Ruth's resting in their bed later that night, 'The Story of Io' open before her. It's early by their standards, just going on ten, but between the garden work and walking Scarlett they're worn out. Or more likely, Harry's hurt his back moving branches he should have left and he's using her pregnancy as a reason for them to be in bed.
She's not arguing though as it is more comfortable lying against the mountain of cushions he's set for her against headboard then on the couch. Rolling her shoulders, Ruth looks up as the en suite door opens. As Harry stands in the door in only his boxers, a puff of steam escapes over his head.
"Feel better?"
"I'll admit it's nice getting the layer of grime off I acquired from the garden."
"Uh huh. It has nothing to do with your ignoring me and moving those heavy branches yourself."
Slowly crossing to the bed, he lifts the duvet and slides in next to her. As he settles on his back, he stifles a moan, not wanting to admit that she had been right. Folding his arms across his chest, he turns his face towards her a moment, pouting as she looks down at him.
"I love you my darling, beautiful wife."
Leaning down, she presses her mouth to his, smiling as his hand lifts to tangle in her hair. Lifting her lips slightly, grins at him. "You were still wrong in trying to move the tree by yourself."
Kissing her quickly, he lets go of her hair and settles on the pillows again. "It wasn't the branches but rather the four hours spent bent over digging holes for you to plant your flowers in."
Moving back to her pillows, she slides down some, and picks up her book. Opening it back to the page she was reading, she slides a hand over to cover his. "Whatever you say dear. Tomorrow I'll plant the flowers and you can haul the wood out."
He wraps his fingers around hers and closes his eyes, shifting to try and find a comfortable position.
It's ten minutes later that Ruth sighs, picks up her bookmark and closes her book. Setting it on her bedside table, she pushes herself up and looks at her husband. He's been grumbling and moving around the bed, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in and it's beginning to get to her.
"Harry, lie on your stomach."
Eyes opening, Harry looks at her, eyebrows hunched in question.
Getting to her knees, she kneels next to him and uses her hands to show him what she wants. "Roll over and I'll rub your back."
"No, no. It's alright."
"Harry, stop being stubborn and let me help you."
With a long sigh, he slowly rolls towards her onto his stomach. Folding his arms under his chin, he feels the mattress shift before her hands settle on his shoulder and her thighs wrap snuggling around his hips. Fighting back a different kind of groan, he closes his eyes and says, "I should be doing this for you."
"And you can, later, when my back is hurting. Right now relax and enjoy it."
Using her thumbs and the heels of her hands, she slowly starts pushing into the muscle of his shoulders, feeling the tense knots under his skin. As she slowly works along the contours of his spine, he feels himself relaxing and the pain melting away.
She's making her way back towards his neck when he realizes how much of a jealous sod he's been throughout the day. Rolling his shoulders, he feels them crack.
"Ruth, I'm sorry. I know I've been a horses arse to..." he stops as she freezes, her fingers digging into his shoulders. "Ruth?"
"Shh."
She doesn't move, just continues pressing down into his shoulders as he begins to worry that something's wrong. Trying to roll over, he finds himself trapped as he doesn't want to knock her to the floor. He's just getting ready to try shimmying his way up the bed when she suddenly climbs off him and grasps his hand.
Dragging it from under his chin, she quickly pulls it to her stomach, lying it against her shirt. Confused, he turns on his side and watches her, waiting.
"Come on babies, do it for your daddy."
And then he feels it.
The smallest of flutters against his hand.
Pushing himself up, Harry moves both hands to her stomach and waits. It's not long before he feels another series of small movements.
Eyes lifting to hers, he sees her smiling and gives one of his own.
Hands still resting against their children, he leans forward and kisses her slowly.
AN: Just a tiny update to get this moving again - and to make up for making Harry a jealous sod in the last one.