Ashe stretched out in the bed, the first rays of sunlight peeping through the window. He had certainly slept better in the past days. He got to wake up next to his beloved as he once did and life just seemed right again. He rolled onto his side and draped an arm over Bridget, planting a kiss on the top of her head before snuggling up to her. Yet, that morning it wasn't her that he snuggled up to. No. It was a pillow. Bridget was no where in sight. Still, there's that sound. Feet pacing back and forth across the bathroom floor, the sound of a box clapping against a palm. She's even rambling to herself while she paces," Why....Why do they have to make these things so complicated...?"

That would explain the lack of reaction...Ashe opened his eyes again to realized he had kissed her pillow. Where was she" He sat up in bed and looked around the room before he heard the pacing in the bathroom. Slipping out of bed, Ashe pulled on a robe and went toward the bathroom door. He then raised a palm and knocked gently, "All right in there, love?"

Uh..." Stammers a bit and pushes her hands back through her hair," Ye....no...." A small frown formed on her lips, pursing slightly while she whimpered out," Ashe, I'm scared." This was a huge deal wasn't it' She went to the door and opened the door, the box still in her hands.

Scared?" He had never known her to be scared. When she opened the door and he saw that look in her face, he knew that she was afraid of something, "What's wrong my dear?" Ashe gave her a warm embrace and then held her at arms length with a smile, "Tell me what the matter is?"

At the hug, she nuzzled his shoulder, giving a loving sigh against it and then whispering out," Look..." She held up the box, biting her lip as she looked to him. It was hard to find it, but when she did she felt strange getting it. She couldn't take sneaking out of the bed again, feeling sick. Bridget wanted answers, and to her they came in this handy home kit.

He took the box and read it with initial curiosity. As he read what the test was for though, he perked a brow and looked at her. For a moment, Ashe looked from her to the box and back to her. And eventually, the meaning of it all came together. He began to swoon as if he might faint but instead just slid down against the wall to sit on the floor, fearing his legs would give out. He looked up at her once more, "Erm...does that mean...eh...I mean...are you?"

I...I don't know. I haven't taken the test yet." She bit her lip, gathering up the instructions and holding them out. Her gulp was clear, she didn't understand the instructions. They were in strange words, granted that was because she didn't see the English side in her all her panic.

Oh..." he reached up and took the instructions reading the same side that she was, "I suppose maybe we should figure this out..." He read over the instructions a few times and for a moment became confused himself, "orinar en la prueba" What does that mean"!" He read it again and again before flipping it over hoping for more instructions. He suddenly felt stupid, "Wow...the Spanish side..." Ashe got back to his feet, "Other side love. English is on the backside." He drew a sharp breath.

The foolish look upon her face was mirrored even when she looked over his shoulder to the paper. Both lips pursed, looking over the instructions and then to the small package protecting the stick within. She then looked back to Ashe, shaking her head," I'm not letting you watch that." She shook her head again and quickly ushered him out of the door.

"I don't think I want to...I was afraid I was going to have to hold the test..." Ashe didn't take but a moment to get out of the bathroom and leave her to her privacy. As soon as he was out of the doorway though, he was pacing over the bedroom floor much like she had done inside the bathroom. Strange how life could change so quickly.

Once the process had been done she opened the door. The test sitting on the sink. She walked past him, biting her lip while sitting down on the edge of the bed. Both of her eyes glanced towards him, a small whimper leaving her lips," Says to wait sixty seconds..." She felt like it was going to take an eternity.

He stopped his pacing and went to sit down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and rocked slowly. He wasn't sure what it would say or what would happen now. Suddenly he was very afraid himself. He didn't know what to say, he just sat there, rocking her slowly in his embrace. Finally he simply whispered, "I love you, Bridget. No worries." He told her not to worry but it was all he could do at the moment.

A small sob fell against his shoulder, her arms squeezing him tightly even while she whispered to him," I love you Ashe....I'm....I'm just not....I'm not going to be good at this." Another sob, light, thbbing, and broken by sharp breaths. She squeezed him tightly, practically clinging to him. Oh, there's the call of another useful object. A timer chirped from the bathroom. It's time.

Hey now, don't cry, I think you'll be a wonderful mum." He rubbed her shoulders until the timer chirped and startled him a bit. Ashe thought that may have been the longest sixty seconds of his life. He kissed her lips and wiped a tear away from her cheek, "I think it's time my love," his voice sounded unsure, "Do you want to look together" Or do you wish to go alone?" It was strange, Ashe usually was never this unsure of himself.

