Chapter 2: Read to Me

"Heaven Knows" by Hillsong

I had a really hard time this year, but this fandom is the best and everyday I was reading great fanfiction and funny comments and It honestly got me through. So I want to thank sparkleywonderful for being the greatest friend a fanfic writer and person in general could ask for, stripesandpolkadot for helping me when it was needed the most and then becoming a person I hope to get to know more of propshophannah, illyriantremors, laviperagentile, getalittlecountry and every other writer who are literally fantastic people who write amazingly in every way. Thanks for the inspiration and the happy times! You are all rays of light shining through my window. :)

I don't know where the sap came from (shrugs)

"Heaven Knows" by Hillsong

The fire crackled in the night, awakening embers that lit the room in breathtaking flames. Filtering their home with the smell of pine and vanilla. A scent so familiar to him, it was embedded in his clothes and every little thing he carried with him.

She was sitting in an armchair, big enough to seat him that it had swallowed her frame. Her blue nightgown brought out the blue of her irises, like forget-me-nots in the breeze. She had waited for him like she always did, amid the darkness and the orange glow.

Her relaxed stance told him she had been sitting there for a while, a thought that made the furrow of his eyebrows calm into smooth skin. The healer had told her she shouldn't be walking for long periods of time. Not until she was stronger, until they were stronger. He could hardly contain his excitement and she knew.

Her face lit up in sunshine and stardust as she saw him, made him believe the world was good and pure and happy. He couldn't possibly believe anything else when she looked at him like that, as if he was a gift so precious she was going to keep and cherish him forever.

"You're back." She spoke. Voice as loud as a whisper, with a love so soft he could touch it, rub against it.

Her hands laid softly on her rounded stomach, and Cassian couldn't think, couldn't breathe. He ambled towards her, kissing her on the lips and rubbing her belly hello.

A long time ago, he believed the only purpose he had was in wielding blades and punching fists—to be stronger than any one. That was all he was good for, all he was good at. Cassian couldn't deny his existence, any more than he could deny his love for her. But somehow, in some way he had gotten to meet her. The wildfire he'd call his mate and wife.

He still didn't always believe it, didn't think he deserved her. Nesta had walked into his life and lighted the way. Despite being ready to burn everyone who managed to be near her, all she ever did was make him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

"What do you want to read today, my love?" His voice rough and low.

Nesta hummed to herself, a beautiful, soft sound that caused his heart to settle in his chest. He was home in a million ways.

"How about that one?" She said pointing to the right of the bookshelf.

Cassian looked at the red cover and the words etched in bold font. Smirking to himself, he grabbed the hardcover. Picking her up and settling her in his lap, Nesta curled around him. The baby sweetly protected in the middle of their love.

"You would pick this one."

Nesta's wicked grin made his stomach clench. Later, they'd get to that later. They had all the time in the world.

He began to read to her, making sure to pause when everything erupted in drama, gasped when the plot twist twisted just enough. Laughed at the funny parts and pressed his lips to the side of her head when a scene hit him just right.

Cassian knew she liked it when he read aloud. If only for her own amusement, he would do it every time.

"He licked her where!?"

Nesta's laugh made his own shine upon his face, a million tiny sunflowers erupting where his heart should have been.

He looked at her then, truly looked at her as he had done so many times before. The youthful freckles painted on her face, her cheekbones soaring high from the tilt of her lips, the way her eyes made him rejoice a little bit more than usual. Everything about her was a miracle.

"I don't know why you insist on reading these, I'm right here Nes." Cassian lifted his arms, gesturing to all of him.

He knew staying in bed all day wasn't what she wanted. Knew she would rather be useful, doing something productive and valuable. Cassian had reminded her many times that she was plenty useful. She was carrying their love in her tiny body. There was nothing more valuable than that.

He held her tightly, mindful of their little one. Squeezing just enough so she knew he was there, cradling her safe to his chest.

"I could do it better, you know." He whispered in her ear, a brush against the sweet flush of her skin.

She stared at him, raining days meeting flecks of gold. Nesta could stare at him forever, he'd be happy with that alone. But she leaned in and touched her lips to his. Warm like the love she gave him.

Their lips danced and danced, keeping in tune with the rhythm of their heartbeats. Until Nesta pulled away abruptly and gasped.

The gesture on her face made the steady beat of his heart race like thunder. He could feel the panic rise in his chest, but she merely smiled at him as if a gate had been pushed wide open.

Nesta took his hand in hers, the pulse through her wrist warming the ice that had seeped into his shirt. She held it towards her, gentle and soft. Words he learned to described Nesta once he knew how big her heart was. She laid his hand on the sweet swell of her stomach.

"Can you feel her?" She whispered.

Could he feel the love, she meant, the breath, the beating, the life centered in the palm of his hand. Because when he laid his hand on her, all he could feel was a soft kick, and a rush of emotion threatened to burst out of him right there.

He couldn't possibly tell her, couldn't possibly voice aloud, that it wasn't the fire that filled the house with warmth and sunshine. It was the very laughter that sprung out of her mouth, as if she was the only dream amidst the nightmare he had called his life. That she had given him the only thing he had ever dreamed about.

Centered in the room, with the fire burning bright, their little family nestled in the arm chair made his heart swell with a love he could never tame. A love he'd live for.

It was all he needed.

This is my large nessian one-shot compilation. I challenged myself to write one fanfic a day for the next 30 days, so wish me luck and send me prompts! You are all amazing and I hope you all have wonderful summers and days ahead.

PS this is actually really hard... why did I want to do this.