Guardians at the Gate (COMPLETE)
Title: Guardians at the Gate
Chapter: 4 (ENDING)
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Richard/Kahlan
Characters: Kahlan, Richard and Zedd, Other (Original)
Timeline: After S1
Summary: After marrying, Richard returns to Aydindril at the request of the Mother Confessor, who has been carrying more than a deady secret.
Word Count: 2,535
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING
Author's Note: So this one too, I wrote while I was in the hospital. So it has moments of crazy, happy and agnst, but I hope that you all still enjoy! [All mistakes are mine.. Oops =P]
Comments are Awesome Folks! After he found his grandfather and was given his memories back, Richard made himself at home in the room he was always given. It was on the other side of the palace, away from her. He had always known that he was given that room for a reason, but until now, he didn't understand. She had rearranged this room as well, but now it was exactly the way her room used to be. Then he realized why she had done it. She had been sleeping in there when he was away. Pushing the covers off of his chest, he rolled over, making a complete circle before he opened his eyes and sighed in frustration. The few memories he had of the night with her were nothing compared to all of them. He could feel her against him; taste the saltiness of her skin and the softness of her lips. The soft sounds of her moans echoed in his ears and the sight of her above him as she allowed him to touch her. He couldn't get the image out of his mind. He wanted to have it again.
He could still feel her fingers in his hair, pulling as he covered her breasts with his lips. The taste of her lingered in his mouth; making him even more thirsty for than he already was. He could remember the look on her face, the pleasure that took over as she pushed down her magic. He could see the torment within her, but he didn’t stop. She didn’t ask him to. The strength of her magic made it more difficult for her to hold back, to keep from releasing everything and destroying him. She had never experienced that moment of bliss, the moment that he wanted so badly to give her. He did, many times. Sitting up, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it across the room, trying to rid himself of his frustration. It landed on her face as she stepped through the door and surprised him.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly, thinking that something had to be wrong for her to be there.
"Nothing is wrong. I- I didn’t know that you were in here."
He was sweating, his need for her growing beneath the blankets. "I wanted to be alone."
Nodding, she gave him a small smile and took a few steps backward, dropping his shirt onto the chair beside the door. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to go, Kahlan."
"Yes I do. I shouldn't have come."
"Why did you?" He hoped that she would answer quickly, telling him the truth, but she didn't.
Shaking her head, she grabbed the doorknob and sighed. "I don't know. One minute I was talking to Zedd and the next, I was here."
"You don't have to stand over there."
"I shouldn't be here."
"Why did you change the room?" He wanted to change the subject, hoping that it would make her stay.
Turning away from him, she tried to keep from crying. "Because I wanted a safe place to remember."
Moving over on the bed, he gave her a calm smile as she turned back to him. "You can remember with me."
"I shouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because remembering isn't all I want to do."
His smile widened for a moment but faded as she looked away. "I won't touch you if you don't want me to."
"That's the problem. I'll always want you to."
"We can just lay here. Together." He waited a moment, hoping that she would come to him and from the way she shifted her weight on her feet, he knew that she wanted to. "Please?"
Slowly, she turned toward him, looking at the bed and not him. It would break her to look into his eyes. "I can't..."
"I don't want to be alone any longer."
She knew what he meant; it was the same way that she felt. She found herself walking to the bed as she looked into his eyes. Silently, she sat down on the edge of the bed, crossing legs before her as a small barrier that she couldn't help but want him to cross. Taking her hand, he inched her farther on the bed, moving her to sit closer to the headboard and away from the edge. Slowly, he turned his back to her, closing his eyes in prayer as he leaned back against her. Instantly, she pushed her fingers into his hair, bringing his body to relax in her arms.
She had held him like this before. The night they had spent entirely in her room. He hadn't remembered it, but now that he did, he wanted her to hold him that way forever. His lower back rested between her legs, his right hand held her thigh as she bent her knee at his side. Her heart beat echoed around him, the steadiness of it making him even more comfortable. That night they had laid there and talked for a while, letting their bodies rest before picking up where they had left off again.
