It took two weeks of riding for Alanna and Liam to get through the snow and down to Pirate's Swoop, much to both of their annoyance. They split ways when they hit the Swoop, and Liam pushed his tired horse to a gallop as he rode South towards Olivia's cottage. The leaves of the trees along the way were all orange and red, falling down in piles. How could it still be fall here when the snow had taken at least ten of his men two weeks ago up North? At last the break in the trees came, and Liam slowed his horse down. He rounded the bend and saw the cottage, all covered with green vines now. His dreary thoughts disappeared immediately when he his eyes rested on her, crouched in the garden. The jingle from his horse's reigns caused her to stand up, and she turned to look at him, her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun sinking behind him.

He dismounted and tied his horse to the post absent-mindedly, looking her over. She blushed at his gaze, looking at the ground as she tucked a piece of hair that had fallen loose from her messy braid behind her ear and smoothed her hands over the over-sized shirt that stretched tight over her large stomach. Dirt stained her hands as well as her clothes, evidence of a long day in the garden.

They both stood there for a moment, Liam unsure of what to do until at last Olivia looked up and met his eyes. As soon as she looked at him, he strode over to her without hesitation, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her desperately. She responded eagerly, sliding her arms around his neck and moving one hand gently through the hair on the back of his head.

All thoughts fled from his mind as they kissed, and he picked her up, some part of him registering the extra weight on her as he opened up her door and moved quickly through the little cottage to her bed. He put her down on it gently, kissing her again and moving to pull her shirt up over her head. To Liam's surprise, she pulled back, turning her head and pushing his hand away.

Liam sat back, looking her over and seeing her blush. "Olivia, what's wrong?" he asked, reaching out to place a hand on her cheek and gently forcing her to look at him.

"I just," Olivia stopped, blushing again. "I wish I'd known you were coming. I'm dirty and huge and you are used to court beauties with make up and small waists and perfumes and—"

Liam's laugh cut her off. "Olivia, I've been living in a tent for months with men who thought bathing was a luxury, not a necessity, and you're big with our baby. I don't care about any of that. When did you get insecure?"

Olivia frowned. "It's this damned pregnancy. It makes me all…emotional. I hate it. Do you know I found a dead squirrel and I cried for hours. Over a dead squirrel! And it's all your fault!"

Liam smiled again, moving to lean against the backboard and pulling her into his lap. "Well, I'm sorry for making you emotional. I promise to do it at most only a few more times in the future, and not for a few years here." Olivia chuckled softly, and he nuzzled her neck, breathing in the earthy smell of her. He kicked his boots off as he kissed her, then reached down and removed her shoes and sock, running his finger lightly over her ankles and smiling she shivered slightly at the touch. He leaned back and pulled her against his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head as he undid her braid and tangled his fingers through her hair.

"Liam," Olivia said quietly, breaking the silence after a few moments, "What happened?"

Liam shook his head. "Later. I'll tell you later. For now, I just want to forget, forget all of it."

Olivia nodded, reaching her fingers up to touch his face and kissing him gently on the lips. She pulled back so she could look at him and smiled. "I think I can help you with that," she whispered, shifting so that she could kiss him more easily.

This time when Liam reached a hand up under her shirt, she didn't stop him. She let him explore the curve of her admittedly large stomach. He gently pulled her shirt up and over her head, then moved his hand to caress the sides of her breasts.

"You know," he said in conversational tone, "Your stomach isn't the only thing that's grown quite large over these past few months."

Olivia grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. "Wretch."

Liam caught her wrist before she could hit him again. Easily, he gripped both of them in one hand, pulling them back up overhead so she arched her back and smiled.

Liam leaned down and kissed her neck and her shoulder, running his spare hand over her, moving slowly as he explored the changes to her body. He released her hands and sat back on his heels between her legs.

"You are still as beautiful as ever," he said decisively. "Maybe even more beautiful."

