Chapter 36

Almost a whole season had passed since summer was delivered to the mainland. Clarion and Milori only had three more seasons until their little one was in their arms. Clarion had just gotten out of the infirmary after her weekly checkup. Remembering what had happen made her giggle quietly.

"Here's your water Queen Clarion." Remedy handed her a cup of water.

"Thank you for fetching it Remedy." Clarion replied as she took a sip. She had been constantly thirsty since becoming six seasons pregnant and asked for a glass of water during her appointment. They finished all the tests and were watching the baby together on the screen.

"So, Queen Clarion, how have you felt lately?" Remedy question nicely. She always asked questions like that and Ree had gotten use to sharing personal information with her or Marla.

"I've been feeling great! Although I'm terribly thirsty." Clarion told the healing talent.

"I can tell." Giggled Remedy as Clarion drank the last of her water. She placed the cup on her baby bump, which had gotten quite large. Remedy giggled when she saw her queen using her enlarged stomach as a table. "How is Lord Milori doing? Is he coping well with impending fatherhood?"

"Oh yes! It is such a dear!" Clarion giggled. Remedy laughed along. Sometimes it was hard for her to remember she was talking to the queen. Clarion's mood and personality had become much more relaxed since becoming pregnant. "You know he carries me so I don't get tired?"

"He does?!" Remedy loved chatting with her queen. "He is so sweet. It sounds like he's ready for this baby almost as much as you are!"

"Yes…he is. He demanded that I send a letter updating him on how the appointment went as soon as it ended since he couldn't be here." Clarion couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, it's almost over so you'll be able to right your letter soon enough." Clarion nodded a 'thanks' to the younger fairy. "How about you? Are you ready for the baby?"

"I am. I want to hold her in my arms desperately." Clarion cut herself off as her baby kicked. Remedy sat in shock when she was the glass fly off Ree's stomach. Clarion started laughing uncontrollably and soon Remedy joined her.

"I think the baby wants to be in your arms too!"

It was defiantly an interesting appointment. She hoped she would be able to get her little one to kick something of her stomach again so she could show Milori, but until then she wouldn't tell him. She knew he would feel horrible for missing such an important milestone because of work.

"There you are Clarion!" Milori's voice came from behind her. She turned and hit him unexpectedly with her bump.

"Oh!" She gasped. "Sorry honey, I didn't think you were that close and my bump was that big!" She giggled but stopped noticing the seriousness of her husband. "Milori…are you ok?"

"I didn't hurt the baby did I?" He was worried and began to rub her belly. "I wouldn't be able to look anyone in the eye knowing I hurt her."

"No dear, you didn't hurt her. And it was my fault. I need to watch out now that I have this!" She joked placing her hands on her stomach. Milori sighed in relief. "I promis she is fine." The baby began to move and she put his hands on her growing stomach. "See, I told you."

"You did…you did…" He chuckled as he bent down so he could kiss his unborn baby. "I'm so happy you are ok. I love you." He stood back up. "And I love you my dear Ree."

"I love you too Milori." She gently kissed his lips. "So, so, so much!" Hand in hand they walked off to go check the warm seasons. "How was work today?"

"It was great; we are going to be delivering a wonderful winter this year." He told her proudly.

"That's great honey." She told him, sadness lined her voice.

"Is something wrong? Clarion please tell me so I can help."

"It's just…it's just…" She began to sniffle as she was working herself up. Milori wrapped his arms around her. "You…you're going…to have to…leave to deliver winter." She was practically sobbing. Milori rubbed her back soothingly. He had gotten use to her sudden mood swings, since she had been very moody the past season.

"I can stay her with you if you want. I'm sure the minster of winter can handle it by herself." He proposed calmly. She shook her head.

"You need to go when it comes time. It'll only be for a week and…" She had gotten herself under control but was losing it again. "And…I'll…I'll be ok." She stifled her tears.

"You are so strong Ree. And that's just one of the reasons I love you so much." He kissed the top of her head before wiping away her tears. "You can spend the week with Mary, Rosetta, and Vidia. You could get things ready for a certain little one." He rubbed her belly before beginning to walk again.

