AN: I know it has been a ridiculously long delay in publishing this chapter. I've had a bad case of writers block. Forgive me! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter although I'm not entirely happy with it.
"H?" I called, gazing down at my body in the bathroom mirror.
"Yes, Clarice?" He replied as he entered the bathroom.
"Can you see this?"
He smiled down at me, placing a hand on my slightly forming bump.
"I can see, yes."
"That's our baby." I said, looking down at the small bump.
"You're nearly five months gone now." He said, kissing my forehead. "We should get you to a doctor."
"We can't trust anyone, H."
He took a moment to think before looking into my eyes.
"I have an idea."
"You do?" I frowned at him.
"I'll contact Barney."
"But H, Barney is just a nurse. I don't mean to belittle his abilities, but he's no midwife."
"I'll speak with him. Leave it to me, my love." He replied, kissing my forehead.
I headed into the bedroom, contemplating Hannibal's words. Perhaps Barney knew someone we could trust that could help us. I hoped so.
Within half an hour, I headed downstairs, finding Hannibal sitting at the kitchen table with a newspaper in front of him. I frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder, looking down at the paper.
"I didn't think you had anything to do with the news, H?"
"This is different, my dear." He said, his voice flat.
"Different how?" I narrowed my eyes at the paper, focusing on the black printed words in front of me.
My eyes widened as I read the words in front of me.
Hannibal the Cannibal Kidnaps FBI Special Agent!
"What do we do?"
"There is nothing we can do. The article merely claims I have kidnapped you. Our location as it stands, is unknown."
"For now." I murmured without thinking.
"Doubting my abilities, Clarice?"
"Of course not." I said, nuzzling his neck before planting a kiss on his earlobe. "I trust you with my life."
He stood from the chair, turning to face me. He then took my hands in his, slowly running his thumb along my fingers.
"I will protect you and our baby with my life. Never doubt me, Clarice. I will do anything and everything to keep you both safe."
I pulled him to me, wrapping my arms around his torso.
"I know, H. I know."
Later that day, Hannibal found me lying on the sofa, a book in my hands. He lifted my legs and sat down on the sofa before placing my legs gently on top of his thighs.
"I contacted Barney." He said, breaking the silence.
I looked up from the book immediately, a questioning look in my eyes.
"He knows a man who will be able to assist us in the birth if needs be. He will also come to check on you throughout the rest of the pregnancy."
I closed the book, placing it onto the coffee table.
"How do you know we can trust him?" I asked, frowning.
"I will pay him a considerable amount to keep quiet. He is a very close friend of Barney's."
"What's his name? Where is he from? When are we seeing him?" I gushed, my eyes not leaving his.
"Slow down my love. His name is Heinrich Gruber, German and I believe we are seeing him tomorrow afternoon."
"So soon?" I asked, my eyes wide.
"The sooner the better, Clarice. I've had him fly out immediately."
I nodded, taking the information in. Even though this Heinrich Gruber was a close friend of Barney's, I still had my concerns.
The next morning, I began pacing up and down the living room. To say I was nervous, would be an understatement.
"Clarice, calm down." Hannibal said gently as he entered the room.
"I'm trying." I sighed, my pace slowing.
"Everything will be okay, my love."
"I hope so, H. God I really hope so."
He approached me, planting a soft kiss on my forehead before pulling me into his arms. A hand rested at my waist while the other held my hand. We moved slowly around the living room to the soft music playing in the background.
After a while, there was a loud buzzing coming from the foyer.
"Ah, that'll be Barney and Mr Gruber." Hannibal said, pulling away from me before heading into the foyer.
I followed him, stalling by the living room door. Barney's car rolled up the driveway, an unfamiliar man sitting in the passenger seat. Hannibal opened the door to great them and once he had done so, I followed suit. I pulled Barney into a hug, smiling.
"It's good to see you again, Barney."
"Likewise, Clarice." He returned my smile. "This is Heinrich Gruber." He said, standing aside.
"Pleasure to meet you." I said quietly, analysing his every feature.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Starling."
"Clarice, please." I said, smiling.
He nodded, following myself and Hannibal into the living room.
"May I offer you a drink?" Hannibal asked the two men.
"I'm fine, thank you Doctor Lecter." Barney said, nodding once.
"Likewise, danke Doctor."
"Clarice?" Hannibal turned to me, smiling a little.
"Water please, H."
Hannibal nodded, leaving the room to retrieve my drink.
"Now Miss Starling." Mr Gruber said, placing a large bag onto the coffee table. "I will need to examine you."
"Of course." I nodded, stroking my forming bump protectively.
"If you would be more comfortable in the bedroom?"
"Yes." I said, heading into the foyer. "This way."
Hannibal exited the kitchen to find us heading upstairs. He followed, placing the glass of water on the bedside table as he got into our bedroom.
"Lie down, if you please, Miss Starling."
I lay down slowly on the bed, chewing on my lower lip. Hannibal held my hand through the whole process.
Thankfully, it was over in no time and our baby was deemed healthy. I stood from the bed and shook the doctors hand gently.
"Thank you for coming." Hannibal said, also shaking his hand. "We appreciate it."
"Not at all, Doctor Lecter. I'm glad I could be of service. Now, I will come back in a month or so to check on you again. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call."
Finally, the men were gone. Not that I didn't like Barney's company, I was just exhausted. The pregnancy was really taking its toll on me.
"Perhaps you should rest, Clarice." Hannibal hummed from behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
"All I do is sleep now, H." I sighed, turning myself around in his arms.
"Your body needs rest." He replied, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.
I smiled, sitting back down on the bed. Hannibal covered my slender body with the sheets before climbing in himself. I snuggled closer to him, resting my head on his chest.
"Sleep tight, my love." Hannibal murmured as I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.