Grabbing her hands, he pulled them over his head and laid them on his chest. At first he thought that she would pull away, be angry for his actions, but she said nothing. He began to wonder if she was still there and not lost in the memory. Looking up to her face, he saw the tears that were slowly falling down her cheeks as she stared over to the window. Without realizing it, he leaned up and sucked a drop from her chin, bringing her body to freeze as though she were a stone.
Her heart started to race beneath his head as he returned to his previous position. He began hoping that his actions wouldn't cause her to push him away and leave. After a moment, her fingers moved over his chest and her eyes closed, allowing herself to remember the way his skin felt.
"I wanted to ask you to marry me," he whispered softly, not wanting to speak loudly and somehow change the meaning of his words. "That night, as we laid there like we are now... I almost asked you a few dozen times. I was so afraid. The thought of you being with anyone else was... It was hard for me to face." He wondered what was going on in her mind, but he knew better than to wait for her to speak. "I thought that if I asked you, that you wouldn't have to do it anymore and then I realized how selfish I was being. If I could just have you for one night... I told myself that it would be enough and now... Forever wouldn't be enough."
"I'm sorry, Richard."
Looking back up to her face, he smiled a small smile. "I'm not. We may not have forever but we had that night and we have Piper."
"If you didn't know that she was yours, would you still stay?"
Richard nodded quickly, needing no time to think about it. "I've wanted to stay every time I've come."
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I thought that you were upset with me. I thought that I had hurt you and I was- I was so afraid that if I stayed, I would hurt you more."
Without thinking she pulled his face to hers and kissed him. The angle made it difficult, but neither cared as long as they were touching. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry and that she never meant to hurt him, but she knew words wouldn't come close. Turning in her arms, he pulled her down, making her lie beneath him as he deepened their kiss. His hands moved over her quickly, before holding onto her sides. He wanted to hold her against him and keep her from moving away, but the way she returned his kiss made him believe that she wouldn't.
They kissed passionately, clinging to the other as they had before when they thought they would never have the chance again. As her fingers began to dig into his shoulders, Richard left her lips and kissed over her neck, sliding his tongue along her skin, just to taste more of her. Kahlan arched her back off of the bed, pushing her chest into him as his hands slowly moved over her. The sounds of panting, gasps and moans filled the air around them as they continued pushing to the limit, praying that nothing would stop them. Reaching between them, he took hold of her dress as he had done before, only this time he didn't tear through the fabric. Slowly, he began to pull loose the laces of her dress, his body desperate to feel her against him, but his mind knowing she wouldn't allow it.
He found himself delighted that she hadn't yet put on her corset. The moment he was able, he pushed open her dress and reached inside. Sliding his hands over her stomach and sides, he kissed her chest, knowing the soft whimpers it would bring from her. He avoided her breasts the best that he could, not wanting to push her away by going too far. He didn't want to give her a reason to stop him. She pulled her arms from her sleeves as he pushed her dress from her shoulders, needing to feel more of her.
Bringing his face back to hers, he kissed her as she pulled him down against her. The feel of their skin touching being something she had wanted to feel again for years. She continued pulling him closer, unwilling to settle until they shared the same space. His hands began to; once again, move over her body as she pushed herself against him. Hooking her legs around his, she moved against him, trying desperately to get the pressure her body wanted.
Her actions didn't go unnoticed. Within seconds, he had snaked his hand between them and met her need. Moving against his hand, she whimpered his name; shamelessly taking what he gave her. She could feel his need against her, being ignored as he took her higher and higher. Suddenly she realized that he had been right, nothing would ever keep them from each other. Even now as much as she hated herself for allowing it to go this far, she didn't want him to stop.
He touched her as though he had no fear, like the thought of her magic destroying him had never crossed his mind. She couldn't understand that. Pulling his hand from her, she began unlacing his pants, forgetting what she was as he held her close. A low moan flowed from his throat as she pushed his pants from his hips, releasing him. He kicked off his pants as she removed her dress, both ridding themselves of the only thing keeping them from each other. Their bodies collided with a heated moan, escaping both of their lips as they lost themselves in each other.
