First off, I'd like to thank Megglesnake, Jinx1983, LadyCallia, PheonRen, Warrose, and auradorina for their reviews! Also all the people who have this fic in their list of favorites and are following it closely! You are all awesome! :D
There is a very, very detailed smutty scene ahead, so fair warning! Mature content ahead! You have been warned! :P
Bioware owns, I just fool around with the characters, lol
Chapter 38 - The Miracle of Life
Come to me baby
Don't keep me waiting
Another night without you here
And I'll go crazy
There is no other there is no other
No other love can take your place
or match the beauty of your face
I'll keep on singing till the day
I carry you away
With my love song
Dov'e L'Amore - Cher
.
.
.
Alistair felt his breath hitching as he finally caught sight of his wife, lying on the stone ground of the courtyard, with Duran at her side, who was doing his best to revive her.
He called out to the recruits assembled to get Anders or Fiona desperately, as he took her in his arms gently. The recruits who had not left crowded around them, and he ordered them to step back to give her air to breathe.
She looked so pale lying there that he vowed to have her rest after she came to, even if he had to tie her down himself. She simply had been working too hard as of late, following him everywhere...to the alienage to help out and recruit wardens, into the city on numerous visits, to the Banns' estates as they solved their problems and now they were actually leaving for the circle tower in just a couple of days. His lips pressed together in a thin line, worry creasing his brow.
He heard footsteps behind him and heard Fiona's voice asking what the matter was. Relief flooded over him in waves.
"Fiona, please. She's fainted. Come quick!" He managed to croak out as she walked briskly to them and knelt down beside them.
Her hands went over Chantalle slowly as she applied some healing magic which made her regain consciousness. She opened her eyes and blinked once or twice into Alistair's warm amber eyes. Eyes that regarded her with concern.
"My love," he crooned. "How are you feeling?" He bent to kiss her forehead lovingly and Fiona asked him to take her to their room where she could perform a scan on her to check her thoroughly.
Chantalle moved to stand up, but Alistair would not have it. He picked her up and carried her, much to her embarrassment and her dismay. The wardens were chuckling and smiling at her.
"Alistair! I can walk, I'm not an invalid!" She protested, but he gave her a look, and she relented immediately, sighing as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
And so, when they reached their room, they discovered that Anders had arrived as well, ready to help with the scanning.
"Good," Fiona said as soon as she saw Anders. "We can both perform separate scans and see what ails her."
"Nothing is wrong with me," she protested again. "I've just been working too hard and not sleeping enough." Alistair shushed her gently and placed her on their bed, taking a blanket and covering her with it.
"Have you been feeling ill?" Fiona asked as she moved closer to the bed, her dark brown eyes penetrating into her blue ones.
"Yes," she mumbled miserably as Alistair looked at her, anger flashing briefly in his eyes.
"What? Why didn't you say anything, love?" He scolded her lightly then sighed.
"Well, not very ill. And I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to worry you," she replied, as she pouted.
His eyes automatically flew to her pouting lips.
Maker's breath! She's ill! Pull yourself together, man!
He forced himself to stare into her eyes again, which were now twinkling, and blushed.
"What have you been feeling then?" Fiona interrupted impatiently.
"I've been ill nearly every morning. I can't seem to hold breakfast down," she answered earnestly, ignoring Alistair's sharp intake of breath.
Fiona suppressed a smile then, as Alistair turned in time to see the corners of her mouth twitching.
"What? What is it?" He asked her, but Fiona only shook her head, looking maddeningly cryptic and refused to reply.
"Step back, Alistair. I need some space," she informed him and he did as she asked, walking over to the table in the room and sitting on the chair next to it. Anders moved closer, giving him a wink.
A soft, blue glow emanated from Fiona's fingertips as she moved her hands slowly over Chantalle's stomach. She did this several times, and finally turned to Anders, who was looking at the smile on her face and a chuckle escaped his lips.
Fiona was actually grinning when she turned to her son, who was now wringing his hands.
She is actually smiling! Andraste's flaming sword! What could this mean?
Alistair stood up, unable to remain seated, but he still remained where he was as he watched Anders now performing the scan on Chantalle.
