Author's Notes:

I really like these next few chapters. Things for our couple are coming full circle. Both Keith and Allura struggle as they continue to heal and move forward.

Paulina Ann – You are so right, my friend. You never know what someone might be going through, and you don't ever want to make assumptions. Yes, letting people know would garner sympathy and empathy, but remember, Keith and Allura were not married when the pregnancy happened. They don't want it revealed because of the scandal it could create on old fashioned Arus. The only people who know are Keith and Allura, of course, Dr. Gorma, Nanny and Koran. Reera didn't mean any harm, and Allura and Keith both knew that.

Ebon-drake – No funny hahas in the next few chapters, at least I don't think. (But then again, you never know what someone may find funny! ;) Thank you for the compliment: sweet but not syrupy. I totally get what you mean. There is enough to satisfy, but not enough to give you a stomach ache. I may have subconsciously used Will and Kate as inspiration.

cubbieBlueMako – You will get to see another side of Keith in this next chapter. Our captain isn't as perfect as he appears to be. See if you can understand where he's coming from, and if you agree with how he handles it.

animebookchic – Two steps forward, one step back. Ah! Such is life…

KathDMD – Thanks for sticking with this story, despite the sensitive subject matter. Things brighten up a bit in this chapter. Even the darkest tunnel has to open into the sunlight.

Rated M for sexual situation and language/ nothing explicit

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters and locations are property of WEP. I make no claim to them. The story is mine

Chapter 10

Lying in bed later that night, Keith tossed and turned. Willing sleep to come, he stared at the ceiling. His mind refused to calm; his mind kept turning over and over about Allura and her reaction to the baby. She had been doing so well, her mind focused on other things. Hopefully today was a momentary relapse. He didn't want to start their marriage fixated on the past. He wanted to look forward to all the good things that were yet to come. Sighing deeply, he ran a hand through his hair. More than anything, he just wanted her to move on.

Keith felt a pang of regret stab through his heart at his thoughts. Feeling guilty, he thought about how selfish he sounded to himself. She was still grieving; she was still hurting. It was his job as her fiancé to support her and help her through this. Maybe it was time to talk about when they would start trying again. They would be married soon, and then nothing would stop them from starting a family. Glancing over, he saw Allura turn in her sleep so that she was facing him. After her breakdown in the royal carriage, he hadn't wanted to leave her alone. He had decided to spend the night with her, much to the chagrin of Koran and Nanny. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, the princess had fallen asleep almost immediately.

Turning over onto his side, Keith allowed his eyes to caress her beautiful features. His heart hurt for her. He saw Allura's struggle with her emotions the moment that little Matilda was revealed. But like the good and stoic princess that she was, she sucked it up, took the baby, and smiled for the camera. Reera, the baby's mother, had no idea that her simple request probably broke her monarch's heart.

Acknowledging his own feelings, Keith had felt a little flutter of remorse when he saw the little girl. Never thinking much about it before the pregnancy, the commander realized how much he wanted a family, how much he wanted children. What became crystal clear was how much he wanted children with the woman lying beside him. A flood of love pulsed through his body, igniting the flame of desire he had been forced to keep at bay while Allura was healing. Enough time had passed now; Dr. Gorma said so. His body tightened in anticipation. Reaching out with clear intention in mind, he lovingly stroked Allura's cheek.

Allura felt herself being gently pulled from her slumber. A familiar, calloused hand skimmed the side of her face. Opening her eyes slowly, Allura saw Keith watching her intently. When she smiled at him, he moved forward to press his lips against hers. She trembled at his touch, suddenly fully awake. Moaning softly, the princess wrapped her arms around the commander's neck, pulling him to her and encouraging him to deepen the kiss.

With a satisfied groan, Keith slid his tongue into Allura's mouth, inviting her into their sensual and familiar dance. The princess responded eagerly. Sliding on top of her, Keith fisted his hands in her tumbling curls as he pressed his hardened groin against her. He felt her push back against him as she moved her legs to wrap around his waist so he nested tightly against her. Their passion increased in intensity, when all of a sudden, Keith felt the princess go rigid beneath him. Breathing heavily, he pulled back to see what was wrong.

