sorry this took so long. I've been struggling for inspiration and time to write lately. It's not the best chapter but I wanted to try to get the wheels turning again. Let me know what you think xxx

David suppressed a grin as he stopped at the top of the tower steps to watch Regina without her knowing. She bit down on her bottom lip, brows drawn down in frustration as she stretched on her tip toes to reach a book on one of the shelves. Normally she'd have been able to get it, but her protruding baby bump put her just a few inches shy of being able to grasp it. He swallowed a chuckle when she huffed and stomped her foot once before grabbing a book from a lower shelf and flinging it across the room in the beginnings of a temper tantrum.

The book hit the floor and slid a few feet in front of where David was standing, prompting her vision to follow it before her eyes flickered up to him. "Need some help, sweetheart?" He gave her a cautious smile as he bent down to pick it up.

"How long were you there?" She frowned and crossed her arms, cheeks tingeing pink with embarrassment that made her turn back to her work table and pretend to be busy.

"Long enough," He chuckled, putting the book she'd thrown back on the shelf before grabbing the one she was trying to reach, bringing it over to her to place it on the table when he came up behind her, "How are you feeling?"

David had been home for a couple of days now, long enough to be aware that the pregnancy was taking it's toll on her emotionally, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Just the other morning he'd left their bed to get a bath before she'd waken and upon his return found her crying, simply because she'd missed him. The changes her body was going through coupled with how stressful it had been for her without him here was finally catching up with her and he wished he could fix it for her.

"I'm fine," She replied quietly, opening the book and keeping her back to him as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind before muttering a soft, "Thank you."

"Regina," He prodded gently, running his hands over her bump through her dress as he pressed his head to the side of hers, "Talk to me..."

"I don't want-" Regina began, but paused to swallow thickly at the knot forming in her throat, "-don't want to come off as ungrateful..."

"Ungrateful?" David asked curiously, gently turning her around between he and the table so she was facing him. Tears welled in her eyes and her lips trembled, making his heart threaten to burst at how vulnerable she was.

"I l-love you so much and our child...and everyone here, I love our life I-" Her voice wavered, "It's just I never know what emotion will hit me next, one minute I'm crying and the next I'm throwing a temper tantrum," She glanced down sheepishly, "I'm always tired or hungry or..."

"Horny?" He smirked slightly, pressing his forehead to hers and chuckling when she let out an exhaled laugh through the tears.

"I know it's a silly reason to complain or be upset but how can I do my job as Queen when I can't even keep myself together?" She smiled weakly, motioning towards the table where her work was.

"Nothing is silly about the way you feel," David pressed his finger under her chin gently tilting it back up so she'd look at him, "You're creating another human being, Regina. Your body is going through so much right now and this is completely normal."

"Are you sure?" She gave a timid nod and swallowed again, regaining control of her emotions.

"I am," He smiled and gently ran a hand through her hair, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, "And don't try and hide it from me, okay? You didn't make this child yourself and I don't expect you to go through this alone."

Her bottom lip quivered at his words, "Okay."

"Okay," David smiled in relief when it seemed to soothe her, glancing over her shoulder, "What are you working on now?" He asked as she turned in his arms to show him.

"As you're well aware the villages of the realm have been somewhat devastated by the war. The crops they rely on were neglected while half of the population were away fighting and people are struggling to provide for their families. Without the crops we lack trade with other kingdoms," She flipped through a book absentmindedly as she explained it to him and he stepped up beside of her, listening intently. "I'm working on somewhat of a potion...well...I don't know what you would call it, but I've been reading about healing magic..."

"You think it will work on the crops?" He raised an eyebrow at the idea, glancing over all of the herbs and trinkets she had on the table. The practice was lost on him but he found his wife's abilities truly fascinating.

"Maybe...maybe more so on the land," She let out a deep breath as she marked her place in the book before looking up at him, "I just have to make some changes and figure out a few ingredients to perfect it for our realm."

"You're amazing," He replied, watching her smile and give a shake of her head as she turned her attention to her books, "I mean it," He smiled, kissing her shoulder before leaning down to rest his chin on it, "Red told me everything you did for the kingdom in my absence."

"It's not a big deal it's what anyone would do-"

"No, it isn't. Most noble women wouldn't dare set foot outside the castle during a war," He said seriously, watching her as she flipped through spell books, "Let alone get their hands dirty helping villagers. You won them over with your leadership during a tough time."

"Not all of them," Regina sighed, thinking of the witch who'd heckled her and set fire to the village.

"That will come with time, I promise," He smiled, kissing her cheek before straightening up, "I should go, I promised Emma I'd come watch her practice. Red said she's a good fighter...must take after me."

His heart skipped a beat at the playful grin she threw his way, "Mhm and she's just as messy, too. Make sure you two wash up before dinner."

