Thursday
Clare shifted uncomfortably, the infant had moved to a spot where it bothered Clare. Luke sighed and nuzzled her neck. Clare groaned and shifted again.
"What's the matter honey?" Luke asked against her shoulder.
"She's moved to a weird spot...It's uncomfortable." Clare replied quietly.
"Where Angel, I can move her?" Luke asked. Clare took his hands and put them where the infant was currently sitting, over by her intestines and stomach. Luke sat up and gently rolled her onto her back before gently beginning to shift their child. When the babe was in a comfortable spot, Clare put her hands over Luke's, "That's good..." Luke smiled gently and kissed her forehead as he rubbed her stomach. Clare smiled and nuzzled his cheek then glanced at the clock, "Picked a horrible time to move...It's not even one in the morning yet." Luke laid back down still rubbing her stomach gently. Clare sighed and closed her eyes, ready to go back to sleep. Luke slipped his hand under her shirt and settled his hand under her naval. Clare sighed softly before going back to sleep soundly. Luke soon joined her. It was several hours later until she heard one pair of boots run by the door.
"Link keep it down..." Anni hissed in a whisper.
"Sorry, I forgot she was there..." Link whispered back and quietly crept by the door. Anni sighed and the only sound of her passing was the rustle of the fabric of her clothing. Clare smiled softly before hunkering down to go back to sleep. Luke grumbled and snuggled her closer. Clare shifted slightly before continuing to sleep. Luke settled and after a single shift, so did their child. Clare hummed and rubbed her large stomach lightly. There was a flutter of movement before nothing. Clare stilled after a minute of rubbing then yawned. There was a quiet set of feet creeping to the door before it was opened silently. Clare shifted slightly then stretched before curling her arms and legs towards herself. Whoever had entered the room crept to the bed and placed someone next to Clare before quietly leaving. Clare shifted slightly as she patted the bed for the new comer. Her hand met long hair and pointed ears. Clare cracked her eyes open, confused slightly. Ely was sleeping soundly just within arm's reach. Clare smiled softly and pulled the infant close then slowly drifted back to sleep. Ely cuddled into her and remained asleep. Clare slept on peacefully. Three hours later, there was a quiet knock at the door. Clare groaned quietly and cracked her eyes open. The door opened and Anni slipped in with pancakes for them and a waffle for Ely. Clare yawned and poked at Luke, "Luke, Anni brought breakfast." Luke groaned and opened his eyes, "What...?"
"Anni was so kind enough to bring you breakfast..." Clare repeated. Luke yawned, "Thanks Anni..." Clare rolled her eyes then looked over at Anni, "Thanks Anni."
"Not a problem..." Anni said as she left. Clare smiled and shifted Ely carefully. The tiny fourteen month old yawned and snuggled into Clare. Clare smiled and nudged Luke, "Pass me a pancake." Luke stretched and passed her a plate of pancakes. Clare smiled to him and laid Ely down on the bed beside her, where the sheets were still warm. Luke grabbed his own plate and started on his breakfast. Clare shifted and ate her breakfast. As soon as Luke was finished he gently picked up Ely. Clare finished hers soon after and stretched. Luke smiled and placed both their plates on the nightstand before placing one arm around her. Clare smiled lightly and leaned against him. Luke shifted Ely to her arms so he could wrap his around Clare. Clare smiled softly and held the infant delicately. Luke rested his head on her shoulder and placed a light kiss to her neck. Clare smiled slightly and turned her head to kiss his cheek, but got his nose instead. Luke blinked and then chuckled quietly. Clare smiled and giggled silently as she looked back down at Ely. The tiny girl yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Do you want some breakfast Ely?" Clare asked quietly. Luke grabbed the waffle and split it in half before offering it to Ely. Ely took a piece and started to nibble on it. Luke smiled and placed both arms back around Clare. Clare smiled and nuzzled his jaw gently. Luke shifted so he was more comfortable and his hands were resting on her naval. Clare sighed happily as she watched Ely nibble on her breakfast.
