Please note that I changed chapter twenty. I'm sorry for my absence, my life is packed currently so I will update as much as possible. Thank you, xoxo.

Laying on her side, Aurora stared blankly ahead of her with a dull expression and thoughtless mind. Bed rest left her moody and sleep made her anxious, the final result a canvas painted in dark circles and raspy breaths. Everything possible was done to bring her stress levels down, to put her in a comfortable place that wouldn't leave her constantly on the edge; she moved to one of the guest rooms, away from any painful childhood memories, Wynne always sat with her when she slept, Alistair promised to use everything he had learned from his Templar training to help keep her safe and was doing his best to get word to Denerim. His lack of telling her about how he knew she had been possessed once before left her irritated and upset with him, but it wasn't as if she had given him the time of day to really explain so she tried her best to let it slide.

"Aurora," It was his voice that cut through her mental fog, soft and drizzly like fresh maple syrup, "Is it alright if I sit with you?" He was so nervous, the same young man that had once blushed just from brushing against in her in a time that was so very close but yet so far away.

"Yes," She spoke softly, "I can't promise to be a very good conservationist, however."

When he came into view sitting in the chair Wynne typically did, he smiled grimly and met her eyes with a sad expression, "I'm sure I can come up with something to keep us talking."

"Enlighten me, then." It came out more nasty than she truly had meant it, overly sarcastic and a bit Morrigan like, but she wasn't sure how to apologize for it.

Pursing her lips he glanced away, a blush creeping up his face, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I wasn't sure how to approach you and every time we were together it just seemed so wrong..."

She nodded, pulling her blanket further up and letting her eyelids fall, "I wasn't exactly keen on speaking with you, so hold back the apologies, please, I have a headache and an overly guilty conscious."

"Oh...I'm sorry, I can go if you would like to sleep?" He began to rise from his seat but was quickly ushered to sit back down.

"No, it just feels good to rest my eyes." Slowly blinking back into the light, she looked up at him.

"Once you go into labor, can I be in the room with you?" He spoke quickly, like it took all his effort to get the words out.

"Yes." She spoke it simply, straight to the point.

"Oh, thank the Maker, I thought I was going to be pacing for hours again."

"You'll be pacing no matter where you are."

"Fair enough."

"Alistair, if something happens to be in childbirth, you have to promise to heal yourself with Andraste's ashes and raise our child." Her mood seemed to change, gaze so intense on him he felt like he was being drenched in the thunderstorm that was her eyes.

"Aurora, you're not going to die having this baby." He was trying to sound reassuring, to be there for her in a way the one who fathered her child should but he was sharply cut off.

"You do not know that and I will not die knowing that my child may have to watch her only parent succumb to the taint. Swear to me you will take Zevran, Wynne, your most promised and trusted friends and soldiers, and you will heal yourself. You will protect this child and never let the harm that came to the both of us come to her, please, Alistair." She kept on the stern voice but was still begging, pleading for him to take in what could be her possible last wish and assure her that he would make it happen.

"I swear to you that I will heal myself and protect our baby," With his words she seemed to relax a bit, figure relaxing under the tightly pulled blanket.

"How long before your letter will arrive?'

"Depending on the weather, perhaps a few weeks yet."

"She'll be here in a few weeks."

"Aurora, I know I've failed you once, but please, I promise you that nothing will happen to the either of you. I won't let anyone harm our baby or you. I would give my life for you both."

"You're one of the bravest and most heroic men I know Alistair, but I don't think even you can save everyone from everything. This isn't like anything we've ever seen before, and we've seen some shit," She let out a strangled laugh, edging towards tears but not quite collapsing that far, "We aren't even prepared to deal with this because we have no idea how to."

"We have vanquished every impossibility we have faced before, this one will be no different."

By her face it was obvious she wasn't quite sure of it, but for once she didn't argue further and simply nodded, "If I sleep, will you sit with me until I wake up?" Even in their fragile relationship she still craved his presence, even if she wasn't quite ready to admit it.

"I'd sit with you forever."