regency au } { of oncoming arrivals and expanding families

[impetere]

Stiles: [so after a long and sweaty afternoon with the knights practicing his swordplay, he returns to his room a sweaty and sore mess. He asks for a bath to be drawn for him, and he will go to rub his shoulder as he waits in the parlor.]

Cora: [she knows she should tell him but she doesn't want it to be somewhere public. She's always preferred her privacy and she's still uncertain how she feels about the news herself. It is a good thing, of that there is no doubt. but she thought they would have more time before hand. She should have known better] Stiles?

Stiles: [lifts his head and smiles at Cora] Yes, my love?

Cora: Can I speak with you? In private?

Stiles: Sure. I am just having a bath drawn. Would you care to join me? [because that will totally be private]

Cora: [a flush colors her cheeks and she looks away for a moment, before shaking her head. She doesn't want to be distracted and at this point, he's become well versed in all the ways to distract her] It can wait until after. I wouldn't want the water to get cold.

Stiles: You can sit with me as I bathe.

Cora: [she swallows before nodding. fine. that will hopefully be an appropriate compromise]

Stiles: [and look, the tub is ready. He will stand, still rubbing his shoulder as he motions for Cora to enter their bedchambers first]

Cora: [and she will do so, pulling over the chair from her vanity so that she can sit with him]

Stiles: [and he will lower himself into the bath after getting undressed, letting out a low groan as he feels the heat sinking into his muscles] Much better.

Cora: Did they work you hard today?

Stiles: Yes, and my sword arm has gotten weak it seems from too much play and not enough work.

Cora: I'm sure you'll be back into shape soon.

Stiles: I think your brother will make it his mission to do that.

Cora: Then it will get easier with time.

Stiles: Yes, it will. [and he will relax into the water] So what was it you wished to speak in private of?

Cora: [and there's an uncomfortable pause as she tries to work her mouth around the words and in the end she simply comes out with it] I'm pregnant.

Stiles: [his eyes open and he sits up] Wait... you're what?

Cora: [she nods, trying to get a read on if that is good surprise or bad surprise] Deaton confirmed it this morning.

Stiles: [is the smile on his face isn't easy for her to read...] That was a bit faster than I expected.

Cora: [smile is good! she nods and her head ducks down a bit] A bit faster than I expected as well.

Stiles: It seems we did too good of a job on our honeymoon.

Cora: Apparently. [she swallows] I know that we will have to tell them eventually, but I am not sure I am ready to tell my family quite yet. [she's still adjusting to the news and what it means for her herself, and while she knows her family would be happy for her, she's not sure she's ready to receive it] By Dr. Deaton's estimations we still have a few weeks before it becomes ... obvious.

Stiles: Of course. We will handle this however you wish. And even if I write my uncle and father, they won't get the letter for a while.

Cora: [she nods] That is fine. Mostly because I won't have to deal with their congratulations in person. [it's the in person ones that she's worried about] And until the heartbeat begins it likely won't draw the attention of my family. [she hopes]

Stiles: [there's something about the 'in person' that makes him sit up again, concerned] You don't want your family to make a big deal of this, do you?

Cora: [she frowns, before nodding] I don't ... I'm not sure how I feel about it, yet. And while they will be happy for us, I'm sure ... I want to be happy with them.

Stiles: [yeah, that is going to get him to stand up, wrapping the towel around his waist and kneeling down in front of her] Tell me what is going on in your head.

Cora: [she watches him as he moves and her chest clenches because it's too fast. It's too much. She's just starting to get used to being his wife and now she has to be a mother too] I don't know if I'm ready.

Stiles: I don't know if I am either, love. [he took her hands] And I will say that I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't scared. But sometimes we can't predict what God asks of us.

Cora: I know. [she takes a deep breath as she tries to stay calm] I would just like some time to adjust to it before we tell everyone else. Please.

Stiles: Whatever you wish, Cora. I am more than happy to provide.

Cora: [she nods and gives his hands a small squeeze] Thank you.

Stiles: [he leans up to kiss her gently]

Cora: [kisses him back, one hand coming to rest against his face]

Stiles: We will tell people when you are ready. Because I want you to be happy about this.

Cora: I do too. I'm just ... not there yet.

