Gabriel sent Ibriel packing with nothing but his bags of fruit and his scrolls.
As Ibriel landed outside the borders of Eden, he decided to station himself leagues away from Lilith residence. It was more for his safety than anything. At least that's what he told himself. He had been thinking about Lilith a lot and he didn't know what it meant. So he decided to keep his distance. He was careful at first. He made sure to keep his distance, both from Lilith and her demons. He didn't wish to stir up any conflict. He knew his presence would come as a shock.
So he kept hidden.
He observed small groups of demons days on end. It had worked out well, until one fateful morning when he decided to station himself outside an oasis.
The first thing Ibriel did that morning was pitch his tent besides the water. He'd had enough of the hiding. He wished to bask in the sun, if only for a few hours. Ibriel had been so sure of himself, that he was alone, but that wasn't the case today.
There was a rustle by the tall grass.
Ibriel stopped his work and looked over to the source.
"Hello?" He called out. "Hello? Is someone out there?"
There was silence. He pushed his sword belt to his back to show he had no cause to harm anyone near the area. He wasn't scared. He hadn't seen any demons that were a threat, in these parts. He lifted his hands in the air to make sure to notify whoever was in the area, that he meant no harm.
"Hello?" He tried again. "I mean no harm."
He was about to give up when he heard a hiss call out from the back of him. He turned around quickly afraid something would attack. When he spun around he found a demon with a spear in his hand.
"What is a son of God doing all the way out here?" Ophur asked.
"I uh… I am…" Ibriel lifted his hands and smiled. It was a nervous smile. This was the first sign of a demon his size. He hadn't been able to catalog anything bigger than three feet. Ibriel must have been too excited to see something of his stature because he extended his hand in invitation. "Hello!"
Ophur lifted his eyebrow questioning the angel's friendliness.
"Or not…" Ibriel pulled his hand away. He looked over at the spear and motioned to it. "I would gladly appreciate it if you lowered your weapon," Ibriel voiced. The demon did no such thing. "I mean no harm, truly. I'm just scouting the area for life."
"Life?" Ophur asked. He lowered his spear and stood tall.
"Yes. I uh… was here not too long ago. I am…"
"You're the angel that talked with Lilith?"
"Yes!" Ibriel smiled as he thought it was a good thing to say. He tried stepping forward, but Ophur picked up his spear and pointed at Ibriel. The angel stopped in his tracks and lowered his hand.
"What do you want?"
The angel lifted his hands showing he meant no harm. Ibriel's scroll was on full display for Ophur to see. His eyes scanned down and noticed the work Ibriel had out. He extended his weapon and poked at the papers. He could see drawings of some sort, but didn't know the meaning. He looked back and forth from Ibriel and the papers. When the angel didn't reply, he shoved the point of his spear against Ibriel's throat.
"To get the lay of the land!" Ibriel squawked. "Truly, I am not here to harm anyone."
"Why are you drawing the outline of my home?"
"This is your home?" Ibriel asked. He looked around not entirely sure where it began and ended.
"Up on the ridge. I've been watching you."
The two looked over at the hill not too far away. Ibriel looked back at the demon impressed.
"You're very sneaky," Ibriel stated. "I had no knowledge that anyone was in this area. I tried staying away... I am more than willing to leave this area if I have threatened you."
"You don't look very threatening," Ophur stated. He lifted his spear and poked Ibriel with the dull end. He chuckled as the angel slapped it away.
"I can be… if I wanted." Ibriel puffed out his chest.
Ophur wasn't at all convinced. He poked at Ibriel pushing him further away from him.
"Are you up for a match boy?" Ophur opened his arms wide ready for a match, but Ibriel shook his head. "No?"
"It's rude to pick fights in one's home."
"It's also rude to visit someone else's land uninvited."
Ibriel let a frown fall upon his face. "I… I apologize for that. I did not know."
The demon searched the angel's face to see if he was lying. As far as he could tell, he was telling the truth.
"I see…" Ophur stuck his spear into the ground. "Why are you here? We've done nothing wrong."
"Of course not! No one is accusing the demons of anything." Ibriel shook his head. "I'm just here to scour the land and do my work."
"That's all?"
"Yes…" Ibriel kept his composure making sure not to give Ophur a reason to doubt him. One wrong move and he was sure he would be a goner. "I can move, if it pleases you."
