Wednesday
Clare shifted slightly, hugging the twins gently. Luke groaned, the pain was back and worse than ever. Clare sat up tiredly, bringing the twins with her. He was on his back again, his expression pain and his breathing shallow. Clare set the twins down and went to get the hot water bottle.
"Daddy...?" Flora whispered as she crawled over to him. Clare came back a few minutes later and in her hand was the hot water bottle.
"Daddy alright?" Flora asked when she received no answer from her father.
"I..." Clare stuttered as she carefully set the hot water bottle on his stomach. Flora looked at her mother in worry, she never stuttered.
"I...I don't..." Clare stuttered again almost on the verge of tears. Flora hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry mama..."
"No...it's...it's nothing for you to be...sorry about..." Clare whispered as she hugged her daughter. Flora nuzzled into her trying to calm her mother. Clare took several shuddering deep breaths before she managed to reign in her tears. Luke groaned and opened his eyes slowly. Clare released her daughter before she set her down on the bed, "How are you feeling?"
"Sore..." Luke replied quietly.
"Do you want something to drink?" Clare asked as she shifted slightly.
"No, now come here..." Luke replied seeing her unshed tears. Clare crawled over to him slowly. Luke pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, "Let it out Angel..." The tears came unbidden then as they poured out of her tear ducts. Luke ran his fingers through her hair, "Shh...what's the matter Angel?"
"You...you're so...weak...I...I don't like...seeing you...like this..." Clare hiccupped.
"Shh...shh...I'm okay, I just pushed myself too hard..." Luke whispered as he continued to card his fingers though her hair. Clare sobbed quietly but nodded. Luke continued to try and calm her back down.
"Promise...promise me...that you won't...push yourself...too hard...ever...again..." Clare whispered over her sobs.
"I won't." Luke replied as he smoothed out her hair. She nodded and pulled away from his chest. Luke locked her in place, knowing she wasn't quiet calmed all the way. Clare meeped as her face mashed into his chest where she crinkled her nose before sniffling.
"You can move when I say so..." Luke whispered.
"I can move without your say so." Clare grumbled.
"Not today..." Luke whispered as he buried his nose in her hair. Care sighed and gave up struggling. Luke's hold relaxed when he knew she wouldn't try to escape. She nuzzled his neck lightly before kissing it softly. He settled completely as she relaxed beside him. Clare sighed softly and whispered a prayer in ancient Hyrulian, "Get well...get strong..."
"For you I will..." Luke replied in her native language. Clare smiled softly before pressing a soft and delicate kiss to his lips. Luke pressed back. Clare broke the kiss a minute later to press a soft one to his forehead. Luke smiled and tucked her head under his chin. Clare remained still so she wouldn't hurt him. Luke shifted to pull her snug against his side. She smiled lightly and closed her eyes. Luke tensed and groaned as the pain came back with a vengeance. Clare sighed softly before sitting up to lay her head against his stomach's scar lightly. Even the slightest pressure made him wince and shift in discomfort. Clare closed her eyes and let her magic gently crease and ease the pain away. It was the sound of muscle still knitting back together that made her jump.
"That...sounds...so...strange..." Clare whispered as she kept her eat pressed against his stomach, letting her magic ease her pain as his muscles fixed themselves. But this did explain why he was in so much pain. Clare started to hum softly as she closed her eyes. Luke settled beneath her as the pain began to ebb. The humming gradually became softer and softer and more broken as she slowly drifted off. Luke smiled and ran his fingers though her hair, "Thank you..." Clare smiled and nuzzled his stomach gently before falling into a deep sleep. Luke shifted carefully as he pulled a book from between the headboard and the mattress. She shifted slightly, wrapping one arm across his stomach beside her head. He smiled and placed his hand between her shoulder blades and rubbed gently as he opened his book and began to read. It was a couple hours later that Clare awoke, the twins were yet again tapping her arm lightly. Luke moved his hand, she was surprised to find her body very relaxed. Clare sat up slowly and stretched before wincing slightly, her wrist was still sprained.
"Mama...?"Miloh whined.
"Yes?" Clare said looking down at him with a smile.
"We're bored..." Miloh whined.
"Well, let's go do something..." Clare replied as she shuffled to the edge of the bed. Luke shifted, his book falling from his hand. He was still tired, he'd have to be to fall asleep half way through a book. Clare smiled and picked the book up before covering her husband and taking the kids, "Let's go make some cookies." They both nodded not wanting to wake their father. Clare smiled and took them down to the kitchen. Miloh snuggled into her warmth while Flora squirmed, she was too warm.
