The wildmage squealed with laughter as her husband scooped her into his arms and cantered down the beach, his long legs carrying them a foot with each stride.

"Numair Salmalìn, put me DOWN! I'm pregnant, not helpless!"

He pouted, and his grip on her tightened. "But I like carrying you, and we're almost there, anyway."

Daine raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you even know where 'there' is?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then tell me why you just ran past it!"

"Oh… ahem." Numair set his wife down, and stared out to sea. "I can't see anything."

"Be patient. They're coming." Daine closed her eyes and listened. A breeze blew off of the sea, catching her hair and pulling it to frame her face. She smiled as the scent of salt and brine swept around her, moving a hand to rub her swollen stomach absently.

Then- just like she'd said, they came. Grey-brown heads began to bob up above the waves, dragging with them large, streamlined bodies. More and more, until the entire sealion colony surrounded them. The leader, the male, shuffled forward to greet Daine, whilst the females and pups hung back.

Daine smiled, offering her hands palm up for him to sniff. Hello, friend.

The sealion grunted, thrusting his nose into the pocket of her tunic. Food?

Food. She laughed, and reached into the pocket to take out a handful of small fish that she'd 'borrowed' from the kitchen of Pirates Swoop that morning. He ate them greedily, then let out a series of barks, signalling to the others that they could come closer. One curious pup catapulted forward, tripped over its flippers and landed in a pile at the wildmage's feet. Its mother shuffled after it, scolding loudly. She stopped when she got to Daine, tilting her head to look at her stomach. Pup?

Yes. Daine nodded, smiling, and reached into her pocket for fish for the pup and its mother.

Hours, and all of the fish later, the colony retreated into the sea, leaving Numair and Daine alone. He smiled sweetly, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"Time to go, love. Sarralyn will be missing her ma by now. Do you want to walk, or can I carry you again?"

Daine chuckled, and reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I think you can carry me."

"MAMA!" Sarralyn looked up from her game to greet her parents as they entered the room. She stretched out her arms, and Daine picked her up, and cuddled her daughter close to her. Numair nodded gratefully to their housekeeper, who gave him a quick smile and left. From her new vantage point in her mother's arms, Sarralyn had noticed her father, and wouldn't stop shrieking until Numair had spun her around his head enough times to make him dizzy.

He flashed a look at Daine that clearly said 'Help me'. She laughed at him, then reached her arms out, taking their daughter from him. "C'mon, Sarra, bed time."

Numair kissed her forehead. "Thanks."

Daine smiled at him, and walked away to Sarralyn's room, rocking her daughter gently in her arms.

Once Sarralyn was sleeping, Daine rejoined her husband in their living room. Numair was sprawled across the entire length of the couch, his long nose buried in a book.

"Ahem." Daine crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame.

Feeling her gaze on him, Numair looked up. "Magelet!" He grinned, spreading his arms out towards her. She went to him, laying in his lap with her back against his chest. Numair lifted her tunic and shirt slightly so that her stomach was bare, then lazily began to trace patterns on the skin there with one hand, the other held up his book as he continued his reading. After a few moments he stopped, his palm pressed flat against her stomach, agreeably warm. When he laughed, Daine felt the vibrations through her back.

"What is it?" She tilted her face upwards to look at his face.

"Kicks, sweetling." Numair resumed his stroking, a broad smile on his face. "You know, magelet, you're making me go crosseyed looking at you from this angle."

"Well, that's easily fixed." Daine turned her body so that she was the right way round, her hands flat against his chest. Teasing him, she pressed her lips to the patch of skin in the gap of Numair's shirt, making him shudder.

"Daine-" Her lips found his collarbone, the side of his neck, and his jaw.

"You need to shave." She whispered, her mouth ghosting across his cheek.

"Thanks." He raised an eyebrow, and she grinned cheekily, letting her teeth graze the corner of his jaw.

"Oho, magelet- two can play at THAT game." Numair smirked, then began kissing her repeatedly, stopping only when the lack of oxygen finally made breathing compulsary. His thumbs traced small circles in the skin of her waist as he covered her neck in light kisses.

Daine sighed happily, lightheaded from his kisses. "Ok, ok- you win!"

Numair chuckled darkly in reply, "I haven't finished yet." and, scooping her into his arms, he raced to their bedroom.

Daine smiled and propped herself up with her elbow, turning to face her husband. "I love you."

"Still? That's good. Love you too."

She lifted the arm she wasn't resting on to examine a small, purplish bruise on her wrist, then raised her eyebrows at her husband. Numair had the decency to look slightly guilty. "Lovebite?"

Daine rolled her eyes, letting out a small laugh. "You're terrible. You're practically INVITING the court gossips to comment."

"As if they need any encouragement. Besides, I definately won this time."

"Just you wait. I'm going to beat you next time… When I have the energy. What time is it, anyway?"

"Bell sounded midnight a few minutes ago." Numair yawned.

"I didn't hear it!"

"You were… otherwise occupied."

Daine snorted. "Fluffbrain."

"Would you have me any other way? Night, sweet." With that, Numair rolled onto his back, and closed his eyes.

Daine shuffled closer, resting her head on his chest. "G'night." Within minutes, the couple were asleep.

Sorry sorry sorry! I know I haven't updated this in ages, but I had a bit of writers block for this story... So many followers! Love y'all! ^^