Jen stopped.  Maybe the pointless straightening up she had been doing in the hopes that she would catch his eye had actually worked. “That depends, if what you think I’m saying is that I want you to hold me gently and whisper sweet nothings, then no, I’m definitely not saying that.”

Decebel stalked towards her, his movements slow and deliberate. “And if what I think your saying is more along the lines of me holding you,” he paused and chuckled when she shivered, “down…,”

“Looks like we have a winner,” she interrupted and grabbed his hand. She pulled him to their bed and waggled her eyebrows at him. “So, you feeling up to it, or is being a daddy wearing you out too much?”

Decebel didn’t dignify her question with an answer verbally, but instead pushed her onto their bed and showed her just how not worn out he was.

Jen lay sprawled across Decebel’s chest as he ran his fingers through her hair. Relaxed and well-loved, she stretched like a satisfied cat waking from a long nap and then looked up at him.

“Don’t ever do it again.”

Decebel frowned. “Don’t ever make love to you again?”

Jen snorted. “No butthead. Don’t ever think of sacrificing yourself without running it by me first. I should at least be given first dibs on killing you if you want to plan something so freaking stupid without talking to me.”

Decebel pulled her closer and kissed the tip of her nose. “Don’t be angry with me, baby. I thought we were past this.”

Jen fidgeted with the sheet, not wanting to meet his gaze. “I was….”

“What happened?” He put a finger under her chin and gently lifted it so he could see her eyes.

“I dreamt that I’d lost you and that I had to raise Thia alone.”

Decebel saw the hurt and fear in them. “Baby I’m not going anywhere, and I promise if I decide I need to die for some worthy cause, I will discuss it with you first.”

Jen couldn’t help but smile at him. She wasn’t mad, not really. She knew why he had done it. She couldn’t say that she wouldn’t have done the same thing and she was incredibly proud and honored to have a mate who would sacrifice so much for her and their child, but she still felt the need to remind him that he should have talked to her about it.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey,” she smiled back. She squealed when he deftly flipped them so that he was on top of her.

“Have I told you what an incredible mother you are?”

She blushed at his compliment and nodded.

Decebel stared down into her blue eyes and took in her beautiful face. She was his and she was precious to him. She brought him joy and life when he was sure he would never have those things, and now she had given him amiracle in their little Thia. He closed his eyes briefly just to take in her scent and enjoy the feel of her against him and reminded himself to never take her for granted. He had nearly lost her more than once, and it had taught him to drench himself in the joy of being her mate.

“What are you thinking?” she asked him.

“Our bond is wide open, love. You know what I’m thinking.”

“I want you to tell me B. Tell me what you think.”

She ran her hands through his hair and down his back, drawing a deep growl from him.

He felt his canines lengthen and the urge to bite her and to mark her grew strong as his wolf perked up at the feel and smell of their mate.

“I think you are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. I treasure you. Every single piece of you inside and out is precious to me. I love you, Jennifer, with a love that is so desperate, deep, and unwavering. You bring me joy and peace, and light up my dark world.” He looked into her eyes and lowered his head to kiss her. She tasted like his, felt like his, and moved like his.

“I am yours,” she told him, “and you, fur ball, are mine.”

Fane paced restlessly in their bedroom as he waited for Jacque. His mind was a jumbled mess and his nerves were on edge.

“Would you calm down,” she told him as she opened the bathroom door and came out.

He stepped in front of her and cupped her face, searching her eyes for any emotion that would give him a tiny clue. “Well?”

She nodded as a huge grin spread across her face and then squealed when he picked her up and swung her around as he laughed joyously. When he set her back down on the ground, he kissed her deep and long, enjoying her taste and savoring her touch.

He paused and looked at her. “I told you we’d have a child one day.” He kissed her again and then pulled back to nip her bottom lip.

“Are you happy?” she asked him. “I mean, you’re not…you don’t think it’s too soon?”

Fanes brow rose as he looked at his mate in amusement. “I’m ecstatic, love.  To see you carrying my child, to see you glowing with life, and to know that we made this...” he pressed his hand to her flat stomach, “our love did this.”

Jacque felt the tears starting and she fought against them, though they were happy tears. She felt she had cried quite enough in the past weeks for one lifetime. “I love you, Fane.”

He pressed his forehead to hers and let out a slow breath. “Heaven help me, Jacquelyn, I love you more than you could possibly understand.”

“When do you want to tell everyone?” she asked him.

“That depends on you, love,”

Jacque frowned. “Why?”