Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Trigun: Welcome to Eden ❯ The Thompsans ( Chapter 2 )

"Damn it's hot."

Wolfwood fanned himself with a newspaper trying to get a bit of breeze. The sudden heat wave had followed him from the desert to the nearest town, a place called March. He was lying on the floor, his back leaning against a light pole, and his motorcycle next to him, looking five times worse than he did. His white shirt was open like usual, but the sleeves were rolled up and his shoes were about a foot away from him, baking in the sun. He had tossed the black jacket-it lay about four feet away-because it was damn well still too hot to even breathe. He'd go for a nice cool draught of water…but he was broke. The girls had carried all the cash.

He gave his motorcycle the evil eye as his sunglasses slid down his sweat-slicked nose. The moment he'd gotten into town, Old Betsy here, up and died. He needed some quick cash fast. To fix the bike, get some food, some water and a gun. Not only was he penniless and hungry, but he was also freaking naked. Vash and the girls, knowing Wolfwood was dead, and knowing for a fact there was little chance that his corpse would rise back from the dead, had gone and taken the stupid cross with them. If only they'd stuck around long enough to see him do the Lazarus. He probably would have knocked Vash into his grave.

Kuroneko-sama meowed from his perch on Old Betsy and jumped off, moving away from Wolfwood to go to an old lady who was offering him food. Wolfwood cursed beneath his breath. Damn, shit, lucky cat.

Suddenly, something flashed in Wolfwood's eyes. He lifted his arm to block the light shining in his face, when he finally caught a clear picture of what the glare was. It was his cross.

He shot up from his seat and his feet immediately began to sizzle. He uttered a colorful curse and went for his shoes. After his feet were safe, he grabbed his jacket and turned to the older woman and gave her a light nod.

"Sorry 'bout that ma'am."

The woman smiled as she petted Kuroneko-sama. "It's no problem, young'un. I've heard worse than that with my years."

Wolfwood smiled. "I'm glad I didn't offend your ears. But I was wondering if you'd do me a small favor? Could you watch this hunk of junk for me while I go into the gun shop?"

"Sure, boy. I'll watch your motorcycle. I doubt it's going to go anywhere though."

"Thank you, ma'am."

He turned away and his eyes narrowed as he headed toward the shop. He had no idea how that bum had gotten hold of his cross, but he was damn well sure he was going to get it back.

* * *

"Well, here we are!"

Vash and Meryl looked up at the large house before them. It had to be the biggest damn house in the whole town. Meryl blinked at Millie.

"Millie, I've never been to this town before…but I don't think it's normal to have such a huge house in such a small town."

Millie just grinned at Meryl. "Well, it wasn't always this big, you know. It's gotten bigger as I've gotten more nephews and nieces. We have to keep expanding. And the town has gotten bigger since I was last here."

Vash shook his head. "Windling is still a small town, even if it has gotten a bit bigger…and I don't remember ever seeing a house this big."

Millie just shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well. This is still my house and my hometown. And I can't wait to introduce you to everyone! Mom and Dad will be so excited to meet you and so will all my brothers and sisters! Golly, I've missed them a lot."

Meryl smiled. "Then let's go, Millie. You've already prepared us in advance for meeting with your family. I think the only one who'll have problems in the near future will be Knives when he wakes up."

Vash laughed. "Oh yeah. I'm sure Knives will go completely bonkers in this place. And that's exactly what he needs."

Millie grinned. "Then let's stop dilly dallying. I want to see my family again!"

Meryl and Vash took deep breaths as Millie led the way to the huge house. They'd heard plenty of stories about the Thompsons from Millie…but they doubted that anything she had told them would prepare them for the reality.

Millie pounded on the door.

Vash strained a smile at Meryl. "Well, here goes nothing."

A sweatdrop formed on her brow. "Yeah…"

Suddenly a gigantic man threw open the door with a bang. He had white blond hair wildly sticking out in a mess with a thick mustache and beard. His clothes were all rumpled and he wore an apron that was covered in food stains. He had big light aqua eyes and an enormous smile. He looked like a big blond bear and he promptly bellowed with joy and lifted Millie into his arms, crushing her in a bear hug.

Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks.

