Hunters and the Hunted

"Night night daddy."
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"But I can never take the place of you. You will always be her mother."

"Goodnight." Cain left the door propped open slightly so light could edge in from the hallway.

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"You still had her first year. I-I couldn't have it with her, and..." Aria fell silent.

"You don't have to worry about that."
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"Night night daddy." He muttered as she started to fall asleep.
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Scarlet was sat on hers and Ian's bed, her shirt pulled up to uncover her large stomach and she was resting a hand on it.

"I just know the first year is always important. I was afraid she wouldn't know me as her mother..."

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"Are you okay?" Cain asked, leaning in the doorway quietly as he watched her.

"Sge asked about you everyday, and Scareth was forever describing you to her and telling her stories about what you and he used to get up to and how you met."
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"Come here, quickly." She held her hand out to him. "I can hear them."

Aria gently smoothed Lucy's hair. "It isn't a year we can get back though. And I will never understand why Death chose to do it."

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Cain crossed the room towards her, kneeling against the bed as he reached a hand towards her stomach.

Scarlet put his hand to a certain side of her bump and she kept her eyes on his face as he was about to hear the baby make little happy sound through its mind of course.
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"All you can do is be there for her."

Cain sighed softly and happily, slowly leaning forward to rest his cheek against her bump very gently.

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"I-I know it may be rude to ask, but c-could you perhaps persuade Deatg to o-overlook us? I don't want to have to l-leave Lucy again, or have h-her taken from me."

Scarlet smiled watching him.
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"I plan to."

"I cannot wait," Cain hummed. "For a baby girl or boy."

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Aria relaxed slowly. "I don't know what I can give as thanks."

"Me neither, what would you like to have?"
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"The sofa as a bed?"

"Healthy, that's all that matters."

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"We have a guest room. But I want you to have something more long term...c-could you be Lucy's g-godmother?"

"Of course I will."
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She smiled.

"O-Only if you want...I can't think of anyone better. T-Tuesday has enough obligation with he children and you clicked well with Lucy..."

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"Did you want Ian back yet?" Cain asked, humming softly.

She smiled. "I will be honoured."
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"I don't mind."

"I'm sure Scareth will also agree." Aria gently kissed Lucy's head.

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"If you are going to sleep, I'll give you Ian. He needs rest too, more than me."

"Ok."
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She nodded. "Come on, it's getting late, you and Lucy are going to want to get some sleep."

Cain leaned up to kiss her deeply and lazily, hands settling on her waist before he pulled away and closed his eyes, blinking awake as Ian a few moments later.

She kissed him back, and she looked at him moving a hand down his face.

"Would you like me to show you the guest room after a set Lucy to bed?"

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Ian leaned gently against her hand. "You're okay?"

"Nah its ok, I'll watch over her."
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She smiled softly. "Of course."

"You aren't going to sleep yet then?" Aria cradled Lucy close as she stood.

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"Good." Ian settled a hand on her stomach as he kissed her.

"Nah not yet."
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She kissed him back.

"P-Please keep that lady from the house while w-we sleep." Aria walked towards Lucy's bedroom with her held close.

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"If you're going to sleep then I'll join you."

"Don't worry, I will." She walked with her.
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She nodded.