Maternal Instincts

Softly smiling Des laid Mari down upon the huge bed and tugged the comforter free from the other side to drape it over her slumbering form. The little girl was so precious looking lying there sound asleep dwarfed like that she thought. Snagging a pillow she gently lifted the blonde head and tucked it beneath it before letting it rest back down again.

All those maternal instincts that she never thought she would have were screaming on red alert as she sank down on the edge of the bed beside Artemus' little girl and brushed the curls back from the rosy cheek.

She really should have taken the child to one of the rooms just down the hall but not all of them were ready yet and she didn't want to put her too far away in case she woke up before her father came by to pick her up.

Art had left his daughter with Des after she had called his duel for him over on the Isle tonight since she had seemed happy enough with her holding her while she had been calling the duel and he had said he had something he had to do instead of being able to go straight back home after the duel finished.

Amaris had not been supposed to be on Twilight Isle this evening. Artemus had been followed there by the precocious little daughter of his and let her stay to watch the duels. Des thought it was funny the way the little girl appeared to have her father wrapped quite tightly around that tiny little pinky finger of hers but she had kept her mouth shut about it.

As pretty as the child was her father was going to have enough to worry about in a few years without her adding to his burden by teasing him over that. As she sat there looking at the precious little girl her thoughts turned to the conversation she and her husband had a few nights ago out in the garden and the wish that he had made.

Since then they had taken every opportunity to make that wish come true. As a matter of fact that council meeting on the new treaty with that whatever country it was had gone on plenty long enough in her estimation and it was high time for another session of "Making wishes come true" in her book.

She leaned forward to place a kiss to the sleeping child's cheek then silently crept from the room and went off in search of her beloved partner in pouncing pleasures. The council would no doubt not be pleased at their Queen interrupting yet another privy session but Des really couldn't care less what they thought.

His Majesty and Her Majesty had Kingdom business of their very own to attend to and it was high time it got attended to in the cowgirl Queen's opinion.

The door to the council chamber was not gently opened using the knob but was forcefully kicked open by a broken-down cowboy boot and there framed in the doorway was a petite female with chestnut curls wildly tumbling around her curvaceous form, both hands planted on shapely hips, a predatory smile resting on lush lips, and a lusty glimmer in navy blue eyes that raked over those present. "The Queen is declaring this here council session is now over. Anybody wanna disagree with her speak up now cause I am ready and waitin' and I came armed."

The council members standing each received a warm smile as they did so and a nod of acknowledgment to their greetings from the impatient Queen. Des settled right down upon catching sight of the huge man standing beside her scrumptious husband.

She was pretty sure she wouldn?t be able to take that one down with the weapons she had on her nor would she be able to take him out hand to hand like she was just sure she could those other council members that were there. They were quickly assessed and discarded as she focused on the warrior at her beloved?s side.

Des was no longer sure just what she had barged in on but it once more ceased to matter as her complete attention shifted back to the sight of her husband approaching her. Navy blues traced a slow path from the soles of his boots to the top of his head lingering in all those wonderfully interesting places in between that she so adored eyeing up.

A slow grin appeared as she slipped an arm around his waist and leaned lightly against his side. ?Boring was it Babe? I?m sure glad that I have done saved ya from a slow and torturous death then.?

Her gaze was then captured by the Archmage and it was all she could do to not gape at him like a stranded fish courtesy of the outfit he was wearing but the aura of power coming from him gained her respect just as easily as the Knight Marshall?s obvious ability to best her in a physical battle.

As the Archmage spoke and came close giving her the once over she couldn?t help but chuckle warmly and grin to him then offer a sassy wink to his words. ?Why I?m right flattered Darlin?. If I wasn?t so head over heels in love with this here man of mine I just might give ya a run for your money.?

As His Majesty called Her Majesty?s attention back to Arch she nodded respectfully to him and shifted slightly closer to Gav. It was a completely subconscious move on her part acknowledging him as her chosen protector. A warm smile and nod was offered to the Knight at the introduction.

?I?m pleased to meet ya. I thank ya for saving my husband?s life so many times in the past. I will see what I can do about not givin? ya cause to have to save mine Darlin?.? She grinned to him from her place of safety tucked against the King?s side.