"OH MILLIE! My baby girl! Baby, where have you been?! You haven't written in ages! We were getting so worried about you!! And now this unexpected visit!! What a wonderful surprise!!! Daddy's SO happy!!"

Meryl and Vash had turned a shade paler and blue lines were covering the upper parts of their faces. Millie just laughed.

"It's okay, Daddy. Sorry, I haven't written recently, but we've been in a real hurry to get here. I sent a letter two weeks ago letting you know that I was coming, but I guess I got here before my letter did!"

"Lordie, Jeff! Will you let go of your daughter for an instant! I'd like to give my girl a hug too! It's been ages since I last saw her adorable face!"

"Mommy!" Millie cried out.

Vash and Meryl turned their attention to the mother. She had Millie's color hair, only it was much shorter and it had streaks of silver all over, giving it a glow. It hung to her shoulders in a disarray that was charming. She had light blue eyes and a warm expression. She was also wearing an apron that was covered in stains and she was… bigger than Millie was…

"Oh, my baby doll! Where have you been?! I've been worried out of my mind!! Never, ever keep us in the dark so long, girl! I was ready to keel over and die from the fright!" She squished Millie into her arms and continued to coo at her while Jeff Thompson turned his attention to Meryl, Vash and Knives.

"You two must be Millie's friends Meryl and Vash, right? She's told us plenty about y'all. I presume the man hanging over your shoulder is a friend too. Why don't y'all come in and get settled. Meet the family, have some hearty dinner and then tell what the hell's been going on."

A huge sweatdrop slid down Vash's face. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Thompson?"

"Oh, Lordie, boy! Don't call me Mr. Thompson. Call me Jeff! After all, you both are practically family already!" His eyes narrowed and he leaned toward Vash. "And what I mean by that is that very little will stop our little girl from writing to us. And if she did, something big went down and the entire family's got a right to know. Got it?"

Both Meryl and Vash gulped and nodded. Jeff grinned. "All righty then!" He straightened and turned to Millie and her mother. "Lordie, Ellie! Let go of Millie already! She's turning blue! Everyone's gonna want to give her a hug, so you can't hog her all to yourself!"

Ellie sniffed slowly releasing Millie. "I know…" She sniffed again and then hugged her daughter once more. "But I missed her SO much!!"

Meryl turned to Vash with horrified look. "I-I'm scared to meet the rest of them…"

He gave her a strained smile. "You're not the only one."

And with that they were led inside the house. Vash and Meryl were expecting lots of things. But they weren't expecting the hoard of children and teenagers that suddenly attacked Millie from every corner of the immense house.

"AUNTY MILLIE!!!!"

Millie burst out laughing as they all tackled her.

"Wow! Lina, Dougy, Elle! You three are so big already!! You too Jamie, Jesse! You two still look alike! Quinn, Meg, you're both still cute as ever! ACK! Awnry, Rodney! Don't tickle me there! Sara, Andy, Skye! Wow, you three were still little last time I was here! Mikey, Kyle, Kite! Kite you're so big! You were only two when I left! Lewis, little Sandra! You two were only babies! Oh, look how big you all are!" Millie laughed with all the kids.

Vash and Meryl stared at masses of small blonde, brown, and redheaded children all tackling and talking to Millie at the same time. A redheaded woman came up to them with a smile. "I'm Reina Thompson. Take a seat you two and we'll introduce you to the entire Thompson clan. Then we'll have dinner and you two can tell us what's been going on."

Meryl and Vash gladly sat down. Vash laid his brother carefully on the couch beside him (there were plenty of couches everywhere) and waited.

Their parents eventually pulled off the children and then the entire clan decided to introduce themselves.

Jeff straightened. "Well, Mr. Vash, Ms. Meryl. I'm Jefferson Thompson and this is my mom," he motioned to an old lady with thick glasses, "Julia Thompson. You've already met my wife, Elena Thompson, and me. These are our children."

A woman with long light brown hair and aqua eyes stood up. She looked like an older version of Millie, her eyes gentle and soft. She gave Meryl and Vash a brilliant smile. [Millie's big big sister]

"I'm Ally Thompson Appleberry, the eldest," she said. She motioned to the tall redheaded haired, golden-eyed man beside her. "This is my husband, Luke Appleberry. And these are our girls, Sara, the eldest," a girl with red hair and golden eyes, "Andrea or Andy for short," a girl with red hair and aqua eyes, "and Skye, the youngest," a girl with light brown hair and golden aqua eyes.

