Lakini's Juice (Louvel)

[Leonie von der Marck]

The Lioness curled in close against him, the warmth between then a welcome thing, radiating peace and a quiet delight that, though mellow in its nature, could scarcely be contained. Leonie was positively giddy with the thought of their secret, one shared only with the one other person who mattered in the scheme of things. Soon enough, others would need to know, or would find out with ease no matter how long she managed to conceal the soon-to-be-growing bump, but for the moment, it was a joyful whisper between them and them alone.

“As natural as possible,” she said quietly. She’d had a couple of weeks to think it all over, to clear her head and consider what she wanted, how she wanted to do things. Of course she would take Lou’s wants into consideration, too. And one thing that had always stuck out in her head was one of Mara’s favorite tales to tell of how beautiful her birth had been, in terms meant for children’s ears, perhaps, but the sentiment had been there. And back when she was but a little girl, it had sounded magical to the Lioness. Now she knew the realities, the things that might go wrong or might go right, and had decided to be open to whatever possibilities came their way. “If I stay low-risk, I don’t see why it couldn’t happen here. I have a high pain threshold… I don’t want drugs if I can help it,” she added in just as soft a voice. It was the first time she’d spoken the thoughts rattling around her head aloud, but it felt good to express the innermost thoughts that were painted with worry and hope both. They brought with them a sense of validation.

She had to laugh, softly, in response to his eagerness to help, to do whatever it was that would make things comfortable and as perfect as she could hope for, but she grasped his hand and kissed the knuckles. “Let’s give it some time, we’ll take things as they come. If everything is good, I’d like it to be here, at home. The midwife says they don’t need much room at all… just enough space for the pool if I want one.” She smiled and curled closer, as close as she could manage. It was a blissful moment, wrapped up together as a growing family all their own. “But for the immediate… what do you want to do about the wedding? And living space? We’ll need to figure out a nursery… and when to tell everyone... and, oh my goodness… there’s so much to do,” she added, her voice barely more than an excited whisper.

[Louvel von der Marck]

With a stretch of his arm he managed to draw her in closer. The curves of her body warmed his flesh with the increased contact. Energy full of promise and perhaps something deeper than had been present before found it’s way in his thoughts. He shifted just enough to press the caress of a fleeting kiss over her cheek as soon as he was close enough. He breathed in slow and deep with the intimacy of moment and held the scent of her as he knew her. A dark, silk ribbon of her hair found his shoulder and he briefly lifted it to be sure he didn’t trap it beneath in any future movement.

“I am ready right now. Tomorrow? Next month? Pick a date and it shall be.” His words were gentle and rich with the truth he was known for. There was no doubt or question. He had been committed longer than perhaps he was prepared to ever admit until he produced a ring shaped with his own hands and the fire they created. But the one who would be having his full consideration on the topic was the lioness forming beside him. “All I ask that we have it here surrounded by family and friends that wish to attend if you are open to that?” His fingers caressed lazy patterns over the rising swell of her bare hip while his mossy orbs fixed on her own. “And living space is always abundant and accommodating here. von der Marck children have been present before and thrived within these centuries old walls. They shall again. Our blood and spirit runs deepest here. I want this to be where our child draws its first breath just as I did and will eventually draw my last.”

The blissfully happy Keeper’s statement was so solid it could be carved in stone and preserved the centuries to come. It did not mean he was not taking into account that Leonie had lived in far more comfortable surroundings while away from the manor. It was not unreasonable if she felt some of that would be what she desired as her condition progressed. Future and unforeseen compromises may need to happen and he would do so if that becomes the case. She would know this too as their time together grew with their unborn child.

“If your desires change with time just let me know. Whatever you need I will do my best to make it happen. As for here, a pool in the living room can happen.” His eyes dipped to the path of his moving fingers. “I can turn this room into an impenetrable enchanted nursery. If that is not enough I will chase the moon and lasso the stars to stand guard if need be over a cradle fit for the future center of our shared world. As for us, M’lady, I can build a set of poolside bunk beds fashioned out of von der Marck woods for our sleepless nights if you wish. Of course you will rest peacefully on top and I below to be battle ready for whatever dares to challenge the honor or sanctity of your reign within these four modest walls.” The casual wink of his eye was playful but not the kiss to her lips. A world of promise was behind it and she would know this. “Foremost, I do suggest telling the family soon. There is nothing to hide. Not sharing the joy would be selfish. Perhaps we should pick the date and offer that with the announcement of us expecting?”

In the silence between them so much was spinning in his mind. The thoughts that naturally came were fitting for the moment at hand. The sounds of laughter,well wishes and even the hush to surprised whispers. Sweet melodies and a few welcome tears perhaps would come as well. A lingering ache surfaced for those who would not be physically present but subsided with the awareness that where their bodies would be out of view they still would be there witnessing the moments to come. Those not truly gone or fogotten would know what was present between his body and hers. A life force growing with the blood of centuries of promise within its veins never stayed hidden for long. Certainly not a von der Marck.

[Leonie von der Marck]

“Now would be heaven,” she murmured, completely uncaring that her dress was nowhere near ready, that none of their plans had yet been formed and shaped into solid agreement beyond vague ideas and random discussion. Though it was something she wanted so badly, neither seemed to be in a terrible rush, seemingly content with the knowledge that neither was going anywhere. A date hadn’t even been set and they’d hardly told anyone, but it didn’t matter. None of it mattered. “But if you want everyone there, I don’t think now is going to work so well,” she breathed out with a wry laugh. “I’m happy to do what you want, but I honestly can’t wait… I don’t want to wait too long now. I just want to be your wife.”

