AN: Thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story so far!
"Who was on the tele Mary?" Matthew asked, looking up from where he was reading to the twins, who contentedly cuddled against their papa's chest.
"It was Sybil. She wants to come to stay with us when it's time for the baby to be born." Mary said, and took a seat in the rocking chair. "What do you think? I know it's several months away still, but It would be lovely to have her here with me. Tom would come with her of course, and they would really stay at the Abbey. I think they should come."
"I see you've already made up your mind darling. And that's perfectly alright with me." Matthew agreed, laughing as little William grabbed at his nose. Mary smiled at the sight, and then bent forward to scoop Catherine out of his arms. She planted dozens of kisses on the babies face, until the little girl was giggling, and pressing sloppy kisses all over her mothers chin. "So beautiful. She's all you Mary, truly." Matthew sighed. He felt absolutely content.
"All me you say? Where do you suppose her blonde hair and blue eyes came from darling? I hardly think she got them from me!" Mary laughed as she stared down at the sweet little girl who was playing with the embroidered flowers on her blouse.
"Well, I suppose I can take credit for that- but her features are all yours darling." He insisted. After a few moments, William began to fuss, and Matthew rose from his seat on the floor. "I think someone is hungry, darling." He said. Mary nodded and smiled, and they handed off the children- something they had become experts at by now. As Mary took her son in her arms, and unbuttoned her blouse, Matthew watched in wonder as his wife fed their child.
"Clarkson says I've got to wean them, because the new baby will need to be fed as well. But I hate to lose this. This special time I have with them everyday. Just me and my little prince." She sighed whistfully, and began rocking in time to a tune she hummed. Matthew smiled at her, and then looked down at his daughter, Who was chewing contendly on her chubby fingers.
"Someday, Catherine, when you're older- much older- we will go to grand balls, and dozens of men will line up to ask you to dance with them, to beautiful music like this- though not quite as beautiful as your mothers voice. But you must always, always save a dance for your Papa." Matthew insisted as he began swaying his girl around in slow circles, much like a dance. After a moment, Matthew's rich voice joined in with Mary's humming, much to his daughters delight. "I would say such wonderful things to you, there would be such wonderful things to do, if you were the only girl in the world, and I were the only boy."
"Not the only girl, I should think darling. I should hope I would be there as well." Mary said with a sly smile.
"Oh, but you're no girl, Mary, youre a woman. A beautiful, wonderful woman." Matthew said, and Mary's cheeks filled with heat.
"I don't feel very beautiful. I feel huge. Absolutely enormous, actually. Like a horse. I'm fat." Mary grumbled.
"Love, you're five months pregnant, not fat. And even so, the doctor always says you could stand to gain a few pounds. Even for a pregnant woman you're very dainty- and even more beautiful than I have ever seen you." Matthew insisted. Mary smiled at him, and tilted her head to the side just so.
"Well, now you've done it darling." She purred as she adjusted Willaim over her shoulder to burp him.
"Done what?" Matthew asked innocently.
"Oh, darling, you see, you've said it exactly right. And once the children are napping, I shall simply have to fulfill my Wildest fantasy." She whispered as she stood with the now dozing baby, and went to lay him in his crib. Matthews neck flamed as he looked at his wife with shock.
"That's hardly an appropriate thing to say in front of your children." Matthew said as he laid the yawning baby girl in her crib.
"Oh but darling, I want it so terribly much." Mary insisted, throwing herself into her husbands now empty arms.
"Well, alright." He consented. He leaned in and kissed her until she sighed into his mouth.
"But what will Mrs. Bird say?" Mary asked.
"What?" Matthew pulled away from her, and stared at his wife's crooked smile.
"Well, I think she may be angry with me when I take and consume the entire chocolate cake she's made for tonight for lunch...but oh, it will be so good to have that Little dream of mine fulfilled." Mary sighed, watching with delight as her husbands face fell just so slightly. "Oh, don't worry darling, after my lunch, I'll still want dessert..." She purred as she ran her hand down his chest, and watched with delight as he swallowed, watching the knob in his throat rise and fall. She took his hand and pulled him towards the nursery door.
"You're playing with Fire, Mary." He cautioned.
"Then I will simply have to put it out." She shrugged, and pulled him to her, planting a firm kiss on his mouth, and savouring the feeling of his hands on her back, and then on her hips, her arms. She pulled away, and gave him her most suductive smile. "After luncheon that is." She whispered, planting a kiss on his lips and then sashaying down the stairs, leaving behind a dumbfounded husband.
AN: Thanks to everybody who's read and reviewed this story! You make my life worth wild!