A/N: Blame the song down below for the extra fluffiness coming your way (especially this particular verse, makes me melt a little every time)… It's exactly what love should be *happy sigh*

(To Nina Gatsby: thanks again! :) It's so cool that you used to write! Why not try your hand at CP fic? You should totally get an account so we can PM! Yeah, I totally know the feeling of watching CP episodes just to see W/L in the same screen shot, LOL, I was a little obsessed with their storyline! Hee hee! I also really liked Wheeler's reaction to the baby news ;) Enjoy the next chapter!)

Chapter 4 – Look After You

When I'm losing my control, the city spins around

You're the only one who knows, you slow it down

"Look After You" – The Fray, from How To Save a Life

It was a blessed thing that telling Gaia had not been as dramatic for the two young lovebirds as they had initially thought. As they were trying to find the right words to explain to the Spirit of the Earth their current situation, the violet lady had placed both hands on Linka's lower abdomen, smiling delicately. Gaia knew! Linka had been stupefied, and Wheeler had wanted to know if Gaia could feel the baby already, if it was all right. Gaia gave Wheeler a loving smile to calm his anxieties, and let them both know that the baby was healthy and growing.

Gaia understood that a new Wind Planeteer would have to be beckoned, but asked if Wheeler still wanted to be a part of the team. The redhead had looked over at Linka, and with a smile, the blonde girl had replied that there was no reason that Wheeler could not go out on missions with the rest of the team. She knew that Wheeler fiercely loved being a Planeteer, and she did not want to take that away from him. At least not for the time being. They had already discussed her moving to the Washington site, since Linka's uncle Dimitri worked in the same city with the Russian Embassy. This way, Wheeler would not worry too much whenever he was away from her.

This plan of action suited Linka just fine, for she could still work as part of the team in the function of "secretary", writing reports and presenting things to Parliament. If she could not take the front lines, working in the in background was the next best thing. Plus, she was very relieved that she could count on her uncle to keep her company. Dimitri had married a second time in America. She was a young weather girl on the local TV station that Wheeler had once described as "a house that's pretty to look at, but you know the lights are not all on upstairs". Linka had laughed at that for a while, feeling guilty all the while. It was so apt, though! Barbara, that was her name (but everyone was to call her "Barb" or "Barbie" even), was a dear girl but not too bright. However, Linka could see that she seemed to make her uncle happy, and that was good enough for her.

Kwame had also calmed down considerably, and he had apologized to Linka. The blonde girl knew that he saw both her and Gi as little sisters to protect and cherish, and so she could not stay angry at him. They had had a long talk. When the African leader realized that Linka was accepting this turn of events in her life with a sense of peace and awe, rather than doubt and fear as he had mistakenly assumed, he could not help but be happy for his Russian friend. Their decision to have Linka move to Washington seemed sensible to him, and he was glad that she could still take part in all that happened.

Kwame had also cleared the air with Wheeler, who readily forgave him. The American was not one to hold grudges, and they had talked things through and hugged it out. Everything had thankfully worked itself out for the best.

Linka was fully in the second month of her pregnancy, and a tiny little bump was starting to show, when the rest of the Planeteers helped her with the move to Washington. Wheeler had opted for half his things on Hope Island and the other half with Linka, so that he could travel back and forth as he pleased.

The blonde girl watched as her friends placed a few boxes here and there near the entrance, although she offered no assistance. It was a miracle that Wheeler was letting her to carry her own purse, since he had become extremely protective of her. She was not to carry anything that was remotely heavy or strain herself in any way, and Linka smiled fondly at his preoccupation over her. It was his way of contributing, and she let him have his little victory. She had always believed that it was wrong not to let men be men; it was their right, their identity, and no amount of overzealous feminist theory could strip them of that. Besides, she felt utterly loved when Wheeler showered her with his little attentions, so she was more than glad that that aspect hadn't changed!

