**sexual content ahead** and serious thanks to all my reviewers out there. I definitely appreciate you. I am truly glad you enjoy my work!

Maka was fiddling with the potion bottle between her fingers, waiting for him to wake. Liz had already stuck her head in once but Maka had waved her away. She'd gotten a knowing smile and wink in return but that wasn't exactly her plan for the morning. Today was her visit to the temple and even though that should be her focus, it was on that other part of Stein's plan, that part that made her worry for Soul's safety almost as much as hers. Just as she tapped it against the desk she heard the sheets rustling. "I thought I told you to wake me up this morning," he grumbled.

"It's not that late yet," she murmured before turning back towards the bed, vial in hand. "But I'm glad you're awake."

He eyed the mixture between her fingers as he sat up on his elbows. "You had me all excited for a second."

Maka snorted, "You're insatiable."

"It's you," he answered back flatly.

"Are you done flattering me?" Maka was attempting to furrow her eyebrows in annoyance but the blush on her cheeks was thwarting it easily.

"Depends," Soul smirked. "How much more of a blush can I get out of you this morning?"

"Soul," she rolled her eyes.

He chuckled, "Give me a break, Maka. Today's the day and all I can think about is that there's a good chance you're going to be out of my reach for months."

"I know," she murmured and started to fold, getting up from her seat and moving back towards the bed.

"And you know it's not just your body," he sighed helplessly before reaching out a hand for her, beckoning her until she had a knee on the bed. "I… only feel that calm with you. The quiet in my head is always because you're with me and I haven't had one nightmare since you've been sleeping in my bed."

Even with the sweetness, she signed forlornly, and instead of producing her lips on his, she hovered the potion between the two of them. "That's why I want you to try to take this today."

"What is it?" That didn't stop him from taking it from her, opening the lid, and letting the sour fragrance hit him with a crinkle of his nose.

Maka pressed it closer to him and Soul let the momentum take it to his lips even before the explanation. "Stein made it for you, and he's made one for each week for the next few months."

"To keep me normal?" Soul scoffed before he shot the liquid back. It tasted like the swamp on a hot day and Soul forced his lips shut to keep from heaving.

Maka echoed with a sharp laugh, "I don't think either of us will ever be normal, but… I told you that maybe this could be controlled, not just tamped down and if I have to leave you, I want to see if we can both get stronger before I do."

Soul closed the lid as he smacked his lips together, trying to clear the flavor from his mouth. "Well, at the very least my stomach's going to have to get stronger."

She grabbed the vial from his grip and threw it uselessly on the bed before crawling on top of him. Soul happily accepted her, letting her press him back into the sheets as her body fit against his. With her face pressed to the crux of his neck, she whispered, "Promise me after you drop me off this morning you'll rest."

"Why's that?" He ran his fingers through her hair, arranging it on her back so he could smooth through it again.

"I trust Stein, but I'm still worried," she sighed hotly against his skin. "If something strange happens-"

"It won't," he reassured her with a kiss to her shoulder. "But what's the next part? I know it's not just taking the potion."

"Tomorrow, you and I, well, I guess the closest thing to call it is meditating." Maka lifted her head, staring into those red orbs and trying to let them ground her. "Your soul is going to resonate with my soul. It should work, the two of us being so close, and if it does, maybe I can help you with that demon."

"Another one of your talents?"

"Well," Maka nibbled at her lip for a moment. "It'll be the first time I'm trying it. I know my mother could do it, she did with my father, but I've never tried. It's mostly because you have to be extremely close, compatible, to be able to do this, so…"

"I'll take that as a compliment," he nipped at her lips and pulled her in for a slow, lingering kiss. "So if we're able to resonate tomorrow that means you really made the right choice marrying me, huh?"

Maka snorted a laugh as she ran her fingers through his hair, clearing it off his forehead to clearly see his face. "I already know I made the right choice."

"Good answer," he smirked as he captured her lips again only to have to let out an annoyed grunt as she pulled away. "You have to get going?"

"Soon." She let her hand travel from his hair to his cheek, in a strange way trying to memorize how the skin felt under her fingertips because her mind was whispering a truth to her that she didn't want: If you go today the order will be to go away. You'll leave him. He won't be yours again for a few months at least or maybe even forever.