She followed his gaze down to where his fingers rested before another giggle, this one of pure amusement, trilled forth from her lips at his grand promises. Knowing him so well, Leonie believed he was capable of all of it if he decided it should be so. It was pure magic, a magic she had realized long before that she wanted and needed in her life indefinitely. “Anything,” she breathed, “just promise me no bunk beds. I can’t fathom a night without you beside me.” She returned the ardent kiss, falling silent for a long beat as she tasted of his lips with a content sigh before it, too, trailed off into something more pensive after he pulled away to remind her of reality once more.

“I know… we should. They deserve to know. And I do need to tell Oskar and Falken sooner rather than later. They’ll be thrilled… they’ve been waiting for this…” She curled closer, one leg sliding up, smooth as silk, to rest loosely over his hip as fingertips brushed through his hair. “But is it so wrong to wish this was ours and ours alone? I don’t want to hide anything… but I love this little insulated bubble of just you and me… if only for now. It feels so… right. Even if it is selfish,” she added. The Lioness knew a thing or two about being self-centered, for certain, and while she had made great strides in leaving that behind, she couldn’t help wanting to play their news close, for a little longer at least. Just long enough to get used to their changing family and let the joy of it settle beautifully between them. She had little desire to doubt that just about everyone would be thrilled for the growing von der Marck legacy, but people were unpredictable and it was a difficult thing for her to anticipate.

The Lioness nipped at her lower lip while eyeing him with naked curiosity and a hopeful smile. He had his ideas and she had her own, but as with all things between them, she had learned there was always a compromise to be found. It hadn’t failed them yet. She couldn't believe it would now, either.

[Louvel von der Marck]

“Then it is settled.” Mossy orbs held her as his hand found her face, cupping the hard line below her ear. The surface of his thumb traced the petal soft border of her lower lip. “We shall announce this before another night is spent.”

He breathed in and found her presence sinking into him through air, taste and of course the contact of hand to face. Even then, that close didn’t seem enough. Not when their lives were joined between them in flesh and bone within her. It left him wanting her even more. He understood her expressions and appreciated them for what they were. Perhaps even more than he thought possible now that they were to reveal what would be sooner than later.

“There is no reason to wait. We are the ones that are joining and making a commitment. It will be on our time. With consideration to verbal announcement to Alaric and family I see no reason we cannot move forward.”

Louvel felt no loss with Leonie’s preference of skipping the lengthy planning and detailed mass event a family wedding can be. Especially a family as large as the von der Marck’s. He wasn’t exactly the tux and silver spoon sort of guy. Generally his cousins tended to get after him until he suited up and even then checked in to make sure he left the hiking boots in the closet. The keeper cleaned up great so he had been told. He knew the difference between the salad and dinner fork as well as where to find them in the formal place setting. Unless someone managed to hide them or switch them up like they were known to do back in the days of cousins pranks and hijinks. Even then under unpredictable conditions he could get through it without standing out for the random good spirited challenges presented. But this was different. Far more intimate than celebrating another successful round up of relatives old and new.

“Those that want to join will be welcome to. Those that find reasons or commitments that cannot be shifted on short notice shall receive our understanding.” His eyes trailed his thumb as it finished the gentle tour of her chin which was followed by another kiss to the spot that was abandoned. “I will say that I doubt any paper, or words of acceptance in church or court could add any more certainty to what I already feel.” The warmth of his hand found her hip. The connection filled him with a calm and purpose he never quite knew of before. Wanting more of what felt that good his fingers splayed on her skin. His eyes witnessed the connection provided with the loving caress over the space between two strong generous curves settling where a new life was safely cradled. “We are joined. No laws or man can change that or come between it.” His lips paused a breath away from hers. "You are the keeper of my heart, Lioness."

[Leonie von der Marck]

A sweet sigh left the Lioness’ lips; no matter how much she wished it was just them, just for them, she knew it was not so and never would be. It never had been before, so why should she wish or hope for anything different this time? It was as frustrating as it was beautiful to have so many who would expect to know, to be part of it all. Family and blood almost always took precedence to the likes of Leonie von der Marck, but for some reason, an overwhelming sense of insulation had overtaken the Lioness in recent weeks. Cocooned in the relative solitude of the cottage and away from most aside from Lou and Alaric, Giselle, and occasionally Birdee, she had felt at peace. Able to ignore the tumult of the outside world, even to the extent of the others she did not have daily or nightly contact with. But as he ever did, the golden god holding her so perfectly knew just what to say to cut through the jumble in her head, take charge, and ease her mind.

“I know,” she all but whispered in reply as her fingers slid to rest upon his cheek, her gaze latching to his. “You’re right. And you make it sound so easy… “ The words slid away on a soft breath as she shifted against him, reveling in the feel of his fingers upon her flesh, the stirring within that had been stoked just a short time before slowly roaring back into a steady flame. “I’ll try to be okay with that... I just feel so... overprotective, I suppose,” she added. “Its irrational, I know... but I can’t help it.” She moved against him, needing the proximity, feeling the warmth of sun-tinted skin melting into her own and washing away the various anxieties that still hovered near. “When, then? Two weeks from now? Or longer?”

Her leg slid higher still, tightening at his hip as her mouth found his again. A smile crossed her lips, a true, sunny thing, free of worry and tension and fear that hadn’t been seen in what felt like age, in a pure, unfettered reaction to his quiet words. “And you are the keeper of mine. I love you far more than I could ever say,” she breathed, just before lips met lips once again. Whatever plans he’d had for the evening, she had every reason to believe they were firmly out the window in favor of their quiet, impromptu little celebration, and that was just fine with the likes of the Lioness.