would certainly try to kill him on the spot (perhaps with even malleus being successful…).
“Alright-” He raised his hands in defeat. “It doesn't matter. But we should discuss what we will do if Yume is mine.” Yuu nodded in agreement- hoping the conversation would ease her nerves on that matter. That was the one thing she did not want to happen; for Yume’s father to all of a sudden come and disturb the life they had built with one another. It was better for Yuu to set the record straight before there were any miscommunications-
“If she is mine, im not looking to take her from you.” Leona started- and Yuu blinked, surprised but also delighted at his words. “I would like to see her often, but only on your terms. Arrange visits to the Sunset Savannah on her school breaks, that way she gets to know her heritage- and well… keep her private.” He sighed. “And my family would also love to know her- they’ve already been bugging me when Im going to get married and have my own children-”
“And is that a goal of yours?” Yuu asked hesitantly.
“No, not exactly.” Leona answered. “Well- the kids part I might not have a say in- but im not lookin’ to jump the broom anytime soon. At least if I let them meet Yume, they might leave me alone all together- granted, I skipped a step or two…”
“A step or two? Try a whole flight of stairs.” Yuu shot back, however softened. She could see Leona wasn't looking to snatch Yume away from her- and actually, provided her ideal plan of sharing Yume. Yume still living with her, going away only during times when she has off. “How about summers?”
“For summers… I can come here. Island would be clear of students for the summer anyhow and gets me away from my responsibilities for a while, so its an ideal destination.” Leona grinned.
“And… I don't want Yume to be roped into any politics. Even if she is considered a…’princess’, I don't want her to be treated like one. I want her to have just a normal childhood- or, as normal as she can have one.” Though the three men showing up on their doorstep might have thrown a wrench in Yuu’s plan.
“Agreed. She’ll be left out of it.” Leona agreed quicker than he had everything else- as if it was not something Yuu would have to worry about. She sighed in relief.
“Then its settled.” Yuu held out her hand for them to shake on it, and Leona took it, grasping her hand in his with ease as they shook on it.
Authors Note:
Hello everyone, thank you for those who have left kind comments on the previous two chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter- and am sorry its so short. I would have written more, but feel if I did I might have not finished at all and just given up- so take this half assed thing. Im gonna try and work on the rest of this and not really focus on perfecting it since I feel that also holds me back a bit.
I know ive been gone for two months, but a lot happened since may when I first posted this series. My mom was hospitalized a second time and then passed very shortly after, so I've been handling her affairs and packing the house since ill be moving (I lived with her and we are selling the house). Been handling the grief of losing my only parent and my family home- as well as been trying to figure out who I am since she got sick two years ago, and since then have been her primary care giver. Thank you for being patient, I really appreciate it- and it really helped me to come back to writing/ just having an outlet to get my mind off things.