Gavilean gave his sleepy wife a kiss on the lips, rolled over in bed and sat up. He pulled on his trousers, but walked around the room barefoot and with no shirt. He went to the window of their new home and drew back the curtains and looked out over the water. "I LOVE it here!" he said to Des, knowing that she was still half asleep.

Just then there was a knock at the door. "Breakfast is here, Your Majesties". "Thank you, Sarah. Just leave it there and I'll get it." Gav looked over to his gorgeous and sexy wife. "Baby, breakfast is here! Coffee, toast, eggs, bacon, sausage...a feast fit for royalty!"

Des had been nice and warm and cozy all snuggled up with her beloved husband until he gave her a kiss then got out of bed. She groaned softly as usual in the mornings and rolled back over pulling all the covers with her over her head to burrow beneath the blankets but this morning something was different.

Usually just the mention of morning coffee would have had her poking her head back out and then throwing the covers off to welcome the day. Not so today instead Gav's announcement was met with a low groan and the covers pulled tighter over her head as she curled up in a ball beneath them. "No food! Keep that stuff out of here!"

Gav grabbed a piece of crispy bacon and was chewing on it as he walked over and plopped down on the bed. "No food? Wait a minute? Are you Des under those covers? You're not an impostor, are you? You must be because my Des loves food."

As the smell of bacon grease came closer to her Des gasped and held her nose closed thus rendering her next words strange sounding along with the almost strangled tone. "Get that away from me Babe! I'm gonna be sick!" This was followed by frantic scrambling beneath the covers and a mad dash for the bathroom in their suite of rooms.

Gav looked at the bacon and then at Des running away. "But love, I think it's cooked just the way you like it." He heard the bathroom door closed and sounds like she might be getting sick. "How about eggs?" he shouted out.

Des was busy emptying what little remained in her stomach and the mere thought of putting something else in it had her feeling even queasier. Shaking from head to toe, from the effort of heaving, she held on to the wall above the commode and prayed for a swift death to her beloved husband who didn't seem to have a clue but as soon as she was done she was going to offer him several.

Gav went and wolfed down his eggs. "They're good, babe!" He shouted with a nearly full mouth. He then took a drink of his coffee, and picked up her cup and walked over to the bathroom door to give it to her. "You okay, love? Everything alright?"

Still feeling shakey and weak after having heaved and heaved until she could no more and the bacon grease smell lingering in the air causing her stomach to do threatening flip flops that didn't bode well for the near future a slightly upset wife turned to face her beloved husband as she reached for the washcloth on the sink and turned on the cold water tap with that same hand while holding his gaze with her own that might have at that moment in time been a bit baleful. "Do I look all right to ya Babe?"

"My love, no you don't." That was definitely the first time he ever said that when looking at his naked wife. He set down the coffee and walked to her. "Must be a sickness in the air, or maybe some of that Inn food didn't agree. Anything I can do to help? Let me get your robe. We can go out on the balcony and get you some fresh air."

All of her anger evaporated the minute he came close and she stepped toward him putting both arms around his waist needing comfort and the reassurance to be found there. Des rubbed her cheek against his chest and sighed softly as tears threatened, and how she hated that those tears were threatening yet again as these days they were never far away it seemed and she did hate to cry. "Oh Babe I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get upset with ya. Some fresh air would be good. It is just the smell of that food. I'm so sick." She couldn't believe how pitiful her voice sounded but it did sound pitiful as she was feeling very sorry for herself.

"Here, love. Come with me." He helped her to the closet and took out her robe for her. "I know how the smell of food can sometimes be sickening. I'll put it back out in the hall." He removed the food cart from the room and put it out in the hall, quickly grabbing a bite of toast while he was out of view, then came back and opened the doors to the balcony that faced the water. He reached out to Des, "Come, my darling...it feels good out here. I love the smell of the morning air."

She put on her robe then watched as he thankfully removed the offending cart before placing her hand in his and with the cool washcloth in the other moved out onto the balcony with him. The breeze helped to get rid of the lingering smell of the grease and was a welcome respite.