"How was the doctor's appointment? I didn't miss anything too important did I?"

"No it was pretty much the same. The baby is doing great! She's growing so fast!" Clarion giggled, her mood uplifting as she spoke.

"Amazing darling! What did you and Remedy talk about?"

"Just how I've been feeling…and you." She teasingly nudged his side.

"And me?" He asked squeezing her side. She squeaked.

"Yes!" As squealed as he tickled her.

"What was said?" He continued to tickle her until she cracked.

"She asked if you were happy to be a daddy!" She giggled. "And I said yes!" She could hardly breathe. "And then I told her how you carry me!" He stopped and swiftly picked her up bridle style.

"Like this?" He had left her gasping for breath as she nodded. He chuckled and she snuggled into his arms. They finally made it to Springtime Square and he set her down.

"Thank you. I love you darling." Clarion whispered wrapping her arms around him. She simply stood in his loving embrace as they waited for the ministers.

"And I love you sweetheart." The minster flew up before they had a chance to kiss and they began to check on all the seasons. The autumn revelry was quickly approaching.

"How is Tinkerbell and…and…" Clarion was trying to remember the other fairy's name. Ever since Tinkerbell broke the moonstone she helps the other fairies in building their scepter.

"Lily?" Sunflower politely reminded the queen, although it was the third time Clarion had forgotten the garden fairy's name.

"Yes, thank you Sunflower. I don't know why I keep forgetting. I've never forgotten names." She scolded herself.

"I think it's pregnancy brain if you ask me." Milori said. He caused Ree to chuckle but the others just looked confused. "During pregnancy the mom to be often forgets things or does things out of the ordinary without realizing it; it's called pregnancy brain."

"Yes and I have a horrible case of it." Ree shook her head.

"Nonsense Queen Clarion! You've just forgotten a name or two." Redleaf assured her. Milori shook his head.

"No, she really does. She'll walk into the bathroom while I'm brushing my teeth, stand there with the most confused face ever and then walks out. She can't remember what she was going to do. And then she'll put the laundry in the trash instead of the dirty clothes basket-"

"Ok, ok, they get it! Now stop before you get into the more embarrassing incidents." Clarion said with a red face.

"Alright honey. I'm sorry." The ministers couldn't help but laugh lightly.

"It's ok darling. What were we talking about?" Clarion wanted the subject of her.

"Tinkerbell and Lily. They are doing a great job by the way; everything will be ready for other successful autumn revelry." Redleaf reported. Clarion smiled brightly.

"Wonderful." She looped arms with Milori. "I have a feeling we were supposed to be somewhere…" She trailed off, embarrassed she forgot again.

"We are having dinner with Mary and Dewey." Milori reminded her as they waved good bye and headed off.

"Oh yeah!" The ministers heard Clarion say as she threw her hands up. "Forgot again!" They all laughed before turning back to their work.

"Clarion, Milori!" Mary waved to her friends as they walked in. Ree and Milori took their seats and the waitress took their orders. They were all chatting lightly when their drinks were brought. Clarion sipped on her water as they all told jokes. As Clarion sat her drink down Remedy fluttered by.

"Be careful with your drink Queen Clarion! Wouldn't want the baby kicking it off again!" She giggled and flew out of the restaurant. Clarion smiled warmly until she met Milori's stare. He was quite upset.

"What does she mean Ree?" He asked. Clarion was normally calm and collected but she was keeping something from her husband and she had just been caught.

"No-nothing." She stuttered. Milori huffed, stood up, and walked out of the diner. Clarion sat in disbelief. Instead of arguing or dropping it he just got up and left. A tear rolled down her cheek before wiping her eyes and flying after him.

"This is not good." Mary whispered to Dewey.

"I know…hopefully they don't do anything stupid."

Milori was back in their bedroom pacing the floor. 'Why would she keep that from me? It wasn't anything bad; it's pretty extraordinary that the baby could kick something off her stomach. But why on Neverland would she try to hide it from me? Is she mad that I couldn't go to the appointment?' Milori was deep in thought when Ree hurried inside.

