Monday
Clare's ears twitched when she heard Anni's bed room door open then Anni running down to the bathroom and that door slamming shut. She groaned and sat up tiredly. Luke groaned and rolled over draping is arm across her lap. Clare yawned as she moved his arm and swung her legs off the bed. Link groaned in his and Anni's room, muttering something about pigs. The ninja yawned and moved out of the room and towards the bathroom.
"Anni...?" She called softly. She got no response other than a whimper. Clare opened the door and saw Anni leaning against the tub. Her arms were wrapped around her knees as her shoulders trembled. There was barely any colour in her skin.
"Auntie Clare?" She whimpered. Clare walked over to her and moved her around so she was leaning her back against her chest.
"Shh...I'm going to say the spell then take you back up to your room...Then you'll be good until six tonight." Clare said then put her hands on her forehead and stomach then muttered the spell.
"Okay..." Anni replied, a little cooler than Clare would have liked. She finished her spell and picked the high sage up off the floor. Anni whimpered and buried herself in Clare's arms. Clare sighed and went to the couch instead of going back upstairs. Anni whimpered and curled into Clare's warmth. Clare sat on the couch and propped her bare feet on the coffee table and let Anni rest on her lap as she hummed her lullaby.
"...I have such a headache..." Anni whimpered.
"Want me to go make tea for you?" Clare asked, still half asleep.
"...no...I don't want you to leave..." The smaller of the two answered quietly.
"Do you mind if I fall back asleep then?" Clare asked with a yawn.
"...No..." Anni replied snuggling against her Aunt.
"Alright...see you when I wake up..." Clare whispered as she yawned once more before falling asleep. Anni nodded off with her. Seven in the morning, two sets of heavy feet ran down the stairs at top speed, followed by a set of paws.
"Can't a girl get any sleep around here?" Clare asked as she opened her eyes and stretched her arms up over her head. Her action was cut short when Anni whimpered in protest and hugged her tighter. Clare smiled down at her and lowered her arms to run her hands over Anni's hair.
"Oh good they're both down here..." Luke said and leaned on the table.
"I've been down here for two hours and you finally realized it...Oh my poor heart I think it just cracked..." Clare said as she putting a hand to her heart.
"Sorry, we didn't expect either of you to be up yet, especially you Clare..." Luke replied as he crossed the room and leaned on the couch, "What time was she up at?"
"Five in the morning..." Clare said with a yawn.
"My poor Angels..." He said quietly as he placed a kiss to Clare's temple. She yawned again then closed her eyes and fell back into a dreamless void. Ten o'clock, Luke reached over and gently shook Clare's shoulder.
"Clare, wake up honey..." He said. Said ninja groaned and opened her eyes slowly.
"Morning Angel eyes..." Luke said with a soft smile.
"Angel eyes...that's a new one..." Clare said as she rolled her shoulder and listened for the silent snap. He placed his finger to his lips, and pointed at the woman still sleeping in her arms. Clare smiled softly as she looked at the smaller sage.
"She always sleeps so soundly when you're nearby..." Luke said as he ran his fingers through Anni's hair.
"I know..." Clare said as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes with one hand.
"You want some breakfast?" he asked. Clare nodded her head as she ran a hand through her hair.
"Okay, wake her up slow..." He said as he disappeared to the kitchen.
"Anni..." Clare said as she yawned, having not gotten enough sleep. The tinier girl groaned and curled closer to Clare.
"Anni...you gotta get up...breakfast is coming..." Clare said as yawned and this time it cracked her jaw. Anni's eyes opened then snapped shut as she covered her eyes against the light pouring out of the window. Clare laughed gently and shook her head, knowing she would do the same thing.
"...What time is it...?" Anni groaned as she tried to open her eyes again only to snap them shut once more.
"I think it's ten..." Clare said as she held her hand over Anni's eyes blocking the suns bright rays.
"Oh Krage...the boys are going to be so mad, I haven't made breakfast yet..." Anni groaned as she went to sit up.
"Your Uncle's on that..." Clare said as she helped the younger sage sit up with a hand.
"Okay..." the brunette replied, her hair was usually wavy this morning as she ran her fingers from her temple to the ends.