As soon as Anders finished, he burst out laughing and nodded to Fiona.
Chantalle's eyes sought out Alistair's. She looked as bewildered as he did.
"What is going on?" Alistair demanded. Fiona was laughing too. Now he knew something was up.
"Oh, Alistair! Come here. We both think you should sit on the bed right next to her now."
He quickly did as they asked and took her hand in his.
"Is she going to be all right? What is wrong with her?" Alistair asked, but Anders refused to open his mouth to answer him and instead laughed harder.
Fiona chuckled, her eyes misty with unshed tears.
"Chantalle, you are with child," she said finally.
Alistair expelled all the air from his lungs - he had been holding his breath - feeling light-headed and dizzy at those words. He looked at Chantalle, who was looking at him, pure wonder and surprise in her eyes.
He couldn't find words to voice the whirlwind of feelings that was going through him. He just could not say a word.
"But, how is this possible?" Chantalle squeaked out. "You told me that wardens have difficulty conceiving, yes? That because of the Taint in us..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes widened as she looked deeply into his.
"That's what I was told as well. I don't understand, but I don't care! Chantalle, do you realize what this means? We are going to be parents!" He gave a sob and leaned over to take her into his arms, and she held him tightly as well, her happiness filling her completely and making her heart soar.
"Oh, my love! I am the happiest man in all of Thedas, surely!" He whispered and kissed her neck, jaw line and trailed the kiss right up to her mouth. The kiss was not a very passionate one, but Fiona cleared her throat behind them, nevertheless.
"Fiona! You are going to be a grandmother!" Alistair laughed and scooped her up, while Anders leaned over to give Chantalle a hug.
Fiona smiled as she saw them together, her heart brimming over with happiness. She then remembered why she had been looking for Alistair in the first place.
"Alistair, I must see you in my rooms, as soon as possible. There is something I wish to tell you, regarding my project," she said, as Alistair broke away from Chantalle's grasp and turned to look at her.
"I can only imagine it to be good news, right?" He said playfully, his eyebrow shooting up, giving her a quirky smile.
She laughed again and would not say another word.
"Can you watch her Anders? I'll be right back!" Alistair said, and Anders nodded as he left with Fiona.
Chantalle sighed as she laid back onto the pillows lazily and Anders pulled a chair closer to the bed. Sitting down, he caught her expression.
"What?" He asked her curiously.
"I suddenly feel terribly hungry. I'm sure dinner is already being served in the mess hall," she remarked, a dimple appearing suddenly under her right cheek. Anders shook his head, smiling.
"Yes, fine. I'll play delivery boy," he said, resigned to his fate. Then he wiggled a finger at her as he stood up. "But I'm only doing this because you just fainted! Don't think I'll be doing this again!" He warned.
She laughed and stopped him, her hand on his arm before he left the room.
"Oh, and one more thing, please? I would really love some hot water. I need a bath desperately," she said, her voice full of longing.
Anders rolled his eyes, but he twinkled down at her all the same.
"Fine! But that's all I'm doing!" He answered.
"What? No massage?" She teased playfully and he shot a warning glance at her before finally leaving the room, chuckling softly under his breath.
...
Alistair was nearly running as he made his way back to his room after talking to Fiona, stopping only in the kitchen where he pinched the cook's cheek and begged for a tray of food to take up to his room. She beamed at him, her rosy cheeks turning a bright red color as she filled a tray with stew, soft rolls and cheese.
"For two, Commander?" She dimpled at him and he nodded in assent. He turned to leave, balancing the tray in one hand as he used the other to fish a bottle of wine from the rack next to the door. Placing it on the tray, he left, grasping the tray firmly with both hands this time.
His way to the room was slower, because he didn't want to spill the stew. He nearly ran into Anders who was leaving the room.
"Too late, Commander. I've already brought her some food, and she's just finished eating. And it wasn't for two. Your wife is eating for three!" He giggled, said something about meeting up with Leliana, and waved his goodbye as he walked down the corridor, disappearing around the corner.
Alistair walked into the room, shutting the door behind him using his foot, and Chantalle smiled up at him in greeting. He set the tray on the table and walked towards the bed, sitting on it and leaning in for a kiss without uttering a word.
