J Luc Pitard: Lol. It did feel that it would take that long didn't it? Fortunately, that's not the case. Thank you for the review :)

Jayne-

I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped my throat as I watched Zeke scarf down his second helping of Helen's stew. He looked up at me, seemingly startled, as if he had forgotten where he was with the food in front of him; then gave me a wink and a cocky half smile. I suspected this was the best meal he had, had in a week.

"I'm not even kidding when I say you could make money from this stew." Zeke said, looking up at Helen, turning a flirtatious smile to her. I noticed my father scowl at him from the corner of my eye and I stifled a smile, "If I was paid more I'd happily hire you." Zeke threw the teasing remark over to Lance, who sat next to me, holding Lily.

"Nice attempt at subtlety." Lance responded, never taking his eyes off of Lily, who was currently inspecting the tie in the v neck of his simple shirt.

"I do try." Zeke said, never losing the boyish grin on his face.

"So…where have you been for the past year and a half?" Drake asked abruptly, staring down Lance from his seat by the hearth. Drake hadn't eaten with us, seeming to have no appetite.

All of us turned to stare at him, and for myself the blunt question hit my heart; as I'm sure the accusation in it hit Lance's, from the look on his face. I could not be mad at Drake though, knowing his feelings for me.

"War." Lance answered tightly. I placed my hand over his arm that had pulled Lily in closer.

Drake turned to look him straight in the eye, "The whole time?" I knew what he was getting it, considering Geleva had surrendered several moons ago or so rumor had circulated.

I opened my mouth to defend Lance, but he grabbed my hand to silence me and began himself, "I was given false information as to Jayne's ware bouts. I had no idea she had been banished and was awaiting my return." He responded, and I could hear the cold tone of a ruler creeping into his voice, "Believe me when I say nothing would have kept me in Benbourgh so long if I had known she was here." There was a hint of a threat in his words, that was clearly aimed at Drake. I figured he must suspect Drake's feelings for me and was warning him off.

"Why didn't you know where she was?" Mary asked outright, still not all that happy with the man in her home; prince or no. I realized then how little this family cared about titles and money, but about moral (something I would have once laughed over in concerning my father and his acquaintances) and loyalty. I realized I loved them all even more for it, having spent my whole life in a home where rank was everything.

"My mother…" Lance started and paused briefly. I suspected only I could hear the hesitation though, "she died a couple moons before I came back home." He turned to me then, squeezing my hand harder, then bringing it to my lips to kiss my knuckles, "So I knew nothing of her and Jayne's plan to reunite us."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Helen said sincerely.

Lance graced her with a sad smile in response, "Thank you, she was a good woman."

"Yes," my father spoke, "She was." He turned to look at me, "I remember her fondly from my days at Benbourgh castle and what a good friend she was to your mother. I'm sure she'll be greatly missed by all."

I nodded to my father then turned to Lance who just stared at my father, seemingly shocked by the declaration.

"What's your plan now?" Drake interrupted, standing to his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. I noticed both Lance and Zeke stiffened in their chairs, soldiers to the bone and ready for a fight if need be. Though Zeke would be a lot more handy with Lance still holding the baby in his lap.

Lance raised his eyebrows, "That's really none of your concern, young man." I cringed at the emasculating name, yet at the same time wanted to laugh over it. Drake was only a year younger than Lance, "But my family's future is something Jayne and I still need to discuss in detailed length." He glanced at me briefly before looking at Drake again, "Rest assured though everyone," he then shot his gaze around the room, "I am not giving up my betrothed or my daughter."

My heart soared at the term betrothed and tears sprang in my eyes. He had told me many times that he wished to marry me, but never once called me that before. It felt officially final and if we weren't in a room full of people I would have wrapped my arms around him and shown Lance my depth of love.

"Well then…" Mary said, standing up and clearing the table. I got up quickly to help, not wanting the poor elderly woman to be stuck with all the cleanup from our meal, "I guess you two should go talk then, hm?" she looked at me, "Why don't we watch Lily for a bit and you two can go make your plans? It's a beautiful day, the forest would be a lovely place for a walk." She winked at me and I felt myself blush. Mary then turned to Zeke smiling, "You don't mind staying here and keeping an old woman company do you? It's been a long time since I had a handsome face to talk to."

"Thanks." Drake mumbled under his breath and Zeke burst out laughing.

He then looked at Lance, with a teasing smile on his face before answering, "I never turn down a vibrant woman's company. I'll be glad to stay here with you."

