Long Over Due: Damien and Miri

[Damien Hughes (D)]

The first thing I did upon arriving in the city was of course seeing Aurianne, but once I had done that, the next day I picked up a bouquet of flowers and arrived at her door. I want sure why, but I was nervous to see Miri again.

I walked up to the door and knocked, taking a deep breath as I did.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I was in my study, going over a few documents from my estate in Azzalle when suddenly I heard the tell-tale clop of a carriage pulling up. Confused as to who it could be, I made my way over to the window and looked down, pulling a heavy winter curtain aside to do so. The crest looked familiar, but I couldn't place it until I saw who it was that hopped out, holding a bouquet of flowers.

Damien! I gasped and let the curtain fall again, my hands moving to habitually smooth my dress over my hips... and instead met the bump of my pregnancy. I ran my hand over my stomach as I made my way out of my study and down the stairs, just in time to see the maid lead him inside.

"Damien!" I grinned, unable to help myself as I finished descending the stairs. I felt.. so good in seeing him again. My smile grew further, and I crossed the distance at a steady walk before reaching to envelop him in a hug. "Oh Elua! It's so good to see you... I didn't know you were in town already!"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

If it was possible she looked even more stunning then last I saw her and I had to credit that to the babe growing inside her; speaking of which.
"Miri." I said with a smile as I carefully wrapped my arms around her in return. "Its good to see you again as well, I just arrived, I couldn't stay away any longer." I added with a chuckle.
"You look well." I said indicating her stomach, my hand some how comfortably reaching out and pressed my hand to her swell, feeling the hardness of her womb where the baby lay. I wasn't sure why but I felt protective of the child already, with August gone she'd need some one to watch out for her.
"How is he?"

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He was so gentle, and I couldn't help but smile at him. I was.. feeling better of late, on and off, though thankfully it was slowly beginning to feel more often than not. The journal I'd started had helped.

"I'm glad you didn't wait any longer," I responded, my smile warm and joyful as he ran his hand over my stomach. Damien already assumed it was a he, and it made me laugh for it. "Very well, thankfully," I responded bringing my hand up to lay upon his where it covered my stomach. "Fiesty and active.. just like his.. or her.. father."

I took Damien in, his face and chest, how he carried himself. "Lets go sit in the sun room... it's warm in there this time of day, and much more comfortable than the reception room." My expression was soft and happy still, and I took his hand that lay on my stomach, holding it in my own as I half turned towards the hall that led towards the room.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I smiled, still holding the bouquet as she took my hands; it was such a comfortable hold, her touch, her hand, there was always something sweet and kind about my cousin.
"Here, these are for you." I said as I held them out for her as we walked. "They're not very nice, but I thought I should bring something."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He handed me the bouquet, and for a moment I was genuinely surprised. "I didn't even see those," I admitted, blushing lightly at my own lack of observation. "Thank you.. They're more than just nice." My smile grew, and, taking them from him, I lifted the flowers to breathe deeply.

"I miss summer already," I admitted as we walked, my eyes half on him and half on the bouquet of flowers. It must have cost a good coin to find cut flowers this time of year. "The smells and sounds, how the air feels on your skin... it suits me far better than winter does."

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I smiled as I watched her, the way she enjoyed my rather expenisive bouquet with please.
"Before you know it, the winter will be over and spring will be here. It may not be winter but at least you won't be freezing." I said with a little chuckle.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I smiled as he laughed, the sound filling the hall with something more than just out footsteps. "I know. I look forward to it, too... Especially since Spring is when this little one will be born," I added, running my hand across my stomach.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I smiled gently as I watched her run her hand over the swell of her belly.
"Do you have names picked out?" I asked curiously, wondering too if she would give the child the last name of Trevalion. I wondered at the happenings of the Sovereignty and how it had passed to August's cousin Ghislain; how had that affected Miri?

[Mirielle Bellamont]

"Well," I said, glancing at Damien with a soft smile upon my mouth. "I was thinking of Christelle for a girl, and Luca for a boy. I'm not utterly set on either... August and I never talked about what names we wanted to give our children." Sadness threatened to creep into me, but I pushed it back, set instead on having a happy day with Damien. My hand found his, and as I took it I led him into the sunny little room, my favorite oasis in this entire house.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I smiled gently, thinking on how hard it must be for her, but then her hand slipped into mine and I felt as though my heart would stop beating. I followed her where she led and smiled to her, feeling happy and comfortable.
"I like Luca." I replied smiling as I glanced to her, I only probably liked the name because it was close to my father's name, Luc. I liked Christelle also, it was similar to my mother's name and I wondered if I should take that as a sign or simply coincedence.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Leading him into the room, I turned, smiling at him over my shoulder. I had friends, I had aquaintences, but none that matched Damien. I felt.. relaxed around him, like the facades one had to play with others didn't apply here, with him. I led us to a settee, lightly gilded along the back and arms, but otherwise ivory pillows covered it, making it one of the most comfortable pieces of furniture here. Sitting upon it, I kept his hand for no other reason than I enjoyed the contact with him, especially after not having seen him for months.

