Lakini's Juice (Louvel)

[Leonie von der Marck]

Dice Roll results:

Leonie von der Marck Other None Luck Pregnancy Succeeded

The Lioness paced the floors of the cottage, arms crossed loosely over her chest as she awaited his arrival. He’d been working that day, she knew, and she hadn’t given him a hard time, even though it was a Sunday. It had given her time to plan, and time to fret over how he might take it. They had wanted this, she knew, but it was a lot earlier than planned and so, she had bided her time, doing her best to throw her man off the scent for the last two weeks or so. It hadn’t been easy, especially with the uncharacteristic declination of the occasional glass of wine with dinner, or a sudden need to sleep early and often, even to nap during the day that had never been a ‘thing’ before. Even the more regular appearance of pajama or yoga pants might have been telling, but Leonie just didn't have the energy required for putting effort into daily outfits at the moment and hinted at a supposedly intense workout routine that had her dressing for comfort rather than style. She’d explained she was detoxing for the upcoming wedding; even if no exact date had been set, he knew she’d chosen a gown and like almost every other bride, Leonie had played the dutifully worried-about-her-weight kind of girl, in supposed anticipation of the first fitting. It had worked, so far... or at least, as far as she could tell.

And now the day she had decided upon had come. Father’s Day. She didn’t care how trite it might seem to others; the Lioness had figured there was no better day to inform Lou of the secret she’d held since Alaric had told her, only a short couple of weeks before. It had been insane to think she could keep it from him for any amount of time, let alone the short time she had, but Leonie hoped the wait would be worth the reward. She hadn’t wasted any time on finding a midwife, either, and so far, all was well. It was okay to get her hopes up, cautiously, until a few more weeks were to go by.

The gift was all wrapped up and ready to go. She had debated adding one of the numerous pregnancy tests she’d taken in the prior weeks but decided against it at the last minute. The neutral onesie with the obvious “Hello Daddy” artfully embroidered upon the front was more than enough. And if it turned out it wasn’t, she had also located his baby blanket, where Mara had once showed her where she’d stored away some treasured memories. The once-white, so-soft knit had faded into a more off-white color, but it was clean and sweet and had been carefully preserved for what she hoped was just such a purpose and was now folded carefully beneath the onesie. There was no ultrasound picture, yet, but then that was an event she wanted to wait to share with him anyway.

She had to laugh at herself though; there was likely no better detector than a telepathic vampire but she had practically bought out the drugstore in her disbelief and taken every damned test they had, at first with much swearing and the same amount of shock as the night she’d found out, but eventually the constant positive result had become a source of relief. It was still real, still happening, and at nearly eight weeks, there was little left to worry about - the odds had already almost been beaten. The Lioness had never taken better care of herself or treated herself so kindly, and had taken full advantage of the newfound sense of wellbeing that came along with it. No matter it had been completely unplanned; Leonie was settling into the idea of being a mother more and more each day, able to wrap her head around such a thing happening before she’d been ready to plan, and this alone was what gave her the nerve required to hang onto the secret until she could surprise Lou with the same news.

She didn't really know what to expect; sure she'd had 'scares’ before, but those small few had always ended up being nothing, just fluke late months that she had navigated alone. This was altogether different and the Lioness had thought for quite awhile about how it would all turn out.

But no matter that the amount of fretting or thinking, or wondering, either, had panned out to a bunch more questions than answers. She drew in a slow, deep breath, and sat herself down in a cozy armchair, curling up with hands resting easily on knees. She'd know at least one answer soon enough, her pragmatic mind whispered comfortingly, and then they could go from there.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel finally had the tasks of the manor grounds completed later than usual.The lack of the usual help meant he was left to get it done on his own which didn’t bother him at all on weekends. Overall stock and feeding of the resident horses as well as the cattle was done early before the sun rose every day. The cleaning of stalls followed which took up the rest of the morning hours.Repairing some of the fences that had gave in to time and wear on the outskirts of the property also required a few more hours into the afternoon than he originally anticipated. All of it accomplished meant that he could get to the issues of much needed plumbing revamping and the possibility that a portion of the manor roof would in fact need extensive replacing.