I found I couldn't look at anyone's face as the two of us left the cottage, knowing what they most likely assumed we would be doing in the forest. I may love this family, but I could also hope they learned some modesty, especially Mary.

Lance-

I forgot how good her hand felt, tucked into mine. In this moment, with just this minor touching, I could almost pretend we had never parted. It was as if nothing had changed between us. But things had changed and we were parted and I couldn't pretend that wasn't the case for too long, or else Jayne and Lily's lives might be in danger. I had to protect them, but how?

"What are you thinking?" Jayne asked softly as she pulled me down to sit next to the trunk of an oak tree.

I brushed her hair back over her shoulders then smoothed my finger over her lips before answering, "How much I have missed you. How good it is to be in your presence again and wondering how I can make this permanent."

She looked down at that and I could see the worry etched into her face, "Lance…maybe we're in the wrong here. Maybe we should part our ways. We could end up uprooting the entire country or worse with your father-the King-so adamantly opposed to our relationship."

I gripped her shoulders at her words. I would not lose her, "No, Jayne, don't go any further with your words. I will find a way to make this work." I pulled her head into mine, kissing her deeply and quickly, "If you wish me gone, you need only say so." The words broke my insides and I wondered what it would do if she actually rejected me, "I would let you go, so long as you were happy." I inhaled deeply, "But either way you must allow me to protect you." I looked into her gold eyes, losing myself for a moment before I continued, "I'm worried what my father might have in store for you."

Jayne's head pulled back slightly, to look at my face, "What do you mean?"

"He banished you, Jayne." I said, not wanting to have this conversation, but knowing it wasn't necessary, "I fear what else he may do, knowing I love you, knowing we have a child together. His cold heart will not allow our line to be pulled down."

"But…" Jayne replied, startled, and I regretted scaring her instantly. I wrapped my arms around her shoulder, pulling her in, kissing her cheek. She finally looked back up at me, finishing her thought, "Lily's a girl and a bastard." I cringed at the ugly word in reference to our daughter, regardless if it was truthful, "Why would she be a threat?"

"Because she has our blood." I answered simply, "Because she's the child I made with the only woman I'll ever love. He knows there is nothing I would not do for the two of you. He will not like that." I sighed again, anger welling at the situation, "His pride simply can't take the thought of a slave baring a child with royal blood or that his own flesh would rather skip out on marrying nobility, to have that said slave."

"He's a monster." Jayne said abruptly, then looked startled that the words came out of her mouth, "Sorry, Lance, I should not say such things about your father."

I laughed slightly at that, running my hands back through her glossy, dark hair, "It's okay, it's nothing I do not agree with." I kissed her again, "He's a coward too. Scared of what power Lily could have, what power you could have."

She raised her eyebrows at that, "Power? Please…"

"If there is no other heir from myself or Leah, Lily will be next in line if the information got out that I fathered her; illegitimate daughter or no."

"Lily?" she asked incredulous, "Queen?"

I nodded, smiling. Despite the fear that took hold of me, knowing my father and what he could do to the two most precious people I know, the thought of my Lily as queen someday brought joy to my heart, "I cannot guarantee she'll be Queen, as I hope you'll give me a son as well someday." I said, winking at Jayne who bit her lip in excitement, "Though I suppose the chances of her marrying a King of another country is quite high, but I'd prefer not to think of such things now, as it may give me a heart attack." Jayne laughed at my protectiveness and I smiled in response. I hadn't known this morning that I was a father and now I was already dreading her growing up? It was a bit ridiculous I supposed.

Jayne bit her lip again, running her fingertips down my neck lightly and I could feel the rush of blood pool between my legs at her touch and the sight of her teeth in her lip.

"You wish to give me your heir, then?" she said, leaning in to gently brush her lips against mine.

I was finding it hard to breath or think, but was able to answer her anyway, "Many, my love."

Jayne-

I rose up to my knees so my face was slightly more elevated to Lance, as I pulled his mouth into mine, for a searing kiss. I didn't let up for a second, as I worked my tongue into his mouth. I heard him groan in the back of his throat, in response to my excitement.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered him taking off his cloak and laying it on the forest floor, then swinging my body around to lie on top of it. But as his mouth never left mine, I could think of little else.

He pulled his face back slightly, but ground his lower half into mine, making me cry out and arch my back, "Jayne…" he whispered as his mouth plunged back down to mine.

He removed his mouth from mine, kissing my cheek, behind my ear, and then my neck with a hunger that I felt well myself. I felt like I could not wait another moment, so my hands dropped down to his pants and I began to unfasten the strings.