A shaggy brown haired, blue-eyed man stood up. "I'm Jeffrey Thompson, the eldest boy." [Millie's big big brother] The lovely redheaded woman from earlier with red brown eyes stood up.

"And I'm Reina Thompson, his wife. These are our children. Lina, the eldest," a teenage redheaded girl with red brown eyes shot up with a grin, "Dougy," a boy with blond hair and red brown eyes, "and Elle, the youngest," a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"I'm Kalie Thompson Reynolds, a twin!" a woman said as she shot up from her seat. She had braided blonde hair and aqua eyes [Millie's middle big sister]. "This is my husband, Quentin Reynolds," a man with short peppered hair, a goatee and hazel eyes stood up with a warm smile. "And these here are my children! The twins Jamie and Jesse," twin boys with blond hair and hazel eyes (identical), "and my other set of twins, Quinn and Meg," twin girls with brown hair and aqua eyes (one with short hair the other with long).

"I'm Tommy-short for Thomas-Thompson, Kalie's twin," said a blonde man with aqua eyes [Millie's middle big brother]. "This here's my wife, Kate," a woman with brown hair and highlights and dark blue eyes stood up with a smile. "And these are our twin munchkins, Awnry and Rodney." The twins looked up and grinned. Both had light brown hair and dark aqua eyes.

"Hey. I'm Kiley Thompson, and this is my wife, Mariah," said a man with long dirty blond hair and light blue eyes [Millie's little big brother]. The woman beside him stood up. She had really long dark hair worn in a ponytail and dark eyes. He grinned. "These are our kids. Mikey, " a boy with blond hair and dark eyes, "Kyle," another boy with blond hair and blue eyes, "and Kite," a young girl with dark hair and blue eyes and two missing front teeth.

Another woman bounced up then, with brown hair in a high ponytail and light blue eyes [Millie's little big sister]. "Hello! I'm Tiffany Thompson Spencer. This is my husband, Philip Spencer." A white-blond haired man with violet eyes and glasses stood up and smiled. Tiffany continued. "Our children are Lewis and little Sandra. They're still toddlers." The two children looked up from playing with their toys. Little Sandra had brown hair and violet eyes (she looked about 2 or 3 years old) and Lewis had white blond hair and light blue eyes (looked about a year old). Tiffany blushed. "And we're expecting another one soon."

"I'm Andy Thompson-short for Andrew-and this is my wife Shannon." Andy had brown hair (worn spiky) and blue eyes [Millie's little little big brother]. Shannon had auburn hair and light green eyes. She gave them a gentle smile. Andy grinned as Shannon lifted her arms. "And I'm happy to say we've got a beautiful baby girl named Lily." The bundle in Shannon's arms had a tuft of auburn hair and a set of rich blue-green eyes. The baby gurgled happily.

Two more people shot up, a woman and man. The woman had light brown hair with blonde highlights and aqua eyes [Millie's little little big sister], and she spoke first. "I'm Janie Thompson, and I'm happily very single. Don't plan to latch myself to anybody anytime soon."

The man had short blond hair and light, light, blue aqua eyes (like Millie's eyes). "I'm Monty Thompson and I too am thankfully single. Ms. Meryl, I'm very available!" he said and winked at Meryl. Meryl just shook her head. He gave a heave and then pointed to Millie. "She's the youngest as she's single too! I say we're the luckiest three of the Thompson clan."

Meryl and Vash looked toward Millie. She looked like she was about to cry. But instead she stood up, her eyes watery. "Sorry, big brother Monty and big sister Janie. I'm not like that anymore. Yeah, I'm single…" she took a deep breath. "But I'm like big sister Tiffany…

"I'm pregnant."

"WHAT?!?!?!"

Meryl gave Millie a brave smile and Millie smiled in return. The Thompson clan was stunned into silence. Grandma Julia was the first to speak.

"Well, dammit, Millie girl, don't keep us in suspense. Who's the father?"

