"Lina..."
He breathed her name, kneeling down by her side. She was so quiet now, and far too still, lying on the bed. Especially her face, that was so often smiling before. He reached over and touched her, but there was no response. Whereas before, she... Zelgadis fought inside himself, then kissed her. Her lips would not kiss back.
And Zelgadis lost.
The tears were forced out of his soul, spilling from his bleeding heart. "Lina...!" His head fell to her shoulder and he clutched her, biting back the pain. His closed eyes intensifying the effort, trying to blind himself to what happened.
"Zelgadis-san..." Sylphiel whispered even more quietly than his sobs. His ragged breaths slowed for a moment, as he looked up to see Sylphiel kneel beside him, at the edge of Lina's bed. Her face echoing deep sorrow. The tiny bundle in her arms. She handed it to him, and he took it gently, but in a daze.
Zelgadis stroked the child's face, searching for a living resemblance to his Lina. But the child had his indigo hair and ice blue eyes. Lina died to give him this girl, but she would not help her live on. Zelgadis again, shut his eyes and bit his teeth together.
Then for no apparent reason, except maybe realizing that she was looking up at her father, she made happy gurgling sounds. Just born, and the little thing was smiling already. Zel began to smile. Then he began to laugh.
There was his Lina!
He leaned over the still form again, and traced his fingers across her cheek, mouthing the words "goodbye..." He tried not to, but he had to kiss her before he let her go. He pulled away very slowly, postponing the moment. The child he still held at his chest mimicked his movement, and let an outstretched hand slip away from the ocean of red locks. The tiny fingers probably entangled themselves in Lina's hair as he pressed against her for their kiss. He saw this in a glance and the pain started again.
And the child would not cry.