Path of the Hunters [PART 2]

She sighed quietly, stroking his back. This had gone much better than she'd anticipated... As she drifted off, she could only hope that things went as well for her later.

*

Aurélie awoke slowly, reaching over to locate Nova, but the sheets were cool. He'd let her sleep again, she mused, wishing he wouldn't. She was well into her third trimester, but she wasn't an invalid. She tried to get up, but quickly discovered that, as usual, she couldn't without some difficulty.

Finally managing it, she glared at her large belly. "Démon," she murmured, yawning. After getting dressed, she headed towards the kitchen, though her walk seemed more like a waddle at this point.

The dog stopped at the doorway, smiling. "Crescent. Salut."

Crescent looked up at the dog, smiling at her. "Salut, Aurélie." She blew into her hands, rubbing them together to warm them up. "Winds are bitter this Valentine's Day."

"Mm... I 'aven't been out yet." She rubbed her belly in idle circles, gazing out the window. "The snow never stays for so long in France."

"It never comes as rapidly, either. Three storms in the past two weeks, and another one is on the way within days..." She shuddered. "It seems almost unnatural."

"Oui." But she would just have to get used to it; they both would. Chances of spending another winter in France were very slim...

She sighed. "Well, there is not much we can do about it, now. So, 'ow about some breakfast? It is almost ready." She turned back to the sizzling pans in front of her.

"That would be wonderful. 'Ave you been 'ere a while?" she mused. "You could 'ave woken me up."

"Désolé. But Nova asked me not to, this time. 'E seems very concerned for you, as of late, with you being so close. Rushed out early to run some errands."

"It doesn't mean I need to sleep the day away." She stretched, then poked her belly. "Arrêtes. Settle down."

She smiled, scraping the contents of one of the pans onto a plate. "So, how's the baby doing?"

"Mobile." She rubbed her belly. "The little démon would not stop moving until late and now is at it again."

"At least you know 'e is 'ealthy... Or, is it a she? I never was told the gender."

The dog shrugged. "I 'ave not asked that myself." She sank into a chair, sighing.

"Wanted to keep it a mystery, non?" She set the plate in front of Aurélie, along with some silverware.

"Oui. It makes it interesting." She took a bite, smiling. "Merci."

She smiled. "I never thought I would 'ave such a talent for cooking. I find it relaxing, all the same."

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