It was the night before the wedding, Phabel was sitting in the east wing of the palace with his father and his uncle. This would be where he slept tonight, away from his love. Phabel had spent the day grumbling at the rules and traditions, they had gone through what would be expected of them. A chaste refrained kiss from two well behaved adults, Olive had to be careful to not make the pregnancy obvious, dance lessons for Olive and no disappearing to sneak kisses. Even poor Danika had suffered the burden of the rules, the dress that was made for her covered her tattoos and she had to dye her hair to something that wasn't tinged with blue. Phabel hated it, he thought it was wrong to expect others to alter themselves just to adhere to tradition. His bad mood was made worse by the fact that he was missing Olive and their child. She was still within these walls, in the west wing of the palace but to Phabel it felt like she was on the other side of the planet. He missed touching her stomach, feeling the prickle of sensations as he felt the life force of his child. Their night time routine was being disrupted by his overbearing parents.

After dinner they would retire to their section of the palace. As she created her fabric masterpieces, Phabel would help her with her education. It was just him talking to her in their own language, reciting place names, objects, peoples names, anything that would help her to assimilate with ease. She had been getting better, managing to converse with him for the majority of the evening. Phabel thought that it was easier on her because she was distracted by what she was doing, chatting to him was just a part of normal life. When her body would become to weary to continue with her creations, they would take a long relaxing soak in the bath tub. The pregnancy was creating havoc in her body, the baby was growing rapidly. To Phabel's delight, Olive had started eating a lot more too. She hadn't been a fussy eater previously but remnants of her old life still haunted her, she would eat but couldn't fit much in. But the growing child had a healthy appetite, causing Olive to double her intake. They were all waiting for her to explode with weight gain, expecting the child to suddenly grow. There would be no hiding a belly that looked like a ball was taped to her stomach. But she hadn't started to show too much, just a small swell that looked like a pot belly. Phabel wondered what her dress was like, wondering what it would look like when she walked down the aisle. Something dawned on Phabel as he looked at his father and uncle, wordlessly he rose to his feet and searched out Olive.

Phabel found her laying on the lounge in their quarters, her feet resting on several pillows. He could see that she was tired but he knew that this had to be dealt with tonight, there was no chance of doing it tomorrow.

'Could I ask a favour aui leabu?'

'Sure.'

'Come downstairs for a few moments.'

'Phabel I'm tired, is this really necessary?' she groaned.

'I am afraid it is. I remembered that I promised to find you someone to walk you down the aisle and I was so swept up with the paparazzi debacle that I forgot. However I have a solution for you my love.'

He led her to the east wing, grinning as he opened the door to the study. Eris and his younger brother Beltharo rose to their feet. Wearily Olive curtsied in her dressing gown, apologising for her state of undress.

'My fault, please sit with us for a moment.'

Olive didn't want to, she was feeling embarrassed at being in front of them in her nightwear. She felt flushed in the room, the fire was roaring creating an unbearable heat. It was a large room filled with walls of shelves filled with books, a dark rich coloured room that made it seem smaller than it was. Her bare feet padded over the warm stone floors, even they were hot. She tightened her silk robe to her body, trying to find some dignity in the situation. Olive wished she had changed first, not realising where Phabel was leading her. Phabel and Olive settled onto the leather chesterfield, a deep red that seemed to add to the darkness of the room.

'Your issue with not having someone to walk you down the aisle, problem solved.'

Phabel gestured to his uncle who was a little surprised. She had met Beltharo the day after arriving in Loach Issralk, Eris and Islana decided that a family get together to meet Olive was ideal. It was that day that she also met Lucian's grandmother, Eris's sister Althea. Olive found it thoroughly confusing, the fact that they hardly aged made it worse. She looked at Beltharo who shrugged with a smile.

'I'm good for it if that's what you want.'

'Ok.' she nodded 'I appreciate it, thank you.'

'Alright then.' Phabel grinned 'Back to where I found you before mother finds you. I don't need to be scolded for the thousandth time today.'

Beltharo chuckled as Phabel and Olive departed the room, Eris shook his head as he looked to the ceiling. Phabel returned to her to their bedroom, parting with just a kiss and a wish for much more.

**********************

Olive was standing by the window in her dress, a long flowing skirt that hid the tiny swell that had sprung out of nowhere almost overnight. The bodice was lace that sat high on her chest and hid the stone. It was a requirement that the stone not be visible, it was a tell tale sign that their relationship had progressed. Olive ran her hand over her stomach, feeling the soft material of the skirt. Already she could feel the baby moving, it thrilled her that the baby was doing well. Danika walked into the room with a broad grin, swishing the long dress around as she walked. It was a similar skirt to Olives, floaty and soft. The pale blue dress looked amazing on Danika.

'Ready?'

She took one last look out the window, to the view of the guests arriving. Olive took a deep breath and smiled, nodding at Danika. They had arrived at the church ahead of schedule to ready here rather than at the castle. It was a meeting room that had been set up for them, the staff were ready and waiting for any request. Not that Olive had any.

Her head became light and airy, her stomach was turning over, she felt like she was going to be sick. Olive began to panic, she couldn't be sick, her make up had been done, she was in her dress and she was about to walk out the door to get married. She had to look picture perfect not some bloated green creature that looked like she had been dragged from a swamp.

'Olive?' Danika frowned.

