A/n - Many, many thanks to my awesome beta saiken2009. She helped me get two chapters posted in one day, that's a record for me lol. Anyway, this chapter was really difficult for me, so please take the time to review and let me know if you liked it.


One of Mike's favorite things had always been laying in bed, just holding Lea, but he hated seeing her so upset. She shifted in his arms and turned her body to face him. She gazed up at him, her clear blue eyes bloodshot and watery.

"There's something wrong with me," Lea said sadly.

"What do you mean?" Mike asked, panic rising in his chest. "What's wrong? Are you ok? Is the baby ok? Do we need to go to the hospital?" He jumped out of the bed, but Lea caught him by his wrist before he could move away.

"No, Mike, sit back down," Lea said soothingly. "It's nothing like that. I'm fine. We're fine."

"Merciful heavens, don't do that!" Mike cried. "You scared the living daylights out of me!"

"I'm sorry, Mike, please come back to bed," Lea said patting the empty space next to her. Once he was laying beside her again she sighed and tried again. "What I mean is there's something wrong with me mentally. I just feel so utterly disgusting; so hopeless that it's not even funny. I can't get past those thoughts. Sometimes I'm ok, but other times, when I'm like this, I feel as if I'm just fooling myself thinking you could be attracted to this." She motioned to her body. "And that you're going to end up disappearing from my life; just like everyone else." She couldn't help it; the tears spilled down her cheeks and she didn't bother to wipe them away.

"Lea," Mike said brushing her hair behind her ear, then trailing his finger down her damp cheek to her chin. "Lea, Lea, Lea. My silly little wife. My silly, gorgeous, sexy, little wife. How could I not be attracted to you? There's no one, absolutely no one on this earth that I find more attractive than you. You're still as beautiful as you were the day I met you. Even more beautiful, in fact; and I didn't even know that was possible." He pulled her closer to him and rested his hand over her stomach. "This right here, is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. There's a little person inside you and we made him or her, you and me. You and me, no one else. You're giving me one of the most wonderful gifts imaginable. What can I do for you? How can I help you feel better about yourself?"

"I don't know," Lea said, gazing back at him. "When we're together, like this, I can see it in your eyes and I know you're telling me the truth, but the feeling never goes away. It's always there in the back of my mind; that you'll never want me again." She lowered her head to his chest and cried silently.

Mike was heartbroken, watching the woman he loved fall apart was just too much. He didn't understand how she could possibly think those things. He knew he was going to have to do more than just tell her; he was going to have to show her. He just wasn't sure how.

"You're beautiful," Mike said bending his head to kiss Lea's lips. "And gorgeous, and stunning, and ravishing, and hot, and sexy, and so many other words I can't even think of." He kissed her after each utterance and continued after he ran out of things to say. He made sure to keep his lower body away from her. He couldn't control his body's natural reaction to her, but he could control if she felt it or not. As much as he wanted her he just couldn't take advantage. He would keep himself in check to keep from causing her more pain.

Lea reveled in the attention; they hadn't been together like this since they found out they were going to have a baby. It had been over a month since the last time Mike had touched her intimately. His soft voice and gentle kisses had sparked a fire deep within her. It had been way too long. She wanted him; needed her husband's touch.

"Then show me, Mike," Lea whispered against his lips. "Show me you believe those things. Show me you want me. Please, Mike. I need you."

"You want me to…" Mike started.

"Yes," Lea interrupted. "Make love to me. You haven't touched me this way since we found out I was pregnant for sure."

Mike hesitated for a moment. He meant every word he said to her. He did want her. If only she could see what she did to him; but he didn't want her to see. He was afraid of hurting her, of hurting their baby. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if giving in to his carnal desires hurt them. He hadn't touched Lea this way up to this point on purpose. He figured they would reinstate their intimacy after the baby was born. His plan, however, seemed to have backfired horribly. He wanted to be with her; he just wasn't sure if he could.

"See," Lea said before Mike could get a word out. "As soon as I mentioned it you shied away from me. You aren't even touching me anymore. Why? If you're still attracted to me, why don't you want me. Not too long ago you couldn't keep your hands off me." She turned away from him, not wanting him to see her fall apart all over again.

