His hands smoothed across the swell of my stomach as I moved over him. A slight change in the angle of my hips brought a gasp to his lips and one of his hands slid upward to cup my breast. Thumb and finger rolled the darkened nipple between them, producing a golden drop of colostrum for his effort. He leant up and greedily lapped at the fluid.

"Enjoy them now," I teased. "In several weeks, they won't be yours anymore."

Mycroft laughed and sucked my nipple in before releasing it with a pop, sending another ripple of pleasure through me. "I think Oliver Ethan is just going to have to share."

"Evelyn Rose may not be so amenable," I said, rolling my hips for emphasis.

His hands moved to grasp my hips, encouraging the motion and I began to ride him in earnest. He began to meet me with upward thrusts of his own and I soon arched my back as the sudden, intense wave of pleasure began deep in my pelvis and radiated outward. His fingers dug into my hips as he snapped his hips up- once, twice, three times- and he groaned as he tumbled over into the abyss with me.

I bent forward, still impaled on his cock, and rested my forehead on his, well sated and breathing heavily. "That was spectacular!"

"Yes, quite spectacular, indeed. Although, I am not sure if it was due to the sparsity of our recent attempts at lovemaking or the normal pelvic congestion that occurs at this stage in your pregnancy that caused your heightened sexual arousal."

I smiled. That was my Mycroft, always thinking. As I felt him soften and slip from my body, I moved to lay at his side. "I think we disturbed her nap," I pointed to my stomach as it morphed and undulated.

Mycroft's fingers gently traced the outline of an elbow or knee, tracking it across my belly. It was lovely to see him so fascinated with his child. I had worried when I first suspected I was pregnant, that he would see the baby as a burden or an inconvenient byproduct of our physical relationship. He had greatly surprised me, having had Anthea arrange his schedule so he could accompany me to each and every prenatal appointment. He asked questions and took an active role in the planning for our child's arrival into the world. Nothing could have made me happier.

"And what are your plans for the day, my dear?" he asked later as I was straightening his tie.

"I am on call for work until this afternoon, so I don't want to get involved in anything very complicated, such as arranging the nursery. I thought I might pop in and see how your brother's rehabilitation is going, though."

I saw the way his shoulders stiffened, even though his face remained neutral. Something I said had irritated him and I wasn't quite sure what. "What, love? What did I say that has sent you into a fit of pique? And don't tell me you aren't upset, Mycroft. I can read you as easily as you can tell where Mrs Greeves has hidden your cigarettes."

His brow narrowed in annoyance for a split second before he schooled his features into that serene mask of indifference. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I'm not stupid, Mycroft. What?"

He sighed. He knew I could be as stubborn as he. "Serena, why do you insist on continuing to work? It is totally unnecessary. We hardly need the income and you could stay home to rest. It would be easier on you."

I laughed at the near whine in his voice. "Stay home and do what? We have a housekeeper, a gardener and a chauffeur. I don't want to stay home, nor do I need to rest. I would be bored silly before the end of the week."

"But, you don't feel well some days. Don't think I haven't noticed your feet are quite swollen after working twelve hours. It is difficult for you."

"No, Mycroft, it is not difficult. It is normal, and I think I am doing a damn fine job of working and gestating your progeny. I am aware you have reasons, in addition to my comfort. Now, tell me why you are so insistent that I resign my position. Hmm?"

He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, "Serena, we still do not know who was masquerading as Moriarty on New Year's Day. And, providing security coverage at a public place, such as your work environment, provides quite a logistical challenge, especially considering your employer is loath to allow my men to supplement their security force. Come to work for me. Serena, I beg of you."

I stretched up and kissed his nose. "Nope! Not until after the baby is born. I want to keep our child safe, but, I like what I do and I won't let them make me seclude myself from an attack that might or might not come. I will not be needlessly reckless, but neither will I imprison myself in some gilded cage. If someone wants to harm me, they will find a way, no matter how many guards you have around me. The fact that I work in a public place means there are more witnesses and that in itself is quite the deterrent. Is it not?"

He stamped his foot in annoyance, "Serena…"

"No, Mycroft!" I cut him off. "My answer won't change. Once Evelyn Rose is born, and not until."

"It will be Oliver Ethan. You are going to have a boy." Still frowning, he pulled me against him and kissed the top of my head. "It is my privilege to know two fierce, strong-willed women, but I must say, you both make my life difficult. Please, at least, let Timothy accompany you to Baker Street, so I don't have to worry any more than necessary."

I wrapped my arms as far around him as my belly would allow, "I will and do give my love to the Queen."

He released me and tugged at his waistcoat, "I will. And it's going to be a boy."

"No, it's not. If you can't call her by her right name, we'll just have to keep calling her 'Little M'."

"No, that is your pet name for her, not mine." His tone lacked any sting as he exited the room, and I wondered if he realised he had said 'her'. "Do be careful, Serena!"