The End Of The Beginning

Four years later...

Keith sat underneath a tree, the breeze made by the leaves relaxing him. In his arms he held a baby, his four-month-old son. A small smile flitted across his face as Ethan yawned, his little mouth forming a perfect 'o'. Keith nudged his little hands with a finger, and Ethan gripped it, his blue eyes blinking up at his proud father. Gently, Keith kissed the baby's forehead. He remembered when Allura told him that she was pregnant again. He nearly passed out from the happiness. The birth had been easy, and he didn't have sprained fingers as he had the last time when Allura got a little too enthusiastic with her grip.

Looking up, he saw his daughter Elisabeth heading straight for them. Spritely and smart-mouthed, she was the perfect copy of her mother save for the ebony hair she'd inherited from him. She plopped herself down next to Keith and grinned.

"Hi," she greeted.

"What's up, Kiddo?"

"Uncle Lance says that he could outfish your old butt anyday."

Keith glanced over to where Lance, Sven, Hunk, and Pidge were sitting on the banks of the lake, fishing poles in hand. Lance had turned around to see his reaction to that news and waved when he caught Keith's eye. He held Jack, his two-year-old, in his lap and the little boy waved too. Keith waved back, a wry expression on his face.

"Do you believe Uncle Lance?" Keith asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

"Of course not, Daddy," Bethie replied, insulted that he would ask.

Keith kissed the top of her head. "Well, then he can talk all he wants, can't he?"

"Yup."

Bethie jumped up and ran to where her mother and aunts were setting up the picnic. Keith watched as Allura smiled down at her daughter and handed her some plates, instructing the little girl where to put them. Happy to be given a 'grown-up' job, Bethie did as she was told. The present Queen of Arus looked over to where her husband was sitting and grinned, pointing at Bethie. Her expression told him that it was only a matter of time until Bethie whined about doing anything. He chuckled.

Gwen, Romelle, Link, and Nanny were putting the food out. The last time they allowed any of the men to do it, they had eaten more than they had helped. Gwen and Hunk's one-year-old daughter Olivia was sitting on the bench next to Coran, her short legs swinging. She watched patiently, showing none of the restlessness that the other toddlers did. Morgan, who was six, was nearby, picking wildflowers that she insisted would be placed in the center of the table. She'd already finished decorating anyone who would let her and Keith remembered then that he had a white posy stuck behind his ear.

Allura broke away from them and headed for Keith. She crouched down next to him, her touch gentle as she caressed Ethan's face. He sighed and she smiled.

"You've been sitting here for a while," she said.

"Just thinking," he replied. "And Ethan's been entertaining me."

"I see," Allura said wryly. She glanced over to the fishermen. "I think Lance has baby envy."

"He's just jealous because he doesn't have all my attention anymore. It happens." He looked at his wife, seeing how peaceful she was and how much younger she looked now that the rigors of war were past. This was the life he wanted for her and he was happy that he was the man she'd chosen to share it with. He kissed her.

"Ewwww..."

They broke apart and laughed when they saw Jack and Bethie peeking at them from behind the tree. Allura grabbed at Jack and ticked him mercilessly while Bethie ran circles around them, evading her father.

"Fight back, Son!" Lance called out. "Don't let her get to you!"

But Jack only laughed until tears rolled down his chubby cheeks. Grinning from ear to ear, Allura finally let him go and he ran off to his mother. Keith gathered Allura in his arms, still holding Ethan, and Bethie went to sit next to Allura. Allura rested her head on Keith's shoulder, putting an arm around Bethie.

"Perfect," she sighed with a soft smile.

Pidge crept up to them and snapped a photograph. He smiled when they looked at him with surprise.

"For posterity," he said and turned towards those gathered at the picnic table. "Is the food ready? I think Hunk is getting desperate. He's starting to talk to the fish."

"Yup," Gwen replied. "Chow time, Fellas!"

They went to sit around the table. Sven went to his wife's side, fussing as she looked at him with amusement. Romelle was barely two months pregnant with their twins and was perfectly capable of doing things on her own, but Sven wouldn't let her and on Allura's advice, she let him do what he wanted. She'd never been more relaxed and well-rested in her life. She only hoped he would last until the last trimester. He even made her stay seated and got her food for her. Gwen was pregnant as well, a little further along than Romelle, but Hunk took it all in stride. He'd been a nervous wreck when she was pregnant with Olivia, but he'd learned from that experience. He decided that he would freak out only in the birthing room from then on.

"You're serving her, but you let her put the food out," Lance pointed out. "It doesn't match up, Sven. You need to be consistent."

"Lance, I von't even mention how you picked Link up and refused to let her walk from your doorstep to a vaiting groundcar."

As the others laughed, Lance said, feigning gratitude, "Thanks, Sven."

Keith put Ethan in his infant carrier as Allura settled Bethie on the bench next to Jack.

"No food fights," she warned. "I mean it Elisabeth."

"Yes, Mommy."

"Jack, you watch her," Allura said to the little boy.

"'Kay, Auntie 'Lura."

She smiled indulgently at him and handed them each a plate of food. Morgan came trotting over with the bouquet and after shoving it in a discarded bottle, put the bottle at the center of the table.

"There," she said, clapping her hands delightedly.

"It's beautiful," Hunk said, stroking her head. "Now come and eat."

"Can I sit with Jack and Bethie, Daddy?"

"Sure." He looked down at Olivia. "You want to go with your sister, Livvie?"

Olivia nodded and Morgan took her hand, leading her to the end of the table where the two toddlers were eating. Finally, everyone had a plate of food and was seated at the table. Coran smiled as he looked around at the radiant faces of the people he loved. Next to him, Nanny had a similar expression on her face.

"Your father would have been so happy to see this, Your Majesty," he said to Allura.

Allura's eyes trailed around the table. Only the Royal Family lived in the Castle of Lions now. Romelle and Sven, as well as Hunk and Gwen lived on Earth. Link and Lance lived in Voltronia. Pidge lived in a little cottage by the Castle. She still missed the noise they created even though it had been nearly three years since the last person moved out. When they got together like this, with their children, it made her miss the days when they were together all the time. She remembered not wanting the Keith, Lance, Sven, Hunk, and Pidge to stay on Arus all those years ago..now she couldn't imagine her life had they not stayed. She looked at the children sitting near her and thought of the children who were still to come. Her heart warmed at the thought.

No, she didn't want the life she would have had.

"Not bad, huh?" Keith whispered in her ear.

Allura smiled. "No. Not bad at all."

The Legend will continue...