"Can I ask you a stupid question?" His hands were drifting down her arms, and tucking into her waist, holding her against him.

"Was that the stupid question?" she teased with half a smile on her lips.

Soul laughed sharply, "Look, do you… do you feel different?" Maka was trying to process the question but her breath hitched instead as one of his hands drifted to her stomach, trying to force between the two of them to touch at it. "I know it's impossible, I know you told me we'd have to wait, but in your gut, literally, right now, what do you think?"

Maka sighed sweetly as a weak smile spread across her lips, "I think I want to tell you that of course there's a child in there, but that's because I want you to feel the comfort of knowing that I'm safe, that my promise is fulfilled, and it's just a matter of getting it safe enough here to come back. When I saw Stein I thought… well, I thought he'd tell me because he had said he knew the week after that Ben was on his way."

His eyebrows furrowed. "How?"

"The feeling I get for souls, Stein has it probably a hundred times stronger than me. He's like my mother, well-practiced. I see maybe a little puff of flame," Maka paused to poke at Soul's chest, "maybe some finer details with concentration and effort but Stein sees a cloud, an entire existence around a person that tells him almost exactly what he needs to know."

Soul's eyes went wide as he pursed his lips for a low whistle. "You think you could get to that level?"

"Eventually, if I work hard enough," Maka nodded. "But, that being said, when I look at myself…" she shimmied her hand next to his, "I don't see anything there, Soul. And while that's not a hundred percent clear sign that I'm not… it means that again, still, we'll really have to wait to tell."

He sighed roughly but his eyes looked up at her expectantly, his lip quivering slightly. "Will you hate me if I hope you just need a little more practice at that soul perception stuff?"

Maka's lip curled inquisitively. "Why would I hate you?"

"Because maybe I'm saying you're just not as good at it as Stein," Soul shrugged, "and Stein not telling you wouldn't surprise me in the least."

She let a few laughs flutter from her lips as she shook her head. "You're unbelievable, you know that? Most people would give the advice to agree with your wife."

"I don't want to, not on this." His hands moved to cup her cheeks, shaking what little amusement she had away as his eyes started to smolder. "Mostly because I'm not sure I'm asking, thinking about it because of your damn deal, Maka. I know if it wasn't for that we'd probably be waiting, figuring out the world first but… the more I think about it, just the regular side of it, you as their mother, their teacher, their everything, the more I know I just want it."

"Soul…" Maka was floundering, her eyes filling with tears but her mouth void of words.

"Not to say I'm not worried about what that kid's gonna be," his voice strangled slightly and he had to clear his throat. "I know there's still a chance for trouble but I try to remember what you said, that if it's you and me we'll be able to see it through. So no matter what you fucking do," he urged with his fingers, his eyes, his voice, "just don't have this baby without me, you got it?"

"I'll try," she murmured.

"Thanks," he managed a trembling smile.

"Soul, I…" Maka couldn't wait anymore, pressing her lips to his to erase the unsure smile. She could feel it straightening against her lips, especially as her fingers moved to clutch at his wrists and keep him holding on to her. "I made the right choice."

Maka had expected nakedness, herbs, and quite possibly a lecture of some kind but instead, this was turning into a strange afternoon tea. Besides a laundry-list of physical questions, some of them feeling connected while others completely odd and out of the blue, Mira was silent. This left the examination as nothing more than mental and Maka was sure she was breaking under the pressure. Somehow, she was on the verge of tears, completely unsure how she'd gotten there but entirely positive that one more question would push forth the deluge.

"Have you been crying more often lately?" The question came with ease but it did exactly as Maka expected. The breath hiccuped from her throat and the first wave hit her cheeks. Mira sighed in reply before standing and going to her work table. "I think we need a different tea for today."

"What does that mean?" Maka managed to squeeze from her throat.

Mira threw a soft smile over her shoulder, "It means that our pot is currently empty, and maybe if I made something a little more calming you'd be able to ask the question that's been on the tip of your tongue since you got here."