Linka was feeling great and looking healthy. She had very few morning sickness episodes, and her appetite was growing each day. She slept soundly, although she loved the times when Wheeler kept her up to show her his deep affection. Those were good nights. The two of them kept growing closer together, and more in love. In fact, Linka had not been too surprised when Wheeler had stated that they should get married. She had anticipated that the Yankee would ask her, because he loved her and because he liked doing the "right" thing. Although moved and thrilled about it at the same time, Linka had tried explaining that with everything that was already going on, it would be too overwhelming trying to wrestle with wedding planning, as well. It would be too much to take on simultaneously. She had kissed him to erase the disappointed look on his face, and promised him that they would talk about it again after the baby was born. This had cheered Wheeler up considerably, and Linka had gone on to convince him of her love for him using other methods besides words. That had been a really good night!

Presently, Linka turned to see her Yankee taking her hand and smiling at her. The others were getting ready to go out and bring back something to eat for everyone, and Linka smiled fondly at Kwame, who was asking her if there was anything in particular she was craving. She answered that anything they chose would be fine, and soon after, she and Wheeler were left alone in the apartment.

"I hope not to see any more boxes for a while!" the Russian beauty exclaimed, taking a seat on the sofa facing the flat screen television. She would work on the boxes tomorrow, when the others would be away, and neatly place everything in its proper place. For now, she just wanted to relax after the long trip. The move from Hope Island hadn't been as easy as she had anticipated, and she had been sorry to leave what felt like a part of her youth behind.

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that, babe," Wheeler scrunched up his face at her adorably, and he went back to retrieve something from the entrance. He presented it to her while taking a seat beside her, and Linka slowly accepted it with a grin. It was a delicate white box with a pretty bow on it, extremely light in her hands.

"What is it, Yankee?" she asked as she gave him a kiss for his thoughtfulness. Wheeler brought her closer and deepened the kiss, and she was utterly breathless by the time she was free again to open her gift.

Curiously, Linka slid the ribbon off and carefully moved aside the pristine tissue paper inside. Emotion caught in her throat when her hands stroked a tiny little knit hat and tiny little matching booties made for a tiny little baby. The colors were pale green and white, exquisite. Since the sex of the baby remained undetermined as of yet, Wheeler had opted for gender neutral hues.

"Oh, Jacob," Linka whispered, shakily fighting back tears at the sweetness of his gift. "They are perfectly adorable."

"I saw them the other day and thought so, too," Wheeler smiled widely, squeezing her hand.

Linka returned his smile and fondly fingered the booties. They were soft and incredibly cute. "Just think, in a few more months, little feet will go in here," she added, unable to keep the smile from spreading further over her face.

"Do you think we should pick a name, yet?" Wheeler asked excitedly, and Linka could not help but give him another kiss. It still surprised her to see Wheeler so enthused about becoming a father. She had not particularly pegged him as the type, but he was surpassing all her expectations. He was being very supportive, and not at all spooked by the daunting experience awaiting him. Linka was very proud of him, indeed, and drew incredible strength from his loving presence.

"Did you have something in mind?" Linka inquired, letting her glance linger on his blue eyes, knowing that he probably had it all figured out by the smirk on his face.

"How about I pick the name if it's a girl, while you get to choose if it's a boy?"

Linka thought this over and nodded, satisfied.

"That seems fair. So, what will we name our baby girl?"

Wheeler took her hands and suddenly appeared shy, something that warmed Linka's heart even more. His smile was lovely and genuine as he considered his answer.

"What do you think of Hope? The place where I fell in love with you when we first met, Hope Island. I want to tell her all about that someday. You know, when she's old enough to grasp the concept of magical rings and blue superheroes!"

Linka laughed at his afterthought, but her heart was swelling with love at his reasoning. It was perfect. But Wheeler had to quit being that adorable, though, seriously! God, she felt all "melty" inside, like those chocolate-covered marshmallow hearts.

"I love it," she sighed contently, and Wheeler kissed her just as happily.

"If we have a boy, I would like to name him Nikolay, after my father," Linka suggested, knowing that her dear Papa would be smiling down from heaven at that honorable mention. It would be her way of keeping him with her, since she'd lost him in a tragic mining accident many years ago, and still missed him profusely.

"Nick and Hope it is, then!" Wheeler grinned excitedly, and Linka smiled, placing the lid back on the gift box.