"No... I want to be able to have eyes on you. You may stay... So long as you are truthful with your words when you say you are not here to harm us."
"I am. I wouldn't violate guest rights… I uh... May I know your name?" Ibriel asked.
"No." Ophur turned around. He wished to leave.
"I'm Ibriel…" He called out. Ophur stopped in his tracks and turned back around to face the angel.
"Ibriel," Ophur let the name roll off his tongue. The name felt foreign to his tongue.
"Yes, correct. And you are?"
"None of your business," Ophur replied. He didn't wish to communicate with the angel anymore.
"Oh…" Ibriel frowned. "That's fine. I understand. New person in your home. I'm an Angel… I'd be skeptical as well."
"And why's that?" He lifted his spear once more, pointing it at Ibriel.
"Oh! Easy now, easy!" Ibriel's hands were up in the air. "I was just expressing how alert you are. You're afraid."
"I'm not afraid. I'm being protective."
"Protective? What are you protecting?"
"My children," he said.
The tall grass started to rustle once more. Ibriel turned his head in curiosity. Before he could get a good look at what was around them, Ophur had his spear pressed against Ibriel's neck. The demon read off words in a different language signaling the children to stay hidden. He could see them starting to poke their heads from out of the tall grass.
"Don't even think about it," he told Ibriel. "Keep your eyes to the sky."
"I mean no harm... I have siblings that are babes."
Ophur ignored Ibriel's words. He raised his voice in a foreign language, startling the angel. When he was sure the children were out of the area, he pulled his spear back, finally addressing him once more. He looked upon the thin line of blood falling from Ibriel's throat.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to harm you."
Ibriel lifted his hand to his neck and quickly wiped it away. He understood. He didn't hold it against the demon. He was only protecting his children. Ibriel shook his head, dismissing the demon's concern.
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt."
Ophur nodded his head.
"You are in their play area. They like to swim in the oasis."
The angel looked over to the body of water and frowned. He had no idea.
"I can move," Ibriel offered.
"No. I've instructed them to play somewhere else."
"I really have no problem with…"
"I said you could stay," Ophur stressed.
Ibriel nodded his head in understanding. He raised his hands in surrender.
"I'll be keeping an eye on you, angel. If I see you so much as a mile near my children... I won't hesitate to kill you."
"You're well within your rights. But I promise you they are not my priority."
"Either way, stay away from them," he threatened.
"I will," Ibriel replied. "I will be perched here until the morning."
"Then you go back home?"
Ibriel shook his head.
"I will visit Lilith."
Ophur gritted his teeth. He wasn't happy about the idea of Ibriel visiting Lilith while she was with child, but there was little he could do. The demon nodded his head. He picked up his spear and turned away. Their conversation was over.
"It was nice meeting you," Ibriel called out. "I look forward to seeing more of you!"
Ophur just shook his head. He wasn't at all pleased to know he would be sharing land with a son of God. Just as he was about to exit the tall grass, he stopped and clicked his tongue. A rustle came from the tall grass and out popped a child. Ibriel stood amazed that he was able to see a small demon. The child looked human. He watched as it clung to its father's leg. He couldn't make out the conversation the two were exchanging, but he could tell that the father was scolding the babe. He had no doubt the demon was informing the child about staying away. Before the child could become curious, Ophur pulled them away.
Ibriel was once again alone with his work. He lifted the scroll back and looked over the details. He made two tally marks in the corner to remind him of his sightings. Two new demons were just reported.
.
.
The flaps of the tapestry opening, forced Lilith to turn around. Before she could register her visitor, she immediately came into contact with a pair of arms wrapping around her legs. Lilith looked down and found her daughter smiling up at her.
"Why hello, my sweet," Lilith said. She brushed Mazikeen's hair out of the way so she could see her beautiful face.
"Hi mama!" Mazikeen flashed his mother a toothy smile.
"What can I do for you?"
"We have a visitor... Papa didn't want me to tell you, but I know you don't like it when I keep secrets."
"Is that so? Who is Ophur keeping from me?"
In order to entice her daughter to open up, Lilith ushered her daughter over to the bed. She lifted her up and sat her down on the pillows. Mazikeen immediately got comfortable. She patted the spot besides her so her mother could sit as well. Lilith smiled and sat down besides her daughter.