"I didn't know what to name it," I said, smiling as I ran a hand over my stomach once. "If it should be for August, or for either of my parents, his parents... It's the only grandchild that will come from either side, and I didn't see how it was fair to pick anyone. So," I said, smiling softly, "the babe gets a unique name, one all to themselves." I looked back to him, my smile holding as I brought my hand down to encase his, holding his one hand with both of mine. "Tell me about you though. How has the winter months treated you so far?"

[Damien Hughes (D)]

She held onto my hand and it felt wonderful, the contact, she felt like the only person in the world right now.
"The winter had been good, it was nice to be in Azzalle for a time." I didn't have much to say on the subject, it had been hard to be away from the City and dealing with the death of my Aunt.
"I'm happy to be back in the City though, I was worried about you."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I was about to comment on how nice it must have been to be in Azzalle when he mentioned being worried about me, and I smiled a little more for it. "You don't need to be worried about me," I said, thankful even as I said it that he hadn't seen me at my worst. Damien had left with Aurianne with everyone else, and I'd been an absolute mess for months after; I was only now coming out of it, able to smile and entertain the few guests I received, and save my grief for the middle of the night, when I was utterly alone. "I'm strong, after all. Doubly strong, now," I jested, touching my stomach.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I looked into her face, my smile faltering at the look in her eyes.
"You don't have to be strong alone Miri." I said softly as I reached out, my hand coming to rest over top of hers as it rested on the swell of her belly.
"I'll always be here for you, you and the babe."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I'd let very few people actually touch my stomach, truth be. Why I didn't know; all I did know I was touchy about it. Mayhap it had to do with my missing August, and the babe in my stomach was my last connection to him. Everything else had been taken, and though I still talked on and off to his parents, it just wasn't the same. Nothing was, or ever would be.

When Damien touched my hand atop my stomach, I felt something.. shift in me, within my chest. Closing my eyes, I laid my head upon his shoulder, my smile disappearing from my mouth. "I know you will," I whispered softly, closing my eyes. Very gently, very delicately, I moved my hand out from under his, letting his hand lay where mine had been. A little bump poked up, what I assumed was a foot, pressing up and holding steady, distending my flesh just slightly. My hand laid overtop his, and I very nearly shivered, so unused to the contact like this as it was. So very private to me, so very personal, but I wanted to share it with him.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

It was if a key was turned in a lock and everything changed in a moment, or may I just hoped that was so. She leaned into me, her head on my shoulder and I thought that my heart would beat right out of my chest.
Then what really made my world change was her hand slipping out from under mine, only to allow my hand to press more firmly to her stomach. That was when I felt the hardness of her stomach and the push from underneath it. The moment I felt that little body part, what ever it way, push up from the inside... oh gods my heart just melted into a puddle. Tears sprung to my eyes as I thought about that little life inside her, just waiting, and vulnerable. Just like Miri. I wanted to protect her, and the babe, I wanted them both in my life as much as possible. I didn't care that the child was not mine, I wanted it be its father. Not to replace August, never, but to give that child a father and remind them of who August was. Secretly I hoped it was a boy, secretly I hoped that Miri would allow me in that much more.

"Was that...?" I turned to look at her, unable to hide the tears in my eyes, unable to hide the emotion that I was feeling.
"Was that the baby?" I asked, smiling, grinning.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

My head on his shoulder, I couldn't see Damiens face any more, had no idea that anything was affecting him until he spoke. I could hear it in his voice then, an emotional edge that brought my head from his shoulder, so I could look at him. Tears shone in his eyes, and my own widened because of it, surprise shocking through me to my core. Damien was crying? Elua, he must truly have been worried about me. My face took on a frown of concern and sympathy, and I answered him, though in the back of my head something whispered at how strongly his feelings must have been to react as such.

"It was," I said softly, a smile spreading across my lips. "It likes to press up right there, though I didn't think it would right as your hand laid down."

So strange it was, to not only allow him to touch my stomach, but to find pleasure in it. I took my hand from his, letting him move his as he would, or leave it there. There was no awkwardness, just.. simpleness. Happiness.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I chuckled softly, blinking a little that let tears fall down my cheeks and I leaned forward. I shifted so that my hands wrapped around her belly and I leaned forward and pressed the side of my face to where the babe was.

"He's strong." I said softly, I wasn't sure if I had meant to call it a boy, but it just came out that way and I didn't want to correct myself. All I knew was that I loved this feeling, of being right next to her like this, of feeling the baby move around in her stomach.
"Its amazing."

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Had anyone else tried to lay their face upon my stomach, I'd have moved, found some excuse to not just sit forward, but stand and walk away.. but I found myself watching Damien, and if there was some tensing along my spine, it was nothing in comparison to what it would have otherwise been.

"You think it'll be a boy?" I asked softly, though the end of my words came out in a slight gasp as the babe shifted, the bump disappearing only to come back up again, essentially kicking Damien in the face. It didn't hurt so much as was surprising, and I tried not to giggle at it. Reaching, I brushed Damiens hair from his face, moving stray locks from his forehead and temple.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I felt the strong kick of the child within and chuckled, looking up at her.
"Aye," I said smiling to her. "I think it is. A kick like that would only come from a boy." I teased with a grin.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I laughed, touching my stomach as the babe shifted again, the bump disappearing altogether. "I don't know," I said, glancing up at him at a slight angle. "People tend to discount how strong we girls can be at times."

