AN: Ashley, honestly, reading your reviews made my morning. Seriously, it's reviews like that that keep me writing. That, and I have so many feels. I just had a lot of feels about Stephen and I'm really glad you appreciated it. You really are too kind. And we are totally making fantabulous a word cause it's awesome. And I started playing that Midnight Cinderella you suggested and I am completely in love with it. And you're right. They're all gorgeous :D

Kick

Stephen had been out shopping for Rory. He had made her a cup of green tea the week before and she had thrown up. It was clear that that craving was over. It had been replaced by a new one. He was lucky, he guessed. Most pregnant women craved something maddening like ice cream on toast or chocolate on pizza. All Rory asked for was strawberry water. Ok, he had thought, strawberry water it is. And now he carried the shopping home, huge bottles of strawberry water threatening the safety of the thin plastic bags. He had barely gotten through the bottom door before Rory appeared at the top of the stairs. She smiled. "Hey, do you need help with them?"

He was carrying three shopping bags full of food and water but shook his head. He could manage them even though the handles were about to snap. And there was no way he was letting his pregnant wife carry this much weight, especially since she was six months gone. He set them down on the floor so that he could shut the door. Then he let himself fall against it as he blew air from his mouth. He smiled back at her tiredly. "No, sweetheart. I've got it."

He bent down and picked up the bags again, silently praying that he could get the bags upstairs and into the kitchen before the bottom gave way and everything fell out. She looked at him questioningly. "Really?"

"I've carried heavier. It's just the bags. I think they're about to break."

"Well then, you'd better hurry up and put them away." She giggled.

He laughed at her and comically ran up the stairs and Rory laughed as he charged into the kitchen, setting the bags on the counter. He turned around with a triumphant grin. "Success."

Rory leant in the doorway with her arms folded and smiling. "Well done my big, strong - ooh." Her face twisted with confusion as she placed a hand on her bump.

Stephen became immediately alert, worry clouding his mind. Was she hurt? Was the baby ok? "Sweetheart? What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she said slowly. "I just felt a - whoa."

Stephen took a step towards her and she looked up at him, realisation dawning on her face. Her mouth dropped open and formed a smile. "Stephen," she whispered. "The baby. It's kicking."

"What?" Stephens worry disappeared and was replaced by happy surprise as he rushed over, a grin on his face. "Are you sure?"

"I think so," she replied, taking his hand and placing it on her bump. They both stood expectantly for a few seconds. Then the baby kicked again. Stephen laughed and waited for another one. It kicked again, right underneath Stephens hand. He bit his lip. Rory looked up from her bump to him. "I think our baby is saying hello."

He chuckled, giving the bump a gentle rub. "Hello, little one. I can't wait to meet you."

The baby kicked again. They both laughed. "I think he or she can't wait to meet you either."

He smiled at her and kissed her gently. "Oh my god," he said. "This is amazing."

The baby kicked again and Rory laughed. "Well, it's certainly lively."

"I think," he said in a baby voice to the bump, "Uncle Callum is going to have to teach you how to play football."

Rory watched him lovingly as he talked to her bump and giggled when the baby kicked in response. Stephen looked back up to Rory. "Definitely a footballer."

She smiled at him widely. "Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Promise me our child will never be subjected to the horror that is hockey."

Stephen laughed and pulled her into a hug. "I promise. Hockey is a thing that shall never plague our baby."

She laughed and pulled him into another kiss. "Y'know," he said when he broke it, "I still can't believe how lucky I am."