A Bounty Hunter's Bundle

A Father?

PICTURE IS OF VALKYRIE--JUST IMAGINE HIM WITH LONGER HAIR IN A HALF PONY TAIL

"You're Lincoln's father?" Valkyrie sputtered, "But he said his family is dead."

"He was taken from me and my death was faked. The king is not a man you can say no to, or well....at the time Katarin's father."

Valkyrie winced, "I haven't talked to him...but from the way he acts, he thinks everyone in his family is dead."

"I can't....tell him," Carlo murmured, "Nor can I leave this place."

"You might be the only one who can save him!" Valkyrie pleaded, tapping his good foot on the floor in a urgent manner. "Please, Katarin is after my poor mate! He want's to kill me and take your boy, my Lincoln!"

Carlo gritted his teeth, "I'm going to need a day to stand vigil. To say goodbye to my beloved."

"I can give you that, please you have to come with us. If Katarin knows who you are, and he probably does he already, he will come here first."

Carlo spit on the dusty floor, "I will gladly face that bastard. He took my mate. He took my son." A long pause, before he stood up and gave the blue eyed warrior items. "Take these and head for the next town. I will meet you there tomorrow at noon. I will travel much faster an can catch up, you hear me?"

Valkyrie nodded, and struggled to his feet, after tucking away the items that would help his pregnant mate through tough times. "Thank you."

Carlo didn't respond he just turned away and looked out the window with a heavy sigh. "Oh I don't want to leave you Bensen," he hissed softly.

*******

Lincoln was pacing back and fourth, had even stolen some hot food off a vender, before his big dumb mate had plodded out, crutches and all. "Finally," he sighed, "Come on we will walk for a good length. I don't want you're damaged leg being jolted."

"You steal me some to?" Valkyrie asked hopefully. Lincoln rolled his eyes and stepped closer. He lifted the apparent hot sandwich to the warrior's mouth and fed him.

"You bid dumb baby," Lincoln responded clapping him on the shoulder, then clicking his tongue and setting out.

"So....Link.....I was kinda wanting one of our babies to be named Lilliana...maybe Lilly for short, or Lillyith?"

The Bounty Hunter stopped in his tracks, a hand falling to his swollen belly. He nodded, and when his spoke his voice was very soft. "I'd like that Valkyrie, I'd like that as a name for one of them a lot."

"Do you have any wants?"

Lincoln shrugged but when he spoke his voice caught, "Yeah, I wanted Clarabell."

Valkyrie hopped an extra step,quickly, propped a crutch against the horse who had stopped with his mate, and wrapped that arm around him. He nuzzled Lincoln's neck before kissing his cheek, "I'd be honored to name our other little dumpling that."

Lincoln laughed, "They are not dumplings! They are not food!"

"Oh but they are," Valkyrie smiled, rubbing the Bounty Hunter's plump belly.

"Valkyrie, my mobility and agility is faltering now. I hate this."

"How many months are you now?"

"Nearing four and half...." Lincoln replied softly. The Warrior kissed the smaller man assuringly again and then regrabbed his crutch and began hopping along side him again.

"Valk, I know you want to tell me something other than names."

The warrior gave a heavy sigh, "I do have a lot on my mind. Carlo is going to meet us tomorrow in the next town."

"What why?"

"Because he can save your life and he's your father." The Bounty Hunter stopped dead, his skin paling.

Lincoln turned away and cleared his throat awkwardly pushing back no doubt over emotional tears, "My family is dead." He spit, "And I didn't think I'd have to explain that to you." He started walking again and didn't talk the rest of the day. Valkyrie didn't push him though. He knew his mate would talk when he was ready.