Her body was exactly the way he remembered it. Every inch of her made him weaker and he knew that he would not last long. The feel of her around him was almost too much for him to bear. Dropping his head to the crook of her neck, he began panting, trying to focus on bringing her to release. Her hold on him tightened as she pushed down her magic, trying to hold it all back as she continued to lose control. He could feel her body tense beneath him, telling him that something was wrong.
Lifting his head, he looked down at her face and quickly took it in his hands. Her eyes opened instantly, almost making her lose her concentration. Her nose was bleeding, proving the strength that she used to keep from destroying him. He stopped moving as he gently wiped the blood from her face. Her eyes were completely dark, but he could still see her, still see the woman that he loved. Giving her a warm smile, Richard shifted above her, his smile growing as she let out a soft moan.
"Let go," he whispered quietly, stroking the side of her face with his thumb. "You won't hurt me, I promise." Her eyes began to water as he begged her to release her magic, begged her to do the one thing she could never do. "Trust me." She trusted him more than herself. That was why she held back, why she would rather die than destroy him, but there was something in his voice. Something about him told her that he knew something that she didn't. He didn't fear her. "Trust me." He repeated himself softly, his lips so close to hers, they touched as he spoke, making it difficult for her to think.
As he began to kiss her again, she let go. For the first time in her life, she truly and completely let go, trusting him. Nothing had ever felt more amazing. She heard him gasp out her name just as her world went dark in pleasure. He collapsed against her, his arms wrapped tightly around her as he tried to gather his breath. She could feel him smiling against her chest, grinning widely before he began to gently kiss her skin.
Afraid to look, Kahlan closed her eyes and softly said his name. His head lifted instantly, looking down at her as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"I'm still here." He wanted to laugh at his reply. He was lying on top of her; of course she knew that he was there. "I'm still me."
She opened her eyes and stared up into his. Searching carefully, she couldn't believe what she saw. He hadn't changed. The man that she loved still stared down at her; he had the same look in his eyes from before. Grabbing his face, she pulled him closer, thinking that her eyes somehow were deceiving her. "How?"
"How could I possibly love you anymore than I already do? I realized before, when you died... I had always thought that there was nothing more than how much I love you, but then I thought that if there's a way that could love you more, I wanted to feel that. I wanted you to confess me so that I could love you the way that you deserve." His smile was wide, spreading across his face as he showed his teeth. "I have never felt anything like that. It was beautiful."
She stared at him, knowing his words were true, but finding it hard to believe that he would willingly want to be confessed. She had confessed many men before, but he was right. She had never felt anything like it before. He had opened himself up to her and allowed her to release her magic into him. There was no struggle, no restraint; he allowed her to enter him without fear and feel his love for her.
"I didn't think it was possible," she said softly, a small smile coming to her lips.
"What?"
"For someone to love me like that."
He beamed down at her, pressing his nose to hers. "You'll get used to it."
"Spirits, I hope not."
As she connected their lips, she silently thanked the spirits for him. She thanked them for allowing her to return to him and for giving him back. After a moment, she could no longer form thoughts, the feel of his hands taking her from the world and bringing her to a new one. Gasping for air, she pushed her chest into his lips, running her fingers through his hair as his tongue teased her skin. Rolling them over, Kahlan pulled his back from the bed, holding his face to her chest as she settled above him. As he fell back against the bed, he stared up at her in amazement. Her beauty always taking his breath away. Now everything was different. They would be together forever and they would have everything they have ever wanted.
******
Everything was different now. Each night Richard was able to hold her in his arms and kiss her the way he had always wanted to. Within a week, it seemed like they had always been together. Piper called him her father and like they always had, he chased her through the halls while laughing. They were happy and they knew it wouldn't end.