Navy blue shifted to glance up to his handsome face as she had to wonder for a moment before she quietly spoke. "Ya know Babe wishes do come true." There was a little loving smile on her lips that was reflected in her eyes as she watched his face carefully.

He looked at her and wondered what she was talking about. She had been acting very strange lately. Flare ups of anger at the Inn, then tears, mood swings, and now being sick. This was not like her at all. "Well, I know, love. I've got you for my wife, and just look at the beautiful home we have!"

The cowgirl Queen blinked then blinked again. He was a King and ruled an entire Kingdom how could he not have a clue, but it was very obvious he didn't. She could have screamed, maybe if she did he would hear her. So much for the romantic approach, he didn't get the hint.

Des just shook her head and grabbed two fistfuls of his robe dragging his face down to her level then planted a kiss to his lips that was sure to gain her his undivided attention before pulling back to whisper against his lips. "In about nine months we are going to be parents Babe. It wasn't the food at the Inn and it isn't something in the air. I don't want any more food brought into this room in the mornings until I give you the okay. And I love you more than life itself Forever and Always and Two Days. Got it?"

He stood there looking into her deep blue eyes for a moment, processing what she just said. Parents? Nine months? Are some children coming for a visit that he doesn't know about? Parents? Nine months? He blinked and grabbed her shoulders, "Des...my love...are you? Pregnant?"

Damn if those tears didn't break free and start down her cheeks from happiness as she nodded her head rapidly. Her smile growing brighter as she chuckled quietly. "Yes! Wishes do some true Babe and we have been trying and there was you and there was me. We are going to be parents in a few months."

He was so excited he could barely contain himself. "Des! This is such wonderful news!!!" He held her tightly to himself and laughed, "Des, we're going to be parents!!" It was starting to sink in. He looked at her and smiled, "Yes, dreams really do come true. I love you so very much. You continually make me the happiest man in the world."

The kiss slowly broke and Gav looked into her deep blue eyes. "Do you remember that night, Des? The night when I was walking you home from the Inn because Jean was away? We stopped on the bridge and I looked into your eyes. We were talking, and we nearly kissed - and I mean a real kiss. Do you remember that?"

That brought pink flooding to her cheeks as she did indeed remember the night that she had actually lost all control of herself. Des would never as long as she lived, ever forget that night. "Yeah, I remember that night Babe. I remember it very well. If ya hadn't been a gentleman I'd have pounced ya right where we stood."

He smiled, adoring her so, the woman who now held his child within her. His voice was soft and took on that nearly musical quality of the elves, "Close your eyes and go back to that night; feel the air, hear the sounds, feel me with you - my touch, my fragrance."

He paused for a bit while he did the same. His voice was barely a whisper against her cheek, "Now, let yourself do what you wanted to do then."

She smiled back to him and did as he asked. The tone of his voice when he spoke like that sending her back to that moment in time. The sound of the water gently lapping against the bank and the night creatures as well as the scents of town around them fresh to her senses, then there was him, Gavilean, and the unique scents that belonged only to him.

She growled low in her throat and threaded both hands through the silk of his hair giving a slight tug before easing her grip to simply hold his head still for a sizzling kiss that was all satiny heat and feminine promises of sinful delights just ready and waiting to be had for the taking.

He was doing this more for himself than her, for that night he had wanted her desperately. It took every bit of his will power to not give in to the desires within him for this wonderful woman. He now released those desires.

His mouth moved against hers, positioning so that his tongue could play the greatest distance along her tongue, passion being the driver behind that delicious exploration. His right arm cradled her head against him and his left hand moved up her right cheek and through her beautiful hair, his fingers combing through it, grasping it in such a fashion that one would think he had no intentions of ever letting go.

She moaned softly into the kiss as one hand dropped to rest on his broad shoulder and kneaded the firm muscles there taking delight in the play of them beneath her touch. Her heart sped up as embers flared into flames that licked at her insides as she tilted her head to eagerly welcome those kisses that sent what wits she had remaining scattering. This was what she had known it could be like that night on the bridge. This and more was what she longed for and needed with the man that she loved above all else.