"So, explain this festival to me...I've only been to one and that you had to dress up in costumes..." Clare said as she yawned again then gave her head a shake.
"It's a three day thing, the first day is the o-opening ceremony where they retell the family legend, then there's a one day break so contestants can finish their boats and get in some last minute practice then there's the actual tournament on the last day..." Anni answered as she slowly returned to the land of the wakeful.
"And you're playing Crystal's part right...is there any dancing during this thing?" Clare asked as she stretched her legs out. Anni nodded her head and quickly braided her hair back without either opening her eyes.
"Alright...Can't go..." Clare said as she closed her eyes. Anni looked over at Clare with tired eyes.
"Please Auntie Clare..." She asked.
"Don't have a dress unless you want me going in my sage dress, I would otherwise like to go..." Clare said, her brain telling her she didn't want to dance but she was too tried to act on said brain.
"I can make you one it would only take me a couple hours..." Anni offered as she tied a black satin ribbon at the bottom of her braid and yawned adorably.
"Sure...just please try to refrain from stabbing me continually with the needle...Christina did enough of that..." Clare said as she almost slipped back to sleep.
"I'm really careful..." Anni replied then looked at her Aunt.
"Auntie Clare, if I have to be up so do you..." Anni added as she gently prodded Clare's stomach.
"I'm up ...I'm up..." She said and shifted around before putting her feet on the floor. Anni yawned again and rubbed her eyes, it was now that Clare noticed the dark circles beneath them.
"Anni you're starting to look like Linebeck did eight years ago..." Clare said as she turned to the girl in the process of snapping her back back into place.
"...I haven't been sleeping well..." The brunette said as she stood up and swayed slightly. Link immediately rushed over to Anni.
"I'm okay, I just stood up too fast..." Anni said trying to reassure the blond as she placed her hand on his chest to regain her balance. Clare shook her head and stood up and went around Link to get to the table.
"Link, you're on Anni watching, today..." Clare said as she walked around the table patting Niko on the head on her way by.
"I don't need watching, I'm not five..." Anni snapped, ah the joys of mood swings.
"Okay then, it's entirely your choice..." Clare said as she sat down at her spot, being unreasonably passive, like she knew what to do. Anni sighed and dropped her head against her fiancés' chest.
"I'm sorry Auntie Clare, I didn't mean to snap..." She apologized.
"No need to be sorry Anni...I've dealt with this before...many times before..." Clare said as she waited for breakfast to be served. Luke walked in and placed a large plate of pancakes on the table along with toast, eggs, ham, bacon and a few other things. Anni paled a little at the thought of breakfast.
"It'll stay down until it's digested...The spell I casted on you this morning will let you eat whatever you want until six tonight, so I suggest eating what you can now." Clare said as she reached for the bacon and pancakes.
"Alright..." Anni said quietly as she took what would normally be Link's seat and took a piece of toast. Clare kept an eye on Anni as she ate her food, and she wasn't the only one; Link was watching also Luke. Luke disappeared and reappeared with a cup of tea for both women, it seemed to put Anni at ease. Clare leaned back as she sipped her tea, she had already finished her breakfast and she didn't eat as much as she usually would. Luke glanced between the blond and her plate, then frowned. He didn't say anything but you could tell it bothered him as he collected the dishes.
"Anni you should try to eat a little more sweetheart..." He told the young sage. Clare took the plates from him and went into the kitchen silently. Luke followed behind her, worry painted across his tanned features. She turned her head and looked at him.
"What?" She asked as she set the dishes beside the sink.
"Are you alright?" He asked in reply as he came to stand in front of her.
"Yeah...why...?" She asked and started to wash the dishes.
"You barely ate anything Clare..." He replied as he snaked his arms around her tiny waist. "Is something bothering you?" He asked. Clare stopped what she was doing and put the plate she was washing down and heaved a heavy sigh.
"I need my special tea..." She said softly.
"Clare what's wrong, talk to me sweetheart, can I help?" He asked rubbing a circle with his thumb.
"My senses are on high alert and I can't get them back down, I feel sick but I know I'm not pregnant...And I've got a head ache the size of the ocean..." Clare said she she put her head on his chest.
