This takes place just before the Epilogue of "At Your Side".
Evelyn sat still at the edge of her seat, listening anxiously to the little humming sounds Bethany was making. The mage's hands passed back and forth over her sister's abdomen very slowly until Evelyn thought she would have to scream if it took any longer. But Bethany did not appreciate being rushed in a diagnosis, and the ship's company of the Temptress had learned to wait until the mage was sure of her findings.
They'd been pirates for almost a year now, since Evelyn and Fenris and Isabela had aided Bethany's escape from the Gallows. Bethany was thriving in the sun and the sea air and the freedom. The crew was glad enough to have a healer aboard that any superstitions about carrying a mage had been set aside, and Bethany and Isabela seemed remarkably happy together for two such different personalities. Evelyn loved to see her sister so carefree, finally coming into her own.
Shipboard life wasn't suiting Evelyn as well. She missed her privacy. On the ship, she and Fenris had their own cabin, but it was small, and you could hear everything that went on in all the other cabins. There wasn't enough room to practice their swordsmanship, and Evelyn could feel her skills atrophying, despite the extra work they put in every time the ship docked. She and Fenris had discussed returning to Kirkwall, but neither of them missed the pressure of Evelyn being the Champion, and Varric reported that the Divine was sending her Seekers around to look for Evelyn, having somehow gotten the wrong idea about Evelyn's involvement in the destruction of the Kirkwall Chantry. Wherever they did end up, they were going to have to be circumspect about it.
Bethany cleared her throat, and Evelyn brought her thoughts back to the moment, looking anxiously up at her sister. Bethany was smiling, and Evelyn's heart pounded.
"Congratulations, sister! You're going to have a baby."
Hours later, Evelyn paused outside the door to their cabin. Fenris had finished up his shift on watch—an activity he seemed to enjoy, climbing high into the rigging and looking out over the expanse of the ocean—and was probably asleep. She'd waited all day, wanting to share this news with him alone in their cabin, with the whole night before them, but now she was nervous. They had decided a long time ago to let Fate decide whether they were to become parents or not and had never discussed the topic again. There had been no reason to; Evelyn's cycles came around like clockwork, never late by so much as a day, and she had begun to assume she and Fenris simply weren't compatible. Or that Fenris was right and the lyrium had affected his ability to father children. Evelyn's impatience had been growing all this time, however. There was no longer any question in her mind that she wanted a child; Fenris's child. She could already imagine a little boy with his father's eyes. But she didn't know if Fenris was as anxious as she was, or if he'd be truly excited by the news. In the back of her mind there was always the concern that the child could inherit magic—if not from her side, then from Fenris's. Her husband had learned to live with Bethany, and even appeared to like the mage, but how would he accept a mage child? Would he insist on locking the child in a Circle somewhere?
Putting her hands over her stomach, still as flat as ever, Evelyn bit her lip against a wave of nausea, but whether it came from the movement of the ship, the new pregnancy, or nerves, she couldn't tell.
"Hawke, are you going to stand out there all night?"
She had forgotten about his hearing, and what a light sleeper he was. Well, there was nothing for it now. If he wasn't going to be happy, she might as well know it now as stand here wondering about it. Turning the knob, Evelyn went into the tiny cabin. Fenris was on his side, his head propped on his elbow.
"I wondered what was keeping you. Are you still not feeling well?"
This whole thing had started because she was having trouble keeping her meals down and her intermittent seasickness had come back full force. It had taken nearly a week of this before Evelyn had begun to consider the possibility of pregnancy, and she had no idea if the thought had crossed Fenris's mind at all.
"No, I'm feeling better. I …" But she didn't know how to say it. Her mind painted a picture of Fenris upset at the news, and to her horror, tears began to well up in her eyes.
Fenris was immediately on his feet, his arms wrapping around her. "Whatever the trouble is, we will get through it together." Evelyn could feel the tension in his body and in the strong, protective tightening of his arms. Was he afraid she was pregnant? "Is this about what Bethany said this morning?"
"How do you know I saw Bethany?"
"It is a very small ship. Also, she spent the day watching you anxiously. Obviously she is concerned about your well-being."
Evelyn felt the warmth of his hand stroking her cheek and she looked into his eyes.
"My heart, you must tell me," Fenris whispered.
She felt foolish for her reaction. Since the death of Danarius, there was nothing they hadn't been able to talk about; she trusted Fenris with her heart and with her life—surely she could trust him with this news, as well. Shaking her head, she smiled. "It's nothing bad. Really. Why don't you sit down?"
"Very well." He backed up and sat on the edge of the bunk, looking up at her expectantly. Evelyn could see the concern in his eyes, but something prevented her from just blurting out the news.
"I … um, was worried, because of the seasickness and how tired I've been."
"As was I."
"So I asked Bethany to take a look at me, and it turns out … well, it seems …" She looked at him hesitantly. "Fenris?"