"So tell me. Who was your father hiding from me?" She brushed her hand along Mazikeen's hair.
"An angel!" She said in awe.
"An angel?" Lilith smiled down at her daughter. "Was it a mean one?" She asked with curiosity.
Mazikeen shook her head.
"Papa scared him," she giggled. "The angel was scared of him."
"He was?" Lilith tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear. She knew of the angel her daughter was talking about. She had heard the whispers of an angel stationed about the region not too far away. When the tales of a golden haired beauty were spotted, he knew it was Ibriel. She smiled down at her daughter encouraging her to continue.
"Yeah! He didn't even use his sword. That's how scared he was."
"Oh, I wouldn't count our angel friend out, my sweet. You never have to use a weapon to be dangerous. It helps, but skilled fighters can use their hands. I wouldn't count the angel out just yet, Mazikeen. He could easily hurt your father."
"Oh… why didn't he?"
"The angel probably didn't want to. He was smart not to challenge your father." Lilith booped her daughter on the nose. "I'd probably beat him if he touched your father."
Mazikeen let out a giggle.
"Mama is scary when she's mad."
"I am, aren't I?" Lilith leaned forward and kissed her daughter's cheek. "No one messes with my babies."
"I'm not a baby!"
"You're not? Then what are you?"
"I'm a big girl!"
Lilith let a chuckle roll out her mouth.
"Is that so?"
Lilith leaned forward and started tickling her daughter. A round of giggling rang out into the cave. Mazikeen fell back into the pillows as her mother leaned into her. The flaps of the tapestry opened once more revealing another guest. The two stopped their fun and looked over. Their visitor was Ophur. He looked over to the two and smiled.
"I thought I told you to watch your sisters," he calls out.
He moved into the cave and locked eyes on his daughter. Mazikeen lifted herself up and held a scrunched face toward her father.
"I don't like Ramal! She cries too much!" She folded her arms across her chest and pouted.
"She cries because you don't play with her." He walked over to the pair and stood besides Lilith. "I'm sorry, this one got away from me."
"No, you're fine." Lilith lifted Mazikeen onto her lap so they could face Ophur. "Although, the child has informed me that we have a visitor you've been keeping from me." She lifted her eyebrow.
The demon swallowed the spit inside his mouth. He hadn't expected the information to Lilith through their daughter. He looked down at Mazikeen, she was too engrossed with mother's belly to care what was going on. When his eyes traveled back to Lilith, he squirmed under her gaze. She was waiting for his answer.
"I apologize… I was going to tell you, but our daughter beat me to it."
"When did you meet with Ibriel?" She asked.
"Not too long ago…" Ophur shook his head, confused. "You already know it was Ibriel?"
"I have my own scouts that report back to me. I'm surprised it's taken you this long to come across him."
"I've been tracking him for some time…" He replied. "This was his first time coming in this close to the ridge. He's out by the water beds. The children almost revealed themselves."
"I told you not to let them play out in the open, especially by the water. They could hurt themselves."
"They have to learn how to survive by themselves."
Lilith rolled her eyes. She looked down at her daughter and placed a kiss on the crown of her head. She knew he was right.
"He wishes to see you tomorrow," Ophur stated.
"Something tells me you told him not too."
"Am I out of bounds for not wanting you to meet with him? You are with child. My child." He tried stepping forward to touch her stomach, but she lifted her hand to stop him. He pulled back his hand and kept it at his side.
"What if I am? I'm not helpless. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."
"No… I know you are. It's just…"
"Just what Ophur?" She pressed.
The demon dropped down on one knee, lowering his head.
"Something just doesn't sit well with me knowing he's here."
"It is just Ibriel is it not?"
"Yes, but…"
"But nothing. He was nice the last time we spoke. He supplied fruit that your babes ate. He's a guest. Treat him as one."
"I…" Lilith lifted her hand once more, silencing him. He let out a sigh. "As you wish." He bowed his head and got back up to his feet. "I never told him not to come by. He had informed me that he will be paying you a visit in the morning… I thought you should know."
"Thank you." She dropped her eyes to her daughter and placed a kiss upon her head. "It's time for you to go with your father my sweet."
"But I don't want to go. I want to play with the baby in your tummy."
Lilith smiled into her daughter's hair. She placed another kiss on her crown before pulling away.