Drawing a shallow sigh, I leaned back a little more against the back of the settee, my hands falling to the cushions to either side of me. "I'm glad you're here Damien... Truly glad."

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I smiled at Miri but it disapeared as she sighed and leaned back against the chair. My heart ached for her then as I knew exactly why her mood seemed to change. I wanted to do anything and everything I could to make it better, to make the hurt go away. I leaned forwar toward her then, shifting till I was more turned on my side as I faced her. Slowly I wrapped my arm around her as the other cupped her cheek, my face pressed to her other.
"Miri." I said gently, my voice tight with sorrow but hope that things would get better, knowing that she was a strong woman.
"I'll always be here for you." I whispered in her ear. The moment should have been entirely innocent except for the fact that I could feel her large breasts against my chest, and the warmth of her body. She smelled like the summer and I couldn't stop myself from thinking about what her lips tasted like.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

Ever so carefully, ever so gently, Damien wrapped his arm around me and drew me close, something I didn't fight. I leaned against him as much as he pulled, needing the contact, the comfort, craving it like air. His words threatened to make me cry as he cupped my cheek and pressed his face against mine, his lips ever so close to my ear. For a moment I couldn't speak, but placed my hand over his, holding it to my face as I brought my other up to cup his opposite cheek, holding him much as he had me.

My sensitive breasts pressed into his chest, and I had to struggle not to think of that too, at how close we were to one another right now. "I know you will be, Damien," I whispered, my eyes closing as I leaned a little more into him, holding his cheek and hand securely.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

I held onto her, not wanting to let her go as I felt her hands against my. But I pulled back slowly, my cheek brushing against hers as I came back far enough to look at her. My hand went into her hair and began to stroke it gently as I came to realize I didn't pull back as far as I thought I had. I was still close to her, so close that when she exhaled I could feel it on my lips.

I thought I should say something, but I couldn't, there seemed like nothing to say. So I continued to run my fingers through her hair, touching her gently as I ran her locks between my fingers. Something came over me then, I was posessed, some unknown spirit taking hold of my body as I felt a flush of arrousal spred over me. I gently licked my lips, my eyes going to her lips and leaned forward. Gently touched my lips to hers, just touched, barely pressed to hers as I closed my eyes in pleasure.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

I didn't want to move, not yet, and as he pulled away I had to force myself not to follow him. My stomach settled it in truth; it was too uncomfortable to lean forward more, and I reluctantly let him pull away, only to stop but an inch from my face. Propriety called to me, that I should pull back, but I didn't honestly want to. My fingers brushed his cheeks again, and when he pressed his mouth so gently to my own, it felt... natural.

My eyes closed, and I felt everything so it seemed. Damiens mouth upon my own, ever so gentle, ever so light, but it was there. His fingers in my hair, his skin against my hands... I could smell him, felt as if I could taste him without actually pressing my tongue against his lips. Tentatively, experimentally, I pressed my lips just a smidgen more against his, increasing the pressure only slightly, but enough that I could feel the texture, the firmness.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

Was she.... kissing me back?! Oh gods my heart raced at the idea, her lips against mine, accepting mine in a way that she never had. She pressed back to me and I pressed back to her, except this time I opened my mouth a little and stretched out my tongue seeking entrance into her mouth. My hand continued to caress at her hair, enjoying the feeling of her soft locks beneath my fingers.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

My body shivered next to his, causing my breasts to shift slightly against his chest, almost painfully sensitive.. and the more we touched, the less inhibitions I had, the more I wanted this. I knew I couldn't sleep with him, not while I carried Augusts babe, but I needed something from him.. just what, I didn't know. My fingers traveled up into his hair tentatively as I parted my lips for his tongue, exploring, gently trailing through his locks as my tongue ventured forth to meet his, to taste him for the first time.

[Damien Hughes (D)]

She opened her mouth and I moaned a little, my tongue pushing through to touch her, stroke hers as my hand in her hair began to caress her locks more throughly. I shifted so that my left arm rested on the couch behind her as my right hand went through her hair and down to her collar bone. Without really thinking it plained down the slope of her chest till just my palm ran over her breast. Slowly my fingers closed about her flesh, holding it gently in my hand.

[Mirielle Bellamont]

He shifted, and I shifted with him, even miniscule movements that allowed me to adapt my body to his, to follow the little shiftings of his mouth, the tilt of his head, the press of his body. There seemed to be little finesse, but part of me didn't care; I longed for the contact, for the warmth and the affection. My fingers slid into his hair a little more just as his hand dropped down from mine, sliding over my exposed collarbone and across my breast, still covered by my dress.

I gasped, breaking the kiss; it was too fast, but the pleasure that coursed through me at the contact made me want more, even while I knew I had to stop, that it was too much too quickly. "Damien," I gasped softly, though I didn't pull my body out of his grasp; it was all I could do not to push my breast into his hand more, to ask him for more without words.