When Talia calmed down, Damon kissed each of her cheeks.
"Don't cry, kitten. It might harm our baby."
Talia sniffled. "It can?"
"I'm sure she is listening and thinking I'm bullying you. That counts as emotional damage."
Talia was amused that Damon spoke about their baby as a 'she'. "Are you afraid that your son will think badly of you?"
"Daughter," Damon corrected Talia. "I want her to know I would never hurt her mother." He leaned lower and spoke into Talia's belly. "I won't allow anyone to put a finger on you. I will spoil you so that you know not to accept a man who will do less."
Talia felt him pressing his face into her stomach, and he mumbled something she didn't understand, but she knew that Damon was making promises about keeping them safe, and there were some kisses in there as well.
Talia's insides melted due to emotions that swelled within her, and she felt her eyes prickling again.
Damon looked up at her and his smile reflected in his eyes.
"Come. Let's relax in a warm bath." Damon said while carrying Talia into the bathroom.
Damon placed Talia stand next to the tub that was full of bubbles, and he started removing her clothes.
Talia was surprised that Damon was undoing the buttons and zipper carefully. He had a habit of tearing her clothes, no matter how expensive they were.
She was quick to work on the buttons of his shirt, and they undressed each other in silence.
A soft sigh escaped Talia's lips when she settled in the tub between Damon's legs while leaning her back on his chest. She was glad that he came up with this bubble bath idea because it was relaxing, and that was exactly what she needed.
Damon poured water on Talia's shoulders and gently massaged her arms. She enjoyed the pampering.
"What does Sapa say about us having a baby?" Talia asked after some time.
"He was so happy that I think he passed out."
"And you?"
Seconds passed, and Damon didn't respond. Talia turned so she could see his face, and her breath hitched when she saw his eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
"I am so happy that I ran out of words," he said.
Talia's heart tightened. It meant the world to know that she could make him that happy, and she was on the verge of crying again.
She cupped his cheek with her palm. "There is no need for words, Damon. Show me."
Damon's eyes darted to Talia's lips, and she could see the small frown forming on his handsome face.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Won't I hurt our baby?"
Our baby, Talia repeated in her mind. Their baby was probably smaller than a pea, yet Damon was so caring already, and Talia knew he will be the best father ever.
"You won't hurt our baby."
"How can you be so sure?"
Talia heard a lot about pregnancy from Yasmin. "Unless something is wrong already, you can't make it worse. Liseli told me that baby and I are fine, so… at most, our baby will be rocked to sleep." Yasmin also said sex was more intense since she got pregnant, but Talia kept that part to herself.
A whimper formed in Damon's throat. He wanted to rock much more than a baby. He wanted to rock Talia's world and show her how much he loved her in every way possible.
Slowly, very slowly, he moved toward her as if he was giving her a chance to change her mind, but he silently prayed that she won't.
Their lips connected in a deep, sensual kiss, and Talia turned to face him completely with her ankles connecting behind him.
Damon grabbed her ass and lifted her just enough so he could position her on the top of his cock that was hard and ready for her.
Talia's moan mixed with his groan when they merged completely.
The tub was somewhat cramped; the one they had at home was wider, but Damon managed to rock his hips and guide them to the ecstatic release.
Damon stood up with Talia in his arms, and he carried her to bed, bubbles and all, to continue their carnal dance.
Their hands were connected with their fingers interlaced, and Damon swallowed her every moan and sigh as their souls melded into one.
They were not making love; they were strengthening their bond, the bond so beautiful and sacred that the Moon Goddess blessed them with a new life sprouting. It was surreal.
With his every thrust, they exchanged emotions, relishing the fact that they worshiped each other with equal fervor.
Talia was running through the forest. It was dark and damp, and even though she couldn't see any enemies, she was confident they were just a few steps behind and closing in.
The worst part was that she couldn't feel Damon. The bond was gone, completely. She was back to being alone, just how she was before he found her in the attic of the Red Moon pack.
The loneliness was suffocating, preventing her from running faster as doubts were paralyzing. Why would she run? Maybe she should stop and give up, and bad guys could catch her and end her misery.
Without Damon, there was no point in fighting. How can she live without her other half?
Her stomach was heavy, reminding her of pregnancy and that she needed to fight for her child even if Damon was gone from this world.
Talia gasped for air, and her eyes snapped open to see that the sun was high in the sky. It was close to noon.
The room was unfamiliar, and she was surrounded by the scent of the forest and the dark chocolate, but the lack of sparks told her Damon was not by her side.
"Damon?" She called. "DAMON!"
The bathroom door flung open to reveal completely naked Damon, who still had some shaving cream on his left cheek.
Damon sensed Talia's distress, and then he heard her calling, so he rushed out. Seeing that she was panicked, Damon looked around the room, and when he confirmed there was no one else, he was quick to climb on the bed and pull her into his embrace.
"What happened, kitten? Did you have a bad dream?"
Talia nodded into his chest as her hands moved around him, and she dug her fingers into his back, desperate to confirm that he was right there, next to her. He was not gone. She was not alone.
"A bad dream," she confirmed. "It was just a bad dream. I couldn't find you. I couldn't sense you. There was darkness and…"
"Shh…" Damon shushed her. "It's OK, kitten. Just a dream. I am right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Damon ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her face until she relaxed.
Damon confirmed that Talia's scent changed a bit. It was still sweet and citrusy, but something else mixed in. It was another layer of sweetness, and he thought it was her perfume, but now he confirmed it wasn't, and he didn't imagine it. Talia's scent was changing because of her pregnancy. His pup was announcing its presence!
Damon hugged Talia to press her further into him. Their pup!
