October 30th, 2019
"OW! That hurts!"
"Yea well if you'd quit squirming it would be over before you know it!"
"If you weren't terrible at putting in stitches I wouldn't be squirming!"
"Oh my god Bass, you're such a baby. There, I'm done, will you quit bitching now?"
He gave me a disgruntled look and sank deeper into the tub, submerging his head and reappearing a moment later to shake his head and splash water all over me. Gasping and shrieking, I stood and slapped his head, ignoring his chuckle of amusement.
His wet hand wrapped around my wrist and tugged, pulling me off balance and onto the edge of the tub. His other hand snarled in my curls and pulled my face down to his, an amused laugh slipping between his lips as he kissed me.
When he pulled away he stared up at me, his clear blue eyes darkening with emotion. "It was a close call, huh?" I whispered, tracing my fingers over his sharp cheekbone. He nodded and his hand slid down around my neck, beads of water trailing over my skin in cool trails.
"These rebels are causing more and more problems. They've been instigating conflicts between our border with Georgia, and we think they're working with the Plains Nations too," he replied softly, looking troubled.
"I should go to Georgia and make sure things don't fall apart," I murmured, sighing when I saw frustration and anger rising on his face.
"No. Things are too dangerous!" he refuted, shaking his head firmly.
Sighing, I took a moment to keep a firmer grasp on my annoyance with him and allowed a twist of my lips, "Bass, you've got to trust me to do my job. I've worked with Foster before; she'll trust me more than anyone else. I've got to go babe," I told him.
He made a soft disgruntled noise and huffed, his jaw set as he avoided my gaze. "I don't want you to go," he murmured, "I just got you back," he revealed, glancing up to me, his expression earnest.
I felt my heart break at his words and smiled sadly at him, "I know Bass, and I don't want to leave you either, but the Republic is too important for me not to do what I can."
He sighed and pouted, "I'll miss you," he murmured, a mischievous look in his eyes. His fingers around my neck and wrist tightened and pulled hard, yanking me into the tub with a loud laugh.
Spluttering, I pushed back the sopping mess of hair that had covered my face and turned to smack him, my mouth turned up on one side in an amused half smile. His hand caught mine before it could connect and tugged me flush against him, his mouth capturing mine.
His free hand slid up under my wet shirt and fiddled with my bra hooks until they popped loose, a satisfied sound coming deep from his chest. His tongue fought mine until I was breathless and he let me pull back, a smirk on his lips.
"If you're going to leave me, we should at least make it memorable," he whispered, the heated tone sending shivers over my skin.
Sliding my legs around his hips I pulled my soaking shirt and bra off, leaning in to press my chest to his, my lips scant millimeters from his.
"I love a good send off," I breathed, smirking against his lips as I kissed him.
Water sloshed over the edge of the tub and I idly thought how annoyed Miles was going to be that I was going to be late for our meeting.
Oh well.
October 31st, 2019
Cinching the girth on Beda I patted her neck and murmured softly to her in Russian as we prepared for the trip to Georgia. In order to stay light and fast on the road Natasha and trio of my select guard would be travelling with me to the border. Once I was there I would leave the guard behind and stay in the capitol myself, the guard staying just on the other side of the border.
Bass wasn't pleased to say the least, but he knew that trying to force me to stay would be a bad idea. I've never liked being bossed around, especially when it's someone I love doing the bossing.
Probably residual shit with me father I've never worked out…
Grimacing at that thought I shook my head and slung my saddlebags over Beda's back, securing them tightly.
"You're going to miss the Halloween party the citizens have planned."
Smiling faintly I glanced up to where Bass was leaning against the stall door, watching me, a soft smile gracing his face. Securing another bag to Beda's back I laughed softly, "Are you dressing up?" I retorted teasingly.
He smirked at that and nodded, "I was thinking of going as a pirate," he replied. "I was hoping you would be my wench," he murmured, affection coloring his voice.
With a snort of laughter I shook my head and strolled over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and peered up at him. "And if I wanted to be a pirate too?" I asked, grinning.
"You'd still be my wench."
