Chapter 8-A New Beginning.

After Alistair returned to his room he decided to pack. He couldn't bear to be here with her another minute. It hurt too much. He loved her more than he ever thought it possible to love someone. She was his soul. It was obvious she still had feelings for him too. He read it in her eyes earlier, felt it when he kissed her. However, if there was someone else in her life, the best thing he could do for them both, was leave.

He had just finished gathering the rest of his things, when he heard a knock on the door. He knew who it was, but he still asked. "Who is it?"

***

Aubrie was nervous. No, more like scared. She was more scared than she was when she faced the Archdemon, and that was pretty scary. She couldn't help it though. She was about to tell the man she has loved for the past two years, that he is the father of six month old twins. How does one tell somebody that their a father? She was about to find out.

"Alistair it's me, can we talk?"

"About what?" he asked through the door.

"I'd rather not talk about it with everyone else," she replied. "Could you just let me in."

For a moment she thought he might tell her to go away. Not that she would have. He had to know about the twins first.

Finally he opened the door allowing her to walk in.

"You're getting ready to leave I see," she said noticing the pack on his bed.

Alistair nervously ran his hand through his hair. "Yes, well I figured since we no longer have to track down a kidnapped boy, there's no point in me sticking around."

"What about us?" Aubrie asked quietly.

"Aubrie there is no us." There was a sorrow in his eyes. "You made that perfectly clear when you told me you couldn't marry me, which you never did say why. Not that it matters, I figured it out."

"You did?" Aubrie was surprised. How did he figure that out.

"Yes, I know there's someone else," he answered. "Not that I'm upset, well actually I am, but not at you. You deserve to be happy. I just hope he treats you right."

"Wait, you think there's another man in my life." Aubrie would've laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. Plus, She didn't want to make him feel bad. "Alistair, you have always been the only man I've ever loved, the only man I ever will love."

"You love me?" he asked hopefully.

She smiled. "Yes Alistair, more than you could ever dream possible."

Alistair groaned and then before she knew it, he had her backed against the door and he was kissing her.

It was the most intimate kiss Aubrie had ever experienced. Full of passion, love, and tenderness, she felt as if she were floating. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him. She demanded more, which Alistair was more than happy to accommodate. Tongues mingled and explored, then mingled again.

Aubrie knew she should put a stop to this and tell Alistair why she was here. However, need was taking over and she decided she would have this night with him, even if it was their last.

Alistair moved his hands from her waist to cup the bottom of her rear, lifting her up so her legs could wrap around her waist. He walked her over to the end of the bed, never breaking the kiss until he set her down.

Slowly they undressed each other, as they pressed light kisses to the newly exposed body parts. Soon everything was exposed and their mouths once again came together in a hungry kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Aubrie backed up slowly to the head of the bed and Alistair followed, slowly stretching himself on top of her. She could feel the proof of his desire for her between her thighs. He was ready and so was she.

Aubrie wrapped her legs around his hips, to allow him easier access. As he entered her, his lips found hers in a demanding, yet passionate kiss.

Down below, the rhythm was slow at first. Each stroke was soft and sensual. Before long, however, his thrusts had quickened leaving them both panting. He wanted this to last, but it had been too long since he last held her like this. He loved her and needed to feel that release with her.

Soon Aubrie's thighs clenched his hips. He could feel her losing control. Finally her hips bucked against his and he could feel her contracting around him. Alistair couldn't take it anymore. He thrust into her one final time, before following her over the edge.

A few minutes later, Alistair rolled off her, onto his side. She also turned to her side, curling up next to him with her back to him. Alistair brought his arm around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. "I love you." he whispered.

She smiled. "I love you too."

They laid there for a time until finally they succumbed to their exhaustion and slept.

***

A few hours later Aubrie awoke. She felt cold. It didn't take her long to realize Alistair was no longer in bed with her. At first she panicked. Surely he hadn't left already. However, relief flooded through her when she glanced up and saw him standing near the fire.

As if sensing he was being watched, Alistair turned. "You're awake." he said walking towards her.

"So are you." She replied.

He reached the bed and laid down next to her, taking her in his arms and kissing her lightly on the lips. "I couldn't sleep." He became serious. "Aubrie we need to talk."

She closed her eyes. She was hoping it could wait til morning, but she knew he was right. She wiggled out of his arms and sat up, leaning back against the headboard. "Ok, let's talk."

He did the same. "I need to know what our future holds. You said you couldn't marry me, but you also said that there's nobody else in your life. You also admitted that you loved me. So, I guess I'm confused."

Aubrie looked down at her hands nervously. "Alistair, there's something I haven't told you yet."

Alistair stiffened beside her. "What haven't you told me?"

"Alistair I..." Here goes, the scariest thing she's ever done. "Alistair, that night after the Landsmeet, I found out I was pregnant."

Alistair was stunned. "You were pregnant?" He still didn't quite understand. However, realization soon hit him like a ton of bricks. "Wait, we...we had a baby. I'm a...I'm a father?"

She nodded. "We had two babies, actually, a boy and a girl."

"You mean...twins?"

Again she nodded.

Alistair was still in shock. Wow, he was a father. To twins. "What are their names?"

"Alison Rose and Duncan Bryce." she answered.

Aubrie watched him. She wasn't sure what he was thinking and it scared her. But then he did something that completely surprised her. In one swift move he pulled her to his lap and kissed her. "I'm a father," he whispered afterward. He was smiling.

Tears of joy started running down her face. "You mean you're not mad."

"Why would I be mad. I've always wanted a family with you, I just didn't think it was possible," he explained as he wiped her tears away. "Wait, is this why you said you couldn't marry me?

She nodded slowly. "I didn't know you wanted kids. You never said. It was always my fantasy."

"Oh it was mine too," he responded. Then he took her mouth in a loving kiss that left them both breathless. "So does this mean that you will marry me? Please say yes."

"Yes, Alistair Theirin, I will marry you." she answered happily before taking his mouth with hers.

Alistair rolled her over so he was once again on top of her. "I love you," he said before claiming her as his forever.