C A chance at happiness

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When the Duke left Carsen breathed a sigh of relief, but not of relief. His heart was beating so fast, and he was sweating even more. He placed his hands on his stomach, still thinking if this was the life he wanted for sure. After all, there was no love in this marriage, and they treated each other more like acquaintances.... Right?

Feeling a surge of energy, he stood up and slowly started walking towards the hallway. That's where he ran into Louise. The service worked late into the evening. He sent her a weak smile. "Could you... Can you get me some warm milk and a compress? Just for hospitality. I'll sleep there from tonight," he explained quietly, and then also waited for his husband to allow him to enter his new bedroom.

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Louise was running with some clean sheets she stopped as the Dutchess asked for her service "of course Sir. Iw as just taking these to the Duke who asked for clean sheets for one of the spare rooms." she said "I'll go get these places and then go get your milk if thats okay" she said.

The room was prepared and warmed in minutes and Fabian came to aid his wife to her new quarters. "careful" he said guiding his steps in the dark as he still held a candle to light the way. The rooms wer as nice and comfortable as the ones they shared but a bit smaller as it was not the master bedroom.
"I hope you'll be comfortable" Fabian said shyly "have a good night" he said and left quickly as he was hurting too much.

He closed and locked the doors of the master bedroom and curled below the bed covers having that painful ache in his heart that only became worst as his eyes laid on the crib.

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Carsen sat on his new bed, feeling even more alone than usual. He was torn emotionally. On the one hand, his husband's presence was made strange by the way their marriage looked, but he was always, every night beside him. He felt very foolish.

He shed a few tears, but hearing Louise's footsteps he wiped away the unwanted tears. " Thank you, Louise... You can go now." he said kindly, and then took a sip of warm milk. It warmed his body nicely. The compress also gave him relief on his forehead. "Louise..." he said before she left "Give my husband a glass of milk too. Maybe he'll feel like it," he said.

Although he had behaved badly towards Fabian, he knew that the Duke was a good man and deserved his respect. That's why he wanted to do at least that much good today. It would be best if he also found someone on the side. Maybe his heart wouldn't be tormented by the guilt of hurting him.

[moony]

Louise brought the warm glass of milk and set it in the small bedside table. She was a bit nervous wondering what had happened between the Duke and Duchess.

"I'll try to give it to him Sir, but his chambers were locked as I came here" she said not wanting to get in trouble for not being able to comply with his orders. "don't you need anything else sir?" she asked as she stood in the doorway.

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"Call the doctor in the morning... I feel weak. I think I have a cold," he said to the maid, and then he drank a few more sips of milk and slipped carefully under the bedclothes. He placed his hands on his stomach, which he began stroking. He began to speak to his belly with tenderness in his voice. "Mom's a little sad honey, but I'll be fine. You're a huge surprise to me. I love you very much. Whether you're a boy or a girl... I'm sorry if I make you feel sad too. Please forgive me..."

[moony]

The child within kicked around at the sound of the known voice. The soft skin stretching around the small feet.

The night only became darker and Fabian gave up any hopes of sleeping that night. He want out to the trrrace of the master bedroom and smoked a pipe to let out the anxiousness that was eating him inside.
He felt like an utter fool. He had married out of duty and with this silly hope he would finally find companionship as he had none of that. Neither in his marriage or in society.
He was too shy to make real acquaintances.

The smoke gave him a false sense of relaxation even if he didn't really took to tobacco often. Only when he was really feeling unwell.
He wanted to get closer to his wife and be a father to the child they were waiting to be born, but he didn't knew how to do it. Today had went horribly wrong.
He could only continue to try harder yet he was scared that in trying like to he did tonight it would ruin things more.

When morning came Fabian had left the house and gone to the florist. He asked for every bucket of flowers avaibkeoto be sent to his home and once they arrived he asked the servants to fill Carsen's room with them.

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Carsen was awakened by the noises. The servants were just arranging vases full of flowers. The heavyweight thought it was some kind of joke. But it was true. He began sniffing each bouquet in turn, standing in the same sexy nightgown. He finally looked at Louise, who had stayed in the room with him.

"That's my husband, isn't it?" he asked, and then began a greater pang of conscience. A cramp hit him at the same moment, and he gripped the dresser tighter, gasping hard. The child was playing with him. The little one's already in the belly. But Carsen was not smiling at that moment. He looked at the servant girl. "Did you call to doctor? He has to come. Everything hurts... If this keeps up, I'm not going to get out of bed at all," he sighed, and then crawled over to the bed where he sat massaging his stomach.

He wondered if Fabian had received warm milk yesterday, but he didn't ask about it. He stroked the lump, feeling the baby move actively inside him. He looked at him with a small smile. He wishes his husband could feel it too. Then a tentative idea popped into his head. His cheeks flushed slightly pink. He started looking in the drawers. Finally, he took out a pen and a piece of paper. When he finished writing he handed a short notice to the girl.