"Another time, my sweet. I'm afraid I have things to do."
Ophur plucked Mazikeen off of Lilith's lap and secured her on his hip. The child wrapped her arms around her father's torso. Lilith felt the look of sorrow as Mazikeen looked down at her.
"Would you like me to escort the angel over tomorrow?" Ophur asked.
"No… Let him walk about and get the lay of the land. Send the watcher out so they can make sure he gets here safely."
"The watchers?" Ophur shook his head. "You're jesting. I'll escort him over myself. I can…"
"No complaining. Do as you are told." Mazikeen looked up at her father and repeated what her mother had said. Ophur looked from mother to daughter amazed. Lilith let out a chuckle. She leaned forward and kissed her daughter.
"Listen to your daughter, Ophur." She stood up from her seat on the bed and stood up. She ran her hand along his jaw, claiming him down. "She knows I'm right."
He inhaled a breath of air before nodding his head. "Fine." Lilith let a smile spread across her face. "Can I at least have a kiss for my troubles?"
"I guess…" She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. Ophur pulled her close, relishing in their contact. Mazikeen quickly tried pulling them apart, disgusted.
"Mama, noooo." She pushed her mother away harder.
The two quickly pulled apart laughing.
"What, I can't kiss your father?" Lilith asked.
"Nooo," the child said.
"Well, you heard her." Lilith stepped back and put some distance between the demon and her. "You should head out before my lady arrives."
"I can stick around and be here for you. I don't like how the old crown treats her mothers. She lost one of Van Ra Daath's babes not too long ago. Let me be here for you."
Lilith shook her head. She began tidying up her living space, getting ready for her midwife. Ophur stood in his spot watching Lilith move about. He had no intention of leaving. When she was done, she walked over to the entrance of her cave and pulled open the tapestry.
"I'll be fine. I'd advise you to take Mazikeen and feed her. She can get pretty destructive when she hasn't been fed."
"I'm hungry," Mazikeen murmured.
"See," Lilith pointed out.
"Papa… I'm hungry," she murmured once more.
He looked down at his daughter and lifted her up higher. The child clung to his hide, with her head on his shoulder. He could practically feel her stomach growling. He looked over to Lilith.
"Fine…" He said defeated. He didn't wish to leave, but the child came first. He kissed Mazikeen's head and walked over to the entrance and stood besides Lilith. "I'll drop some food over for you to eat later." He leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Keep an eye on the cold bat, I don't trust her."
"I always do."
"Bye mama!"
"Bye baby." She waved them off and watched as they disappeared over the hill.
.
.
The Next Day
Ibriel woke up bright and early. Without any shelter over his head, he was up half the night waiting for something to attack him. At first light, he pulled back his wings from over his huddled body and dusted off any dirt that collected on them.
He picked himself up off the floor and walked over to the oasis. He bent down and brought the water over to his face. The cold water felt nice. He washed his face and looked out towards the distance. The morning sun was barely rising. Ibriel stood up. He looked over to the ridge and found Ophur perched at the top looking at him.
The angel waved his hand, signaling a good morning to his neighbor. Ophur shook his head. He disappeared back into the shadows nowhere to be seen. Ibriel frowned. He'd have to work faster if he wanted to leave. His only hope of going home was Lilith's help.
For the meantime, he needed to tread lightly with his curious demon watching his every move.
Ibriel walked back over to his little camp and reached into his bag Gabriel had packed him. He pulled out two items of fruit and walked them over to where Ophur was last seen. He placed them down on the floor for the demon to collect. As far as he knew, there were only two of them, him and the child. He felt it was the least he could do. Ibriel turned away and made his way back over to his camp.
He spent the better half of the morning packing up his belongings and traveling to Lilith's location. He felt it was best to travel by foot. This way it didn't attract too much attention and he was able to map out the land. As he traveled through the cliff once more, he pulled back his wings. Hiding them in their special hiding spot.
He could hear footsteps above his head. His little friend soon popped out when he reached the edge of the cliff. It's little face smiling brightly recognizing the traveler.
"Why hello," Ibriel called out. "Would you mind telling Lilith I came here to see her?"
It nodded its head and took off in a hurry. Ibriel corrected the bags over his shoulders and waited for someone to step out from the cave out in the distance. He waited for almost half an hour until the tiny demon pulled back the tapestry and rushed over to him. It started talking to him in a foreign tongue instructing him to follow it.
