Chapter 3

Finally I was done with bed rest and just had to take it easy. I was now seven and a half months along. Ash was ecstatic, he couldn't wait to be a father. I hadn't seen Puck since our little visit with the oracle and I was a little relieved and sad. I was sad because I missed my best friend and I was relieved because I knew he was still upset about me and Ash. The whole being pregnant thing probably wasn't helping.

I was sitting at my desk when Ash walked in. "What are you reading?" I asked him, wondering why he was always smiling looking at his tablet.

"Just reading about how month seven goes."

I smiled, I thought it was so cute how much research he was doing.

I was in a meeting, I honestly didn't care what it was about though. It was like my brain was being sucked dry. Glitch was asking me what we should do about the continuous conflicts with the Winter court. I believe he was discussing strategies with me but my mind wasn't cooperating. It was hard when I had a basketball shaped hump in my stomach.

"What do you think Majesty?"

I think Ash sensed that I wasn't listening because he chimed in before I could agree to something.

"Okay I think that's enough for today,"

Glitch frowned and was going to protest.

"But,"

"But nothing, your Queen needs rest and we will get back to you with our answer as soon as we can. You may go."

Glitch started to stand and with a slight hint of annoyance in his voice said, "of course, your Majesty." And left.

I smiled a thanks to Ash.

"Meghan, I know it's hard to focus but, you are trying right?" He asked.

"Yes, I am trying really hard. But I'm so uncomfortable and my mind won't listen to me." I sighed in frustration. Ash kissed my forehead, and hugged me.

"I just wish I could help you." He confessed.

"I know, but you are. You are doing everything right, Ash. You're putting up with me and doing what I ask. That's all you can do."

He smiled and asked if I needed anything.

"How about a kiss?" I smiled.

"Your wish is my command." Returning my smile he kissed me.

My back ached and my stomach was huge. I was getting in the way off myself. Every time Ash hugged me, my belly would push us apart. It was quite aggravating. We both thought by now the morning sickness would have faded but we were in for a rude awakening.

"Are you finished?" Ash yawned while I was hunched over the toilet.

"I think so."

He helped me stand and walked me back to bed. I had a funny walk now, leaning back so my weight wouldn't bring me forward. A few times I thought he smiled while I walked, he got an earful then. As I laid down I felt Ash turn and his hand fell onto my lump of a stomach.

About an hour later the sun woke me up and I hobbled to the bathroom to shower. After I was dressed I came in to wake Ash. He was already up and stared at me smiling.

"What?" I asked.

He got up and hugged me, "I just feel like this is going to be a good day."

"Well that depends, do we have anything we have to do today?"

"Umm, oh that's right. We are meeting with Puck..." he sighed.

"Great, he hasn't seen me like this," and I gestured to my body. "I can already here the comments."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he will be nice." Ash tried to reassure me. It didn't work.

As the carriage came to a hault, Ash jumped out with ease.

"Show off," I rolled my eyes as he helped me out.

We walked towards the commotion and saw Puck being chased by a family of gnomes.

"Oy ice boy, care to help?" He laughed.

Rolling his eyes Ash looked to me.

"Go, I'll catch up"

He smiled and sprinted ahead.

The gnomes were screaming "Give it back! Give it back!"

"Really Goodfellow? What did you steal?" Ash asked.

"I borrowed some sacred stick." He corrected dodging a wack to the knee.

"Give it back," Ash ordered disappointed but didn't sound surprised.

Stopping he sighed "fiiine." Holding the stick out to the gnome. "When did you become such a buzzkill ice boy?"

Snatching the stick the gnomes scuttled off, muttering curses to Puck.

Finally I caught up and Puck's eyes went wide when he saw me.

"Jeez princess, you're... uhh."

I rolled my eyes, "I know"

I put my arms out for a hug but he seemed hesitant, when he returned my hug he didn't squeeze hard.

He pulled away and asked how I was feeling.

"Good, but I want to know about you. What have you been doing these last few months?"

"Oh you know causing trouble here and there, the usual." He smirked.

"Well it's good to see you." I smiled.

"So... when is the little boy gonna be here? Uncle Puck has been waiting."

Ash jumped in and said "Probably sometime within the next month. You won't have to wait too much longer."

"Goodie, I can't wait to teach him all my tricks." His mysteries smirk appeared and I didn't like it one bit.

After we talked Puck made us promise to let him know as soon as the baby was born so he could come say "Hi". We said our goodbyes, Puck said his usual "See ya Lovebirds" and we were on our way home.

Leaning on Ash he asked how I was.

"Pretty exhausted, but the day was better then I thought it would be."

"Well let's get you home and into bed." He smiled and kissed my forehead.

The baby would be due any day now, and my patients was waning. I kept snapping at Ash, I felt bad but I just got so angry so easily.

"Meghan?" He called.

"Over here." I answered from my desk.

"How ya feeling?" He smiled.

"Just great." I said sarcastically.

He frowned and said "Don't worry, you're getting there. He should be here any day."

He massageed my shoulders.

I was walking up the stairs to get ready for my next meeting when I... went into labor.

"Oh no," I said through gritted teeth. "Ash" I called but of course he wasn't around so I walked down the stairs and saw him. He was smiling but when he saw the pain on my face he went pale. As he ran to me I held onto him so tightly he winced.

"Now?" He asked.

"Now."

Then we were on our way to a healer.

ASH'S POV

Meghan was in so much pain, she tried not to speak but I could tell by the way she was squeezing my hand so hard. I couldn't wait to be a father and it was going to happen now. Every few minutes Meghan would moan in pain and when she did speak it was through gritted teeth. I felt bad that she was in so much pain but I was excited to be a parent.

"How are you doing?" I asked trying to get her to talk.

It took her a few deep breaths to start, "I'm doing-" another moan. "Fine."

"I'm really scared." She admitted.

"I know, and honestly I'm scared too but I figured since you're doing all the hard stuff, you get to freak out." I attempted to reassure her.

"Damn right," she tried to smile.

We arrived at the healer and she asked me to leave for a few minutes. I wondered what she didn't want me in there for. After a while she called me in and said to hold Meghan's hand.

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?"

She looked horrible, sweat beaded her forehead, her hair in her face, and tears streaming down her face.

When she didn't answer I came and brushed the hair from her eyes.

About two hours later Meghan brought our beautiful baby boy into the world.