Thanks Cherry for the name suggestion. I thought Megumi was too cute and that Meg was very Austenish for a nickname. Hope you guys like this chapter, and hope it clears some things up about Dom and Hattie for ya. FYI, this is one of the last chapters. I'm thinking three more plus an epilogue. Will Dom and Kel end up together? You'll have to keep reading!

Chapter 9: Megumi of Queenscove

"Dom!" Kel shouted. "Merric!"

You would have never guessed that either of the two had been deep in conversation with their lovers, for they were at Kel's side within seconds. They were three level heads, well almost level, as things soon broke out into chaos. Hattie and Lorraine were both fluttering about in worry as Kel took one side of Yuki and Dom took the other. As nervous as both men must have been, having never experienced a woman going into labor, they were both calm as they looked at Kel to tell them what to do.

"Someone needs to get Neal," Kel said, knowing that her best friend would never forgive her if she let his wife go into labor without informing him.

Merric quickly volunteered, "I'll go." But as soon as he had started to turn, Kel reached out to grab his shoulder and stop him.

"No," she said, her eyes moving to Dom. Yuki was holding onto his arm tightly as she gritted her teeth, but Kel had to think practically. Merric had never been to Queenscove before and Dom had once told Kel that he knew the fief nearly as well as he knew Masbolle. "Dom should go. He knows the area better."

It was hard to tell the emotion in Dom's eyes, but Kel knew he wouldn't argue. A small smile came to his lips as he gently detached his arm from Yuki's grips and transferred her over into Merric's steady arms. "If this baby comes before he gets here…" Yuki was growling menacingly in Yamani, digging her nails into Kel's arms, but Dom seemed to get the message clearly.

Before he left, Dom rested his hand gently on Kel's shoulder. Their eyes met for only a half second and Dom was gone, taking off at a run to the stables.

It took some time and a little help from the housekeeper to get Yuki up into her and Neal's bedroom. Kel knew the only thing keeping Yuki from screaming in pain like any normal Tortallan woman who was giving birth for the first time was her Yamani up bringing. As another contraction raked through Yuki, Kel watched the smaller woman gritting her teeth and clenching her eyes shut, her grip on Kel's arm still not letting up.

While Lorraine was running around trying to be helpful to the housekeeper who was preparing the room for the birth, Hattie turned out to be absolutely useless. She stood in the doorway of the room, chattering and acting as if she was the one giving birth. Finally, as Yuki finally let out a small whine of pain, Kel sent her niece away.

"Go wait downstairs, Hattie." When the girl didn't move, Kel glared at the girl and said sternly, "Go!"

"Where is he!"

Just as Yuki had finally succumbed to her pain and impatience for her husband, the door to the room banged open to reveal a completely disheveled looking Neal. His hair was a mess, his clothes streaked with dust from riding hard back from the village, and his eyes were ablaze. Dom stood behind him, his face weary as he surveyed the scene. Kel caught his eyes for a second and the two couldn't help but smile at each other.

"Thank you, Merric," Neal breathed as he rushed to replace Merric at Yuki's side. Merric knew a dismissal when he heard one and exited the room, sidestepping Dom. The blue-eyed man gave one last look into the room before he shut the door.

The birth was long and hard, but that was to be expected at it was Yuki's first baby. Kel really had to give Neal credit. He'd been so calm and supportive throughout the entire long process. His eyes and hands were steady. Kel felt out of place at moments. The way Yuki and Neal looked at each other through the long hours was so intimate that Kel felt like she ought to leave, but Yuki would grip her hand even tighter every time she tried to pull away.

It was in the early hours of the morning that night, only a few minutes after the guard on the wall had called midnight that the first daughter of Neal and Yuki was born. It had been an emotional experience for all of them, Neal, Yuki, Kel, even the housekeeper. There wasn't a dry eye in the room when the little girl tested out her lungs for the first time. Her cry reverberated off the walls and everyone looked from her to Yuki with an incredible reverence. Neal especially was overwhelmed. He didn't bother to wipe his tears away as he cleaned his daughter, staring down at her with eyes so filled with love that Kel couldn't help but smile at her friend.

She left the new parents alone. As Kel left the room, she cast a glance back over her shoulder to take in the scene. Yuki was propped up in bed, her arms filled with her new bundle of joy. Neal was beside her, his arms wrapped around them both. Kel's mind flickered to a memory of Irnai foreseeing that Neal's daughter would go for her shield. At least we'll know she'll have a good battle cry, Kel thought, pulling the door shut as she moved into the hallway.

There were torches on both sides of the door and placed at intervals along the corridor. But even with the extra light, it was still hard for Kel to make out the figure on the bench next to the door of the room. Kel squinted and soon it was obvious who it was.

"Dom," Kel whispered softly. She took a step closer and peered down at him. His legs were stretched out in front of him and his arms were folded over his chest. Eyes shut and mouth opened slightly, Kel knew he was sleeping. Everyone else, Kel suspected, must have gone to bed hours ago. Kel wondered how long he'd been sitting there and then wondered if she should wake him. The thought made her smile ruefully at herself. If he'd let her sleep on a bench against a stone wall for an entire night, she'd never forgive him.