"Yes?"
"We're going to have a baby."
His eyes widened at the words, the lyrium along his skin flaring briefly and then subsiding. Was that anger, excitement, or something else?
"Bethany is certain?"
Evelyn nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest. She felt the nausea again, churning in the pit of her stomach, and fought against it. "Say something."
Fenris still sat on the edge of the bunk. "I … am sorry. I am a little startled. I should have expected this, or counted it among the possibilities, but I had not … I was worried about you."
"And now? You aren't upset, are you?"
"Upset?" He stood up, framing her face with his gentle hands. "The farthest thing from it. I am extremely pleased—what would have made you think otherwise?"
"We haven't talked about it, not in a long time, and when month after month went by with nothing …" Evelyn shrugged. "I thought you were glad it wasn't happening."
"On the contrary, I avoided the topic because I thought it might be a sensitive one for you." Now it was his turn to look away, his cheeks flushing. "Also, I was afraid that I was the reason it was not working. I did not know how to approach that subject."
"And here I thought we talked to each other so well." Relief filled her, warming her from the inside out.
"Apparently we have further improvements to make in that area."
Evelyn put her arms around him, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I still can hardly believe it."
"Nor can I," he whispered against her hair. His mouth sought hers, the kiss tender and sweet. Evelyn could feel her heartrate quicken as their tongues touched. Fenris broke the kiss, making a small, appreciative sound in the back of his throat. "I may need to inspect more closely in order to be fully convinced." His strong hands moved to the front of her shirt, slowly unbuttoning it and then pushing the fabric down off her shoulders. He began kissing the curve of her neck. Joy and arousal spread through Evelyn in a giant wave, and she clung to Fenris's arms to hold herself up. He walked her back until they were standing next to the bunk. His dexterous fingers unfastened her breeches, shoving them down over her thighs, and her smallclothes with them. She stepped out of the clothing, leaving it in a heap on the floor, and sat down on the edge of the bunk. Fenris knelt between her legs, reaching up to kiss her. He unfastened her hair, letting it fall around her shoulders, and unclasped her breastband, tossing it over his shoulder.
He pulled back, his hands softly caressing Evelyn's breasts, which tingled under his touch, sensitive as they had never been before. She gasped at the feeling, arching against his touch. "Well, that is certainly new," he murmured. "And most delightful." He closed his mouth over one aching peak, suckling at it, and Evelyn bit her lip to keep from crying out. He entertained himself, and her, by coaxing new sensations from her breasts until at last she had to push his hands away.
"Too much," she whispered hoarsely.
"Mm. I believe I am going to enjoy your pregnancy."
Evelyn opened her eyes, smiling down at him. "Let's see if you say that when my stomach is so big there's no room for you in the bunk."
The corner of his mouth quirked up. "I will find you beautiful and exciting even when this," he kissed her stomach, his thumbs caressing her skin, "is rounded and full of life."
It sounded a lot more beautiful the way he said it. Fenris pushed her knees farther apart, stroking her stomach and pressing lightly against the taut muscles.
"It feels no different."
"It's early yet," Evelyn said. "Give it time."
"Hello, little one," Fenris murmured, his lips brushing her stomach. "You are to grow quickly—we are anxious to meet you."
Evelyn felt tears welling up in her eyes. To think she had doubted him.
And then he dipped his head further, making an appreciative sound in the back of his throat as his tongue touched the swollen folds between her legs. Evelyn moaned, laying back on the bunk and spreading her legs wider to give him better access. He took his time, his tongue stroking and caressing and delving inside her, and Evelyn clutched the blankets in an effort to remain still under his ministrations. She could feel the muscles inside clenching and she could stand it no longer.
"Please, Fenris."
His anxious face came into view. "You are certain it will not harm the child?"
She loved him for his concern, but it was poorly timed. "It won't. I promise. Clothes off!"
"As you desire."
Evelyn watched as he undressed, holding her arms out to him. Carefully he held himself above her on trembling arms in order to avoid resting his weight on her abdomen. Evelyn drew up her knees, tugging at him, needing him. "Fenris, it's all right. You can relax. The baby will be fine!"
He groaned at her touch, his hips thrusting forward reflexively, the very tip of his erection sliding inside her. Evelyn tilted her hips up to capture more of him, clenching the muscles within. With a gasp, he gave himself up to her, thrusting until he was fully seated and then withdrawing. They moved together urgently, finding a rhythm that built the tension within them both until it snapped.
Languidly, Fenris stretched alongside her, his hand splaying across her stomach. Evelyn brushed the hair back from his damp forehead. "I'm sorry I doubted your reaction," she said.
"As am I. I would have liked to have been with you when Bethany gave you the good news." Fenris nuzzled her neck. "Should you have any further concerns, let me put them to rest. I was content before, fully satisfied. Now …" he swallowed, the words difficult to get out. "Now, for the first time in my memory, I am happy."