Author's Note: Birth scene is coming up! Next chapter everyone! This is a short one here and to build up the next one. Also it has some romance. (creeves59, I don't know if you're reading this story, but if you are thank you for your review on one of my previous works. I'm touched and glad it helped you during some tough years. My anniversary of being on is later this month. Five years. P.S. I don't think I can find the certain tags for the story, but I'll look again.)

(The Lorax and The Once-ler do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination's. Same goes for his family shown in the film. Marie is mine!)

Chapter 12

Valentine's Day

Marie fluttered her eyelids open, but closed them again. She felt too comfortable to move. All the night before the twins had hiccups and it kept her awake. Of course, Once-ler had been fascinated and his hands barely left her front. Marie tugged the covers to her chin. Before she could completely sleep again she awoke with a start. The feeling of a body pouncing next to her made the expecting mother struggle up. Marie found her upper half barricaded by skinny, but strong arms and irises of aquamarine looking her down with his usual optimism.

"Morning Sexy," said Once-ler. He smiled with great enthusiasm as he hovered over her. "Happy Valentine's Day! It's our first as husband and wife!" He kissed her tummy four times with a stroke. "Your's is next year Bunnies!" Once-ler was told the babies could hear voices.

Once-ler decided that she deserved a special day after a week of being queasy. Poor Marie had needed a bucket near the bed in case of vomiting incidents. The whole time she had hurled, Once-ler had stroked her back and held the bucket for her with one hand. Marie would grip the other side and hold her stomach. She had been miserable. It was all like some last minute symptoms. Not only that, her legs hurt from the weight she carried. Massages from Once-ler helped, always making Marie's heart beat faster from the sensitive feeling of his rough fingertips.

"Happy Valentine's Day back," groaned Marie putting her hands over her head. She wasn't ready to be alert.

"I made you breakfast and I have something to show you," said Once-ler excitedly. Marie let him lead her to the nursery. Her feet shuffled against the floor and she smelled pancakes (what else?) with chocolate syrup. The moment he swung the door open she found a white changing table set up. It had a pink cushioning and shelves underneath with diapers, wipes and powder arranged.

"Where did-" gasped Marie. She grinned now wide awake.

"I had to hide the pieces outside," said Once-ler. "Finally got it together this morning."

"Aw thank you," said Marie as she shot up on her tip-toes to kiss him. "We have everything then?"

"Pretty much," said Once-ler. It sank in that the time was getting closer for the twins. Only twenty-two days left until March 5th. "We have all we need except the girls." He rubbed Marie's stomach.

"They'll be here soon," said Marie. "I want you to do something for me today."

"Anything," he said eagerly.

"I want you to try selling the Thneed today," said Marie as she fiddled with one of his pajama buttons. Once-ler sighed in disappointment. "You don't have to do it all day, just for a little bit. You never know who'll want something romantic like a Thneed."

"Good point," said Once-ler brightly after thinking. "This could be the day!"

"You don't know until you try," said Marie warmly. "Besides, if you leave the house for a little bit, I'll have my gift waiting for you." She pecked his soft lips again to seal the deal.

Once-ler left later in the afternoon and Marie dipped marshmallows in chocolate like she had on their honeymoon. She snuck a few to ease her hunger cravings. Her back was hurting terribly from the weight. She needed comfort to ease the pain. So with putting the treats in the fridge she retreated to find a way to get rid of the soreness.

It had started sprinkling rain when Once-ler headed home. He carried a bouquet of red roses with him. Inside, he found a clear vase and placed them in. He went into the nursery, expecting to see Marie in the rocking chair. She wasn't there, but the bathroom door was opened a crack. He peeked in very slowly with anticipation.

Marie was soaking off. The water was a perfect warm temperature for her aches. She was in one of her slips and bras so she wasn't washing. She was leaning on the edge eyes shut. Once-ler smiled and came in. She reacted to him and gave a small smile with half opened eyes.

"Hi," said Marie. "I wanted to warm up and I have back pains. How'd the Thneed go today?"

"Not good," said Once-ler shaking his head. "Some angry women threw bonbons at me, but it's better than tomatoes."

"Aw. I'm sorry. I feel bad I sent you out." She watched Once-ler wedge his heel against the other prying his foot out of his muddy boots.

"It's okay," said Once-ler feeling warm inside after coming home. "I got you something though, so it was worth going to town for. Do you need anything right now?"

"No," sighed Marie. She looked gloomily at the bathmat.

"You sure?" asked Once-ler willing to help out.

"I've just been thinking about motherhood," said Marie and closed her eyes again. "I'm a little nervous of handling it. Excited, but nervous. I know you must be. I've seen you hunch over your easel mumbling to yourself."

She didn't notice Once-ler looking dazed as he began to slowly take off his vest. She shifted in the warm water and drew her legs up to her side.

"I thought about how my parents raised me and how I want to be better than them," Marie continued. "I want to be as great as Betsy and Rufus were for me. That's all."