Burying my face in his chest I laughed hard, enjoying the feel of his laughter in his chest. "You are such an ass sometimes," I murmured, turning my face back up to his.
"Hmm, while true, it's part of why you love me," he replied, lifting a hand to wind around my neck and draw me up for a kiss.
Humming in agreement I pulled him tighter against me and arched up on my toes, deepening the kiss. After a few long moments I pulled away and buried my face in his neck.
"I have to go babe," I whispered, my lips brushing his skin.
His arms tightened around me and he sighed deeply. I knew it was hard for him, letting me go. But he trusted that I would do everything in my power to always come back. It was other people he didn't trust.
Not that I blamed him.
His lips brushed against my hair and then again on my temple. I could feel him fighting the sorrow that was between us, struggling to stay strong and not beg me to stay. After another long kiss I pulled away and ran a hand over his cheek, smiling sadly.
"I'll be back before you know it," I whispered.
He smiled sadly and watched as I mounted up, nudging Beda forward to join the guard that waited outside.
The women nodded deferentially and he returned the gesture stiffly before turning to me and laying a hand on my calf. His fingers tightened and he swallowed hard, his eyes bright with emotion.
"Stay safe," he ordered softly, his voice rough and low.
I nodded and leaned down, meeting his lips as he rose up.
"I will. I love you," I whispered, giving him a warm smile.
"Love you too," he murmured, his gaze sorrowful.
I nudged Beda forward and headed for the wall surrounding the city, parts of it still under construction.
Next stop, the Georgia Federation.
November 23rd, 2019
"Happy Thanksgiving Ambassador Flynn," Kelly Foster murmured, lifting her glass of wine in a toast. I smiled tiredly and lifted my own glass of water to toast with. She had tried to press wine on me, but I was too tired and headachy from the trip to really want any.
I had only gotten in to Atlanta the day before, and had barely had time to wash my face before I was called into a meeting with Kelly for nearly three frustrating hours.
Despite the festive occasion, there was tension so thick in the air you could practically taste it. Kelly had been snide and dismissive all day during our negotiations and I was starting to worry that things were going to break down.
I had sent a letter to Bass as soon as we finished, one of my messengers was allowed in the city with me until they left at which point another would rotate in from the border.
Things on the border were growing worse, Georgia was barely concealing its forces anymore, and their attacks were growing more vicious. Three farms had their crops burnt and the families run off.
With the Plains Nations attacking both our forces, you would think she would be more amenable to working together, but no, the woman seemed hell bent on starting a full blown war with the Republic.
Sighing, I picked at my food, my stomach uneasy. The last 24 hours had been trying and tiring, and all I really wanted was to go to bed and sleep. Every bone in my body ached and my head pounded.
"You seem disinterested Ambassador, is it the food?" Kelly asked solicitously, though I could see a shark like look in her eyes, her predatory expression making my stomach lurch.
Or maybe that was the turkey.
Sighing softly I worked up a faint smile, "No, the food is wonderful, I'm just not feeling well. It was a long hard ride to get here through some rough weather. Would you mind terribly if I excused myself for the evening?" I proposed. "I'd like to be fresh for tomorrow," I assured her with a weak smile.
Kelly nodded sympathetically, "Of course dear. And why don't we start tomorrow at 9am?" she offered.
Pushing back from my plate I nodded and smiled appreciatively, "That would be wonderful. Good night, and thank you for the meal," I murmured.
She mouthed a polite response and I was gone, striding as quickly as I could manage to my room and locking the door behind me. Stripping off my clothes I had a quick basin bath and then pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a sweater from my old college, the sleeves threadbare from washings and my incessant picking at the fabric.
Pulling my hair out of the French braid it had been in I slid into bed and curled on my side, watching as rain lashed against the windows. I missed Bass and Miles, and ached deeply for home, for my bed with Bass, for our shared meals with Miles, for the laughter and love that surrounded me there.
It was so austere here with Kelly. She was barely civil, let alone friendly.
Wiping at the tears that had crept out, I rolled over and snuggled into the quilt, eyes drifting shut in exhaustion.
Maybe tomorrow Kelly wouldn't be such a bitch.