"You want me to follow you?" He asked.
It nodded its head. Ibriel gladly followed until they were facing the entrance of the cave.
"You may come inside, Ibriel," Lilith instructed. Her voice sounded distant. He stepped forward ready to pull back the tapestry, but stopped.
"I uh… maybe it'd be best if you came outside," he said. His voice shook as he tried to talk. He was nervous.
"I'm afraid I can't at the moment. You'll have to come inside if you'd like to talk to me."
Ibriel looked down at the demon and frowned. Its hand was stretched out grabbing onto the tapestry. It nudged its head, instructing Ibriel to step inside.
"Ibriel?" Lilith called out.
"Alright…" He muttered.
He sucked up the courage and walked into the cave. He kept his hands around the straps of his bags as he walked into the dimly lit cave. He could see candles circling a pool of water. He followed the light and found Lilith bathing. He quickly turned away in shame.
"I'm terribly sorry!" He turned in his step and kept his head facing forward.
A chuckle rang out, followed by the sound of water splashing about.
"I'm only bathing," she said.
"You're naked," Ibriel replied.
"I am…" she purred.
She looked over and smiled as she could tell he was hiding something. She figured it was most likely his attraction to her.
"I can come back another time," he called out.
"Nonsense. I'm about finished."
She lifted herself out of her pool and over to her bed. Her wet body glistened in the candle light. She looked over her shoulder and still found Ibriel with his back still to her. She chuckled.
"You're an innocent one aren't you?" She asked.
"Excuse me?"
She picked her dress off her bed and slipped it over her body. The fabric stuck to her wet skin.
"I'm dressed. You don't have to hide your face anymore."
She watched as the angel slowly turned around with his bag over his front. She smiled. Ibriel kept his head low.
"Sit. You have guest rights." She motioned towards the chair besides him.
Ibriel nodded his head and quickly had himself a seat. She sat at the edge of her head. As Ibriel lifted his eyes up to meet her, he took in her beauty. Her hair was wet, but it beautifully cascaded down her shoulders. As his eyes traveled over the intricate material of her dress he noticed the bump protruding from her dress. Her hand involuntarily cupped the underside.
"I uh… congratulations! I hadn't noticed the last we spoke." Ibriel let a smile befall his face. He bowed his head in respect. His eyes tried not to focus on her bump, but he was finding it hard not to.
"Oh!" She looked down at her bump. She lifted her hand up, but felt it was better rested there. "I uh… I wasn't pregnant at the time," she replied. "But thank you."
The smile wiped off his face instantly. The tone of her voice showed she wasn't too happy about the situation. Her eyes were on her stomach almost as if she was contemplating something.
"I'm not here to hurt the babe," he spoke up. "If that's what you are worried about. I uh..." he rang out his fingers in nervousness. "I'm simply here to work on my assignment."
"An assignment?" Lilith looked up at Ibriel.
"Yes," he shook his head.
"What kind of assignment?"
He knew he was too nervous to lie to her so he spoke the truth.
"I'm not going to lie… I was asked to report how many demons are in your care. It's nothing threatening…" He talked with his hands. They moved about dismissing the thought. "I think they just wanted me out of my quarters and doing something." He let out a light chuckle to cover his nervousness. "I don't get out much."
"I can tell," Lilith smiled.
She looked over him before thinking about giving him an honest answer. She could tell he was innocent. He didn't carry himself like her lovers. He seemed to thrive in his own isolation. This nervousness was noticeable. She couldn't tell if it was because of her presence or his lying. If he was lying. She squinted her eyes and added pressure to his growing anxiety.
"How many demons have you tallied?" She asked.
"Honestly?" He thought of a reasonable answer based on the footsteps and animal carcasses lying around the lands. "About a hundred."
Lilith kept her face from showing any emotions. Ibriel was incorrect. She was thankful that Asmodeus had taken the horde out earlier than planned.
Lilith nodded her head, accepting Ibriel's observation.
"Am I close?" He asked.
"I don't keep track of the demons that your father creates and casts aside, but from my knowledge you're somewhat correct. I'd give it a dozen or two." She lied.
"More or less?"
"More." She placed her hand back on her bump and began rubbing circles.
