Cara was standing at the door when the Mother Confessor awoke, talking quietly to the Seeker as servants walked passed them. She wanted to sit up, but her stomach ached too much to move. Studding him, she tried to see what was happening; the worry on his face made it clear that something was wrong.

"Richard?"

He stopped mid-conversation, his face filled with relief as he turned around and instantly walking to the bed. Kneeling down, he laid his right hand on her forehead and pushed it back into her hair, smiling in the hopes to comfort her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," she replied breathlessly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He hesitated, unsure if telling her was the right option. "You've gone through a lot these past five days."

Shaking her head, Kahlan tried to sit up. "What? No, last night I was-" She stopped herself, allowing him to ease her back down, the truth written plainly in his eyes. "What happened?"

"We're not sure."

"I don't understand."

"None of us have ever seen anything like it before."

Looking away, she met the Mord'Sith's eyes and nodded. The blonde closed the door as she left them alone. "There's something I should have told you earlier." She felt sick again. How could she tell him that she has been keeping such a large secret for so long? "I- When Cara and I first arrived; I went to see the palace's midwife, Dana. She realized what was happening and gave me the herbs to keep it under control."

"What are you talking about?"

"I carry two children."

His reaction was as expected. His smile widening as he came closer to her. "I don't understand, why don't you look happy?"

Turning her head away from him, she closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. "She asked me if I wanted to end it, but I couldn't."

"Kahlan-"

Her eyes opened, but she didn't look back to him. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, the problem now more real than before. "A Confessor has never given birth to two children without one of them being a boy. When she asked me to take care of it, I- I couldn't stop crying. I knew that I would had they been anyone else's children, but I," she turned her head back to him. "I never thought I would see you again and I couldn't let go of all I had left."

Richard moved onto the bed and laid down beside her, draping his arm over her stomach. "What happens now?"

"I don't know."

"What do you want to happen?"

"I want this to end."

Richard lifted his head from the bed and looked down at her. "What?"

"Everything," she answered while she exhaled.

"I don't understand."

"How could you? You've been trapped in your own mind for weeks. Nothing else has existed for you."

"Kahlan," he started to defend, but stopped. "You're right."

Turning toward him, she grabbed his shirt and pulled herself closer to him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's alright. I can't imagine how hard this has been for you."

"I didn't mean to- It's been hard on us both."

Shaking his head, he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. "I'll make it right, Kahlan."

"There is nothing to make right."

"I hurt you."

Pulling back, she cupped his face, giving him a sad smile as her thumbs began to caress his cheeks. "Yes, but it wasn't you, not entirely." She took in a deep breath, her smile widening. "It feels strange to look into your eyes like this and see you."

"I know how you feel. When I watched you sleep, I was finally able to focus on you with my mind clear of all other thoughts. I was able to see you for the first time in months." His eyes closed for a moment before he met hers again, his hand finding her stomach. "I didn't notice this before."

It was true, she thought. It had been a week since she found it impossible to hide the bump of her belly and he had yet to say or do anything that implied that he had noticed. Laying naked now, with his hand slowly caressing her stomach, it almost felt unreal. The adoring look in his eyes, almost made her forget what they had been going through, but the fear remained. "Do you feel her again?"

"No."

She was relieved with his answer, grateful for the moment. "Are you sure?"

He smiled, nodding his head. "I am."

Lifting herself slightly, she leaned forward, moving him until his back laid against the bed and she could look down at him. "How long do you think we have?"

Her voice was soft and seductive, reawakening his body instantly. "Forever." The word barely able to leave his lips, his breath failing him as her hand slipped beneath his shirt.

It wasn't unusual for her to touch him like this, before he was taken from her. There had been many times when she would wake him in this manor, wanting to be with him once more before their friends woke up. Her fingers pushed into his skin, softly massaging as they worked their way to his chest. His eyes slid closed, his lips parting for easier breath. When her lips connected with his jaw, it took all of his strength to remain still. He didn't want to ruin this moment, to make a move and have her rethink her actions. If she was to stop, it could kill him.

His heart raced with the warmth of her kiss on his neck, her mouth fully caressing his skin. Richard's body began to ache with need, her touch slow and diligent. Lifting his hips from the bed, he let loose a low moan, followed instantly by her name and a plea for release. It had been so long since he had felt this way. Her touch set him on fire, boiling his blood as it rushed through his body, but instead of her aiding his need, she pulled back her hands and sat forward.

Snapping his eyes open, he met hers, dark and hungry. Pushing the blankets from the bed, she crawled on top of him and waited. Her naked body before him was no help to his aching desire and from the look she held, it wasn't supposed to. Kahlan shifted her body slowly, almost slower than imaginable. His eyes closed, his hips pushing up against her, rolling with hers as a united moan filled the air.

It was impossible for him not to touch her. His hands grabbed her hips, squeezing for a moment before hurrying to rediscover her. The swell of her belly made him growl, the beauty of it overwhelming him. Her breasts had grown larger, his eyes now seeing the feast before him, beckoning his touch and kiss. Taking them into his hands, he felt the weight of them, watching her as she pushed forward and dropped her head back. It was beautiful. Her hair danced along her back, a soft moan continuously leaving her lips each time his hands moved.