"Milori!" She called. He stopped pacing and looked at her with hurt in his eyes. "I am so sorry I didn't tell you."

"Why?" That one word hurt for them to hear. He shouldn't have to question his wife like that.

"I-I don't know." She looked to the floor.

"I know that's not the truth. Why Clarion? You never do things without reason." He sound angry.

"I didn't know she could do that, and I thought you'd feel bad for missing it." She admitted sadly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd find out."

"So you decided to not tell me something important about our child all because I wasn't there?" He asked still angry. "What happens if I'm at work when she says her first word? What happens if she tries to walk and I'm in the bathroom?" He questioned accusingly. Clarion had hot tears streaming down her face. Milori saw and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have raised my voice like I did." He took another deep breath to calm himself. "Ree, I'm sorry I got angry but it just upset me that you weren't going to tell me. I promise to be there as much as I can. The minutes I'm away from you two hurts me now, so I'll always be there. But there are going to be times I can't be there, like when I have to go deliver winter, and I am going to want to know exactly what happened while I was gone. Can you promise that was the last secret you will ever keep from me?"

"I promise Milori. I am so sorry." She ran and hugged him tightly. He shifted so he wasn't putting weight on her belly. "I love you honey."

"You are my world Clarion." He kissed her lips passionately. "And so is this little one, which is why I want to know every detail about him or her." Clarion nodded as he wiped the tears out of her eyes. "I love you." He whispered causing a smile to appear on her face.

"I won't hide anything anymore. I promise." He led her to the bed and they snuggled up close. He smiled when he felt her bump pressing into his side as she cuddled.

"So, are you going to tell me?" He asked rubbing her belly.

"Well, I was drinking water and you know how I use my belly as a table?"

"Yes, I am fully aware." Milori laughed as he reached over to hand her her water that was on the nightstand. He placed it on her stomach.

"Well I had the glass just like this today and as Remedy and I were talking the baby-" She cut herself off as the baby kicked off the glass. Milori's eyes grew wide.

"That! That's what happened!" Clarion giggled, happy tears forming.

"Oh my frost!" Milori didn't know what to say. "The baby just kicked it off you!" They didn't even care the bed was getting wet from the water. Clarion nodded and hugged him closely.

"Well, mommy might have to find a different table huh?" He kissed his unborn child and felt the baby press back to his face. He looked up to Clarion to see her yawn. "Let's get to bed my love."

"Ok sweetheart." Clarion curled up into her husband's arms and was soon fast asleep. Milori stayed awake for a while longer, just staring at his wife and baby. "I love you." He heard her whisper. "Pregnancy brain almost got me there." She whispered tiredly. Milori chuckled and pulled her in closer.

"I love you too."

The next morning Clarion woke up to breakfast in bed.

"What did I do to deserve this?" She giggled as Milori placed a plate of food in front of her. He gave her a sweet kiss on the lips before replying.

"You put up with me." He smiled and kissed her again. "And I can be really hard to deal with." He sat next to her and began to eat.

"Well, thank you Milori!" She giggled again as she started to eat. Milori suddenly leaned over and kissed her; prying open her mouth and taking her piece of pancake. Clarion yanked her mouth back and gasped. She looked him up and down. "What the spring?!"

"Sorry love…" Milori looked down. "I thought you wouldn't mind." Clarion then understood. The breakfast in bed, that kiss, 'putting up with him'; he was trying to make up for their fight the day before. So when she saw him about to take a bite of pancake she leaned in and took it off his fork. She was so close to his mouth that her lips brushed by his.

"You took some of mine…I can take some of yours…" She whispered seductively. She saw his lips curl into a small smile. They continued on with breakfast as always and got ready for the day.

"What are you doing today my love?" Milori asked as they walked back to the border.

"I have to talk to Mary about our little one's room. I'm going to have her start on that door to connect our rooms." Ree told him as she rested her head on his shoulders.

"That sounds like fun darling. Now, actually get some work done; don't just goof off with Mary." He turned and kissed the side of her head.

"What? Mary and I? Goof around?" Clarion gasped sarcastically making them both laugh. "I would never dare!" Milori rolled his eyes and kissed her before stepping into winter.

