Chapter 26 – Hartland

"She's beautiful, Kahlan," Emma said, smiling down at the little bundle in Kahlan's arms.

Richard stood beside Kahlan, his arm draped around her waist, beaming proudly, going along with what Kahlan wanted. While they were traveling along Trunt Lake, following the lake's shore to reach Hartland, Richard had taken the time to speak privately with both Jennsen and Cara. He told them that for the time being, he and Kahlan had decided to let people assume that Ashley was his. Jennsen understood more than Cara, but the Mord'Sith would do as she was told. She would serve the Lord Rahl in all things. Though Richard himself still felt uncomfortable lying, he did it because it made Kahlan feel more at ease around the others.

Chase came over and gave Richard a big slap on the back. "I knew you would figure out a way, Richard," Chase grinned. "If there was anyone that could find a way, it would be you!"

No one else would have understood, but Chase did. Out of everyone in Hartland, the Brandstones were the only ones who knew what Kahlan was, except maybe Anna, but Richard did not want to think about her. That relationship was long over and he was with Kahlan now. Even if her first born was not his, he still wanted to be with Kahlan. He would always want to be with Kahlan. She was the only woman he had ever truly loved. He would do anything for her. Anything.

There was a time, long ago, that he had thought the same about another woman. But he had been mistaken about that. Nadine never really wanted to be with him like he had thought she had. It was all about sex with her. And when he tried expanding the relationship to more than just that, Nadine withdrew and started avoiding him. The last straw had been when he found her sleeping with another man. He immediately broke off the relationship, never wanting to see her again. Then, four months later, he met her… the love of his life, the woman he would love unconditionally and sacrifice anything for: Kahlan Amnell, a confessor from the Midlands coming in search of the one true Seeker of Truth. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined such a woman searching for him, and, needless to say, falling in love with him.

However, Kahlan had broken his heart as well, but she had not really cheated on him, not like Nadine had. Richard and Kahlan had never really been a couple, like he and Nadine had been. And what Kahlan had done was for duty, not for lust or self-serving pleasure. Not to mention, at the time, neither knew that they could really truly be together. It hurt that another had been her first, but Richard believed her when she told him that she had found no pleasure with her mate. And now, here he was, with the woman he loved; yet the child in her arms was not his.

The little confessor seemed to enjoy herself greatly. She giggled slightly, and smiled up at all the new people she was meeting. Richard did have to agree with Emma's earlier assertion; Ashley was, indeed, a beautiful baby. She looked so much like her mother, and he hoped that that would never change. And when they started having children of their own, Richard wanted them all to look like their mother.

However, like all things, Ashley eventually grew restless, and started crying. "Looks like someone's hungry," Emma said smiling.

Kahlan and Emma excused themselves, going to one of the bedrooms, where Kahlan fed Ashley and talked with Emma about motherhood, among other things, no doubt. Richard sat on the porch with Chase, drinking some mead and listening to his friend's so-called "horror" stories of his children when they were little.

"You never know when one of them is going to sneak up behind you and start assaulting you with all sorts of nasty little things," he laughed boisterously and slapped Richard on the back, almost making him cough up his mouthful of mead.

Richard shook his head, wondering how he was going to handle all the little daughters that he and Kahlan would no doubt have. With Kahlan being the last confessor, he was well aware that there was going to be pressure on them to produce as many offspring as possible. He smiled lazily, thinking about all the "fun" Kahlan and him were going to have making those children.

Chase chortled loudly. "Already thinking of having more, are we?" he shook his head. "Or do you just enjoy making them!"

"A little of both, I guess," Richard blushed. Then he grimaced, feeling a dull pain in his forehead. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You all right?" Chase inquired, looking worried.

"Just a headache," Richard replied, taking a slow deep breath. "I've had it for about two weeks. It comes and goes. It's most likely a result of that beating I took when the bandits assaulted the cabin."

Chase gave a nod, but looked dubious. "Are you sure it can't be something else?" he asked, as if he knew more than he was saying.

Richard squinted at his friend, wondering what he was implying. "Speak plainly, Chase," he said, frowning.

"I know it's not my place to say," Chase began slowly. "But I cannot help but notice that Ashley looks nothing like you." He paused, looking concerned. "It is almost as if you are not her father."

He tried to hide his stunned expression at how perceptive the warden was, but his friend saw right through him.

"Then I'm right?" he inquired, though he did not look pleased to be so.

Richard gave a slight nod and took a sip of the mead, swallowing it slowly. "While I was hunting down the Stone of Tears, the Midlands Council forced Kahlan into taking a mate to continue the line of confessors. Ashley is the result of that."

"Then you have not found a way to be with her?" Chase questioned, leaning forward.

"I have," Richard asserted. "But it was too late. It came to me the day before Kahlan gave birth." He slumped his head and closed his eyes. "Spirits, Chase, I don't know how to explain it all. When I arrived back in Aydindril to find her five months along, I… I wouldn't even listen to her. I did not want to hear an explanation. All I saw was that she had slept with another. I felt betrayed."

