Untamed

Chapter 23

It had been two months since we left Chedix and I was beginning to go crazy. I was feeling extremely pregnant and there was still a long way to go.

"Is there any news?" I asked Peter as he entered the house. He shook snow off his hair then stomped his boots on the ground. A blast of frigid air followed him into the entryway. He took off his frosted coat and hung it on a hook. He took hold of my shoulders turning me around and walking me into the main room that had a roaring fire.

"Is there any news Peter?" I demanded to know as he planted me down in a chair. He went to stand in front of the fire as he rubbed his hands together.

He shook his head. I knew he wanted to be out with Ben and the other men. Instead he was stuck here with us. The only person Ben trusted above all others to keep us safe.

"Maybe tomorrow." He offered without much enthusiasm as he sat down and placed his feet next to the fire to thaw his frozen toes. It seemed like we did this every day.

"Yes. Maybe." I said tiredly placing my hands on either side of my stomach as I rocked back and forth.

"How are you feeling?" he asked trying to distract me from my thoughts.

"I'm fine." I lied.

"Have you decided on any names yet?" he asked trying to create conversation as he rubbed his hands together and blew on them.

"I can't make myself think of names when he isn't here to argue about them with me." I said with a small laugh. I didn't even know what names he would like.

"I have one." He offered quickly.

"Oh really?"

"You can name him Peter." He said with a shrug as though it were the most obvious thing in the world that Ben and I would name our firstborn child after him.

"And what if he is actually a she? What then?" I asked him with a laugh. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow to tell me that this was not a laughing matter.

"Obviously you can name her Peter."

I laughed at his suggestion and it felt wonderful. To truly laugh at something was incredible. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow before he continued.

"I don't see what you find so funny about that." He said. "Peter is a very prestigious name. Names say a lot about people. In the future your beautiful daughter will be walking down the street and all of the boys in town will be in love with her because of her incredible name. The elders will remark on her grace and strength. The children will line the streets with rose petals for her to walk on. Of course she will be preceded by stories of her heroic namesake. She will truly be a legend." He said sternly but he had a smile on his face.

"Indeed." I giggled with tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing.

"Now if it is a boy." He said seriously. "Peter would be the most incredible warrior that the clan has ever seen. Women will throw themselves at his feet. Enemy clans will tremble in terror at mere mention of his name. Peter would be the best leader our clan has ever known past, present, or future. And it will all be owed to his namesake!"

"Stop it!" I begged as I held my sides.

"Really though, how are you doing?" He asked on a more serious note. Looking me in the eye. Obviously he had seen through my previous lie.

"I'm alright." I said. And he was quiet waiting for me to continue. "Of course, I miss him." I said swallowing the emotion that had suddenly risen. "But I know I will see him again. I just hope that I see him soon." I looked down at my belly and traced my finger over it. Peter took my hand in his forcing me to look up at him. He understood my fear of giving birth alone.