"Hold on honey..." Clare said shifting Flora so she wasn't as covered. She settled but unlike her father, had yet to learn to tolerate someone else's body heat and her own. Clare got into the kitchen and set them down on the island, "Okay...cookies." Flora instantly laid down against the cool hard wood, trying to cool herself back to a comfortable temperature.
"So what kind of cookies do you guys want to make?" Clare asked as she got the ingredients for the basic cookie.
"Sugar...?" Miloh replied not sure he'd said the word right.
"Sugar cookies? Okay we can do that." Clare said smiling. Miloh clapped his hands then looked at his sister as she sighed.
"What's wrong Flora?" Clare asked resting her head on the counter top.
"Too...warm..." The tiny blonde replied, her cheeks flushed and her eyes half lidded.
"Here, I'll open the window." Clare said and opened the kitchen window letting the cool ocean breeze in. Flora settled as her temperature began to drop. Clare smiled and put two bowls and ingredients in front of them, "Okay, back to the cookies." Miloh smiled while his sister continued to cool herself. Clare smiled and mixed up some batter for the twins so they could make their cookies. There was a pained groan followed by a thump from upstairs.
"And that's your father falling off the bed...again..." Clare sighed, "Stay here...don't go near the edge." Miloh nodded and placed his hand on his sister. Clare nodded to them before going upstairs. Luke's uneven breathing was the first thing to reach her ears. Clare bounded up the stairs and into their room quickly.
"Get the first aid kit..." Luke hissed. Clare nodded and disappeared into the bathroom to come back with the white and red box. Luke was lying on his side on the floor, his hand to his stomach, blood seeping between his fingers. Clare closed her eyes and took a deep breath before going to his side.
"That was stupid..." Luke whispered to himself. Clare sighed and started to clean him up. Luke flinched, he had managed to reopen the wound in his stomach. Clare sighed and cleaned him up before wrapping his stomach.
"I know that look, you want to smack me..." Luke whispered as he opened one eye.
"No...no I don't..." Clare whispered back before hauling him back into bed.
"But you are upset..." Luke replied. Clare kept silent knowing it was true but she was physically tired, mentally exhausted, magically fatigued and very stressed out. She tucked him in before going to get a bucket of water and a mop. Luke waited till she was gone to use his own magic to clean up. She came back and looked at the former stain then him, "That is not resting." Luke just gave her a look that said, 'you're tired, do you want more work?'
"Stay here and rest." Clare said as she picked up the bucket and mop to go clean the blood stain in the front door. Luke sighed and tried to get comfortable. Clare mopped the stain and watched as the water turned red. When the blood was cleaned up she chucked the water outside before going to the twins with a smile that just barely reached her eyes. Miloh frowned, Anni was right, he was sharp. Clare smiled to them before taking the cookies they made and putting them in the oven after lighting it. Miloh reached for her. Clare sighed, knowing she couldn't hide it for long, her happy mask fell revealing the troubled and worried one underneath. Miloh continued to reach for her. Clare picked him and his sister up before going upstairs, "He reopened his wound..." Flora squirmed as she became too warm again and Miloh just hugged her tighter. Clare set them on the bed next to Luke before going to the window to open it. Luke had the most unhappy look on his face she had ever seen. Clare turned to rest her temple on the window frame, "Miloh, Flora, if he gets up pull his whiskers..." Luke whined as he shifted still trying to get comfortable. Miloh crawled up to him, "Daddy...what's wrong...?" He asked as his mother closed her eyes. Luke smiled to his son and ruffled his hair, "Nothing kiddo..."
"Flora...can't cool...down." Miloh said looking over at his sister then a quick glance at his mother. Luke smiled and rolled Flora onto her stomach. Immediately Flora began to cool. The tiny blonde girl sighed happily before stretching.
"Come here Angel..." Luke called as he pulled himself into a sitting position.
"No...you're stomach...it won't heal if you push yourself..." Clare whispered.
"Come. Here. Now." Luke repeated. Clare looked over her shoulder before sighed and turning around. Luke had a look on his face that said, 'If you don't come here, I'll come get you'. Clare sighed again and walked over to the bed to sit on her side. Luke rolled her eyes and pulled her over to him. Clare looked up at him, her eyes tired. Luke shifted her so she was leaning against him before working the tension out of her back. Clare closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself.
"Come Angel, fume, you know you need to..." Luke whispered when he was sure the kids were asleep.
