NESTING

Clarice woke first.

Not the unhurried stir to sentience, the emergent awareness as her head would rise and fall on her lover's chest. No, this awakening had the suddenness of lightning cracking across the sky. The pain so abrupt she clutched at her husband's bare chest, drawing blood.

Every instinct suddenly alerted Hannibal flipped from his back onto his knees, protecting his wife in his arms as he moved. Very quickly he assessed her condition using each one of his senses. His eyes checked the dilation of her pupils, his hands found her pulse point and tested her heart rate, his nostrils flared as he breathed deeply and inhaled.

No Blood. Thank god…

"Clarice?"

White-knuckled, she clutches at her husband's arms.

"H…oh…God…H…" breathless, she grasps her belly and doubles over slightly as she seeks to control her inhalations and exhalations.

"I have you, Clarice." Hannibal holds her close.

A moment. The pain passes.

There are several tense moments before Clarice finally gathers herself and sits upright to speak, "I'm…I'm okay, H…I had pain…"

Hannibal places his lips to her forehead to test her temperature, even while his hand continues to assess her heart rate. Satisfied she is in no immediate danger he sits back from his knees and runs his hands up and down her arms seeking to comfort them both.

Her breathing slowly returns to normal.

Concerned, Hannibal holds her shoulders gently as he questions, "Have you had many pains, Clarice? Is a pattern developing?"

Clarice drops her head, still anxious, "No, not yet. So far they are totally random."

Triage always one of his strengths Hannibal is in full physician mode as he continues to evaluate, "Single pains or are there more?"

Clarice is still a bit shaken, but, she makes an effort to consider his questions and answer thoroughly.

"Occasionally they come in pairs but not much after that."

"Duration?"

"Not long...a few seconds a minute, maybe. No more."

Hannibal is not pleased, "If you have been having pain, why did you not tell me?"

Confused by his upset Clarice sought an explanation she hoped might satisfy, "Don't be angry with me, H. I'd tell you if I thought I was in labor."

Sliding his palms down her arms, trilling his fingertips the length of her limb until he reached her hands, he slipped his fingers beneath, tickling her palms as he took her hands in his. Hannibal angled his head, seeking her eyes. Disturbed, his voice deepened and took on a somber tone.

"Clarice…"

Sorry to have upset him she questioned further, "Yeah, H?"

When she looked up and he had established eye contact he spoke deliberately, "I am disturbed to see you in pain but I am not angry. However, in future you must tell me if there is pain whether you believe you are in labor or not."

She held both his gaze and her belly protectively as she nodded, "I should…you're right."

Hannibal, still as naked as she, stood from the bed and walked toward the bathroom. His movements were powerful and purposeful as he informed, "I'm going to take a quick shower, then prepare a hot bath for you. While you are relaxing I will make arrangements for the birth. There is equipment I will need to have delivered to the home in order to insure a safe delivery. Remain in bed and rest. I'll be but a tick."

Clarice watched Hannibal walk across the room unclothed. She was spellbound, watching his muscles ripple, elegant and sleek as a lion.

How is it he looks regal even when he is butt-naked?

She smiled to herself. Feeling playful, she called after her husband.

"Hey, H…who would have thought all the way back when I sat on that crappy folding chair outside your cell, that we would one day marry, wake up naked together every morning and I'd be having your baby?"

Hannibal leaned into the bedroom from the master bath, only his head and bare torso showing and teased, "I thought so. In point of fact, it was my favorite thought at the time. I did, after all, have quite a bit of time on my hands, Clarice, and you were the only woman I had seen in years. It isn't as if Chilton was passing out Playboys to keep me sated. Though you had been and are still, my fondest fantasy."

Clarice reached beside her and grabbed a pillow, tossing it at her husband.

"Playboys? Don't be such a wise-ass, H!"

Hannibal picked up the pillow and tossed it back at her.

"Heaven forbid, Clarice. You are far superior to any centerfold. You don't have staples in your navel." Hannibal teased just before he disappeared into the bathroom.

If anyone knew...Silly Ass!

Clarice mused as she curled up on their bed surrounded by a nest of blankets and pillows, closed her eyes and, within minutes, nodded off. Several minutes passed and suddenly, a slight pain stirred her awake.

She reached for Hannibal's pillow and hugged it tightly to her. Burying her face within the down filled support she breathed deeply waiting for the discomfort to pass. Comforted by his pillow she continued to inhale.

Sandalwood and something else...

Clarice smiled.

Hearing the shower turning off she called out loud enough to be heard through the closed door, "H! I know your scent, too!"

Hannibal returned from the bathroom wearing his robe. He was toweling off vigorously rubbing the fabric over his head as he spoke, "Of course you do, Clarice. You purchased a bottle for me at Christmas."

She responded proudly, "No, Silly…not your cologne…your scent."

Hannibal tilted his head to the side and considered her response.

