#river almquist

Burying his face in her hair he inhaled deeply. He loved the fresh strawberry scent “it’s the way it should be. You should be wrapped in a bubble of expectant happiness. I’m sorry I’m messing that up for you.”

“You’ve done no such thing,” she said, drying the tears from her eyes. “We should have talked about this  before instead of assuming things.”

“You’re right,” he rested his forehead against hers. “Will you do something for me?”

Shaking her hair back lips curling into a playful grin “depends on what it is.”

“Will you get a check up. I’m worried about how tired you’ve been…”

“That’s just normal pregnant stuff,” she scoffed “I’m fine.”

“Please,” he insisted “for me?”

“Fine. I’ll do it. For you,” she kissed his cheek “but I’m fine, really I am.”

Another little gift for @dandylion240, this time our favorite scientists Peter Van Winkle and River Almquist.

“Whatever” she snapped pushing to her feet.

“Wait,” he cried following her, “let me explain.”

“I think you’ve made yourself abundantly clear,” she looked away blinking hard.

Cautiously he joined her “it’s not that I’m unhappy about the baby,” he stopped as her sizzling eyes turned upon him “I know it doesn’t show because” he paused before saying “I’m afraid.”

“Afraid?” she crossed her arms in front of her like a barrier between them “you’re not afraid of anything.”

“Not anything I can fight” he amended putting a hand over hers “what I’m afraid of I can’t fight or prevent.” A sadness swept through him “I’ve already had to watch one family die while I stayed the same.” He brought a hand up pinching the bridge of his nose “now I’m going to have to do it all over again. It scares me. I don’t want to lose you but there’s nothing I can do to prevent it.”

Nodding “I know.” Touching his face looking up at him.

“I’ve been distracted but it’s not because of you,” his voice was thick, hesitant as he tried to put to words all the things he was feeling.

“Peter…. I ….”

“Shh” he leaned forward pressing his lips to hers “we need to talk. There are things I need to share with you that’ll help you understand why I’ve been so distant lately.”

What do you do when you’ve watched your first family grow old and die while you stay the same? What if you found a second chance of love? Will fear keep you from finding joy or will fear hold you back because they too will eventually grow old and die? Another chapter is available on my WP Blog. It’ll be added tot he queue tomorrow but if you want to read it now just go to my WP Blog.

Peter walked into the room to find River curled up on the couch reading an old magazine. A soft smile spread across his face “finally catching up on your reading I see.” He leaned casually against the wall watching her.

Tossing the magazine aside “it’s something to do. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

Peter heard the petulant tone and tried to not to let his smile widen anymore knowing it would only irritate her more. “It’s what’s best for you and the baby,” he consoled knowing she hated the inactivity.

Scowling up at him “ a baby you don’t want…”

“I never said that,” he pushed away from the wall. His smile was gone now as his brain searched for something else to say.

“You don’t have to,” crossing her arms, eyes flashing with anger.

Walking into the kitchen Phoebe came to a stop “River you didn’t have to go to all this work.”

Turning from the stove with a smile “you were working so hard I thought you could use a good meal when you were done. It’s the least I could do.” Her eyes slid towards Peter slightly questioning.

“Thank you,” Peter said, “it smells delicious.”

A little girl time and baby talk. The next chapter of The Van Winkle Legacy is available. It’ll be added to the queue. If you want to read it now just go to my WP Blog.

Clare Littlefield was made by @dstarsims