Mary woke up to the smell of coffee and food. It smelled wonderful. So why did she feel so gross. She threw back the covers and stumbled into the bathroom where she emptied the scant contents of her stomach into the toilet.
She felt a warm hand on her back rubbing gently and another pulling her hair back. When she was done Murphy grabbed the hand towel that was hanging next to the sink and handed it to her to wipe her mouth. He then sat back against the tub and pulled her into his lap, cradling her against his chest.
"Ya alright?" he murmured into her ear.
"Yeah, just some morning sickness I think. The smell of breakfast brought it on."
"Ya saying I can't cook?"
Mary looked up and saw that Murphy's eyes were twinkling, and indication that he was kidding. "No. I'm pretty sure I smelled bacon, I've heard the smell of meat can make pregnant woman sick to their stomach."
"Aye, bacon and eggs. But I can whip up some toast for ya instead."
"With raspberry jam?"
Murphy's chest vibrated in a pleasant way against Mary's ear as he laughed. "Aye, with raspberry jam. And I'll make up a pot of tea as well."
Mary snuggled closer. "Who would have thought I'd ever get you domesticated."
Murphy just smiled and rested his hand on Mary's belly. At only eight weeks she wasn't' showing but he could feel that she was harder underneath. "Ya said that baby's due around early February."
"Yes, the doctor said I conceived in early June."
Murphy sat up straighter. "Ya don't think it was the day I came and I told ya I loved ya? The day after Sara's birthday."
"I don't know, it could have been. In which case I have no complaints. That was a wonderful afternoon. Murphy," Mary rested her hand on his cheek. "Do want a boy or a girl?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. I just found out yesterday. Have ya thought about it?"
"I think I would like a boy."
"Not a girl?" Murphy was surprised. "How come?"
"I hate pink," Mary stated simply with a grin.
Murphy laughed and stood up, scooping Mary into his arms, who squealed. He carried her into the kitchen and gently deposited her into a chair at the table. "Alright, toast with raspberry jam and tea coming up."
As Murphy began to clean up and dispose of the previous breakfast in order to then prepare the new one Mary realized what he was wearing. His jeans, no shirt, with a yellow frilly apron that she had forgotten she had, and he was barefoot. She grinned. He looked perfectly ridiculous. But the sight of him in her kitchen that way was something she wanted to hold onto.
"Murphy."
"Aye?" He turned around holding a slice of bread in one hand and a butter covered knife in the other.
"Move in with me?"
Murphy set the bread and knife down on a plate, and moved to Mary, kneeling in front of her. "Remember what happened last time we tried that?"
"Yes," Mary grabbed his hands. "But I want to give it another go, for us and the baby. And you are the one who said that we would make this work."
"Alright." Murphy nodded and rubbed the palms of his hand over her thighs. "We'll give it another go."
The phone rang and they both looked up. Mary stood and grabbed it while Murphy went back to making toast.
"Hello." Mary wrapped the phone cord around her finger. "Oh, hey Sara… I'm fine… it worked out, better than I had hoped for actually…" Mary blew a kiss at Murphy who grinned. "Listen, could you do me a favor… I need you start packing up Murphy's stuff to bring over here... yes we are… yes I am well aware that they both thought you were the one who was pregnant… no I didn't know that… Murphy never said anything… look I'll talk to and see you later… bye." Hanging up the phone Mary turned to Murphy. "Connor was going to propose when he thought Sara was pregnant."
"Did he?"
"No, but he was going to."
Murphy just shrugged and stuck the bread in the toaster. "I suspected that he might, but he never said anything to me." He looked back up. "Why?"
"Would you ever propose to me?" Murphy sputtered and coughed while Mary looked at him with an amused expression. "Well?"
Finally regaining his composure Murphy managed to say. "I think we should see if we can even do the living together first before we start thinking about that."
Mary crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. "Murphy I do believe I have just made you uncomfortable. And don't worry, I'm not asking you to ask me. I am nowhere near ready for marriage, baby or no. I was just curious."
"Fuck Mary, don't scare me like that."
"I didn't realize that the thought of marrying me was that bad."
"It's not. I'm just not ready either."
Wrapping her arms around his waist Mary kissed his neck. "Well I'm glad we agree on that then. And it is an awkward conversation out of the way allowing us to focus on other things." She began to nibble on her earlobe causing him to groan.
"And what of breakfast?"
"I'm hungry for something else right now."
Murphy reached his arm back and pulled Mary around so that she was between him and the counter. "And the baby?"
"Even unborn babies need love."
"Mary…"
"You won't hurt either of us. I promise." Taking his face in her hands Mary kissed him, slipping her tongue past his lips.
Giving in Murphy untied his apron, letting it fall to the floor. He lifted Mary up in his arms and she wrapped her legs comfortably around his waist as he carried her back to the bedroom.
He lay her down on the bed and gently covered her body with his and whispered "I love you" before capturing her mouth and making them both forget all else.
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Author's Note: At least we see the softer side of Murphy. And right now it feels like I'm getting toward the end at last. It's a combination of happiness and sadness. Well review please.