"It doesn't surprise me. Lovers and family members often recognize the smell of one another. You though, have the potential for more as you are as much, if not more, a natural predator as I. You have merely neglected the training of those senses. Perhaps some day we will attend to that education. Come now, it is time you to bathe and relax."

Clarice left the pillow with the regret of leaving a lover.

Hannibal waited patiently for his wife to move across the mattress and leave their bed.

"Be careful, my Love. I don't wish your pain to return."

"I've got to get out of bed, H."

Hannibal flashed a wicked smile, "That is one of my fondest thoughts as well, Clarice."

"What, me getting out of bed?"

"No, you never getting out of bed. With me by your side...by your front...by your back...by your..."

Clarice interrupted, "Don't be such…"

Hannibal approached quickly and put a finger up to her lips as he too interrupted, "…a wise-ass, Clarice?"

She grabbed his hand, kissed the finger covering her lips and in a voice rich with love she spoke barely above a whisper, "Yeah H, something like that."

Hannibal wrapped his arms around his wife and escorted her to the bathroom. He attended to Clarice by assisting her into the tub and assuring her comfort. He knelt beside the bath tub, lifted her chin and kissed her gently.

"Relax, my Love. Soon the child will be in your arms as you bathe, instead of within."

Clarice held his face with cupped hands.

"That's the most beautiful thought, H."

"Not as beautiful and you are, my Love."

Again, they kissed. The moment their lips parted, he stood and spoke, "If you have no further need of me, Clarice, I will be in my study ordering the necessary equipment. We must ensure the baby arrives safely."

Clarice sunk low in the tub. "I'm good, H. Go ahead and get what we need. Your son may not be as patient as you."

When he was certain she was comfortable and in no further need of his assistance, Hannibal turned started out of the room.

Clarice called for him, "H?"

Hannibal turned quickly, "Yes?"

Clarice had a wide smile on her face as she bubbled, "This is exciting, isn't it?"

Quite pleased, Hannibal granted a smile in return, "Yes…yes it is. Exceedingly so."

As his wife turned back to her bath, reached for the soap and began to scrub it across a little mesh ball, Hannibal slowly backed out of the room tilting his head to see every moment of her movement before he closed the door.

Clarice you are perfection.

Upon leaving the bathroom Hannibal moved quickly to his study to begin ordering the equipment necessary for the birth. Settling behind his desk Hannibal turned on his computer, impatient as the machine loaded all of his preferences. He smiled when he discovered his newly installed wallpaper.

Well, my Love, I much prefer this photo to the Tattler's front page offering.

There, as soon as the computer loaded fully, was one of the photos from the Tattler's spread. Clarice kissing the whipped cream from Hannibal's nose. The caption read, Hannibal's Love.

That must have been the section I could read from the paper tucked in young Dennis' back pocket. This is probably the first true thing ever printed in that rag of a paper.

Hannibal allowed himself a moment with the photo, committing the details to his memory. He could feel, as he imagined himself at the precise instant, her lips warming the tip of his nose. He could sense her tongue as it touched lightly to retrieve the tiny dollop of cream.

Would that the world saw it, I would be just as proud, my Love.

Within fifteen minutes Hannibal had rented a fetal monitor, defibrillator, infant warmer, phototherapy fiber optic pad in the event of jaundice, incubator and a birthing bed.

Checking his online list he added a portable anesthesia unit, portable ventilator, intravenous and medication trees and pumps, along with surgical lights. He finished with a portable suction unit and an oxygen delivery system.

Running through the lists in his mind he quickly contacted another medical supply company for gauze, abdominal pads, dressings, sterile water and saline. He arranged for immediate delivery.

He then contacted a moving and storage company to have the contents of one room packed, and moved to a secured facility for storage.

There was one problem, he was no longer a licensed physician and could not chance, as he had in the past, to visit the local hospital and help himself to the meds. No, he couldn't tempt fate to that extent. Not now. He would need assistance. Someone with experience and the certification to prescribe medication. Barney...no, Hannibal thought highly of him. Trusted him even, to an extent, but he did not want Barney to see Clarice in that state.

Who could be trusted to have the sensitivity and the discretion.

Suddenly realization dawned. Hannibal did a brief search on his computer, found the number he sought and dialed the phone.

"Hello, this is Hannibal Lecter. Am I perhaps speaking to Nurse Lora?"

After an enjoyable and very successful conversation, now feeling quite prepared, Hannibal turned off the laptop to organize the home but not before indulging himself in one more protracted survey of the wallpaper.

Thank you my Love…

Hannibal then set out to choose the delivery room. Walking in and out of each room Hannibal needed to determine which space would be ideal for the delivery. He decided against using the baby's room wanting size and convenience. The original master suite would be perfect. It was a large room and had an attached bath. The furniture could be removed and put into storage. That would mean he could set up the delivery room that it be ready at a moment's notice.

He then moved to the bathroom to check on Clarice.

Hearing the slosh of the water and knowing Clarice was still in the tub, ever the gentleman, Hannibal knocked on the door before entering.

Clarice's voice was filled with anticipation and could be clearly heard from behind the door, "Come in, H…I'd love the company."

