The child looked down at the tired man and began to pet his head. He was a little heavy, but Mina didn't mind at all, just curious as to why the man was there and why he was using her lap as a pillow. "It's okay mister...you just take a nap, okay? Everything's always better with a nap." She just gently smoothed his hair back and hummed disjointedly, a familiar tune perhaps, sung to her by her mother now to him.
((Gonna make this hurt- Au where Walter didn't betray Hellsing but became young again in another fashion, and Integra died in childbirth (maybe to a second child, just recently and Mina doesn't know it yet) like Mina's grandmother did. So Walter and presumably Fiona ended up raising her))
Sorrow. Absolute aching sorrow had filled the mans bones. For a third time, he had to witness such a travesty in the midst of such miracle. His daughter, Integra Hellsing, gone, along with her would-be son, little Mina's brother. The strain had been too much on them both and he should have realized that such conditions could be hereditary. He knew, months ago, when the signs began. He and Integra planned in secret for Mina's future with the thought of little Arthur in mind, just in case...
But it would not be necessary. Of course, now, as he could barely hold him self up much less tell the child, the song she hummed was immediately recognized. It almost tore a sob from him, but he had not even cried when he saw the light leave Integra's eyes. Oh her smile. Never before had it been so placid, so sure knowing that Walter was there to rear her girl and keep Fiona in check. Never before had they looked ever so loving as they gazed upon him, before suddenly turning blank.
And it was all too familiar. Her innocence, her ignorance. Would she too believe her mother walked among the stars now? With her baby brother in arm, chatting with the moon and stars and celebrating?
Now was not the time to commiserate. He had to be strong for her now, as he had been for Integra moments later whom now lay with a still babe in her arms, sheets covering them reverently.
When he lifted his head, there were no tears in his eyes but the redness remained. He smiled his best smile for her, then. She was so like her, he thought.
A nap would not fix this but oh he cherished the innocence of the idea. Innocence that would be shattered in weeks as she came to realize what had happened. He said not a word to her, gathering her into his arms as he held her close. Such sweet compassion. It was what made her mother such a dauntless leader... He hoped it would serve Mina well.