He was on the edge, hanging on by a tiny thread as she rubbed against him. The sight of her pleasure make it all the harder for him to be trapped within his pants. With a quick jerk of her hands, his shirt ripped open and revealed his chest, her hands finding it without pause. A loud moan fled him as she pushed in her nails, raking them down while she increased the speed of her rocking hips. Her body moved wildly, climbing with each moment as though there was nothing else, until she could take it no longer.

Lifting herself, Kahlan grabbed the laces of his pants and yanked them loose, reaching inside the instant she was able. He whimpered her name, his body nearly gone as her hand wrapped around him. Releasing his manhood, she laid down against him, kissing his lips while her fingers pushed into his hair. That was it. Rolling over her, he devoured her body, taking her the way he had done so many times before. Her body welcomed his warmly, claiming him as his did hers, molding together as they were lost in ecstasy.

***

Shifting beneath her, Richard chuckled as he turned his head. The room looked as though it had gone through a tornado. The sheets, blankets and pillows had been thrown from the bed, the mugs and plates broken and on the floor as well. They had moved from the bed hours ago, but they hadn't stopped touching, kissing and clutching the other tightly. The room had become their playground and took full advantage of it.

"I think we broke the bed table."

Lifting her head from his chest, she rolled off of him and followed his gaze. "I didn't like it, anyway," she said with a laugh. Bringing her ocean eyes to his, she reached to his face and grinned. "I'm sure you can build one that can withstand a night with us."

"We'll need it for more than a night." Taking her hand from his cheek, Richard held it firmly. "How do you feel?"

"Tired," she answered honestly. Her body ached and it was difficult to keep her eyes open. "But I don't want to sleep."

He growled softly, knowing what it was that she wanted. "I don't think I can move yet."

Giving him a quick, light kiss, she sat up. "I'll start us a bath."

"No," he whispered, grabbing her arm to keep her still. "I'll do it. You should rest."

She smiled seductively, taking his breath from his lungs. "I'll be fine. It was you, who did most of the work."

"Spirits, Kahlan..."

"A nice, warm bath," she whispered, leaning close to his ear. "With me..."

Richard grabbed her and brought her to him, kissing her fiercely before sitting up himself. "Spirits, I'll help you."

***

Her back was pressed against his chest, her eyes closed as his hands slowly moved over her stomach. The water around them had cooled and they had yet to do any washing. He was caressing her body, his hands unable to quit their movement as she rested above him. It felt natural, like it had been their routine their whole lives and a part of them both couldn't believe it was happening.

"Do you want to go back to the bed?" Richard asked as he tightened his arms around her shivering body.

"No," she replied through a whisper, shifting her body against his with a low moan. "I don't want to move."

"I'll carry you," he offered as his hands stationed themselves on the swell of her belly.

Turning her head, Kahlan opened her eyes and brought her hands to his, holding them in place. "I like it here. It's..."

"Home."

She smiled, nodding her head while soaking in the word he had just spoken. "Home."

"I can't wait to meet them."

Looking to her stomach, she beamed. "Neither can I. I keep imaging what they're going to look like."

"They're going to be beautiful." His lips pressed against her shoulder, lingering long enough to savor the taste of her skin. "They will look like you."

"I wouldn't mind if they looked like you. If they had your eyes and your smile... Heart."

"They'll be everything we've ever imagined." Grabbing her hands, Richard intertwined their fingers, lifting them out of the water and watching as the droplets splashed back home in the tub. "What were you planning on naming them?"

"I'm not sure. I had thought of so many, mostly the ones we had talked about, but I didn't know which to start with. I thought I would wait until I saw them. Maybe then it would be obvious."

"We did discuss a few," he agreed with a chuckle.

"We had many plans."

"We still do. Kahlan, I still want everything with you. I want to fill our home with children and I'd like to- You mentioned Elizabeth once, when we were swimming in the river. I think it would fit our first daughter."

He didn't have to see her face to know she was smiling, but when she turned back to him, he found it relieving. "So do I. What about our son?"

"I don't know. I never thought of a name for a son."

Her smile widened as she turned her body until she was facing him completely. "I have."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I thought we could name him after your father or maybe your brother. I couldn't figure out which name I liked more, George or Michael." Bringing his hands to her face, he pulled her to him and kissed her. Pulling back, she shifted above him, letting out a long, low moan. "If you kiss me like that again, we won't finish this conversation."

"How about Michael?" he asked, his voice raspy with a sensual growl.

"Perfect."

He leaned forward, desperate to kiss her, but she pulled back, making him strain to connect their lips. Laying her hands on his shoulders, she lead him from the tub, both stumbling as they fought to keep connected. Lifting her into his arms, Richard helped her wrap her legs around his middle, holding her close and tight, making sure she wouldn't fall as he walked them back to their bed.