"You have fun then. I'll be home around noon." He kissed her cheek.

"Ok, I miss you already." She joked before kissing him again. "See you for lunch then?" He nodded and smiled. "Ok, love you."

"Love you too." They hugged and parted ways. Clarion headed to find her friend; Milori headed off to check on winter.

"Mary!" Clarion had finally found her best friend working hard in her workshop. "I need a favor." Clarion got right to the point telling Mary all about the door and other plans for the baby's room. Mary listened closely, rubbing her friend's pregnant bump the entire time.

"Well, it seems your mommy and daddy have everything planned huh little princess?" Mary said before looking up to Clarion. "I have the rest of the day off; I can grab Tink, Clank, and Bobble and we can start on that door for you."

"Thanks! Let's get them and I'll show you where it'll be." Clarion and Mary rounded up the other three tinkers before going to the queen and lord's room.

"Clanky, I've never been in this part of the Pixie Dust tree." Bobble whispered to his friend.

"It really pretty up here guys!" Tinkerbell said taking the lead; she'd learn the way on her many trips to inform the queen of her late night messes. Clarion chuckled to herself as she saw the sparrow men trying to keep up with Tink.

"Tinkerbell, wait for us!" Mary scolded. Clarion placed a loving hand on Mary shoulder.

"It's fine Tinkerbell. No need to wait on us." Ree called.

"Are you sure Queen Clarion?" Tinkerbell asked.

"Yes, if you wait on us who knows how long it'll take." Clarion patted her stomach. Everyone had learned by now that when their queen did that it was usually indicating it had to do with the baby.

"Ok!" Tink and the others raced up to the queen's room. Tinkerbell opened the door and walked it. She had been here a time or two, but it still seemed so beautiful to her.

"Wow." Bobble muttered as his water bubble eye glasses popped. He was fixing them as the queen flew in along with Mary.

"Queen Clarion, you have a really big room!" Clank said as he flew in from the sitting room.

"Yes I know, sometimes I think it's ridiculous for me to have such big living quarters." She shook her head. "Anyways, this is the wall that the door…" She trailed off when she noticed nobody, not even Mary, was paying attention to her. They had floated off. Clarion found them by her bed giggling. With a confused look on her face she approached.

"I think Lord Milori left you a note!" Tinkerbell pointed to a letter taped to Ree's teddy bear he'd given her. It was also surrounded by dozens of Callie Lilies. Clarion almost felt embarrassed that her subjects found a love note taped to her stuff animals on her bed in a puddle of flowers. Clarion slowly picked up the note and read it.

"It seems he did." She lightly laughed.

"Look at all the flowers he left! He is so, so, so romantic!" Tinkerbell continued but Clarion wasn't listening anymore. She was rereading his letter.

My darling Ree,

I just wanted to inform you of our plans for that night…First I'm going to take you down to Springtime Square, at that perfect time when the fast flyers are practicing their breezes, that way the smell of flowers is drifting in the air. Did I mention I'm going to kiss you with so much passion it will leave you gasping for breath?

Then we are going to go to the beach. I have a picnic awaiting us. I'm going to sit down on the sand and pull you into my lap as we eat. By the time we finish the sun will be setting and it will illuminate the ocean's waves. I'm going to lay you down into the sand and run my fingers through your honey brown hair as I kiss every inch of your body.

After that we are going to go get ice cream because I know how much our baby likes late night snacks. I'm going to feed it too you spoonful by spoonful.

Finally we are going back to our room. I will massage every inch of your unbelievably sexy body to relive all your stress. Then I'm going to kiss away your worries before holding you close as we fall asleep in each other's arms.

That's how tonight is going to go. I love you Clarion.

Your husband,

Milori

'He is such a sweet talker.' Clarion before turning her attention back to the matter at hand; the door. After giving all the instructions they began to work on it.

"Ok Queen Clarion, it's almost done. Tomorrow we'll have to come and put on the finishing touches. Can we all come by before work?" Bobble reported.

"Of course. Thank you all for helping." With that they left and Clarion went off to find her husband. "I hope tonight goes just as he plans…."