Where The Shadow Ends

Chapter Twenty - Devil Doesn't Bargain

Chapter Twenty - Devil Doesn't Bargain

*1950*

Elayne woke the next morning to the feeling of fingers brushing through her hair. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, immediately going towards Tom. He was propped up against the headboard, one hand resting on his bare chest while the other was gently tangling itself into her mess of wild curls.

"Did I wake you?" Tom asked, his voice coming out in almost a whisper. Once he pulled his fingers fully through her curls, they went straight to her scalp, gently massaging her head before running through again.

Closing her eyes, Elayne hummed. "Not really."

Tom raised an eyebrow as he looked down at his wife. He knew she wasn't telling him the truth. She had been so deep in slumber just moments ago, he had felt the need to touch her to make sure she was still breathing. His fingers gave a gentle tug at her curls, letting her know that he didn't believe her.

Peeking one eye open, Elayne stuck her tongue out at her husband. "Fine. Yes, you woke me up."

Tom bit back a smirk. "That's what I thought."

Fully opening her eyes, Elayne pulled herself up into a sitting position. "Is there a reason you woke me? I was having the most wonderful dream." She pouted slightly, recalling the amazing dream she had been having. It had been of her with five children of various ages surrounding her in the front room of her parents' house.

Tom hummed. "I was thinking that instead of you going to St. Mungos to get checked out, I would have my best healer come here to check you out." He reached over to tuck an errant curl behind her ear.

Elayne froze for a moment. If he called in his healer to check her over, there was no telling what could go wrong. A part of her still wanted to hide the fact that she was pregnant, but she knew if she insisted on going to St. Mungos, Tom would pitch a fit.

Swallowing, Elayne slowly nodded. "Alright. I was going to go see Olivia, but if you really want me to, then I guess your healer will be fine."

Scoffing, Tom whipped the blankets off of himself and stood up, causing Elayne's eyes to roam over his naked body.

"Don't you dare try to guilt trip me. Had you really wanted to go and see that annoying bimbo you call your friend; you would have made time to do so yesterday." Tom spat out at her, walking around the bed and into the bathroom, slamming the door behind himself.

Closing her eyes, Elayne shook her head, slowly she stood up, smoothing down her silky, pink night gown.

Carefully, she walked to the bathroom door. She knocked lightly, pressing her ear to the door. She could hear the shower running. "Tom?" She knocked lightly again. "I didn't mean for it to come off that way. I just..." She paused, drawing in a deep breath. "I feel comfortable with Olivia."

The door flew open, causing Elayne to stumble a little bit. Tom caught her with little effort.

"Petrov is more than capable of checking to see if you're all right. He looked you over when you miscarried." Tom spoke, his brows furrowed.

Elayne looked up at him, biting her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, Tom. If you really want Petrov to be the one to look me over, then fine. I'll go see Olivia some other day this week."

Tom stared into her bright blue eyes for a moment before nodding. He glanced over his shoulder at the shower, the water was starting to make the room steamy. Smirking to himself, he removed her night gown in one swift moment and pulled her into the shower with him.

~*~

After a long and steamy shower, Elayne and Tom finally emerged from the bathroom. Tom went straight to getting dressed while Elayne sat down on the bed, a fluffy towel wrapped around her body.