"Dad, hey," Emma dropped her sword, a radiant smile plastering onto her face when her spar with Red ended and she spotted her father making his way across the courtyard. David smiled himself, not being able to contain his pride in the way his daughter had grown.

"Quite the footwork you have there," He complimented, not being able to deny the way his daughter had advanced since he'd seen her fight last. Her ambition to learn how to be a warrior had frightened him at first, as he'd always pictured her as his little princess, fragile and sweet. Before his eyes she'd grown into a powerful woman and he regretted ever doubting her abilities.

"I'm getting better, I can almost beat Red now," Emma grinned proudly.

"Hey, watch it," Ruby piped up, picking up her sword with a smirk before taking it back to the storage room where the training equipment was.

David chuckled, "I thought we could go for a ride, kid," He suggested, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him affectionately.

"Yeah that sounds good," Emma nodded, playfully grabbing his arm and reversing his hold, effectively getting out of the headlock, "Regina coming?"

"No, she's busy up in her tower," David laughed as his daughter walked backwards, seeing how much more comfortable and confident she was now, "Working on spells."

"And not to mention she's probably too with child to be bouncing around on a horse now."

"Don't let her hear you say that, okay?" David chuckled, knowing Emma meant well, "She's a little sensitive right now."

"I know right," Emma glanced at him wide-eyed as they made their way towards the stables, "Have you seen her try to reach for a book on the top shelf, though?" She asked, trying to suppress a grin before they both burst into laughter.

"Earlier," David bit his bottom lip with a grin, "How was she while I was gone? She said you and Red and Granny kept a close watch on her."

"She was really strong," Emma nodded as they made their way into the stables, "I think she liked leading in a way...but I could tell she missed you. She was always getting updates from the messengers on your location."

"And what about you? How did you cope?" He asked, catching a glance at her after grabbing the blanket for his horse.

"I just wish I was older so I could've done more to help, you know?" A worried frown appeared on Emma's features, "everybody here never let me do my part. I get why, I'm the princess and I have to be protected and I'm not old enough and all that...but I'm not some fragile princess that needs to be locked away in a tower for her safety. I want to help."

"I know you do, and I admire that," David replied honestly, "That will come in time and with age. I was thinking now that I'm back you can start shadowing me when it comes to drawing defense plans and things for the knighthood."

"Really?" Her eyes widened at the thought.

"Really."

"I'd like that," Emma nodded quickly.

David grinned at the way his daughters eyes seemed to glaze over, knowing she was imagining it all, "So, did you miss me?" He asked playfully.

"Lets just say I like it better when you're home," Emma admitted with a shrug, looking at him briefly, "Don't let it go to your head, though."

"Wouldn't dream of it," David grinned, "C'mon lets get going if we're going to be back in time for dinner."

Regina woke with a start, chest heaving and glistening with sweat as her eyes adjusted to the darkness of their bed chamber. Once she could see she turned her head to see if her startle had woken her husband, but it hadn't. David still slept peacefully on his back, one muscular arm folded above his head, chest bare and broad in the moonlight creeping in the window.

She clenched the bed sheets under her hands at the sensations swirling in her body as she tried to calm her breathing. Her nipples were rock hard, begging for attention. Her abdomen was coiled tightly, arousal pooling between her legs, leaving her thighs sticky and damp.

The dream she'd awoken from played in her mind, making it hard for her to concentrate on anything but the pleasure she felt during it. They'd been in a field, remnants of their picnic scattered in the grass as the blanket they'd been using had turned into a bed for them. David had her dressed bunched at her waist as his head laid between her thighs, his eyes locked on hers.

She'd been sitting on his mouth, a position that was so intimate for her it nearly made her come just thinking of it in her current state of arousal. He'd been suckling her clit, watching her intensely as his hands massaged her ass, spreading it as he did so in a way that sent a sweet tingle of pleasure through her all its own.

It was when she reached down to grip his hair, fingers threading through it as she moaned and rocked her dripping sex on his hard chin and sucking lips, that she'd begun to wake up. She'd been so close to coming that she could feel the beginnings of it when her eyes had popped open. Even now her thighs were clenched, tense with pent up arousal.

Pregnancy hormones had caused these dreams when David had been away and she'd had to touch herself the nights she'd woken up alone. Her eyes wandered back to her sleeping husband, heart thudding a little faster in her chest again as she took him in. The sheet was merely draped low on his waist, his abdominal muscles peaking out, making her clit throb harder when she saw them.

He was especially defined since his return from battle, every muscle on him toned and strong. His shoulders were bulkier, arms thicker. He was entirely man and she loved the feeling of his body on hers, had missed it. David respected her as his equal, but she enjoyed when he was dominate in the bedroom. His masculinity and her femininity complimented each other perfectly. He could handle her with ease, a combination of firm but gentle that made her pliant in his hands, begging for more.

She bit down on her bottom lip when temptation and desperation prompted her to reach for the his hand that laid on his stomach. Her fingers ran over his, seeing he still did it budge. She admired the roughness of his fingers, the length and the size of them compared to her own as she gently lifted his hand from him.