"If I do, I'll wake the children..." Clare replied quietly as she rubbed her hands together. Luke snapped his fingers and the kids disappeared. Clare threw a glare over her shoulder, "You worry me..." Luke nodded, knowing she was upset and there was more to be said. Clare squirmed from him so she could pace the floor, "You had me worried, you still have me worried. You didn't have to go but you did and you got yourself hurt, to which you keep reopening the wound. I haven't slept peacefully since you left, I'm stressed beyond belief." Luke listened to her fume, remaining silent until she was done.
"I've been going crazy because I've been worried, I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached." Clare said stopping to stand in front of the window. Luke sighed understanding he was causing her a great deal of grief.
"And, to top it all off, I feel like I'm partly to blame for your situation..." Clare said turning her back to him. Luke nodded and waited to see if she was finished.
"I should've stopped you...but I know you wouldn't have listened...You did what you wanted, I respected that and I still do...But now, I just want you to get better..." Clare turned to him wringing her hands together.
"Feeling any better?" Luke asked gently.
"No...My heart hurts...I hurt seeing you hurt..." Clare whispered turning her back again. Luke sighed, "Come here..." Clare turned and quickly went to him. Luke beckoned her over to him. Clare went to his side and looked down. Luke pulled her into his lap, his skin already knitted back together. She looked up at him.
"I really am sorry for making you worry like this, it was never my intention. You are in no way to blame for my current condition, do you understand me, you're not. So don't think you are..." Luke said his hand to her cheek, his voice gentle but firm. Clare sighed and nodded.
"That's my girl..." Luke whispered as he kissed her forehead. Clare shifted and sat off his chest.
"No you stay right where you are..." Luke growled, having had enough of this game. Yes, he was healing and yes, he was in pain but her constantly running away from him made the pain worse.
"But...there's a batch of cookies in the oven and if I don't take them out they'll burn." Clare said blinking.
"Fine but I want you right back here as soon as you're done." There was a tone of finality to his voice.
"Okay." Clare said as she kissed his nose, promising him she'll be right back. Luke watched her with the same sharp eyes her son possessed. Clare disappeared out the door and was back a few minutes later, the faint scent of cookies on her. Luke pointed to his lap. Clare sighed with a shake of her head and sat next to him. She wasn't there long and was back in his lap before she could blink. Clare shook her head again and tucked her hands into the sleeves of the coat she still wore.
"Why are you wearing this anyways?" Luke asked as he tugged lightly at his coat.
"Cause...It almost feels like it's you holding me...except not as warm or living." Clare replied lightly. Luke chuckled lightly and gently worked the coat off of her. She shifted and finally took the coat off. Luke tossed it onto the dresser before pulling her tight against him. She sighed and leaned her head back to rest on his shoulder. Luke waited until she was settled before going back to working the tension from her body. Clare relaxed against him. Luke smiled and kissed her neck. Clare smiled softly and folded her hands in her lap. Luke continued to work away all her stress that had built up over the last few days. Eventually Clare fell asleep against him. Luke smiled hoping she finally sleep peacefully as he carefully laid them back down. Clare smiled softly and nuzzled his neck in her sleep. Luke kissed her forehead and decided to listen to her if only for a few hours. Clare slept peacefully for two hours. Luke ignored the gnawing pain of his muscle knitting back together again and did his best to sleep. Clare shifted and slept quietly and peacefully. After two hours Luke finally gave up on sleep, he was in too much pain. Clare shifted slightly and kept her head on his chest. Luke carded his fingers though her hair as he bit back a whimper. She stilled in an instant. He smiled for a moment before freezing as a pained tremble ran through him. Clare shifted her hand, white magic curling from her fingers to wrap around him softly. Luke sighed as some of the pain eased. The ninja stretched before stilling again. Luke swallowed thickly as his heart gave an unhealthy flutter. Clare shifted at the sound, groaning quietly. The stress was finally getting to him as well as his gentle hold on her faltered. Clare shifted slightly before nuzzling his chest, "...Luke..."
"Yes Angel...?" Luke asked as his heart gave the same unsteady flutter.
"...I...love you..." Clare whispered softly then yawned.
"I love you too Clare..." Luke replied as his heart skipped a beat. Clare smiled a smile that she hadn't given him since he asked her to marry her. Luke smiled as well but it was cut short when his heart stopped for a moment scaring him very badly. Clare shifted, she did not like the beat his heart was making. Luke's breathing became as unsteady as his heart beat. Clare shifted again before stretching, she was going to wake up. Luke tried to even his breathing the last thing he wanted to do was stress her out again. Clare stretched and froze before curling back in on herself.