"She's so cute, let's hope ours turns out the same..." Luke whispered pulling her shirt back into place.
"I'm sure she'll be just as cute." Clare replied smiling softly. Luke rumbled happily and nuzzled her neck. Clare smiled softly and stretched her legs. Ely hiccupped and snuggled close to Clare, having finished her breakfast. Clare smiled softly and ran her fingers though the small girl's hair lightly. Ely squirmed trying to get comfortable. Clare smiled slightly and held the silver blonde girl in both arms. Ely finally settled but she still had the hiccups. Clare smiled lightly and rubbed her small stomach, just like she did with Bane when he was a pup. Luke smiled as Ely's hiccups subsided. Clare smiled and stopped rubbing the tiny girl's stomach before sighing contently.
"And to think we'll be doing this with one of our own in a short time..." Luke whispered.
"Not much longer..." Clare said smiling.
"Getting nervous yet Angel?" Luke asked. Clare giggled nervously a bit then looked off in a random direction. Luke kissed her temple, "You'll be alright, you and the baby are going to be in good hands." Clare nodded and shifted Ely so she could rub her stomach. Luke sighed now feeling bad for upsetting his wife, he hugged her gently and buried his nose in her neck. Clare smiled and nuzzled his temple lightly. Luke settled but didn't loosen his arms. Clare sighed softly, her breath ghosting across his temple then leaned back against the wall.
"I forgot to ask, when did Ely join our little group?" Luke asked as he shifted to place his ear against her stomach.
"This morning, while you were still asleep." Clare replied. Luke nodded and slipped his hand under her shirt. Clare smiled softly then closed her eyes. Luke traced light circles against her skin. Clare shook her head lightly then slowly fell back to sleep. Luke continued to trace circles until he too fell asleep. Clare shifted slightly, her back starting to bug her. Luke removed his arms and laid next to her. Clare shifted ever so slightly, still sitting up. Luke pulled her down next to him. Clare shifted and stretched slightly before stilling. Luke tucked her head under his chin and gently rubbed her stomach. Clare nuzzled his chest lightly. Luke shifted and twined his fingers with hers. Clare shifted slightly then stilled. Luke settled as their child shifted. Clare rubbed her stomach lightly then sighed. A peaceful silence settled and remained for the next four hours. Clare shifted after the four hours and stretched. Luke had at some time rolled onto his back. Clare woke up slowly as she stretched. Ely was gone and so were the dishes. Clare shifted slightly before rubbing her stomach. Luke muttered and shifted back to having his hand over her stomach. Clare smiled lightly and ruffled his hair lightly. Luke smiled and leaned into her hand still sound asleep. Clare shook her head lightly and wished to sit up and satisfy her craving for ice cream. After a few minutes Luke cracked his eyes open, having felt the child shift. Clare shifted and smiled at him, "Luke can you help me sit up and get me a bowl of ice cream please?"
"Sure thing honey..." Luke replied as he sat up then helped her up.
"Thank you." Clare smiled softly to him as she shifted the pillows around, "And the hot water bottle while your down there."
"No problem sweetie..." Luke replied as he slipped from the room. Clare leaned against the pillows gently. The infant shifted slightly and kicked lightly. Clare rubbed her stomach gently, "He's on his way..." After a few minutes the infant settled. Clare gently and soothingly rubbed her stomach in small circles. Luke slipped back into the room with the bowl and the hot water bottle. Clare smiled and took the hot water bottle from him then slid it behind her back. Luke sat back down and handed her the bowl before placing his hand to her rounded stomach. Clare smiled to him and started to eat her ice cream. Luke returned the smile and kissed her cheek. Clare smiled softly and continued to eat.
"Little one acting up again?" Luke asked.