"That would be stress luv..." He said as he continued to sooth circles with his thumb.
"Then I'm going to need a long vacation after this..." Clare grumbled then turned to finish the dishes.
"Here's an idea, after dinner tonight you come with me and I'll help you relax, no need to go too far..." He offered as he placed a gentle kiss behind her ear.
"Sounds like a plan..." Clare said as she tilted her head up and kissed him on the nose. He smiled and grabbed a dish towel and began to dry the dishes after detangling his arms from the ninja.
"Just promise me you'll eat a little more at lunch alright, I don't want you getting sick..."
"Okay okay, I'll eat more...or I'll try..." Clare said as she put plate and a bunch of utensils in the sink for drying.
"That's all I ask..." He said as he kissed her cheek. She hip checked him lightly with a giggle. He chuckled and trailed a cool finger up her side. Clare bounced away and splashed water at him. He rolled up his towel and snapped it twice with a smirk on his face. Clare quickly finished the dishes and splashed him again before bolting out the kitchen door. Luke was about to take chase when he remembered something... "Clare!"
"Hmm?" The ninja hummed as she popped her head threw the window leading to the dining area.
"Here I keep forgetting to give you this..." He said as he placed a medallion in her hand.
"Hey! This is my sage's medallion that I lost 500 years ago...That bastard!" Clare said then started cursing in the old language.
"It's been in the family for years...we had no idea where it came from...but I'm guessing it had to do with a certain blond." Luke said as he leaned on the frame.
"Got that right...before Sheik left he wanted to talk with me...The one time he wasn't a pervert and he stole my medallion...I nearly got my head ripped off because of it..." Clare grumbled as she stuck the medallion deep in her shorts pocket then she looked up at the Captain and flicked some water at him.
"Who knew someone who was so looked up upon could be such an ass..." Luke said wiping the water off his face.
"Got that right...he was a pervert and now a thief..." Clare said as she went outside. Luke shook his head and went to check on his expecting niece. When Clare was outside she took the medallion back out and looked at it.
"Why did you take this Sheik...?" She asked the little piece of metal. Her fingers brushed against the back which wasn't smooth anymore. Clare turned it and looked at the back. Elegantly engraved on the back was an apology: "Clare my sincerest apologies for being such an ass over all these years...I just found you so fascinating...I'm not very good with women...so again I'm very sorry – Sheik." Clare sniffed as tears started rolling down her eyes and she quickly took to the trees, holding the medallion to her chest. Luke came out onto the lawn in search of his ninja.
"Clare?" He called. The ninja was sitting in a tree near the bay, fiddling with the medallion.
"So I guess I had a perverted admirer....or a perverted older brother...since he did save me those few times..." Clare said softly as she spun the piece of metal around.
"Clare?!" Luke called from a couple of feet away, "Are you down here?"
"Yeah, up here..." Clare called as she rubbed her ears.
"Sorry luv..." He said as he walked to the base of her tree.
"Did you know what it said on the back of this thing?" Clare asked him as she held the tiny gold chunk of metal to him.
"No I can't read ancient Hylian remember?" he replied as he flipped over and glanced at the engraving.
"I figured it was something to do with your being a sage."
"Try an apology..." Clare said and turned her gaze to the waves. Luke jumped up to her branch and crouched in front of her.
"Do you need a hug luv?" He asked her. Clare nodded her head.
"Come here..." He whispered and opened his arms for the ninja. Clare did fling herself into his arms but she did hug him. Luke sat down so they didn't fall and gently ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing manner.
"We continually got each other into trouble...We saved each other's live countless times..." Clare muttered into his shoulder.
"Sounds like you had an older brother you didn't know you had..." He whispered as he slowly pulled her into his lap.
"Why do all the blonds I know what to be my older sibling...Perverted or otherwise...?" Clare asked threw her tears.
"Because you're easy to fall in love with Clare and nobody wants' to see you get hurt..." He replied now soothing circles.
"Unless you're a snob of a princess who's lived the good life far too long..." Clare grumbled as she sniffed loudly. Luke shook his head and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to his ninja. Clare sat back and took it and dried her tears.
"Are you going to be alright luv?" He asked as he ran one hand up and down her arm.
