AN: Really struggled to write this chapter guys. My mind is going blank. Happy Christmas by the way! Won't be uploading for a few days at least after this one. Christmas is a busy time. Hope you all have a great one! Enjoy!

The next morning, I woke up with a terrible feeling in my stomach. I ran to the bathroom, throwing up in the toilet. I groaned, wiping my mouth with some tissue. I then had a wash and brushed my teeth before staring at myself in the mirror. I looked ill. Dark circles hung around my eyes and I'd lost a lot of weight.

I went back into the bedroom, noticing Hannibal wasn't there. Glancing at the clock, I realised it wasn't morning at all.

It's midday! Why didn't H wake me?

I headed downstairs, finding him in the living room, reading a book. I sat down beside him, kissing his cheek.

"Good morning." Hannibal smiled.

"Morning H." I smiled back at him, resting my head on his shoulder.

I glanced down at the book, recognising that it was Wuthering Heights. I smiled a little, reading along the pages with him.

"I didn't think this would be the kind of book you'd be into, H." I murmured, nuzzling his neck.

"It happens to be one of my favourites." He replied, not taking his eyes from the pages.

His long slender fingers turned the page slowly. I continued to read along with him, he being much quicker than I. Before I had time to finish the page, he had already turned it. I huffed in frustration causing Hannibal to smirk at me.

"I didn't think this would be the kind of book you'd be into, Clarice." He smirked playfully.

"I'll have you know, I am a very intellectual person!" I pouted.

"I have no doubts about that." He said huskily.

I glanced to him, seeing his eyes turn dark. He closed the book, placing it down on the arm of the sofa beside him. Suddenly, he pulled me into his lap making me gasp. I gazed down at him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I thought you were busy reading." I murmured, trying to keep a straight face.

"I was. But I am now otherwise, preoccupied." He winked before bringing his lips crashing to mine.

Playful H…

I moved my lips along with his, my hands threading into his hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss. He let out a quiet groan as his hands slid up my back, bringing my body closer to his. I pouted as he pulled away from me, giving him a questioning look.

"Doesn't your foot hurt, Clarice?" He asked.

I shook my head slowly, my eyes filled with want and desire. He smiled a devious smile before pushing me down onto the sofa beside where we were sat. I lay there, biting my lip as Hannibal stared at me, his eyes dark.

He lowered himself slowly, his body hovering mere centimetres above mine. I could feel his gentle breathing against my face before he brought his lips down to mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist, using them to pull his body down onto mine.

Suddenly, my mind went into a whirl. What if he didn't want our baby? This is how we got into this so called mess.

He pulled away after a few moments, realising I wasn't responding to him. He frowned at me as I stared with a puzzled look on my face.

"Clarice?"

"You do want this baby, don't you H?"

He sighed, resting his forehead against mine.

"I've told you before, Clarice. I want you and this baby."

"I just can't help but feel I'm not good enough." I murmured.

He sighed again, climbing off of me, taking my hands in his before pulling me up to sit beside him.

"It is I who am not worthy of you."

"What if one day you don't want me anymore?"

Grow up, Starling.

I'd never felt like this towards someone before and I didn't want the amazing feeling to end. I felt complete with him.

"I have wanted you for over ten years, Clarice. I have only just found you. I'm not going to let you go." He smiled weakly.

I climbed onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck before resting my head on his shoulder.

"We'll have to decorate the spare room at some point and turn it into a nursery." I murmured.

"Yes, and we have baby names to consider."

"I like Amelia."

"Beautiful name. And for a boy?" He asked, stroking my hair.

"I was thinking of Elijah."

"Another fine choice." He smiled, kissing the top of my head. "How has the sickness been?"

"The same as it has always been. Throwing up a few times a day. I'll get used to it."

"I wish you didn't feel this way." He murmured into my hair.

"It's part of pregnancy, H." I smiled.

"Unfortunately."

"It'll be over before we know it."

He nodded, clearly something occupying his mind. I stared absently at him for a minute before he realised.

"What's wrong, H?" I asked quietly.

"Nothing to worry about, my dear." He smiled, kissing my cheek.

I can see right through you, H.

"Tell me."

"Clarice, it is nothing to worry about. Leave it alone please." He said, gently pushing me from his lap before standing up.

I watched him walk out of the room, frowning to myself. I didn't know where he went; all I knew was that he needed time alone. He had gone from not really having conversations with someone to having them virtually 24/7. I suppose it was like me. Everyone needs space once in a while.

I sighed to myself, bringing my legs up onto the sofa before folding them underneath me. I gazed into the dancing flames in front of me. It looked beautiful. Calming. Warm.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud scream coming from outside. I shot up from the sofa, taking the gun from the draw in the living room before heading into the foyer. I looked out of the window, seeing nothing. I then headed into the street.

Because of the cold winter months, the sky was already beginning to grow dark. I shivered from the cold, walking quickly to where I had heard the scream come from.

A hand was quickly placed onto my shoulder, causing me to turn around sharply, my gun following my gaze.

"You really shouldn't wave a gun around like that, Clarice." Hannibal murmured.

"Where did you come from?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I saw you leave the house. I wondered why. Especially without a coat and shoes." He glanced down at my feet.

Oh shit. Shoes.

"I heard someone screaming." I said, turning around again.

Hannibal grabbed my arm gently, pulling me back.

"Let me go take a look. Go home. I don't want anything to happen to you and this little one." He smiled, placing a hand on my stomach before walking away.

"Be careful." I whispered into the darkness.