Maidens & Killers

A Tough Conversation

I can't break my eyes away from Garrick as I watch him take in the cover of the book that I just received a few hours ago. Dragon Riders And Pregnancy - A Detailed Description Of What To Expect By Loralie Skyvale.
I wish I could read the expression on Garrick's face right now, but for one of the first times ever he seems completely closed off to me.
"Maeve," He says with what sounds like desperation in his voice, "What's going on?"
My hands shake as I reach out to take the book from his hands, "Well Garrick, when two people love each other a lot.."
"NOT fucking funny Maeve." Garrick cuts me off loudly making me nearly jump.
The tears that I have been trying to keep in my eyes have completely resigned to fall down my face at this point.
Garrick takes a deep breath and puts his face into his hands, "Don't cry, please love don't cry, I'm sorry... It was a bad day..."
Garrick pulls me into his big arms and my body begins to rock with sobs as I bury my face into his neck. "Oh, I'm so sorry.. I'm so sorry.." I sob.

Garrick leans back and puts our foreheads together, "No killer, don't apologize. I am the one who should be apologizing. I just... there was a little boy and a raid last night.. I can't get his face out of my head and then you tell me we're pregnant. This isn't your fault."
I feel Garrick's large hands cup my chin and his thumbs begin to wipe
my cheeks as I try to deepen my breath and ground myself.

Breath in one.. Two... three.. Four... five..
Breath out and push my breath through my knees. Feel the blankets beneath me. Smell my husband's natural scent and the soap that he uses. I am safe.

Once I have calmed myself I open my eyes and meet Garrick's calming ones mere inches away. "I just saw the healer today. Your sister was here and she made me remember my cycle and that I haven't bled in a while. I don't remember the last time I remembered to get contraceptive at Basgaith, everything was so crazy there at the end. I am sorry."
Garrick just shakes his forehead back and forth against mine, "Please stop apologizing. Is the timing perfect, Malik no. But, you and I are having a baby? That could never be bad, killer. Gods, think of what an absolute terror this child is about to be!"
I can't help it, I burst out laughing, and laugh and laugh until I can barely catch my breath. I fall into a heap on the bed and watch as my husband finally begins to undo his rider's vest and leathers and get comfortable. He had obviously come straight from Chradh and rushed to find me.

My heart pounds at the thought of Garrick rushing to be by my side and the sight of him stripping from his flight clothes to a soft under shirt and under shorts. He notices the look in my eyes and smirks back at me while shaking his head, "No way. We have a lot to talk about. Did the healer tell you how far along you are? Are you healthy? The baby?"
I pat the space next to me on the bed and am overjoyed when he immediately fills the space and pulls me into him so that I am lying on my side melted to him with my head on his chest.
"The baby and I are doing very well, all things considered. I spoke to Hannah at length and then ended up seeing a woman here who specializes in pregnancy care. She's from Tyrrendor, and has a lot of experience with this kind thing I guess. "
"Tasha, probably. A bit older than your mother would be? Mane of curly hair she's constantly trying to beat into submission? Barely 5 feet tall but has the presence of the biggest rider you've ever seen?" Garrick asks, stroking my back.
I nod against his chest, "Yes, that's her. I don't know that I ever even got her name, she came blowing in like a wind storm and took over before I knew it."
Garrick's chest bounced beneath me as he chuckled, "Oh yea that's Tasha for sure. You know she delivered both Xaden and I? Most of the Tyrrendor elite were delivered by her. She was very close with Xaden's mother once. You're in very good hands, killer."
.
I smile up at my husband, "I got that feeling. To be honest I probably would have broken down way earlier if it hadn't been for her reassurances." I subconsciously reach down and stroke my still flat stomach. "She said that I am about 7 weeks along. The baby has a strong, slow, steady, heartbeat. A sure sign of a boy according to her, but it will be a long time before she is sure."
Garrick lifts his head off the pillow, " A boy? She thinks it's a boy?"
I nod, eyes tearing up for a much different reason this time, "Yep, and she said she's never been wrong."
Garrick lays back on the pillow and stares upwards at the ceiling of our room, "No, I don't suppose she has been. Wow."
I snuggle in closer to Garrick as I continue, "She gave me that book and one other, but she was very adamant that these are just books and nothing is set in stone. I have to listen to my body when it comes to my signet powers, I may drain myself a lot easier while pregnant, or it could not affect me at all. Everyone is different."
I feel Garrick nod his head and reach up to scratch his chin, "How about riding Craodh, is that safe?"
As If I'd Let Anything Happen To You And The Babe. I'm Not The One Who Made You Cry. I hear from Craodh, with all the attitude I've grown to love from him.
"Craodh says that it is perfectly fine, and we will be extra careful," I reassure my husband.
I feel Garrick nod once more and his hands begin to run up and down my side slowly. "How about me and you?" He asks, biting his lip with heat building in his gaze. " We can't hurt the baby right?"
I shake my head with a smirk of my own, "No, Tasha says sex during pregnancy is completely healthy and normal. Even encouraged."
Garrick turns his body and I roll with him, until I am lying on my back and he is comfortably holding himself up on top of me.
"That's good to know, killer. Really good to know," he says and then kisses me until all of my worries melt away.