Nate watched  the others vanish through threes ahead of them as Nightmare gave a shake of his head at being left behind, but continued into the tree line at a sedate trot. Nate helped cushion Lexine from the bounce, waiting a bit longer before dropping to a walk. “I love this, Lexine... where e’er we move to., let’s see about havin’ our own stables...”

 

Lexine smiled softly, "Then I imagine moving to the country rather in France or England would be the best idea, so we can have a stables." She said softly.

 

Nate smiled, kissing the top of her head. “Well now, can ye really see me livin’ in th’ city? I mena .. th’ only way i’ve managed t’ survive so far is cause i can run out here when ever i need t’... I’d rather our kids have this t’ grow up in... an’ I though we decided we’d look in England? What’s this with France bein’ tossed back int’ th’ mix?” he asked playfully.

 

Lexine giggled. "Larkin says the french country side is great for stables...Billy's was in the country side out side of Paris...But England is definitely better for stables..." She said, looking up at him. "And yus, I'd rather our children grow up in something like this too."

 

 

Larkin pushed her stead on harder and suddenly the mare shot harder and over took Toranado. Larkin laughed gleefully, glancing over her shoulder at Duncan who looked a bit shocked, but her mare kept pressing forward away from them.

 

Mike chuckled and leaned farther over Balck Jack’s neck .”Come on, Jack.. yer not goin’ t’ let a girl beat ye, now are ye?”

 

Blackjack gave a snort and a whinny, before racing forward toward Larkin's mare. Larkin glanced over her shoulder to see Blackjack gaining. "Come on darlin' She breathed to her mare. "Don't give up now." The mare pushed on, until she came to a sudden and crashing hault, giving a frightened shriek and rearing up. Larkin gave a cry and tightened her grip on the reigns trying to hold on for dear life rather then be thrown off.

 

Nate’s head jerked up at the sound of Larkin’scry and tightened his hold of Lexine. “Hang on, darlin’. “ he said and kicked Nightmare into a gallop, following the path the others had taken.

 

Mike reached Larkin’s side and pulled to a halt, Black jack rearing up in his haste to stop as Mike reached for Lark’s reigns. “I’ve got ye, baby bird... it’s alright...” he said, trying to bring both horses under control. Duncan had turned back at the commotion and was trying to determine what had happened.

 

Toranado stopped, suddenly restless and scared, but didn't react like the mare had, rather calm. The mare continued to prance and stomp, whinny with fright, staring at something in the tree lines either tugging against the reigns to run the other way and reared again, pulling the reigns from Mike's hand. Larkin struggled to cling, her heart beating hard, she'd never panicked when a horse startled before. Lexine's eyes widened seeing Larkin and the mare as was worried. She held on tight to Nate. Duncan scanned the treelines trying to detect what had frightened the mare and had Toranado on the edge.

 

“Keep back, Natey!” Mike yelled as he tried to get close to Larkin again. “Ther’s somethin’ spookin’ th’ horses.” he said, getting close to her one side. “Let her be, lass!” he called, holding out his hand. “Grab on t’ me, i’ll pull ye over.”

 

Larkin looked at Mike, and started to let go of the reigns to grab Mike, but the mare bucked, pulling further away and then bolted, Larkin slipped to the side of the saddle, almost completely off it and struggled to regain her balance, wrapping the reigns around her hand, grabbing the peak on the saddle with her other hand. Duncan turned Toranado and spurred him toward the fleeing mare to give help, but the mare raced into the other section of woods to their left. Blackjack was pawing widely at the ground, snorting illy. Nightmare had come to a stop and was prancing in his place, restless.

 

Mike sat on the nervous Black Jack for a moment in shock before urging him after her. He mentally kicked himself for putting her in danger like this.. the very thing he’d been worried about his brother and Lexine doing and here it was him...

