"I don't like this," Wolf growled.

"You don't have to like it…just try not to kill anyone."

"That's being optimistic."

Despite herself, Scarlet smiled. She was now 5 months pregnant and had decided that it was time for a reunion with her friends. The last time she and her friends had seen each other was at Kai and Cinder's wedding (she still thought hers was better even though theirs was in a palace) but that was over a year ago. She was more than ready to see them again, but Wolf was even more protective of her than usual, which was really saying something. But, she amended, she was carrying his child. He would just have to learn to deal with it, just like he had to deal with her working on the farm while she was pregnant. Every time he tried to persuade her to stay inside all day, she merely told him that work needed to be done and unless she helped with it he would be stuck doing it 24/7.

"What's wrong with that?" He had asked. "I don't mind working extra so you can rest while you're carrying our child."

"Because, my love, I'd never get to see you. I'd miss you too much; I need to spend time with my hubby." For good measure, Scarlet would always throw in a pout.

And poor Wolf couldn't argue with that or ignore his wife when she was looking at him like that. The night normally ended with Scarlet getting some extra snuggle time with him and a few extra kisses; she had him wrapped around her little finger…well half of a finger anyways.

"Scarlet, are you okay?" Wolf's voice brought her back to the present.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well you were quiet for a really long time, which is highly unusual for you."

"Hey!"

"It's true," he said, laughing. She tried to scowl at him but couldn't hold a straight face. She gave up and started laughing too; she would prefer him to be in a good mood when everyone else arrived.

"Okay, okay," she gasped finally, holding her sides. "Everyone else will be here soon."

And just like that Wolf's smile was gone.

"Oh come on it's not like they're going to hurt me."

"I just don't like that many people around you while you're this fragile."

"Fragile? Fragile? Do I look fragile?!"

Wolf's eyes slowly roved over her, his gaze burning. She stared defiantly at him, refusing to blush. When he finally finished his assessment he glanced up at her, grinning slyly.

"Why yes, yes you do."

"Liar."

"That's no way to talk to your husband."

"And you shouldn't call a woman fragile."

He grinned mischievously and leaned in close to her. Her breath caught and she quickly backed up.

"Nope, no, nuh-huh, we are not playing that game, not when our friends are going to walk in through that door," she gestured wildly, "any second!"

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door; Wolf growled.

"Now," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "You just stand there and smile and be a good boy." Wolf bared his teeth, in what she hoped was an attempt at a smile.

"Try a friendlier smile." She burst out laughing at his next attempt. "You look constipated."

Wolf scowled but before he could reply the door burst open.

"Is it safe?" she heard Cinder whisper from beyond the door. She saw a head pop in, then:

"Yeah, everything's G-rated in there." There were sighs of relief then many footsteps as the group walked inside.

"Nice of you to invite yourselves in," Scarlet said, raising an eyebrow.

"You weren't answering the door," Jason shrugged.

"Yeah, what were you guys doing?" Thorne wriggled his eyebrows.

Scarlet rolled her eyes; he never changed. She turned to welcome the rest of the group. Cinder and Kai were quietly holding hands, ever the regal ones. Cress was standing beside Thorne, absently twisting something on her finger-

"Cress!" Scarlet exclaimed. Cress jumped so badly that she slipped and Thorne was left to catch her.

"Nice job," he scowled, though he was clearly pleased to have an excuse to touch Cress.

"Cress," Scarlet said a little quieter.

"Yeah?" She asked nervously.

"What's that on your finger?"

"Oh," she blushed. She held up her left hand shyly and the diamond ring sparkled in the light.

"You're engaged?!" Cinder squealed. Yeah, maybe she wasn't always so elegant, Scarlet thought with a smile. If she wasn't mistaken, she thought she saw a smear of grease on her forehead too…

"Yes," Cress smiled lovingly up at Thorne, who puffed out his chest.

"How come you didn't tell us?" Scarlet accused.

"Well we were going to but then you invited us over here and we thought we'd just tell you in person."

"When's the wedding?" Winter asked.

"This fall," Thorne said.

"But that's only..." Jason paused as he did the math. "3 months away!"

"Why wait? We're ready, I think we have been for a while," Thorne grinned. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but enough about us." Cress smiled thankfully at him. "Tell us about this baby thing we came here for."

"You've always had such an eloquence with words," Scarlet rolled her eyes.

"Is he okay? He looks like he might need a doctor," Kai nodded to Wolf, who still looked constipated.

Scarlet struggled not to laugh. "Yeah he's fine," she said as she wrapped an arm around his side, leaning into him. Wolf relaxed a little and placed a hand protectively over her stomach.

"So," Thorne broke in, clapping his hands. "Once Carswell is born I was thinking Cress and I could come to-"

"Carswell?"

"Yeah, your baby. Come on Scarlet keep up. As I was saying we could-"

"I don't recall naming my baby Carswell."

"Well I figured there was only one person you could name your child after."

"Let me guess: you?"

"Of course! Glad to see you're catching on. Now-"

"What if it's a girl?"
Thorne seemed momentarily stumped. Then: "Carley. That's close enough to my name. Or you could name her Cress, I'd be okay with that, too."

"You'd be okay with that?

"Uh-oh," Kai glanced at Scarlet then back to Thorne. "I think you might've just poked a sleeping tiger."

Thorne watched Scarlet nervously and muttered something about going to the bathroom, then hurried out of the room. The rest of the group burst out laughing.

"Sorry for scaring your fiancé away," Scarlet finally said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

"Nah," Cress grinned, "he can always be taken down a notch or two."

"Or three," Jason grumbled. And with that everyone began to laugh again; once they started it was hard to stop. Thorne walked in looking thoroughly disgruntled and turned to Cress, pouting.

"Baby, are you going to let them talk about me behind my back like that?"

Cress visibly melted and leaned up to kiss him once, twice, three times-

"Hey you guys want a tour of the farm?" Scarlet cried, and everyone quickly agreed as they ran out the door.


A/N: Well, I'll post one more chapter after this then this will be finished! I want to start a Harry Potter Fanfic...