"Earlier..." Clare replied around her spoon. Luke nodded and propped himself next to her, his hand finding the hem of her top and slipping beneath it. Clare smiled and kept eating her chilled cream. Luke idly traced circles against her skin. Clare smiled lightly and finished her ice cream before sliding down next to him. Luke shifted the pillows and the hot water bottle so they supported her back. Clare smiled lightly and shifted slightly so she didn't have the weight of her child on her back. Luke smiled and slipped her shirt up to place a kiss to her stomach. Clare smiled and put her hand on the top of her stomach. Luke traced her symbol on her side as he rested his ear against her stomach. Clare smiled softly then closed her eyes. Luke sighed contently as he placed a kiss just above her naval. Clare smiled again before yawning and falling asleep. Luke smiled lightly and slipped her shirt back into place before lying her on her side. Clare shifted slightly and brought her hands up off her stomach. Luke covered her and slipped out of the room taking the bowl with him. Clare wrapped her arms around a pillow and hugged it gently. Luke didn't return like he usually did, he was gone for a long time, over two hours. Clare shifted absently, whining slightly. An hour later, Luke slipped back into the room soaking wet. Clare sensed her husband's presence then slowly quieted. Luke changed into dry clothes and did his best to dry his hair. Clare sighed softly in her sleep. Luke slipped back in with her and ran his cold fingers through her hair. Clare huffed slightly in her sleep then curled into his hand. Luke pulled his hand back, thinking he'd woken her. Clare shifted ever so slightly still sleeping. Luke smiled and kissed her forehead. Clare smiled softly and relaxed. Luke carded his fingers though her hair again before settling down for a nap. Clare snuggled into his chest, being careful not to jostle the infant. A peaceful silence settled over the expecting parents. About an hour later, Clare awoke, she had an itch and felt like she needed a bath. Luke's hair was still soaked but he was sound asleep. Clare scratched the itch then shifted her arms to stretch. She accidently tweaked Luke's ear which woke him up. Mid stretch, Clare absently scratched her arms. Luke groaned and shifted closer to her.
"Luke, Can you help me up?" Clare asked as she shifted slightly. Luke sat up and then helped her up.
"Thanks, I have the need to have a bath." Clare told him and she shuffled to the edge of the bed. Luke smiled and kissed her temple. Clare smiled and kissed his cheek before standing slowly.
"Mind if I join you sweetheart, I'm still cold..." Luke asked as he looped his arms around her.
"Sure, why not..." Clare replied, smiling softly. Luke smiled groggily and nuzzled her neck. Clare smiled softly and slowly shuffled over the connecting bathroom. Luke followed without any prodding. Clare went into the bathroom and started to fill the tub. Luke leaned against the wall trying to wake himself up. Clare tested the water carefully then flicked the water off her hand, "Still too cold..." Luke was rubbing his eyes, "Honey, be a dear and smack me..."
"Why?" Clare asked surprised.
"I can't wake myself up..." Luke replied still looking groggy.
"But I don't want to hit you..." Clare said softly. Luke groaned and wrapped himself around her. Clare shook her head then kissed his lips gently. Luke sighed still unable to wake up completely. Clare huffed in annoyance then stomped on his foot. Luke groaned and whimpered, "Thank you..." He croaked out before kissing her temple.
"Don't ever ask me to hurt you again..." Clare grumbled, still a little peeved at the request.
"I'm sorry sweetheart..." Luke whispered, now completely awake. Clare huffed, a mood swing that could not be deterred like the rest was making itself present. Luke nuzzled her neck and gently rubbed her stomach. Clare huffed again then sighed, "Great, now I feel bad..." Luke smiled sympathetically and placed a kiss to her lips continuing to rub her stomach. Clare kissed him back softly. Luke broke the kiss just long enough to turn her to face him placing another kiss to her lips. Clare smiled slightly and kissed him back. Luke nipped her lip lightly as he lightly ran his fingers down her back. Clare shivered slightly and opened her mouth. Luke deepened the kiss as he stilled his hands. Clare moved slightly, still hearing the water. Luke smiled and released her. Clare smiled to him before turning to check the water.
"Better?" Luke asked as he looped his arms back around her.
"The water is still a little too cold..." Clare said after she dipped her finger into the water.
"I wasn't talking about the water sweetheart..." Luke replied.
