Thanks if you're still reading! Sort of lost my muse as of late... so not too sure what's in store for this one. Hopefully it'll come to me. Let me know of any thoughts xx

"It's a bean." She laughed aloud, again, infected by good news. "Tiny little bean." She pulled herself closer to him as he unlocked the front door. "Another 8 weeks or so and you'll hear the heartbeat."

"Seems an eternity."

She turned into him, her mouth inches from his, stopping his hand on the door. "Wait." She searched his face for clues, for any hint of his own uncertainty – did it match hers, even slightly?

He deadpanned, his eyes seeming to search for her. "For what?"

Annie hesitated, inhaling as his palm lightly cupped her cheek; his touch igniting that familiar buzz deep within. "Nothing." She closed her eyes momentarily, feeling him move – feeling her body rising, hearing his cane clamour recklessly beneath her and she squealed his name as Auggie lifted her into his arms. His chest was taught against her thigh, and she breathed him in, not restraining the giggle escaping her lips as he kicked open the front door and brought her inside. She shrieked his name again as she had to duck to avoid bashing her head against the doorjamb.

"Welcome home, Miss Walker. And baby Walker." He grinned at her, his smile matching hers.

"Care to explain why you nearly decapitated me?"

"I figured you were itching to ask me to carry you over the threshold. Because I'd rather now than say, six months from now?"

"Ass." Her forehead touched his and she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his mouth to hers, biting, teasing, wanting more than anything to crush him into her; the desire for consumption overwhelming rationality. She slid down his body as his grip on her loosened, and as her feet touched the floor, she allowed her body to carry on falling. Her hands flew to his tie, tugging gently as she stretched her body on the floor, guiding him with her hands and mouth. Fingers trailed up beneath her blouse, his feather touch and the cold October air erupting her body in gooseflesh.

"The front… door… is wide… open." He managed to murmur between kisses.

Annie threw her weight into his, forcing him beneath her. "I'll get it." She pulled back with every intention of closing the door, but found herself giving in to the sudden overwhelming desire to drink in his face, to study each delicate contour, to imprint this moment on her mind for eternity.

He raised himself on his elbows, "What? What's wrong?"

She shrugged, trying to merge his face with hers. "I was wondering who baby will look like. If I, y'know. Carry."

He sighed heavily; he sat bolt upright, gently cupping her face in his hands, resting his forehead against hers, the delicacy of his touch an antithesis to his strength. "Stop torturing yourself."

Annie scoffed, the irony not completely lost. "You're a fine example." She blinked ferociously, eyelashes growing damp. She inhaled, but the tears made her breath shaky, and he pulled her closer.

"Whatever happens, Annie." He whispered.

"You'll stay?" She pleaded. "With me? Even if I-" She shook her head. "I'm sorry…" Annie turned toward the front door. His cane, don't leave it outside.

"I don't blame you, you know."

Annie froze, dipping her gaze to the floor. Get up and get it, Walker!

"Please. Annie. It happened, yes. Mourn, grieve. In whatever way you need to."

She shook her head, quickly trying to stand. She halted as he clumsily groped for her hand.

"Annie."

She inhaled, levelling her stare at him. A fresh wave of tears burned inside her nose and she slumped, blinking quickly as his face distorted. "Auggie…" She pleaded, pulling out of his grasp and turning her palms up, ready for crucifixion. "I ruined everything. I-" She paused, inhaling in strength. "I left you… but because I had to try to stop him. Auggie, those children. If you saw.." She swallowed. "… their faces and I couldn't just wait for backup. Because what if… what if one of those children had been ours? Auggie, I had to try… no one else was… he was going to strap bombs to them and I-" A fresh sob erupted as he tried to pull her close, but her arms flew up, blocking him. She inhaled a deep, shaky breath before continuing: "I knew you'd be pissed, I was prepared for that. But I had to try, I had to disarm him. But I just… I didn't think you'd come after me. Auggie, I thought you'd stay and-"

"And what? Twiddle my thumbs while you - " A momentary flash crossed his face – she recognised the anger, the frustration, but there was shame to. "Jesus. Annie, how the hell could I sit back while you throw yourself hell for leather at that - a god-damn crazy-ass… terrorist… set on…" He trailed off, exhaling.

Annie choked on another sob, letting the air fall heavy between them. She found the words necessary for cutting through it. "It's not just the baby, Auggie."

He narrowed his eyes, his face softening as he pieced her words together. "I know you saw-"

"It's you." A pause. "Auggie…" She reached out, fruitlessly; the attempt was entirely lost on him. "…the complications, the headaches, because of that bomb, and it's all my-"

"No, no, no! Stop." He quickly closed the distance, his fumbling desperate as he sought her, and his grip on her hand, when he finally found her, was fierce. "No. Annie Walker, don't you ever – ever – finish that sentence." His breathing became short, ragged; desperation chipped at his delicately constructed faҫade. She felt his hands clumsily climb to either side of her face, and her scalp buzzed as his fingers laced themselves throughout her hair. "I was blinded long before you, before Cooper and… and that's…" He swallowed. "It's not going to change, Annie."

"But Sheraton, he said there was-"

"Let's not go down that road." He whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

She entwined her fingers through his. "But I'd-"

"You'd suggest we go get a beer, I know, but…"

Annie couldn't suppress a small chuckle, however strained.

"I love you," He whispered, gently bringing her close. "Today. Tomorrow."

She felt herself – she allowed herself – to go limp against him, melting amidst the emanating tenderness, and she carefully wrapped her arms around his neck. "You dropped your cane outside."

"Kill the moment, Walker."