Chapter 3

Four Weeks Later

Battle lines are drawn. However, they are not between a queen and her step-daughter not yet, no between the latter and her devoted fiancée.

"I'm not doing this." He states firmly.

"Charming,"

"No! I won't fight you." He states pulling her close. They are in the heart of the forest at the break of dawn; it's beautiful, quiet and unfortunately for David, the perfect place for sword practice.

She smiles but, doesn't drop her blade merely using her gloved left hand to stroke his face tenderly.

"I love you." She says mournfully tears forming in her eyes. "And it's because I love you that Regina will go after you first."

"I won't let her get your heart." The sword is skilfully teased from her fingers and drops to the forest floor with a heavy clash and a momentary rustle of autumn leaves.

Snow pulls away slightly in frustration. He does not understand. He needs to understand.

"Snow,"

He reaches for her feeling the loss of contact instantly.

"You are my heart, you're my life! If you died, I would not be able to move on!" Snow says almost violently the colour draining from her face at the gut-wrenching thought of him lying motionless on the ground, Regina's cackling cries haunting her every moment.

"I would gladly lay down my life for you." He says without any doubt or hesitation.

"I know."

"Snow what's wrong?"

"I can't lose you. Not now."

"Snow what are you saying?"

She closes the distance between them and takes his hands placing them on her abdomen taking a deep breath at the enormity of it, the life inside of her, growing and changing every-day. Her baby. Their baby.

She looks deep into his eyes, eyes that are already torn between bemusement, wonder and then down-right euphoric bliss. He doesn't need confirmation but, she says it anyway.

"I'm pregnant." She breathes caught between a cry of joy and complete and utter sobbing.

"We are having a child; in the midst of war and suffering I cannot imagine a worse world to bring her into…."

"Snow… that's wonderful." He chuckles beautifully crashing his lips against hers happily she responds by wrapping her arms around his warm neck and murmuring as he deepens it. He lifts her up so that her left foot cannot help but, flutter slightly before touching the ground as they do.

"So you're happy?" Snow says excitedly as they reluctantly gasp for air.

He strokes her face and kisses her rapidly peppering hot teasing kisses on her lips.

"I am thrilled. We have an army, we have our friends, the fairies we are going to win this war my darling and we'll do it… as a family."

"So sword practice…"

"Is back on. Theoretically."

"Theoretically? Charming are you afraid you'll be bested by a pregnant woman?" Snow said seriously.

"No, but…"

"I promise you, I won't put our child in danger but, I won't sit back and do nothing either."

"My beautiful, fearless Snow. Do you know how much I love you?"

"I'm getting an idea."

Then suddenly unprovoked she feels him bending down unfastening her white leather waistcoat so that he can…

"Oh." She gasps at the lightest kiss he has ever given her. A tender caress pressed to her womb.

"Hello little one. I'm your Papa. And I love you and your Mama more than anything."

"We love you too." She says as he comes up to take her arm and lead her back to camp. Our Prince Charming." She sighs into the crook of his neck.

"Always."

I'm on a bit of an updating roll. Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review. xxx

Hi Guest,

Thank you! Just practising! Xxx :)