Good help was hard to find and in truth Buddy and the crew were nowhere to be found given two points. It was Sunday and it just happened to be Father’s Day as well. Several of the hired hands were known to have kids and growing families worth spending time with so it was a rule that none of them would step foot onto the property and compromise their family time on Sundays. Saturdays were optional and their rate of pay was increased if needed. But Sundays were not a work day for those that made his role far easier than it likely was for previous Keeper’s a century before him.

While the two toned truck bounced over the dip in the run down portion of the unpaved makeshift road he held the steering wheel with his right hand and adjusted the side mirror on the door with his left. Finding the stretch of the front property expanding behind him cued him leaving the proper drive and finally rolling up to the back of the rustic cottage he occupied on and off since he was born. Out of all the places he had been in the world there was no where he had found that gave him the sense of arriving home like it did. The 8-track tape player poured out music through the upgraded speakers that were absent of the mind numbing metal door vibrating of the originals. The Rolling Stones were still going strong thanks to Mara’s insistence that the massive and outdated cartridges were worth holding onto and playing.

With the windows down Mick was crooning and begging as loud as the volume would allow with his legendary lips for sympathy that would never come. The fact Louvel couldn’t sing to save his soul was no deterrent. No one around to hear him meant he sang like the rock gods who were drowned out by his ear piercing vocal efforts.The air flowing in the open windows was about as welcoming as it could get for the one who belted out the Keeper’s version of the lyrics that were in need of some serious correction. His hand pounded out the beat on the outside of the driver’s door and surprisingly he at least had perfect rhythm. Fortunately the drive was over before the song. Buying some time to finish off his favorite part of the song the truck turned then backed up. Once the decades old beast was safely in park the engine coughed into its submissive rest which prompted him to climb out and shut the driver’s door.

His hands curled at the top of the doorframe while his elbows bowed at the edges of the window frame to support his weight. A brief rest of his forehead on the backs of his hands allowed him to stare through the cab towards the lights that revealed the cottage was not empty after all. His hopes were high as he pushed against the truck and released his hold so he could investigate. The door was conveniently unlocked and as he stepped in he discovered Leonie filling a chair with her hands resting on her knees. With a press of his hand behind him he closed the door while stepping towards her. The air moving around him gave him reason to pause. Perhaps he should shower first. A second more confirmed it with his own nose.

“I didn’t expect to take so long.” His hand reached behind his neck and gripped the collar of his own shirt. “I should wash up.” He had the soft worn cotton fabric peeled off his back with the rise of his hand. “You can join me or I will make it quick.” A wink as he continued towards the hallway had one of his vibrant mossy orbs briefly hiding then reappearing. “Going once.” He unbuttoned his denims and worked his way out of them as he stepped into the bathroom. “Going twice.” The swooshing sound of hot water blasting through the shower head and the open door he purposely neglected to close were the last temptations he offered.

[Leonie von der Marck]

Leonie had been waiting in the cozy armchair for what felt like ages, but in reality had only been maybe an hour or so. She had fiddled with her phone, read up on the current week of pregnancy, watched the sun’s progress tracking through the wide windows, where the light flooded through one, and then the next, and the next. All in all, no matter the internal fretting that came and went in waves, it had been a mostly relaxing afternoon.

She’d been sitting, quietly daydreaming while trying to fend off the sleepy feeling that threatened and almost always demanded a nap lately, when she caught the sound of someone approaching. At last, the door swung open to reveal the very man she’d been waiting to see. A relieved smile crossed her features at the sight of him, drinking him in before her gaze moved, briefly, to the wrapped gift sitting on a nearby table. She’d been sorely tempted to call him home more than once to alleviate the impatience, but knew it would only delay the necessary tasks and set him back further on the items that had already been pushed back more than once.

