MLII C8, P9.5- "Shattered Heart"

"Shattered Heart" is the ninth Part of "Miracula Luxia II" 's eighth Chapter, part of its Alternative Ending.
It was released on 16.08.2021.
== Plot ==
A horrible tragedy befalls Jared as soon as his son is born. While the child is indeed alive and well, he lost someone very important to him in the process.
Without the woman who gave birth to his firstborn son's presence, he and his family have to take care of the child alone. The future is still bright. However, there is someone who will not be able to see it. Someone who will not be a part of the change that is going to happen.
Perhaps the future is not quite as bright anymore, Especially when one of the brighest lights of Hope has been snuffed out.
== Story ==
Jared continues to wait in the waiting room. He is still lost in thought and his eyes are closed.
"This is the happiest moment in my entire life."- He admits- "However, I am slowly growing impatient. I want to see him. I want to see my son and hug him. To feel his warmth and see the one who is going to take care of this world after I retire."
He hears that there are screams coming from the other side of the door and recognizes that they are coming from Meggy. She seems to be in pain.
"Come on, Meggy. Just a little bit more."- He says- "We've gotten through so much. We survived the worst of nightmares together. Do not give up on me right at the end. Please. I beg you."
It takes about half an hour for the screaming to stop, but it finally does. Soon, everything becomes eerily quiet.
Jared becomes concerned. He is unsure why he is unable to hear both Meggy's voice and the cry of their newborn child. Is it possible that something has happened to them?
A few moments later, he hears the cry of a baby coming from the other side and realizes that his son is finally here. Barely able to contain his excitement, he sits back down and waits for the doctors to call him.
Five minutes pass as the child continues to cry. It seems like it is concerned about something. Muttering can be heard from inside.
Soon, the door opens. The lead doctor shows up.
Jared looks at him and notices that he is carrying his newborn child in his hands. He stands up and greets him.
"Is everything alright, doctor?"- He asks him as he takes his son- "You seem to be... sad about something."
The doctor looks down.
"We tried our best to save her, but we failed. She didn't make it out."- He says- "I'm so sorry, Jared. She... she's gone."
Jared's eyes fill up with tears as he watches the corpse of his wife get taken away by the rest of the doctors.
"No. This cannot be."- He mutters- "Is this really happening to us?"
He looks at his son and notices that he is crying. He gently pats him on the head and whispers into his ear.
"It is okay, child. It is okay."- He whispers- "I am here. I will protect you."
It is as if the child knows what his father is saying to him. Soon, it stops crying and smiles.
"Oh my god,"- He whispers- "Our child, it has her smile."
He wipes a tear from his left eye.
"I never knew that it would be so beautiful."- He says- "So awe-inspiring."
He turns to the doctor and shakes his hand.
"Thank you for doing your best to save her, sir."- He says to him- "I cannot blame this mistake on you. You tried your best to save a life. Bad things happen and the best thing we can do is to move on and think about the future."
The doctor nods.
"I express my condolences to you, Jared."- He responds- "I know how much you loved this girl. I know that you wanted to see her. But at least we managed to save the child. Hopefully, you'll be able to take care of it without her."
Jared nods sadly.
"I... I will do my best."- He says- "I do not know whether I will indeed be a good father or not, but I will try my best to teach this child how to love and respect."
The doctor smiles.
"Good luck, kid."- He says- "Every citizen in Paris is praying for you right now. We know that you can make it out of this one."
With that, the doctor leaves Jared and his child alone.
"I wanted this child for so long. I fought to create a safe world for him to live in."- He says to himself- "But I can see that some things just had to happen to us. Today, we lost someone who truly loved us. Who truly cared about us. Our world will not be the same without her."
He looks at his child and smiles sadly.
"Still, this does not mean that I refuse to be a father."- He continues- "In the name of Meggy and everyone who sacrificed their own lives for this child to be brought in this world, I promise that I will protect this sweetheart from anything and anyone. I will give him all of the love that he deserves and help him to grow into a strong and happy young man. I will not give up on him and I will do my best to make him a hero, to honor Meggy's final wish. I will succeed, no matter what it takes to make it happen."
He sighs.
"It is time for us to go."- He says to his child- "Come on."
