Things vastly improved after Anthony's subtle (yet firm) reminder that the child was his and Kate's alone and any unsolicited opinions would not be tolerated. Kate finally began to appreciate the pregnancy and to look forward to greeting her first child.

Kate had designed the nursery to be full of bright colours and toys and paintings of the countryside and animals on the walls. Despite Kate encouraging him otherwise, Anthony insisted on constructing the furniture himself, accepting help only from his brothers. Benedict and Colin were not overjoyed to be roped into Anthony's strange obsession with self-dependence, but they begrudgingly came round a few different afternoons to lend a hand. Gregory, who was home on the school holidays, willingly came to watch his older brothers struggle for a few minutes, before going to find Kate. They would sit together and chat and he would enjoy the fine selection of biscuits that the cook always had to hand in case of any sudden pregnancy cravings.

Kate had been shopping with her mother and Violet to purchase some clothes for the newborn. All in neutral colours, of course, given that they had no idea what to expect.

"If you could choose, what would it be?" Kate whispered one night, still slightly breathless from the love making they had just finished. The closer Kate got to full-term, the more difficult it became for them to enjoy themselves in ways they had previously. Kate was not as flexible as before, and Anthony was constantly terrified of hurting her. However, that did not stop them. Kate may have been more tired, but her hormones were raging. And Anthony could not let his wife's new body (and obvious eagerness for him) go unnoticed.

They found their new favourite position to be Kate on top, fully in control. Evenings that would start out innocent - a warm bath, a foot rub - would quickly escalate into Kate straddling her husband, head thrown back and mouth shaped into a small 'o' as she moved herself up and down his shaft. She could control the depth and speed with this position, and enjoyed using Anthony as her own personal toy (and watching him squirm at the torture). Although he looked forward to finally being able to have her on her back and have his way with her again, he also appreciated watching her in her element, and how her heavy breasts bounced up and down in time with the rest of her body.

Once they had both had their fill, she would collapse into his arms and they would lie in the darkness, talking gently before falling asleep.

Tonight was one of those nights.

"I don't know," Anthony answered. "What would you choose?"

"Well, of course, I just want a healthy baby and I will be so happy regardless. But when I picture this child and its life, it's always a boy. Maybe it's mother's intuition. Maybe I'm wrong,"

"Hmm," Anthony hummed. "A son. An heir."

Kate giggled, "I know that's what I should be thinking about. And I would love a mini version of you. Your hair and your attitude and your confidence."

"I can't tell whether those are flattering things,"

Kate grinned. "Of course they are. I love you with all of my heart, so how could I not love a mini-you?"

"Well if we are using that logic, I hope it's a girl. With your eyes and your laugh and your inability to ever be wrong."

Kate rolled her eyes. "I want a girl too, eventually. Someone to guide through life and buy dresses for. And I cannot wait to watch you try and control your anger once a boy shows interest."

Anthony scoffed. "Well I will only do something unpleasant if he is undeserving of her. Which he undoubtedly would be."

Kate laughed, kissing Anthony on the cheek and looking down at him with loving eyes.

"I'm so happy that I get to raise this son or daughter with you"

"And I am so happy that you are making me a father. I always thought I would have children, but more because it was my duty as viscount. But now I want a family. I want 10 mini versions of me and you running around Aubrey Hall, laughing and playing. You are going to be the greatest mother."

"I can't focus on the compliment when you want me to do this 10 times," Kate exhaled, lying back on the bed and rubbing her hand over her engorged stomach. Anthony leaned over, rubbing his hand over the baby soothingly and kissing it.

"We will have as many children as you want, my love," he whispered to her. "That is completely up to you. Just know that I will always be a willing participant whenever you want to start trying for another."

Kate raised an eyebrow. "I see where your priorities lie."

Anthony laughed and kissed her. "My priorities lie with you and our child. My family." He kissed Kate's forehead, reaching across to organise the pillows to lay under her stomach as she moved onto her side. He reached his arms around to pull her back into his chest, and nuzzled her neck. "You should get some rest, my love."

"You are going to be the perfect father," she whispered as her eyes got heavy and sleep pulled her under.

Anthony smiled, trying not to become overwhelmed. He loved her so much that sometimes it hurt. He didn't want to show her nervous he was for the impending birth, or for how he would cope when he had to spend his days worrying about two lives instead of one.

But listening to his wife's slow, deep breaths, he tried to remain focused on his happiness in the present moment. With thoughts of Kate playing with a smiling baby, he too drifted off to sleep.