Hannibal entered the bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub placing his hand on Clarice's bent knee. He sat for a few moments slowly stroking his thumb over her knee until suddenly, a revelation, "My Love, would you like me to turn on the water jets? It may relax you further."

Unlike her husband who was surveying her every move intently, somewhat distracted she spoke, "Could you? That would be great."

As she bathed uninhibited in his presence, Hannibal watched closely, mesmerized as Clarice twisted her hair into a chignon.

Don't you feel eyes moving over you body, Clarice?

"Without question, Clarice."

Hannibal stood and reached for the timer that activated the water jets for the tub. As he spun the dial he could clearly hear a shift within the tub.

Water displacement.

Hearing the movement Hannibal turned quickly toward the sound in time to see Clarice turning slightly away, rolling onto her left side in order to allow the jets to hit her lower back. Hannibal rushed to her side and turned the dials within the tub to adjust the pressure and the angle of the spout to provide the most relief.

Clarice groaned her appreciation, "Oh, H…oh, that's great! Where have you been anyway?"

Hannibal was valuing the luscious line of Clarice's spine from the gentle slope of her regal neckline all the way down to the small of her back. He was considering the meeting of the muscles of her back as they gradually descended to her bottom when he was called back briefly for the answer, "Renting the necessary equipment we will need for the birth of the baby."

Clarice looked back over her shoulder, questioning, "Can you really do that? Rent all of that equipment?"

Ah, an errant curl tumbling down as if a gift for me Clarice.

Hannibal brushed his fingertips across his wife's elegant shoulders, lifted the stray lock of hair and wrapped it gingerly around the chignon.

"Yes, of course. Many people provide family members with home care. As long as there is a medical professional overseeing the equipment, there isn't a problem procuring it. The birth suite will be fully installed by the end of the day tomorrow."

Clarice washed her body as her husband enjoyed his view. She was listening intently and contemplating the preparations.

"What will you do with the furniture already in whatever room you're choosing?"

"I've decided the original master suite will best suit our needs. I've placed a work order with a transport company, therefore, later today the movers will remove the furniture and place it in storage. The medical equipment will arrive tomorrow morning. We will be fully prepared in just over twenty-four hours therefore, it would be far more convenient if our little one would be cooperative."

Clarice laughed at the inference, "Sure, H…I'll do whatever I can from my end."

Hannibal paused for a moment, staring at Clarice, waiting. He still made no comment of the wallpaper Clarice installed on his computer.

Clarice looked up and saw the lingering gaze.

Not going to make it easy are you, H? Okay, I'll work for it.

"H?" Clarice asked as she soaped up a mesh ball.

Breathing deeply, Hannibal took in not only the beauty of his bathing wife, but the scents swirling, enhanced by the steam of the bath. He paused just long enough to respond.

"My Love?"

Still she did not look up but instead moved to place the almond soap on the holder as she pursued, "You used your laptop?"

"Yes, Clarice."

"And?"

"And it is as true now as the moment I first saw you, Clarice. Though you were young and your gifts immature, all you are now and all that we would become was fully evident to me at that first meeting."

Clarice smiled.

Hannibal Lecter's contented wife handed him the nylon mesh bath sponge now bubbly with her soap.

Without another word passing between them, Clarice leaned forward and Hannibal, placing tender kisses along her neck and shoulders, lovingly washed her back.

Several minutes passed before Clarice turned into his arms. She smoothed her hands over his shoulders, reached beneath his robe and pushed the plush fabric until it opened. Seductively, she continued to move her hands over his body until the robe slipped down his back, halting at the bend of his elbow.

Hannibal's heart pounded with anticipation.

...and don't your eyes seek out the things you want?

Understanding the gesture as an invitation, Hannibal stood, allowed the garment to drop to the Florentine tile floor and joined Clarice in the bath. He slipped beside his wife and lifted her body carefully as he rested against the back wall of the tub. Hannibal pulled Clarice into his arms so that her body rested atop the length of his own. Hannibal encircled his wife with his arms, his head resting over her shoulder so they cuddled, cheek to cheek. Hannibal reached around and cradled the baby even as he held his wife, palming her belly gently.

Husband and wife simply held each other. The deep love and peaceful familiarity between them so evident that Clarice felt the moment needed recognition, though her husband did not.

"H?"

Feeling it too, Hannibal understood. He valued the quiet closeness, clinging to it as much as he clung to his wife. He nuzzled his face against her neck, kissing and teasing at the flesh affectionately as he affirmed.

"There is no need, Clarice…I know…I know.

Author's note:

Two individuals inspired some of the elements of the previous chapter and I wanted to note their contributions.

Thanks Major for guiding Mrs. Warden's comments with your review.

Special thanks to Lusting4Lecter (I am so jealous of that name!) for always being there to read the rough drafts and make suggestions. Also for helping me to choose the gifts Hannibal gave to Clarice. Thanks Twin!

Until the Next Chapter my Friends!

LH