 

Nate  tightened his hold on Lexine. ”Don’t worry, lass,, we’ll get her...” he said softly. He wished he’d learned more about how his fae abilities worked with animals.. he knew his father could probably handle this easily... but he’d spent his time focusing on making them work with his own teachings as a witch instead...

 

The mare crashed through branches and bushes, all which threatened to knock Larkin to the ground, she struggled to keep hold and pull her self back up right as the mare charged blindly. "Hold on, lass!" Duncan yelled, Toranado racing to reach her, Blackjack and Mike not far behind. Lexine watched from where she clung to Nate, worried. She knew Larkin was an accomplished rider, she knew trick riding, but the mare was so frightened.

 

Nate hung back far enough to keep out of the way as Mike and Duncan tried to hedge the frightened mare between them. He was suddenly struck by the similarities between the girls... the both changed into girls, they both got pregnant together... but Lexie had lost her first babies...” he felt the breath go out of him at the thought as he watched. “Lards no... not again....” he said softly.

 

The mare charged blindly through the brush and trees, dodging around them and made a jump over a fallen tree. Larkin bit back her scream as the horse did so and struggled to pull her self up right, but on the landing, she slipped further down, her one foot suddenly dragging on the ground. she could drop and tumble and substain maybe a few injuries, but her hand was tangled up in the reigns. She tried to get a grasp on the peek again, but the horse was so wild her fingers kept slipping. Then it slammed into its other side into a tree and Larkin nearly went under it's feet. "No!" Lexine cried, jolted, as she watched, wide eyed. "Oh gods, Lark!"

 

Duncan shoved harder, if either he or Mike could get in front of the mare they could possible halt it. Mike gritted his teeth, his heart almost in his throat as he  kept getting pushed back by the trees as he tried to pass her. Instead he got as close as he could, kicking free of his stirrups. He judged where she was and hoped he could do this without jostling her loose...

 

Nate ducked a low hangin branch as they kept as close as they could and he sucked in his breath as he saw Mike suddenly leap from Jack onto the mare, one hand reaching down to pull Larkin back up while the other  grabbed the reigns and tried to free her hand.

 

Larkin grasped wildly at Mike's hand, holding on for dear life as he pulled her back up. When he managed to get her hand free, the only way she could get back in the saddle was to completely turn herself around, so that she face Mike, and she clung to him tightly. Blackjack dropped back. Duncan pushed Toranado forward, before he cut directly in front of the mare, reigning Toranado in, but the mare came to a complete hault, rearing up again with a whinny.

 

Lexine felt faint from watching all of this. She wasn't one to swoon out from seeing something so dangerous, but the overload of emotions she was getting from Larkin mixed with her own, she went limp in Nate's embrace, her eyes closing.

 

Mike cursed softly as he held onto both Larkin and the reigns, trying to keep his seat. His heart was still beating wildly at seeing her in such danger. He wrapped his fist around the reigns, drawing it tighter until the mare  stopped and stood still trying to fight the bit, pawing the ground as Duncan drew along side her. As Duncan reached out and got a hold of the reigns, Mike let his hand slip free and dropped them both to the ground, moving quickly away from the mare incase she kicked.

 

Nate and Lexine came to a stop beside them. “Are ye alright, Lark? “ Nate asked, as he held Lexine with both arms, trusting Nightmare to behave with out the reigns, guiding him with only his legs. “Lexie, love...” he said softly, kissing her forehead. “ She’s safe...”

 

Larkin continued to cling to him for the moment, catching her breath. Duncan led the mare away in case she spooked again and kept a firm hand on her reigns, knowing Toranado would stay calm. When Larkin managed to calm her self she gave a shaky laugh. "Well, I certianly haven't ever gone through that before, but I think I'm alright...shaken if anything..." She looked at Mike a bit wide eyed. "That was a very risky move you pulled..." She said softly.

Mike laughed shakily. “Shite.. I wasnae thinkin of anything but gettin’ ye free of tha’ horse... probably coulda done better... or safer.. but m’ girl needed me..” he said then let his head drop back. “I think i’m havin’ a heart attack....”