"Can you look first..?" She bit her lip, her face burying into his chest for a moment. Taking a breath of him while she held him tight to her. A small nuzzle given, her arms falling away from him so that he could stand up. Her hands wrapped around her, cradling herself as her hands run along her arms.

Aye," he gave a slow nod and stood up. He drew in a deep breath, and started to walk slowly toward the bathroom. It looked as if he were going in there to battle some manner of demon. Once inside, he peered down at the test and then looked back out the door, "Two pink lines?" He looked at the test again, "Shouldn't it say yes or no' There are just these...lines."

That got her to stand and move towards him. The instructions were folded up and set on the back of the toilet. One hand shaking reached out for him, squeezing his as she stood besides him, using the other hand to gather up the paper. She opened it, and handed it over to him before she could read it. Both of her eyes however, locked on those lines.

Ashe took the instructions and began to read over them, "Dos lineas rosas..Ahhh!.." he shook his head and flipped them around once again, "Ahh yes....two pink lines, it means...." the instructions fell from his hand and he bit down on his lip for a second, "It means we're going to have a baby, Bridget..."

She looked up at him and then back down at the test. A small sob left her lips, her head shaking for a moment. She's getting a bit pale by the moment. Reality sinking in bit by bit even while her eyes well up with tears. She sucks in a breath; voice layered in shock," A baby..."

Ashe wrapped her in his arms once again, burying his face in her hair, a soft kiss planted on the top of her head before he murmured, "Aye, a baby." A few tears welled in his eyes. It seemed they were going to be a family soon. He held her a bit tighter, "A baby..." he repeated.

The thought scared her, quite a bit. Hard sobs left her lips, arms squeezing him tightly. Her face buried in his shoulder, weak whimpers leaving her lips. Her face nuzzles his shoulder, hands cling to his shirt. A weak whisper left her lips," I....I'm so scared..." She whimpered out weakly.

"I know," he whispered, "I am too..." he hated to admit it but he was very afraid. All he could think of was a tiny child, so fragile, in his arms. Ashe huffed a bit and tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes, "We'll get through this, Bridget...somehow..." He tried to smile for her but it looked a bit strained. He rubbed her back as he told her. He hated to see her cry, he wanted to make it right again, he just didn't know how he would do that now.

Clinging to him, she nodded to his words and then hid her face in his chest again. Being a mother was an entirely different step to her. She couldn't be a pirate knowing this bit of information. Her frame trembled softly, her head shaking against his chest. Of course, she'd want this child, but it was so sudden. Squeezing him, holding tight to him like he was her support, as if at any moment her knees would give way, she sobbed. Bridget didn't know what to do. She was going to be a mother, that thought horrified her.

Ashe lifted her up into his arms as he had done long ago and carried her out of the bathroom toward the bed. He carried her more gently though, as if she were a piece of crystal that he did not dare let go of. He laid her gently down and lie down next to her, "Don't worry bout a thing, my love. It'll be all right. You're going to be a mum. A wonderful mum at that," He didn't want her worrying over this. He was already concerning himself about her stress level, "Can I get you something" A cup of tea or something to calm you down, love?"

Tea would be perfect for her nerves. Small sobs however, broke those words while she curled up besides him. Arms folded around her. She was sure he'd know what to do; he always did know how to make her smile. Right now, she was trying to grasp reality. Her eyes turning to lock with his, small sobs leaving her lips," I'm so sorry Ashe....I'm so sorry. I didn't know this was going to happen." She was afraid even he would draw away from her because of this.

"Hey now, it takes two," he had started to get up to get her some tea but stopped when she spoke," He patted her on the behind, "If I'm to be a father, I'm glad that you're my child's mother." and he meant every word of it. He leaned back and gave her a kiss. It seemed Ashe was a bit better as he thought of the whole being a father thing. He was still worried, it was still all too evident in those jade colored eyes but he still smiled for her. She couldn't smile, hardly could. She gulped softly, curled around his pillow and nodded. Her big eyes pooled and blotched with tears. Her hands moved to wipe her eyes, softly sobbing before hiding her face in the pillow. She still didn't know what to say, but him being so supportive made her feel so much better. The sobs were a bit weak, a bit better than before, but she was still scared.

Ashe smiled softly and got up to make her tea. He filled a cup with hot water and placed a tea bag in it that he had made himself. It contained chamomile and cinnamon along with the tea leaves. It would help her relax hopefully. A bit of sugar and he brought the cup back to her, "Here love, a nice warm cup of tea to calm your nerves." he was still chipper in mood, putting aside his worries to try and calm her. He sat down on the bed once again, "You're afraid aren't you, Bridget?"