"Send this telegram to my husband... Just urgently!" he said, and then lay down again, but this time smelling the flowers. He smiled sincerely for the first time in a long time. He hadn't expected such a surprise... So he wanted the Duke to be here and maybe spend some time with him? Unless he has more important things on his mind

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Louise was watching in silence from the entrance of the room. She hadn't seen something like it before "they are Sir. They say he went very early and bought all the flowers in town for you" she said excited with a glint in her eyes "some are saying carts with flowers from over villages will come later" she said and then looked more solemn at the question of the healer "Yes ma'am. I mean sir, I told Mr. Riley to send for the healer for you a coach was sent to fetch him for you." she said

She then came to get the paper and ran off to give it to the Duke.


Fabian received the paper and a few moments later, he was knocking gently on Carsen's door." The paper said to come urgently, are you okay? "he asked staying by the door not wanting to infrude or be forceful" may I come in?"

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"Come in..." he asked, and then sat down, being careful of his stomach. He stroked it gently, and when his husband came closer his cheeks blushed more. Fabian did it all for him until he was ashamed. Tentatively, he grabbed him by the cuff of his shirt and looked into his eyes. "I wanted to thank you for the flowers... They're lovely and... Would you like to sit here with me? At least until the doctor arrives. I feel weak," he explained quickly, and then looked at him expectantly. His body instinctively opened his legs more, showing more flesh. His legs and stomach still looked perfect in that nightgown.

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"I'm glad you liked them. I'm sorry about last night." he said softly sitting in bed with him "do know... I harbor feelings and it wasn't just physical" he said blushing deeply "I want to know you better" he said and looked down to not embarrass Carsen, he had noticed his wife didn't liked it when he stared.

He raises his eyes as he mentioned a doctor and feeling weak. He was pale thinking he harmed his wife and child last night but kept quiet about it. He silently took his hand and kissed the knuckles wishing both mother and child would be okay "it will be fine, I'll take care of you both as I should have before but didn't cause I was to shy. Can you forgive me for that?"

He liked the new gown but he was sure it was not the time to comment on it.

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Carsen seemed very infatuated with his husband. His soft tone and soothing gestures. He blamed himself more and more for what he did yesterday. He gently rested his head on his shoulder, feeling that he had wanted to do this for a long time. He began to play with his fingers. Tears stream down his cheeks.

"Sorry about yesterday... I panicked before the interview. I'm still childish, not like you. I too would like to know you better Fabian..." he said and then looked at him sadly for his faults and sins. He wanted him to forgive him now. And he was around him more and more. He wanted their marriage to be successful and happy. He quickly wiped the tears from his cheeks. " It's not your fault... I've been in pain for a few days now. And after yesterday..." he muttered blushing. He gently covered her legs with the bedding. Their sex last night was intense and the best they'd had so far. He squeezed his hand gently, recalling excerpts from last night

[moony]

"it's fine, we are both leaning right? I don't think you childish, I know you've tried your best thus year and half" he said and smiled and cleaned Carsen's tears from his cheeks.
"I wish for more nights like last night. Were we can feel free to talk like we are doing now to. And we feel... Free? I enjoyed doing what I like with you" he said blushing just as the healer entered the room as he was guided by Louise.

The healer was surprised to find the father in the room. Usually it was just the woman or lad he came to see.

"Duke, sir" he said making a small bow "I was called for..."


"For my wife. He's feeling a bit weak. Please take good care of him" Fabian said standing up unsure of to stay or leave. "Do you want me to stay?" he asked his wife directly. As the healer set his medical bag in the small table.

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Carsen wanted to answer his husband, but the doctor came in. The Duchess merely stroked the man's cheek. He preferred not to make intimate gestures in the presence of strangers. He preferred to do it in private. When it was just the two of them.

When the medic came in and began to prepare for his examination, he lay down on the bed uncovering his body. Fabian might have felt a little jealous, after all, a strange guy had seen his pregnant husband in a rather sexy nightgown. Not everyone had that kind of view on a daily basis.

" Stay with me..." he asked quietly, grabbing his hand. He immediately lifted his shirt, knowing the doctor would want to examine his stomach. He was, after all, advanced in his pregnancy. The Duchess was looking at his husband the whole time

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Fabian had never been present in such a thing. It was thought improper, but this time his wife had asked him to stay and to be truthful he was Ted to be there and see first hand that his wife and child were fine.

The doctor was used to the sight of pregnancy, but he sis noticed the Duchess was wearing a robe deemed indicent. He felt a knot form inside him. He was aroused by the lad but ignored it to continue his work. Yet it was hard to do.

The belly was round and gravid but just by eye sight he could tell it was smaller than last time he saw the Dutchess. A week ago exactly. To be sure he took a measurement from the pubic bone to the top of the belly "you've lost weight" he noted the mother as he tried to work regardless of the presence of the Duke. "Perhaps Duke you could... Wait outside?"he asked politely as he didn't liked having the father there on his way.

" I'll move to the other side of the bed. But I'll stay as the Dutchess asked me to "he said gently switching sides of the bed and held his wife's hands. He was frowning hearing Carsen had lost weight.

The doctor felt around the shape of the child, just by feeling he could tell if the lost in size was due to lack of amniotic fluid or loss of weight. And he determined it was Weight. He felt the skin tighten and noticed the contractions or pains the Dutchess must have been feeling."those are the pains you're feeling?" he asked.

