Just Like Old Times

Out For Blood

"I still can't believe you talked me into this," Arthur said as he posed naked with his wife, standing behind her with his arms around her. They were both standing sideways to Charles' view and Arthur was thankful that his nether regions were not visible, although half his ass was exposed to the gentleman. Brian was staring up at Lilly's belly as if to protect the hidden cargo inside while James lay peacefully at the couple's feet.

"Oh, calm down," Lilly remarked as she caressed her pregnant belly. "At least this won't take as long as our portraits done in Ireland."

"...What portraits?"

"Don't you remember seein' my family portrait at Darach ar an gCnoc?"

"Yes."

"Well, that was one of the things us nobles had to do. Sit or stand for hours on end to get painted. And that's what we're gonna do."

Arthur sighed begrudgingly. "Well, at least we won't be naked."

Charles looked away from the painting to glance at Lilly. "You are a noble?"

"Yes," Lilly said. "Granted, my father and mother weren't. My father earned the title for, uh, a wonderful deed."

"Ah, and what was that?"

"...Well, he killed someone who was apparently causin' all the famines in Ireland."

Charles blinked. "...Your father was Sir Jack the Godslayer?"

Lilly chuckled. "I guess I'm not surprised that he was famous but I didn't think it got past the pond."

"Oh, he was most definitely spoken of in France." Charles went back to painting. "I can concentrate on the wolves now if you want a break. We've been at this for five hours now and you are with child."

Lilly nodded and found a chair to sit in. Arthur put on his pants quickly and sat in a chair next to Lilly. "Ain't you gonna get dressed?"

"Nah. It's hot in here anyway."

"Seems cool enough to me."

"Abigail and the doctor in Rhodes said this might happen no matter how cold my environment is. "Hot flashes", they called it."

"Oh." Arthur laughed. "I'm glad I ain't pregnant. Seems like a lot of work and you're only a third of the way through."

Lilly gasped and grabbed her stomach. "Oh, the wee bairn is movin' about again."

Arthur put a hand to her belly. "I can't wait to feel him kick."

"Neither can I, but Abigail said I'll regret that later on. Oof," Lilly reached for her shirt and put it on. "Now I'm gettin' chilly."

Charles stopped what he was doing and found her a blanket. She accepted gratefully and wrapped it around her body. Charles went back to painting. "This is my first time doing a family portrait. Maybe when the baby is born, I can paint you all together."

"That would be wonderful," Lilly said with a smile.

It took only an hour for the wolves to get done and Arthur and Lilly undressed once more to repose. Arthur still felt a little uncomfortable but Lilly wanted it done. And really, it wasn't that bad as time went on. Charles mentioned he only needed to finish the lighting of them and the background. It took only an hour for him to finish. "Ah! C'est fait! Come see!"