"Cramp...?" Luke asked, not liking how unsteady his voice was.
"Only half..." Clare whispered as she shifted slightly. Luke rubbed her side as he tried to hide the fact his heart had stopped and started again. Clare shifted again before sitting up, "I don't think I can go back to sleep now..." Luke remained quiet, something was wrong and he knew it but he didn't want to scare or worry his wife again.
"Did you magic the twins to their room?" Clare asked as she stretched. Luke nodded.
"Okay, I'm going to go check on them okay?" Clare asked . Luke nodded. Clare nodded to him before standing to go to the nursery. Luke waited until she was gone to place his hand to his chest, "What's going on?" Clare snuck into the nursery and watched the twins sleep before going back to her husband. Luke hadn't heard her come back and his hand was still to his chest.
"Are you okay?" Clare asked as she walked over to him. Luke smiled trying to reassure her but his unsteady heart beat was scaring him. Clare's sharp ears picked up on the offness of his heart so she stared at his chest, "You've got air in your veins..." That was the last thing he wanted to hear as his heart stopped and started again. Clare walked over to him and pressed her ear to his chest, "Hmm...the air has yet to reach your heart..." Luke swallowed thickly he was finding it harder and harder not to panic. Clare sighed, "I'll have to cut you to get the air out..." She said pulling out a kunai. As he paled it was apparent he desperately needed some reassurance.
"Don't worry, I've done this before, you'll be just fine." Clare said smiling, before she put the knife to his chest, "Are you ready?" Luke took a deep but shaky breath and nodded. Clare nodded back and quickly used the sharpest and smoothest edge she had and cut a line across his chest. Luke bit his lip to keep himself quiet and fisted his hands in the sheets. There was a sputtering sound as the air left Luke's veins through the cut before Clare bandaged it. Luke's heart began to beat normally again but he was trembling. Clare kissed his head lightly before curling up beside him. Luke buried his face in her neck as he continued to tremble. She tucked his head under her chin and smoothed his hair back calmly. He was still pale, she'd only seen him this nervous once and it was when her father had lost his temper.
"Shh...you're okay now...you'll be fine..." Clare whispered softly. He began to calm slowly.
"Yeah, you'll be fine..." Clare whispered as she smoothed his hair back again. After twenty minutes he finally calmed but refused to move away from her. Clare smiled lightly and nuzzled his head lightly. Luke whispered something about never being so scared. Clare started humming, she was more scared then she had ever been before, she was surprised she didn't freak out. Luke shifted to wrap his arms around her tightly. She smoothed his hair back and kissed his head.
"How...how could you be...so calm...?" Luke asked in a whisper as a tremble ran the length of his back.
"Who says I'm calm..." Clare said and moved his head over to over her heart, which was beating quiet rapidly. Luke whimpered and nuzzled closer to her trying to calm both of them. Clare hugged him and closed her eyes, resting her cheek on his head. Luke calmed slightly, his heart beat still a little rapid and uneven. Clare's wouldn't calm down, it wanted to make sure she had enough energy to lift six tons if the need be. Luke nuzzled her jaw gently, trying to bring her back down. It slowed but just a bit.
"Take a deep breath Angel, I can't calm down until you do..." Luke whispered. Clare took a deep breath and she calmed more. As she calmed so did Luke, "That's it..." Clare was taking a lot of deep breaths until her heart was back at its regular pace. Luke settled in her arms as his heart finally found a steady even rhythm. Clare smiled then yawned.
"Well that was nerve racking..." Luke whispered.
"Oh yeah..." Clare muttered. Luke nuzzled her neck before kissing it gently. Clare smiled and nuzzled his head before yawning again.
"Go back to sleep Angel...I'm alright..." Luke whispered settling his nose against her pulse point.
"Okay, but if the twins start calling wake me." Clare said as she laid down.
"Of course..." Luke replied as he shifted enough to no longer pull at his scar. Clare nodded before closing her eyes and going to sleep right quick. Luke sighed, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't tired. Clare nuzzled his shoulder lightly. Luke fought against sleep for twenty minutes before joining her. Clare snuggled with him. The twins snuck in with them just a half hour later. Miloh cuddled with his mother while Flora slept in between them. Luke shifted as Flora tired to find a spot that wasn't too warm. The family of four slept peacefully until late in the afternoon. Flora eventually ended up against her father's bandaged stomach, which had finally healed completely. Clare stretched, her muscles pulling before she froze again and curled around Miloh.
