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"The getting ry part was not part ofout to undo andhelp re disrobed

"Oh, that" He shrugged slightly as he stepped out of the stockings, then straightened, his linen shirt dropping down to cover hisbody’s reaction

"Aye, that" Valoreesaid, tuggingat his shirt, urging hily before her, she captured his face in her handsand pressed asweet kiss to his lips

"Aye, that,the kiss before he could deepen it "Thank you for recognizingme to overcome it"

"Fear is not weakness, Valoree, "he responded"Only afool does not feelfear"

"Then thank you for beingers slippedfrom hisface tofall to his shoulders, and Daniel claspedher face in his er hands

"Today and always, Valoree Whether dead or alive I love you"

Her eyes filled with tears athisgentle proclamation, and she tried to turn herface away

"Nay, donot try to hide fro her face fir the first tear that slidfrom one eye with the tip of his thus from me Not your fear, not your pain, and not your love"

She went stillat thelast word, and he sighed and lowered his own head "You give er, your laughterYour love isfreer andmore impassioned than that ofany wouilt swampher at those wordsShe had known for some time that sheloved Daniel, buttheopportunity to say so hadneverreallyco? The truth was that she had been afraid to saythose words Sos sheht lose this man as she had lost her mother, her father and herbrother Until today, she hadnever feared dying or being injured; she had feared living She had fearedcaring and losing those she cared forIt wastiiveDaniel what he so freely gave her

Love

She opened hermouth todojust that, then paused to bite her lipin pain Herstomach had suddenlycrah today, but it did seeher stomach sincethe Bastardo had beenspottedOf course, that distraction ht have otthe pain briefly as Daniel raised his head and caught the expression on her face She knew at once he was ht she was unsettledby the thought of voicing herlove for hiht at his shirt, determinedtotellhim what heneeded tohear Hisexpression turned hopeful asshe opened her h-oh, " asshe was struck by another cra froout with the pain

"Well, good Lord, "Daniel said snippily"There’s no need to looksopained atthe idea"He tried topull away "Ia isall right"

"Nay, " Valoree gasped, refusing to let hi impatience, she felt her own snap Suddenly she was furious athi thanks to his child, and at the fact that he sorasped the situation "I - oh!"

"Do not trouble yourselfoverto disengage herfroed to makeValoree morefurious "Daniel!"

she snapped asthelabor pain finally eased

"What? " he snapped back, though they were noseto nose

Valoreeglaredat himbriefly, then snarled, "Oh, forheaven’s sake!I love you Allright? I love you! Are you happy? "

He stopped trying to removeher hands "What? "

"What? " she repeatedwitha shriek as another spasm came