A/N: Shout out to NoVacancyMind for betaing this! Fun fact, my Tinker Bell femslash is up, which I'll be updating while I'm working on the sequel to this fic. It's called Crimson and Clover if you want to check it out.

His hand was on her stomach again. It always seemed to be there now. Not that the mermaid objected, she always enjoyed her husband's affection, but the addition of dialogue was new. Arista glanced down at the top of his head.

Jefferson was resting just below her breasts. His voice was too quiet for her to make out, but she knew he was talking. He seemed to be doing that a lot, and frankly, his wife found it rather odd. Not terribly worrying, but odd nonetheless. Her fingers pulled at his shaggy hair.

At the gentle tug, he lifted his chin to look her in the face. A wide, boyish smile was on his lips. Still palming her abdomen, he told her, "We'll have to start taking your clothes out soon."

Arista pursed her lips, but it was hard to be mad when he was grinning so brightly. So she simply contented herself to glare at him.

His fingers traced over the seam that ran along her side before he leaned down to kiss her stomach.

The mermaid didn't understand his sudden obsession with her body, but the tenderness was nice. As she resumed running her fingers through his thick, dark hair, the woman rolled her eyes as he once again began to whisper.

"I cannot wait to meet you," Jefferson told the slight curve of her stomach. Barely visible to anyone else, easily mistaken for perhaps a bit of normal weight fluctuation, but the Hatter knew better.

"Again with the chatter?"

"Hey! This is a private conversation!" Nestling deeper into her side, he murmured to their unborn offspring, "Don't mind her, baby, she's just jealous."

"Private conversation?" Arista repeated, dumbfounded. "With my body?!"

His grin turned impish and he moved to speak to the bottom of her tunic once more. Arista would have none of it. Shoving his face away, she let out a shriek as her husband caught her fingers with his teeth. Chuckling, he moved to blanket his form with hers, taking care to avoid putting any of his weight below her ribs. Strong hands caught her wrists and pinned them to the blankets beside her head.

Eyes sparkling with warmth, the Hatter watched her pant and squirm and giggle. Her tan skin was flushed from her cheeks down her neck and chest, a soft pink that he wanted to bite and lick and kiss, but sadly there was no time for that. Not today. So Jefferson contented himself with nuzzling his nose against hers, and stealing a quick peck.

Licking her lips, Arista hummed. Her hands eased out of his grip and up his arms. Over his shoulders. Along the dusting of stubble that lined his neck. "When will you be back?"

"Shouldn't be more than a few hours, I promise."

"Last time you said that you were gone all day." She fiddled with a curl that had fallen onto his brow. Pensive, she tried to resist frowning.

When the mermaid failed, the portal jumper was quick to press another kiss to the down turned corner of her mouth. "I'll be fine."

"You always say that, but-"

He took her hand and pressed it to his chest. "Ris."

His wife quieted.

"I'll be fine, I promise." Kissing her knuckles, he began to crawl off the bed.

"Tease!" She called after him with a pout as he strutted toward the door.

With a devilish smirk, he plucked his coat from the hanger. Swinging it flamboyantly over his shoulders, he made a show of fixing his collar and dusting off his lapels before reaching for his hat box. At her crossed arms, Jefferson assured her, "I'll see you tonight. Try and rest."

Arista glared after him as he blew her a kiss and shut the door. She was sick of resting. It felt like she had been in this bed for weeks, and the maiden would have no more of it. With a great amount of care, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

A small well of anxiety pitted in her stomach. It had been a while since she had been able to stand on her own two feet without being under Jefferson's careful eye, but she wasn't about to start relying on him for something as simple as walking.

Mind you, she was still something of a novice when it came to walking in general, but the mermaid was confident she could manage to (at the very least) get to the table by herself.

With a deep breath and squared shoulders, she grasped the edge of the bed and forced herself to stand. Teetering on unsteady feet a moment, Arista caught herself and took a deep inhale. She glared down at her feet, willing her ankles to be stronger and her calves to be thicker, for her thighs to be as muscled as they once were; but no amount of scowling was going to get her back to her former glory.

Still, she took it as a favorable sign that she could stand on her own. Since they began following Victor's regimen, Arista had found herself feeling considerably better. Less awkward and weak. Her gaze flickered around the kitchen as she toddled toward the small dining table. Her fingers touched the crocheted table cloth that rested on top, but she didn't pause.

It was past dusk when her husband finally poked his head in the door. Hat skewed slightly on his brow, he frowned at the sight of the empty bed. His dour expression quickly blossomed into joy at the sight of his wife elbow deep in a bowl of...something. Something with far too much flour and not enough liquids, as was her particular (terrible) baking style. Still, even the idea of having to eat dry, eggshell filled, pastries wasn't enough to knock the grin from his face. "You're up!"

