He's staring at me from across the room and I sigh, "What?"

"What does it feel like?"

I shake my head, "Weird I guess. I've been like this for a while if you haven't noticed. I'm used to it."

"I don't know if I'd get used to having something in me."

I laugh at him this time, "You've missed a lot of it."

"I know," his head dips a little, "I'm sorry. I never thought the merger would tie me up for so long."

"Don't do that. I'm not trying to guilt trip you."

He comes over to the bed and sits next to me, "That kind of thing is over. I will never be gone for that long again. We're going to have a baby in a few weeks-I won't become my father," his hand rests on my hip, rubbing gently.

The baby kicks and I moan out of discomfort, not pain.

His hand hesitates over my abdomen, "Can I?" he kind of gestures.

"Lex," laugh, "you don't have to ask to touch me. My God, how do you think I got this way?"

I take his hand, "Right here-wait-" I wait until she settles down-I know it's a she-and reposition his hand, "Can you feel it?"

He shook his head.

"You might need to press a little."

His touch remains just as feather light as before, "Lex, you're not going to hurt me."

He pressed just a tiny bit harder and I sigh, "Here," I push two of his fingers firmly into one place.

His face shifts, "What-what is that?"

"Her heartbeat."

His eyes light up and he stares at me reverently, "That's-oh my God," he shifts on the bed, leaning to kiss me.

Whoa is about the only word I can say. I had to go through the whole hormone overload part of my pregnancy while my husband was in Europe. I'm feeling it now.

I reach for him and he hesitates, "Can we?"

I nod, "It's going to take some maneuvering, I'm sure," I say looking down.

He chuckles, kissing just under my ear, "Do you know how long it's been?"

"I have a vague idea," I smile as he presses himself to my side.

It did take some maneuvering but after, curled against him, while his hands both rest lightly on my stomach I feel more connected to him than ever.

"What do you think she'll look like?"

"I hope she has your smile," I say, tracing the smile in question with my fingertip, "not that any one but me would know," I tease.

He kisses my finger, "Your ears."

I laugh out right, "My hair God willing," I run my fingers over his head.

"I wasn't born bald and you know it," he laughs.

"I know, that's why I say it. Your hair was a color of red I've never discovered again on any human."

"Your hair," he agrees, "Your eyes."

"No, your's."

He laughs again, "One of both then."

"What are you trying to do to her?"

"Your nose," he kisses the end of mine.

"I hate my nose and you know it."

"I love it though."

"Your eyelashes."

"My eyelashes?" that half mocking half disbelief tone of his creeps up.

"Mmm-Hmm," I nod, because his eyelashes are pale as can be, but if you get close enough you can really see how long and curly they are-really beautiful

"Your toes."

"Okay, we're done," I tell him.

It's been so long since we've been like this-since we've just been us-that I sigh, closing my eyes, "Promise me Lex," I say, not knowing what I'm saying until he speaks.

"Promise you what Chloe?" he asks, looking horribly worried.

"That you'll never be gone that long again," I sit up, "Lex, I can't do it. I can't-it's bad enough on my own, but if I have a child here too that's missing you-I can't."

"Chloe, I will never be gone any longer than I have to-"

"Lex."

He kisses me, "Never again honey. I promise."

I relax some then, and he puts his arms around me again, "I love you," he murmurs into my hair.

I curl closer against him. He doesn't say those words lightly, never has, maybe because he never had any one to say them to after his mother was gone.

I don't say anything back, but he doesn't expect me to, so it's okay. This is just how it is with us. This is just who we are.