Rated: NC17
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Chapter 8
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"Starbuck," I reached my hands up for him the micron he entered the room. I ran my eyes over him. "You look tired and you're limping," I murmured as he bent down and took my into his arms and planted a kiss on my forehead.
"You don't look so good yourself," he chuckled as he planted kisses all over my face.
"Sorry for the prone welcome," I whispered.
"Usually my favorite," he leered in my ear.
"Harumph," Doctor Salik interrupted. "I believe this young lady has some work to do."
"Are you all right?" he asked me before letting go.
"I am now," I said, and I meant it.
"Let's get this show on the road Doctor," he said.
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"Women used to have to endure a lot of pain to do this," Starbuck informed me a few centars later.
"No kidding?" I looked up at him.
"Yeah, I mean the early contractions probably were not picnic, but before pain suppressors some women even chose to endure the pain the entire time," Starbuck nodded. "It took centars, even days."
I just nodded as if he was telling me something I didn't know. I thought it was so sweet that he had been reading up on the subject. I wasn't sure if it was so sweet, however, that since the delivery, he still hadn't held his baby.
"Come hold your son," I urged.
"I'll drop him or squish him or something. He's so tiny," Starbuck's thumb was large
over his son's head.
"You can do it," I told him as I handed his son into his waiting palms.
"I have to hold his head, like this," Starbuck murmured to himself.
He was moved. It seems inadequate, but it's the only word I can come up with to explain the myriad of expressions that crossed Starbuck's face as he held our son for the first time.
"He's beautiful," his awe-filled voice said.
I silently nodded my agreement.
Starbuck sat down at my side and looked up at me.
"Thank you. Thank you for my son," he said, his eyes filled with tears.
"Thank you," I caressed our son's head. "We haven't decided on a name."
"I was thinking about that, I had plenty of time to think over the past secton, Zac would be perfect," Starbuck said.
"Really?" my already flooded eyes filled even more setting some tears loose down my cheeks. "You do?"
"Yeah, I do," he looked at me silently for a few microns. "I love you, Athena."
More tears slid down my cheeks at his earnest statement. The fear in him was palpable and our son, Zac, squirmed in his father's hands.
"I love you, too," I smiled up at him for the words finally said by both of us.
"Will you be sealed to me for all eternity?" he asked.
"Yes," I said right before his lips pressed against mine.
We had chosen more than just a name, we had chosen to love.
I could swear I heard Zac say "finally!" somewhere in the background.