Disclaimer: None of the Savant World/the Benedicts belong to me – all rights to Joss Stirling.

So sorry I haven't updated in a while – I've been so crammed up with school (Year 11 suddenly everything gets so serious) but today I was ill so I had time to write for you :)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Eighteen months later

Groaning slightly, I turn over in bed, wishing the bright sunshine would disappear again, and throw my arm over Xav's chest.

Wait, what?

I bolt upright and check again. Xav is definitely here, and he's asleep. I was asleep. The flat is silent.

"Xav!"

Letting out a small groan of protest, he grabs the pillow and buries his head beneath it. Abandoning my intent for the meantime, I sprint out of bed and rush towards the nursery, my body having still not quite gotten used to physical activity, the effect of any abdominal operation.

The slow, steady breathing coming from the crib soothes my nerves at once but I still sneak a peek at Caleb, who is lying flat on his back, arms sprawled to the side. Quietly, I tiptoe back into our bedroom and slip in next to Xav. It takes thirty-two pokes to the chest, two slaps to the head and the intro to Metallica's Sad But True to even make him open his eyes, and even then he only does it to give me his death glare.

"What?" He hisses and if I weren't his soulfinder/wife, I'd seriously be worried about my safety.

"Do you hear that?" I'm struggling to contain my glee and excitement and go over to straddle him, forcing him to stay awake.

"Last thing I heard was you blaring freaking Metallica in my mind."

"Oh, stop it, you wimp. Silence is louder than … a baby's hungry wails."

Xav bolts out of the bed, accidentally shoving me off in the process, and sprints to the nursery, making sure that our baby boy is still there, just like I did.

I follow him and carefully wrap my arms around his torso from behind. An everlasting grin is etched on his face as he stares down at the crib with such love that it brings tears to my eyes.

We did well, don't you think? Finally, he's slept through the night.

Slow down there, Androcles, we still have the 17 years left.

Xav lets out a low chuckle and turns around in my arms.

How about another? I ask and press myself closer to him, leaving a trail of kisses from his throat to ear. It's something I haven't done in a long while. Sex hasn't been our number one priority over the past year.

You have no idea how much I would love that but the doctor said that we ought to wait.

Well, you're also a doctor, Xav, and do you think we should wait?

I lead him back towards our bedroom, deliberately making a show of leaving a trail of clothing in his way. I throw a sly glance over my shoulder and let out a laugh. Xav is flexing his arms and hilariously failing at keeping his eyes closed. Without warning, I jump up and wrap my legs around his waist and arms around his neck. On reflex, he catches me and when I lower my mouth on his in a passionate, fire-igniting kiss, he finally gives in.

Nope, we definitely don't have to wait.

Twenty-Four months later

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Caleb, happy birthday to youuu!"

The room erupts in applause, as Caleb excitedly claps his hands together as he sees the presents and the small cake.

"Buon compleanno, tesoro" I whisper in his ear and press a light kiss on his black hair. Xav and I decided to raise him bilingual, something that wouldn't just be an advantage in later life but also quite useful on our annual trips to Venice in the winter.

As the whole family helps Caleb open his presents, Xav pulls me on his lap and lets me snuggle into him like a big cuddly bear.

Do you think he's having a good childhood? I ask and have to smile as Caleb's eyes light up when Zed opens the package containing a balance bike.

Yeah. I think he is. How are you feeling? Xav asks, referring to the stomach bug I'd had last week.

Quietly, I get up and lead Xav into the kitchen. I have to stretch slightly to reach the envelope I'd hidden earlier and almost have to laugh at Xav's confused expression when I hand it to him.

Dear Mr Xavier Benedict,

we are pleased to inform you that your skiers have completed and won the race.

You will be able to collect your prize, which will weigh approximately 3600 grams and be around 50 centimetres tall (provide appropriate transportation!), in eight months at the local hospital. The prize will be presented to you by Mrs Crystal Benedict!

Congratulations!

Sincerely yours,

The expecting Cupcake!

After weeks of negative pregnancy tests and the even worse task of having to tell Xav about my body's failures, I have difficulty keeping the tears from streaming down my face as Xav's eyes light up like all his birthdays and Christmas have been wrapped up in a big box with a bow on it.

My skiers? He chuckles and pulls me in for a bone-crushing hug, as he laughs and cries into my hair and kisses away the tear tracks on my face.

Some people call them swimmers, I call them skiers.

What do you then call people who play football?

Quarterbacks.

And tennis?

Rackets.

And soccer?

… Balls?

I give up trying to be creative and let my head fall against his chest.

"Should we tell 'em right now?" Xav asks and strokes back my hair, kissing me once again.

"Not just now, I think. We tell Caleb first."

"Sounds perfect, beauty. Now, c'mon, our boy has some cake to eat and I ain't willing to let him get fat alone."

"You think we're gonna be alright?"

We're laying on our sides, spooning, his arm wrapped protectively around my stomach.

"With the eclampsia and all…" Xav's arms tighten ever so slightly around me and I hate reminding him about that week, when he didn't know whether I would wake up. Ever.

"We're prepared. We'll look after you. You'll be fine, Cupcake."

And despite having the opposite happen to me two years ago, I believe him – and love him for being able to make me do so.

So three more chapters to go and then it's a wrap :) As always, please review!