"Then I should be asking you the same thing...but the mood swing has past, I'm better now." Clare said waving her hand off handily. Luke hummed and nuzzled her neck. Clare smiled and straightened slowly. Luke let go long enough for her to stand upright before rewrapping his arms back around her. Clare bent slightly backwards, letting her back crack horribly, "Ow..." Luke frowned and rubbed her back gently.
"Maybe a nice hot soak will help..." Clare said quietly as she rubbed her lower back. Luke nodded and shooed her hand away so she didn't strain her back any further. Clare sighed and put her hands on her stomach. Luke reached around her and checked the water to find it finally hot. Clare saw the faint wisps of steam and smiled, "Finally..." Luke smiled and released her. Clare smiled faintly then began to pull off her dress. Luke pulled his shirt off. Clare got the dress off and started on her under wear. Luke slipped his arms around her still unable to keep his hands off her. Clare shook her head gently and patted his hands, "Let's get in the water quickly..." Luke nodded and took her arm so she wouldn't fall. Clare sighed as she slowly stepped into the water. Luke kissed her neck after slipping in behind her. Clare sighed again as she sat down. Luke smiled sympathetically and gently rubbed her back. She closed her eyes and rubbed her neck gently.
"Tell me what hurts so I can help sweetheart..." Luke whispered.
"Everything..." Clare replied in the same tone. Luke kissed her temple and slowly worked up her back. Clare sighed gently and let her hands go to her stomach. He was gently but firm as he worked on her shoulders and her neck. Clare leaned into his touch.
"Any better sweetheart?" Luke asked as he slipped his arms back around her.
"Much better..." Clare replied in a whisper as she leaned completely against him.
"Anything else hurt?" He asked as he rubbed her stomach.
"My feet..." Clare said as she stretched her legs.
"I'll take care of that after we get out..." Luke replied and kissed her temple.
"We should get washed up then..." Clare said and reached for the bar of soap. Luke sighed contently and traced light circles around her naval. Clare shook her head as she washed up, "Can you get my back?" Luke took the soap from her and washed her back hitting a few pressure points as he did so. Clare carefully rinsed herself, "If you want to get clean this time, you have to do it...I'm far too tired right now..." Clare whispered.
"I already had a bath sweetheart, I was just cool from earlier..." Luke replied matching her tone as he rinsed her back before slipping his arms around her again.
"Oh." Clare hummed as she leaned against him. Luke rubbed her stomach gently and kissed her neck. Clare sat there until the water dropped a few degrees before patting his arms, "Alright, time to get out." Luke nodded and unwrapped his arms. Clare stood slowly, "So what were you doing earlier that you had to have a bath?"
"Helping Anni at the ranch..." Luke replied as he held her elbow to keep her steady.
"Oh....is it colt season?" Clare asked as she stepped out of the tub.
"Mmhmm...Moon's first..." Luke replied and followed her after he knew she was steady on her feet.
"Oh joy, double trouble..." Clare sighed as she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. Luke chuckled and wrapped a towel around himself. Clare dried off then dressed before taking her towel and drying her hair. Luke was doing the same as he slipped past her. Clare flicked her damp hair over her shoulder and hummed, "I should cut this..." Luke frowned, apparently not liking that idea. Clare was busy studying the tips of her long hair, "Split..." She mumbled. Luke's frown disappeared and he sighed, "Get to bed beautiful..." Clare tossed her hair back over her shoulder and waddled over to the bed. Luke tossed all the towels in the hamper before sitting on the bed at her feet. Clare wiggled her toes slightly, giggling then stilled. Luke smiled and shook his head good naturedly as he shifted to sit cross legged before beginning to rub her feet. Clare smiled softly and resisted all urges to wiggle her toes or to pull her foot back. When he was finished, Luke yawned and moved to lie at her side. Clare slid down so she was also lying down. Luke smiled tiredly and pulled the blankets up over them. Clare shifted so she was on her side before snuggling down into her pillows.
"Sweet dreams sweetheart, I'll...see you in..." Luke never got to finish his sentence as for once, he fell asleep before her. Clare smiled softly.
"Oeiih pariyao Luke..." Clare whispered.