She moved to stand to greet him but rather than meeting her halfway, he instead tossed out that tempting offer before he left again, that would usually have her all but helplessly trailing after him.

“Well, ****,” she murmured to herself on an incredulous laugh. All that adrenaline flooding her system, along with a variety of other naturally occurring chemicals that could be counted upon for a rush whenever he was near, left her slightly dizzy for a moment without the resolution she sought. She drew in a breath, completely torn. Following him in could only severely postpone the news she desperately wanted to share, but it was also so incredibly tempting, despite the effort she’d put into her appearance that day. She’d opted for no makeup, but had pulled her hair back and donned a pretty sundress rather than the yoga pants she preferred more lately. Undoing that wouldn’t be such an awful thing, though...

She stood once she was certain her balance wasn’t still iffy and picked up the box, wrapped in pearly white paper and a satin ribbon, to take along with her. A short walk later, she was leaning in the doorway, an appreciative look clear upon her face as the water poured over his toned, golden skin, blurred slightly through the glass as he was. Still, she opted to simply wait for the moment, no matter the draw, the suddenly strong urge to join him after all...

Finally, after giving him a few minutes to clean up, and just before she knew he’d likely turn the tap off, she gave in and set the gift down carefully upon the sink, slid out of the dress and the lacy undergarments beneath, and stepped in behind him. Slender arms instantly slid up and over his chest from behind as she rested a cheek against his back and breathed him in.

“Hey Lou?” she finally said, softly, figuring now was as good a time as any. If she waited any longer, she would burst, she was sure of it...

[Louvel von der Marck]

If it was a crime to take a delight in watching the fall of material that spent more time against her skin than he was permitted to over the course of the long day then he would be guilty. His hand was reaching for the faucet while his peripheral view of her bare beauty had his fingers recoiling before making full contact with the fixture.

A twitch and stir of his flesh had his mid-section tightening at the door opening and effectively revealing one to the other. The slick, warm confirmation of her body pressing into the back of his had him pivoting beneath her cheek. His eyes set on her lips fresh from the act of saying his name and his hands were instantly cupping her face so that each thumb supported the base of her chin. The length of his fingers curled at the back of her neck while he stepped in to fill the distance between them. Now there was no room for question but yet he answered her.

“Yes.”

As if he needed to confirm that he was in fact who he for all intent and purposes appeared to be. It was hardly that at all. The sour scent of sweat and dirt was down the drain along with the debris he wore into the cottage shower. Fresh, clean his body was despite the battle he had with the state of his mind. She had something on her mind and now that he had her in his hands he realized it perhaps was more important than the two of them beneath the hot shower of cleansing water.

“Are you okay?” His thumbs traced the firm line of her lower jaw as he looked down into her eyes. Concern started rising over any intentions he had only seconds before. His left hand gravitated to the small of her back and caressed the pattern of her curves slowly.“Lioness?”

[Leonie von der Marck]

She smiled as he moved to face her, to press against her, quickening her pulse as the familiar pull in her middle had her melting against him. She stood on tiptoe to brush a kiss to his lips, so close to giving in, so close to forgetting about all the nerves that had her middle twisted in knots most of the day. The feel of his fingers at the nape of her neck was almost enough to distract her, to tempt her into silence, in favor of taking full advantage of the intimacy of the moment. Almost.

But his concern was obvious, and she wanted to assuage that as quickly as possible, though she debated between waiting for him to open that damned box or telling him and letting him open it after. She’d put a lot of thought into how and when she would surprise him, but there in the moment, she was almost positive it was better to just say it. They’d never held back from one another; honesty had always been a key component between them, as childhood playmates all the way through to the present.

Ultimately, it was important for him to know, but she supposed as long as it came from her mouth, it didn’t matter how. Yet everything was about to change, and she hesitated. Everything would be different after this and though she knew it was to be for the better, she suddenly didn’t think she could stomach it if he didn’t react well. She had no reason to believe that would be the case, but hormonal paranoia sometimes crept in and tried to twist what she knew with that most annoying little game of ‘what if.’