The sun had been up for a few hours when she found them sitting on the floor in the grand entry. Kahlan grinned as she watched them roll small balls through the opening of the pillars attempting to knock down a set of old vases. Piper had was always awake before the sun and while Kahlan was in meetings, Richard took the time to be with his daughter. He couldn't believe that she existed and at times, he could swear it was all a dream.
"What happens when you knock them down?" Kahlan asked as she at last walked over to them.
"If I knock them down, daddy has to carry me on his back all day."
Raising an eyebrow, she looked at Richard. "And if you win?"
"She has to eat the nasty green things we put on her plate."
She couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped her as she sat down beside him. "I think you should win."
"I'm trying, but she's gotten better at this."
Beaming, Piper rolled one of the balls, instantly knocking down two of the vases. "Zedd showed me how to get them."
Pulling her over to him, Richard laughed. "That's not fair."
"It's fair," she giggled while shaking her head. Pulling back, she rolled another ball, knocking down the final vase. "I win, mommy!" she shouted in triumph.
She laughed as she looked down at the remaining vases on Richard's side. "You let her win?"
"I started to, but then I couldn't keep up."
Looking at their daughter, Kahlan grinned. "Before you claim your prize, would you give me a few minutes with him?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she jumped to her feet, "All right. I'm going to get some sweet bread from the kitchen!" Spinning on her heals, she raced off down the hall, knowing that if she wasn't quick, her grandfather would eat the last of it.
Meeting her eyes, Richard tilted his head in concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she reassured him quickly. "Nothing is wrong. I-" she grinned widely, "I'm pregnant."
Without a moment of hesitation, he pulled her to him and connected their lips, kissing her passionately as he pushed her back to the floor. They laid there, kissing, for a few minutes, only pulling away when they heard footsteps and realized where they were. Breaking their kiss, he beamed at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Well, there's only one way to be sure..."
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her down the hall, racing to get to their bedroom before they were stopped and requested for more duties. He was going to do everything he could to make sure she was once again carrying his child. He couldn't imagine anything greater.
******The End******
Chapter: 4 (ENDING)
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Richard/Kahlan
Characters: Kahlan, Richard and Zedd, Other (Original)
Timeline: After S1
Summary: After marrying, Richard returns to Aydindril at the request of the Mother Confessor, who has been carrying more than a deady secret.
Word Count: 2,535
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING
Author's Note: So this one too, I wrote while I was in the hospital. So it has moments of crazy, happy and agnst, but I hope that you all still enjoy! [All mistakes are mine.. Oops =P]
Comments are Awesome Folks! After he found his grandfather and was given his memories back, Richard made himself at home in the room he was always given. It was on the other side of the palace, away from her. He had always known that he was given that room for a reason, but until now, he didn't understand. She had rearranged this room as well, but now it was exactly the way her room used to be. Then he realized why she had done it. She had been sleeping in there when he was away. Pushing the covers off of his chest, he rolled over, making a complete circle before he opened his eyes and sighed in frustration. The few memories he had of the night with her were nothing compared to all of them. He could feel her against him; taste the saltiness of her skin and the softness of her lips. The soft sounds of her moans echoed in his ears and the sight of her above him as she allowed him to touch her. He couldn't get the image out of his mind. He wanted to have it again.
He could still feel her fingers in his hair, pulling as he covered her breasts with his lips. The taste of her lingered in his mouth; making him even more thirsty for than he already was. He could remember the look on her face, the pleasure that took over as she pushed down her magic. He could see the torment within her, but he didn’t stop. She didn’t ask him to. The strength of her magic made it more difficult for her to hold back, to keep from releasing everything and destroying him. She had never experienced that moment of bliss, the moment that he wanted so badly to give her. He did, many times. Sitting up, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it across the room, trying to rid himself of his frustration. It landed on her face as she stepped through the door and surprised him.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly, thinking that something had to be wrong for her to be there.
"Nothing is wrong. I- I didn’t know that you were in here."
He was sweating, his need for her growing beneath the blankets. "I wanted to be alone."