 

Well don't!" Larkin said wide eyed. "Don't need you having a heart attack! Michael!"

 

Lexine whimpered, but stirred, her eyes fluttering open to look up at Nate, who smiled softly down at his wife.“It’s alright, Lexie... its over.. she’s safe...”he said softly. “I e’er told ye yer sexy when ye faint away in m’ arms?”

 

Lexine gave a nervous giggle, looking up at him wide eyed. "No..." she squeaked.

 

Duncan sat chuckling, the mare still trying to pull away at odd moments, but he held firm.

Mike laughed softly and pulled Larkin closer, kissing her hungrily in his relief that she was safe. Duncan snorted softly. “Get a room.” Mike just freed one hand and flipped him off.  Larkin clung to Mike, kissing him back, just as passionate, so glad he wasn't hurt, or that she wasn't hurt, she'd been terrified, for the first time in her life on a horse, she'd been terrified.

 

Nate smiled softly at Lexine, ignoring the others for the moment, and stroked her cheek. “Aye.. ye do.. ye make me feel all manly an heroic sitting here on a horse with a woman faintin’ away in m’ arms... kinda romantic...” he grinned, his eyes sparkling.

 

Lexine blushed, lowering her eyes, "Well I certianly feel like a damesl in distress, and I wasn't the one in danger..." She said softly, but still felt woozy. "I might faint again...just so you know.."

 

“I have ye, love... I won’t let ye fall. Go ahead ifn ye have t’... although mum’ll be checkin ye out as soon as we get back, just so ye know...” he said with a soft smile, hiding his worry. “Of course.. if these two don’t stop makin’ out in th; dirt.. I might pass out too...”

 

Lexine giggled nervously again, but clung to Nate, rather then faint, burning her head against his chest, and closing her eyes. Duncan just rolled his eyes from his seat on Toranado, at Larkin and Mike. Larkin heard Nate and flipped him off, but pulled back from Mike. "I'll thank you properly later, darlin'." Larkin said softly with a smirk.

 

Mike grinned, catching his breath and blushing slightly at being watched by the others. “I’ll hold ye too that. “ he said, climbing to his feet and pulling her with him. He reached out for Black Jack and grabbed Lark around the waist before she could protest and lifted her up, before swinging up behind her. “Hope ye don’t mind m’ keeping ye right where I can be sure ye stay safe...”

 

Larkin laughed softly and made her self comfortable. "Mmm, this is more romantic." She said softly. "How much romance are we going to have once the baby's here?" She asked with a smirk.

 

Lexine snorted softly from her place, after hearing Larkin. "Lets turn around now." Lexine whispered to Nate. "I'm inclined to agree with Larkin, which means I want to be alone with you...Before tonight..." Lexine whispered.

 

Nate chuckled. “Won’t be arguing with tha’..” he said, turning Nightmare around and heading back the way they came, the sound of Black jack not far behind.

 

Duncan shook his head with a snort and started after them then suddenly stopped as it hit him. “Whoa.. wait a minute.. did ye say’ baby’?” he asked in surprise. “ And just when were ye plannin’ on tellin’ ME this news?”

 

Larkin gave a laugh as she heard Duncan. "Didn't the boys tell you?" She asked, looking over shoulder at Duncan. "Lexi and I are BOTH pregnant." She said with a bright smile. "So when are you going to contribute to the family?" She asked, smirking even more.

 

Lexine snuggled against Nate, with a soft sigh and closed her eyes for the ride back.Nate laughed softly. “Sorry, cous.. we were plannin’ on tellin’ ye... then th’ whole thing with th’ council sort of.. distracted us...”   Mike just snorted as he nuzzled Larkin neck as they rode.

 

Duncan gave a tsk. "Thanks for considerin' me so important. Love ye too, ye bastards." He said with a dry tone.  Larkin giggled softly, snuggling against Mike. Lexine smiled softly, they neared the stables again, Quinn waiting for them at the door of the stables, smoking his pipe again.