She looked up to him, bringing her hands to the cup while they shook. The cup was brought to her lips, she gave a sip to it while she clinged. A small frown on her face while she shifted to sit besides him. One hand squeezed his knee before she answered," Very afraid." The mug was lifted to her lips again. The tea was very good.

"Aye, I am too," he admitted with a soft nod, "But we cannot undo this, Afraid or not, we will be parents." Ashe's gaze shifted down to the floor, "I'm sorry Bridget, I wasn't expecting this," He placed his hand on top of her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. He looked up at her once again, "I know you're going to be a wonderful mother."

Her head lowered, fingers running through her hair. A small sniffle came and went, one hand pressing to her abdomen. Both lips pursed and she glanced to him," I....I don't want to be one, but I'm so scared." A small sniffle was coming and she lifted her hands to wipe her eyes," I can't do this without you. Please..." Shakes her head from side to side," Please don't leave again."

Whether you want to be one or not, this is something we have to deal with, love." Ashe's hand followed her own and came to rest over her abdomen, "And I'm here. I'm here till the end of all things. I'm here with you," he kissed her softly and cupped her cheek with his free hand, "I'm here till Lady Death carries me away."

She kissed him back while her hands closed over the one on her abdomen. A small nod coming from her. She gave a weak nod again even as a broken sob of relief rushed through her," I love you so much." Holds to his hands, giving a small squeeze to his hands," We're going to have a baby.."

Aye, a little hellion to calm down the pirate and the thief," He gave a light laugh and pressed his forehead against her own, "I hope that it has your eyes...and your lips...and your nose...and my last name..." He grinned and placed another light kiss on her lips, "I do love you Bridget, so very very much."

Trails her fingers through his hair, giving out a small laugh," I hope it has your charm, your smile....and your wit. Because I don't think I could have handled this on my own." Runs her fingers along his stomach and then traces her fingers over his sides. Her nose nuzzling his own.

I wouldn't have let you done this on your own. We're going to be a family I'm afraid," He lie back on the bed with her, kissing her lips and then along her jaw line softly, "A mum, a dad and a little babe," Ashe looked down at her then with a little grin, "I'm a lucky man you know, to create a life with a woman as wonderful as you."

Her head lulled back at the kisses along her jaw line, a small smile forming on her lips. Fingers tangled through his hair before whispering softly to him," Well, I wouldn't have anyone else but you Ashe." It was quite true. Fingers ran through his hair softly," You're going to be a dad Ashe."

His smile brightened a bit. As afraid as he was, the title of father made him feel proud, "And you're going to be a mother, Bridget," He kissed her neck as he murmured, "And you're going to be my wife," His kisses trailed to her chest.

Both eyes closed, weak shivers running along her spine. A small whimper and she's whispering to him," And you my husband..." She arched for a moment before reaching down and pulling him up to her. Both of her eyes locked with his," I love you Ashe..." She put her hand on his abdomen."

I love you my Bridget," he stared into those lovely eyes of hers and likewise placed a hand on her own abdomen. How strange it was, that there was a tiny life inside of her, growing into what would be their child. It was exciting in a way. "Do you think it will be a son or a daughter?" he was already trying to imagine what the child would look at, regardless of the fact that it would be a while yet before the child was here. She tilted her head to the side while she thought, fingers tangling in his hair. Her smile continued to grow even while she whispered out," I hope it's a boy..." Grinning to him," Because if it was a girl, she'd give you a heart attack when she got older. I don't think I could do that with you." Shakes her head and giggles," I want to keep you for a very long time."

He chuckled and shook his head, "If its a girl, she wont give me a heart attack, I would just have to kill the boys who come to court my daughter," he was glad to see her in a brighter mood once again. He rubbed her abdomen gently and then leaned in for another kiss, "I plan to be here with you for a very long time. Wild horses couldn't keep me from you again Bridget..." He sighed contently; it felt like his hair was already turning grey.

Kissing his lips in return, both arms closing around his neck. She rested her forehead against his head, giving a soft whisper," I'd beat those wild horses until they led me to you. Nothings going to take you away from me, ever....Nothing. I don't care what it takes. I won't have this baby without you." Selfish' Maybe. But it was the truth. She loved him too much to loose him.

Ashe just shook his head, "I think even wild horses would fear a mother to be in search of her husband, I know I would," a smirk crossed his features as he allowed himself to get lost in those emerald pools of hers.

She giggled lightly at his words and smirked," They'd better be." Kissing his lips, holding him close, and acting as if she'd never let him go. A long sigh left her lips," What did I do to deserve you? You are so wonderful to me, even after being gone so long. When I saw you back I was so afraid you'd turn around and want nothing to do with me..."