"Mama...?" Miloh whispered not wanting to wake his sister or father.
"Hmm?" Clare hummed as she cracked one eye open.
"Are you okay?" Miloh asked.
"I'll be fine..." Clare said and smiled to him. Miloh nodded and cuddled back to her. Clare smoothed out his hair gently. Luke shifted and opened his eyes.
"How are you feeling?" Clare whispered so she didn't wake up Flora.
"Surprisingly good actually, still a little tender but I'll live..." Luke replied as he tucked Flora's hair behind her ears. Clare smiled, "That's good."
"What about you?" Luke asked.
"Still good...not as tired anymore." Clare replied.
"Then why are you all curled up Angel?" Luke asked.
"Cramps..." Clare sighed as she rubbed her stomach lightly. Luke reached over the kids and tapped her bracelet so the warmth of his magic eased the cramps. Clare raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. Luke smiled and kissed her forehead unconsciously turning the slight warmth to a comfortable heat. Clare smiled and nuzzled his cheek.
"Better?" Luke asked, already getting back to himself.
"Yes..." Clare said smiling to him. Luke smiled and trailed his fingers across her cheek. She smiled and took his hand to kiss his knuckles. Luke chuckled, there was a sound she missed, "Did someone miss me while I was gone?"
"Yeah..." Clare said as she kissed his lips lightly.
"Good because I missed you as well..." Luke replied and returned the kiss with a little more fire. She smiled and put her hands on either side of his face as she kissed him. Luke covered her hands with his own, not caring if the kids were watching as he nipped her lip. She opened her mouth for him. Luke deepened the kiss and would've pulled her against him if the children weren't between them. Clare shifted herself so she could lean over Miloh to put more of herself into the kiss. Luke smiled and removed his hands to lift her over the children and onto his lap. Clare smiled and moved her hands to support herself. Luke broke the kiss long enough for them to breathe only to pull her back into another one. Clare licked his bottom lip slowly. Luke smirked and broke the kiss to tap her on the nose, "Now now Angel, not in front of the children."
"Says the one playing tonsil hockey..." Clare whispered with a smirk.
"We can always put them back to bed..." Luke replied as he ran his hand up her thigh, "I would love to get you out of my clothes..."
"But...your stomach...?" Clare asked as she pressed against it lightly.
"Tender but healed..." Luke replied a hungry look in his eyes.
"Okay fine..." Clare said as she tapped his nose. Luke rumbled quietly so only she could hear. Clare purred in his ear before sitting up, "So, kids..."
"Back to bed with you little munchkins..." Luke cooed as he picked up Flora. Clare smiled as she grabbed Miloh, "Yup, to bed with you." Luke handed her Flora, "If we feed them they'll stay asleep longer."
"I know." Clare replied as she stood from the bed and went to the door. Luke slipped downstairs to make bottles for the twins. Clare shifted the little children before rocking them slowly. Miloh yawned, with a full stomach, he'd be out like a light. Clare smiled lightly before she started humming. Luke returned with two bottles of milk, each sweetened with a drop of honey. Clare smiled to him as she shifted the children. Luke traded her a bottle for Miloh. Clare cradled Flora and gave her the nipple of the bottle. Both children suckled happily as they began to drift off. Clare smiled when Flora fell asleep and released the bottle. She tucked the little girl into the crib gently. Miloh fought a little longer than his sister and didn't fall asleep until he was finished. Clare smiled lightly and tapped Luke's arm, "I'll be in the bedroom." Luke followed her with his eyes as he carefully laid Miloh next to his sister. The ninja, ever the tease, gave her hips an extra swing as she left the nursery. Luke chuckled at her antics and used his newest trick to beat her back to their room. Clare stepped in the door and tilted her head at him, "Uh...should I bother asking?"