Maka let out a shaking sigh before she leaned on her elbows to press her palms to her face. She let them rub there as the sounds of water and Mira's bustling throbbed in her ears. This continued until the pot clacked against the table again and Maka slowly peeked her eyes through her fingers. "Would it harm the baby? I know some of the tranquilizing teas…"

"If you were pregnant I'd actually suggest it." Mira slid the pot closer as she leaned back in her chair.

"If," Maka repeated with a laugh that wanted to be a moan. "Even I know it's too early to tell. I thought I was doing this to make Soul feel better, but…"

"There's a more difficult purpose," Mira nodded her head slowly.

"Mira…" Maka started but felt the words dry and crumble in her mouth. Instead, she reached for the pot and poured the liquid that filled her space with a floral, grassy aroma. She took a moment to inhale the scent before letting her exhale cool the surface. "I told you that I'm sure we're in danger. That the physician-"

"Yes," Mira cut off quickly. "But I assume you've yet to get more proof and need to draw her to the open."

Maka nodded feebly before taking a sip, hoping for some instantaneous reprieve from the churning in her stomach. "And the sooner the better. Which means I'll need you to announce a royal pregnancy now rather than waiting."

Mira sighed as her fingers flexed into the table, chipping at the wood grain. Even knowing the request was coming hadn't aided in creating a decision and her thoughts were still in a cloud. "What do you think will happen if I agree to this?"

"I can't be sure," Maka murmured. "I think… I hope that even though I know Stein and Soul expect her to do something here that she'll be stupid enough to follow me because I'll kill her." With the strength of those words, the quivering in her stomach stilled, her eyes flicking coldly to Mira. "She's hurt him and while it sounds selfish and childish she kept him from me. I won't forgive that."

While Mira's eyes did soften at Maka's stern reply, her voice came back just as spitting. "And you think that's possible while you're carrying your precious heir?"

"I don't think I'm carrying an heir," Maka sighed. "And maybe it's better that way."

Mira chewed this over before relaxing her fingers on the table. "I will agree to this on one condition."

Maka fidgeted in her seat, ready to promise anything but tempering it with thoughts of Soul. Don't make another split decision without him. "What is it?"

"You will start acting like you are," Mira ended that with a slow release of air from her throat.

She shook her head as if she needed to loosen the wax in her ears. "Like I'm what?"

"You're pregnant," Mira tried to offer that as flatly as possible. "As far as we're both concerned from this moment on you are. You're to act like you are. Be as careful as a woman carrying a child would be."

For a fleeting moment, Maka believed it. Those words had somehow made it true and it settled in her like a reality, but, again, that was only for a few seconds before she breathed in the alternate surety that this would just be an act. "I will do my best."

Mira nodded slowly before reaching a hand across the table, taking Maka's softly. "You will act tired. You will allow yourself to cry at the slightest thing. You will complain of headaches, back pain, and dizziness. Fainting is also an option. If you bleed, hide it as best you can because at this point you should be dry."

Maka noted her cues, trying to imagine the times and places to fit them. "When will you make the announcement?"

"I will express concern that you're showing signs early." Mira drew a timeline with her finger along the table. "Then I will call you back in three weeks and go through a real examination."

"This wasn't…" Maka didn't bother to finish because Mira shook her head.

"The next day I will make the official proclamation in front of the entire royal court."

A sigh forced between Maka's teeth as she closed her eyes. "How do they stand their lives as such a show? I want to beg for you to do it in private, but that would be against the point, wouldn't it?"

"Very much so." Mira's smile helped to abate some of the shame of it all. "Then whatever happens after that will be entirely on you."

"I understand," Maka nodded. "This is the only favor I can and will ask of you. I'm sorry that I've had to involve you at all."

Mira's bitter laugh surprised Maka. "It wasn't avoidable." There were too many breaths worth of silence between them and Maka half expected Mira to stand and excuse her but instead in the softest whisper came, "I'm sorry that all of this falls on you. I wish change came in a way that didn't require sacrifice."

Maka shook her head slowly, a miserable smile coming to her face, "With my mother and father should I have expected differently? I've known for a long time that my life wouldn't be easy."

"Well," Mira sighed before she squeezed Maka's hand again, "It may not be, but remember, you're not alone. Others protect and love you."

At that moment, Maka had never so desperately needed to feel that.