Allura's breathing was ragged, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Her eyes were closed, as if she couldn't look at him. "Allura," he gasped, trying to calm his body. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she stammered. "I just got scared when I thought about where this was going…" Her voice trailed off as her face flamed with embarrassment. She blinked her lids several times, revealing irises the color of sapphires.

"Scared?" Keith repeated in confusion. "Why were you scared?" Propping himself up on his elbows, the commander's dark eyes bore into her blue ones. Waiting patiently for her response, he continued to touch her. He caressed her breasts, eliciting a soft moan from the princess.

For several moments, she said nothing and just enjoyed Keith's sensual touches. "I am scared about getting pregnant again," she finally admitted. Enjoying his attentions, Allura closed her eyes as her tears ceased, distracted by her desire. She pushed her head back into her pillow as his gentle ministrations became more intense. Allura felt her own desire pooling in her lower abdomen.

"There are ways to prevent that," Keith assured her huskily, nuzzling his nose against the dainty pink shell of her ear. He stopped his attentions for a moment and rose from the bed. Padding over to where his pants had been hastily thrown, Keith dug around in his pocket. Smiling in triumph, he pulled out a small, square, foil packet. Keith hurriedly made his way back to the bed and lay down. "Lucky for us, I came prepared." His lips trailed down her cheek to nuzzle her neck. He stopped suddenly, and his voice became serious. "Of course, we don't have to if you're not ready." He gazed at Allura, his eyes holding a questioning look.

Allura opened her eyes to take in the handsome man lying beside her. Staring into his deep, dark eyes, she saw only concern and love, along with passion and longing. My Gods, how I love this man, the princess thought. She shuddered as her flame of passion became a blazing inferno. Grabbing desperately for Keith, she forced him to roll onto his back as she climbed up to straddle his hips. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his, feeling his hardened need press against her. Groaning at the intimate contact, Allura pulled her nightgown over her head, indicating quite clearly to Keith that her hesitation was gone. As he reached out to touch her, Allura quickly unbuttoned his pajama top and pushed it open to reveal his firm, sculpted chest. Leaning forward again, the princess pressed her breasts against his chest. She groaned as her silky skin slid against his muscled and heated flesh. Her earlier worry forgotten, the princess became consumed by the heat of his passion and the feel of his hard body as he took her on a journey to heaven.

VVVVVVVVVV

Later, Allura found herself curled up in the arms of her love; his body spooned tightly against her backside. They felt sated and exhausted from their intense lovemaking. Keith murmured quietly in satisfaction as he nuzzled his nose against her hair, inhaling her sweet floral scent. Allura responded with a satisfied purr of her own.

Turning her head to look back at him over her shoulder, she lifted her chin so that her lips lightly grazed against his. He returned her firm pressure.

Breaking the kiss, Keith gazed down at his fiancée. The look in his eye shifted from one of desire to one of concern. Allura immediately noticed his slight frown and furrowed brow. Knitting her own brows, she pulled away from him and turned to face him. Pulling the sheet across her chest as she sat up, she met his gaze evenly. "What?" she asked simply.

"Princess," Keith began, slipping into the old habit of using her title when he wanted to discuss something important. "Allura, we need to talk about what happened today." Propping himself up on his elbow, he ran his hand over her shoulder in comfort.

Allura stiffened. "What happened today?" she asked in mock confusion. Hoping to avoid the discussion that she knew was coming, Allura turned away from him to stare out the picture window that looked out across Castle Lake and Black Lion.

"You know what happened today," Keith replied sternly. "You can't keep avoiding this." He sat up, bringing his knees to his chest. His strong arms draped across his knees, his posture rigid. "Seeing that baby today really threw you. Don't you think we should talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about," Allura responded curtly. "I was surprised, that's all. I was caught off guard when that woman suddenly thrust her child into my arms." She lifted her chin haughtily, something she did only when she was cornered or uncomfortable.

