Rowan and Aelin Fluff.

Labor and Toil Part 2

      Aelin felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth as Aedion and Lysandra stepped in, smiles on both of their faces. Aelin rose from the couch with minor difficulties, and tried her best to look regal and Queenly as she walked over to them. She hadn't seen the pair before her in over two months, and judging by their faces they were surprised, to say the least, to see her looking so huge. Aelin hadn't had time the evening before to see them as soon as they'd arrived, busy putting the finishing touches on the baby's nursery. Lysandra hurtled forward, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, careful of her stomach.
"Oh, look at you! You inflated"
   The woman exclaimed, pulling away to examine her. Aelin smiled softly, a hand now covering her belly, "Well, that's sort of what happens." Lysandra smiled even wider as Aedion and Rowan stepped forward, her cousin wrapping her in a crushing hug. Aelin huffed as he crushed her shoulders, and patted him on the back, "Hello, Aedion." .

"Aedion! Careful, you great oaf!" Aelin heard Lys admonish, and Aedion pulled away mumbling sorry. Aelin hadn't realized how much she missed the two in front of her as Rowan sidled over to stand next to her. Aelin grabbed his broad hand, and she could feel him telling her to speak. "Lys, Aedion, I—" Lysandra held up a slender hand, "Aelin, before you say whatever it is you have to say, we have a surprise." Lysandra stepped away and went to the door. Aelin glanced up at Rowan, who only shook his head. He didn't know either.
   Lysandra pulled open the door and in stepped Dorian, Chaol, and Manon.

Rowan watched Aelin's face lift as she beheld her friends, "Dorian! What are you doing here?" The King smiled charmingly, and walked farther into the room, his eyes dancing with delight.

"We decided to come a little early, just to visit before the celebrations." The king wrapped Aelin in a light hug, then turned to Rowan and stretched out a hand, which Rowan shook firmly. "Good to see you, Rowan," Dorian said with a grin. Rowan dipped his head, "And you as well." Manon turned to Aelin, a slightly less horrifying smile on her face than usual.

  Rowan tensed as the witch looked Aelin over slowly, but she only said, "Majesty,   congratulations." 
    That same soft smile returned to Aelin's face, and she turned to Chaol, who seemed to still be adjusting to Aelin newfound size, "Congratulations, Aelin. Nesryn told me to say hello, and that she was sorry she couldn't make the journey, but she couldn't leave Tila."
 Aelin nodded in agreement, "I understand." Dorian began telling them of the journey there, and Rowan watched as Aelin paled and placed a hand on her stomach. Only he and Manon noted the movement. Rowan slid closer to his Mate, and wrapped an arm around her waist, folding her into his side as they waited for the contraction to pass. Aelin wrapped her own arm around his waist and squeezed hard, but her face was blank. It often scared him how good she was at hiding her pain.

  Dorian continued on with his tale, though, chuckling as he told of Chaol being watched by the Little Folk, to which the captain spluttered at and refused the part about screaming when he'd turned over and was met by those depthless eyes. Aedion laughed loudly, and Rowan chuckled warmly. It was good to be back in their company, even if it was at such a tense time. And even if every single instinct in Rowan's body was telling him to snarl and growl at the five in front of him for the simple act of being within spitting distance of his pregnant mate. There was a loud gasp, and Aelin tugged at his shirt, "Rowan—"
 He glanced down at her, the blood draining from his face. "Rowan, my water—"

   Rowan nodded wordlessly, and heard Dorian mutter a curse as he beheld Aelin. "Is she ... Are you?" Manon elbowed Dorian hard enough that he hissed in pain. Rowan didn't need to look at Aedion for the male to swoop in and help Aelin to the couch with him. As they walked he barked at Lysandra, "Get Yrene, and hurry." The woman didn't utter a word as she hauled open the door and shifted into a ghost leopard.

"You're in labor?" Aedion exclaimed as he and Rowan helped her to sofa. Aelin gritted her teeth as she sat, clutching Rowan's hand. She glared daggers at Aedion, but she had no real reason to be angry with him, so she leashed herself, but still spat, "Yes, and I have been for the past two hours."
 Aedion blanched considerably, but said nothing. Wise man.
 Rowan shot a glance towards Aedion, a frown tugging at his lips. "That was why we called you two up here, we didn't expect you to bring the court of Adarlan."
     His voice was rough enough that Aelin squeezed his hand even harder, "Play nice, Ro'." Rowan huffed and sat beside her, a hand settling on her back, his fingers drawing soothing patterns. She leaned into his touch, wishing they were alone. She watched as Dorian moved before her, concern written all over his face. "Do you want us to leave?"

    Aelin looked down at her half-soaked dress, then back at him. "I— Not until Yrene gets here." Dorian nodded, and looked to Chaol, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Not how you planned today to go, is it?" Chaol stood pale and awkward near the door, shaking his head. "Not exactly." Dorian smirked, and looked back at her, "You know, when Nesryn was having Tila, he passed out."
 Chaol scoffed, "I did not pass out, I—" Dorian cut in, "Fainted." Aelin let out a strangled laugh, and squeezed Rowan's hand, studying his tense face as he shifted his eyes to hers.

We are here for you, Fireheart, they seemed murmur. Aelin took a steadying breath. She knew, no matter what, they would be there, her friends. And he— above all would be there no matter what.
I love you, Rowan. 
 Her king gave her a small smile, and just as she opened her mouth to speak the door swung open, and Lysandra prowled in, bringing Yrene with her.

The healer's face was flushed, no doubt having run up here, her lips set in a determined line. "I want everyone out except the parents-to-be." Aelin looked to Dorian, a sigh escaping her. "I'll see you soon, thank you for the visit, however short it was." Her friend gave her an easy smile, "We'll be here."

   The man started  towards the door, but turned and smiled even wider. "Well, just so you know, if you two are looking names, Dorian means gift. Which I am." Rowan rolled his eyes, scoffing. "First of all, we've decided on names. Second of all, it's going to be a girl."
Ael in felt a giddy laugh blooming inside of her and she realized it was due to her nerves, but she covered it with a cough, and shot a glare in Rowan's direction.
"We are not sure that it's a girl, Rowan."
Dorian chuckled and glanced towards Manon, "Well then, Manon, or even better Doris."

    Aelin  grimaced, and vigorously shook her head. "We are not naming our daughter—" But Yrene was ushering the King towards the door, sending a pointed glance towards both Chaol and Manon. "You can chat when  she's not in labor. Yes, General this includes you and Lysandra." Yrene snapped when she saw Aedion's defiant stance. Both he and Lys exchanged a glance and nodded, reluctantly. Her friends began to file out the door, and she caught Lysandra's eyes.        The shifter gave her a gentle smile, and mouthed the words: You'll be fine.
   Aelin nodded giving her a watery smile. They all gave her and Rowan a small bow and left.