Outside the rain could be heard, beating against the windows with a steady heavy drumming, the beat constant and comforting. The curtains were tightly drawn and the fire hissed and popped, smouldering in the half-light.
Max had made hot chocolate for the first time since they'd been back. The house smelled of melted chocolate and spices, the smells of Christmas.
"So..."
Max spoke before he had decided on something to say. He stretched against the warm leather of the sofa, holding his mug at arms length so that he didn't spill it. She shifted, half dozing against his chest.
"Are we going to talk about it?"
He asked, relaxing back into the sofa and taking another sip of his chocolate. He felt her stiffen slightly and ran a hand along her back.
"I think we should..."
He added, lowering his voice. It had been twelve hours since they had found out about the pregnancy and she hadn't mentioned it. It was beginning to unnerve him, the unspoken niggle at the back of his mind.
She drew in a long breath, exhaling slowly as she shifted to look up at him.
"I don't want to jinx it."
She said simply, a pained look within her eyes. He squeezed her fingers.
"Just talk to me?"
He urged, pulling her closer. He could feel her heart beat against his chest, her breath smelled of chocolate and cinnamon.
She shrugged and wriggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder, letting her eyes loose focus in the flames of the fire.
"It doesn't quite seem real."
She said at last, sighing as she spoke. He squeezed her again.
"I was so desperate before...years ago...how could it happen so easily now?"
She glanced up at him, he too was staring into the flames. She saw the flicker of a smile at his lips and instinctively knew he was silently feeling slightly smug.
"I'm not sure 'super sperm' is the answer..."
She murmured.
"I didn't say a word!"
He laughed quietly as he spoke, nudging her, smiling into the top of her head, letting his lips rest there, feeling how warm she was cuddled up against him, just enjoying her, and the moment, completely.
"Seriously though. Maybe it just wasn't the right time?"
He asked, thumbing the waist band of her pyjamas, his hand resting in the small of her back.
She rolled her eyes.
"You don't believe that sort of thing..."
She raised an eyebrow at him, stifling a smile as he pouted in indignation.
"So what's the plan...?"
He asked, changing the subject and stretching again, letting out a loud yawn as he did so.
"The plan?"
She asked.
"Mmm. Scans...more scans...? I don't really know much about this sort of thing but I'm pretty sure there are scans?"
He kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"I promise I will arrange everything tomorrow..."
She looked at him, eyes steady, willing him to let the subject go, just for now, just so that she could think it over, get used to the idea of becoming a mother. Even the thought of it almost too frightening to think of, as if she was barely able to think it possible.
He nodded once, kissing her forehead again and letting her sink back into his chest, just the whisper of an 'I love you' breaking the silence.
More later xxx