Soul had followed orders, blowing off a light sparring session with Black Star who had seemed strangely relieved by the situation so that he could spend the day nervously and in no way relaxing in bed. For a while, he'd added to the journal, mostly sketches of her in different instances that came to mind. First, her standing on the temple steps, remembering the intricate pattern that had been emblazoned on her chest. Second, the way she looked as he knelt in front of her, that adorable hint of surprise. Third, what her face looked like the first time she admitted she loved him. He didn't dare draw some of the others since he was sure Maka would have him strung up if he tried to put some more private moments to the page.

Of course, that was the thought that summoned her and even if it felt like she was now there to punish him he was so desperate for her presence that it didn't matter. There was no berating, no words, just Maka walking into the room and instantly starting the chore of undressing. His only hope of keeping his cool was to plaster on a smirk and laugh out the words, "I thought I was on bed rest today?"

"Shut up," she muttered as she got her top gown off. "Help me, will you?"

"Don't have to ask me twice," he hummed out pleasantly as he hopped out of bed. Maka moved her hair for him, leaving him to unravel the ties in the back of her undergown. "I guess you're not in the mood to talk?" She huffed in reply and he had no choice but to chuckle. "Maka…" he just finished the binding and Maka was tossing her dress to the floor, turning in complete silence to fiddle with getting off his pants. "Maka," he repeated as he grabbed her hands, stilling the motion enough to get her eyes to finally connect with his.

"What?" It was a solid attempt at a defiant tone but the shine around the rims of those sweet green eyes betrayed her.

"Don't rush me, got it?" When he let go of her hands they hung there and he took the opportunity to toss off his shirt. Instead of the passion he'd been risking to think about just moments before, he was wrapping his arms around her as her cheek pressed comfortably against his chest. His fingers moved with the sole purpose to soothe, running over arms and back, cradling to take her weight at times when her breath seemed to falter. She had spoken before of souls and he tried to imagine at that moment tying his to hers, easing his love into every last corner of her.

He didn't count the minutes, just waited for her heart to steady. When her fingers finally seemed to ease their tight grip on him, Soul slid a hand to cup her neck and pulled Maka from her hiding spot. There was no point in calling her out now, exposing more of the raw hurt she seemed to be wearing so he concentrated on letting his lips speak to her, tenderly offering kisses that made every last nerve tingle. Again, time here was endless and didn't matter, his only purpose to encourage that unraveling in her.

Soul only stopped kissing Maka in order to turn her and lay her down breathlessly on the bed. Now he bothered with his pants, leaving them behind so he could let every last inch of his skin touch to hers. He tangled his legs in hers and let his hands start a slow journey to give her front the same attention he'd just given her back. None of it came with any exact intention, just calloused pads drifting along the softest of skin. He rested his head just next to hers, letting her eyes be wherever they were comfortable as his watch followed the movement of his fingers.

After enough goosebumps, he propped up on his elbow and dipped his head so his lips could just brush her collarbone. The catch in her breath was enough to encourage a second and then a third, creating a trail down to the swell of her breast. "Soul…" she started inquisitively but anything else was sucked out of her mouth as his lips latched on her nipple. He tentatively sucked and a warbled groan left her lips. "What are you doing?" her murmur came almost incoherently as he continued the sucking pressure.

He toyed with her for a little longer before releasing his lips with an amusing pop. "I was thinking this kind of mood needed something out of the ordinary. You like it?" When he raised his turned his head to look at her he got his answer, the gorgeous flush of her face and the trembling part of her lips speaking volumes before she could even eke out another word. "What else? Biting?"

Maka shook her head swiftly.

"Not even a nibble?" he asked playfully.

"Soul," she tried to admonish him but as his lips caressed over her peak again it came out as just a shaky mess.

He played with his tongue, drawing lines until she would let out a quivering sigh before latching again. It was a relief to sense her relaxing into the pattern, her feelings starting to unravel while that other part of her was winding up. Soul enjoyed this view, watching her stomach muscles flutter and her legs fidget against the sheets as he let a searching hand run along her hip bone. It wasn't necessarily fair but he was teasing, watching the way her legs shivered as he drew a line in the crease of her joint and exhaled hotly against her breast.