"That's not it at all," Mike began. "I just… you see… I can't… Oh christ the hell with it." He turned Lea around to face him and cupped her face in his hands. "I do want you. I want you all the time. You don't understand the things you do to me. But I won't; no I can't hurt you or this baby. Do you know how hard its been to restrain myself? I can barely contain it." He took her hand and placed it over the tightness threatening to split his pants. "Don't you see what you do to me?"

"You won't hurt me or the baby," Lea said running her fingertips lightly over him. "It won't be any different than before, except maybe the bump between us that I didn't have then. It's a natural thing. The doctor even said it was perfectly ok."

"But.. what if I… you know… poke the baby, or crush him or her by laying on top of you?" Mike asked.

"Oh, Mike," Lea said with a chuckle. "It's not possible for you to "poke" the baby. I know you're big, but it's just not possible. My cervix protects the baby. And you won't crush him or her either, I promise. If you feel more comfortable though, I can always be on top." She moved to lay back down; pulling him down with her. "Please, Mike. I need this."

"Are you sure?" Mike asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Lea said.

"Ok," Mike breathed, running his hands gently up her sides, "but tell me if I hurt you."

"You won't," Lea replied reaching up to kiss him. She turned her body as she continued to kiss him; pressing her body flush against his. He could feel the warmth radiating from her even through the layers of their clothing. Mike rolled himself over and hovered above her; studying her face to see if there was any hesitancy. All he saw was the desire sparkling in her eyes. He kissed her; letting his passion for her free for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

"You're really sure, right?" Mike asked as he broke the kiss.

"Yes, Mike," Lea replied, running her hands up and down his back. "I need you."

That was good enough for Mike. He bent down again to continue kissing her as one hand played with the hem of her shirt. He slowly moved his hand up and lifted the fabric with it. He spent time caressing the newly exposed flesh; running his hand over her belly and up towards her chest. When the shirt was finally off he kissed down her face and to her neck; taking special care of the sweet spot he knew was located just behind her ear.

"I want you so bad," Mike whispered before turning his attention lower. He kissed and licked at the swell of her cleavage as one hand snaked around her back to deftly unclasp her bra. Lea moaned softly as the garment fell away and Mike's mouth covered one nipple and his hand found the other.

Mike sucked and caressed her breasts with fervor; his need to please her eclipsing his own need for release. He nipped lightly at her nipples before kissing back up to her neck. Lea struggled to make her fingers unbutton his shirt; before losing patience and ripping it the rest of the way open.

"I guess I neglected you for too long," Mike whispered. "Let me fix that." He discarded the remains of his shirt and kissed a trail down her neck, over her breasts and lower still past her stomach. He let his fingers play under the waistband of her pants before pulling them down at an agonizingly slow pace. He then did the same thing with her panties; slowly baring all her naked beauty.

Mike lowered his mouth between Lea's legs; kissing and sucking the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. He slowly made his way higher and higher; purposely avoiding her most sensitive area until she was chanting "please, please, please". He looked up, admiring the look of desperation on her face before lowering his mouth to the soft, wetness between her legs. She cried out his name as he ran his tongue over her opening and up to her clit. He slowly ran his tongue in circles over it before inserting one finger inside her. She cried out again and he added another. He made sure to stroke that special place inside her as he sucked and caressed her small bud. It wasn't long before Lea felt her climax building. He knew just how to touch her when he did this.

"Mike," Lea cried as she reached her release. "So good!"

"Now I know I made you wait too long," Mike said wiping his mouth. "Don't worry though, because I'm going to make it up to you. I promise."

Lea didn't say anything back. Instead she got to her knees and began trailing her fingers up Mike's leg. She pushed him back onto the bed and unbuttoned his jeans; pulling them and his boxers off at the same time. When she came back up she brushed her hands over his hardness. He hadn't realized how much his body was aching for her.

"First I'm going to show you what it's like to be teased like that." Lea whispered. She lowered her head and began nipping and licking up his thighs. The same way he had just done to her. She made sure to get close enough to him that he could feel her breath ghost over him, but not touch him. She did this for some time before he finally broke.

"I can't take it anymore," Mike cried. "Please, just touch me."