Nodding, she gave him a small smile and took a few steps backward, dropping his shirt onto the chair beside the door. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to go, Kahlan."
"Yes I do. I shouldn't have come."
"Why did you?" He hoped that she would answer quickly, telling him the truth, but she didn't.
Shaking her head, she grabbed the doorknob and sighed. "I don't know. One minute I was talking to Zedd and the next, I was here."
"You don't have to stand over there."
"I shouldn't be here."
"Why did you change the room?" He wanted to change the subject, hoping that it would make her stay.
Turning away from him, she tried to keep from crying. "Because I wanted a safe place to remember."
Moving over on the bed, he gave her a calm smile as she turned back to him. "You can remember with me."
"I shouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because remembering isn't all I want to do."
His smile widened for a moment but faded as she looked away. "I won't touch you if you don't want me to."
"That's the problem. I'll always want you to."
"We can just lay here. Together." He waited a moment, hoping that she would come to him and from the way she shifted her weight on her feet, he knew that she wanted to. "Please?"
Slowly, she turned toward him, looking at the bed and not him. It would break her to look into his eyes. "I can't..."
"I don't want to be alone any longer."
She knew what he meant; it was the same way that she felt. She found herself walking to the bed as she looked into his eyes. Silently, she sat down on the edge of the bed, crossing legs before her as a small barrier that she couldn't help but want him to cross. Taking her hand, he inched her farther on the bed, moving her to sit closer to the headboard and away from the edge. Slowly, he turned his back to her, closing his eyes in prayer as he leaned back against her. Instantly, she pushed her fingers into his hair, bringing his body to relax in her arms.
She had held him like this before. The night they had spent entirely in her room. He hadn't remembered it, but now that he did, he wanted her to hold him that way forever. His lower back rested between her legs, his right hand held her thigh as she bent her knee at his side. Her heart beat echoed around him, the steadiness of it making him even more comfortable. That night they had laid there and talked for a while, letting their bodies rest before picking up where they had left off again.
Grabbing her hands, he pulled them over his head and laid them on his chest. At first he thought that she would pull away, be angry for his actions, but she said nothing. He began to wonder if she was still there and not lost in the memory. Looking up to her face, he saw the tears that were slowly falling down her cheeks as she stared over to the window. Without realizing it, he leaned up and sucked a drop from her chin, bringing her body to freeze as though she were a stone.
Her heart started to race beneath his head as he returned to his previous position. He began hoping that his actions wouldn't cause her to push him away and leave. After a moment, her fingers moved over his chest and her eyes closed, allowing herself to remember the way his skin felt.
"I wanted to ask you to marry me," he whispered softly, not wanting to speak loudly and somehow change the meaning of his words. "That night, as we laid there like we are now... I almost asked you a few dozen times. I was so afraid. The thought of you being with anyone else was... It was hard for me to face." He wondered what was going on in her mind, but he knew better than to wait for her to speak. "I thought that if I asked you, that you wouldn't have to do it anymore and then I realized how selfish I was being. If I could just have you for one night... I told myself that it would be enough and now... Forever wouldn't be enough."
"I'm sorry, Richard."
Looking back up to her face, he smiled a small smile. "I'm not. We may not have forever but we had that night and we have Piper."
"If you didn't know that she was yours, would you still stay?"
Richard nodded quickly, needing no time to think about it. "I've wanted to stay every time I've come."
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I thought that you were upset with me. I thought that I had hurt you and I was- I was so afraid that if I stayed, I would hurt you more."
Without thinking she pulled his face to hers and kissed him. The angle made it difficult, but neither cared as long as they were touching. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry and that she never meant to hurt him, but she knew words wouldn't come close. Turning in her arms, he pulled her down, making her lie beneath him as he deepened their kiss. His hands moved over her quickly, before holding onto her sides. He wanted to hold her against him and keep her from moving away, but the way she returned his kiss made him believe that she wouldn't.
