Kahlan enters the bedchamber far later than intended. The business of court had overrun until eventually Kahlan had commanded that the nobles all disband and return the following day, willing to cooperate. It is rare that Kahlan allows the working day to creep past the established routine she'd set upon her return to Aydindril. As important as being the Mother Confessor is to her, she has other roles which she values just as highly, if not more so.
When Cara turns to greet her with their baby resting against her shoulder, Kahlan's working day melts into insignificance. Cara smiles, though Kahlan can see strain shining through. She makes her way over and kisses Cara's lips, before dropping a soft kiss on the head of wavy blonde hair on her shoulder, leaving her nose buried in the soft tresses for a moment.
"Why's she still up?" Kahlan whispers, stroking the baby's back, her hand touching Cara's with every movement.
"Not still. Again," Cara tells her. "Teeth."
She doesn't need to elaborate. Sofia has been teething for a few weeks and both Cara and Kahlan have gone without sleep over that period. Kahlan glances over Cara's shoulder at a little lump under the covers of their bed. She quirks an eyebrow.
"And why's that one in our bed?" she asks, with an indulgent smile.
Cara sighs. "Because this one woke that one with her crying and she wanted to sleep in here."
"And you couldn't say no to her?" Kahlan guesses, correctly, if Cara's scowl is anything to go by.
"I was too tired to argue," she huffs.
Kahlan could tease her about a mighty Mord'Sith being worn out by teething troubles, but she doesn't, because she knows Cara. And she knows that now is not a time for teasing. She places a kiss on Cara's nose.
"Put her down and then come back to me."
Cara raises an eyebrow at the instruction, but does as she's told. She places the toddler by her sister on the bed, sweeping raven hair off Sonia's forehead and dropping a kiss there, before doing the same with Sofia. She pulls the covers snugly around them and then heads back to Kahlan. Kahlan smiles and as soon as Cara's close enough, she tugs her into her arms, holding her tightly.
"I miss you when I have to work," she mumbles into her shoulder, the smell of Cara relaxing her and working her up all at once.
"I miss you when Sofia is screaming for her Mama," Cara mutters in return, but the thumb gently stroking Kahlan's back negates any ill-feeling in the words and Kahlan grins into Cara's neck.
"Only then?" she asks, nipping at Cara's earlobe with her teeth.
"Some other times," Cara admits, tilting her head to give Kahlan better access.
"What other times?" Kahlan enquires, kissing Cara's pulse point, feeling it flutter under her lips.
"Every time I breathe," Cara whispers, and suddenly Kahlan's pulse is the one fluttering.
She lifts her head and looks into Cara's eyes. She shakes her head in wonder, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"What did I do to deserve you?" she asks, her voice a little thick.
"Something terrible, obviously," Cara retorts, eager to avoid tears if she can help it.
It works, Kahlan laughs and kisses her soundly. She feels her body grow aroused, but pulls her lips away from Cara's to a grunt of displeasure.
"I think you'll find that there are a couple of child shaped obstacles in our bed," Kahlan chastises. "I don't want you getting me all excited and then not being able to deliver on it."
"You know me, Mother Confessor," Cara drawls, and Kahlan shivers at the way she can make her title sound like a seduction. "I always deliver."
Kahlan groans at the look in Cara's eye. It is not an innocent look. It is a 'I'm going to have you and you have very little say in the matter' look. Kahlan knows it well.
"Cara, you're exhausted."
The gleam in Cara's eye changes and Kahlan realises that she's just issued Cara a challenge. Now Cara will not rest until she has thoroughly ravished Kahlan at least twice. Kahlan sighs.
"Not in here," she warns. "I don't want them traumatised."
Cara rolls her eyes but runs her hands down Kahlan's back and hooks them behind her thighs, lifting. Kahlan automatically wraps her legs around Cara's waist, settling her weight against the other woman who accepts it with minimal effort. Cara angles her head to meet Kahlan's lips as she walks in the direction of the small antechamber just off their main chambers. She's barely lifted her leg to kick the door open when a small voice calls out.
"Mama?"
Cara freezes and Kahlan breaks the kiss, looking over Cara's shoulder to where Sofia is sitting up, rubbing her eyes. Cara doesn't have to look and she sighs, letting go of Kahlan's legs and letting her stand on the ground.
"Hey baby!" Kahlan says, a grin splitting her face. She pulls Cara close, dropping a kiss of apology on her cheek. Sofia is fighting her way out of the covers and crawling across the bed and Kahlan moves to meet her, scooping her up into her arms and hugging her. The tiny blonde snuggles against Kahlan, obviously still tired. Cara comes to join them, collapsing into the bed and climbing under the covers, throwing an arm over Sonia's hip.
Kahlan rocks Sofia and hums softly near her ear. She sits down on the edge of the bed, watching as Sonia turns over and smooshes her face against Cara's. Kahlan smiles as Cara grimaces, but doesn't move. Soon Sofia's breathing has evened out and Kahlan stands and places her back in the bed. She starts to unlace her confessor dress, knowing full well that Cara's eyes are on her. She loves the way Cara looks at her body, softened though it is by two pregnancies. She undresses quickly, eager to be in bed with her family.
She slips her corset off, leaving herself naked and from the corner of her eye she spots movement. Before she has time to turn around, Cara's arms are around her waist, a hand splayed across her belly, the other coming to rest just below her breasts. Kahlan's eyes close of their own accord.
"Cara…" she breathes.
"I know," Cara says. "I just need to hold you."
Kahlan turns in Cara's arms. "That can be arranged," she says. And then, because she cannot help it. "I love you."
"And I love you," Cara replies with an ease that Kahlan would never have dreamed of a few years ago.
Kahlan brushes her knuckles over Cara's cheek, looking into her eyes. "Let me get dressed then you can hold me for as long as you like."
Cara reaches past Kahlan for her sleeping shift and helps her to put it on. Then she drags her to a chair by the fire. Cara sits down and pulls Kahlan into her lap in one graceful movement. Kahlan curls around Cara and sighs. This is happiness.