"Understandable," Chase gave a nod. "What changed?"

"During those four months afterwards, I realized how much I loved her," Richard went on. "It was hard, Chase, living without her, thinking that I had forever lost my one shot at true love and happiness. The longer I thought about it, the more I realized that I would always love her, no matter what."

"And now you two are together," Chase finished. "Officially a couple?"

Richard gave a lethargic nod. "Yes," he said. "I… I even asked her to marry me… well, to be honest, I never really asked, she said yes before I could even get the question out."

"That's a good sign, isn't it?" Chase asked, leaning forward. "She was so excited about you even wanting to marry her that she could not contain herself long enough to allow you to finish asking the question."

"I guess so," Richard said, and leaned back, slumping his shoulders. He took a long lazy sip from his cup, topping it off. "There is still a part of me, deep down, that will never be able to forgive her for taking a mate and conceiving a child that is not mine. I care for Ashley, yes, but can I ever truly love a child that is not mine? I've told Kahlan that I can, but was I lying to her… and to myself, as well?"

Chase bit his lower lip and looked out at the sky as the sun began to set and the stars started to work their way into view. "I don't know if I can answer that question for you, Richard," he said. "I cannot speak to what I would do, but I know one thing… the child is an innocent."

"I agree," Richard said. "I do not blame Ashley… I just hope she never learns the pain her conception caused me." He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply of the Hartland air. "It was Kahlan's idea that we allow people to believe that Ashley is my daughter. I… I don't think she could handle the public shame of it. I'd appreciate it if you don't mention this conversation to anyone."

"My lips are sealed, my friend," Chase said, giving an understanding nod.

XXX

They went inside to have supper, which Jennsen and Laura, Chase and Emma's eldest, had prepared. Richard sat next to Kahlan, and held Ashley in his lap, allowing the little babe to look out over the table at everyone as they ate. Kahlan and Emma continued their small talk, and Kahlan would occasionally lean softly against Richard shoulder, obviously wanting to feel his presence.

Jennsen and Laura, the two cooks, sat close, gossiping away about that Connor fellow, much to both Chase and Richard's chagrin. All the other Brandstone children were keen on seeing Ashley, which the little confessor seemed pleased to oblige, giggling and smiling at all of them as the man who should have been her father softly combed the mass of dark hair on her little head. Cara sat at the end of the table, beside Jennsen, looking sulky and glum, remaining out of the conversation, even when some of the smaller Brandstone children tried to question her about the red rods around her waist.

Richard was pleased that Kahlan was at ease and looked relaxed; he had been worried that she would breakdown, unable to keep up the deception that he was Ashley's father. He wondered if Kahlan and Emma had had a similar conversation that he and Chase had had. He thought they might have, judging from the looks that past between the two women.

Jennsen and Laura were congratulated by all for making such a sumptuous meal. Jennsen visibly blushed, not used to the exaltation, which made everyone laugh. While the dishes were being cleared away, little Ashley squealed happily and tried to grab one of the spoons, attempting to swing it around wildly. Richard stopped her before she could create a mess, and she looked up at him, pouting. He shook his head and tickled her chin, distracting her as her mother took the spoon away. She giggled and clutched at his finger with her tiny fingers, pulling it to her mouth to suck on it.

Overall, the visit had been a pleasant and relaxing one, and after supper, the three of them, Richard, Kahlan, and Ashley, went up to one of the guestrooms for bed. Chase had brought out the crib that had been used for his youngest, and Kahlan softly rocked Ashley to sleep as Richard prepared for bed. He removed his vest jacket and shirt, folding them up and placing them on the dresser. Looking over his shoulder, he watched as Kahlan stripped down to a simple shift, her eyes glued on him as he unbuckled his belt and removed his trousers, stripping himself down to just his underthings. She turned back to tuck the blankets tighter around Ashley as he slipped under the blankets, secretly removing his underthings as he began to make plans. Crawling in beside him, Kahlan draped her arm over his chest and rested her head on his shoulder, unaware of his hidden plans for nocturnal activities.

"Thank you, Richard," she murmured softly, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

"For what?" he furrowed his brow, though he knew the answer.

"For giving me a day in which I got to pretend that nothing bad had happened, and that we were all just one big happy family," she replied, dreamingly.

Richard sighed, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her tight. "I'll do anything for you, Kahlan," he whispered heatedly into her ear before he captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

Seeking to reassure himself and relieve some of the stress caused by his headaches, Richard leaned over her, and gently pushed her legs apart with his knee. Kahlan happily complied, pulling her shift up, and opened herself for him as they continued to kiss, their tongues igniting deep desires between them. Tugging her underthings down, Richard worked her femininity until she was ready, and then slowly, holding her tightly in his arms, he made fierce yet passionate love to her, Kahlan Amnell, the woman he loved more than life itself.