They kissed passionately, clinging to the other as they had before when they thought they would never have the chance again. As her fingers began to dig into his shoulders, Richard left her lips and kissed over her neck, sliding his tongue along her skin, just to taste more of her. Kahlan arched her back off of the bed, pushing her chest into him as his hands slowly moved over her. The sounds of panting, gasps and moans filled the air around them as they continued pushing to the limit, praying that nothing would stop them. Reaching between them, he took hold of her dress as he had done before, only this time he didn't tear through the fabric. Slowly, he began to pull loose the laces of her dress, his body desperate to feel her against him, but his mind knowing she wouldn't allow it.
He found himself delighted that she hadn't yet put on her corset. The moment he was able, he pushed open her dress and reached inside. Sliding his hands over her stomach and sides, he kissed her chest, knowing the soft whimpers it would bring from her. He avoided her breasts the best that he could, not wanting to push her away by going too far. He didn't want to give her a reason to stop him. She pulled her arms from her sleeves as he pushed her dress from her shoulders, needing to feel more of her.
Bringing his face back to hers, he kissed her as she pulled him down against her. The feel of their skin touching being something she had wanted to feel again for years. She continued pulling him closer, unwilling to settle until they shared the same space. His hands began to; once again, move over her body as she pushed herself against him. Hooking her legs around his, she moved against him, trying desperately to get the pressure her body wanted.
Her actions didn't go unnoticed. Within seconds, he had snaked his hand between them and met her need. Moving against his hand, she whimpered his name; shamelessly taking what he gave her. She could feel his need against her, being ignored as he took her higher and higher. Suddenly she realized that he had been right, nothing would ever keep them from each other. Even now as much as she hated herself for allowing it to go this far, she didn't want him to stop.
He touched her as though he had no fear, like the thought of her magic destroying him had never crossed his mind. She couldn't understand that. Pulling his hand from her, she began unlacing his pants, forgetting what she was as he held her close. A low moan flowed from his throat as she pushed his pants from his hips, releasing him. He kicked off his pants as she removed her dress, both ridding themselves of the only thing keeping them from each other. Their bodies collided with a heated moan, escaping both of their lips as they lost themselves in each other.
Her body was exactly the way he remembered it. Every inch of her made him weaker and he knew that he would not last long. The feel of her around him was almost too much for him to bear. Dropping his head to the crook of her neck, he began panting, trying to focus on bringing her to release. Her hold on him tightened as she pushed down her magic, trying to hold it all back as she continued to lose control. He could feel her body tense beneath him, telling him that something was wrong.
Lifting his head, he looked down at her face and quickly took it in his hands. Her eyes opened instantly, almost making her lose her concentration. Her nose was bleeding, proving the strength that she used to keep from destroying him. He stopped moving as he gently wiped the blood from her face. Her eyes were completely dark, but he could still see her, still see the woman that he loved. Giving her a warm smile, Richard shifted above her, his smile growing as she let out a soft moan.
"Let go," he whispered quietly, stroking the side of her face with his thumb. "You won't hurt me, I promise." Her eyes began to water as he begged her to release her magic, begged her to do the one thing she could never do. "Trust me." She trusted him more than herself. That was why she held back, why she would rather die than destroy him, but there was something in his voice. Something about him told her that he knew something that she didn't. He didn't fear her. "Trust me." He repeated himself softly, his lips so close to hers, they touched as he spoke, making it difficult for her to think.
As he began to kiss her again, she let go. For the first time in her life, she truly and completely let go, trusting him. Nothing had ever felt more amazing. She heard him gasp out her name just as her world went dark in pleasure. He collapsed against her, his arms wrapped tightly around her as he tried to gather his breath. She could feel him smiling against her chest, grinning widely before he began to gently kiss her skin.
Afraid to look, Kahlan closed her eyes and softly said his name. His head lifted instantly, looking down at her as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"I'm still here." He wanted to laugh at his reply. He was lying on top of her; of course she knew that he was there. "I'm still me."
