A vow of love

22

Derek nearly burst out laughing as he watched his son squirm like a worm in the sun. "Princess, that's not what I said" Shane tried to hug Claire, who was already seven months pregnant, her hormones raging and not in a particularly pleasant way for Shane. "On the contrary, that's exactly what you said!" Claire whimpered shakily, tears welling up in her eyes. "My love, no one would ever call you fat!" she glared at him and stepped back so he couldn't hug her.

"There, you just did it!" she snorted, switching to a whole different level and Shane grunted despondently, looking to his father for help. "I'm sorry son, you got yourself into this, now get yourself out!" Derek laughed and Shane arched an eyebrow as the now furious Claire's attention turned to her father-in-law. "You also called me fat!" Derek was speechless and raised his eyebrows. "And when, exactly, did I?" he asked, looking quizzically at Shane, who was now amused in his turn, pleased that Claire wasn't mad at him anymore.

"Didn't you take my ice cream off the shopping list because it has too many calories and you're worried I'll expose the Stones if I get even fatter?" Derek lowered his eyebrows and shook his head. "I took ice cream off the list because it's sub-zero outside and you're pregnant and you shouldn't be sick" he snorted and Claire switched again, her eyes darkening and she staggered towards the door. "Ok, I'm leaving then!" Shane and Derek raised their eyebrows and Shane plopped down next to his father on the sofa and Claire flew out of the living room, waddling like a penguin.

"God, how am I going to take this a few more times?" Shane sighed and ran a hand over his face, leaning his head back. "She'll be fine, it's just moods, a phase, like throwing up and strawberries" Claire had stuffed herself with strawberries while she was four months pregnant, now just mentioning them sent the entire contents of her stomach straight to the toilet. "And why a few more times?" his father looked at him, even though he knew the answer. When Claire was in a good mood, she reveled in her pregnancy, tweeting how she wanted at least five or six more children.

"Why don't you take her out, you haven't been out in a long time?" Derek suggested and Shane sighed. "According to Claire, we can't date because I would have killed anyone who looked at her or called her fat" he breathed and Derek burst out laughing because both were not far from the truth. "Then organize something here?" Shane turned his head and looked at his father thoughtfully. "Perhaps in the conservatory?" Shane shook his head. "The smell of flowers makes her sick" he denied and Derek huffed.

"I have an idea" Derek stood up slightly and Shane looked at him curiously. "I'm ready for anything" Derek grinned and leaned towards his son, who pricked up his ears like a shepherd. Two hours later, after Shane had made sure Claire was resting, fast asleep, the staff were trying to maintain complete silence as they moved the furniture out of one of the guest rooms and brought in others.

"I'm not amused, Shane!" Claire muttered sullenly, waving her arms in front of her. "Don't you believe me princess?" Claire snorted and rolled her eyes behind her blindfold. "Two more steps" Shane carefully led her through the open door, closing it behind them and standing behind Claire, hugging her from behind. "You can take the blindfold off" he whispered against her neck and planted a gentle kiss.

Claire removed the blindfold and her knees went soft, she swayed and Shane held her against his chest. "When..." tears dripped down her cheeks as she looked around the room. "Do you like?" Claire turned her head and nodded, pressing a hand to her lips to cover their trembling. "Shane, when did you manage to do all that?" Shane rested his chin on her shoulder and smiled. "I thought you knew by now that there's nothing I can't do for you,my love" Claire smiled and sobbed.

"It's so beautiful" she cried and stepped forward and Shane stayed where he was, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at her. She ran her fingers over the white crib, the lattice of which was a tangle of chasing fish, covered with soft woolen blankets and cotton sheets, with depicted animals on a blue background. Then she looked at the walls, painted sky blue, with painted soft clouds and sunbeams.

A tall changing table with several lockers under it and she looked at Shane who nodded at her before opening them. "Goodness!" the lockers were full of baby clothes, soft diapers and whatever else she would need for the baby. Next to the table was a beautiful rocking chair, with several cushions and a small blanket where Claire could put their son to sleep. On the floor, in several places, something like children's play areas were arranged, with various interactive toys, swings, baby lounges and chairs.

In one corner of the room was a desk arranged with a computer and everything needed, as Claire suggested, for Shane to work. "This?" she pointed to the desk and he approached her with a smile. "You didn't think my work was more important than you and our son, so I'll be able to be with you even while I'm working" he confirmed her assumptions and this time Claire couldn't help herself. "Shane, how did you manage to get everything ready in such a short amount of time?" he hugged her and planted a deep kiss on her lips.

"With the help of a large cast of people" Claire giggled and he kissed her again. The room was just as Claire had envisioned, who had been planning the nursery for the past two weeks, worried that the baby would arrive before she could get everything ready. "I love you,Shane" she wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed when her stomach stopped her from rising to kiss him.

"I love you more, princess, both of you" Shane dropped to his knees, cupping her stomach and showering it with kisses. Claire gasped and Shane burst out laughing. "I think our son will be as jealous as his father" Claire tapped her stomach lightly with her finger as their son kicked her again, then turned around forming a small bubble that showed his parents where he had settled. Claire made another face and Shane stood up, stroking both sides of her belly to ease the tension from the baby's squirming and kicking.

"I can't wait to hug him" Claire whispered and looked around again, soaking up the nursery with love. "And I can't wait for Damien to be born so I can give him some more siblings" Claire looked at him with raised eyebrows and Shane smirked. "I have one more surprise for you" he took her hand and led her out of the nursery and down the hall towards the stairs to the lower floor.

"Mrs. Stone" Shane helped her sit at the table for two in front of the fireplace in the living room, which had also been moved to make room for the small table piled high with food. Soft light, muffled, immersed the room in dancing gentle shadows, giving the arranged table a romantic atmosphere. "Shane, I don't know what to say" he smiled, leaning down and kissing her palm. "Your smile and eyes are more than enough, my love" Shane replied seductively and Claire blushed, avoiding his gaze filled with gray lava.

He knelt down and put his hand on her stomach. "I know you've been upset lately and think that because of the baby I don't find you attractive anymore, princess" Claire bit her lip but didn't look at him, she just sighed and closed her eyes. "Claire, look at me my love" he ordered softly and she opened her eyes, meeting the love and warmth in his. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen Claire" she smiled slightly and he smirked with an arched eyebrow. "And also the most passionate, mischievous and attention hungry" he added and received a kick from his son that made Claire giggle.

"You and I are going to have a long talk about not interfering when your dad tries to get mom to sleep with him" Shane scolded her stomach softly and Claire burst out laughing. "You are beyond repair" she shook her head and he shrugged. "In war and in love all is fair, my love" he rose and kissed her, then stood up and took the seat across from her. "My lady, will you do me the honor of dining with me?" he asked gallantly and Claire blushed, nodding.

Claire was in one mood tonight, she was happy and in love with her husband who was doing everything in his power to keep the charming happy smile on her face and the sparkle of clear sky in her eyes. They laughed as Claire told him her plans for their son, and Shane held her hand over the table, now and then kissing her fingers or palm, wisely keeping his opinion to himself but never stopping to compliment her.

And when Claire started yawning, though she was trying to hide her tiredness, Shane stood up and offered her his hand. "Shall we carry the evening into our bedroom?" he offered and her gaze flared, erasing any trace of fatigue from her face. "Or maybe we should continue until morning?" he smirked and when Claire stood up, Shane scooped her up in his arms and strode upstairs to the bedroom.