He couldn't believe that such a woman would love him so much; or, that he himself could love a woman as much as he loved Tera. His half-naked body moved against her in slow, erotic ways as he kissed her hard and furious, his left hand moving up and down her shapely body, feeling those contours that never failed to turn him on.

His kisses moved from her lips to her cheek, then to her neck and then at that sensitive area between her neck and shoulders. He drew his teeth and lips over that sensitive area and whispered, "I'm so totally in love with you, my Des....my wife."

He was still in awe over the news that she was pregnant. That she was even this very moment carrying and nurturing his child was a miracle that was beyond even his elven imagination. He couldn't believe such happiness was possible, yet he was now feeling it within every aspect of his existence.

She angled her head to the opposite side as a purr rumbled loudly for him while a hand stroked his long dark hair. She loved the feel of it sliding beneath and between her fingers, almost as much as she loved caressing all those heavenly muscles of his exposed to her sight by him being shirtless. "Amin mela ille Gav. You are so very precious to me Babe. I am so happy to be with you."

She was sure that he would take care of her and see that everything would be well in the coming months ahead. He had been so helpful after she had told him the news and he had finally understood what she was telling him. She placed a kiss to the crown of his head with a soft smile as she thought of the days and weeks to come.

He stopped his kisses to look down upon her beautiful face, "Amin mela lle, Des. . .very much, forever and always and two days." His left hand moved down her shirt, releasing the buttons just in time to prepare the way for his kisses upon her chest that immediately followed. When her shirt was fully released, he pushed it aside.

She sighed softly as ripples of pleasure radiated outward from where his lips lingered. The gentleness appealing in it's own way to her senses in the soft afternoon sunshine and quiet of the glade. Lightly Des stroked his hair then onward down over his shoulders and back to as far as she could reach in loving caresses that were leisurely in their explorations as though learning anew each spot. Her voice was a hushed whisper as she spoke. "I love the way that you touch me. There is nothing else like it, Beloved."

He smiled at her words and moved his kisses back up to her lips. He moved off of Des and laid on his side and pulled her close to him so that her breasts were now teasingly against his chest. His hand continued to stroke her hair and cheek. "I remember our first time here. . .on our honeymoon. We made love. I'll never forget any of our moments together...not even one, my love."

She rested one arm curved over his side letting her hand continue to roam over the length of his back tracing nonsense patterns as it would. Her breath catching as their bodies molded comfortably together in that familiar way that she so adored.

Des tilted her head back slightly in order to be able to meet his gaze with her own as they talked in quiet voices and exchanged smiles as lover's often do. "I remember them all too love mine. I even remember the time that you came over and found me skunk drunk. Do you remember making me that omelet Babe?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "I do remember that time, love. You had three sheets to the wind that night, that's for sure. I so enjoyed being with you, watching over you, trying to keep you safe while Jean was away." He laughed, "You're a handful, Des; that's for darn sure!" He fell back upon his back and pulled Des down on top of him. "But I wouldn't have you any other way."

Des laughed with him, navy blue eyes sparkling merrily as she looked down into his cobalt blue eyes from where she now was sprawled atop him with both hands braced on his chest. "Our child is going to not be allowed to drink to excess like that Babe. We are going to teach them moderation in all things." She grinned to him and nodded.

He grinned and moved his hand upon her back beneath her shirt, then down inside the back of her pants. "How are we going to teach our child moderation, love?" He winked. "We'll have to send our child off to school somewhere so that he or she will not adopt our lifestyle!"

She squeaked and squirmed against him as his hand began to wander into very sensitive territory. "Oh my!" A slow grin curved into place that very quickly was pressed against those delicious lips of his in little nibbling kisses that turned into tiny white teeth tugging playfully at his full lower lip before she lapped lightly across it to the soothe the tiny non-hurt with the tip of her tongue. "Mmmm I reckon we will just have to become model examples of behavior Babe. No more being all hedonistic and wild and I won't kick down no more doors to get to ya. But that is many years off I'm thinking."

"I'm thinking you are right, darlin'. So...." He grinned and turned her onto her back, his hand went to the belt of her pants and began to tug to release it. "I guess we can still be as hedonistic as we want." He gave her a wink of his eye.