He grabbed my hands quickly though, raising them above my head, holding my wrists in his grip. I looked up at him questioningly and he gave me a smile in response, "Patience, my love…"

I groaned at this, "I have waited a year and a half. I have been patient enough." He laughed in response and it brought a smile to my face.

He began to kiss me again and his hands let go of my wrists, to fall down to my bodice. He slowly unlaced me, all the while kissing my neck. With free hands I began to stroke his back and shoulders; then his chest, slipping my hands into the collar of his shirt to feel the body I had missed so long.

I was impatient again, allowing my body to take over, as I pulled his head up from my neck, meeting my lips to his; then biting his lip, pulling it into my mouth. It was his turn to groan in response and he quickly finished untying me. So much for patience… I thought inwardly smirking.

He tossed aside the bodice, pulling down my shift, and not a second after my breasts were exposed was his mouth on them. Suddenly, a horrifying realization came forward and I pulled back slightly so he'd release his mouth.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

Just then a small amount of milk escaped my nipple. I could feel my face heat up and I couldn't look in his eyes, "That…" I answered.

His hand cupped my cheek, as he turned my gaze back to his. He was smiling down on me and my embarrassment ten folded.

"Jayne…" he whispered softly, though the smile didn't seem to leave his face, "It's fine. Why are you ashamed?" he kissed my lips and I fell into him for a few long moments, slowing I forgot what it was I was embarrassed of. He pulled back, looking down into my eyes, "You're a mother now. You, my love, have grown a child in your body and now nourish her with it." He ran his hands down my bare ribs, then back up to my breasts, his thumbs rubbing against my nipples, "Do not be ashamed of that. You are even more beautiful to me than before."

Tears welled up in my eyes at his words of comfort. Oh how I had missed him. No one else would ever know or understand me like he does.

I brought my hands to the hem of his shirt, swiftly lifting it above his head. My lips planted themselves to his bare, strong chest. One of his hands still cupped a breast, tweaking the nipple, but the other reached down to pull down my shift and skirt the rest of the way.

"Lance…"I pulled back from his chest, arching up into him. I could barely breathe from want, "Please…I need you. Now."

He didn't argue this time as my hands found the ties to his pants and I pulled them down. As soon as he was bare to my eyes, I parted my legs; truly unable to wait another minute to feel him. He must have felt quite the same way, for he settled between my legs and in one glorious stroke plunged himself into my body. I cried out, throwing my head back, and arched against him. Feeling his mouth on my throat, pulled me even further into the nirvana, and I couldn't stop myself from scraping my fingers down his back.

"You feel amazing, Jayne." He breathed out, harshly.

Then he began to move and I was completely lost. The distance and time spent wishing, wondering, hoping; then being thrust back into each other's lives, turned us into the most primal of creatures. Passion, desire, and love the only things I could feel. The rest of the world was gone.

I reached my peak, shattering; I barely heard my scream, though I remembered it later. I felt him groan into my neck, then he pulled his body from mine, spilling himself onto the forest floor. I looked up at him, brows raised in question. My breathing was rapid, my heart pounding, and I couldn't fathom forming words for a while.

He smirked sheepishly, then kissed me lightly, "As much as I want you to give me those heirs, it would probably be best that we hold off until I settle things with my father before creating another child." I closed my eyes, nodding my head in agreement. Then closing off the melancholy thoughts that raced through my head of what it would take for us to get to that point, if we ever did.

He rolled himself onto his back, beside me, his breathing as intense as mine. After a few minutes he turned to look at me, smiling, "Come here." He whispered, pulling me to lie on his chest. I snuggled into his warm body, smiling in contentment. This was all I could ever want.

"Jayne…"He started, brushing the hair from my face. I mustered up all my strength-which wasn't much in my current state-to look up at him, "Will you marry me?"

I smiled at him, "You know I will."

"I mean…now." He replied, "This week."

I sat up at that, incredulous. He couldn't be serious. How could we marry so quickly? So much was unresolved in concerns to his father.

No questions needed to be voiced though, as he read my face clear enough, "I have a plan, Jayne. It's not quite set in stone yet, as I'll have to ask a couple of people for help." He said, "But I want you to be my wife, especially if we go ahead with this particular plan. I want our relationship secure. I want you secure and I want Lily secure."

I was confused, but had faith in him. I suppose I should have asked before answering about the plan, but that said faith was overwhelming and there was but one choice for me to make in that moment. I smiled down at him and kissed him deeply, "Yes, I will marry you, Lance."