"Soul," she started again, her hair sinking into his hair.

"What?" Soul innocently turned his head to her, sparkling red eyes meeting narrowing green.

Her teeth worked into her bottom lip before she murmured, "I'm sorry."

"No," he quickly lifted his head, taking his playful hand away to grasp at her cheek. "No, that's not what I want. I want you to forget it right now. Leave that shit at the door."

"Then kiss me," it was barely a whimper but one he took as seriously as an order.

As his lips met hers his hand went back to traveling, running over the ridge of her collarbone, over her breast to feel the joyous flutter of her abdomen. His fooling had backfired as far as he was concerned and he would fix it, delving his fingers between her legs with no more hesitation. A quivering moan broke their kiss which he treasured almost as much as how his tongue had apparently done the right kind of work, no exploring necessary to get his fingers wet. "Maka," he sighed out happily as he tried to feel like this was the only moment they'd ever have, that this was the entirety of their world.

And he would only fill that world with the sounds of her ecstasy. Since this was thankfully no longer alien to him, Soul had pretty much perfected a rhythm, but he was going to stay true to his word, that the anxiety she'd brought back with her needed to be quelled by something more than the ordinary. He broke from usual flow, sliding his fingers into her as he experimented with the angle. He was rewarded with a gasp but he still paused, "More of that?"

"Yes," she panted.

That was another prize he'd hold on to. He plunged into her a few more times, one slide building on the next as she started to engage her hips with each stroke. Once the sense seemed to drain from her eyes he went back to the tried and true measure, a firm pressure placed on that blessed button between her legs. Her hand clenched into his hair and forced his lips to crush against hers just long enough to deaden the undulating moan between them. He gave in to her, letting her bite at his lip and squeeze his hand between her legs.

Maka's senses were always slow to come back to her, a spot of pride for Soul definitely, so when she released him it was to lay there in a daze. Soul didn't push, just put his head back on his pillow as he pulled the sheet over them. Without much thought, he rested his hand on her stomach and while she was still somewhere in a fog, that pulled her back swiftly enough. "What's the verdict?" he murmured.

"Shouldn't we…?" A delicate hand ran over the sheet at his hip but Soul shook his head.

"I think I want it after I know. Just seemed like you needed it first."

Maka tried to keep her breath steady but it faltered and that tender hand turned into a clutch, pulling him towards her. She wanted the last few minutes back, to be stuck there and living in that kind of joy for eternity. What's worse is that Maka was almost sure that if she asked, he would give that to her, regardless of the selfishness. Maka buried her face in his chest, no amount of fastening to him feeling close enough.

"I need to know, Maka," he whispered as he kissed her hairline.

"Three weeks before the announcement." She waited but all she got in return with his steady breathing and another soft brush of his lips.

His chest rattled through a sigh, "Did she say if she thought you were pregnant or not?"

"Whether I am or not we're acting like it," pressed quickly from her lips as her fingers tensed into his skin. "I'm supposed to put on a show."

He knew it was pointless nonsense to mutter but he let it out anyway, "Just be careful around Medusa."

"I'm sorry," she couldn't help but repeat it even though there was no reason that would come to her mind other than the wish for normalcy again. If only I could give you a regular life.

"What are you sorry for?" he grumbled as he rolled her over, pinning her once again underneath him. "Nevermind, forget it," he pressed his lips to hers quickly, silencing any words if she had them. "How about I'm the sorry one? I think that makes more sense."

She almost didn't want to ask since it required releasing his lips so she slipped a hand into his hair, ready to tug him back in before whispering, "Why?"

"I feel like my only worry is going to be missing you," he nuzzled his nose to hers, "while you have to worry about maybe being pregnant, seeing your father, traveling with Black Star."

"You'll have to deal with a witch," Maka offered to tip the scale.

"You really think that compares?" he chuckled. "I'd think you'd take a witch over Black Star any day."

Even though she wished she could produce more, all she could manage was a smile that she quickly smudged out against his lips. "Make love to me," she barely broke the kiss.

"Just one more thing," he sighed softly as she was already wrapping her legs around him. "I know it hurts, Maka. I feel it too, but… we're stronger than that, alright? Our love is stronger than that."