I do not own OUAT.
9- See Beneath Your Beautiful.
Whale told her to rest.
He definitely told her to rest.
So why was his gorgeous newly pregnant wife sifting through tests while the dog nestled between her on the bed when he returned home from work from the very shift he only agreed to take on the proviso that she rested?
The school had insisted she took at least three weeks off with pay after the accident that almost took her life. She'd agreed to that for the sake of her baby and her husband's sanity but, that did not mean she was going to be behind on her grading especially as she was almost 99.999% certain David was poised to whisk her away on their overdue honeymoon the moment she returned to teaching.
So when she realises she's been rumbled Mary-Margaret Nolan decides to play innocent.
"Oh hi sweetheart, I was just… looking through these."
He wears a confused smile as he kisses her and picks up a paper.
"Looking through huh."
"Thomas, I'm so pleased that you think Abraham Lincoln was a super President. C+."
She blushes a deep crimson red.
"Damn it there was more! Maybe he won't spot it." Mary-Margaret hopes.
"Oh and look a smiley face. How on Earth did that get there?" He says faux sarcasm thick within his voice.
"I may have done some grading."
"And…"
"Lesson plans."
"And…"
Mary-Margaret gives her best puppy-dog eyed look. "Cleaned the whole apartment?"
He rolls his eyes and takes all the papers and puts them in a neat pile on the kitchen table.
"Do you hate me?" She whines embarrassed when he returns and automatically envelops her.
"OF COURSE NOT! MA!"
She giggles and melts into him as Phoebe moves in indifferent disgust.
"So did you at least drink some fluids and try to eat?"
"Yes! We had some porridge and honey, soup which I unfortunately, threw up between bouts of morning and afternoon sickness and I've just finished the Cookies N' Cream Hershey's bar you bought me."
"Emma loved it."
"I'm sure she did." He kisses her again and then her bump pulling a blanket over them.
"What about you? How was your day? Did you need me to make you something?"
"I'm fine and it was good. Granny stopped by an hour before I finished with a turkey sandwich some coffee and a muffin. Said I spend so much time checking up on you and Emma these days that I forget to eat. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" He says stroking her face with the tips of his delicate fingers.
"Absolutely nothing." She says with a humorous grin.
He kisses her again gently allowing their lips to cling to hers she tasted of hot chocolate, cinnamon and that nice hum of happiness.
"So it occurred to me…" Mary-Margaret continues slowly taking of his jacket and tossing it on the floor.
"Yeah?"
"We never got to have that wedding night."
"And between Ruby…" She unbuttons David's shirt so sensually it takes all his willpower to hold back.
"And your mother checking in."
"Yes." He affirms agreeing to whatever she is about to suggest.
"It's been two weeks."
David hadn't really thought about time over the last few weeks. He could not process anything that was days or even months ahead. Not after coming so close to losing her. Losing his wife and child.
So sex wasn't even in his remit. Of course he missed her anyone would. But, the nightmares oh the nightmares had restricted his focus into placing soothing wherever she needed them. She had asked a few times and he had caved every-time but, unfortunately, sleep had claimed her before anything could really happen.
"Honey we don't have to…" He does not even know why he even starts to say it but, he does and curses himself for it.
"Don't have to? Or you don't want to?" Mary-Margaret becomes quizzical.
"I never said that." David finds himself on the defensive trying to kiss her and getting her cheek.
"You didn't have to." She gets up and breaks away from him completely.
"STOP IT." He raises his voice slightly making her turn to face him.
"You're my Wife for god sake I LOVE YOU. Every part of you especially now." He has his hands running up her stiff body as if he has never touched her before. Kneeling down he takes of her shoes, unfastens her jeans as she wriggles out of them. Then he moves to take off her top to which she gladly complies.
Then he guides her to the bathroom and a mirror.
She sees herself in matching pink bra and panties with her husband's loving arms around her. There is a scar across her abdomen where the glass from the car window cut into her it's only small and will heal but, it's there. A mark of horror, a mark of survival.
"Do you know why I'm doing this with you?" He hums into her skin placing a kiss on the exposed nerve in her neck causing a whimper to come from her and he swears he sees her contemplate doing the same.
"Because you love me." She says darkly love evident in every word.
He guides both of their hands down to the slight swell in her stomach. It is not there because of a crash or surgery. It is there because of them because of how much she loves him and how much he loves her.
"But, you love her too and she is alive and growing inside of you. Your body is going to change and feel out of place but, it's only like that so that the child I've heard you sing to every night can get to us."
She turns to him and silently crashes her lips against his.
He responds and laughs as she does a moment later.
"I'm sorry!" She laughs.
"It's ok."
"Because I'm going to change too."
"You're pregnant?" She says in mock astonishment fully beaming now.
"Very funny Princess."
"I try." Winding both hands around his neck she pulls him to her. Nose to nose.
"Grey hair."
"Panicking over her boyfriends." Mary-Margaret muses.
"She's not dating till she's at least thirty." He affirms proudly.
"You beautiful hypocrite."
"I'm in this forever, babies, stress, and school reports until we go."
"Until we go." She continues.
"I love you." They say simultaneously as they take each- others hands and go to their bedroom.
He's slow and careful but, no less tender in the way he touches her it will be the last full time until she arrives they agree. They won't risk anything not for a moment.
"David." Mary-Margaret says drawing shapes on his soft skin.
"Mmm. Yes sweetheart." He turns see her.
"Promise me you'll take care of our baby if anything happens."
He immediately flips her and she gasps breathless.
"Nothing is going to happen to you."
The look she gives him is pained.
"I was eight when cancer took my mother and ten when it came for my father. Johanna did her best but, she wasn't them."
David remembers the first time she told him about this wonderful woman who raised her. They sent her and her husband Jonathan cards every year that they have been a couple and will see them at Christmas. London really seems a world away now.
"I want her here with her family with your mother. A normal childhood wherever you choose to go. And I don't want you to spend all your life grieving I want you to move on."
"Nothing is going to happen to you!" He swears fiercely pressing their faces together so he can trail a line of kisses from her for-head to her toes.
"You promise?" She says breath catching with emotion.
"I do."
"We do this how we will do everything." Mary-Margaret states when he finally comes back to her.
"Together."
Short and sweet. This chapter title was taken from the amazing "Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth and featuring Emeli Sande.