Exton

Raina has calmed down and we're discussing how to break the news to Star when suddenly - dammit! - Rowan is just there, tapping me on the shoulder.

"Star would like to speak with you in private, up on the widow's walk." She gives me a conspiratorial grin. "And you can quit worrying. She knows."

I let out a deep breath and Raina giggles. "Way to go, big brother. Better get up there before you get in more trouble."

"I think you may be right." I turn to the healer. "Thank you, Rowan. The widow's walk, you say?"

She nods and I make my way up the stairs to the place Star and I first met….


She's just standing there when I arrive, looking out over the edge, hands clasped on the railing, looking very small and frail and alone. She's lost in thought - so much so that she doesn't see me till I'm practically on top of her.

When she does -

She slams into me like she's been shot out of a cannon. Her eyes are wet with tears, she's hugging me with a strength way out of proportion to her tiny frame and making an extraordinary noise, somewhere between laughing and crying.

I can't make out what she's saying, the words are all running together. "Whoa, love, slow down." She stops and hitches in a deep breath and lets it out in a rush. "Ericwe'regoingtohaveababy."

I say nothing, just hug her close, feeling her heart pounding against mine and wonder what I ever did to deserve her….