Chapter 12 Title: Kiss and Tell Chapter rating: R (sexual situations, mild language)

"You're going to be useless for helpin' with the farm work today. What were you thinking, Sam?" Rose lectured her injured husband as they walked from Hobbiton to Bag End. Rose carried the empty baskets from their delivery of produce.

"I was thinkin' that bastard aught to eat his mean words, that's what I was thinkin," Sam growled, holding his injured ribs as they ascending the long slow climb up the Hill along Bag Shot Row. "I'll not have him bad-mouthing the folk I love, and that's a fact. I've put up long enough with him and his filthy orc mouth and it's about time someone shut his trap for 'im."

"Samwise Gamgee, listen to yourself," Rose said. "I've never heard you utter so much as a bad word against the weather, and now today I hear all sorts of curses coming out o' your own mouth. And fightin' to boot!"

"Sorry, love," Sam said as they rounded another switchback. "Them words just jumped out on their own. That Sandyman made me so mad I just weren't thinking."

"Well, you best be doin' what Mister Frodo told you - thinkin' and not just poppin' off with your fists," Rose angrily replied.

"Rose, Rose, me love," Sam sighed, gripping his sore ribs. "Sometimes Mister Frodo is right concerning things, and sometimes he's wrong. Sometimes he's too soft on people. There's folk in the world who do the planning and leading, and then there's folk who do the actual carryin' out of the plans. Mister Frodo, well, he's the plannin' type. But he's mighty reluctant to do anything that might involve something messy. He'll try his best to get out of it, or get people to see reason and leave be. That's his talent and I don't begrudge him that. But sometimes getting physical is the only solution to problems."

Rose wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Are you telling me that Frodo Baggins didn't do any fighting during the War? I thought you said he did."

"Oh, he did all right," Sam said, "but only as the last measure and only when someone else's life was in danger. He saved my life more times than I'll ever know, lass. One time in particular I still have nightmares about. We all had some killin' to do, unfortunately. He did his share in Moria and protecting the two of us against Gollum. Mister Frodo can handle a sword well enough, but not like Merry or Pippin, or even me. His heart's not in it, if you understand. Merry and Pippin, now, they took to soldiering straight away. Took lessons from Boromir and Strider. Me and Mister Frodo, well, we learned enough to protect ourselves and others, but we didn't go in for sword drills or learning other weapons. Frodo least of all. His heart's always been with his books and with learning and such. Always has been. Always will be. Just like old Master Bilbo. But sometimes you need a strong show of force in order to set things right or get things done. Like rousting those ruffians from the Shire when we came back. And that's what that fool Sandyman needed - a strong show of force, and I just happen to be the one doin' it."

"You just happen to be the one who struck first too," Rose frowned.

"Yes, I did." It was Sam's turn to frown. "I gave him plenty of warning to back off, but that fool ignored me. If you had heard what that sow's butt said about you and Doctor Proudfoot and Mister Frodo, well, you would have hit his sorry face too."

"I would have done no such thing, Samwise Gamgee," Rose hotly said as they rounded the corner and walked through the little swinging gate of Bag End. "And I heard what he said. I was there. The whole market heard what he said, and saw what you did too. And please watch your language, Sam."

Sam followed his angry wife through the hallway and into the kitchen. His ribs ached miserably, but his wife's reaction to his defense of her reputation hurt him even more.

"Rose," he said, "I will not have anyone sayin' lies about you. I was defending your honor, love."

"My honor does not need defending," she answered crossly as she quickly packed a lunch for herself. "My honor is in tact. However, my dignity is in tatters."

She put down her preparations and gently cupped Sam's face in her hands. "You embarrassed me, my love, by throwing that punch. In public. By now all Hobbiton must think I've married a hot-head who can't control himself."

"Is that what you think of me?" Sam countered. He placed his hands on her hips. Rose could see the sadness welling up in his eyes. Sam could never hide his emotions.

"Of course not," she briefly kissed him and he placed his forehead against hers. "I know my Samwise better than that. If you hit him, then he certainly deserved it. But, please Sam, don't get into any more fights. I need you here with me, and we can't afford to have you out of commission. Especially now, my love."

"What do you mean by that, Rose-lass?" he asked, pulling back to look his wife in the eyes. Her lovely brown eyes.