"I learned a few new tricks while I was away..." Luke purred as he placed his fingers through the loops of her borrowed pants and pulled her to him. Clare smiled and put her hands on his chest, "Oh did you..." Luke smirked and sank into her shadow. She looked around and down at her shadow. Luke reappeared behind her silently and trailed his fingers up her sides. She shivered and tilted her head back. Luke smiled as he scooped her up. Clare smiled and kissed his lips to lick his lower lip. Luke more than happily deepened the kiss as he gently pinned her to the bed. Clare smiled and deepened the kiss herself. Luke smirked and let her have her way while he slowly unbuttoned her borrowed shirt. Clare smiled and slipped her hand across his shoulder to his shoulder blades. Luke broke the kiss to nip at her jaw. She smiled and nipped at his temple. Luke rumbled lowly in his chest as he slipped the shirt away from her skin. Clare smiled and nipped his ear. He attacked her weak spot as he found the clasp of her bra. She moaned and turned her head to the side to allow him more access. Luke licked and nipped at her weak spot while quickly disposing of the shirt and her bra. Clare smiled as she moaned and slipped her hand under his shirt. Her hands passed over the bandages on his stomach while he made short work of her borrowed pants. Clare slipped his shirt over his head for a moment before attacking his shoulders. Luke shuddered lightly as he sucked her pulse point and ran his hands up her stomach. Clare shivered lightly before letting her hands drift down his back. She was surprised when her fingers passed over his own wing marks. Clare sat up to look at them.
"What's the matter?" Luke asked.
"You're wing marks are showing." Clare said tracing the edge lightly.
"I can't get rid of them, they're permanent now..." Luke replied.
"There's nothing wrong with that...I think it's quiet sexy." Clare purred as she nipped behind his ear. Luke growled lowly and passed his hand over her peak. Clare moaned lightly and let her hands slide to his lower back. Again her hand passed over the bandages which were now beginning to irritate her as they were restricting access to his skin. Clare pushed against his chest, wanting to turn them over. Luke let her do as she pleased. She rolled them and sat on his waist to slowly start unwrapping the bandages on his stomach. Luke trailed his fingers down her frame. Once the bandages were off, she attacked his stomach. Luke shuddered slightly and pulled her up into another fierce kiss. She opened her mouth for him immediately. Luke deepened the kiss as he ran his fingers slowly up her thighs. Clare smiled, moaned and shivered. Luke could only play within the rules for so long before he would break them for a moment. He quickly passed his fingers over her sweet spot before returning his hands to her stomach. She moaned, shivered and froze. Luke nuzzled her neck trying to get her to loosen back up. Clare moaned louder after un freezing. Luke chuckled, knowing he'd broken the rules and gotten away with it. Clare moaned then attacked neck. Luke resisted the urge to break the rules again but knew if he did it would be the end of their fun as he nipped her weak spot. Clare moaned and licked his temple. Luke nipped at her collar bone as he ran his palms over her peaks. Clare moaned softly. Luke smirked and shifted her to take her right peak in his mouth. She moaned louder. Luke nipped lightly at her peak as he pinched and tweaked the other. Clare moaned louder. Luke continued to tease her and he would until she asked him to stop. Eventually Clare couldn't take it and closed her eyes, "...You...you can stop..." She gasped.
"You can stop what, Angel?" Luke purred as he continued to tease her.
"Luke...stop..." Clare gasped as her back arched. Luke stopped not wanting to push her too far. Clare gasped softly and laid on the bed. Luke kissed her temple and rubbed her side gently. Eventually she opened her eyes and smiled to him. Luke chuckled and laid his head on her collar bone. She nuzzled his head gently as she got her air back. Luke smiled and traced light circles on her hip. Clare nuzzled his head again before sighing.
"Does that mean no more?" Luke asked a slight whine to his tone.
"Just let me breath for a moment." Clare whispered. Luke smiled and nuzzled her neck, rubbing her stomach gently, it had been a habit he had started whenever she was out of breath. She smiled and shifted down to nip at his ear tip then his nose. Luke kissed her quickly and shifted her back to her previous position. Clare whined quietly but let him move her.
"What?" Luke cooed. Clare slid down and kissed him passionately. Luke smiled and returned the gesture as he placed his hands on her hips. Clare slid her hands down to his pants and started to undo the belt. Luke nipped her lip gently as he rubbed circles on her hips. Clare smiled and left his pants alone to rested her hands on his chest. Luke shifted her closer. She broke the kiss to rest her head on his collar bone. Luke kissed her forehead and rubbed her thigh. Clare smiled and nuzzled his chest before licking his collar bone. When he locked his arms around her it was clear he'd changed his mind. She smiled and laid her head on his chest again. Luke cuddled her close as he twined their legs together. She nuzzled her husband's chest before closing her eyes. Luke sighed contently, he was finally relaxed and happy. Clare started humming softly, it was the song of destiny. Luke's hold relaxed as she began to put her to sleep.
"Go to sleep Luke." Clare whispered.
"But Clare..." Luke whined and cuddled her closer.
"But what Luke?" Clare asked in a soft whisper.