He stirred a little as she moved his hand under their covers, spreading her legs in anticipation. A slight nervousness shot through her at how wanton the entire thing was, but she wanted him so badly. Her shift was already near her waist with as much squirming as she had done in her dream, making it easy for her to slide his hand down between her legs.

A gasp escaped her when she pushed his fingers between wet folds, feeling his calloused finger slide over her clit. She watched him begin to stir as she leaned her head over to kiss at his shoulder to wake him, beginning to move his fingers under her own on her swollen bundle of nerves. His eyes fluttered at the low moan that came from her when his fingers moved on their own accord, knowing he was awake.

His own moan erupted from his throat as he blinked sleepy eyes, turning his head to look at her in the dark. She saw his expression change from dazed to aroused when their eyes locked. He slowly rolled to the side, keeping his fingers deep in her folds, pressing against her clit. Her legs fell open completely when he began massaging circles, ripping a whimper from her as her head fell back and her eyes closed.

"Good dream?" David's low, sleepy voice rumbled from his chest quietly, breath tickling her ear as he watched her now.

"Mm-y-yeah," She admitted breathily, eyes coming open to look up at him, one hand reaching to grip his wrist as his hand worked between her thighs.

"What were we doing, Regina?" He murmured, pressing his thumb to her clit now as his other two fingers began to probe her wetness.

"H-having a-a picnic-unnnnhhh," She replied, choking on a moan when he slid two fingers into her slowly, thumb swirling teasingly on her clit.

"Oh?" She found him half smirking when she opened her eyes again, though he breathed heavier himself, "What was I eating on this picnic?" He asked and she moaned, knowing instantly that he was well aware of what would get her so aroused.

"Me," She expelled a breath, beginning to move her hips against his hand, grinding her sex further onto the length of his fingers, taking more of them.

"My favorite," He replied a little gruffly, arousal affecting his own voice. His fingers slid inside of her deeply, curling towards her belly to reach the spot inside of her that made her soak them both when she came, "I love the way you taste, sweetheart."

She trembled now, continuous whimpers falling from her lips as she rolled her hips, gripping his arm for leverage with one hand and the sheet beside her with the other. His words hit her abdomen like a burst of magic, coiling her arousal intensely until she felt it would almost be painful if he quit now, "More!" She begged in a strangled gasp.

David obliged, starting to thrust his fingers in a curled motion, hitting her spot each time, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. She teetered, thighs gaping, hips pushing up towards his hand, sweat glistening on her chest. Her hands flew to her own breasts, giving her nipples some much needed release as she toyed with them through her shift.

His thumb rubbed circles on her clit with firm presses, fingers pumping into her wet heat. She yelped when her muscles clenched his digits firmly, orgasm flooding through her body in a wave of release. He groaned at the mess she made, slipping his fingers from her and popping the tips of them in his mouth briefly as she writhed and shuddered through her release.

Regina's eyes opened to see him tasting her arousal from his own fingers, breath catching at how erotic the display was. She no longer held the shame she would've in the past over the things they did together, feeling comfortable with being sexual now. It felt good to know the pleasures they could bring each other and that they alone shared it.

He shifted, bringing his body in between her legs as he came overtop of her. Her bump prevented their torsos from being as close as they once were, but David still could lean down and kiss her soundly. Her head swam at the taste of herself on his tongue, moaning into his mouth.

"You're magnificent," David whispered huskily, hands running underneath her bottom to tilt her hips up. He ground his hips against hers until his tip found her slit, positioning himself at he entrance, "Can you take me, my Queen?"

"Mm," She whimpered with a nod, snaking her legs around his back to clamp around his sides. His tip brushed pushed through her wet folds, filling her slowly and pulling a lazy moan from her throat. He was so hard she made herself relax around him, adjusting to the stiffness. Her hands found his back when he began to rock, nails digging in with the friction.

"You feel so wet and warm," David groaned into her neck when he buried his face and began to nibble on her skin, hips pistoning slowly into her, cock hitting her deeply where his fingers just had, "And you're so tight. You feel incredible," He murmured, her thighs tightening around his sides with each word he spoke.

"Harder," She whimpered, digging her nails deeper into his back as she tried to curl her hips at meet his thrusts, requiring some assistance from him to tilt her hips up with his hands. "David I'm-oh-g-" She cried out loudly when her orgasm hit her a little sooner than she wanted to, though no less intense than her first. He groaned himself as he spilled deeply inside of her, staying sheathed within her for a few moments before slowly slipping out.

She smiled breathlessly into the darkness, fingers massaging through his hair as his head stayed tucked in her neck for a moment, "Sorry to wake you."

"I'm not sorry," His lips curled against her skin, stubble tickling her.

She let out a giggle when his arms slid underneath her into an embrace, "Me neither."