She opened her eyes and stared up into his. Searching carefully, she couldn't believe what she saw. He hadn't changed. The man that she loved still stared down at her; he had the same look in his eyes from before. Grabbing his face, she pulled him closer, thinking that her eyes somehow were deceiving her. "How?"
"How could I possibly love you anymore than I already do? I realized before, when you died... I had always thought that there was nothing more than how much I love you, but then I thought that if there's a way that could love you more, I wanted to feel that. I wanted you to confess me so that I could love you the way that you deserve." His smile was wide, spreading across his face as he showed his teeth. "I have never felt anything like that. It was beautiful."
She stared at him, knowing his words were true, but finding it hard to believe that he would willingly want to be confessed. She had confessed many men before, but he was right. She had never felt anything like it before. He had opened himself up to her and allowed her to release her magic into him. There was no struggle, no restraint; he allowed her to enter him without fear and feel his love for her.
"I didn't think it was possible," she said softly, a small smile coming to her lips.
"What?"
"For someone to love me like that."
He beamed down at her, pressing his nose to hers. "You'll get used to it."
"Spirits, I hope not."
As she connected their lips, she silently thanked the spirits for him. She thanked them for allowing her to return to him and for giving him back. After a moment, she could no longer form thoughts, the feel of his hands taking her from the world and bringing her to a new one. Gasping for air, she pushed her chest into his lips, running her fingers through his hair as his tongue teased her skin. Rolling them over, Kahlan pulled his back from the bed, holding his face to her chest as she settled above him. As he fell back against the bed, he stared up at her in amazement. Her beauty always taking his breath away. Now everything was different. They would be together forever and they would have everything they have ever wanted.
******
Everything was different now. Each night Richard was able to hold her in his arms and kiss her the way he had always wanted to. Within a week, it seemed like they had always been together. Piper called him her father and like they always had, he chased her through the halls while laughing. They were happy and they knew it wouldn't end.
The sun had been up for a few hours when she found them sitting on the floor in the grand entry. Kahlan grinned as she watched them roll small balls through the opening of the pillars attempting to knock down a set of old vases. Piper had was always awake before the sun and while Kahlan was in meetings, Richard took the time to be with his daughter. He couldn't believe that she existed and at times, he could swear it was all a dream.
"What happens when you knock them down?" Kahlan asked as she at last walked over to them.
"If I knock them down, daddy has to carry me on his back all day."
Raising an eyebrow, she looked at Richard. "And if you win?"
"She has to eat the nasty green things we put on her plate."
She couldn't hold back the laugh that escaped her as she sat down beside him. "I think you should win."
"I'm trying, but she's gotten better at this."
Beaming, Piper rolled one of the balls, instantly knocking down two of the vases. "Zedd showed me how to get them."
Pulling her over to him, Richard laughed. "That's not fair."
"It's fair," she giggled while shaking her head. Pulling back, she rolled another ball, knocking down the final vase. "I win, mommy!" she shouted in triumph.
She laughed as she looked down at the remaining vases on Richard's side. "You let her win?"
"I started to, but then I couldn't keep up."
Looking at their daughter, Kahlan grinned. "Before you claim your prize, would you give me a few minutes with him?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she jumped to her feet, "All right. I'm going to get some sweet bread from the kitchen!" Spinning on her heals, she raced off down the hall, knowing that if she wasn't quick, her grandfather would eat the last of it.
Meeting her eyes, Richard tilted his head in concern. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she reassured him quickly. "Nothing is wrong. I-" she grinned widely, "I'm pregnant."
Without a moment of hesitation, he pulled her to him and connected their lips, kissing her passionately as he pushed her back to the floor. They laid there, kissing, for a few minutes, only pulling away when they heard footsteps and realized where they were. Breaking their kiss, he beamed at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Well, there's only one way to be sure..."
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her down the hall, racing to get to their bedroom before they were stopped and requested for more duties. He was going to do everything he could to make sure she was once again carrying his child. He couldn't imagine anything greater.
******The End******