 

“Bastard’s he calls us... his own kin...” Nate snorted. “Like we’re goin’ t’ name either of them after his sorry arse now...”

 

Lexine and Larkin both gave a giggle and Duncan smirked while riding behind them. "Well that's okay, cause I loves ye enough t' call me dog, Michael Nathaniel." He said. The twins giggled even more.

 

“Well, at least ye named him after Mikey first...” Nate said with a smirk. Mike shot him a look. “Actually, can’t speak fer Mikey an’ Lark, but we’ve already got th’ name s picked out... guess we might be able to squeeze somethin in as a middle name....” he added with a smirk. “Eire, fer instance...”

 

An' jus' wha names did ye pick?" Duncan asked from his spot, amused. Larkin raised an eyebrow, curious about that herself. She knew what names she wanted to use for her children. Her daughter would be named Mariah Lane, Tristen Alexander, for her son, she just hadn't told that to Michael yet.

 

Nate chuckled, about to answer, then stopped. “Actually.. I guess we’ll have to drop th’ one..” he said to Lexine, jerking his head back towards his brother. “He’d be a complete ass ifn we went ahead with that now..” he said softly.

 

Lexine sighed softly, but smirked a bit. "I suppose we will...How do you feel about the name Saffron?" She asked softly with a bigger smirk.

 

Nate started to say something then stopped, remembering everything Saffron had donw for them and wondering how he was. “Maybe . We’ll talk about it...” he said softly.

 

"I still miss him." She said softly. "But I hope he's happy where ever he is..." She snuggled against Nate as they approached the stables. Duncan kicked his stallion a bit, to a brisk trot a head of them and dismounted at the stables, leading Toranado inside

 

 

 

Larkin sighed softly seeing them arrive. "That was so short a romantic ride...lets go out again, leave Nate and Lexine alone..." She said to Mike.

 

Mike raised an eyebrow. “What... just turn around right now and go back out? Or do ye mean fer us t’ slip away later by ourselves?” he asked.

 

"Either's good for me." Larkin said smirking, she felt playful. "Unless you know of some where we can slip to after riding away..."

 

Mike smirked, his eyes sparkling. “Aye .. I do... but it might be a bit nippy out fer that...”

 

"Fire elemental, could we not build a fire. You could run back up to the house and getting a blanket..." Larkin said suggestively.

 

Mike chuckled softly. “Well.. when ye put it tha’ way...” he said and kicked the horse into a trot past the others and on up to the house, where he stopped and handed Larkin th’ reigns. “I’ll just be a sec... Jack. behave fer th’ lady.”

 

Larkin giggled softly, watching Mike head into the hose, she leaned over Jack's neck and stroked and patted him. "Good boy, Jack." She said softly.

 

Mike quickly reemerged with a bundle that he quickly tied behind the saddle before  pulling himself back up behind his wife. “Shall we?” he asked and let her keep hold of the reigns as he wrapped his arms around her.

 

"Yes please." Larkin answered with a smirk, snuggling up to him as closely as she could on the saddle.

 

Mike chuckled softly. “We could ditch th’ saddle an’ go bare back.” he said softly as he kissed her neck as he slipped the reigns fro her hand and started Black Jack walking back towards the stable and the trails beyond

 

"Depends on how far of a ride you have in mind." Larkin answered with a soft smile, as she held the reigns and let Black Jack go about as he pleased in the direction of the trails.

 

Mike chuckled. Well.. there’s th’ family chapel off tha’ way.... or there’s a sheltered spot along the base of a rock fall over that way... “ he said and pointed out th’ direction. “Neither are tha’ far... but getting the saddle off won’t take long ifn yer getting tired of th’ horn pokin’ ye...”

 

Larkin giggled. "You're such a cowboy...the English call it a saddle peak." She said still giggling. "And alright, we can stop and remove it. And I don't think a chapel would be the best place in mind for us to be alone in. I'm pretty sure what I have in mind for us is would be considered a sin to do it in a chapel." She added, her eyes sparkling.