Stiles: We will get there, in time.

Cora: [she nods, and smiles softly] But you are happy?

Stiles: Yes. And scared. And worried. But happy.

Cora: [she nods again] Good. That's all I want.

Stiles: And I want you to be happy too.

Cora: I am. I think.

Stiles: Good. [and he will pull her into another kiss]

Cora: [she kisses him back, letting him pull her closer as she tries to take the chance to sink into the distraction now]

Stiles: [he's still a wet, naked except for a towel husband, but he will happily take her into his arms and lean against the tub to kiss her]

Cora: [and she's still fully clothed but she doesn't really care. she's come to take a lot of comfort in this and she needs it now]

Stiles: [and he will give it to her, and when they are done kissing he will just hold her, his hands gently petting her arms until finally he sneezes]

Cora: [she laughs softly, before shaking her head] We should get you back into clothes before you get sick.

Stiles: [laughs and rubs at his nose] Yes, that is probably a good idea

Cora: [she shifts to get to her feet before reaching for his hands to help him up]

Stiles: [and he will let her help him stand up, his hand going to hold onto the towel so it wouldn't drop]

Cora: I will get you a robe.

Stiles: Thank you. [and he will grab a second towel to rub at his hair]

Cora: [and she will retreat back into her room and return with a comfortable robe for him]

Stiles: [slips it on, tying it around his waist] Much better.

Cora: Good. I'm sorry I interrupted your bath.

Stiles: That was worth the interruption. Though I think I will have a nap now.

Cora: If you don't mind, I may join you.

Stiles: I don't mind at all. [and he will take her hand and lead her over to the bed]

Cora: [and they will curl up for a cozy little nap]

Stiles: [yes, because she is very warm and he is naked so yes, warm wife]

Cora: [and he is very comfy so it doesn't take her long to nod off either]

Stiles: [and they totally sleep until dinner]

Cora: [yep. and Cora will avoid making eye contact and try not to draw attention to herself at dinner which I'm sure will go over well]

Derek: [yeah, totally not going to go over at all, but he will be silent at the table, and just corner her later]

Cora: [:| Derek. But she will be in the library after dinner if he wants to try and poke at her]

Derek: [he will. because he totally was going to the library anyway, right?]

Cora: [mmmm-hmmm which is why she won't think anything of it, browsing through the books for something she hasn't read, trying to lose herself in someone else's thoughts for a while]

Derek: [yup] You doing okay, little sister?

Cora: [she glances back over to him, confused for a moment before nodding] Fine. Why?

Derek: You seemed quiet at dinner [he went to go get a book himself]

Cora: [she gives a small shrug] I had nothing to talk about.

Derek: You also haven't been looking well the last few days.

Cora: [her brow furrows] I'm fine, Derek.

Derek: Okay. I just worry about you, that's all.

Cora: Why are you worried about me?

Derek: You're going through changes. Things are different, and I just want to make sure you're okay.

Cora: I'm okay. Really. [she nods once and she turns back to her books again] The changes are good ones.

Derek: Okay. But if you need someone to talk to, you know I'm here.

Cora: I know. [her hand wanders to her stomach without really thinking about it, her eyes focused on the books] There's nothing to talk about.

Derek: [come on, Cora, you know your brother better than that. You know he will also keep your secrets though] Stomach hurting?

Cora: [she glances back at him, confused, before glancing down] No. Nothing like that.

Derek: Okay. [and he will focus on the books a moment]

Cora: [and she will find something that suits her fancy and pull away] I'm going to return to my room for the night. If there's nothing else?

Derek: Nothing, but just remember if you need someone to talk to and keep a secret with who isn't your husband or your alpha... I have always been good at keeping my secrets even from Peter.

Cora: I know. There is no secret to keep. [and with that, she will go to bed]

Derek: [and he won't push. But he will be worried for all the wrong reasons]

Elena: [and she will make faces at him when he comes back all worried] I can hear you thinking.

Derek: When did you develop wolf hearing? [smiles]

Elena: [smirks] Call them wife instincts. [sets a sleeping Miranda down in her crib turning to face him again]

Derek: I'm just worried about Cora.

Elena: Is everything alright?

Derek: So she says. It just feels off.