Still, she didn’t want to wait a moment longer. The Lioness took a breath before she kissed him again, a fresh smile crossing her lips. “I’m fine but... I have something for you... but, um... I think it's better if I just tell you.”

Her fingers moved up his chest to curl in his soaked hair, her gaze locked to his, the hot water beyond delicious against her skin and slowly melting away every worry she had foolishly held throughout the long few weeks before.

“Happy Father’s Day, Lou... I...”

She cleared her throat again, nervous but resolute. “I’m pregnant.”

[Louvel von der Marck]

His eyes were frozen on her even as the steam of the water rose around them. Louvel was prepared for anything she said but not wanting anything in particular more than to hear what she finally said first and foremost. She was fine. She appeared more than fine actually. Her smile reassured him as well as the reach of her hands that were so welcome as they hid in his hair. Everything was fine until she added ‘but’. She had something to give him but felt it was better to prepare him first.

In a split second he thought she was about to introduce a pet to their shared space. A long lost relative perhaps? Leave it to the von der Marck’s. They were known to pop up when you least expected them after all. Just in time for the upcoming wedding. It If that wasn't it then perhaps it was a plant that would swallow up much of the limited indoor space of the cottage that he, Leonie and Birdee shared or…

Happy Father’s Day?

At first Louvel wondered if she realized he never once gave Otto so much as a card or tie let alone celebrated the holiday remembering him. If anything he would have been happy to have had the day pass without him coming to mind. Especially since was at that moment naked and holding her. Otto sure as hell didn't have any place at all in the scene at hand. Then it all became clear. At least he was pretty sure that Leonie saying she was pregnant meant she was and he was…

“You?”

The words he wanted to say were for the most part stuck in his mouth and nearly glued to the tip of his tongue. The movement of his hand from her back had his palms back to her cheeks as he looked into her eyes. She was never more beautiful than at that moment and he was the one she was telling that she was expecting. It finally sank in through the shock. Sure they discussed it, wanted it equally. Finally he found his words. He was going to be a father. They were going to be parents. His eyes filled with moisture he blinked to see through.

“I love you.” His lips found hers. His hands slid down and cupped her bottom and lifted her up. “We are going to have a baby!” He exclaimed it as if she needed to be told. Of course everyone needed to know in due time. “When did you find out?” He stepped out of the shower too excited to shut off the water. He wasn't letting go of her.

[Leonie von der Marck]

If she hadn’t been so nervous for his reaction, she would have probably laughed to watch the myriad looks that crossed his handsome face as reality quickly dawned and he understood just what she was telling him. It was always such a surprise, so wonderful when it happened, because unless you knew Louvel extremely well, he was difficult to read under the best circumstances. So calm, placid on the surface, though those still waters ran deeper than anyone could ever so much as guess... and almost always unruffled unless given extremely good reason.

Not so that evening, not that he usually was a difficult read for her in general, but she couldn’t be more delighted by it. The relief flooding her veins had the remaining tension in her limbs slowly dissipating as she finally did let out a soft burst of laughter. “I know it's much sooner than we talked about... but... oops?“ She shrugged slightly as a grin curved her mouth, shoulders rising as she murmured the words against his lips with a quiet sigh. “I love you, too.“

She echoed the sentiment, the depth and weight of it every bit as meaningful as the other times she had spoken such a thing to him, her legs tighter around his hips as she held on with nails grazing over his skin, lips trailing down his throat to his shoulder. It wasn’t something she would ever say lightly, but she also found she adored telling him whenever she could, too. “We’re going to be parents... it's crazy... but I’m so excited, now that I wrapped my head around it, and I”m... so, so glad you’re happy about this...” she breathed before her knees tightened more and he moved them from out of the shower. Her gaze didn’t leave his as she considered the answer to his question, realizing her relief had her almost on the verge of tears. She didn’t know why she’d ever let doubts snake in and wreak havoc on her heart and mind; she knew him so much better than that. Now that they were there, she had no idea what she’d had to worry about in the first place.