"Dom," Kel said a little louder, forcing herself to rest her hand on his shoulder and shake it gently. As Kel expected, Dom's eyes snapped open and he grabbed onto her wrist, his eyes ready for battle. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, Dom looked up at her and loosened his hold on her wrist but didn't completely let it go. There was a question in his eyes and Kel explained quietly, "It's a girl. Yuki's fine and they're all resting." Kel smiled ruefully. "You should have seen Neal."

"Did he faint?" Dom asked with pretend hopefulness. Kel caught a flash of his white teeth as he grinned and couldn't help but chuckle.

Shaking her head, she replied, "I've never seen him so calm." After a second of thought, she added, "He'll make a wonderful father."

Dom smiled softly, his eyes never leaving Kel's for a second. "That, I never doubted."

For a few minutes, it was like nothing had changed between them since that battle at Northwatch. They looked into the other's eyes. Dom held Kel's hand gently in his own. Each was lost in their own thoughts as they wondered about the new family in the room behind them. Suddenly, though, there was the sound of clicking on the polished marble floor. Dom instantly dropped Kel's hand and the two looked to see Jump trotting up the corridor. Groaning as he stood and stretched his sore limbs, Dom looked back to Kel with a lopsided smile.

"You had best get to sleep, lady knight. I'm sure you earned your bread tonight."

Kel stayed at Queenscove for a week, but finally she had to go. She wanted to give Neal and Yuki time to adjust their new life as parents of a demanding new born. Also, she had the desire to go home. It was so strange thinking that and not having Mindelan come to mind, but the idea still made her smile nonetheless. New Hope was calling her and it helped that Fanche was sending demands that their new Lady come back as quickly as she could, with a side note of sending the entire town's congratulations to Sir Neal. Kel would escort Lorraine and Hattie back to Corus with Merric, but Kel wouldn't even stay the night before she was on the road to New Hope.

It was the evening before she was set to leave. Kel sat in a chair in one of Neal's private parlors upstairs. Baby Megumi of Queenscove was in her arms, sleeping to the much thanks of her tired parents. Merric was entertaining the girls downstairs as Neal and Yuki sat on a sofa opposite Kel and Dom relaxed against the mantle place.

"She's adorable, Yuki."

"Yes, she looks just like you. Thank, Mithros."

Yuki's eyes crinkled at Dom's comment. Neal was too tired out from lack of sleep to so much as glare at his cousin and he simply made a rude gesture in Dom's general direction as he lounged back into his seat.

"Now, now, boys," Kel scolded lightly, adjusting her hold on tiny Meg. Her small mouth opened in the cutest yawn Kel thought she had ever seen. "You don't want her to pick up bad habits from you two so soon."

As Kel sat there enamored with the child in her arms, she was unaware of the very interested audience she had. Not only from Jump and a few sparrows who stood perfectly still, surveying the baby with almost human like interest, but also from the tall man who leaned against the wall. No, Dom's eyes barely left her for a second. His blue eyes were filled with so many emotions it was hard to count or just pick one. Jealousy, admiration, hopefulness, want, hopelessness, fear, and wonder were just a few.

Simply, it was hard for him to stand there, watching the once love of his life hold his cousin's baby in her arms. Even if it had been five years since she'd refused him, it was still hard for him to see Kel in such a situation without his head instantly going to certain images. The protectiveness of her arms around the child just made him think for what wasn't the first time what a brilliant mother she would be.

Now, however, Dom would never get a chance to see that happen first hand. The face of the big, redheaded knight Dom knew Kel had courted as a squire came to mind. Perhaps she would have his kids, giants with red curly hair. The idea was not a pleasant one to Dom. The image made him clench his fists.

Neal and Yuki were too weary to notice anything off with the Captain and even if Kel had looked up from Meg, she probably wouldn't have jumped to any conclusions. It seemed like any time she met his gaze, she was quick to turn away or suddenly study something close at hand. Dom sighed, his eyes finally tearing away from the lady knight when a soft whine came from the little girl's lips.

Kel whispered something in Yamani to the baby; words only she and Yuki understood as, "What is the matter, little one?" Yuki moved to stand up, but Dom came forward first. He stopped in front of Kel's chair, holding out his arms for the child.

"Mind if I give it a try?" He addressed the question to Neal and Yuki. Neal, too lazy to answer, nudged his wife who nodded and smiled.

"Of course, Dom."

Standing, Kel was careful not to disrupt the newborn anymore than she already had. Her little dark eyes were open. Kel smiled to herself, noting they had a hint of green that would probably end up very similar to her father's. The baby's eyes were soon on Dom as Kel carefully passed the small child over into his strong arms. Meg surveyed the man with scrutinizing eyes. Both Kel and Dom laughed.

"What?" Neal grumbled, lifting his head up to glare at his cousin and best friend for laughing at his baby.

Kel and Dom glanced at each other. Ignoring the tight grip on her heart, Kel said simply, "She's just already got your eyebrows is all."

The two looked back down at Meg, she hadn't taken her eyes off Dom and was looking up at him as if he were a strange creature she'd never seen before.

