Disclaimer: It's been a while since I included this- you know the routine!

Thomas Harris created the characters I don't own them! I am merely the author of the machinations spinning within my own dark mind!

Hannibal donned his sunglasses and feeling much more secure escorted his wife to a lovely boutique specializing in maternity clothing. He sat, legs crossed comfortably,sunglasses still firmly in place, in a large wing chair and waited patiently as Clarice and the shopkeeper moved through racks of clothing and assembled outfits. Clarice tried on each and every one as Hannibal watched.

"What about this one, H?" Clarice questioned as she lifted hanger after hanger for Hannibal's approval.

He sat, nodding his affirmative response exactly as he had for each and every choice she had previously presented.

Clarice was obviously extremely frustrated and agitated by the process. "Husband?"

"Yes Wife?" Hannibal answered in kind, taking note of the edge in her voice and careful not to match it.

"You're no help at all!" She thrust the hanger with no small measure of aggression onto the clothing rack, now filled to capacity with her choices.

Hannibal was perplexed by Clarice's reaction though the only evidence of this, a slight tilt of his head. His mind tumbled, assessing the various stimuli as he attempted to process possible reasons for her frustration. He lowered his sunglasses, sliding them down the bridge of his nose and peered over top of them as if his uncovered eyes could extrapolate more data.

Though he clearly heard it, he made no note of the storekeeper's reaction as her breath caught in her throat upon seeing his burning irises.

Why are you so upset Clarice…you've had lunch…not a drop in blood sugar…I have been quite attentive…you are shopping for clothing…I'm willing to spend copious amounts of money to… please…you…copious amounts…Ah, Clarice…as fiscally conservative as ever.

Hannibal removed his sunglasses, folded them and placed them in the breast pocket of his loosely fitted linen suit. He then pushed himself up from the chair and strode confidently to his wife, placed his arms around her waist and held her close.

"Are you feeling quite alright, Clarice?"

"I'm fine!" She answered sarcastically.

Clarice hated trying on clothing and she was feeling less than attractive because of the changes her body was undergoing. She kept her eyes downcast feeling more than a little hurt because she believed her husband was hiding behind his sunglasses and paying little attention.

Hannibal reached for her face, cupped it gently in his hands and kissed the tip of her nose. He then smiled broadly and this caused Clarice to smile. Hannibal spoke softly to her by way of an apology.

"Please do not be upset with me my Love, I was not ignoring you. I had merely assumed you would want them all. I hadn't realized you were you counting on me to choose."

"I'm only going to do this once, H. One baby that's it…why would I need all of this?"

"I would have you contented and well cared for Clarice."

"All I need for that, H are your arms around me."

Hannibal kissed her lips very gently then turned toward the rack of clothing.

"Please, tell me how many items you would be comfortable with and I will help you pare down your choices."

"I would do fine with a third of this, H."

"Very well, Clarice…your wish is my command."

Hannibal very quickly pulled out each of the items he assessed flattered Clarice's coloring, and suited his tastes. It took mere seconds as he had paid very careful attention when she was modeling the outfits. Within two or three minutes he finished, having separated a little less than half of the selections for purchase and arm in arm they accompanied the clerk to the sleek mahogany counter for payment.

Clarice hugged Hannibal's arm. "That was more than I suggested, H."

"Just slightly more than you suggested, Clarice. There is a need for formal wear in your maternity wardrobe therefore I included appropriate items from the designer collection for that purpose as well."

"Formal wear? Why?"

"As I explained earlier Clarice, it is a surprise."

Hannibal passed his credit card to the cashier. She processed the transaction and waved a young man over to the counter.

"Mario, could you please assist Doctor Lecter and his wife with their purchases?"

"Doctor Lecter? Hannibal Lecter?" The young man stood clearly terrified at the mere mention of the name. He did not approach instead he backed up along the wall. "Hannibal… the…Cannibal?"

Hannibal's reaction was understated. "It is just Hannibal now."

The shopkeeper was obviously embarrassed by the boy's reaction. Hannibal understood. This young man was clearly of the age where a good deal of his time would be spent on the internet. Some of the sites associated with his name and his crimes were quite lurid, more than a few of them were extremely graphic and included crime scene photos. Whatever the boy had seen…he was terrified and Hannibal was the cause of it. Hannibal was actually quite amused by this reaction.

Young men are attracted to shock sites and I was often quite shocking…at least when the mood was upon me. One would think by your age you had been at least somewhat desensitized. You are quite the lightweight, young man!

Clarice was obviously enraged. She moved to step around Hannibal and challenge the boy. Seeing the fight rising within her, he quickly encircled her waist and held her closely to him, her shoulders resting against his chest. He could feel her body heaving in anger. He was able to halt her physical progress but could do nothing to quell her rage.

"You little son of a…"

Hannibal interrupted her quietly whispering in her ear. "Shhh, Clarice. Please."

Her lips closed though her mind boiled. You little wimp… I should bitch slap you for that!

Her husband recognized her frustration as he had on more than one occasion been on the receiving end of Clarice's deadly stares and they were quite often followed by a raging tirade.

The shopkeeper was obviously absolutely mortified. "I'm so sorry Doctor Lecter…Mrs. Lecter." She directed her attention to the young man. "Mario, go home. I'll speak to you about this later!"

Clarice's eyes did not leave the young man until he was out of sight, burning into him like a laser.

Hannibal sought to diffuse his wife's anger by responding in an exceedingly restrained and polite manner. It wouldn't have taken much to set her off and though this day was designed for her pleasure her agitation was mounting by the minute.

