Chapter 2

A few weeks had pasted and I started to... show. It was frustrating not being able to button my pants. But Ash kept telling me how wonderful that was. How that meant the baby was growing and healthy. "Oh come on!" I stated angrily. "Another pair of pants that don't fit."

Ash smiled and kissed me on the cheek, "That's good."

"But it's not, I'm growing more and more every day. I don't like not being able to fit into my clothes Ash, I don't like being fat."

"But you're not fat, you're carrying our child. If you weren't growing I would be worried." He stated calmly.

"Ok well what do you expect me to wear?" I asked poking for an argument. "Well, I don't know... nothing?"

"Ash!"

He chuckled and helped me find a pair that almost fit, but it was the best I had for now. I slipped into them and began my day. Meetings and listening to complaints was a lot harder, I couldn't focus on anything. I was starving and had another hour before I could eat. On my way back I started getting very very dizzy, no one was around so I couldn't ask to find Ash. I leaned into the wall to keep from falling but no such luck came and my knees buckled beneath me. The cold floor greeted me and everything went black.

I awoke in a strange bed, I could hear two people talking. The blurry figures were deep in conversation, one of their voices laced with concern. Ash, I heard him ask "What's wrong with her? Will she be okay?"

"She needs rest. So for a few weeks she should stay on bed rest."

He nodded in agreement, then asked. "How far along is she?"

"About eleven weeks." Replied the one who must have been a healer. "Her and the child's lives could be in danger if she doesn't rest."

After that I drifted back to sleep.

When I awoke again I was back in my bed. Ash was pacing around the room, when he saw I was up he came immediately to my side. Then all sorts of questions flowed through my head. "Ash what happened? Is the baby okay?"

"Yes the baby is fine, it's you I'm worried about."

"What do you mean? I feel fine." Then I tried to stand but the only thing greeting me was nausea and dizziness. "No don't, stay down" Ash said as he eased me back. "Glitch was looking for you to get you ready for your next meeting but he found you unconscious. He took me to you and I brought you to a healer. She said you must stay in bed for a few weeks." The look of worry and concern shadowed his face.

"I can't, I don't have time for that. I have work to do." I protested.

"Meghan," he sighed "work can wait, your life is more important... I can't lose you again."

My anger disappeared and was replaced with worry, how could I do anything like this?

As if reading my thoughts he shifted and said "The only thing you need to focus on is resting."

I yawned and Ash gave me an I-told-you-so look, "Exactly, now get some sleep and I will inform everyone of the situation and we can figure out what to do next."

"Fine." I surrendered only because I was so tired.

The sun rose through the curtain waking me up. "Morning sleepyhead" Ash smiled. "Morn-" I stopped as my stomach flip flopped and I started to head to the bathroom. When I collapsed I was caught by my concerned Knight. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked. "Bed rest, rememb-" I started gagging and he knew he had to get me to the bathroom. He held my hair again, and when I was finished he helped me brush my teeth. He carried me to bed. I looked at the lump under my shirt and covered it with my blankets. "Hey where'd Keirran go?" Ash asked pulling the covers back.

"Keirran is making mama sick" I replied trying to hide the frustration in my voice.

He gave me a solemn look, "I'm sure he's sorry. Plus you shouldn't blame him, blame the one who put him there." And he smirked. Putting a hand on my stomach he kissed me on the forehead then kissed Keirran's temporary home. I smiled and started crying again. "Wait what happened? Why are you crying?" Ash asked his voice firm but pleading.

"I'm sorry, you keep having to carry me. I don't want you to carry me anymore."

He signed again and said "I hope you know how emotionally unstable you are lately." He mocked. "Hello I'm pregnant, my hormones are all over the place." I snapped back. "Well Meghan, I'm going to carry you no matter how much Keirran weighs inside you. Are you forgetting how strong I am?"

"No but, it's embarrassing being so helpless." I protested.

"Well I like doing this for you." He said. I smiled and he met my gaze then hugged my stomach making it feel like butterflies were flying around inside me but I knew it was just our son.

By noon Ash was back to check on me. "Do you need anything?" He asked. "No, just a kiss." I smiled sitting up. "I was hoping you'd say that, because that I can do." He returned my smile and walked to the edge of the bed. He leaned in and kissed me. Being so gentle not to crush me he leaned over onto me kissing me all over my face. He suddenly pulled back, shock and worry all over his face. "What? Did I do something?" I asked him puzzled. He shook his head and looked to the bump on my stomach. I looked down too and he put a hand on my middle. "Do you feel that?" He asked. For a moment I had no idea what he was talking about and then I felt it. The baby was kicking. Smiling with his face showing wonder and excitement he kissed my belly all over then looked up to me and started kissing me again. Smiling through happy tears I laughed and we laid together. He kept putting his head and hands onto my belly. Letting Keirran dance around I fell into the abyss of happiness. We were so close to being a family.

I stood up and Ash stirred but didn't wake. It took most of my strength not to collapse. With Keirran bouncing around, it was hard to look in a straight line. I slumped to the bathroom and got a drink of water. I tripped over a rug and sat on the floor. Knowing Ash heard the crash and would be in here in a split second, I was right. Ash came bursting through the door panic and anger on his face. "Meghan what the hell are you doing?"

"I was thirsty" I explained.

He picked me up and brought me back to bed. "Why didn't you wake me up?" He asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"I wanted to do something for myself" I stated. "And you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to bother you."

He sighed and said "Meghan I don't think you're taking this as seriously as you should. The healer told me that if you kept pushing yourself hard enough I wouldn't be able to save you... or Keirran." The look on his face told me how serious this actually was and how stressed I was making him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize how bad this could get." I felt bad for causing him so much pain.

"I just need you to take care of yourself and Keirran. I want my family to be with me." A single tear trickled down Ash's cheek making me feel horrible. All of a sudden Keirran decided to make himself known again. Smiling I took his hand again placing on my stomach. The sadness from his face faded into happiness, as he felt our son fluttering around.

"He just picks the best times to intervene, doesn't he?" I said.

Chuckling Ash says "Absolutely," And kisses me.