"That's what I wanted to hear," Lea said, licking up his shaft before taking the head into her mouth. She let her mouth slowly slide down his shaft as she gripped the base in her hand. She brought her hand up to meet her mouth; stroking and sucking him simultaneously. Mike threaded his fingers through her hair; it was all he could do to keep himself from coming undone right then and there. She continued working him with both her hand and mouth; knowing he wouldn't last long. Mike let out a series of low moans and knew he was done for if Lea kept this up.

"Lea," Mike gasped. "I can't… I..." He moaned loudly; calling her name over and over as his climax washed over him. He bucked his hips up; meeting her mouth on every downstroke. Lea kept going until he was spent, then crawled on top of him; kissing him as his breathing evened out.

"You don't play fair," Mike said, narrowing his eyes at her playfully. "I still haven't given you all you need. Come here and let me make it up to you some more." He pulled her down so that she was laying on top of him; her legs spread over his hips. He brushed himself against her; the wetness he found there making him harden once again.

"Can I have you?" Mike asked continuing to rub against her.

"Yes," Lea gasped. "Please. Now."

Mike didn't need to be told twice. He gently flipped her onto her back and lined himself up with her opening and slowly pushed himself inside her. He took his time; feeling every inch of her envelope him completely. Once he was fully buried within her he stilled; allowing her to adjust to his size.

"I thought you didn't want to be on top," Lea said in shock.

"I want to give you what you need," Mike replied. "I want to show you my love." He slowly pulled out; leaving her on edge for a moment before gently thrusting back in. He continued at this slow pace as he kissed her neck and ran his hands over her whole body. "I love you," he whispered, "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Lea moaned. "Mike, so close, please."

Mike smirked; he could feel how close she was. The way her body began to grip him gave her away every time. He angled himself being sure to brush over her sweet spot with every stroke. Lea began bucking her hips; meeting him thrust for thrust. She felt the warmth spreading through her abdomen; coiling like a spring. A few minutes longer and it exploded; sending wave after wave of pleasure coursing through her body. She screamed Mike's name over and over as she rode out her climax.

"I'm not done with you yet," Mike said as Lea's body stopped quivering. He wrapped his arms around her and flipped them over so she was on top. He ran his hands up the front of her body; cupping her breasts before wrapping them around to her shoulders. Slowly, he lowered her down to lay flush against his body. He continued at a slightly quicker pace, but just as gentle.

"One more," Mike said as he ran his hands up and down Lea's back before cupping her backside in his hands and gently squeezing. She let out a loud moan and started meeting his thrusts once again. It wasn't long before she felt herself climbing towards release once again. She arched and threw her head back as he squeezed again.

Mike used this opportunity to move his hand between them and lightly rub her clit. Her moans increased in volume with every circle.

"Come with me, Mike" Lea said squeezing her muscles around him. "Please, I want to feel you."

"Ok," Mike whispered. He continued rubbing her clit while he pushed into her over and over again. Lea leaned down and began sucking at Mike's neck; knowing it was just as sensitive an area for him as it was for her.

"Shit, Lea, I can't…" Mike moaned knowing he was about to go over the edge, but not being able to fully vocalize it. He increased the pressure of his fingers and adjusted his angle; once more finding the spot that made her shake.

"Mike," Lea screamed as she went over the edge. A moment later Mike followed her into the abyss; chanting her name over and over until their bodies calmed.

Lea moved off of Mike and returned to her spot next to him. She cuddled up to his side and kissed his forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" Mike asked.

"For showing me that you really do still want me," Lea replied kissing his cheek. "For helping me realize that even though my hormones are going crazy and I won't always think the best of myself that I'll always have you to bring me back. And for showing me a whole new side to you in bed that I never knew existed." Lea smirked, "I love when you're rough with me, don't get me wrong, but that was one of the most mind blowing experiences of my life."

"You don't have to thank me for that," Mike replied kissing her lips. "That's my job. And I love my job. I promise I won't neglect you ever again. I just wanted to protect you."

"I know," Lea said placing his hand over her stomach. "We love you for that."

"I love you too," Mike whispered placing a kiss where his hand was. "Both of you. Now let's get some sleep." He pulled her close to him; enveloping her in his arms. It wasn't long before she was sleeping soundly. He listened to her breathing until sleep overcame him as well.