"That is perfectly understandable for the young man to be…nervous. There is no need to reprimand him. I am not offended. As to the clothing, we actually have quite a bit more shopping to do. Would you please be so kind as to deliver the purchases to our home tomorrow?"

Hannibal quickly wrote their address on the invoice and handed the paperwork back to the woman.

The shopkeeper was relieved by Hannibal's gracious response. "Certainly Doctor Lecter, it will arrive early tomorrow afternoon if that is agreeable to you. It was a pleasure to meet you both."

"It was a pleasure to meet you as well, thank you."

Clarice didn't speak until they were outside. As soon as she hit the fresh air, she raged.

"Oh my god… H! I wanted to snap that little bastard's neck!"

"Relax, Clarice. He is but a boy. I am a grown man. If I let a young pup such as that get under my skin what would that say about my self-control, not to mention my level of maturity?"

Clarice was literally shaking with fury. "Are you insinuating that I am being immature because I'm upset?"

"Not at all Clarice…I am very touched that you wished to defend me."

"I'm sick to my stomach, H. Take me home."

"Are you certain, Clarice? We could look at furniture for the nursery."

"Not today, H. I've had about as much excitement as I can stand for one day."

"Understood."

Hannibal walked quietly beside his wife. He was well aware of the impact his notoriety would have on their relationship. He had in fact tried to warn her. Though it was his hope she would be emotionally strong enough to cope with situations such as this, he hadn't taken into consideration that her pregnancy would complicate matters. She was far more emotional than was the norm for her.

Clarice did not speak on the ride home. Even her body language distanced her. She kept herself turned from Hannibal. She leaned against the door and stared aimlessly out of the window.

Hannibal allowed Clarice the distance she was seeking. He understood the commutation of his sentences would be a double edged sword. He wondered what Clarice was thinking.

Hannibal parked the car and as was his habit, moved around the vehicle to open Clarice's car door. Before he could reach her door, she opened it herself and got out.

Hannibal stopped in his tracks and watched as Clarice walked into their house alone. He paced outside trying to decide how to best respond. He didn't wish to exacerbate the situation and decided it would be best to enter the home as if nothing had happened. Challenging Clarice when she was already in an argumentative mood was never a very good idea. She wanted distance. He would oblige.

Hannibal entered the home through the main entrance, paused in the foyer and placed his wallet and keys in the crystal dish. He stood very quietly and listened. He searched the air for her scent.

Not on this level? Upstairs…Why?

He stood at the bottom of the stairs and listened carefully. His heart sank.

She's crying.

He wanted desperately to go to her. He wanted to hold her and tell her things were going to get better but he couldn't. She didn't want comfort from him.

Perhaps she will call Ardelia.

Hannibal left the foyer and went into the music room.

If she hears the piano, she may come back downstairs.

Hannibal walked quietly to the piano room, sat at his grand, and began to play all the while thinking of his wife.

Take some time for yourself, Clarice but please do not sleep in the guest room tonight.

Clarice sat on the bed and looked around the room. This was the room she had picked out for the baby. It was bright and on the side of the house that received the most light. She had planned to put the crib on the far wall away from the window, a changing table next to the door and a large armoire for clothing beside it. She wanted to pick the furniture out today so that she could set the room up before Thanksgiving, now just a little more than a week away.

That kid just made me so goddamned mad!

She rested on the bed.

Thanksgiving just a little more than a week away…Our first Thanksgiving together…Hannibal's first Thanksgiving…ever.

Clarice sat up.

Hannibal.

Clarice went downstairs and waited outside the piano room door, just for a moment so that he would know she was there.

The playing stopped.

"Clarice?"

She opened the door and peaked inside.

"Hey, H."

"Can I help you at all? Do you have need of me?"

Clarice ran her hand up and down the door frame. "I was thinking of going online and looking for furniture to decorate the baby's room."

"Tired of the stores Clarice? I can't say that I blame you."

"I shouldn't have put you through that, H. You warned me…I didn't listen. I'm sorry. It must have been so awkward for you."

"Not at all, Clarice…I am unaffected. I have told you before that I am unconcerned with disgrace or public shaming. There is no shame in me therefore I take little heed of the petty perceptions of the people that surround me. It was my hope that you would be similarly unaffected. I am sorry that was not the case. Perhaps the pregnancy makes you somewhat more susceptible to emotional triggers, hormone levels being what they are. In any case, you are not at fault. You have no blame in this."

"You're not upset with me?"

"Not at all my Love, if you are planning to choose the décor for the child's room, I would be more than happy to sit with you while you decide."

Hannibal left the piano, crossed the room and joined Clarice. He took her hand and kissed it.

"Come my Love, let us go and find a crib for the little one."

Hannibal followed Clarice to the kitchen. They sat beside one another. Clarice looked at Hannibal and smiled.

"I really do love you, H…no matter what anyone thinks, or says, or does…I'll always love you."

"And I will only love you, Clarice."

Hannibal watched Clarice as she excitedly searched the internet for furniture to decorate their baby's room. She shifted her eyes from Hannibal, back to the computer and back once more to her husband. She looked at him with love. Unlike earlier, she was happy. Hannibal wished he could find a way to keep her happy. As much as he wished it to be so…he did not believe it would be possible.

What will you do when you realize that your child's father is no longer Marco Aurelio Dante, but is now Hannibal the Cannibal? Will you look at me with the same love in your eyes when our child must hear that name?

Hannibal wanted the answer to be yes, however wishing for a thing, no matter how fervent the desire, will not make it so. Much to his dismay, Hannibal would find that out sooner rather than later.

Until the next chapter!

LH