"Oh, and we get dibs on the name that doesn't make it. You know, for the next time," Wheeler added (too) easily, (too) carelessly, and Linka's head shot up like an arrow fired by an expert archer.

"What do you mean 'for the next time?'"

"Well, once you finally agree to marry me, we're gonna have more kids, right?"

Wheeler suddenly looked so fearful of her reaction that Linka burst out laughing.

"Define 'more' and quantify 'kids'," Linka replied smartly, choosing to have some fun with him. Seeing Wheeler squirm was still the best!

"Aww, babe, don't go puttin' me on the spot now!" he groaned a little, protesting, as he rubbed the back of his neck contemplatively. "I never understood parents who only ever had one kid. I grew up without any siblings and it totally sucked! No one to play with or blame things on, it just didn't seem fair!"

"Overpopulating the Earth is not very fair, either," Linka arched an eyebrow at him good-humoredly, then burst into a fit of laughter when Wheeler started tickling her. She'd asked for it, really, the Yankee was only getting his revenge!

Linka let him gently wrestle her down on the sofa cushions until he was leaning over her, having effectively pinned her wrists above her head. Wheeler went on to kiss her in that deeply delicious way that caused all her thoughts to melt away, and she offered no resistance whatsoever. She loved the way he completely ruled over her emotions; strangely enough, it was the most freeing experience she'd ever had.

"Babe, I hope you know I'm serious when I say I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Wheeler whispered in her ear, covering her neck with kisses and making her shiver. The blonde became incoherent for a moment as a consequence, then she gently lifted his head upwards in order to meet his eyes. The emotion she saw there moved her.

"Nothing means more to me. I never thought I'd want a family with anyone, not after the kind of life I had. I guess a part of me was scared of repeating the mistakes my parents made with each other, with me. But when I look at you, babe… Linka, I'd die before hurting you in any way, and I already love the baby you're carrying so much. I want to be everything you need, and everything our baby needs. I'll work hard at it every day, I promise. I don't mean to freak you out with my vision of the future, so just shut me up if I do."

Linka's eyes were moist by this point and she gave her American sweetheart a watery smile. She caressed the side of his face fondly, drawing in a deep breath, before replying.

"I am not 'freaked out' at all, Jacob. In the end, we want the same things. We may have speeded things up a little, da, but this was our destiny. We are going to have a beautiful family together, the family you deserve, and you are going to be a wonderful father. I have never doubted that, not for a moment."

Wheeler looked at her as if she were a long lost treasure, and Linka swore he could still make her blush when he did that! He lost no time claiming her mouth again, and she happily gave in to him, uncaring that their friends were likely to walk in at any moment with dinner and find them locked in a passionate embrace. Nothing the other Planeteers were not used to, anyway!

"Have I told you yet today how much I love you?"

Linka giggled happily at his words, then batted her long eyelashes up at him. "I really do not mind if you tell me over and over again, Yankee."

"God, how did we get to be so sickeningly sweet?" laughed Wheeler, and it was infectious enough to get the blonde laughing along with him.

"Hey, do not blame me! I was never like this before you came along!"

"I know, I haven't forgotten your brutal rejections at the beginning," Wheeler joked, placing one hand over his heart in mock hurt. "Seriously don't know how I recovered, babe!"

Linka smiled and wrapped her limbs about him, bringing him closer and brushing her lips faintly over his.

"I think I have more than made up for it, nyet, darling?"

The effect she had on Wheeler was evident, and it was good to know she could still take his breath away when needed. Linka was pretty satisfied with herself and her femme fatale qualities. She was literally a hot mama! Ha!

"Damn, babe, if you keep that up, I can't promise the others will walk into a PG-13 situation," Wheeler warned, placing urgent kisses on her neck.

Linka laughed and convinced him they should probably get up; even she could tell she sounded reluctant. But since she had no resistance whatsoever when it came to Wheeler, especially lately, she knew it was a good idea to stop now before things got too heated. She really did not want to give Gi a visual to go along with her stories.

Wheeler helped her up with a gentleman-like gesture, and Linka gave him a bright smile in return, before the American pulled her in for a long, final kiss. Hand in hand, they headed off to the kitchen to set the table and wait for their friends to come home.