"Mmmm," she hummed into his mouth and his whole body ached for her at that very moment. There was a knock on the door, but Alistair ignored it pointedly.
"My love, it's important. That's my hot bath water," she mumbled in between kisses.
He sighed and broke away tenderly. "All right, but we owe ourselves an evening of celebration. Nathaniel is going to fill in for me tomorrow. I'm staying in with you the whole damn day. I'll open that door for nobody," he said, as he gave her another kiss before standing to open the door.
As soon as the tub was ready, she moved to sit on the bed.
"Allow me," he stopped her, his gaze burning into hers.
Very gently, he started to undress her, taking his time to undo each buckle and lace, placing kisses on her naked body once he was finished. She moved again to stand up, but he shook his head gently. "Just what do you think you are doing?" He chided, then took her in his arms, carrying her to the tub behind the screen. He carefully set her down into the hot water, and she let out a sigh of satisfaction, closing her eyes and letting the nearly hot water envelop her.
"I'll just go and eat the stew before it gets too cold to eat, all right?" He said. Chantalle nodded. "If you need anything just tell me, I'm right here, my love."
She got some soap and started washing herself, while he sat at the table and devoured the stew, finishing the rolls and cheese off in a heartbeat. He went behind the screen to the wash basin where he washed his hands and mouth, then fastened his attention on her. She had his back to him, and was lying in the tub, with her head on the stone edge and her hands softly playing with the water. He felt the desire for her coursing through his veins, and his member sprang to life as he watched her, feeling uncomfortable in his armor.
He quickly undressed and knelt beside the tub, taking the washcloth she had used and proceeded to very gently wash her over again, bending down to kiss her fully on the lips. Very slowly, he used the washcloth over one breast in a circular motion and then the other, pausing for a moment to lower his head and kiss her nipple. She let out a soft moan and he did the same to the other one. Her hand traveled up his arm, her fingers tenderly grazed over his hardened nipples and he moaned as he brought his lips down to hers once again, their tongues immediately entwining in a passionate dance, stroking and tasting each other.
The washcloth slipped from Alistair's hand, into the water, where it floated, completely forgotten. His hands trailed down into the water, and touched her waist, and hers pulled him closer, reaching out for his strawberry blonde hair. He sighed into her lips and without breaking their kiss, moved up and into the tub with her, placing his legs in between hers and kneeling in the water, pulling her closer.
His hands travelled up and down her back and one of them took her shoulder and pushed her back gently. She watched him take each leg and start kissing it slowly and tenderly, his tongue flicking out, licking where his lips had kissed each time, and she felt the excitement running through her like an electrical bolt, travelling through her with such an intensity that she mewled with pleasure. He then put each leg over his shoulders and moved in closer to her, his hands grasping her tightly, his member grazing her lips and nub and she cried out.
"Tell me," he whispered, his voice husky and vibrant. "Tell me what you want."
She was breathing heavily and gasping, and her lips parted as she tried to grind her core onto his erection. His mouth descended on hers, kissing her hungrily.
"Tell me," he repeated, his hand on his erection as he slid it up and down her slit, teasing.
"Ah! Alistair! I want. You!" She managed to say, and he grunted as in one swift movement, he penetrated her completely and drew her close, the water splashing around them over the side of the tub.
They stayed like that, feeling each other for a few moments, the fire inside them binding them together fast. He kissed her again. "My love," he whispered into her ear, nibbling it, his tongue flicking out and tasting her, and she shuddered in his arms, her walls so deliciously tight around his length.
He started to move slowly then, out then back in again, taking up a rhythm. She tried to match his, tried to move the best she could, but discovered that in her current position she could barely move at all. She was a prisoner in his arms, so she trailed her hands over him, raking her nails on his back and shoulders, moaning out his name as he rode her, gasping as he started to pick up the pace.
His hands held her buttocks firmly as his pace quickened and he growled into her ear, his mouth kissing and tasting her everywhere. He could not last, he knew he would not, so he slowed down as he pushed into her again and again, wanting her to reach her release before he did.
But she started to whisper words of encouragement to him and all his self-control broke down then and there.
"Do not. Hold back. Alistair!" Her words came out in gasps and he tightened his grip on her, quickening his pace, as her walls tightened around him again.