Marie paused, but whatever she wanted to say, she didn't finish. She felt the water rise which made her look for the source of why. She found Once-ler, in his boxers, sit next to her. He copied her position.

"You showered before you left," smiled Marie.

"Showering and soaking are different things," he replied.

"Touché," said Marie. "I forgot to ask you this morning, where did you find the changing table?"

"That baby store we've been going to. They had it for a good price so I got yesterday while you were fixing dinner."

"Sounds obvious when you tell me that."

Once-ler pulled a long curl of hers behind her ear. He was going to miss her being pregnant. He didn't like the cravings or mood swings she had experienced, but it had been the little things he had liked. He had liked kissing her baby bump and feeling the twins kicking. He twisted around her and gently pulled her back so her head went to his shoulder. They both lay back letting the bathwater envelope them more. Marie sighed contently letting her legs stretch out over his. She was glad she had shaved her legs the night before as they were still smooth.

"If you did this while I gave birth that'd help too," she replied. The thought of having Once-ler behind her on the hospital bed holding her hand was encouraging.

"I'll remember that," he said and took her shampoo bottle. Marie heard him take the cap off.

"I don't need my hair washed," she gently protested.

"I disagree," said Once-ler lightly. He massaged the suds over her scalp. "I've missed doing this," he added quietly.

"Oh," said Marie understandingly. She tilted her head back for him. "Thank you then. I've missed it too."

After a few more deep motions over her wavy curls Marie ducked underneath to rinse. Until she fell for him, never did Marie expect to have an intimacy with Once-ler. Not even the thought of having twins occured. Her teenage dream of wanting a blonde, buff, brown/green eyed boy seemed silly. The term beanpole fit Once-ler, but in a good way. She never expected that the man for her had been before her half of her life. No child at the tender age of eight thinks of romance so serious, except for princesses finding their Prince Charming. She didn't have a Prince Charming, she had Once-ler and that was better than anything she had hoped for.

Marie leaned back into him after rinsing. Once-ler ran his palm over her arm. He met up with her fingers and tangled them with his. A light metallic clink from their rings was heard. Once-ler wondered if anyone noticed it when he stood under the gazebo trying to make a sale. No one did. The jewelry was invisible to their sight.

With her long hair pressed against his chest Once-ler massaged her shoulders. She moaned at the sensation he sent racing in her heart. Marie twisted to kiss him, slow and deep. As she did he caressed her hip. It was one of those moments that they felt they were the only ones who existed in the world. Nothing else existed except them.

A few minutes later, Marie felt better and let Once-ler help her out. The moment she left the relaxing water she felt cold. Her white slip clung to her thighs. Immediately, she wrapped one of the Thneed towels around her. The moment she had it on her, she felt instant heat. Once-ler tightened the other around his waist and fetched their pajamas. Marie ran the Thneed fast through her hair. It got rid of frizz easily. The nursery window was slightly opened and showed a sunset going down. After soaking together the couple felt too comfortable to do anything else and put on their pajamas. Marie kept the Thneed draped over her shoulders.

"Oh! You got me roses! cried Marie seeing the bouquet for the first time. "Thank you Handsome!" She hugged him and took her plate of marshmallows out.

"Chocolate dipped?" said Once-ler amazed. "Last time we had those was-"

"Our honeymoon," finished Marie. "Yes. I know. I felt like making them just for you."

"Thanks Beautiful," said Once-ler taking the plate. He put it on the night table.

"I like this Thneed," said Marie folding it up. "I love no longer having frizz."

"I know another thing it's good for," said Once-ler.

"I know it's good for a thousand uses," said Marie playfully. "You've told me them all."

"A million uses," chuckled Once-ler. "I did, but I didn't tell you about this one." Marie crossed her arms and smiled smugly waiting for his secret. He playfully snapped the soft material around her shoulders and pulled her in. He grinned, pressed their noses together and passionately kissed her. Marie blushed at how flirtatious he had been. The taste of his breath was refreshing and she clasped her arms around his neck.

"I love you Once-ler," she murmured as their mouths hovered over for another impact. "So much."

"I love you Marie," said Once-ler breathless and with that they collided again. He dropped the Thneed and touched her hair. Tree blossoms; he loved that smell! He thought he smelled his soap…on her. Sure enough, Marie had given herself a quick lather on the face and arms with his bar that had a light scent of sweet grass.

They rocked slowly together as night fell in. Both could've stayed in the center of their small home and kiss, but eventually both crawled in their small bed (with Marie's sweet treat she had made earlier.) Both curled against their loved one and casually fed each other the marshmallows.

"This has been a good day," said Marie. Once-ler offered her another and she bit into it gently.

"It has," sighed Once-ler looking lovingly at Marie and then to her bulging belly.

For a first Valentine's Day together as a married couple it went nicely. It had been romantic in its own way. The family of two would be a family of four in less than a month.