Down Under

Auriele slowly started to relax before tilting her head to nuzzle her face against Jackson's neck.

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"That's fine by me." Stefan moved to pick her up.

he kissed her forehead.
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Crystal snuggled close to him.

"Still likes me..." Auriele whispered, sounding content. "S-Still likes me."

---

Stefan carried her upstairs before tucking her gently into bed, sitting on the other side next to her.

She looked up at him, before a hand moved to her stomach. "Not long now." She whispered.
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"I know."

"I will be there with you every step of the way."

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Auriele purred softly, bring Mathias closer to nuzzle against him before looking to Thane, an inquisitive tilt to her head as she asked, "Staying for night or need to go back to your...fairy." She tried to keep the contempt out of her voice, though she mostly just sounded exhausted.

"I hope so." She whispered.
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"Me and Kaidan have to get back, I will come and see you tomorrow though."

"Well, there's no reason for me not to be there, hmm?"

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Auriele simply cooed, and tucked herself up against Jackson, arms tightening a little around Mathias.

Kaidan was sat in the hallway knees to his chest so he wasn't in the same room as Auriele since he had been saying nasty things earlier.

"You might have some more important business to attend to."
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Thane watched them, before he left. "Come on Kaiden."

"Nothing's more important than you. The Prophet itself couldn't drag me away."

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"Are we going to yours, or back to mommy and daddy's?" Kaidan moved to take his hand, pressing against his side and shooting Auriele wary looks who was staring at him.

"Good." She smiled.
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"Where ever you want to."

Stefan kissed her head. "Get some rest."

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"Yours. Don't wanna see daddy yet."

"Ok...Are you going to sleep to?"
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"Why not?"

"Sure. I don't want to leave you anyway."

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"He's still got things hanging around him. Don't want them seeing me."

She miled.
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"Ok then."

Stefan moved to lie down on the side of the bed next to her.

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Kaidan nodded before hunching his shoulders and mumbled, "T-Tell your friend I'm s-sorry for saying awful things."

"I will, just please don't say it to my girlfriend."
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She snuggled close and was asleep in minutes.

"I won't say anything at all to her. I'll go to my room and stay there." Kaidan promised, nodding quickly.

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Stefan watched her quietly before closing his eyes and drifting off himself.

"If you want to."
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During the night, Crystal woke up with a wince.

"I just want to rest somewhere daddy isn't going to feel obligated to come see how I am."

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Stefan was asleep next to her very lightly, his arm across her, so he was startled awake by her wince.

"Come on then, let's get you to bed."
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Crystal sat up slightly.

Kaidan nodded, waited for Thane to take him back to his.

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"Are you okay?" Stefan asked groggily.

Thane brought him back to his place.
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"No...The baby is kicking me pretty hard."

Kaidan immediately stepped away, walking around Nidawi and running upstairs to Nidawi's bewildered look.

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"Is it painful?" Stefan rest his hand on her stomach.

"Very." She moved his hand to where she could feel the baby kicking.
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"Long story."

"Want me to try and take the pain from you?"

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"Is there anything I can help with?" Nidawi glanced nervously over her shoulder at a quiet noise coming from the lounge, her wings quivering anxiously.