Arista blinked, her furrowed brow smoothing as she lost her concentration. She smiled. "Yes. I'm feeling much better today. Less…" she wrinkled her nose. "Heavy."

"Well, you should still take it easy." Jefferson shut and locked the door behind him before making his way over to her. Ignoring how her hands dusted his jacket with flour, he let her pull him into a soft kiss and a gentle brush of their foreheads before he handed her a small dish towel from beside the sink.

The woman took it from him and began to wipe off her hands. Nonchalant, she shrugged. "I'm fine. It's passed."

A hint of a frown pulled at his lips at her caprice. "It's just...in your unique condition…"

Curiosity tilted her head. "My condition is unique?"

"I would say so." He chuckled. "Just take it slow, alright?"

"I am," his wife assured him before turning back to the mess she would try to pass off as biscuits. "How was your trip? Did you find the Pridwen?"

"Yeah, idiot had it up on display in his courtyard."

Arista snickered, then scowled as her husband moved to try to add more milk to her bowl. Shoving his hand away, she snipped, "No!"

"Yes!"

"No, it doesn't need that."

"Yes, it does, Rissy, this happens every time."

"You'll eat them and you'll damn well like them."

"You don't even like them."

She shrugged. "I just like making things. We were never allowed to cook for ourselves in the ocean...mostly because we don't cook things...but still. It's been a long while since I've been able to feed myself."

As always, curiosity pulled at him as she spoke so casually about her home. "Not allowed?"

"It's a commoner's job to gather food for the court."

"So, what? You're some kinda fancy mermaid lady?" Jefferson grinned roguishly and turned her around. Hands caressing her waist and thumbing her hips, he pressed against her. "That's kinda hot."

Arista rolled her eyes. Still, she enjoyed his chest against hers and how he ground his pelvis into her thigh, so she simply wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, well, don't get too excited. When I left the ocean, I gave up all my titles as well."

"What kind of titles?"

"None of your business, that's what kind."

The Hatter huffed as she moved to wash her hands. He quickly pushed the entire bowl into the sink. As the disgusting contents slowly slid out, he grabbed it and began to shake the entire bowl with an absolutely unapologetic, "Oops!"

His wife glared at his jovial, proud features, and warned, "I'll kill you."

"You can't kill me! I brought presents."

Interest sparkled in her brown eyes. Still, she crossed her arms just to let him know he wouldn't be forgiven so easily. Ignoring how her wet hands and forearms stained her thin pink tunic, she lifted her chin. "They better be good."

Jefferson opened his satchel and produced a small box. Trying and failing to restrain his smile, he handed it to her before he moved to hold her from behind. Chin on her shoulder and hands resting delicately on her stomach, he thumbed at the slight swell tenderly.

Nimble fingers quickly picked the blue ribbon off. As it fluttered to the floor, Arista pulled off the lid and tilted her head. "Uh, they're awfully cute, Jefferson, but…" She lifted one of the little booties out. "I don't they're my size."

He snickered and took the other one from the box before taking it from her. He tossed it to counter behind them. His hand took his wife's wrist and he held the little boots together. At her curious frown, he explained, "They're not for you. They're for the baby."

"Baby?" Her frown deepened. "What baby?"

"Well, we are expecting."

The mermaid spun so fast he all but had to jump out of the way. Bracing himself against the sink, he swore as she grabbed him by the lapels. "We are?!" When he only managed a dumbfounded nod, the blonde all but leapt into his arms. Peppering his face with kisses and giggles, she took him by the cheeks as tears began to stream down her own. "Oh Jefferson! That's wonderful! How?! When did-?"

Chuckling, Jefferson took her by the hips. As he eased her back, he buried his face in her neck and sighed. "Careful, Ris." His fingers stroked at her waist. "We have to be careful."

"Sorry." Shaky hands cupped his neck. Arista didn't know much about mammal biology. There had been whales in Never Land, but they were rare. The only others they had were dolphins, but surely there would be some differences in parturition. She nuzzled her temple at his as tears sprung to her eyes. With a brilliant smile and a watery laugh, the young blonde looked back at the booties. "They're adorable! Will their feet really be so small?! How will they walk?!"

Her husband rubbed her lower back. Smirking, the Hatter set his head on hers as she fiddled with the rattle. "Well, it takes time to learn."

Her gaze turned skeptical. "How long?"

"About a year."

"A year?!"

Jefferson shrugged. "Humans are a bit more stubborn than most."