 

Well English be damned, it’s a western saddle an’ on a western saddle it’s called a saddle horn..” he said, with a smirk, surpressing a chuckle as he stopped them by the gate to the pastures and slide donw. He held up his arms. ‘Come on donw so i can get it off then.”

 

Larkin slid off the saddle into his arms and smirked. "Yep, to much of a cowboy." She said with another giggle.

 

Mike chuckled, shaking his head softly as he stole a kiss then quickly undid the saddle and slung it over the gate. Quickly adjusting the saddle blanket, he lifted her back up. “There.. now ye can ride astride.” he said and leapt up behind her, pulling her snuggly back against him. “Hmm.. yes.. much better..” he said with a soft smirk.

 

Larkin giggled softly and snuggled back against him. "Yes, much better." She said softly, enjoying herself.

 

Mike chuckled softly and got BlackJack moving again, breaking into a gallop as soon as they were past the stables.

 

Larkin leaned back against Mike, enjoying the ride, and closed her eyes for now. "I don't know what spooked the mare earlier..." She said softly. And felt a shiver pass through her as she thought about it. "Gods, that was the first time I was ever scared, while on a horse..."

 

Mike slowed to a fast trot as they entered the treeline, his grip on her tightening at memory of the recent scare. “I don’t think i’ve ever been tha’ scared, lass.... seein’ ye in danger...” he shook his head slightly. “I wasnnae even tha’ scared when I was dyin’...”

 

"Well I've had run away horses before, but never quiet like that." Larkin said softly. "What ever spooked her, scared her damn good, she wanted out of there...and when I couldn't get back in the saddle, and couldn't let go to roll away because my hand was caught..."

 

Mike sighed softly and bent to kiss her neck. “I know lass... I’ve never seen any o’ th’ horses react tha’ way ceptin’ th’ foals... their trained too well for tha’ sort of reaction t’ snakes an’ whatnot... th’ only thing I’ve seen set of one o’ th’ trained mares was a gunshot too close... we don’t both trainin’ many of th’ mares t’ handle gunfire, seein’ as how we usually stick with th’ stalions and geldings..”

 

"But there weren't any gunshots." Larkin said softly. "I didn't hear anything, I didn't SEE anything." She said. "Although I thought I saw Toranado a little spooked before the mare was..."

 

“I know... yer right, love... we’ll look int’ it... perhaps we can have mom check her wards fer anything... or we can goback t’ th’ place an’cast a couple spells an’ find out what happened..” Mike said softly. “In th’ mean time.. don’ ye go anywhere alone, just in case..”

 

"Better have Nate tell Lexi the same thing." Larkin said softly. "Because if something is after me, it's after her as well."

 

Mike snorted softly as he turned Jack away from the trail, and picked his way through the trees. “No doubt Natey’s already though’ th’ same... ifn’ he’s smart he won’t say anythin’ until she goes t’ leave fer somethin’... otherwise she’ll just get upset... an’ ye know how she is when she gets upset...”

 

"Only too well, luv. I'm her twin." Larkin said with a smirk. "And Nate's certianly been a bit more careful and smarter things since last year and his...suicide attempt." She added, before snuggling closer to Mike.

 

Mike sighed softly at the memory, holding her close, thankful again that they’d all survived the events of a year ago. “He had to grow up sometimes, I guess... suppose my turn is coming...”

 

Larkin sighed at his words, not really wanting to think about something like that, but felt maybe he was right, they'd escaped any such ordeal last year, Larkin knew what ever happened to her twin, would happen to her, and if she didn't go trhough it last year, it just meant it was yet to come.

 

“I mean... I canae keep actin’ like a ten yer old ferever, now can i?” Mike said with a smirk. “Although.. it is fun... never wanted t’ grow up... or rather.. never wanted t’ have t’ act like i was grown up.. grown ups were always so... boring...” he said with a soft laugh, then noticed her sudden change of mood. “Are ye alright, lass? Oh lards... what did i say...” he thought back, trying to decide what might have done it...

