Chapter 10-Rest

Dealing with the strange and wonderful cravings that Snow had been experiencing again was, a challenge. One moment, she desired porridge and honey the next, she wished for cooked bacon which would have been fine if she did not desire it all in the same bowl.

The satisfied smile on her face at enjoying her varied meals would not last for long as before either of them could blink, she would be violently sick in the nearest chamber pot and need to relieve herself at least a dozen or so times a day as their little surprise grew. It was horrible to see her so ill, so white and devoid of energy and yet, despite all of this Snow was still her beautiful, definitely stubborn self.

"I. MA! Do not need to rest." she punctuated her point with a kiss and a chuckle as her husband tried his best to coax her into bed after a dizzy spell.

"Yes." He pressed his forehead delicately against Snow's as she laughed with him and laced her arms around his neck. He was wearing her favourite white cloth shirt and leather breeches, exactly the same clothes as he wore when Emma was born and she sighed in remembrance before playing with the hairs on his neck.

"No." she whispered.

"Snow." he warned, lengthening the word as if he were talking to their princess. "David." she mimicked in the same tone. Two could play at this game.

"David?" his eyes lit up mischievously. "Not Charming." Dropping a searing kiss to her lips he enjoyed the flustered but, pleased noise that came next. If she would not rest willingly, then other methods would be needed.

"No." she teased, before her lips were entwined with his again. It was a playful power-struggle and kissing was his weapon of choice.

"Darling." he murmured, as he gently ran his hands through her wild, raven curls.

"Oh." Snow let out when they met in a long embrace. "Don't think I don't know what you are doing Charming."

"Doing?" David pretended to be perplexed. "What makes you think I am doing anything?" he chuckled, pressing several kisses to her neck before returning to her lips. Her eyes rolled. "Really?"

"Alright." David sighed, breaking it to gaze into those eyes again. "But, you have to rest. You cannot lie to your body. You are exhausted and we worry about you."

"Emma's worried about me?" Snow was horrified. She had never meant for her to see her too distressed. "Oh Charming!" "I must see her."

"I'll bring her to you soon." he soothed. "She's in the garden with Johanna. Talking to the birds like her Mama." David smiled.

"Our sweet, sweet girl." Snow beamed. "I'm sorry Charming."

"Don't be sorry." he pressed another blissful kiss to her lips and then he gathered her in his arms, like he always did and carried her to bed. "Just rest."

He couldn't help his smile when she fell asleep moments after being tucked in.

"I love you." David whispered, before quietly closing the chamber door and addressing the guards waiting outside.

"The Queen is resting. I will have food sent here and a chamber pot if necessary but, you will not leave her side until I return. "

"Yes Sire." He knew they would never do that but, the anxiety in his heart was so high, he needed to hear it.

"Thank you."

When she awoke Snow was greeted by the sweet gasp of their daughter who had quietly clambered onto the bed somehow managing not to wake her.

"Mama."

"Emma." Snow's face lit up and she pulled the child to her. "Oh. I'm sorry. I worried you. MMMA!"

"Ahahaha. Papa. Jo Jo. Mama's better!" The young girl shouted and she saw her husband and adoptive mother were right by her side.

"She is." Johanna moved to kiss her cheek. "It looks as though David was right young lady."

"He was Jo." Snow chuckled. "So very right." For me. Snow doesn't say. She doesn't need to.

"Charming. I'm-"

"Shh." David whispers before giving her a reassuring kiss. "Just promise me something?"

"Anything."

"When you need to rest."

"Rest?"

"Take us with you." David laughed exhausted himself from Emma constantly asking when Mama would be awake.

"Hmm." Snow beamed. "I promise."

Thank you for the reviews. EmWorm.