Ibriel looked over to her bump once more. He was confused at how she could sound so sad, yet be so maternal to the babe within her. It puzzled him. He wasn't sure how long he'd been watching her, but when she looked up, he felt embarrassed. He looked away quickly and cleared his throat.
"How… how far along are you?" He asked. He found it an odd thing to ask, so he added personal information about his family. "My mother is currently with child… I'm hoping it's a girl. I have too many brothers."
"Interesting… I didn't think the Goddess bore her own children. I always thought you angels were created, like me."
"I had never given it much thought," he replied. "It must be odd to have been created and not birthed…"
"It has its ups and down."
Ibriel could see the sadness washing over her face once more, so he dropped the conversation. He bit the inside of his cheek and skewed his face to the side. Lilith must have caught onto his lack of words because she leaned back and smiled.
"You said you wished for your mother to have a girl… How many brothers do you have?"
"Uh…" He looked up trying to run a head count off his brothers. "I have Amenadiel, Michael, Samael, Gabriel… Raphael… Raguel... " He had six fingers out tallying the number of siblings. "I have twelve at the moment."
"And not one girl?" She asked.
"No," he said with some sadness.
"I wouldn't worry. A girl is bound to arrive sooner or later... Are you the baby?" She asked.
"I…" He let out a chuckle. "I am. Is it that noticeable?"
"Very much," she chuckled. "When my youngest is nervous, he too bounces his leg."
Ibriel stopped the movement and blushed. It was exactly what he was doing at the moment.
"I'm sorry."
"No no, it's fine. I'm sorry if I make you nervous."
"You don't! I just don't get out much."
Lilith let a smile spread across her face. He was very handsome. His wavy golden locks. His high cheekbones. His strong jaw. Her eyes raked across his chest. He wasn't the most muscular man she'd seen, but he had a nice form. Before he could catch her staring, Lilith looked back up to meet his piercing blue eyes. They were like a mini oasis, the brightest she'd ever seen.
"You're very interesting, Ibriel."
"How so?" He sat up straight.
Lilith shrugged. "I haven't figured that out just yet."
"Oh…"
The statement sent a flutter of butterflies ringing inside Ibriel's stomach. He didn't get called interesting by his siblings. He wasn't even sure one could even describe him as that. So he took the statement and held it close to him. He looked up and shot Lilith with a smile.
He moved the bags off his lap and placed them on the floor. Her eyes watched him as he moved. Sensing her wondering eyes watching him, Ibriel bent back down and plucked a fruit out from the bag.
"Would you like something to eat?" He reached out to give it to her. She gladly accepted and looked over the fruit. "It's an orange… you peel the skin…"
He got up and sat besides her. He gently pulled the fruit from her hand and punctured the skin with his nail. She smiled as the citrus smell filled her nostril. It smelt nice.
Ibriel pulled back the skin to show her what was inside. He placed the bits on his lap as he continued to rip off the outer layer. When he was done, he showed her. She tried plucking it from his hands, but he pulled it back. He smiled down at her and pulled out a wedge, handing it over to her.
"Have a try."
She took it and inspected the wedge he had given her. She'd never seen anything like it before. Not even smelled anything like it before. She brought it close to her face to inspect it. Little white hairs hung off from the outer layer. She smiled up at Ibriel.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Have a try. These are my favorite."
She hesitantly brought it to her lips. She placed the small wedge into her mouth and let her teeth sink into it. A burst of flavor immediately splashed onto her taste buds making her smile from ear to ear.
"Oh my!" She brought it hand to her mouth.
"Good?" He asked. He wasn't sure why he cared for her opinion.
"Very," she let out a chuckle.
"Before you swallow, make sure there's nothing hard. It's a seed."
She nodded her head and pulled the two seeds out.
"I always wanted to plant some outside my little hut back home, but the ground is too hard. Maybe you can plan them here?" He offered. "The soil looks right."
"You'd let me grow fruit from the garden?"
Ibriel looked down at the fruit and shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't sure why he suggested the offer.
"I don't see why not…"
Lilith smiled.
"I'm starting to like you," Lilith said.
She reached over and plucked the orange out of Ibriel's hand. Her hand barely grazed over his, but she could tell he had soft hands. It made the inside of her stomach flutter. The baby moved adding to her happiness. She placed her hand on her stomach calming the babe. As it settled, she broke off another wedge and placed it in her mouth.