A/N: I don't own Anton, Darquesse, Valkyrie, Tanith or Ghastly.
I was just closing the book when the secret door swung open with a click and Anton entered. He looked pleased to see me, and intrigued that I had to book on Gists in my hands. "I thought perhaps you'd enjoy a moonlit walk on the beach, seeing as how we're both restless." He offered, coming to hold me in his strong arms. His smile was as gentle as always, but I could see the excitement of being a father again dancing in his eyes.
Then comprehension dawned and he looked amazed. Anton drew me into a lingering kiss, then touched his forehead to mine gently, his eyes closed and a look of rapture on his face. "Do you have any idea how rare our son will be, and are you sure, Darquesse?"
"Extremely rare, and nobody is taking my baby away from me." I said, fighting to keep a growl from entering my voice. According to the book our son would take after his father's Gist half exactly, but I only saw that as a good thing. Because eventually even I would die, and I wanted my children strong enough to defend themselves.
There's time for that later. I told myself. Now go enjoy your husband. So I went to the beach with Anton, charmed at how shy he'd suddenly become. But I knew why, despite the author being a full Gist himself, most people expected the worst and most baby Gists never saw the light of day. I shivered, and Anton stopped, clasping me to him. "Are you cold?" He asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I just can't see how people could possibly not want a baby." I said and he smiled gently.
"That's because you're a good person, Darquesse. Some people worry the Gist will come out ready to destroy everything in his or her path. Though I suppose that might appeal to you." He teased gently, and I had to admit, it did. I was a good person to a point, but I was still myself. The idea of a child who might join me in destroying those who deserved it did appeal to me.
We walked back and decided to start the buffet early, Anton now convinced we had to have eggs and bacon as well, and although I didn't recall them ever being recommended for pregnant women, I appreciated his attempt to feed me. I also had time since we were up to fill some tartlet shells with lemon curd and was filling one when two steely arms wrapped around me and Anton nuzzled me affectionately. "Anton!" I laughed, ducking. I touched his hands and felt the talons, then shifted a bit in his arms to see his Gist half looking at me in utter adoration.
He nuzzled in again, then kissed me affectionately. I knew he was excited in his own way, and obliged him with another kiss. I looked at him as we parted. "Want one? Trail run." I offered and popped a tartlet in his mouth at his nod. I wasn't even sure he could swallow, but he looked enraptured as he allowed himself to be reeled back in, and Anton looked blissful when he opened his eyes. "You're going to spoil me, perfection as always, Darquesse." He said, his voice warm.
I blushed slightly. Anton changed whenever I was pregnant. He became more thoughtful, gentle and considerate with me. He could still be his cold, sarcastic self with guests, which made me wonder how we kept getting guests, but as we got the buffet ready he was downright nurturing.
And when we joined our guests, well, our family, for breakfast, he was nearly preening. I wondered briefly if my husband had completely lost his mind, but mom caught my eye. Later, my duties finished, she and I strolled on the beach while the others worked on the wedding preparations. "You don't realize how very lonely he was before he found you, do you, Darquesse?" She asked gently. "Anton never expected to be married, let alone have children. So I know it may seem a bit much, but he's just excited." She assured me.
"I'll have to remember that. It is a bit much. The Anton I remember meeting for the first time was warm and gentle like now, but he could also be sarcastic and downright nasty towards me at times. There were times when I hated him." I said, unable to help the anger that entered my voice.
Mom sighed. "Your father was the same way. But they're only human. We women, of course, are perfect. we never do anything wrong." She said and we giggled, my anger leaving me as we did. When we returned to the hotel Abby and Tanith were ready to go into town and poke in the shops.
Tanith, knowing me all too well walked with me behind my mom and sister. "What stupid man thing did he do now?" She asked and I sighed, unable to shake the ghost of my anger.
"Nothing, now. I'm remembering how he used to be." I admitted. "And I keep expecting that side to resurface. And when it does, and it has, here and there-" I shrugged helplessly and she knew what I meant. Valkyrie would have endured such treatment, and although I found Anton's biting sarcasm amusing at times I'd eventually leave and hide so well that he would never find me again.