"I should say so," she scoffed with a wrinkled nose. "A year." Unable to keep her scowl in place, she giggled and met his gaze. At his warm blue eyes, Arista pulled him close. "This is the best news… it's more than I ever could have hoped for." She kissed him softly. "Thank you."

His thumb cupped her jaw, the calloused skin rough and enticing as he murmured, "I'm sorry I didn't explain better. I just assumed-"

"It's fine." The mermaid didn't want apologies. She wanted to celebrate. As his hand fell, hers rose to stroke the prickly stubble that lined his neck. A breathy chuckle left her.

The sound earned a crooked grin from the portal jumper. "What?"

"I just...I wasn't sure we'd ever…" Her eyes grew misty once more as her smile went from fond to bright.

"I know." Jefferson held her close. "I didn't either."

Hugging his arm, she leaned back against him. Her heart felt like it would burst. Arista had never wanted children. Her whole life the very idea had turned her stomach. They were a job, a burden, something that would make her less of an individual and nothing more than a guardian. It hadn't been until she had started her life on land that she had even let herself entertain the idea, and it wasn't until she had married Jefferson and learned what a family could be that she actually wanted them for her own...for their own.

His fingers wound with hers and he playfully spun her around. They two stepped a moment before breaking apart. With a laugh, Jefferson steered her toward the bed. His wife let him sit her down before he moved to strip.

Crossing her legs (and tactfully ignoring how she flashed her crotch in the process), she watched him undress. Pleased to see he had put on a bit of weight in the past months, she eyed the scattering of chest hair and the curves of his biceps with appreciation before getting back to the matter at hand. "So when can I see it?"

"See what?" He asked, shooting her a curious glance as he pulled off his boots.

"The egg."

"Egg?" Jefferson repeated.

Arista's brow furrowed. "I was under the impression human partnership required both of the couple to rear the child." She frowned as he undid his belt. "I want to do my part in the initial phases as well."

With a chuckle, he kicked away his leather pants. "Ris, what're you talking about?"

"You said we were having a baby!"

The Hatter blinked at her frustration. "We are. You are."

His wife sat up on her knees. Cheeks flushed and a bit dizzy, she shook her head. "But I don't have it!"

"Yes you do." One hand went to cup her shoulder, to steady her, while the other touched her stomach reverently. A fond smile crossed his lips. "It's in here."

Dread crept through the mermaid. "I...I don't understand."

"Didn't Rumple explain this to you?"

"No." A pout formed on her pink mouth. "Regina was the one who told me about my anatomy. She said I could have children, but-" She put her hand over his and hoped he couldn't feel her stomach twist in disgust. "She never said anything about it being parasitic."

"It's not a parasite! It's our child!"

Horrified, Arista paid his annoyance no mind. Shaking her head, she began to ramble, "No, no, no. It can't be inside! It can't be! It's not safe in there! I can't-" Tears flowed over her lashes. Her hands found her stomach and dug into the soft flesh. "I can't protect it or talk to it or soothe it in there! It's- it's-"

"Hey, hey, easy, Arista." Jefferson pried her hands away and forced them to her sides as she began to hyperventilate. "It's gonna be alright." He offered her a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He had never liked seeing her upset, and seeing her upset over something they had wanted so bad made his heart ache. "It's only natural-"

"Not for me it isn't!" She wretched away from him. The mermaid immediately missed his touch. "I thought you had it! It's not supposed to be like this, Jefferson. I can't-"

He interrupted her with a kiss. Firm enough to shut her up for a moment. "Breathe, Ris. It's alright. Come on, breathe."

The mermaid obeyed. Taking a few deep gulps of air, she hugged him close. Nuzzling into her husband's neck, the warm skin of his chest comforting and grounding, she forced herself to calm. Voice low, she sniffled, "I don't understand."

Jefferson stroked her hair.

She fell back on her butt. Rubbing her knees, she stared at his stomach. Touching the smooth skin above his belly button, she sighed. "In the ocean, our eggs are fertilized and then we watch over them until they're ready to hatch." She smiled, but it was unsteady. "We- we can see the process." Arista met his gaze, but could only stand the pity in it a moment. She let her hand fall with her eyes. "We can watch them grow from the size of a brine shrimp into themselves." Swallowing thickly, she covered her face with her hand. "They're- they're a part of the family before they even say a word. This is-"

"Human," The Hatter finished. "This is how humans reproduce. The female carries it to term then gives birth."

"Birth," Arista repeated. "You mean like dolphins? Where the babe just…" She paled. "Forces its way out of you?"

"Well, yes."

Her stomach rolled and her whole body constricted. "Neptune's Nines, no."