January 1st, 2020
Snow piled in the streets softly, the gas lamps flickering in the purple twilight, shining on the faces of the children and adults alike, who had gathered to throw snowballs, create snowmen and make snow angels together.
My breath condensed on the glass, peering out at the people going about their evening so freely. With a sigh I turned away from the window and rubbed a hand over my softly swollen stomach.
It was shortly before I had discovered I was pregnant that the Georgia Federation took me captive and began using all manner of unpleasant tactics to try and prise information from me.
In order to ensure my inability to escape they posted guards outside my door and had an escort for everything. When my pregnancy became obvious, the "enhanced interrogations" ceased.
As the months passed, my stomach grew and so too did the conflict between Georgia and Monroe. I wasn't allowed to write to Bass more than once a month, and his letters were withheld from me until after they had been read so many times for code that the words became smudged.
I hadn't told him about the baby.
It didn't seem like the right thing to do when I knew that if he learned about the baby he would throw every resource into securing my freedom.
As bad as the war was between our nations, it would only grow worse if Bass tried to invade to free me and the baby. That's not to say I didn't want to go home. Hell if I could have managed to free myself, I would in a heartbeat.
The last thing I wanted was to be a hostage. Shit, I could barely handle being pregnant, let alone pregnant and a hostage.
Most days were a struggle not to lose my shit. Kelly had been kind enough (hah) to allow me access to the library they had in the house they were holding me in, but it wasn't enough to keep my mind busy.
I needed to go home.
March 17th, 2020
"You've got ten minutes, you might want to hurry it up."
"I'm six months pregnant, there's no hurrying anything," I snapped at the guard who was escorting me into the backyard of the townhouse I was being held in.
Slowly I walked down the stairs and into the weak sunlight, turning my face up to catch some of the rays. I was being supplied with all the prenatal vitamins and food I could need, along with a doctor visit once a week to ensure the baby and I were healthy.
The doctor had removed my now useless birth control implant from my arm and suggested using the "pull out" method in the future, given that all the birth control that was produced the year of the blackout was expiring soon.
Given that pretty terribly advice, I was planning on getting the pill when I finally got home so Bass and I could actually plan for any more children.
Granted, I needed to actually make it home first.
Sighing, I went and sat on the swing, rocking gently and rubbing my swollen stomach.
"Someday baby, we'll be home with daddy," I whispered, staring up at the clear blue sky.
Someday
We watched as Ambassador Flynn was walked back into the house, her hand resting on her full stomach. Anxiety slid through my stomach, icy and nauseating.
President Monroe and General Matheson would not be pleased by this development.
"S-she's pregnant?!" Bass spluttered, his face draining of color just as his cheeks had flushed, leaving him looking splotchy and apoplectic.
I could hardly blame him.
He had just found out his fiancé was pregnant, being held captive, and according to the scouts, unable to be rescued without harm befalling her or the baby.
Rubbing a hand over my face I waved a hand at the scout, "How dangerous would this be?" I demanded, "Could we get a small team into the city to get her out?"
The young man shook his head, "Everyone is inspected, papers are required, and weapons are confiscated on sight. We'd have to have an ally already in the city to be able to get in," he told me.
I glanced at Bass, "Do we have anyone there?" I demanded.
He shook his head with a low growl, "No! No one that could pull this off, anyways," he muttered harshly.
A young soldier with dark skin stepped forward hesitantly, "General, if I may?" he questioned.
I remembered his face from the Trenton Campaign but couldn't place a name to it. "Go ahead," I ordered, watching Bass pace out of the corner of my eye.
"I have a cousin in the city. He's smuggled me goods from the city and if I get a letter to him, he might be able to help us," the young man told me, almost hopefully.
Frowning, I assessed him for a long moment before replying. "What's your name soldier?" I demanded gruffly.
"Alec, sir," he replied sharply, standing straighter.
"Hmm, well Alec, let's test your cousin and see if he can get a letter to the Ambassador before we try anything else," I ordered.
He nodded and bowed, backing away at my dismissive gesture. The room cleared of people and Bass finally unraveled, his eyes wild as he slammed a hand into the table.