"Well, I wanted to tell you at another time, but right now will have to do. You're going to be a father, Sam," Rose whispered and shyly smiled.

Sam was speechless. He blinked back some tears which somehow magically appeared, and swallowed to tame the sudden large lump in his throat. A tear escaped and rolled down his tanned cheek as he broke into a huge lopsided grin. The noonday sun pouring in through the open kitchen window couldn't compete with Sam's radiance.

"Rose, you've just made me the happiest hobbit in the Shire," he hoarsely croaked, and kissed her.

"We'll talk some more tonight, love," Rose said. She broke from his embrace and picked up her packed lunch. "Now do as the doctor told you. No lifting. Take it easy today and if you don't aggravate those ribs, we'll see about tomorrow. No puttering around in the garden either! I'll be home from the farm in time for late supper." She turned to exit the kitchen door, but Sam grabbed her by the hand.

"Did I ever tell you how happy you've made me?" Sam kissed her again. "I love ya, Rose Cotton Gamgee. Mistress Gamgee. You're the finest lass in the Shire and I still can't get over that you said 'yes' to me. Don't be stayin' too long at your Dad's today." He winked and let her go. Rose smiled and headed out the door.

Sam watched from the back door stoop as she swiftly walked round Bag End and out towards her family's farmlands. He loved to watch her move. She was so graceful, with a dancer's legs and expressive hands. Strong hands. The hands of a mother.

"Me! A father! Gracious," Sam thought as he turned back to the kitchen and made himself a light lunch. "We'll name the little lad after Mister Frodo. I can't wait till Rosie comes home. Just wait till Frodo hears the news!"

Sam's mind was in a muddle the rest of the afternoon. He was determined to follow the doctor's instructions to the letter, staying indoors and sitting down much of the day, even though it was glorious weather and the beautiful Bag End gardens beckoned from every open window.

Sam elected to spend the afternoon in Mister Frodo's study, sneaking a good long look at what Frodo had been working on so furiously for the past year. Sam was finally able to read Frodo's writings without his master being anywhere near Bag End. Sam leisurely read page after page of Frodo's precise script describing the events before, during, and after the War. Some sections were missing. Some were only outlined. A few contained maps and illustrations. Some were in languages that Sam could not read. But it was all fascinating.

Sam had never guessed the depth of knowledge about the First, Second and Third Ages, the histories of the races of the talking peoples (elves, men, hobbits, dwarves, wizards, ents, even orcs), and the line of the Kings of Numenor that Frodo possessed. Equally impressive to Sam were Frodo and Bilbo's translations from the Elvish of various epic poems and lays and songs. They were all here - here on the desk and in the stacks of books and papers gathered and penned by his friend and master. In Sam's mind, Frodo's literary endeavor to record the events of the Third Age was every bit as heroic and unfathomable as Frodo's moral struggle to resist the evil temptations of the One Ring. And in typical Baggins fashion, few people outside a select group of friends would ever know the struggle that went into the task.

As the sun began to set, Sam quit the study and repaired to the bathing room nearest his own bedroom. Rose would soon be home, and he wanted to surprise her with a special evening. He set about drawing a bath, adding splashes of orange and lemon essence to the warm water. Rose loved citrus and wore a light lemon-scented perfume when she was going anyplace special.

Sam crept into the Bag End cellars and retrieved a bottle of slightly sweet fruity wine. He came back up to the kitchen and selected two of Mister Frodo's special wine goblets. "Nothing but the best for me Rosie, and Mister Frodo won't mind if I borrow these tonight," he thought. He retrieved a small folding table and a wooden chair and set them up in the bathing room next to the tub. The wine goblets and bottle were thoughtfully arranged on the table, along with a cut-glass vase of fresh- cut golden sunflowers, pink roses and orange poppies from the garden. Sam lighted the wall sconces and left the door to the room slightly ajar.

He was in the kitchen cutting up a yellow-meat melon and a cantaloupe when Rose walked in through the back door. She was tired and dusty from the day's labor and walk back to Bag End, but managed a smile and a kiss for her husband as she entered the relative coolness of the smial. Sam popped a piece of melon in her mouth after the kiss.

"Ummm. that's wonderful," she mumbled through her chewing as she set down her basket and removed the calico cloth which was tucked around some parcels. "Mom sent over some bread and honey and Dad and the lads hope you are on the mend. How are your ribs, Sam? Are you hungry?"

