It had happened gradually, but little by little Shadow noticed his mate's swelling tummy. From a physical viewpoint, he knew it would happen, but from a mental stance, he was trying to reconcile that she wasn't just putting on pounds, she was nurturing a new life. It was the distinct honor of women to bear children, and though the age-old tradition had been carried on for generations, the darkened hedgehog realized how little control he had in the whole process.
Mornings were hardly as romantic as they used to be, with Sara frequenting the bathroom due to morning sickness. Pizza from Vinnie's was out of the question, as she had a sudden sensitivity to garlic. Shadow waited outside the bathroom door, disturbed by the sounds coming from within. He wondered if it was really worth it, and not for the first time at that.
"Are you really okay?" he asked as he watched her exit the bathroom. Her head was lowered and ears folded back, signaling her ill state wasn't quite over.
"Yeah." She managed a small smile at him.
He frowned in turn. "I don't believe you."
"It's just morning sickness," she insisted, trying to make her tone a bit lighter. She frowned a bit at his gaze. "It's just a natural part of things, Shadow."
"Is it going to be like this every morning?" He stepped over to her and supported her in his arms. Her ears lifted at the comforting embrace.
"Noo...it should pass." A little smile crossed her lips. "Besides, I can show you it's worth it."
Shadow looked at her a bit dubiously. "How?"
Sara took one of his hands and placed it over her belly. "This." She smiled.
Through fur and flesh, Shadow could feel something bump against his hand. His ears perked up in interest. "Eh?!"
"That was the baby." She smiled brightly. "He's kicking. Or she's kicking."
Shadow was speechless; he didn't know what to think. A life…. A life inside her... His breath slowed as he considered what was behind that simple movement. It's not like he didn't know what the word pregnant meant, but until then he hadn't felt the proof of it. From the time she'd conceived, his part in making that life was over. Now he had to wait and watch, protecting her from physical harm being his only way of really doing anything for the little spark inside her.
"Well?" Sara rested her head against his chest.
He kept his hand there a while, feeling the new life test its boundaries. "Does it hurt?"
"Not really." She nuzzled him affectionately.
"It's...amazing." It was all he could think to say. Sara whirled around and gave him an impassioned kiss. He wondered at how he had even the tiniest part of his love's contentment.