"Goddammit Miles! How could I have let her go again?" he shouted, slamming his fist into the table again. "She would be safe if I had just made her stay!" he cried, his eyes tortured as he looked over at me.
Shaking my head I stepped over to my best friend's side, "Bass, if you had made her stay, she would have been furious with you. You guys were just getting back to what you had before. Kelly Foster may not be the most warm hearted person, but she respects Becca and she's not going to do anything to hurt a baby," I assured him.
Bass swallowed hard and looked away and I could see tears forming there. "But…what if something happens to her?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Laying a hand on his shoulder I sighed heavily, "Then we'll go to war and destroy Georgia," I replied softly.
His eyes blazed up at mine, rimmed with red from unshed tears.
"I want her back."
Dear Rebecca,
This letter is being carried to you through a militia member's cousin. He has assured us he will get it to you if he can do so safely, which means I will have to wait almost two months to find out if you have received this letter.
The thought of you alone, captive, and pregnant terrifies me. I would break the Federation with every resource we have, but rebels have been attacking and the Plains Nations continue to pick away at our borders, pulling away necessary resources.
I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to secure your freedom. Do not ever think I have forgotten or abandoned you.
Without you, what am I living for?
I will never leave you behind.
I will always have your back.
I love you.
Sebastian
Refolding the letter, I tossed it onto the flames of the fire in my room and watched as the words turned to ash.
Ashes to ashes
A shiver ran over my skin and I absently pulled my sweater tighter, the fabric straining over my large belly. Just a month and a half left in my pregnancy, and before I knew it I would be holding my child.
Sitting down the bed I pulled out the stationary I had hid under the mattress and began composing a reply to Bass.
Dear Sebastian,
I do not blame you for my captivity, the blame for this lies solely with Kelly Foster and the Georgia Federation. I do not want you to go to war for me. I will make it home to you eventually, and I know that when I do I and our child will be safe once more.
I trust you, I believe in you, and I have your back too babe.
I love you.
Rebecca
May 3rd, 2020
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"You've got to push again Becca, your baby needs to come out now."
"Fuuuuuuuuck!"
"Come on Becca, push!"
I bore down, pushing as hard as I could, feeling as though my body was being split in two by the agony in my womb. I sobbed and begged for it to stop, still pushing.
"Good Becca, good!"
I felt a pair of hands between my legs pulling, and like the popping of a cork, my baby slid from me in a gush of blood and amniotic fluid. I collapsed back against the pillows, crying as I watched the nurses and doctors working on me and the baby.
Time flew by until they rested the baby in my arms and continued to work on removing the placenta. Tears flooded my eyes as I held my child, running my fingers over its face, learning every detail.
"You have a healthy baby boy Becca, do you have a name for him?" a nurse asked politely.
I stared down at my son's face and smiled in love and wonder.
"William Miles Monroe," I murmured in reply.
May 18th, 2020
"President Foster, I'm telling you that if you agree to end hostilities with the Republic, you will get what you want," I assured the other leader, running a hand over William's back as he settled into a nap on my shoulder.
"What I want is the surrender of the Republic," she snapped back.
"That's not going to happen and we both know it," I replied smoothly.
"Then we have nothing to talk about," she snapped and stood, tossing her pen onto the table with a loud scoff.
When she had cleared the room along with her security, I was led out of the capitol building and back to the house I had been occupying for months. After I had settled William into his crib I sat on the settee and began writing up a list of terms to send to Bass.
After the birth of William negotiations had resumed and communications with the Republic had started once more. I had been able to get word to Bass in code that we had a baby, and that we were both fine.
There still wasn't a reply, but truthfully, I wasn't expecting one yet. It would take at least two weeks for our message to be relayed up to Philly and another two for a reply to be sent.
I sighed and looked over to where my son slept, bittersweet heartache filling me. I couldn't wait to get home and feel safe again, to be with Bass again.
I wanted to go home.
AN: I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update! I've been bogged down with other stories, but I'm working on writing more so this can be updated more frequently. Please review, and thank you so much for reading!