"Yeah...Yeah, I will be...I wish Sheik was here...then I can kick his butt for stealing this and for making me cry..." Clare said as she smiled up at him. Luke smiled back and kissed her forehead.
"How about we check on our lovely high strung niece instead, she's probably wondering where you went." He told her.
"Alright...last one there is a rotten egg!" Clare shouted as she wiggled out of his grasp and jumped towards the Inn. He rolled his eyes good naturedly and decided to let Clare win, but still gave chase. As Clare was bouncing to the Inn she had slipped the medallion in her pocket in a secret pocket where all her most treasured possessions stayed. But of course the family she had now outweighed everything in that pocket. There was no way in the world to keep Anni idle for any extended period of time because there she was out on the lawn doing laundry now dressed in a pale blue dress that hung a little closer than her other clothes and her apron was tied a little lower. Clare jumped out of the trees and sailed through the air.
"Hey Anni!" She waved to the girl. Anni waved at her Aunt as she pinned a sheet to the line. Clare kept flying through the air then she hit the side of the Inn with a thwack. Anni gasped and covered her eyes, then dropped her hands and rushed over to her Aunt.
"Auntie Clare, are you alright?" She asked the ninja. Clare blinked up at her then started laughing. Anni knelt next to Clare, a concerned glint in her eyes, "Auntie Clare?"
"I'm fine...you just reminded me of a old friend...I did the same thing except I flew into a castle wall. My friend told me my head was harder than the wall because I wasn't hurt or stunned or anything." Clare laughed as she smiled up at the girl.
"Okay..." Anni replied as she stood up, swayed a little then offered Clare a hand. Clare smiled at her and put her hand in Anni's but she pulled herself off the ground.
"You should get back to the laundry..." Clare said shooing the girl over to her sheets. Anni laughed lightly, she was slowly getting back to her normal self, and returned to her half finished laundry. Clare laughed as she went to sit on a rock in the middle of the yard.
"I claim this rock as mine." Clare said as she scratched her name in the stone with a kunai. Luke walked by chuckling as he walked over to Anni.
"Need help sweetheart?" He asked the tiny female. She shook her head and shooed him away back to Clare.
"Mind if I come up?" He asked the ninja.
"Nope don't mind at all." Clare said as she stretched her legs out. Luke jumped up and sat behind her. Clare leaned back against him and sighed happily.
"Feeling better?" He asked as he looped his arms around her waist.
"Tons better..." Clare said as she tilted her head up and kissed the underside of his jaw.
"Good to hear..." he whispered as he stole a gentle kiss. Clare kissed him back. Behind them there was a surprised gasp followed by a content sigh. Luke smiled and broke them apart and placed another kiss to her forehead. Clare smiled and snuggled into his chest.
"He'll like you..." She muttered.
"A little..." He replied as he ran his fingers across her temple. That had Clare confused.
"Eh?" She said and looked up at him.
"People seem to take a while to warm up to me..." He replied as he kissed her forehead again.
"Yeah...he would be wary at first but he'll like you...he didn't like many people... Actually, when you take your charm off, you kinda look like him..." Clare said as she snuggled into his chest. Luke chuckled and glanced over at the expecting parents behind them. Anni was contently leaning against Link as she kept Johnny amused. Clare sighed then leaned back to look at the couple behind them.
"He's going to be a good dad..." Luke said quietly as he rubbed a circle against her skin.
"They're both going to be good parents..." Clare said as she smiled down at them, "Now I know how the goddess feel..." She added under her breath.
"You already are a goddess in my eyes..."Luke said as he kissed her pulse point. Clare heard growling but ignored it as she kissed his temple. There was the sound of wood meeting skin and then quiet. Luke chuckled a little and nuzzled her cheek.
"Bet you 5 rupees it's a girl..."
"I'm not going bet because I know I'll lose..." Clare whispered so only he could hear.
"Oh you're no fun..." He purred.
"I will bet this though...I bet 10 rupees that Link will wear a hole in the floor." Clare said.
"You're on..." He agreed with a smirk.
"Get ready to lose Muffin." Clare said as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Don't you stick that tongue out at me, I may have to do something inappropriate." He purred. Clare's face turned red and she sucked her tongue back into her mouth. Luke chuckled and smiled as he kissed her temple.
