so why'd you have to rain on my parade?

       

I'm shaking my head. I'm locking the gates.

The instant the pregnant young woman stepped into the arms of her boyfriend, she could feel the relief settle over her like a warm blanket. That anxiety drifted out of her shoulders, her daughter settled within her, and the girl let out an audible, pleased sigh. In that moment, she focused very little on the brothers and the way that Kit might have been worried about Troy's safety around his fiancé. After all, Samantha knew very well that Troy was capable, and doubted that he would have put himself in harms way, even for love. But that relief was quickly snatched from her the moment that the boys started to discuss Troy's need to investigate the last known location that Kit had been held. Her body tensed at that command that neither of them would go back to that dreadful place, especially not her Kit. The idea of something happening to him... God, she didn't know if she could bear it.

"I didn't know that," Samantha said, turning slightly within Kit's arms so her back was against his chest, his arms wrapped around her from behind. At least now she could look at his troublesome brother full on. "Any of it. And it's different to work for the Council and take care of assigned cases, Troy. Going out and looking for trouble is a completely different story." Though her words were serious, she couldn't help the small smile that crept its way onto her features. "But, I do know you, Troy, and I know that looking for trouble is perhaps one of your favorite activities. I seem to remember being terrified when you took me flying." Sure, that night had ended up being a favorite memory for the young fae, and yet she couldn't deny that at the time, she had been scared to be seen, or worse, scared he'd drop her to her death.

That small pet name that was bestowed upon her made her swoon, that desire to push Troy right out the door nearly overwhelming. There might have been a time when this scared her, that this all seemed too fast, and yet right now all she could do was smile. Later, she promised herself. Later, she would return those words to him. Instead, Samantha was happy to switch the topic to that of food. At the very least, she could feed the boys around her, no? That insistence that she was more than willing to cook for them quickly being replaced by a desire for the Chinese food that she craved so desperately. "I wasn't addicted," Samantha protested with a laugh as they all settled once more on the couch, Samantha happily close to Kit as they chatted. "I worked, and I certainly didn't trust Dorian with using a stove when he was still struggling to figure out water pressure." She smiled gently, those fond memories of times long past filling her with joy in a way that they hadn't at the time. She'd thought she'd had happiness then, and it seemed so different than what she had now. Still, there would always be a part of her that longed for that time spent with Dorian then. It was different now, she was sure. She was growing a child and he was running an entire country.

Samantha quickly slipped her phone to Troy, wasting no time in turning her full attention to Kit. That mention of something she needed to tell him broken by his nose brushing against hers, a girlish giggle escaping her lips as she smiled brightly. How she wanted to get lost in kissing him, and yet instead she plunged on, informing him of the news of their child... their daughter. The joy that escaped him was visible to the empath, and nearly intoxicating. For a moment, Samantha paused to take in that feeling, relishing in just how happy he was to be near her. How long had she longed for this very thing? "I'm almost positive. I... I feel her. It's like breathing." Samantha took his hand, lightly placing it on her stomach, unsure if he'd be able to feel that slight movement that stirred within her.

At the mention of a name, Samantha glanced up. "I haven't picked out anything, not really. I like Sadie. And Brinley... And Ariella, maybe? I..." Samantha gave a sheepish shrug. "I never thought I'd have kids, not really. But I'd love to have a name to call her."

this is why we can't have nice things

       

Samantha Cassidy