Millie lowered her head. "It really doesn't matter anymore…"

"But why not?!" her father bellowed from across the room. "Millie, if he broke your heart…"

Millie shook her head. "It's not like that, Daddy. He's…he's…"

Meryl stood up and went to Millie just as she started crying. She held her close. Millie balled and hugged Meryl. "Oh, Meryl!!"

"Shhh… it's okay, Millie. It's okay."

Vash stood up. "The father of Millie's baby was my best friend. A man named Nicholas D. Wolfwood. A preacher with a good heart, and a good soul."

Monty Thompson blinked. "Was? Then that means-"

Vash nodded. "Yeah. He's dead."

* * *

Wolfwood's eyes narrowed as he spotted the bum across the shop. The guy was bargaining with the vender on how much his cross would bring. Damn, little… By God, that was his cross and he wasn't going to have no bum selling it off. He was going to get it back right now. He took a deep breath and took out his last cigarette. He lit it and tossed the match aside, taking in a deep breath. Time to get down to business.

"Sorry, mister. But you don't have a right to sell that cross. That's my cross and I'd like it back."

The vender and the bum looked up at Wolfwood with perplexed expressions. The vender's eyes suddenly narrowed. "What do you mean your cross, son?" He turned to the bum. "I thought you said you found this in the desert."

"I did find it in the desert! I don't know what this young pup is trying to pull, but I found this cross and it didn't have nobody's name on it. So I can do with it what I please."

Wolfwood's eye ticked. "Look, mister. I'm a wandering preacher. I was left for dead in a deserted town and when I came to, my cross was gone. I just found it and I'd like it back. A preacher isn't anything without his cross."

The bum looked insulted. "You think I'm a fool, boy? What kind of preacher would you be, if you carried around this kinda cross?! This sucker is packed with heavy artillery!"

"That's how I protect myself and others, mister. I'd like it back now."

"No way! I found it, it's mine to do what I want with it!"

The vender held up a hand. "All right. I ain't having any of this in my store. I don't mean to doubt your word, Mr. Preacher, but how can you prove it's yours? After all it should have something on it, to prove it."

Wolfwood shook his head. "It was a gift to me by the man who trained me. I know everything about it, and except for my best friend, my girlfriend and myself, there probably isn't a soul who could lift it one handed. I know how to load that cross and it's been a part of my body for ages. You have no idea what it was like wandering around without it. I was damn well naked!"

The vender shook his head. "Unless you've got some hard core evidence, son, I can't make him give it back to you. You can try to buy it back and I'll make sure he does it for cheap considering it probably does belong to you."

"Hey!" the bum cried.

The vender shrugged. "Sorry. So, son, what'll it be?"

Wolfwood stood there for a minute thinking about his situation. Was there anyway he could prove it? He'd already tried everything… Damn it to Hell! How was he going to pay for the blasted cross! He didn't have a bloody double dollar on him! Wolfwood looked up at the vender. "I've got references. My girl works for an insurance company, Bernardelli, I think."

The vender shook his head. "No good. In this town all we've got is a small office for the Bernardelli Insurance Society. And I doubt your girl works for the office over here. What's wrong, son? Don't you have any money on ya?"

Wolfwood's cheek ticked and a vein pulsed. "I already told you. I was left for dead. All my money, provisions, everything left with them. I have no money, no food, no water, no bike, nothing. So can I have my cross back?"

The bum grinned a toothless smile at Wolfwood. "Boy, I think you should get your preaching butt to the church and start praying for a miracle."

Veins popped all over Wolfwood's head as he grabbed the bum by the shirt. "Want me to show you what an act of God would do to scum like you who steal from others?"

"I didn't steal nothing. I found this in the desert, and since you can't afford to buy I don't think you should be here wasting my time."

A vein snapped.

"Hey, Mr. Preacher."

Wolfwood turned his head to the vender just before he punched the crap out of the bum. His entire body was tense, ready for the strike.

"Maybe you should go to the church. They'll probably be able to help you out after all since you are a preacher. I'll make you a deal. You really want that cross, you probably are the owner, so I'll buy it from this little bug and then you can come to me to reimburse me. Deal, Mr. Preacher?"

