Love Knows No Bounds

[Esther]

Marcus was looking at old wedding photos of himself and his wife, Lyra. They were so happy together, especially when they finally kissed! Lyra had looked beautiful in her wedding gown! Marcus let out a happy sigh as he remembered the day they were married. He had loved Lyra so much and was happy to be with her for the rest of his life!

Lyra walked into the room, smiling as she saw her husband looking at the photos.

[Ikuar]

Lyra had been through a lot. She was a former archer and had lost her eye in battle. About three months later she became engaged to Markus. They were happily married as of...five months ago.

"Marcus..." She smiled warmly, keeping her bandage covering her missing eye and cheek.

[Esther]

Marcus snapped out of memories and smiled as he saw his wife. "Hello, Lyra," he said happily, "I was just thinking about our wedding day."

"I know," Lyra chuckled, "I had a feeling you were when I came into the room." She sat down next to him, looking at the photos.

[Ikuar]

"Yeah, that was a special day wasn't it?" She ventured with a little bit of a giggle. She soon felt Marcus kissing her cheek, which was under the white bandage.

"Yes, so special I won't forget it."

[Esther]

"You look beautiful no matter what," Marcus said, nuzzling his wife's nose, "Even though you had one eye, I still love you."

"Thanks," Lyra said, cuddling him, "To tell you the truth, I thought having a battle scar would attract some guys. I guess I was right!" She chuckled as she lightly touched his nose.

"Well, you do look good in a half-mask," Marcus said, tracing her bandaged cheek, "It even goes well with your wedding gown!"

[Ikuar]

Lyra giggled, "Aw! I thought it would be a nice accessory!" She pulled him onto the couch and proceeded to rub her cheek against his, her left cheek was under the bandage but the other wasn't.

"You smell nice."

"Oh stop it!" She laughed.

[Esther]

"It's true!" Marcus said with a laugh, "You're obviously wearing some perfume! Lilac, isn't it?"

"You hit the nail on the head," Lyra said, grinning, "I thought I'd try this perfume to see how you'd react."

[Ikuar]

Tiny Adjustment

Lyra looked away from the mirror after putting her bandage on. The sun was just coming up over the hills and she couldn't help but smile. It was a new day and a new thought and a new life growing inside of her.

Everything was new. She stared out the window for a long time before she went to the small kitchen.

[Esther]

Marcus was humming to himself as he built the fire in the stove to cook breakfast. He heard his wife come into kitchen and turned to smile at her. "Good morning," he said, closing the little door to keep the heat in, "I see you're looking well."

"I sure am!" Lyra said as she took a seat, "And our little one is doing fine too!" She was slowly adjusting to having a living being growing inside her, but she was doing fine so far.

[Ikuar]

Lyra sighed as she thought more about it, her hands laid gently in her lap, "Were you scared when I told you, Marcus?"

"Scared?"

[Esther]

"You know, the fear of the unknown," Lyra said, looking at him with her good eye, "We're practically new at the whole parenting thing."

"A little," Marcus answered, "But mostly I was thinking about how much our lives will change." He took her hand, feeling how rough yet soft they were. "But we'll tackle this head on," he said, "Just as we did when we were newlyweds!"

[Ikuar]

"N-Newly weds? Marcus it's a little more serious being parents. Imagine, a tiny life to look after!" She exclaimed, "We can't be careless with the baby as we are with each other at times!"

Marcus's face paled, "You're right!"

[Esther]

"We'll have to prepare for the baby!" Lyra shouted, grabbing Marcus by the shirtfront, "We need a cradle, some cloth diapers, some toys, baby clothes, and a blanket!"

"Calm down!" he cried, "We should take things one at a time!"

"You're right," Lyra said, letting go, "We ought to take things slow. First, we need to learn how to be good parents!"

[Ikuar]

"No, first we need to focus on your health, your health effects the baby so take care of yourself!" Marcus announced, "Health first!"

Lyra stared at him, "Yes. Health."

[Esther]

"First of all," Marcus said, kissing her, "We need you to calm down, stress isn't good for the baby."

"Alright," Lyra said, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself.

[Ikuar]

But before she could calm herself completely a nasty bout of pain and nausea overwhelmed her body. She got up and ran for the door and vomited in the grass outside the house.

[Esther]

After she violently emptied her stomach, Lyra staggered into their house. "I'm not so sure what to think about this," she mumbled, plopping down on her chair, "Even though I'm big on keeping fit, I'm feeling a little shaky."

Marcus sighed, feeling like he was about to face a difficult trial.

[Ikuar]

In all reality she was emotionally stirred. One minute she was an active fighter and the next she was carrying a fragile life within herself.

Sometimes she was eager and other times she felt afraid.

[Esther]

Marcus was getting a little exasperated with his wife's mood swings. He didn't know how much longer he could take this. The days passed, with Lyra being so sick she stayed inside.

Then one day, it all came into a head.

Marcus was sitting at his chair, reading, when Lyra came in. "I feel so shaky," she said, sitting down at her chair next to him, "I don't know if I'll ever get used to this."

"Of course you will!" Marcus replied, "It's just two months and you're barely showing!"

[Ikuar]

"I know, I just feel scared. This is the critical age of our baby and...I don't want to hurt it!" Lyra cried.

Marcus proceeded to wrap his arms around her.

"CAREFUL! The baby, she's in there!"

[Esther]

"What, I can't even hold you anymore?" Marcus whined, backing away, "What is up with you? You're not even fragile!"

"I know!" Lyra snapped, "But the baby is. Do you even know how many babies were lost before they were even born?!"

[Ikuar]

Marcus frowned, "I've not known that..."

"A lot!" She confirmed, "I..."

"I want to hold you but you are being nervous. Just breathe, it's okay!"

[Esther]

"You can just cuddle on my arm," Lyra suggested, "It's nowhere near the baby."

"I could, but it's not the same as hugging on you!" Marcus pouted, crossing his arms.

"Why do you want to hug on me so badly? I am not going to let you crush our baby!"

[Ikuar]

Lyra sat in silence with tears in her eyes for a long time and then out of the blue she kissed Marcus firmly on the lips.

"I'm sorry, I'm being so stiff! It's not like me at all!"

[Esther]

"And I'm sorry I was whiny," Marcus replied, holding her hands, "Would you forgive me?"

"Of course I will, silly!" Lyra said as she kissed his lips again, "And I would even let you hug me as long as you're gentle."

"I can live with that," Marcus said as he let go of his wife's hands and wrapped his arms carefully around her waist.

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