"I'm kidding Clare..." He told her. Clare turned and stuck her tongue out at him once more. Luke chuckled and as she put her tongue back in her mouth he kissed her. Clare's face blushed but she kissed him back while wrapping her arms around his neck. Luke nipped her lip, knowing he probably shouldn't but didn't really care. Clare didn't moan like she usually did but she did gasp and open her mouth. Luke deepened the kiss, keeping his hands at her waist. Clare smiled and closed her eyes when her ears twitched to the sound of a camera's click. Anni giggled behind them. Clare broke the kiss and looked over at them. Link stood there with a pictograph in on hand the other was waving the picture.
"Sorry Auntie Clare, we couldn't resist." Anni said with a genuine smile on her face. Clare face went the deepest shade of red anyone has ever seen and she ducked her head into Luke's chest, trying to hid from the world. Luke chuckled.
"We'll get them back..." He whispered as he ran his hand across her back in a comforting motion.
"We already did..." Clare said and pulled out the pictures she took a year ago. Luke laughed and nuzzled her temple.
"Then why are you so embarrassed?" He asked. Clare shrugged her shoulders.
"Old habits die hard." She said.
"Alright..." He replied and smiled. Behind them Link was helping Anni to her feet.
"Auntie Clare, do you want to give me a hand with lunch?" She asked.
"Sure, I'll be down in a sec." Clare said and gave Luke a kiss on the lips before sliding down the rock. Luke sighed happily and laid back to enjoy the mild sunshine they didn't get on the ocean. Anni was making her way back to the Inn. Clare followed the younger woman with a smile on her face as the sunlight hit her back. Anni stretched and her lower back popped loudly.
"Ow that hurt..." She muttered.
"And it's only going to get worse..." Clare commented off handily as she pushed the door open for the expecting woman.
"Wonderful..." Anni said rolling her sky blue eyes as she entered the Inn rubbing the offending spot on her back.
"Let's just get lunch done...how's that dress going anyways..." Clare questioned following Anni in.
"Still working on it, I need you to try it on so I can take it in or let it out..." The tiny brunette replied as she slipped silently into the kitchen and began filling two large pots with water from the small well like structure in the middle of the kitchen.
"We can do that after lunch here." Clare said as she picked up one pot and put it on the counter. Anni smiled and nodded as she began chopping some carrots. By the time lunch was done, everyone except the two in the kitchen were sitting at the table. Anni made her way upstairs, humming a piece of Luke's lullaby. Clare followed after a yawn.
"Yeah that's exactly how I feel, after this I'm taking a nap..." Anni said as she turned and entered the library.
"I'll go outside and sun bath after this." Clare said as she closed the door with her foot after entering. Anni waved her hand and the window swung shut and both the door and the window locked as the curtain slid shut. Anni clapped her hands, a box dropped out of thin air and into her open hands.
"You could've closed them yourself..." Clare said as she twitched at the magic in the air. Anni waved her hand and yawned. She sat down on the couch after she handed the box to Clare.
"Go put it on..." She told the ninja.
"Okay..." Clare said and disappeared around a bookcase. Anni shut her eyes and rubbed her neck then her back, which was really beginning to give her grief. She pulled out her sewing kit from under the couch and waited. Clare came out in a two piece dress the top was separate.
"Anni, is this bottom piece suppose to be that low?" Clare asked as the bottom part of her ruby red with gold trim dress was right were the top of her bikini bottom started, her hips were showing. Anni laughed and smiled.
"It's a half inch too low..." Anni mused and beckoned her Aunt over a couple of pins in her apron already.
"You do realize that your Uncle's nose is going to explode right?" Clare asked as she walked over to Anni.
"Maybe just a little..." Anni said innocently as she snagged a part of her Aunt's dress carefully and adjusted it to the right spot and pinned it.
"Careful with those pins...you ancestor didn't have the best hand eye coordination...so let's just say there is a spot on my back that has no feeling but if you poke it, I go rag doll." Clare said as she watched Anni.
"I'm careful Auntie Clare..." Anni assured the older woman.