 

Larkin glanced up at him, her expression slightly sad, but shook her head. "I'm just hoping that wont be one thing, Lexi and I'll share as twins because if it is, you're rather right..."

 

Mike sighed as Jack came to a halt and he dropped to ground, reaching back up for Larkin. “Babybird... just because ye share physical changes... like becomin’ girls an’ gettin’ pregnant.. doesnae mean ye’ll share everythin’... afterall... Lexi was pregnant before ye and lost th’ babes... ye didnae share tha’...”

 

Nate smiled softly. “I hope so too lass... maybe we could name a daughter after him... first name anyhow... his middle name was Ezekial, right? Tha’s not bad... Zeke.... “

 

"Saffron is a better girls name." Lexine said with a smile. "Just like Lexine. And yes, Ezekial and I like Zeke...I like Gavin too..." She added.

 

Nate smiled softly as they reached the stable and he dropped the reigns. “I believe we’ve been over th’ names we like already... true, it was a year ago an’ we’re changin’ th; one...” he chuckled softly  as he swung himself donw dome from  the saddle then reached up for her. “But we’ve got time, babydoll.”

 

"Of course do." Lexine said, as she placed her hands on his shoulders and slipped down from the saddle into his arms, letting her arms slip up around his neck, smiling up at him. "That's one of the joys of having a baby."

 

Nate kissed her softly as Nightmare huffed beside them. “Aye. I’d better see t’ this fella before he get’s an attitude.. then we’ll head upstairs.”

 

Lexine smiled softly and pet Nightmare's neck. "Well then go take care of him, I'll wait."

 

Nate snorted, glancing towards where Jack and Larkin waited by the house, then shook his head with a smirk as he stole a quick kiss. “I won’t be long.. don’ go runnin’ off.” he said with a wink and lead Nightmare back to his stall

 

Lexine giggled sofly and perched herself self on the gate of an empty pen at the front of the stable, to watch him with Nightmare.  Duncan had already gotten Toranado's saddle and bits off and was lathering him down, while smirking.

 

Nate quickly had Nightmare out of his gear and was busy shoving his around as he tried to rub him down while nightmare tried to tug on his hair, obviously not happy withthe short ride.

 

Lexine kicked her feet watching from her spot on the gate. "So Duncan, have you heard from Jasmine lately?" SHe asked, glancing at the other man. Duncan snorted softly with amusement. "Not lately." He answered simply. "Hmm, must be busy with something." Lexine said. "Or some one." Duncan added.

 

Nate gave Nightmare anpother shove as he tried to clean his hooves instead, and snorted at Lexine, but didn’t comment.

 

Lexine giggled softly and shook her head. Duncan just chuckled and finished with Toranado. "Well, I'm headin' in t' town, t' take care o' some business." He said, then looked at Nate. "Good luck with the summons t'night, mate. Ye know wha' I mean." He said seriously.

 

Nate snorted, his face going serious. “Aye... “ he said softly. “Ifn’ anythin’ happens t’ me, ye’ll know it was cause they tried somethin’” he said as he striaghtened up and wrapped an arm around Nightmares neck.

 

Duncan snorted "Don't ye mean if anything happens t' them?" He said, eyes sparkling. He was in the whole muntiany scheme with Helena after finding out a few things about the council and he had even more suspecions where his parents death was concerned.

 

Nate snorted softly. “thanks fer th’ vote o’ confidance... but one against all o’ them...?I’ll take as many donw as I can though...” he said. “Get going.. take care.”

 

Duncan gave a laugh as he left the stables. Lexine watched him go before looking back at Nate, she slid off the pen door, and wandered over to him.