"If I go to sleep you'll leave..." He whined and buried his nose in her neck.
"I won't leave...I promise you..." Clare whispered. It was odd for him to act so clingy as his hold retightened and he nodded.
"You don't have to go to sleep, it was just a suggestion." Clare whispered softly. Luke eventually went to sleep but his hold on her did not falter. Clare smiled lightly and kissed his crown before closing her eyes and falling asleep herself. They stayed that way until the twins crawled back in with them. Clare sighed slightly. Luke whined in his sleep and shifted uneasily in her arms. She opened her eyes and stretched. Luke shifted to practically hide against her. Clare pulled the twins against them before lying down again. A tremble ran the length of his back. Clare rubbed his back and shoulders lightly. Luke shifted even closer to her. She smiled and propped her head up on a pillow. Luke shifted uneasily again. Clare kept one arm around his shoulders and the other kept around the children so they didn't roll to the edge. A few minutes later Luke rolled away from her before sitting bolt upright in a panic.
"What's wrong honey?" Clare asked as looked at him. Luke let out a shuddering breath and fell back against the bed. Clare took his hand and threaded her fingers with his. He was cool to the touch, like he always was after a nightmare.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Clare asked as she sat up slightly.
"I don't want to scare you..." Luke whispered.
"It takes a lot to scare me Luke, you should know that..." Clare whispered.
"What about Him...he scares you pretty badly...?" Luke replied as he calmed his heartbeat.
"If he's out of his jar..." Clare said waving her hand in the air off handily, "But that's not going to happen." Luke shook his head, "You weren't there...even if it was just an illusion...I watched him take you away from me." She smiled lightly, "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know that but...I think I finally know what Anni's been going through..." Luke whispered. Clare hugged him gently, "Shh..." Luke buried himself in her arms. She smoothed his hair back gently and hummed gently. Apparently terrifyingly vivid nightmare's ran in Luke's family. Clare hummed lightly and nuzzled his head. After twenty minutes later he calmed and relaxed. Clare rubbed his back gently.
"I love you Clare..." Luke whispered.
"I love you too Luke..." Clare whispered back.
"Let's get some real sleep..." Luke whispered as he moved the children to lie between them.
"Are you sure?" Clare whispered as she looked at him.
"Yeah, I'm sure..." Luke replied as he rested his ear over her heart.
"Okay..." Clare said and closed her eyes to start humming the song of destiny. Luke settled and quickly fell asleep. Clare smiled softly and slowly to drifted to the same realm he was in. The twins were quick to join their parents and soon the entire family was a sleep. They slept until four in the afternoon where Clare shifted and twisted her arm under her, her wrist was still sprained. Luke must have awoken before her as he gently took her wrist.
"Ow..." Clare grumbled as she opened her eyes.
"Shh...let me see..." Luke cooed as he carefully unwrapped her wrist. Clare sat up slowly to look at her purple wrist. Luke gently applied pressure trying to find the real source of her pain.
"Ow...ow..." Clare muttered at every poke.
"Shh...I'll be done soon..." Luke whispered. Clare nodded and kept quiet. Luke applied pressure to the middle of her wrist.
"Ow..." Clare said and winced.
"Shh...I'm done and you've jarred this very badly..." Luke whispered.
"I know...I scared Link when I fell." Clare replied. Luke snapped his fingers and a small jar appeared in his hand. Clare shifted slightly and waited patiently. Luke released her wrist and opened the jar, "This is going to hurt..."
"When doesn't it?" Clare asked as she waited. Luke kissed her temple and gently began to work the salve into her wrist doing his best not to hurt her further. Clare winced but kept quiet.
"Shh...I'm almost done..." Luke whispered as he began to rewrap her wrist. Clare waited patiently. Luke finished and kissed her wrist. Her fingers twitched lightly.
"I'm sorry for hurting you but it should start to heal now..." Luke whispered and warmth began to spread though her wrist. Clare flexed her fingers lightly, "That's better." Luke smiled lightly and shifted her around, "Now let me see that ankle..." She pulled her ankle out of the blankets and showed it to him. Luke gently took her ankle and unwrapped it. It was starting to turn black and was swollen. Luke shook his head, "And you get upset with me for pushing myself..."
"Fell down the stairs, not pushing myself." Clare said.
"Clare honey, you've been up and around the house on this, in turn making it worse..." Luke replied.
"I'm beyond the pain though." Clare replied. Luke applied pressure to her ankle easily proving she was lying. Clare winced slightly.