She watched as the colour drained from Olive's face. Instantly she hitched the dress and ran for the bathroom. Danika sighed with pure pain, feeling sorry for her. She was probably nervous and was suffering morning sickness. Quickly she stepped to the main door and gestured for Islana.

'What's the hold up?'

'Morning sickness.'

'It's two pm Danika, are you sure it's not nerves?'

'Well it's what we are going to tell if asked, right?'

'Absolutely.'

Danika moved to Olive, finding her pressed against the wall, tilted toward the sink. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore the smell. Even though it was washed away, the air was still heavy with it's odour. Olive had managed to not get a single drop on the dress and was carefully wiping her mouth.

'Don't worry about that.' Danika smiled sympathetically.

She pulled the strands of hair out of her face as passed a glass of water to her.

'Feel better?'

'No.' she groaned.

Danika helped her to stand upright, hearing the rattle of tea cups. One of the maids was pouring a cup of tea to help settle the sickness. Islana was already sitting on the lounge, waiting with the time tested relief for morning sickness.

'Settle down for a cup of tea and then you can chew on these.'

Olive shakily took the cup and sipped the tea, looking at the little brown squares on the plate beside the tea pot.

'I used them with both pregnancies, a wonderful little item to have with you in such an emergency. It's ginger, only it's been made for our world. You've got pregnancy hormones that are accelerated due to the short length of gestation. These will become your best friend in coming weeks.'

***************

Phabel paced the front of the church, looking at his watch. It was two pm and there wasn't a sign of movement at the back of the church. He was worried that there was something wrong. Phabel knew that they had arrived before them, he knew that they had been here for hours. Lucian had tried to tell him it was tradition for the bride to be a little late but Phabel wasn't listening. All he could see was that it was past two pm and Olive wasn't walking down the aisle.

'What is taking so long, she was here before us, right?'

'Yes Phabel, stop stressing.'

'As if you weren't like this.' Phabel snapped 'Please go and find out.'

'Sure.' Lucian said quietly.

He walked up the aisle trying to avoid the gaze of the curious guests who were also wondering what the problem was. Lucian found Olive, his lovely wife and his dear aunt who were sitting on the lounge drinking tea.

'I'm not sure if you ladies were aware of it, but there is actually a wedding that was scheduled to start ten minutes ago.'

'Incredibly funny.' Danika said dryly 'But Olive is suffering morning sickness and she is trying to quell the rising tide of vomit. If you want her to walk down the aisle puking her guts up then we can get going now if you like.'

'Morning sickness in the afternoon?'

'Pregnancies vary from woman to woman young man.' Islana interrupted 'She will be good in a few minutes when the remedies start working. Tell Phabel to calm down, everything is fine.'

Lucian walked back down the aisle with a smile, hoping to relieve Phabel's mind.

'Well?' he hissed quietly.

'Morning sickness.' he whispered in his ear.

Phabel narrowed his eyes at Lucian.

'But it's the afternoon.'

Lucian shrugged and resumed his position beside Phabel.

Five minutes later the music started and he thought his heart skipped a beat. He watched Danika walk down the aisle looking like it was her day all over again. The guests had stood from their seats, making it difficult for Phabel to see. Taking a step to the side he watched as his uncle brought Olive down the aisle. He thought she looked like an angel, the gown floated around her thin frame. Phabel noted with a small annoyance that her stomach was covered by the flowers, he knew that was his mothers doing. But he wasn't going to dwell on it, all he wanted to think about was Olive. She stopped in front of him, smiling softly as she always did. Even though she was suffering, she still smiled. He returned the smile, tuning out the priest and his words. It seemed to blur past them, too wrapped up in each other to listen to the man's words of love, fidelity and a lifetime together. Phabel didn't know if he repeated the words correctly, he couldn't even say if his voice had worked. When Olive's turn came, he could see her lips moving, he could see the little curl in the corner of her lips but it was a blur. They held hands during the service, as he looked down he could see the curve of her stomach which made him smile. He didn't care about tradition, he loved that she was pregnant.

The priest cleared his throat, nodding his head gently towards Olive. Phabel frowned at him as he tilted his head to one side.

'Kiss her.' he whispered.

He turned back to Olive who was grinning at him, figuring he hadn't heard much. She knew there would be no way he would knowingly pass up an opportunity to kiss her.

'Forgive me aui leabu.' he whispered as he lifted the veil 'It appears that this old man missed most of the ceremony, too busy staring at the beautiful woman in front of him.'

Olive giggled and wrapped her arms around him, sweetly kissing him. Their lips brushed over each others as the kiss ended, wanting to escalate it but knowing it had to be chaste.

'All is forgiven, smooth talker.'

Phabel wrapped his arm around her waist feeling the soft lace, the fingers of his other hand traced over her face.

'Intoxicating.' he whispered and softly kissed her again. 'Enthralling.'

Olive thought that her heart was going to stop beating as his soft breath whispered over her lips.

'Captivating.'

Again his lips traced over hers, he could hear the soft strain of a moan come from within her, her eyes fluttered.

'To hell with the rules.'

He pressed against her, kissing her passionately. His embrace tightened against her waif frame. Olive whimpered at the intensity, wrapping her arms around his neck firmly, urging him further into the kiss. She grinned when she heard Lucian mutter to get a room.

'Oh I plan to.' Phabel grinned darkly.