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"Two children, Fae."

"Thank you. I'd forgotten. That's why i stated the obvious."

He wisely remained silent. She touched the rounded fullness of her cheeks, then the stretch of her hips.

"I don't think I'll ever look like myself again."

Blaidd rose and came to stand behind her, his hands settling gently on her belly.

For a long moment, he simply looked at their reflection.

"You know," he said quietly, "there was a time when I believed I would never have this."

Fae met his eyes in the mirror.

"A family?"

He shook his head.

"You."

Her expression softened.

"I had you once," he continued. "For years. And I desperately wanted more. I thought you would wait."

"Blaidd—"

"It was because I thought there would always be another day to give you what you deserved."

His fingers spread protectively over her stomach.

"And now you are carrying our children, worrying that your body is changing."

He bent to kiss the curve of her neck.

"Fae, I have never found you more beautiful."

She swallowed.

"You have to say that. Its written into our vows. It is your job description."

"No." He turned her gently towards him. "I have spent enough years saying nothing but wanting to. I won't waste another lying."

She looked up at him.

"Even with my swollen ankles?"

"Especially those."

"And my enormous backside?"

"That," he said solemnly, "has always been one of your finest qualities."

She slapped his arm. He only laughed, caught her hand, and kissed her fingers. Later, when she fell asleep against him, he remained awake for a long time, his palm resting over the two small lives moving beneath her skin.

The twins arrived on a warm summer morning. Fae's labour began shortly before dawn, with a pain that quickly escalated from dull cramping.

Blaidd was awake before she could speak.