“I’m just about eight weeks... it must have happened just before Germany... and, um. I found out a couple of weeks ago. Alaric... well. We were talking a bit about the same stuff you guys discussed a while back, and... he heard the heartbeat before I would have ever thought to consider... and... I still didn’t believe it. I’m sorry for keeping it from you for any amount of time. I wanted to surprise you. I figured this was the best day to, since the timing was... kinda perfect.”

Another laugh trilled from her lips at that thought. “If it had been any longer a wait I probably would have burst with impatience and told you on the spot... and by the way, do you even know how freaky it is hearing something like that out of the blue from a centuries-old patriarch?” She shook her head, the smile still firm on her lips. Looking back now, it was actually hilarious, but in that moment she certainly hadn’t thought so.

[Louvel von der Marck]

Louvel’s hands held her securely in his open palms. His hold was gentle while his steps were solid. Bare wet soles of his feet pressed to the flooring beneath as he made his towards the doorway only to back step. He paused where the gift had been set down and leaned just enough to hook a finger into the ribbon on the gift. Once it was beneath her and going with them he resumed his original route leading them out of the bathroom and into the bedroom they shared.

Leonie had a point. It was a bit earlier than he anticipated but hardly unwelcome news by any means. He was serious and fully committed when he initiated the topic of their futures upon their return from their trip. The two months mentioned meant that seven more would pass and give them both time to prepare for the arrival of their child. A sensation of a lump forming in his throat at the thought of it all was eased with the slow swallow as she explained how she found out.

As she did he tried quickly to make sense of it all but couldn’t. He certainly didn't recall any empty boxes from those over the counter tests sitting in the few wastebaskets they had handy. She had no unusual medical appointments. No hints in her behavior or health outside refraining from the family wine on occasions she usually would have joined in on. The Lioness was as clueless as he had been for the duration of the trip. That all was in keeping with the timeline she was giving to assume she was at least eight weeks along.

Just as he was prepared to ask how she first found out it was revealed. If they weren’t already at the edge of the bed he would have paused his steps out of the initial shock of hearing no test had been involved. The confirmation came from their patriarch. Freaky was one way to put how it was. Alaric was capable of just about anything. This was obvious proof. While that sank in he released the present onto the bedside table and then set her down on the bed. A brief stroke of stray wet strands of her hair went back with his fingers settling their lengths behind her bare shoulder.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Her apology was not even considered as it was not called for. Her body was her own. He would never impose some sense of right or entitlement to know over it even if he had been aware she carried their child in her womb. Of course he would be concerned but ultimately Leonie was no less free to be who she was and true to her nature than before. “I am sure you were shocked and that was a lot to take in. I am rather surprised myself.”

He anticipated the next time that would have him meeting Alaric face to face and eye to eye. Yes, it was going to be a bit awkward at best but he had no doubts or reservations at how his end of the interaction would be. Louvel stood by his choices. When he made up his mind that was it and that is where he was a universe of difference than his own father. It hardly was about him anyways. This was what they both wanted even if it was a bit ahead of their original plans. No von der Marck really held back when they had set their mind to doing something. Why should their first child appearing earlier than expected be a surprise?

“So, tell me, Lioness, how do you feel?” He kneeled in front of her as his hands found their way up to the swell of her hips.The surface of his fingers brushed gently while tracing solid bones that would provide the cradle of comfort and protection to the most fragile of all von der Marck’s for the next seven months. Mossy orbs fixed on her face wondering if it was wrong to hope that the child would favor it’s mother’s beauty more than him. “Tell me what I need to know and do.” The slow rise of his lips revealed his well known mischievous smile carried his desire for her and had no chance of waning with her revelation. “Other than what I apparently already have done.” He leaned in closer but waited for any possibility that perhaps she had more to say

[Leonie von der Marck]