Keith grabbed her chin and turned her to face him. His eyes narrowed in challenge. "Bullshit!" he stated simply.

Sighing heavily, Allura dropped her shoulders in defeat. "Ok, ok," she resigned. "What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to talk to me," Keith coaxed gently. "I know that what we have been through hasn't been easy."

Chuckling wryly, Allura shook her head. "I just thought I was doing so much better," she explained in exasperation. "And then today, seeing that little girl just brought everything crashing back to me. That little girl had dark hair like you and blue eyes like me. She could have been…." Her voice didn't finish the thought as her breath caught.

Keith pulled her into his embrace. "Our daughter," he finished her thought for her, as he stroked her cascade of golden hair. "I know; I thought about it, too."

Melting into the comfort of his embrace, Allura felt her sadness dissolve away as she allowed determination to take over. "I have got to get control of this. I can't let myself be affected every time I see a baby or a pregnant woman. My Gods, Romelle will be here in a few days, and she will surely be showing by the time she and Sven arrive. It will be in my face 24/7." She pulled back to gaze up the commander, a helpless expression on her beautiful face.

"Why don't you talk to someone?" Keith suggested. "Maybe it's time to speak to someone objective, a counselor who can help you sort through your feelings."

"No!" Allura snarled. "This is too personal to speak about with a complete stranger." She shook her head fiercely, her blond hair splaying across her bare shoulders. "Besides, I can't take the chance of someone breaking our confidentiality."

"Ok," Keith said. "How about Romelle? She has always been a trusted friend and confidant."

Again, Allura shook her head. "She is so happy about her baby. I don't want to bring her down or make her feel like she can't be happy because she is worried about my feelings."

Rubbing his temples with his hands, Keith went into brainstorming mode. Finally, an idea popped into his head. This was not someone he would have suggested before, but in the last few months, this person had become an unlikely ally to him where the princess was concerned. "What about Nanny?" he inquired. "She is the closest thing you have to a mother."

Allura cocked an eyebrow at him in disbelief. "Nanny?" she exclaimed sarcastically. "You want me to talk to Nanny? Are you serious?"

Keith nodded his head, his black eyes serious and determined. "Yes," he reaffirmed. "She is the closest thing you have to a mother. She was a mother." He stopped suddenly, remembering a minor detail. "And she experienced a miscarriage herself."

Allura looked bewildered. "She did? How do you know that?"

"She mentioned it that day she found us kissing in bed. In that meeting with Koran when you blurted out about the baby," Keith explained, frowning at the memory. "I guess you were too upset to remember that part of the conversation."

Allura looked thoughtful. "If she has gone through this, maybe she could help me figure out how to cope. Maybe she could tell me how she got through it."

Satisfied, Keith relaxed back against the pillows, resting his head in his hands. "I think it's a great idea. Nanny is so much more supportive than she used to be. You should have seen the look on her face when she realized that you had lost the baby. She was really concerned." He smirked as his thoughts spun in a different direction. "She has been instrumental in helping me keep you busy these last few months. She and I have become quite a team."

Spinning to look at him, Allura gave him a suspicious glare. "So that explains why she won't leave me the hell alone and why I can't get a moment's peace," the princess noted. "It's all your fault."

Keith shrugged sheepishly, a lopsided grin quirking on his lips. "Yeah, well," was all he said.

"Ok, I will talk to Nanny," Allura agreed, "if you agree to get her to back off a bit. I need to breathe." Suddenly the princess's expression changed; her smile became wicked. "I have barely had time to eat or sleep or to be with you these last few months." Moving her arm so the top sheet fell away from her, she leaned in to press against Keith. "And that just won't do."

Keith's attention was immediately riveted to the gorgeous creature leaning into him, her face a mask of desire and longing. As he felt his body begin to stir again, he moved closer to her. "That won't do at all," he breathed. An inch away from her, he whispered, "I will tell Nanny to back off."

"Good," Allura murmured as her lips met his all over again.