I struggled with my paranoia and aggression all day. It has to be the baby. I thought as we stopped for shakes at the sweet shop. I planned on getting fudge, treats and a shake for Anton, to try and go back to our brief courtship because I knew how dangerous I was when I was angry. Abby looked at me as we all sat down with our shakes, concerned.
"What's the matter?" She asked.
"I'm not sure, Sis. Something's wrong, my temper is flaring up on me. It might be the pregnancy, but if I get reclusive, or miss the wedding-" I trailed off and they all looked sympathetic. "I'm fighting the urge to run before I do loose control." I admitted.
Tanith was as cheerful as ever. "If you have to miss the wedding, no problem. You mentioned the book, didn't it say you'd be more aggressive?" She asked and I nodded, but was unable to relax. Because if my anger reached the boiling point I'd be liable to lash out at random and as my anger was returning, so was my power.
I did get the treats and the shake, and after stowing the treats away in our room I wasn't really surprised to find Anton hard at work in our office. He knew something was wrong as soon as he saw me, but accepted the proffered gift of the shake. He didn't quite make eye contact and I felt my temper flare. As it did my shadows exploded around me, writhing angrily. And something about it, how ridiculous it was for me to loose my temper with Anton of all people made me laugh.
And with that I was in control again, bending down to kiss a rather startled Anton. "It's all right sweetheart." I assured him. Stroking his long black hair. "It will be fine." I said and he nodded, smiling at me faintly.
"Whatever it is, I'm sorry." He said and I sighed, sitting on his lap and bundling him into me.
"Shh, you didn't do anything, I promise. It's the baby. Gists make the mother more aggressive and being that way makes me angry. I've already told the others I'll leave if I feel myself loosing it. The Sanctuary can lock me up-" Anton interrupted me with a searing kiss.
"Never! Please, Darquesse, if they got you in a cage, they'd never let you out, not if you were loosing control. Please. I can't bear to be without you. Please." He begged and I nodded, hoping my temper would hold for the next nine months.
And it seemed like it would. Knowing where the anger and aggression were coming from let me know I just needed a good outlet. So aside from helping with the wedding here and there I'd get in training with dad or Tanith. She and I were sparring on the beach a day before the wedding. We were taking it easy, enjoying ourselves when our men approached.
I rolled my eyes at Tanith. I wanted to be sarcastic and ask if they thought we were dainty little princesses that might break, but I knew they couldn't help being protective. This baby better hurry up. I thought. The last thing I want is to bat Anton around. And I didn't, not when he'd brought a towel for me, and a bottle of water. I knew he was convinced he'd done something wrong and I wanted to tell him he hadn't but Ghastly spoke up before I could.
"We two are going to go off to town and enjoy our last day as an unmarried couple." He said, looping an arm around Tanith who giggled then let herself be led away. I turned my gaze to Anton and smiled.
"Please, whatever I've done wrong, Darquesse, I'm sorry." He said and the last of my irritation melted. Poor Anton deserved better. He was doing everything humanly possible to win my heart, even at my worst. And I knew then, even at my worst I couldn't bear to hurt him.
"Shh, come here, I should apologize. You've done nothing but be good to me, come here, shh." I said, taking him into my arms. "Sable is with mom?" I asked, and he nodded. "Then how about I get showered and dressed and take my husband out to dinner? You're a wonderful man, Anton Shudder, far better than I deserve. I just-" I sighed. "I've always seen emotions other than anger as a weakness. Some days it's hard to admit that maybe all I ever needed is self-control and I'm not the monster I see myself as."
"I've never seen you as a monster, Darquesse." He whispered, pulling me close. "And I never will."
Yeah, no cliffy, but it was going to end in a story-ending fight. Trust me, this chapter was originally so dark even Darquesse wanted nothing to do with it. If it is getting a tad boring or something let me know. I have this horrid tendency lately to start building families in my stories then the plot goes to nowheresville fast. The scary thing is, Anton wasn't even supposed to be Valkyrie or Darquesse's love interest. Oh nooes, I see a chance to meddle. Because Erskine was. Mwhahahaha, let me know!