Chapter One

Home Sweet Home

Domestic life. Who da thought? Liz Sherman smiled to herself as she walked – waddled – down the corridor of her brand new home. The carpets were of a rich forest green, tiny weavings of silver throwing up sparkles of the light that poured into the house from tall, leaded windows, the small squares of glass proudly displaying the wintery Irish countryside that seemed to stretch on forever. Liz's smile took on a smug edge as she folded her arms over the very definite bump of pregnancy, tucking her tiny hands into the wide sleeves of her…what did they call sweaters here? Jumper? Whatever it was called, the house was warm and cozy whilst the wind howled and the snow poured down in a merry winter dance. The smell of Christmas – a real B.P.R.D-less Christmas – filled the corridor and she inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of pine, cloves, cinnamon and cheap paper as she turned into the vast living room. Abes tank stood against one wall, finally not leaking all over the floor, the reflections in the water casting a surprisingly soft light into the room. The large, dumpy sofa's were set in front of a crackling open fire, bookcases and memorabilia lining every wall that wasn't taken up by the tank. It wasn't unlike the way Professor Broom's study had been back at the B.P.R.D…just…enlarged. Liz paused in the doorway, one hand on the stout wooden frame, the other on her stout belly, and surveyed the scene inside.

"No it needs to go a little more to the left." Johann Krauss perched almost awkwardly on the edge of one of the sofas, looking up at a huge Christmas tree. After many requests on Liz's part the German scientist had finally abandoned his research at The Sealy University of Mythology and agreed to join them for Christmas.

"No, no, to the right." Abe Sapien, arms folded over the top of the tank, lithe blue legs kicking lazily in the water, called out, shooting Liz something that could be described as a smile if only the amphibian was capable of such an expression.

"C'mon guys, make up your mi- Liz!" Hellboy, on the very top step of a ladder and swaying dangerously, beamed down at her as if she were all his Christmas presents in one. The smile didn't last long, though the loving look in his eyes did, it was replaced with irritation. "Babe, what do you think? Left or right?" He jingled the over-large silver bell from side to side with his stone hand, the other one holding onto the wall for support.

"Actually I think it's ok just where it is." Liz smiled, looking down as she tried to see over her bump to where the steps were at. She made her way over to the sofa as a mini-argument erupted between the three boys, picked up a very contented cat from the seat and sat down with a groan.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Hellboy yelped over the noise. "What the lady says, goes." He turned away, delicately placing the bell on a tree limb, ignoring Krauss' sigh and Abe flipping lazily back into the water, sinking to sit cross legged at the bottom of the tank. Liz smiled to herself as she watched.

Ever since they'd moved in a few months ago Hellboy had been increasingly protective, the phrase that was unsaid hung in the air almost perpetually now – 'don't upset the pregnant lady or you'll upset me'. Liz, herself, had handled the mood swings and cravings, though it had been amusing once or twice (when she regained control of herself) to find that HB had traveled half way round the world just to bring her back some gram crackers with the exact cheese she had asked for. If she wasn't careful Liz was fairly certain that her heart would burst with love for the big ape.

"Liz?" The big ape in question had slid down the length of the ladder and sauntered over to her, all but shoving Krauss across the sofa in order to sit next to her, an arm thrown gently around her shoulders. "Why the frown? You alright?" Liz couldn't help fighting away a smile at his concern, placing his hand of flesh on her belly so he could feel the babies kicking in an almost negligent manner.

"I'm fine, HB. They're not coming for another month or so." She said quietly, closing her eyes as she leaned into him as much as the bump would allow. "It's been a long day." She felt Hellboy grin against the top of her head.

"Mmm, seeing your man dragging the worlds largest Christmas tree through that door must have been hard work." He sat back slightly, flexing a bicep. "All those rippling muscles." He looked down at her, smugness lurking in the back of his eyes.

"Yeah, sure, I might have been more impressed had you and your rippling muscles-" She poked the arm being flexed in front of her face, "-had cleaned up all the pine needles and resin you left all over the hall." His face fell and she laughed, leaning up slightly to kiss him.

"I'll get right on it." He promised.

"It's taken care of. Johann knows how to tidy up after himself." Liz shot a warm smile at the ectoplasmic German…just to irritate Hellboy. Krauss pretended not to notice the glare that was leveled at him, looking away casually as steam escaped from the flaps around what Hellboy still insisted on calling his 'fish bowl'. "Actually I'm kind of tired."

"Really?" Hope shone in the place of irritation on Hellboys face and Liz felt that same bursting amount of love again. Maybe it was hormones? Still, it didn't seem to matter how much like a hippo with a gland problem Liz looked, Hellboy always perked up at the words 'bed', 'tired' or 'sleepy'. It wasn't just a physical thing – though it was fabulous – but Hellboy, despite the fierceness of his appearance and gruffness of his attitude, was a cuddler. Liz had been threatened with worse than death if she'd ever let anyone know it but sometimes they'd just lie together, Hellboy curling gently around her and Liz had never felt so protected in her whole damn life. Scary.

"Yeah."'

"Good." In one smooth, powerful motion Liz was lifted from the seat, cradled in Hellboys arms as he stood up, nodding his goodnights to the other two.

"I can walk, y'know." Liz murmured even as she cuddled up to him, yawning as they left the room. Hellboy smiled down at his lover, watching dark eyes slowly drift shut and mid length black perfumed hair spill gently over his arm and shoulder.

"Yeah. I know."