"I don't know what you did to deserve me; you must have really made someone angry," he chuckled and pulled her closer, "I was almost afraid to come back to Rhy'Din. I was afraid that you had moved on and found another to love. But I had to be certain. I would have left without incident if you had, although I believe my heart would have been broken into a million pieces," He sighed and rubbed her back softly, "The thought of you made the darkest night bearable while I was gone. And now" To hold you and kiss you again, those dark nights seem like an old dream. Hardly thought of because I know I have something better when I awake."

Her smile grew to his words, forehead pressed to his own. She smiled, a smile that would never die at this rate. A light sob and she was whispering out to him," Each and every night with you, it's a dream come true. I cried....and cried every night after you left. I couldn't bear it....Being without you. I thought I had lost you...Thought so much that you were never coming back and that I'd never get you back....And there you were in the Inn. All I could do was hope and pray that you'd turn around and hold me again, just like you had done so many times before."

"And that was what I wanted to do, just hold you again. Hold you and never let go," He began to rock her once again in his embrace, "The night before I made my escape from that dungeon, I decided that I would either see you again or die. So I fought and here I am, with you once more. And as I lay here with you, I wonder how I ever did without you and without your love."

Smiling to him, fingers brushing through his hair and then she whispered out," And now here we are, no longer two, but three..." She lowered her eyes to the hand still poised on his abdomen. She gave a small laugh," I'm so reckless it's hard to believe this is actually happening. I'm actually getting married to the love of my life, and I'm actually going to be a mother....The whole thing is amazing and horrifying all at once."

"Strange I know," he agreed, "People like us, a pirate and thief, becoming parents and being married. It's so very odd," He ran his hand up and down her side, "I suppose we'll both have to tone it down a bit, especially you," He tapped the end of her nose lightly, "I may have to baby you, make sure you take it easy and all that,"

Frowns at the bap on her nose and sighs," Must you really baby me" Really' I mean....I know some times I stress out, but.." She knew he was right. There were times she'd go bonkers if things didn't go right. A deep breath was drawn in while one hand moved to her stomach," I may be having our child, but as it is....I'm not married...And you're still my fianc"."

Ashe had thought about that a few times, he had still wanted to marry her as much as he had when he proposed to her, "Then I say we marry, become husband and wife," He kissed her nose where he had tapped it, "A grand wedding with a big white fluffy dress," he grinned and kissed her once again, "A cake ten layers high!" Another kiss, "And two golden rings, to commit ourselves to one another with."

If I'm showing there will be no point for that white wedding dress mine, Ashe." She said to him, thought the thought of a grand wedding and a white fluffy dress made her purse her lips. She was thinking more of a quiet wedding, a sleek white dress, and two golden rings. She ran her fingers through his hair and rested her brow to his, giving a sigh," I love you so very much. So very, very much. Even if we marry, I'm already committed to you."

And I am committed to you, Bridget," He closed his eyes a moment and opened them again to stare into her own, "It doesn't have to be a grand wedding, I just want to be your husband, plain and simple," He smiled softly at the thought of it now, being married with a babe in his arms, "I never imagined how nice it would be, to be rid of the life of a thief and to become something meaningful like a husband and father." A small giggle on her lips," Oh really' So are you telling me you haven't stolen anything since you got back?" She shifted up, her frame rising over his and straddling him. Both hands pressed to his shoulders lightly in an effort to hold him down. Innocently placing him in the hot seat while she locked her eyes with his, one brow perking.

"No, not a thing. You, you on the other hand have," he looked up at her with a devilish grin, "You stole my heart all over again," he laughed at his corny little joke as he stared up at her. His own hands came to rest on her hips.

"Oh, aye?" Grinning to him, a bit of the pirate in her coming out. She leaned her head to the side and murmured," You never had to steal mine. Mine was given to you under a flag of surrender. You were just that good, swept me up and dragged me away even while I swooned and surrendered. The sweet tongue and more over loving man that you are." Teasing her fingers through his hair," And then you asked me to marry you....I thought I was going to die happy right then and there."

"And when you accepted, I thought that life could get no better, but you proved me wrong," He ran his hands down her thighs and back up to her hips, "Everyday I spend with you, things just get better and better," He leaned up enough to kiss her, "And now, with a new addition on the way, Life is indeed grand."

She giggled to his words, her own arms folding around his neck when she leaned down over him. She kissed his lips, ran her fingers along his cheek, and then whispered out to him," Life is better than grand; it's just a smidge off from perfect. This my dear is pure bliss."