"And I know what it's like not to have any feeling in your back..." She added as she double checked the seams on the skirt.
"Yeah...now this top I'm not too sure about...." Clare said as she adjusted the straps on the top so they rested comfortably on her skin then played with the sleeves.
"Tell me what's bothering you and I'll fix it..." Anni replied as she fixed the hem.
"Can you make it a wee bit lower here..." Clare said pointing to the bottom of the top which rested right below her twins. Anni nodded knowing her Aunt was uncomfortable. Anni gently snagged the bottom of the top and pulled it lightly and the fabric lengthened about two inches.
"Thanks...let me guess there are going to be little rubies hanging off it..." Clare said as she checked to make sure everything else was comfortable. Anni nodded as she gently turned Clare to the left then the right.
"Everything else is good." Clare said as she turned for Anni. Anni nodded in agreement then yawned again.
"Okay now just hold still..." Anni said as she pinched the fabric of the skirt and placed a brilliant silver needle to it. Thread of the same colour as the fabric wove its way through and took the skirt in. Anni pulled the pins out.
"How's that?" She asked. Clare pulled it up and let it rest comfortably half an inch above where it used to be.
"Perfect. Now I'm going to change out of this and go take a cat nap under the sun...You should get some sleep to." Clare said.
"Already on..." Anni didn't even finish her sentence as she collapsed on her side sound asleep, thanking all her pins and needles were already put away and back under the couch. Clare smiled and changed out of her dress and back into her usual cloths before throwing a blanket over the younger woman and putting her dress in the box. She opened the door and went down the stair and out the front door to her rock. Luke was napping happily in the sun right where she'd left him. Clare giggled and laid down next to him and closed her eyes letting the sun's ray dance across her skin. Luke sighed contently and unconsciously looped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Clare giggled again then she let sleep over take her and she slipped into a dreamless sleep. Four hours later Anni rang the dinner bell. Clare sat up right quickly, her ears ringing.
"Sorry Auntie Clare, but I've been calling you for five minutes..." Anni said from the porch, a white shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
"Oh don't worry about it...I sleep like a rock sometimes...I'll just wake up your uncle...Linebeck, get your lazy butt up." Clare said. Luke groaned as his eyes opened on at a time.
"Yeah come on up up up!" Clare said poking him in the shoulder.
"I'm up...stop poking me." He grumbled as he sat up.
"You know...you shouldn't sleep on rocks, you're not as flexible as me." Clare said as she slid down the rock to the ground.
"I've slept on worse..." He muttered and jumped down behind her. Clare turned from the rock and bumped into his chest. Luke slipped his arm around her waist and steadied her, "Careful..."
"Thanks..." Clare said with a blush as she looked up at him. He smiled and turned her back towards the Inn.
"You may want to take care of her..." He said pointing to where Anni was leaning all her weight on one arm the other wrapped around her middle, a pained expression on her face. Clare ran over to Anni.
"What's wrong Hun?" She asked worried.
"I have a really bad cramp..." The younger sage whimpered as she winced.
"Let's get you inside and I'll brew you up some tea alright?" Clare said as she grabbed the smaller girl and leaned most of Anni's weight on her. Anni nodded as she let her Aunt help her inside. Clare put the girl on the couch then power walked to the kitchen where she put the kettle on and checked the time; five o'clock, her spell was going to wear off in an hour. Dinner was finished but had yet to make its way to the table. Luke slipped in after checking on Anni.
"You might want to get her a hot water bottle too..." He added as he started serving dinner. Clare nodded and dug around for it. She pulled the hot water bottle out and waited for the kettle to boil. When it did she put some in the hot water bottle and some in the cup with the tea. Anni had laid down on her good side and currently looked to be in a great deal of pain.
"Anni...I've brought tea and a hot water bottle for you..." Clare said rounding the corner. Her only reply was a very pathetic whimper. Clare looked down at the woman on the couch before crouching down and put the bottle and tea on the table beside her. Anni cracked open one eye and looked at her Aunt then whimpered.
"Tell me where it hurts..." Clare said as she rubbed Anni's arm. The smaller sage ran her hand just below her naval right were the baby would be sitting. Clare hummed and shook her head.
