Of Captive Hearts

Chapter 17

Soft morning sunshine peaked softly through the window of Jaime and Brienne's bedchamber. One of Jaime's greatest joys had become waking before Brienne, so he could enjoy watching the last few moments of her slumber, the dim rays of light washing over her and bathing her features in brilliance. He would lay beside her listening to the final remnants of her sweet dreams in the gentle sighs that she breathed, and counting every one a blessing. Then, when Brienne began to stir, he would nestle close to her, wrapping her in his arms and welcoming her to the dawn with kisses.

As he watched his wife lying there, so lovely and peaceful in the still of the morning, Jaime could not wait, and he could not help himself. He burrowed his face into Brienne's neck and inhaled the sweet softness of her. He could have laid there for eternity. Unable to keep from her, he draped his arm over her quiet sleeping form, and held her strong body next to him. Within a few moments, she sighed deeply, happily, and stirred.

"Forgive me, Dearest. I did not mean to wake you." Jaime whispered into Brienne's ear, kissing her lobe for emphasis. "I could not be parted from you any longer." He felt her smile.

Brienne rolled her neck to look sideways at him, her eyes heavy with waking and affection. "You didn't wake me." She giggled. Brienne turned heavily toward him on the mattress, and pulled his embrace over her rounded middle. "This one did." She grinned. Jaime joined her in merriment as their youngest child, yet unborn, began what seemed a dance within her belly. The babe was six moons strong within her womb, and was growing more energetic each day.

"From the moment they are conceived, I believe our children to be the happiest creatures in the whole of the Seven Kingdoms." Brienne beamed, bringing her hand to caress Jaime's jaw.

"Why should they not be, with you as their mother?" He laughed warmly and kissed her temple.

"And you as their father." Brienne declared proudly, leaning her head back, awaiting his tender kiss upon her lips. Jaime did not allow the blinking of a eye to laspse before answering her silent plea. He bent his head and tasted her lips lusciously.

He had not lifted his mouth from hers before his hand slid delicately up her pregnant form, grasping what he could of her rib cage, and playing along the soft swollen curve of her breast. Brienne caught her breath from the sensation, and the anticipation of what was to come. She exhaled a low wanting moan into Jaime's mouth. It was as he began to bring her leg gingerly around his hip that they heard the almost imperceptible commotion of whispers outside their chamber door. Jaime and Brienne eyed each other with amusement and dissolved in laughter.

"Who's there?" Jaime called, feigning ferocity. The door opened slowly to the scuffling sound of little feet. "Who's there?" He repeated, as two innocent little faces quickly scampered toward their bed to the sound of their father's bluffing threat.

Galladon, now five years of age, and his sister Joanna, slightly more than a year younger, scampered across the room and jumped atop their parents bed. Their excited, and happy laughter rang through the room, as they were nestled into the blankets between Jaime and Brienne. Mother and father smiled joyously at each other. Although their morning passions had been interrupted, they chrerished every movement with their precious children.

As each child had grown, they had been moved from the nursery to their own bed chambers across from that of their parents. Although they were still young enough to share quarters, Jaime flatly refused. Never would he have ever believed that his own cherished children would fall into the same sinful behaviors he had with Cersei when they were young, but he was not about to take any chances. So their beds were kept separate, but their sibling closeness flourished. Jaime gave thanks that theirs was simply the normal, natural bond of playmates.