 

Nate gave Nightmares legs a few more good rubs then tossed the dirty cloth towards the bag hung on the wall opposite the pens to be cleaned. He gave the horse a pat on the neck and moved to pull his wife into a hug, kissing her lightly. “Well.. looks like i’ll be needin’ a shower before we do anythin’ else.” he said with a smirk. “Let me grab Night a treat an’ we’ll head t’ th’ house.”

 

Lexine smiled softly, kissing Nate back gently. "Alright then." She said softly. "And good, because I'm getting cold..." She added with a bit of a smirk.

 

Lexine smiled softly as she fed Nightmare the carrot, then pet the horse's nose, patting it. "You've never failed to warm me up." She said softly, glancing at Nate with a smirk, her eyes sparkling. She leaned forward over the pen gate as Nightmare nudged her hand again, looking for more carrots and she kissed his nose. "Later Nightmare."

 

Nate chuckled softly as he gave his horse a last pat and slipped an arm around Lexine’s waist. “Good t’ know.” he said with a smirk as they left the stables. Quinn wasn’t at his usual spot, but the spell of pipe smoke was still strong, so he was no doubt somewhere nearby. Half way to the house, Nate suddenly swept Lexine into his arms and carried her the rest of the wy, a grin on his face.

 

Lexine laughed softly as Nate swept her up and laid her head against his shoulder as they neared the house. She didn't mind him carrying her. "Of course, I imagine if I were ever in Larkin's place earlier, you'd be just as bold to save me..." She said softly, looking up at him. "Oh wait...actually I sorta was that one time, last year...the first time I ever rode a horse." She said remembering Puk saving her from the Dullhans and Nate pulling her from Puk to take her to the chapel.

 

Nate smirked softly as they appraoche dthe house and he let her push the door open for them. “Lass... I’ve done reckless thing plenty o’ times t’ help ye an’ save ye... me actin; like a fool fer ye is nothin’ new.” he chuckled softly and kicked the door shut behind them.

 

Lexine giggled softly. "You don't act like a fool when saving me...rather risky at times, but not foolish...well cept for that..." She said, thinking of something that happened in the haunted house they'd ended up in at one time with Xander and Eire.

 

Nate chuckled softly, blushing slightly as he took the stairs two at a time. “Fine.. ifn th’ things I do fe rye aren’t foolish, then their at least crazy...” he said with a smirk and stopped at the top of the stairsa to catch his breath. “Whew... been a while since I didn tha’... either I’m gettin’ old... or th’ two o’ ye together are just too much fer me..” he grinned sheepishly.

 

Lexine gave him an amused look, then leaned up and kissed him softly on the nose, with a soft smirk. "Well we'll blame it on me this time, because I don't think you're getting that old." She said with a giggle.

 

Nate chuckled and set her on her feet, his arms still around her. “I’m gettin’ there... I’ll thirty comin’ October... half a year away..” he said. “Maybe i should spend a bit more time in th’ gym...” he said with a wink before taking her hand and leading her towards their room.

 

"Mmm, I don't know, you still look damn good to me." Lexine said with a smirk as she let him lead her. "Maybe I'm just eating to many peaches."

 

Nate chuckled softly as he raised his foot to kick at the door, then stopped, setting his foot back on the floor and letting LExine opne the door, a sheepish smirk on his face. “Better not break any more doors or mum’ll have m’ hide..” he said softly. “An’ yer no’ heavy, lass... I just shouldnae be doin’ such fool things... especially with ye bein’ preganat... I mighta dropped ye... I need t’ thinkin’ before I do things...”

 

"If you stop carrying me for nine months, I'm going to miss that." Lexine said with a soft smile, looking up at him before pulling him inside and closing the door behind him, before kissing him deeply.

 

Nate chuckled softly through the kiss, his hands tightening their hold on her. “Didnae mean carryin’ ye.. meany jumpin’ up stairs while carryin’ ye...” he said softly before kissing her back. “Ye know.. I stink... I’m covered in horse sweat... are ye sure ye want t’ be doin’ this before I shower...?” he asked with a soft chuckle.