Elena: Maybe it's something she isn't ready to talk about yet.

Derek: Well, I told her that if she wanted to talk, she knows I will keep her secret. So I will try and wait.

Elena: [she nods as she makes her way closer] I'm sure she is fine, Derek. She seemed happy on her return.

Derek: Stiles will be a good husband to her. We've always known that.

Elena: So relax. Let her come to you in her own time.

Derek: I'll try. I'm just... worried.

Elena: What is she doing that is worrying you?

Derek: Just looking ill. Not eating like she normally does. She seemed distant today at meals...

Elena: [her brow furrows for a moment] How long ago was the wedding? Three months?

Derek: About that, yes.

Elena: [she considers for a moment] Three months is around when I started feeling ill when I was pregnant with Miranda.

Derek: [thinks] That would be very quick after their marriage.

Elena: It was quick after ours.

Derek: True. But I had thought they were going to wait since they are young.

Elena: [she gives a small shrug] Unless they ... elected not to consummate, I'm not sure that is something they can avoid.

Derek: But why would she keep that a secret then?

Elena: You said it yourself, she is young. She probably doesn't know how she feels yet and your family can be a bit ... overwhelming when it comes to good news.

Derek: [sighs, going to sit down] Yes, we didn't have good news for a long time, we do tend to grasp it tightly when we have it.

Elena: [smiles as she goes to sit with him] It's not a bad thing. But Cora has always struck me as rather private. It's alright for her to take her time with something like this.

Derek: [leans into his wife] I know. I'm just used to being there for her.

Elena: I know. But now she needs to learn to lean on her husband. Give her a little time, and I'm sure things will be fine.

Derek: [nods] Okay.

Elena: [smiles softly] And for now, you should stay with me, and focus on your wife for a little while. [because she loves her some husband time]

Derek: [smiles and looks at her] I think I can do that. How does my wife wish to spend time with me?

Elena: [she hums softly as though she is considering, before leaning in to kiss him]

Derek: [smiles as he goes to cup her cheek and kiss her back]

Elena: [And they will probably get caught up in the kissing and start practicing (or potentially making) baby #2?]

Derek: [totally practicing]

Elena: [and when they finish she will curl up with him, letting her head rest against his chest] Mmmm. That was a much better use of time.

Derek: I agree. You're welcome to pull me aside and do that any time you think I'm over worrying.

Elena: [she laughs before nodding] I will be sure to do so.

Derek: Good. Though we will end up having to worry about another baby ourselves, if we keep it up.

Elena: [sighs softly as she nods] That is true. Though Miranda is almost a year old.

Derek: True. Perhaps next time we will have a boy.

Elena: Maybe. I would hate for you to be so unlucky to have all daughters.

Derek: Parrish, Stiles and I would be outnumbered.

Elena: At least you would have some solidarity.

Derek: That is true. [and his fingers wander under the sheets]

Elena: [and she giggles as his fingers tickle her sides] So are we starting already?

Derek: Perhaps. Do you want another child?

Elena: [she considers, before shrugging] I wouldn't mind having many children.

Derek: When you say many...

Elena: [she shrugs again] However you want to define many, I suppose.

Derek: We're going to need our own castle. [teasing grin]

Elena: [she laughs] Perhaps we will. But I have always wanted a large family, should my health allow it.

Derek: I will be sure to give you that if that is your wish. [and he will kiss her as his hand goes to tease her a bit lower]

Elena: [she moans softly into the kiss at the touch, her fingers moving to his shoulders to pull him closer]

Derek: [and they will totally go into round two]

Elena: [mmmm-hmmm. which she enjoys because it's one of the few times she gets her husband all to herself]

Derek: [it's what happens when you marry a head knight and an alpha's second]

Elena: [yes, it does, but she will enjoy this now]

Derek: [as will he]

Elena: [and when they're finished, she keeps him close, brushing a hand against the side of his face gently] I love you.

Derek: I love you too, Elena.

Elena: [sighs] But now, I think we should try and get some sleep before Miranda decides she's done sleeping.

Derek: Yes, and we actually need the sleep.

Elena: [she nods before curling into him] Goodnight.

Derek: [wraps his arms gently around her and will just kiss her forehead before going to bed as well]