She had to laugh again at that. “Shocked doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she said with a soft grin. “I think I bought the drugstore out of tests, because it just wasn’t sinking in.” She moved to sit back on the bed, looking down at her still-flat middle before her gaze found his. “I’ve been to a midwife already, and everything’s perfect so far. We can go again in a month or so for an ultrasound. I think I’m more excited about that than anything else in recent memory,” she teased him, knowing full well their engagement was fresh in their shared past and something that had brought her an immense sense of happiness and peace in and of itself. She could now chalk up the bouts of insomnia and overthinking to the growing life within, at the very least. Something had shifted though, now that she knew, changed and sent everything else to the background. The concerns over her parents and who to tell what had become nothing but static at the back of her mind. None of it mattered anymore, because something - or rather, someone had taken precedence over all. It was startling how quickly that had happened, how little she cared about anything else in favor of, already, considering what was best for their coming child.

“I feel... well. Its a mixed bag, to be honest.” She leaned back against the pillows, urging him with a tug on his hand to join her. “I’m ridiculously happy. Physically, I haven’t felt sick too often, mostly just really tired and achy and freaking starving like all the time. But I’m also... kinda terrified, I guess.” The Lioness breathed out a soft sigh and settled in, still watching him all the while. “I asked Alaric if the baby is safe from... well, from me, with this fire **** still not totally under control... and I’m far too nervous to keep working on it with him now. I trust Alaric but I don’t trust myself.” She nipped lightly at her lower lip, her look matter-of-fact even if she was a complete wreck about it on the inside. “We’re safe, but. I don’t know. That was my first question... well, second, for him. I’m still nervous about it.”

But an answering smile, just as mischievous as his own, easily crossed her lips as she raised a brow at him in silent challenge. “Oh, I don’t know... you should be careful, you know. I could take full advantage of that offer...” A laugh left her, tinkling and much lighter than her thoughts spoken out loud as she drew him in for a soft kiss. “For now, though... just keep being you. I only need you,” she breathed, her fingers slipping up to curl in his hair and pull him closer. “You’re going to be the best dad... I’ve known it forever... and I’m so ******* lucky I get to do this with you...”

[Louvel von der Marck]

It was a bit of a relief that Leonie was not feeling the possible morning sickness or the other symptoms of early pregnancy that could make her first trimester unpleasant. He wanted her to be healthy and comfortable. His mossy orbs fixed on her and he said a silent prayer to always have the blessing of having her looking back at him, safe and well as she was then and there.

The glow of her condition radiated as if the moon was beneath her skin warm and reachable for him alone. While she filled him in on the assurances that Alaric was able to offer her regarding her gifts that are not yet in check his body rose from the floor where he knelt down at her feet. The gentle prompt of her fingers around his own guided him exactly where he would have eventually ventured even if she had not invited him into their shared bed. How could he resist the natural pull to the two that made him feel so complete?

His chest dipped down while he was moving upward. With his hands inching slowly on the mattress beneath them he was close enough to her bare skin that the hair on his body brushed against her. The fix of her hand in his hair was all the invitation he needed and went with where it delivered him. Her voice was a welcome pause at his approaching lips. Softly he returned the affection then pulled back. He listened to her claim of only needing her and his eyes rose from the circlet he thumbed side to side that wrapped her finger. He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips. A stretch of his fingers revealed her palm and it was there that he left a kiss.

“You have chosen the route of a natural delivery?” If his eyes could speak there would be a thank you echoing his thoughts. Mara claimed the most beautiful experience in her entire memory was giving birth out in the von der Marck woods far from the reaches of the world that had no place in her moment of meeting her only child. “It will be here on the estate?” His hand weaved into hers as he settled at her side balancing his weight on his elbow. “I can adjust the room to accommodate the delivery.” He surely didn’t expect Leonie to pack up a bag and head into the woods alone like Mara did. To have the birth take place anywhere on the estate grounds was fine with him. “Unless you prefer the manor? I can do that too.”