Chapter 7

2 months later:

My regular clothes were already getting tight. They became stiff and hard to walk in. The first time I noticed and huffed in frustration Rhys laughed and pulled me into his arms.

"I'll make an appointment at your favorite shop and we'll go and buy new clothes together. " I smiled and nodded.

But we never actually went. Life got busy, especially for Rhys with his preparations for the baby to come. He was moving his schedule around so he would have all the time for me and the he claimed. Of course, I could never complain about that.

And then it was the countless meetings within the inner circle discussing if we should tell the other courts. Or even the rest of our own court.

Rhys and I seemed to be on the same page at first. But when Cassian brought in his side of the argument, he quickly changed sides. Actually, so did everyone else in the inner circle until I was the only one left.

I wanted to tell everyone especially our courts and our allies, but everyone agreed that on top of my weakened state, telling everyone would make me a larger target.

They said "weakened state" without any judgment. Worry but not pity, and I think I loved them even more for that.

It was only last week that we came to a compromise. When I reached 9 months, we would tell our court and closest allies. Word would spread towards our enemy's no doubt but not quick enough to strike before I have the baby. It also wouldn't seem as if I hide the pregnancy to much, especially when we explain the reasons.

It was yet another morning and I was exiting the bathroom when a note popped onto the bed.

Emergency at the Illyrian camp. A fight broke out among the men destroying half the camp. Be back after lunch.

I smiled and sent a picture of myself along the bond along with a reply on the note saying

If you can stay away from me that long.

Cruel beautiful thing

he purred into my head, making my toes curl.

I was on my way to the closet, passing my desk with a giant stack of papers and cringed. It was a fat stack too. I sighed and decided to finish it before it reached the ceiling. But first, to change.

I opened the closet and picked a simple day dress. One of the only things that got me comfortable. I slipped behind the changing panel dropping my silk night gown to the floor and stepping into the dress.

It was tighter than when I last wore it. I wore it......when did I wear it? LAST WEEK! Rhys and I really need to go shopping. I slipped my hand behind my back to zip up the dress, but I got only two inches up before it wouldn't budge.

I figured it was stuck on some cloth, so I called for Nuala and Cerridwen to give me a hand. They walked right in through the walls and when I told them my problem, they motioned for me to turn around. They fidgeted with it for quite a while before I turned back around to find their faces in between laughter and pity. Not bad pity though.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Well....you see" Nuala began. "It doesn't fit anymore."

"What?" I breathed. "But this was my largest outfit, if this doesn't fit nothing else will." They just stared at me awaiting their next orders.

I let out a chuckle, and then another until I was laughing so hard, I was clutching my stomach. The twins were snickering as well. "Thank you" I finally let out. "I'll figure it out" and with that they disappeared into the wall.

Rhys, I called.

Yes, Feyre darling?

It seems your mate is going to have to walk the rainbow nude.

I felt his chuckle of confusion

And while you know you are free to do whatever you want; I may ask you to refrain from that option. May I ask why?

Well I don't fit in a single piece of clothing I own.

Not a single one? He replied a bit more serious

No, not a- I froze when I saw my reflection in front of the mirror in nothing but my undergarments. I hadn't seen myself naked in weeks and hadn't noticed the weight I was in fact gaining.

Feyre? Are you ok? Did you take your medicine this morning?

I couldn't stop smiling at my reflection.

Yes, right after I threw up.

You threw up today? Why didn't you tell me?

Well when I woke up to find you gone, I figured it was important, so I didn't want to disturb you. It wasn't anything I couldn't take anyways.

I know you can take it, but I like to be there, to comfort you.

Mother hen I replied.

So then why did you stop mid-sentence?

I think......I think it's better if you come see for yourself. Can you take a 5-minute break?

A pause. Then he winnowed in front of me and scanned me up and down. Placing both his hand on my face.

"I'm on my bathroom break" he said.

I chuckled and pecked his lips before turning around towards the mirror, Rhys now behind me.

"I'm starting to show" I breathed

He looked up to the mirror and laid his head on top of mine wrapping his arms around my stomach. His eyes glowed and both of ours were rimmed with tears.

He kissed my head, then my neck. Once, twice. I looked up to peer into his face and he crashed his lips along mine pulling me into a deep kiss that I gladly returned.

"I guess" he started, whispering in my ear as we continued to look at my stomach through the mirror. "I guess we have become too distracted to notice. I'm sorry"

"Sorry?" I asked? "For what? I didn't notice either until now. You have nothing to be sorry for." He nodded. "Now, you might want to get back before the others wonder what's taking you so long." He smiled

"I would pay good money to see one of them ask me where I was." I laughed against his chest where my head was currently resting. "When I come back" he said. "After lunch, we'll go to our long overdue appointment." I nodded and he kissed my forehead before disappearing.

I sat at the desk, back in my night gown and started to work.

I didn't notice it was passed lunch until Rhys showed up behind me kissing my cheek and carrying what seemed to be dresses.

"What is that?"

"Well, as you know, most of your gown were made by my mother. And well I went to see if she had made any in a" I raised an eyebrow for him to watch his next words "larger size" he said. "Or if she left any of hers when she was pregnant."

"Oh Rhys, you didn't have to do that" I stood up from the desk feeling satisfied with the amount of work I had done.

"I know" he replied which led me to smack his arm. "I didn't find many but hopefully one will fit for our shopping adventure today." I hadn't even though of that. Rhys laid the three casual day dresses on the bed and I chose a deep blue gown with black thread and slipped behind the changing panel once more.

It fit perfectly. I stepped around to show Rhys and he had a large grin on his face. I twirled around and giggled. I stopped when my stomach growled.

"Before we go," I said to Rhys. "We are having lunch because I am starving!"

He chuckled and nodded so we winnowed to the dining room where we ate.

The appointment later that day was almost the same as always. We went to the same place I always buy some clothes and picked things out in a larger size. Careful not to let the employees catch on that my smaller clothes no longer fit.

Bags in hand, walking home from the palace Rhys pulled me into a store so fast I brought a hand to my mouth. "Sorry" he whispered. I hit his arm not only for that but for what store he brought me in to. It was filled with "lacy things" as he liked to call them.

Rhys personally picked out three of his favorites, in my new size, before picking me up and flying home. Although I was strong enough to fly again it was nice to be in his arms once and a while. Soon though I wouldn't be allowed to fly thanks to Madja's orders.

We ate dinner in our room that night. With no one else but the comforts of each other and the baby on the way. 7 more months.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Hi loves! Hope you had a great break. Here's a long one to make up for the time I was away. What do you think they are going to name the baby? Also, any story line requests?

-S