Prompt: A kiss on the; stomach (#9/25)
Setting: Fairytale Land, MQVerse

With child.

A phrase he never thought he'd actually hear. A phrase he never thought he'd actually want to. But when the large brown eyes he could easily drown in, and did on many occasions, looked to him with apprehension and the faintest twinkle of excitement at the prospect, Jefferson found himself liking the idea, liking it more and more as he let it sink in.

A child would need protecting — safety, stability, all things he suddenly thought himself entirely capable of. But what was even more incredible, was how much he realized he'd wanted this, without even knowing it. Something that signified their union — more than simply stating that they belonged to one another, more than marriage even signified — a child was a bond for life.

It takes two people, two halves from two wholes to come together in such a perfect fashion that a whole new life is born out of it. He would love this child, just as he loved her.

"Are you going to say anything?"

He realized his silence did little to assuage her fears. But words seemed to leave him, and he had little desire to chase after them. Why speak when everything could be said in the proud smile that slowly graced his lips. One that made her heart pick up a little bit of speed, seeing his excitement where she believed she'd see dread.

He moved forward quickly, placing a kiss on her lips while his hands held her face. Saying all that he needed to say in the warmth and love he offered her.

And just as quickly as he had stolen her breath with a kiss he pulled back, dropped to his knees and placed his hands on her hips to hold her in place, leaning in close to speak against her still non-existent belly.

"Hello in there,"

She let out a little laugh at how ridiculous he was already being. But ridiculous felt as right as anything, after finding out such surprising and surprisingly welcome news.

"It can't hear you you know."

"How can you be sure?"

"It's too small."

He ignored her doubts of their child's means to hear his words. Even if they couldn't perhaps the sentiment would be imbued into them anyway. After all this stunning half that carried its life was flowing with magic, was it foolish to think that somehow that made it special?

"Your mother doesn't think that you can hear me, but I think you can." He pulled her forward just a touch, pressing a kiss to her stomach as she resigned to let him have his moment, as it would seem there was no other way to get out of it.

"I want to be the first to tell you, how lucky you are," he turned to rest his chin so he could look up at her just so while he spoke, spoke to their baby that now grew inside her.

"How lucky I am that you are part of me, that she let me have part of her, and that we made you because of it."

He didn't miss the way she stilled so suddenly, her expression softening almost into disbelief. And despite her reaction, despite how her skin flushed at the way he spoke, he continued.

"Your mommy," he hugged her a little closer once again, voice dropping almost to a whisper, "is powerful — and she is beautiful — more than I can tell you. More than you can imagine. When you meet her, you will understand. And you will wonder how your papa did anything that lead him to deserve her. To deserve that piece that made you."

With tears just beginning to well in her eyes he pressed one final kiss against her, and finished by whispering too quiet for her to hear.

"Maybe by then I'll be able to tell you. If I figure it out myself."

Author's Note: I just wanted to say thank you so much to those leaving reviews, especially my guest reviewer who always has such nice and encouraging things to say. I doubt myself on a lot of these so seeing that they are enjoyed does a lot for my confidence in finishing another. I was hoping to have all 25 of these done by the year's end but I've been so blocked and not getting inspired by the remaining prompts that sadly it didn't happen. But at least I was able to start the year off on a good note by finishing this one this morning. It's not the greatest but it's gotten me back in the mood at least, and I have another in the works now. Which is actually going to be a bit of a 'sequel' for one of the drabbles already here. Any guesses on which? Thank you again for the kind words and I hope to be more frequent in writing these again. If not I plan on getting other drabble lists together to sort of break things up and be writing more often but not just from one set of prompts. We will see how that goes as I continue on this list. Happy New Year