Fabian held his wife's hand tighter.

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Carsen was glad hos husband didn't leave as the doctor suggested. It felt good to be next to him. Besides, the doctor's hands were under observation, and though he trusted his medic he was now assured that he would do no more than examine him. He valued his caring nature and the curiosity he showed towards him and the child.

Hearing that he had lost weight made him a little worried. He thought the stress had simply caused him pain. He didn't notice any weight loss afterwards. The baby was still kicking, and he had no reason to worry for now. So far. Now the doctor was saying his diagnosis.

When he started touching his stomach he tense up a little when he put his hands on his lower abdomen. He gasped quietly and looked at the specialist this time. "My back and legs hurt... And the belly sometimes, but at once it is calm" he explained, and then he looked with seriousness and a little nervously in front of him "Is our child well? Please tell me the truth... Yesterday it kicked so politely and was fine" he let out a heavy breath

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"the child is well, albeit a bit small. You've not lost any amniotic fluid, which is the liquid the baby is in" he explained "I will like you to try and gain weight these last weeks. Your baby will be born in winter and it will be of great advantage for him or her to be born with good weight," it was not uncommon for winter to take away babies and newborns that were sickly or too small. "the pains that seem contractions as the weight loss are caused by stress. It's common for lands and women in thus stage of pregnancy to worry, as for the pain in your legs and back its normal but it can be eased with massages to ease the blood flow and hit compresses on the spots you experienced pain "he said and eyed perhaps with too noticeable lust the Duchess.

Fabian noticed and as the doctor ended his examination he naturally covered his wife with the bed sheets and covers." Thank you doctor, I will see to it personally my wife is taken car elf with what you advice" he said and guided the doctor out and gave instructions for hsi services to be paid.

He returned to his wife "I can do what he said of the massages if you're in pain... Carsen is the doctor always like that with you?" he wasn't jealous but concerned his wife had been forced to endure that before alone.

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Carsen was glad that at least everything else with the baby was okay. He will get plenty of rest and eat decently to make their baby grow at least a little. He thanked the doctor quietly, then lay back and began to massage his stomach with a feeling of relief. The baby's not very serious. He has to be careful, though. He'll be giving birth in winter, soon, and it's a bit of an uncertain time of year to give birth.

When his husband returned he had already caught his hand alone, looking at him with affection. He immediately tensed at his question. The doctor was specific and sometimes touched him somewhere else than he should have, but nothing more. However, the Duchess was unsure of his intentions. He looked at his husband, lowering his gaze. " Sometimes it's uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it's about our baby so I'm not saying anything about it..." he explained, and then sighed soundlessly. " Let's not talk about it. Can you stay with us? Maybe the baby will kick and you'll feel it.... And I could use a foot massage," he said shyly to Fabian, sending him a slight smile

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Fabian took seat in the edge of the bed next to his wife. He tended hearing in few words that the doctor could be innapropiate "I'll order a new doctor is found that can see you for the rest of the pregnancy. I'm sorry you went through that" he said and would have added a 'you could have told me' but knew they barely spoke and it was little likely Carsen would bring the issue to him.

"I can stay if you want me to" he said smiling that he seemed to want his company. He raised his eyebrows at the foot massage request. He had never given any but silently he stood and asked a servant to bring some cream and hot compresses.

A few minutes later a servant brought all he asked for and laid the silver tray on a table before leaving "so... Where are you aching? This is something I'll learn today so be kind I'd I don't do it well" he said blushing.

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"Calves, feet and ankles at first if you can..." he said and handed him his foot looking at it curiously. For the first time, his husband will give him a massage and wonder how it will work out for him. He knew he wasn't an expert at it, but he still thought about how it could work. When he felt the cream and the hot compress he gasped.That's what he needed. He sent his husband an encouraging smile to continue.

Immediately afterwards the servants brought him breakfast to bed. The Duchess thanked him and grabbed a fork while eating a delicious meal. "Fabian... Have you had breakfast yet?" he asked, thinking that maybe he hadn't eaten yet because he was waiting for him. Besides, as a wife, he should also worry about his spouse. He cares about their comfort, so he should be respected and acknowledged.

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Fabian seemed a little lost on where to start but he wnet about it one by one. He took the cream and massaged the swollen feet. He didn't knew or didn't realized just how much strein a baby placed on a lads body. He massaged the calves ans thighs he would blush specially a sbis strong hands would work around the rhgbiomjsclds to relax them. After the massage he would place the compresses to let the muscles continue relaxing

"I hope it was that way and not the other way around. Compresses first and later the massage" he said sheepishly "did it helped you?" he asked softly

He perked up. Breakfast? He had forgotten all about it. "I have not. I forgot about it" he said and looked at his wife "I'm not hungry. I feel a bit scared for what the doctor said. I want the baby to be well. I don't care if it's a daughter or son." he mused about it "do you have a preference or incling to what we are having? My mother said she was always right on her intuitions about it. As she said she would, she had seven daughters and a son." he smiled