Zelda couldn't help but inspect every corner of Ike's old bedroom as he sat on the dark blue sheets and watched her. Lines on the walls attested to old posters torn down long ago, she noticed the carpet was worn from use more by the door and closet, and the dresser almost sagged from age. Every tiny detail told Zelda a little about Ike, and she was loving it. His photos sitting in frames on top of the dresser showed him with his family, another of him and friends she wanted to meet. "The kid with longer blue hair is my buddy Marth," he said as he laid back. "He was a foreign exchange student in high school and got on the wrong side of the more backward thinking idiots."

"You stood up for him?" Zelda tried to make it sound like a question and Ike chuckled.

"I bet your charming father did a background check on me, and it's on my record. I got into a bad fight in school over it. They called the cops and everything. Charges were dropped when they found out what started it."

"Are you and Marth still friends?" Zelda asked and he nodded.

"Oh yeah he's the shit... I think he's finally got his own interior design company now out in Altea."

"Hmm, maybe we can get him to quote us on the old nursery," she said and Ike got a look on his face she didn't know. "What?"

"I guess I'm still not quite used to the idea of having a royal baby," he said and Zelda laughed.

"I forget there's another kind to have," she sighed and sat next to him on the double bed. "I get the sense that I'm not the first girlfriend who's ever been in this room with you."

"I'd be lying if I said you were. However," Ike propped himself up on his elbows, "you'll be the first to spend the night." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him, lips claiming hers and she wiggled back.

"Ike, I don't think I can knowing your mother is in the house," she said and he rolled his eyes playfully.

"I can savor wanting you though right?" he asked as he slid a warm hand under her shirt. He gripped her hip, moving her back and forth gently, eyes begging.

"Ike, not tonight," she said and he stopped moving her but kept his hand there defiantly.

"You ready for tomorrow?" he asked to change the subject and she nodded.

"I know one meeting won't fix everything, I'm not naïve, but I am excited to start down the long road of... mending." Ike nodded and she bit her lip. "What's on your mind Ike?"

"You want me there tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"In what capacity?" she tilted her head in confusion at his question and he sighed. "Am I a fake bodyguard or am I the father of our child and your amazing boyfriend?" his voice held a teasing tone, but Zelda could tell it was masking his emotions.

"Oh," Zelda looked away, honestly not sure what to say to that. His hand moved from her hip as he sat up and made her look at him.

"Can we drop the bullshit? I want to be by your side for what I am. I'm your boyfriend and we're having a baby, let's just let the whole fucking world know."

"You... You really want people to know?"

"Zelda, we haven't been together long," he said with a soft and sad smile on his lips, "and we certainly haven't known each other long enough to be having a baby together but everyday I wake up next to you and realize that I'm a lucky man and I shouldn't hide this from the world. I should be walking everywhere at your side with your hand in mine and letting everyone see us... Let them wonder how a guy like me was able to get a woman like you. Zelda I," he swallowed and seemed to ponder the words that were obviously poised on the tip of his tongue. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered back without hesitation, unable to say it louder and he grinned as he brought his lips to hers. The kiss turned passionate, with Ike trying to pull her onto his lap. "Ike," she mumbled against his lips and he nodded as he stopped trying to get her on top of him. A warm feeling Zelda had been terrified to feel again spread through her as they moved to climb into the bed together. She watched Ike pull off his clothes down to his boxers, a smile on her lips as he waggled his eyebrows before laying down. She followed suit, stripping to just her bra and panties before climbing in after him. He held out an arm and she laid next to him, soaking up his warmth. He leaned over to the bedside table and clicked off the lamp, bathing them in a comfortable darkness.

"I love you," he said into her hair and Zelda hummed happily as he nuzzled into her hair and kissed the tip of her pointed ear.

"I love you too."

"It feels better having said it," he said with a yawn and she turned her head, watching his features in the almost darkness. "Now I can just say it and I don't have to worry about it..." he looked at her and even though the room was almost pitch black, Zelda knew he was smiling and moved her lips to his. "You kiss me again," he said with a teasing warning tone, "and I'm not going to hold back."

"Look where that got us," she said and he chuckled.

"I remember a certain princess wrapping her legs around me and cutting off any chance of me getting away. And when I tried to warn this pretty princess about losing control she moved those hips the right way and gave me a look that screamed 'don't you dare pull out'."

"That's not how it happened at all," Zelda said and Ike gave her a look she could see in the dark. "I was innocently sitting at the bar and this ruffian set upon me."

"Oh this ruffian huh?" he asked as he rolled on top of her, making her giggle nervously. "This ruffian just... What exactly?"

"Well he tricked me into leaving the bar with him," she said and Ike leaned his lips to her neck, nipping away as he moved down. "And then he..." Zelda trailed off as Ike moved past her bra and trailed kisses down to her hip bones. "Ike," she tried to wiggle but he kept her there.

"This ruffian," he said in a husky whisper, "is about to do what he wants to you." He tugged on her panties for emphasis and she raised herself up so he could pull them down.

XXX

I wanted to do a quick fluffy chapter! So there you go, two updates in one night (it's nighttime here kiddos) it must be your birthday (if it seriously is then happy birthday!). Since this is the same night I have no reviews to say thanks to for the following chapter so instead I will opt for an emphatic THANK YOU FOR READING. I love you all! Much love, Leigh