"Your body is making room for the baby...Drink the tea and it'll stop the pain..." Clare said as she shifted around she she was crossed legged. Anni nodded and attempted to sit up on her own, but didn't get too far.
"Don't worry about that...Linebeck?" Clare called to her boyfriend after laying the girl back down gently.
"Yes luv?" he asked a he brought out the vegetables.
"I need a straw." Clare said to him.
"Okay, just give me a second..." He replied as he disappeared back into the kitchen. Anni winced but kept back the whimper that accompanied it. Clare passed her the hot water bottle without really looking or thinking about it. Anni shakily took it from her, anything to relieve the pain. Clare turned her head and gave the woman a small smile. Anni tried to return it but her cramps were practically immobilizing her. Luke came back in and handed the straw over the couch to Clare. She stuck it in the tea and held the end to Anni. Anni took the end of the straw and sipped at her tea. Clare held the tea in one hand and pulled a book from the depths of her pocket and started to read with the other hand. When the cup was empty the smaller girl didn't look to be in any more pain but she was still paler than her Aunt would have liked.
"Alright to bed with you, Link come here and take her to bed." Clare ordered as she put her book down on the table and took the cup to the kitchen. Link gently scooped Anni off the couch and made his way upstairs, careful not to bump the poor girl. Clare sighed and ran a hand threw her golden locks then put her forehead on the table beside her. Luke walked in and placed a tea pot of hot water and a cup on the table in front of the over stressed ninja.
"Thanks..." Clare said as she picked her head off the table and pulled out a white feather and dipped it in the hot water. The water turned pink and she poured herself a cup of what smelled like vanilla cookies and tasted like a strawberry.
"Anytime luv anytime..." Luke replied as he slid a plate with some food on it in front of her. Clare picked at the food but she did eat it all when she finished she heaved a heavy sigh and sipped her tea.
"Just let me do the dishes then we can go..." Luke said and kissed her cheek while squeezing her shoulder.
"I'll be right here..."Clare said taking up her book again and sipped her tea. Twenty minutes later, Luke tapped her on the shoulder, two towels under one arm.
"Ready to go?" He asked. Clare dog eared on corner of her book and put it back in her pocket then stood up.
"Yeah..." She said. Luke offered a hand to her. Clare looked up at him with dulled eyes but put her hand in his. He pulled her against him and looped his arm around her waist, leading her out into the cools summer air. Clare obediently followed, her shoulders were slouched as if she was carrying a heavy weight on them. Luke led her away from the Inn and into the woods. They walked for a good twenty minutes before they came up on a hot spring that seemed untouched. The spark that had fled it's home in Clare's eyes returned as she looked up at Luke then to the hot spring.
"I thought it may help..." He stated as he traced a light circle above her hip. Clare smiled to him and stood on her tip toes.
"It will help..." She whispered to him and kissed his cheek. He smiled and gently nudge her forward. She was gone in a shot and was already in the water, her tense muscles relaxing instantly. Luke slipped in next to her a few minutes later. He looped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap. Clare leaned against his chest with a content sigh and closed her eyes.
"Better?" He asked as he began working out the knots in her lower back.
"Much..." Clare said as she let her shoulders slump in relaxation.
"Good to hear, I think Anni's pregnancy is stressing you as much as it her..." Luke said as he worked his way up her back.
"Chances are your right..." She said as she ran a hand threw her hair, getting it a bit wet.
"I still think it's a good thing we came back when we did or things could have been much worse..." He whispered and placed a soft kiss to her shoulder, he was now working out the tense spots between her shoulder blades.
"I agree...we may be short a hero and maybe a few pirates..." Clare said as she leaned into his hands. Luke chuckled as he finished and worked on her shoulders which were the worst. Clare sighed delightedly and kept her eyes closed.
"From here on out you let me help too alright, this stress isn't good for you..." He requested a worried edge to his voice as he finished her shoulder and secured his arms around her waist.
"I would love to teach you the spell that I use on Anni for her morning sickness but...I don't know if you can get it right...but I'll let you help..." Clare said as she leaned her entire weight on him.
"That's all I'm asking for..." he whispered and kissed her temple. "How's she holding up anyway?"
