CAUCH30

CHAPTER 30

Later on that night Ned and Alexis are curled up on the couch. She has her back against him and is as peaceful as she can be lying in between his legs. Her wet hair is partially covering the one side of his face, which he takes in the scent of lovingly. He kisses the side of her face while taking his hands and placing them under her nightshirt and gently rubbing her stomach.

�So have you thought about any names yet Mrs. Ashton.� Ned whispered in her ear.

�I still can�t believe we got married.� She stated as she snuggled her body tighter against his.

�I don�t believe marriage was the topic of conversation.�

Alexis just smiled. �I�ve thought of a few.�

�Boy�s names or girl�s names?�

�A few of each I guess.�

�So do tell.� He said as he kissed the top of her head.

Alexis placed her hand on top of his. �Nope I won�t to know what names you like first.�

Ned took a deep breath. � I don�t know I never really thought much about it.�

�You�re the one who brought up the topic.�

�That�s because I think it�s way past time we discussed it.�

�Ok. Well I want our son.� She sorta looked up at him. �That is if we have one.� Ned laughed �to be named after his father.�

�You want our son to be called Edward?� Ned asked like that was the last thing he wanted.

Alexis thought for a moment. �Do you like Lawrence better?�

�Not particularly.�

Alexis sat up slightly and careful position her body on her side. �What do you want out son to be called?�

�I don�t know but certainly not Edward or Lawrence.�

�What�s wrong with those names?� She asked �if I do recall I fell in love with a man with those names.�

�It�s just every time I think of Edward or Lawrence I think of my father and my grandfather and I really don�t want my child named after either one of them.�

�Ok why don�t we move on to girl�s names and we�ll come back to boy�s names later.� Alexis replied as Ned�s mood shifted from the peaceful state he was just in moments before.

�Don�t even think about naming the baby after my mother.� Ned stated firmly

Alexis laughed. �Well then how about naming her after your grandmother?�

�That could work.� Ned said as he ran his fingers through her hair and she placed her head on his lap. �But for a first name or middle name?�

�I don�t know you tell me.�

�I was kinda hoping to name our little girl, and not if we have one when we have one.�

Alexis looked him in the eyes and cut him off. �You know they could both be boys.�

�Then we�ll just keep trying till we get a girl.�

Alexis smiled and put her head back down. �Well see if you feel the same way after the twins are born.�

�Anyway as I was saying.� Ned said through laughter. �I was hoping to name our little girl after her mother.�

�I�m not to partially to any form of Alex.�

�Ok how about what her mother reminds me of?�

�And just what is that?�

�A Rose.�

�Rose Ashton.� Alexis said as she thought about it. �It has a nice ring to it.�

�Actually I was thinking Rose Natasha Ashton.� He said as he pushed her hair behind her ear. �Or Natasha Rose Ashton.�

�I�ll think about it.� Alexis replied as she closed her eyes. �Now back to boy�s names.�

�How about Christopher after you�re mother?� Ned asked

�Christopher Lawrence?� Alexis asked very hopefully.

�Natasha Rose and Christopher Lawrence.� Ned said out loud. �I guess they have a nice ring to it.�

�I thought it was Rose Natasha?�

�I like Natasha Rose.� Ned replied. �It sounds more like her mother, strong on the outside yet sweet on the inside.�

Alexis looks up and Ned takes this opportunity to kiss her.

�Ouch� Alexis yelled

�Are you okay?� A panicked Ned asked as he quickly slides out form under her.

�I�m fine it�s just that your children have just become very active.� Alexis said laughing.

Ned pushed her back on to the couch got down on his knees and then placed his head on her stomach. �Maybe they just need their daddy to sing them a lullaby.�

Hush little baby don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mocking bird
And if that mocking bird don't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring

He closed his eyes and took in the feeling of his unborn children kicking.

And if that diamond ring gets broke
Papa's gonna buy you a Billy goat
And if that Billy goat don't pull
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull

Alexis smiled as she absent-mindedly played with his hair. She loved to listen to him sing but this was a first.

Hush little baby now, don't you cry
Mama's gonna give you a mountain so high
If that mountain top's too cold
Mama's gonna give you the sun to hold

Ned looked up at Alexis and slowed wiped the tears from her cheek. He careful moved his body overtop of hers and lays down next to her.

And if that sun is just a fireball
Mama's gonna give you a waterfall
And if that waterfall can't be found
You'll still be the cutest little baby around

�Feel that?� Alexis asked as she placed his hand back on her stomach.

�I don�t feel a thing.� Ned said after a few minutes.

She smiled at him brightly. �I know isn�t it great?�

~*~

~The Cottage ~

Emily and Nikolas are both sitting on the floor with baby items tossed all around them.

�Okay so what do you think of this outfit?� Emily asked as she held up the cutest mint green jumper.

�It looks kinda small.� Nikolas replied.

Emily gave him a strange look. �Just how big do you think this kid is going to be?�

�I don�t know.� He states as he takes the outfit from her. �But bigger then this I�d think.�

Emily just laughed at him. �Well honey I hate to tell you this but most likely and with any luck the baby won�t even fit into that outfit yet.� She reached across the floor and pulled over another bag.

�What�s in there more clothes?� Nikolas asked shockingly

Emily pulled an even smaller outfit out of the bag. �Nikolas Cassidine you can never have too many clothes.�

�Or shoes apparently.� Nikolas joked as he picked up two of the smallest pair of shoes he�s even seen.

�Aren�t they the cutest?� Emily squealed as she took them from him.

�They look a little small.�

Emily put the shoes down and gave him a strange look.

�What?�

�I�d really love to know how big you think this kid is going to be?�

�You can�t honestly tell me those tiny little things are going to fit our baby?� Nikolas said through laughter.

�Nikolas Cassidine I feel so sorry for you because you honestly have no idea how small a baby can be.�

�There�s no way anybody can be this small.� He shot back as he looks at all the tiny outfits sprawled across the floor.

Emily couldn�t help but burst out laughing at the seriousness of his tone. �You�ll just have to wait and see.� She lends across the carpet and kissed his nose. �I love you Nikolas.