Sam finished cutting up the fruit and wiped his hands on a tea towel. He came over and hugged Rose to his chest. "I'm hungry alright. I feel like I could eat you up right here and now," he growled into her ear and kissed her fiercely.

Rose giggled, her eyes shining with love. "Sam, I'm dusty and tired and hungry."

"Well I've got just the thing to take care of all that," he said. With one hand he grabbed the bowl of cut up melon and a small knife, and with the other he led Rose back into the bathing room. The fragrance of oranges, melons and heady wine drifted up with the steam. The little beeswax candles flickered, casting wavering shadows across the room.

Sam set the bowl of fruit on the table beside the wine goblets. Rose sighed with contentment as Sam began to slowly undo the ribbons on her bodice. Soon the rest of her clothes joined the bodice in a small pile in one corner of the room. Sam couldn't resist cupping her breasts in his calloused hands, caressing them and teasing Rose with his fingers.

"I don't think it's fair, what with me being naked and you fully clothed," she slyly protested, removing his vest. Sam shrugged out of his braces and let Rose finish disrobing him. She started to unbind the bandages across his ribs, but he restrained her.

"Nay lass," he whispered, "I'll be keeping those on for a little while longer. After we're done, then I'll ask ya to redo them. But not right now."

Rose nodded and began to stroke his thighs. Her firm, strong farm-lass's hands against his skin caused a flush to spread across his chest and up his neck. That wasn't the only part of him becoming flushed and excited. He had never considered himself to be handsome, but Rose loved him and told him often of her love and desire.

"See what you do to me, lass?" Sam kissed her as he led her to the tub. He could feel the tips of his ears burning as well.

"I can't help but see it," Rose laughed as she stepped into the tub. Sam poured the wine while Rose closed her eyes and settled into the fragrant warm water. "Oh, Sam, this is lovely."

Sam carefully placed a small slice of melon in the wine. "Here ya go, me love." He handed her the goblet, sparkling with golden liquid in the candlelight. Sam pulled up the little chair beside the tub and raised his glass. "To the newest addition to our family. Stars! What a grand feeling!" They sipped the nectar and laughed at their good fortune.

Sam abandoned his wine and fruit after only a few sips. His attention was more focused upon his luscious wife than on the food and drink. He lathered up the sponge and washed her back as Rose luxuriated in her bath and wine. Sam reached around and massaged her breasts with his soapy hands, then let one hand wander down below the waterline while the other rinsed off the soap. Rose leaned back to rest her head against his shoulder, letting him caress her while she lazed in a stupor of warmth, wetness and stimulation.

"Oh, Sam," she sighed, "you could talk me into trying to jump the moon right now if you asked."

"Come out of the tub then, and I'll help limber your limbs for that jump," he said. She giggled and stood up to towel herself dry. Sam helped her out of the tub and then turned her around.

"Standing?" she murmured, leaning back into his chest as they began to make love.

"It don't hurt my ribs none this way," he matter-of-factly said. Conversation ceased for awhile, the room filled instead with moans and sighs.

"If I didn't already have a bun in the oven, I certainly would now!" she giggled as he grabbed a towel. She could hear Sam chuckling under his breath. Rose turned around. He was holding his ribs. They obviously hurt now, but his eyes sparkled with merriment and laughter.

"Oh, Sam, let me take care of those," Rose said, placing her hand on his bandages.

Sam nodded and allowed Rose to unbind the wrappings, wash the bruised ribs and re-wrap the injury as Iris had instructed. Sam didn't flinch throughout the ordeal, although she knew it must have pained him. The bruise was blue and purple with tinges of angry red. "I hope I didn't hurt you too much," Rose said as she finished.

"I've had much worse," he replied. "But your touch could never bring me anything but pleasure." Sam smiled handed her a soft cotton robe. He pulled his own robe on over the bandages. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you today. I'll not let words set me off again, I promise ya, Rose. I'll be here to love and protect you and our little ones for as long as you'll have me."

Rose smiled and kissed him. "I love you, Samwise Gamgee. You're the finest hobbit ever and I'm so proud of you. You'll make a wonderful father." They walked hand-in-hand back to the kitchen for the rest of their dinner.