Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.
Thanks to tortallanrider for editing.
Chapter Two: On the First Day of Midwinter
Jonathan watched covertly as his pregnant wife walked into his study. "Hello, my dearest, come sit." He looked up from his papers, pushed his chair back, and helped Alanna settle on his lap.
"Jon, it's Midwinter. Can't you relax and forget about politics for two weeks, please?"
"For you, darling, I can forget anything."
"Then why are you holed up in here? Or are you taking a leaf out of Gary's book?"
"Alanna, my love, the day I hide because I have forgotten a present for you is the day I become a priestess to the Goddess. Does that make you feel better?"
Alanna gave no reply, but her eyes were lit with amusement. The King sighed, playing at being reluctant to go open presents. "I suppose I must be present when you find your surprise."
"Find my surprise? If you mean the pear tree now sitting in our bedroom, I found it while you were pouring over what probably doesn't need to be done for three months."
Jonathan chuckled. So his clever former squire had guessed his game, and strangely, she seemed calm, rather than upset. He lounged back in his brocade-cushioned chair, pulling his wife as close to his chest as he could, given her swollen middle.
"What did you think of your surprise?" He kissed her, playing with her lips and tongue a minute before pulling back.
"I don't think it worked quite the way you wanted it to, love. The partridge seems to have preferred our bed to the tree. Imagine: I go to take a nap, and feel something bouncing across my pillow. That wasn't very nice."
Jon flushed slightly, as his wife laughed softly. "No, that wasn't the way things were supposed to happen. But did you like the surprise?"
"It gave me a much need laugh. Thank you. Although, I must admit, that isn't quite what I was thinking when I said to surprise me. I suppose I opened myself up to it, though."
Jonathan only laughed and kissed his wife again.