He abandoned himself to a wilder pace then, grunting, his release bringing him to the edge, each thrust bringing him closer, and she started to convulse around him, her release finally bringing him completely over, as he started to spurt his seed deeply into her, screaming out her name, kissing her hungrily and passionately, then breaking away and thrusting into her once more, burying his head into her neck.
Their world exploded into color and light as they climaxed, their hearts took flight and soared, and raced as they held tightly into each other, their breathing irregular.
Catching their breaths, he slowly brought one of her legs down back into the water, and she trembled in his arms. He brought the other one down, still inside her, pulling her onto his lap as he knelt in the now lukewarm water.
"I love you so much, Chantalle. You have no idea how much, my love," he whispered into her ear, as he kissed her over and over again.
Slowly, he pulled out, and she gave a disappointed groan. He laughed and his eyes twinkled into hers.
"Ah, no, Alistair. I want more," she protested pouting, and he hungrily claimed her pout in a passionate kiss.
Smiling mischievously, he took her hand in his, and guided it to his member, still fully erected.
"It will be as my lady commands," his voice said hoarsely, and he stood up, picking her up in his arms, then setting her on the now wet floor beside the tub, drying her quickly but gently then drying himself. She took him in her hand and knelt down before him, taking his erection in her mouth then, sucking and using her tongue to pleasure him.
He flung his head back and moaned, gasping. After a few minutes, he begged her to stop and pushed her away gently. "I won't last, my love. Allow me." He smiled, picking her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed where he laid her, lying down beside her.
They made love to each other several times that night, and finally fell asleep in each other's arms in the wee hours of the morning, completely spent.
...
Fiona started as she willed her eyes open. She rubbed them as she sleepily regarded the room and they widened when she realized she had fallen asleep, sometime during the night on the desk, for the sunlight now danced merrily into the room.
She stood up abruptly, chiding herself for her stupidity at oversleeping when there was so much to be done. Glancing at the shadows in the room she realized it was past noon and shook her head as she washed her face and ran a comb over her tousled hair before smoothing her robes and heading off towards the kennels to look for the kennel master.
Stopping only to fix herself a quick bite to eat, she shoveled the meat and vegetables into her mouth as quickly as she could, then blushed slightly when the cook arched her eyebrows at her disapprovingly.
"In a hurry today, Warden Fiona?" She said seriously but her voice was laden with amusement all the same, and she winked when Fiona finally got up from the chair, taking a big swig from her glass of wine before she did.
"Yes. It's rather late. I overslept this morning," she said apologetically. Then offering the cook a smile, she complimented her on the delicious meal and set off once again in the direction of the kennels.
The kennel master had six mabari hounds that had been fighting darkspawn from the get go, so the dogs themselves were already tainted, and now pretty much grey wardens themselves.
Fiona only needed one.
She had, at first, thought about asking Duran for his dog, called 'Dog' by his master. After all, when Duran had left for Orzammar, she had been told that he had left his dog behind, but Dog was so attached to both Duran and Alistair, that she didn't have the heart to do that. If there was the slightest possibility that her experiment should fail, she did not want to break the news of its death to them.
So she found herself seeking out the kennel master instead.
He was very nice to her and tilted his head to one side when she made her request.
"Well," he said, his brow furrowed in thought for a short while. "There is one of the hounds here that is really very sick. It seems that he is the oldest one and he has been fighting the creatures longer than the rest. He's dying, poor fellow. He's over there, in a separate cage. I'll bring him over to your room immediately." The man said sadly.
Fiona gave him a reassuring smile and thanked him graciously.
He grinned back.
She turned and made her way back to her rooms, thinking about taking a hot bath. She briefly remembered when she had explained her breakthrough to Alistair the night before. He had seemed really pleased about it all and congratulated her heartily. But truth be told, it looked like he was hurrying the conversation with her on purpose and she couldn't blame him. She was sure that both he and Chantalle had a lot of 'celebrating' to do. She grinned to herself as she continued walking back to her rooms.
On her way she glanced casually at the door that led to the Warden Commander's rooms, and smiled.
She highly doubted that Alistair or Chantalle would make an appearance today.
...