"I'm so sorry again." I apologized to Paul. I still couldn't believe my father had acted like such an animal, to say I was embarrassed would be an understatement.

He smiled and shook his head. "Don't be. At least now we know he's loyal to my father."

The two of us were laying together in our shared cot, preparing for sleep. I enjoyed the nights because it served as the only time we'd find privacy and alone time together. Soon enough our nights would be filled with crying and nursing, I could already smell the diapers.

Paul was able to retrieve the letter from Yueh in which he admitted to his betrayal and professed Jessica's innocence. This seemed to ease my dad's nerves enough to not kill Jessica on the spot. I was surprised she hadn't used any of her own abilities to stop him from hurting her, but I realize she let him have her for good reason; to earn his trust.

"That whole situation stressed me out," I muttered and rested my hands on my belly, "I'm so tired. There was so much running and screaming today."

He put a hand over mine which rested on my stomach, his eyes eyeing me with concern. "Are you alright Lia? Did you hurt yourself today?" His eyes moved to assess me for any damage. 

I shook my head and smiled. "I'm fine, but thank you for caring." I leaned over to kiss him gently on the cheek. This seemed to ease his worry as his shoulders relaxed.

"Of course." He told me. "I want to keep you safe."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm more than capable than doing that myself."

"Trust me, I know." He grinned before his face turned into a frown. "But still, I want to protect you. I want to be here for you now to make up for all the times I wasn't."

My eyes softened. I grabbed hold of his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "You've done everything right. Thank you for being here."

Paul looked away, his mind wandering. "Things can't be this easy though, can it? We made it through all of this unscathed while the Baron is still alive, Feyd-Rautha is still alive, House Atreides is almost extinct..." He paused. "It doesn't feel finished yet. I have this... feeling that, I don't know, something bad will happen I guess."

I was quiet as I considered this. "I know what you mean." I agreed in a low voice. "I think I feel it too, but I kept hoping maybe I was wrong."

"It's not just that." Paul continued, still not meeting my eyes. "I keep having dreams."

"Again?" I questioned. "You never mentioned them. You could have told me, you know. You always can."

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I know. I don't want to scare you or make you more stressed than you need to be."

My brows pressed together and I made a face. "What about them is scary?"

Paul didn't look at me, keeping his eyes trained on something else. "Dreams of you and the baby..."

I didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue. He didn't look good, he almost looked sick. As if there was something troubling that had been worrying him for a while.

He inhaled a shaky breath. "I think our baby will die."

This came as a shock to me and brought a sinking feeling to my stomach. I felt a strange pressure building inside me so intense that it hurt. Would our baby be in danger? Was this a reason to be worried? That didn't make sense though, because I saw the opposite.

"No," I shook my head, "no that can't be right. I've seen our son too, Paul. I see him healthy, happy, and very much alive."

His head snapped up to meet my eyes. "You do?"

I nodded. "Yes, I do. I see him being born as a young and strong baby. He will live, Paul. Don't worry."

Paul nodded, convincing himself this was the case. "I don't know what I saw, but I feel hopeful knowing that you have seen something different."

"We'll never fully understand these visions and how they work." I brushed my fingers against the back of his neck in comfort. "All we can do is realize there are things we can change, and others we can't. No matter what happens, we'll be together." 

Paul nodded but he didn't seem convinced. "I just want to protect you. Both of you. All of this..." He shook his head. "I know I can't protect you from whatever war we know we are going to have to fight. I can't lose you again Lia. I won't allow it."

"I'll be by your side the whole time, don't need to fight this alone. You have a whole army fighting with you," I defended, "this war will not be the end of you."

He responded with gloomy eyes. "I don't need to win a war, I just need you to survive it."

I squeezed his hand with gentle eyes. "You name is Paul Atreides, son of Leto Atreides. Do you realize how much power you have inherited from your name alone? If there's one person I'd trust with my life, it's you."

His expression softened. "You always see the best in me." He said quietly.

"How could I not?" I whispered back.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. Every time he touched me I was reminded of what it felt to be weak, with shaky hands and shallow breaths. He made me so weak and I loved it. 

His hand moved to my waist and I flinched at the touch of his cold skin, but the feeling still managed to turn my insides. The butterflies intensified, making me nervous as if it were the first time. My heart raced as my mind jumped to the possibilities of where this might lead but I willed myself to find composure.

"You're so beautiful," Paul whispered against my lips, kissing me with a bit more force. His voice gave me chills. He moved his hands downward, almost tickling my body with his soft touch.

"You make me so nervous," I answered in an embarrassingly weak voice. 

"Good." His mouth found its way to my jaw and I couldn't help the gasp that escaped me. His lips traveled to my exposed neck and I could feel his teeth against my skin, leaving love-bites for me to find in the morning.

His one hand continued down my body towards my naval, his fingers brushing against my stomach. His hand found its way beneath my toga and my back arched at the feeling of pleasure.

I admired how he touched with with such softness, as if I was something delicate he was afraid to break. He touched me with care, yet brought me so much intense pleasure it made it hard to believe it was coming from the same hand.

"You're so wet," he remarked, his face still buried against my neck.

His words made my stomach turn so bad it almost made me nauseous. I squirmed in pleasure under his touch, desiring more.

I felt the absence of his lips against my neck as he sat up and I opened my eyes. 

"No, like you're really wet." He repeated, but this time he stared at me with an odd face, his brows furrowed.

I made a face, unsure of how to respond. "Thanks I guess?"

"Lia," Paul spoke in a warning tone and tilted his head to get a better look at my lady parts, "I don't think you're supposed to be this wet. Like, you're wet wet. Did you pee yourself?"

My eyes widened and I scowled, hitting his arm. "No I did not pee! I'd know if I did. Is it really that bad?"

I sat up and tried to see over my big belly. It was hard for me to see anything in the dark so instead I reached my hand to the area and felt a disgustingly wet spot underneath me.

I was about to tell Paul I had no idea what it was when I was met again with the same feeling of butterflies and tummy-turning, but this time was a lot stronger than the others. Sharper, too. It was almost painful- no, it was painful. Very painful.

I sat back onto the bed and hissed in pain as I let the cramp pass. "Shit!"

Paul was back to my side at an instant, his eyes wide with panic as I rolled in pain. "What is it? Are you okay?"

I looked up at him and spoke through my grimace. "I think my water just broke."

***

sorry for the short chapter guys, i just finally wanted to get to this part of the story overwith lol

i also realized i'm not sure what fremen do when its time to do the deed because they don't take off their stillsuits? i mean obvi they take it off for the nasty but like, it feel awk writing like oh and they took of their super tight stillsuits and stood there naked before having passionate intercourse

what do you guys think? what is going to happen!

with love,
via <3