"I'm sorry." Jefferson took a seat beside her. Tentatively running his hand down her back, he swallowed. "I thought you knew. Regina didn't tell you?"

"No!" She flopped back on the bed. "She just said my period meant I could have children, she didn't say how!" Arista bit her lips, before she asked, "It's really inside me? Right now?"

Her husband smiled as some of the dread in her tone shifted into curiosity. "Yeah, it's right here."

Arista's features furrowed when he touched her lower abdomen. As he stroked his thumb over her pink tunic, she focused intensely before deflating. "I don't feel anything."

Jefferson laid next to her. On his side, he peered down at her with a warm expression she had come to expect, but was still not entirely used to seeing on a man. Her hand found his hair as he spoke, "It's still small. When it gets bigger, you'll be able to."

Warily, she asked how big it was expected to get.

"I don't know." He didn't have much (okay any) experience with babies. "A few pounds, maybe?"

"Pounds? Pounds?!" She screamed.

"Ris, you've got to calm down-"

"How am I supposed to take care of something I can't see?!" Arista all but head butted him; her forehead seeking the comfort of his as panic rose in her once again. "What if it's upset? I won't be able to tell."

"The best way to take care of it is to take care of yourself. It won't cry or fuss until it's born."

"Really?"

Jefferson nodded. Brushing a piece of gold hair from her eyes, he thumbed her pink cheek. "But you can still bond with it. Talk to it-"

The mermaid tilted her head. "Is that what you've been doing? Bonding with it?"

He smiled and dipped his chin, a bit embarrassed. "Yeah."

"Show me how," She pleaded with a whisper.

The Hatter shrugged. "You don't have to say or do anything in particular. Just talk. Nicely. Loud enough for him to hear."

"It's a boy?!"

He smirked at her eagerness. "Could be."

His wife frowned at his amusement. "I don't understand."

"I was just teasing. There's no way to tell what it'll be until it's born." He stroked her temple with his thumb. "It's only been a few weeks. We still have a while to go."

"Oh."

"Disappointed?"

She laid down beside him. When his arms opened for her, Arista was quick to settle against his chest. Kissing his collarbones, first the left, then the right, she sighed. "Things are just so different here. In the sea, we'd know so much about them by now. Their size, their sex, their coloring." A wistful smile crossed her lips as he pressed his mouth to her brow. "I'd even know what they liked; if they preferred warm currents or cool ones, what noises to make to comfort them…" Her features fell. "Here I'm just a vessel."

Jefferson kissed her brow again, then her nose and finally her mouth. As she leaned in, he leaned back, earning a grumble from his wife. Smiling slightly, he cupped her chin. "You're it's mother. That's a sacred bond, you know. You're the first person they'll ever love."

Arista smirked, but it was weak; both of them painfully aware of how little he thought of his own mother. She licked her lips. "How long will it take?" The blonde forced herself to smile. "Before we can see it?"

He offered her a sympathetic cringe and rubbed her stomach. "It's gonna be a while."

Her gaze narrowed. "Weeks?"

"More like months."

"Months," she repeated. Eyes wide, she let out a horrified laugh. "What do you mean months?!"

"These things take time." The slim man nosed her cheek. "Think of it like this; these are the last few months we are ever gonna be alone. Just the two of us…"

She smiled despite her reservations.

"Let's enjoy them." His mouth found hers. Lips just barely brushing hers, he purred, "Let's enjoy each other."

After their lovemaking, when Arista's back was pressed tightly to his chest, Jefferson stroked her stomach. Chin resting on her shoulder, he leaned his head against hers and paid no mind the sweat that clung to her body. "Ris?"

"Hm?"

"You're going to get up tomorrow, right?"

"That sounds...incredibly ominous."

"I just mean-"

"I know what you mean." A hand went back to touch his cheek. After nearly gouging him in the eye, she found his jaw and thumbed it. "I'll try. I don't know what's wrong with me." She looked back at him. His features were tired, tinted with worry and sleep. "It's not you. I'm not trying to hurt you or avoid you, it's just...today's been the first day I've felt even vaguely like myself in so long. Not mentally but physically, but I don't want to make promises I can't keep."

His arm tightened around her ribs as her voice cracked. "Victor thinks it's because you're a mermaid."

"Could be."

"Do you think it's safe?" He whispered, dreading her answer. "Having children?"

"I don't know," she admitted as he pinned her to his chest. "I don't know if I'll be able to care for them the way they deserve. Some days I can't even get out of bed...some days I don't even realize…"

Jefferson kissed her ear. "But you were better today."

"I know. I hope it lasts."

And to their surprise, it did.