With a little more difficulty then usual, Olivia propped herself up into a sitting position. She reached up and brushed his hair off his forehead. "You're not too bad yourself, tiger," she said softly, searching his face before she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the mouth.

The kiss deepened easily, and Liam quickly slid off the rest of their clothes. He lay on his side next to her, trailing his fingers up her inner leg and settling between them. She gasped and gripped the blanket under her as he touched, and he smiled as he heard her whisper his name. He began to move between her legs, then pulled back slightly and frowned. "How?" he asked.

Olivia laughed and turned him over. "Why don't you let me take care of it? I think you could use a little relaxation," she said huskily, kissing him again before she straddled him and gradually slid down around him, making them both gasp with pleasure. She moved slowly against him, drawing it out. Liam put his hands on her hips and moved his own to match hers. As was always the case with her, Liam felt like he was doing exactly what he was supposed to, like he was home. This time, he also felt a warmth and security that made him feel safe for the first time since he'd left her. At last she sped up, bringing them both seamlessly to their finish before she lay down next to him.

She slid an arm under his neck, pulling him gently to her so his head lay against her chest. He rubbed his hand slowly over her stomach, and she gently massaged the back of his neck with the tips of her fingers.

"Thank you," Liam said softly, kissing her collarbone.

Olivia chuckled softly and kissed the top of his head. "Just returning an old favor you'd done for me, ohmi, and I must admit I didn't mind much anyways."

Liam lay there for a few minutes, just listening to her heartbeat. Finally, he said, "I led my men knowingly into a bloodbath. We ended the war with one battle, but I lost almost all of my fighters. And then I lost even more after the battle as the snow fell and the food dwindled. I walked into that battle with three hundred some people. I walked off that field thirty-seven, and nineteen made it until our reinforcements showed up."

"But the war is over now?"

"Yes, and the force we defeated was on its way to our main food stores. They were looking to starve us and the whole area."

"You did right, Liam. I know that doesn't help much, but you know you did right."

"I know," Liam replied quietly. "But I marched my people in for death."

"It should weigh down on you. You wouldn't be a commander, or even a decent human being, if those deaths didn't weigh on you. But don't feel guilty, Liam. Feel sorrow for the results of war, but this isn't your guilt to bear."

Liam propped himself up and kissed her. "You always know what to say."

Olivia smiled. "I try. Now, when's the last time you slept through the night? Or ate a decent meal? Don't you dare lie to me."

"I can't even remember the last time I slept more then a few hours. I had a few decent meal the last few days. Aunt Alanna stood over me and growled whenever I tried to leave food on my plate."

"Well, then sleep now, ohmi," Olivia said, sitting up slightly. "I'm going to take a bath."

Liam reached up and pulled her down to him. "No."

Olivia laughed. "No?"

"No. You are staying here and sleeping with me," Liam said, moving her on her side and spooning around her.

"But I'm dirty," Olivia whined.

"I don't care. You're staying here with me."

"Fine," Olivia sighed, snuggling back against him.

Liam felt her breathing become more rhythmic, and he tried to match his to hers, hoping it would help him sleep. Suddenly, she gasped breaking into his calm and causing him to sit straight up. "What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Your baby decided to make herself known."

"Himself," Liam said automatically.

Olivia laughed and took his hand, moving his hand over her belly. She paused, her hand on top of his, when Liam felt a slight kick under his hand.

"That is amazing," Liam said, wonder filling his voice.

"Isn't it. She, or he, will do that for a while. Just leave your hand there and you'll feel most of it."

"Does it hurt?"

"Not really. The first time is always a little bit of a surprise, but it doesn't hurt."

Liam felt another kick and smiled. "We have a strong child in there."

"Of course we do, it's ours," Olivia replied.

Liam lay back down behind her, keeping his hand on her belly. Between Olivia's breathing and the soft kicks under his hand, Liam had no trouble falling into a peaceful and dream-free sleep.

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