For a few minutes, Kel just stood there and watched Dom holding the baby in his arms. It would have shocked Dom to know that Kel's thoughts weren't very different from what his own had been a few seconds before. It was the first time Kel had ever seen Dom hold a baby. Sure, she had witnessed his ease with the children at New Hope, the way he was patient with Tobe when he was teaching him how to use a bow. But just the site of the tall man holding a delicate child in his arms struck a chord. There had been many times she'd imagined what he would be like with their children…

Kel quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. Whenever her mind went in that direction, it normally meant a night of crying herself to sleep. Instead, she turned to Yuki and Neal to bid her goodbyes. She would be dragging Lorraine and Hattie up before dawn tomorrow to set out for Corus. Kel hugged each of them, promised to write and demanded letters in return.

When she finally turned back to Dom, Kel wasn't able to meet his eyes. She couldn't bare the thought of letting him see the weakness that no doubt showed in them. Her lips grazed gently over Meg's forehead.

"Goddess bless, little one."

Inevitably, Kel looked up into those blue eyes one last time. For some reason, Dom looked surprised at what he saw in her hazel ones, but he didn't get a chance to ask or look confused. Kel had already nodded at him and was shutting the door behind her by the time Dom had gotten his wits together.

The room fell to silence after Kel's farewell. Dom stared at the door for a long moment, his arms gently rocking his baby cousin. After a few seconds, he finally sighed and made his way over to the window, gazing out for a few seconds before looking back down at Meg.

"She really is a beautiful baby." Dom grinned evilly back of his shoulder at Neal. "But her cousins will be even cuter. Won't they Meggy?"

"Don't get your hopes up, Dom," Neal said through a yawn as he stretched and let Yuki rest her head against his shoulder. "Hattie's pretty and all but she is certainly not prettier than Yuki that's for sure. And honestly? Don't you find her annoying? Her irritating personality coupled with yours will make quite the annoying, odd looking child."

"Excuse me, Meathead, but I beg to—wait, Hattie? What does she have to do with me?"

Neal and Yuki both looked up with raised eyebrows. To their surprise, Dom looked sincerely confused. "Wow, Dom. I never really thought you were an inept as I've been implying all these years. Hattie? Do you remember? The girl you're courting?"

The couple watched their cousin as his brows furrowed in concentration before suddenly his mouth feel open, "Me? Courting Hattie?" By the look on Dom's face, you would have assumed that Neal had suddenly pulled off a mask to reveal he was Wyldon of Cavall. "Are you two mad? I think you should have uncle check out your head, cousin."

"But Dom," Yuki started slowly and thoughtfully. "The way you've been acting with her. You dance with her at every ball. You always sit beside her and talk with her longer than other girls."

"But...I was just being polite! She's Kel's niece, I didn't want to hurt her feelings or anything." When Neal and Yuki remained quiet and glanced at each other, Dom felt his heart sink. "Does everyone think we're courting?" They nodded. Dom groaned. "Everyone?!" They nodded again. "…Hatie?" Neither nodded as Dom was still holding their child, instead Yuki held out her arms for Meg as Dom groaned and conceded before falling heavily into the chair that Kel had occupied a few minutes before.

"Are you really telling me you never felt anything for her at all?" Neal's voice was harsh, but Dom could tell that he was still quite amused by this. Dom covered his face with his hands and that was answer for his cousin enough. "You do realize this is worse than that time you had that affair with the conservative widow—"

"So helpful, Neal!"

Neal just laughed heartily, shaking his head at his cousin's distress. "Well, I have to say I'm relieved. I don't think I could bear that annoying twit at all of our family reunions. Even if she is Kel's niece. Pity you're as good as married to her now."

"What do you mean?" Dom cried, tearing his hands away from his face to glare at Neal. "I didn't do anything but dance and talk to the girl!"

Yuki smiled sadly at Dom. "She's quite in love with you, Dom. I'm afraid it'll cause quite the scandal if you leave her heartbroken."

At that, Neal let out a snort. "Knowing that one, quite the scandal."

"What am I going to do?" Dom moaned, his hands covering his face once more as he sank deeper into the chair as if he wanted to disappear completely. Not once as he'd interacted with Hattie had the idea of courting her come to his mind. Yes, he enjoyed talking to her. She could be funny when she wanted to. And she often was a good distraction when Kel was in the same room. There was also the fact that her eyes were a very similar color to Kel's, but they never shined like Kel's did. The room was silent once more as all three adults thought and Meg gently clasped onto her mother's finger.

"Perhaps," Yuki started tentatively, her eyes leaving Meg to look up at Dom. "You could avoid the palace and Hattie in general for a time. She's young. Chances are she'll find another young man to fall for and forget all about you by midwinter."

Dom instantly cheered at this notion. The more he thought about it the more he thought of how it could work. Thom of Pirate's Swoop had been always eyeing Hattie and Raoul had been intending to seen third company on a general border sweep to the south. Perhaps it was time to push the commander on that idea. "Yuki, did I ever mention you're brilliant? Lets hope Meg gets your brains."

"I know, isn't she bril—HEY!"