Most women would observe their husband's emotional shortcomings and think they'd married an Ice King. Most would worry he didn't love them simply because he didn't bring flowers and recite poetry every day.

But for Caeda, it was simply one of Marth's quirks. After a year of marriage, she'd gotten used to the fact that showing affection was difficult for him; it didn't mean he didn't love her. No, she knew he loved her, and she knew it wasn't easy for him either, as he'd often apologize for his shortcomings in that area. Especially now that they had a baby on the way, he worried that his slow emotions would have a bad effect on their child. "Promise me you'll make sure he doesn't turn out like I did," he would tell her every night.

Caeda didn't need flowers and trinkets and poetry. All she needed was him, all she needed to know was that he was alive and well and taking care of himself as they worked tirelessly to build a better Archanea. As for their child, she knew he would turn out well, Marth would move Heaven and Earth to ensure it.

She didn't need grand gestures of love to know how he felt about her, not when she already knew.

One morning she awoke to find small package on his side of the bed; he'd gone off to yet another early meeting and hadn't wanted to wake her, and it was just the same as she found herself tiring more easily with their child due in less than three months. She stretched, reached over to take the small box, and opened it.

"Oh..."

It was a single lily with a red ribbon tied around the stem, and a note.

To my wife and the soon-to-be mother of my child,

Grand declarations of love aren't my strong suit, and we both know it. Sometimes even showing the barest emotions is a challenge for me. And through all the years we've known each other you've put up with it.

I don't tell you often enough how much that means to me. Every day I'm grateful to have you by my side, I love you more than I can put into words.

Love, Marth.

Caeda gently laid the note back in the box, and the flower atop it, tears of joy gathering in her eyes. She lay back against the headboard, resting her hands on her belly.

"I couldn't ask for a better husband, and you couldn't ask for a better father," she murmured.

When Marth finally returned, she slipped out of bed as quickly as her body would allow, and flung her arms around him.

"You didn't need to do that," she whispered, "but I'm glad you did. I love you so much."

Marth smiled.

"I meant every word of that note," he said, kissing her softly. "I do love you." He placed a hand on her swollen abdomen. "Both of you." Caeda laughed softly, kissing the end of his nose.

She didn't need trinkets and daily proclamations of undying love, but every now and then it was nice to have a sweet reminder.