Wolfwood smiled and dropped the bum on his butt. The cross almost slammed down on top of him, but Wolfwood caught it one-handed and lifted it onto the counter. "Mister, thanks a lot. I'll be back for my cross soon, and then I'll be on my way again. Do you know any place I can get a new motorcycle?"

"Sure, Hank's is down the block and the church is across from there."

"Thanks again."

Wolfwood turned and walked out, infinitely more lighthearted than when he'd entered.

The bum stared at Wolfwood's back with wide eyes. "How the hell did he do that?"

"Do what?" the vender asked.

The bum looked up at the vender. "It took all my strength to drag and even lift that cross. He handled it as if it were nothing but a holster!"

The vender blinked and attempted to lift it himself. He burst out laughing. "Looked like that preacher wasn't lying. This cross really is his. So how much you want it for?"

The bum grinned. "Now you're talking."

* * *

Meryl and Vash had just finished settling Knives in. Vash was sitting on the bed Meryl beside him.

"So what do you think?"

Meryl shrugged. "I think they all took it rather well. Like my parents. They know we aren't lying, they know Millie. I think we'll be all right here."

"I don't know," Vash said.

Meryl just smiled. "You're just worried about what'll happen when Knives wakes up."

"Yeah…"

"Don't worry about it. You told me that he probably won't have any of his strength when he wakes up. You shot him in some critical places so he'd be a while healing."

"I know, but I can't help but worry. Maybe taking to a place full of people wasn't a good idea. Knives is unpredictable. I don't want him to hurt anyone in Millie's family. I don't think I could live with myself. These people are so amazing," Vash said.

Meryl smiled. "I know. When they saw Millie didn't blame Knives for Wolfwood's death, neither did they. They accepted you and Knives like if you two were perfectly normal. They don't even care about your reputation."

Vash smiled in return. "I think we have Millie to thank for that. She's probably written lots of great things about me… Stuff that I probably don't even deserve."

Meryl shook her head. "Wrong, Vash. Whatever Millie wrote about you, I'm sure she only told the truth. Millie's like that. And from the looks of it, so are the Thompsons. They're very forgiving and accepting people."

"And amazingly kind."

"Uh-huh."

Silence…

"Meryl…?"

"Yeah, Vash?"

"You ever regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Taking the Vash case?"

Meryl grinned as she stared into his eyes. "Not a moment of it."

"Even after everything you and Millie had to endure?"

The door suddenly burst open and a grinning Millie stood there. "I enjoyed every minute of it, Vash! I wouldn't trade any of it for the world!"

Meryl nodded. "Millie's right. I wouldn't trade a single second of it for anything in the world."

Vash smiled and then turned to Millie. "You don't even regret…Wolfwood?"

Millie shook her head, tears spilling. "If I hadn't take this case with Meryl, Vash, I would have never met him. I would have never known what it was like to love him, to have him near me, to hold his child within me. Even though I'll never be able to see him again…" Millie sniffled and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I'll never regret knowing and loving him. I wouldn't trade that."

Vash smiled lightly and bowed his head, tears sliding from his eyes. "Wolfwood… If only I had been able to save you. If only I'd known…"

Vash felt Meryl's hand on his back. He looked up into her gentle eyes and his heart clenched. "That's the only thing we'll ever regret. Not being able to save him, but we'll never regret any thing else. He was a best friend," she turned to Millie, "and a lover." Millie turned her tear stained face away. "Wolfwood will always be a part of us. And now with Millie's baby, we'll have a piece of him always with us." Meryl struggled with the last few words, tears spilling out of her eyes. Vash wrapped her in his arms.

"Thank you, Meryl."

Millie took in a deep breath and placed her hand on her belly. She smiled as the tears slid down her cheeks. "We'll love and take good care of you. And from the day you're born, you will know about your daddy. Right, Vash, Meryl? My baby will always know about his daddy."

Vash nodded. "You got it, Millie. That baby will grow up knowing everything about his father and the kind of person he was."

Millie nodded, a smile on her tearstained face.

That night the three dreamt of their friend Nicholas D. Wolfwood and of Eden…

And iles away, in a small church, Wolfwood dreamt of them and Eden…