A few minutes later, the two of them are out of the hospital. Meanwhile, Jared's expression has quickly turned from happy to sad.
Lethal sees that his grandson is outside and rushes to greet him. Soon, he notices the absence of Meggy and realizes that she did not make it.
He walks over to Jared and hugs him.
"I'm very sorry, child."- He says to him- "I really am."
Once again, Jared's eyes fill up with tears.
"I miss her so much, grandpa."- He says- "This world is not fair. It took her away from me."
Lethal sighs and pats him on the shoulder.
"I know, kiddo. I know."- He responds- "She was a good girl,"
As they continue to stare at each other, someone else approaches them. It is Marinette.
"I heard about what happened."- She says- "Is she really gone? Please tell me that they're lying."
Jared nods.
"She... she is."- He says as tears continue to roll down from his eyes.
Marinette gasps.
"Dear god."- She responds- "She really didn't deserve to die like this. She was such a good girl. It's a shame that it really happened."
She looks at Jared's newborn son and smiles sadly.
"At least she did one more good thing before she left this world."- She continues- "My nephew is finally here."
Jared smiles as well and gently hands him to her.
"I know that you want to see him."- He says- "Come on. He needs to know that you are a part of our family."
Marinette nods and looks at the child.
"So. I was right. He looks just like you."- She says- "He's so beautiful. I love him."
The baby smiles, as if it actually understands what his aunt is saying.
Meanwhile, Marinette looks at Jared.
"It won't be the same without her. She was such a bright light in this world of darkness. I admit it, she was like a sister to me."- She says to him- "The future isn't looking so bright anymore. Not when she isn't around to cheer us up."
She places her hand on his shoulder.
"But don't worry too much about it."- She continues- "I will do my best to help you out, no matter how far away we are from each other. It's what siblings like us do and I will gladly take a break to make sure that both of you will be safe and sound. Rest assured of it."
Lethal smiles and places his hand on Jared's other shoulder.
"You can count on me as well, child."- He says- "I may be an old man and I may not be quite as fit for the job to be the guardian angel of a new child, but rest assured that I will do my best to be at your service, to help you out when you need the help of someone with experience in raising a child. I know how tough it is to be a widowed, single parent, but you should know that I have experienced the same thing when I raised both your father and your uncle. I am ready to give you advice on how to be a good father, but I am sure that you will be able to figure this out yourself. You've done it many times before and I'm sure that this is not going to be a problem for you. You're going to be an amazing parent and we're here to make sure of that."
Jared's eyes fill up with tears. He hugs both his sister and his grandfather.
"Thank you so much."- He says to them- "I do not know what I would be doing without you."
Marinette smiles.
"Like grandpa just said, you're doing great!"- She says- "And, as a part of our large and glorious family, we'll always be here for you."
Jared nods.
"I am sure that dad would have been very happy to see this child himself."- He says- "And mom, too."
Lethal nods.
"You're right. When you were growing up, they told me that they want to see you as an adult. They wanted to see your child and become the proudest grandparents in the entire world."- He says- "It's a shame that it won't happen anymore. We lost them along the way and I still feel very bad about it. However, both of their spirits live on in this child. Their legacy will illuminate the path towards a brighter future and they will help us make it a reality. I'm sure of it."
Lethal nods.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's continue to live our lives, like we did before."- He continues- "Let's finish building the path towards the future, in the name of your mom, dad and this future hero. Come on. Let's make it a reality. We are so close and it would we a shame to surrender when we've gone so far."
Jared sighs.
"It is true. We must not surrender."- He says- "Let us introduce my son to the rest of our family."
As they walk towards the Kaos residence, Marinette looks at her brother. Something seems to be on her mind right now.
"Jared."- She asks him- "I know that it's a bit too early to think about this, but have you decided how to name your son? Or are you still unsure?"
Jared nods.
"Yes, sister. Now that I have seen him, I have the perfect name that will represent him as a hero."- He says- "His name shall be Adam Kaos. Named after the first man, he will bring peace and joy upon this world, Just like I have always done."
Marinette smiles.
"I'm sure that he will be, dear brother."- She says proudly- "I think that he will be the best hero, the greatest savior of this world. When his time comes, he will shine as bright as the sun itself and make us proud. I'm sure of it.