A Rose by Any Other Name
The infant's cries broke the still morning. Her mother smiled down at the ruddy bundle in her arms as the midwife patted her arm. "A lovely, healthy girl, Leandra."
She turned her smile to her lover. "We should name her Celene."
Malcolm pulled a rose from behind him, out of thin air. "Or Rose. They started blooming this morning. Poetic, don't you think?"
She laughed, carefree and unburdened as she took it from him to dangle the blossom before the child. "Yes. Rose Celene Hawke. Welcome to the world, darling."
The baby grabbed at the flower, catching the only thorn on her small hand. She didn't cry, just stared at the red blood trickling across her fat palm before flailing it again. Malcolm healed the scratch with a touch of magic and she burbled. "She's strong and fearless already. We will have our hands full."
"Her father's doing." He leaned over the bed and wrapped the two of them in a hug, kissing Leandra's hair and hiding the quiet sorrow in his eyes.
A soft knock came from the door. "Do I have a new grandbaby?" The woman's soft curls were cut short and white as she stooped over her cane.
Malcolm laughed. "Yes, yes. Thank you, Eleanor. This means so much to us. Come see her."
She peered down at the baby, touching a soft wrinkled finger to the girl's nose. "She will be a beauty as she grows with those blue eyes. Her name?"
Malcolm beamed. "Rose Celene." Leandra fidgeted with the blankets.
Eleanor patted the bed. "I'll let you bond. If you need anything more, just holler."
Once the door shut, Leandra glared up at him. "She has real grandparents."
He sighed. "In Kirkwall, and they disowned you."
"They may change their mind now." She smiled down at Rose again. "Who could resist this child?"