"Beyond the pain hmm?" Luke said.
"I was beyond the pain." Clare whined. Luke shook his head and repeated the testing on her ankle. Clare bit her lip lightly. Luke kissed her temple and searched for source of her pain. Clare waited patiently. He finally found the spot and shot a jolt of sharp pain up her leg. Clare whined and whimpered lightly.
"Shh...shh..." Luke cooed and began to work the same salve into her ankle gently. Clare waited patiently. This time the warmth began to spread as he rubbed it in. She kept quiet until he was done. He quickly rewrapped her ankle then rubbed it gently as he kept it in his lap. Clare turned slightly and moved the children so she could grab the coats lying on the floor. While she was doing so Luke scanned her body for any other injuries she may be hiding from him. There was nothing off about her other than the cross scar on her shoulder. Luke sighed in relief. She came back up with the two coats. Luke smiled and pulled her into his lap. She smiled and leaned against him.
"You should be in perfect condition by tomorrow night..." Luke whispered as he rubbed her stomach.
"That's good, would you be in perfect condition too?" Clare asked quietly.
"Yes I will be Angel, but if I stay in bed any longer I'm not going to be able to walk..." Luke replied.
"Well, let's get you up and about." Clare said shuffling to the edge. Luke chuckled and slowly followed her lead. Clare stood and stretched to limp to the other side to gather up her borrowed clothes. Luke quickly picked her up and set her back in bed.
"Hey..." She whined.
"No, this time you rest. That ankle will not heal if you put weight on it..." Luke scolded as he tucked her in. She shook her head, "Better get me something to do then or I'll be very bored." Luke smiled, glad she wasn't fighting him on this, "What would you like Angel?"
"You could get me a book from the library...I haven't read anything in a while." Clare replied thinking. Luke nodded and disappeared to fetch her a book. Clare waited patiently. Luke returned with a thick tome.
"What's that?" Clare asked staring at the old and thick book.
"Something I picked up special for you..." Luke replied as she placed the book in her hands.
"Geeze...it's heavy..." Clare grumbled as she immediately set it in her lap. Written across the cover in her native language was Eliene's name.
"You got this from Anni didn't you?" Clare asked pointing to the book.
"No I found it at the town library, they were going to burn it so I brought it..." Luke replied.
"...Anni's got a book about Eliene up at the Inn." Clare said waving her hand.
"That even you can't read..." Luke pointed out as he disappeared into the bathroom. Clare shook her head and opened the book. Much to her surprise the whole book was written in her native language.
"Someone must've translated it..." Clare mused as she read the first page. The book when into detail on Eliene's origins and home, her family was killed in a raid on her village. Clare leaned against the headboard, engrossed in the book. Luke smiled and took the children away. Clare shifted slightly after turning the page. Over the next hour Luke fed and bathed the twins before returning them to her. Clare shifted so they could lean against her thighs. They instantly fell asleep and laid next to her. Clare kept reading after covering them with a blanket. By the time Luke returned with dinner, she only read to Eliene's early years as a sage. Clare rubbed her eyes after setting the book down and stretching. Luke tucked a piece of parchment between the pages, "Eat then sleep..."
"Okay..." Clare said as she finished rubbing her eyes to reach for her plate. Luke smiled and sat at her hip. Clare grabbed her plate then started to eat. Luke nuzzled her neck, he'd eaten when he fed the twins. Clare ate at her usual pace until she was done. Luke took her plate, "Lie down and go to sleep."
"Alright." Clare yawned as she slide to a comfortable position. Luke smiled and went to leave the room. Clare grabbed his hand before he slipped away, "Don't go..."
"I'll be right back..." Luke cooed as he tucked her hair back. She released his hand, "Okay..." Luke smiled and slipped away. Clare yawned once before closing her eyes and falling asleep. Luke returned a few minutes later and put the children back in their room before returning to her. She was hugging a pillow lightly. Luke carefully worked the pillow out of her arms. Clare groaned in response.
"Shh..." Luke whispered as he stroked her cheek. She let go of the pillow and quieted quickly. Luke removed the pillow and turned to place it behind him as he lay next to her. Clare rolled onto her back and shifted before getting comfortable. Luke smiled and ran his fingers across her cheek again. She shifted slightly before sneezing. Luke placed his hand to her forehead, praying she wasn't sick. She wasn't something must've tickled her nose or something. Luke sighed in relief and kissed her temple. Clare stretched before stilling. Luke ran his fingers across her cheek one last time before settling in for the night.