"Her body is making room for the babe so she's going to be in pain for a while...If she drinks that tea that she usually dose when she has cramps it'll get rid of the pain...Mornings are going to be the worst for her though..." Clare explained as she opened her eyes finally.
"I can imagine, I was up with Sophie every morning while Dan laid there snoring away..." he said shaking his head. Clare moved her hands so she could see them in the hot water before she stretched her arms forwards.
"So how are you feeling now my Angel in red?" He purred when she was done.
"You're just having a blast thinking up all these little nicknames aren't you? And I'm feeling much better thank you." She said and smiled at him.
"Yes I am and if you need a break, just ask and I'll steal you away for a while..." he replied and nuzzled her neck.
"That sounds like a very good idea..." Clare said as she turned and nuzzled his collar bone. He smiled and stole a quick kiss. Clare smiled but the jingle poe wanted to have some fun so Clare's hand splashed him with some water. He smirked and snagged her waist and dunked her quickly. When the ninja came back up her hair was flung in her face and one blue eye stared out from underneath the blond mop. Luke laughed and push her hair off her face and kissed her passionately. Clare blinked but kissed him back with flare. He looped his arms back around her waist and nipped at her lip gently. Clare opened her mouth for him, knowing the routine by heart now. What she didn't expect was for him to run a finger up the side of her thigh. Clare shuddered and gasped with a slight moan. Luke smirked and did it again. The ninja broke their kiss and moaned as she shuddered. Luke was quite pleased with her reaction then added the other side as well. Clare's knees buckled and she fell against his chest with a moan. He was quick to wrap one arm around her waist so she didn't go under and back them over to the ledge that ran around the edge of the pool.
"Your...your an evil....evil man..." Clare gasped as she tried to get her knees working again.
"Sorry I didn't expect to get that kind of a reaction..." He apologized as he let her settle in his lap.
"You turned my legs to jelly...that's talent right there..." Clare said as she rubbed her thighs.
"Got to have talent somewhere..." he said as he nuzzled her neck. Clare giggled and turned so she could nuzzle his cheek. He smiled contently and nipped behind her ear. Clare gave a slight moan.
"I'm not going to tease you too much..." he whispered before nipping her again.
"Okay..." Clare said as she turned her head and nuzzled the crook of his neck.
"Shall we head back or do you want to stay a little longer?" he asked lightly running his fingers up her side.
"Doesn't matter to me..." Clare told him but the yawn that followed answered for her.
"Home it is..." He said and gently nudged her up onto the still warm grass. Clare climbed out of the spring and wrapped a towel around herself. Luke stretched and made his back crack in a couple of spots before hauling himself out of the warm waters and grabbing the other towel. Clare dried herself off then slid on her dry shorts since she threw them off before she got into the spring. Luke was already dressed and waiting against a tree.
"Shall we?" He asked offering his hand to the ninja. Clare smiled to him and placed her smaller hand in his. He led her back the way they came and when they reached the lawn, "Why are the lights still on downstairs, it's nearly midnight?" Luke asked. Clare's ears twitched checking for any noise but she didn't hear anything.
"It's quiet..." Clare said as she stared at the door to the Inn.
"Maybe Anni forgot to put the lights out..." He muttered as they started towards the Inn, even though his tone said he didn't believe that.
"I don't know..." Clare whispered as they walked up the steps to the front door. Luke quietly pushed the door open and peeked around the edge before shaking his head and sighing.
"She's still up..." He told Clare. The ninja sighed and pushed the door open before ducking under Luke's arm.
"I thought I sent you up to bed Missy..." Clare said to the woman.
"I couldn't sleep..." The tiny brunette replied. She was nursing a cup of tea with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
"Well when you get tired, go to bed. I'm not going to stay up or I'll fall asleep standing right where I am." Clare said as she turned to the stairs.
"Night Auntie Clare..." She whispered as she pulled her knees up to her chest.
"Make sure you get some rest sweetheart..." Luke said as he squeezed her shoulder gently and placed a kiss to the top of her head before following Clare. Clare was already asleep on the bed, she didn't even take her sandals off and she wasn't under the covers. Luke smiled softly and slipped the ninja's sandals off before slipping them both under the covers and drifting off.