Staring up at the marble stairs before her, Annalia stood before her boyfriend's headquarters in complete awe. At the top of the stone staircase were four massive limestone lions that were flanked by tall columns that were almost copies of the Stonehenge pillars. The building was in a design that had the look of fingers lacing together with the steel and tinted glass towers blending together in a crisscross fashion as it built up to a large central tower that rose up from their architectural gathering. In between each interlacing section were connecting glass bands, so it was one mass of glass while not losing the interweaving of glass and steel.

Shaking her head as she returned from her admiring contemplations of the architectural wonder that she was going to be entering, Annalia shifted her bag onto her shoulder while rubbing her slowly swelling stomach before stepping carefully up the smooth staircase. She glanced at the sliding doors as they parted before her and then focused ahead as she searched for the receptionist desk. She stopped though and looked up to see how the light refracted through the laced structure and that the interlaced forms gave the light a crystal-like formation, which helped in fracturing the light and sending rainbows all around the ground.

Smiling softly, she shook her head again in wonder before resuming her walk to the reception desk. She nodded in greeting to the middle aged woman behind the desk before leaning on the desk slightly. “Hello. I’m here to see Talin Esin? He doesn’t know I’m visiting, but just tell him Annalia is here,” she said softly as the receptionist gave her a skeptical look.

Hitting a button on her phone, the receptionist waited a second before saying, “Mr. Esin, you have a young woman by the name of Annalia asking to see y-all right Mr. Esin. I will send her right up. Yes Mr. Esin, as you wish. I shall take care of it. When may I expe-yes Mr. Esin. Of course. It shall be done.” She hung up and then cocked her eyebrow once more at Annalia. “Mr. Esin will see you. Take the elevator on the far right to the last floor. Go straight ahead. Elise will be waiting for you and will show you in,” she instructed and sounded semi-bored as she gave the directions.

Nodding as she smiled her thanks, Annalia waved before heading for the elevators. She smirked as she felt herself being watched by the other woman while she looked over the elevators. She leaned over slightly and tilted an eyebrow up as she saw a separate elevator all the way at the end of the small hall. Looking around a little as she headed for it, she chewed on her lip nervously as she saw that it was almost like an entrance to the tower that rose from the lower structures. She pressed the button and went inside as it opened immediately. Glancing around after pressing the appropriate button for the last floor, she looked around at the extravagant inside.

Blinking in surprise as it dinged in warning before the doors behind her slid open, she turned around and peeked around before stepping out. She smiled in relief as she saw a young woman behind a desk at the end of the short hallway and headed for her. She nodded in greeting as the other woman smiled back at her, then pushed a button on her desk before looking up at Annalia. “He’s waiting for you. Please go in.”

“Thank you, Elise,” Annalia replied warmly before heading for the obsidian and gold gilded doors that stood nearby. She stepped up and smiled as they parted for her before she headed into the office. She whistled softly as she looked around in appreciation and took in the exquisite view of the park and bay that was before her. She noted the plush leather couch in the corner which had a gold and glass coffee table before it. The walls held several book shelves filled with leather bound books as well as CDs and trinkets from around the world. She heard her lover’s voice and glanced over to see him on the phone with what sounded to be a client. She kept quiet and continued to look around, smiling as she noted several ancient Celtic pieces in glass cases as she perused the objects on the various shelves.

She gazed over and smiled as she heard Talin ending the call before she sauntered over. “Well, if I would have known you were so well off, I would have visited earlier!” she commented wryly while cocking an eyebrow as he chuckled and cleared his throat.

“To what do I owe this delightful pleasure?” Talin asked as he gestured for her to sit. She smirked and came around the large polished mahogany desk and sat on his lap where she made herself comfortable as he laughed softly again before wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Well, a little birdie informed me that you were the owner of this place, so I thought I’d drop by and see if I could either catch you off guard or find out why you never told me,” Annalia answered before turning slightly to give him a disapproving glare.

“I am sorry, my Annalia. I never meant to keep it secret from you for long. But I was protecting you from the media and the paparazzi for they can be as vicious as the Shadow…” Talin trailed off and kissed her apologetically.

Allowing the kiss for a little bit, Annalia then pulled back and put her finger on his lips while cocking an eyebrow. “And? I heard that hesitation. What’s the other reason?” she questioned him firmly and frowned at him.

Sighing softly before kissing her finger, Talin sat back and gazed at her, his stare unreadable as he searched her eyes for something she wasn’t sure on. Finally, he glanced away. “And I did not want you to be with me because of my being so rich and famous,” he murmured sadly.

Staring at him in surprise, then anger, Annalia smacked him on the chest, surprising him out of his dark thoughts. “You idiot! I love you for you and I always did from the start! And we’re having a baby together if you didn’t notice!” she spat out and huffed as she crossed her arms over chest and looked away.

“You…love me?” Talin’s soft query made her look at him and her eyes widened as she saw his tentative smile. Neither had said it mainly because they had been uncertain. She looked down and fidgeted, but was forced to look up again when he placed a gentle finger under her chin and turned her face towards his. “Annalia?”

“Yes…I love you. I’ve loved you I think from the beginning and it just…grew from there!” Annalia admitted while smiling through her sudden tears as he smiled brilliantly at her.

Gently, Talin pulled her closer and kissed her deeply while lacing his fingers in her hair to keep her close as they kissed passionately. After a minute, they broke apart and gazed at each other lovingly while caressing the other’s cheek. Smiling, Talin nuzzled her nose with his. “I think I love you as well, my Annalia. There is not a day that goes by that I do not long for your presence. It has grown so much more than destiny, has it not?” he asked softly as he tucked her under his chin and rubbed her back before placing his hand over her swelling belly.

“It has…and I am more than glad it did,” Annalia replied lovingly as she snuggled close. She placed her hand over his on her belly and rubbed the strong fingers there before they intertwined together. They sat together contentedly before she looked at her watch. “Oh no! Talin, my doctor’s appointment!” she cried in alarm as she sat up and looked at him anxiously.

“Do not worry, my love. We will have plenty of time,” Talin said soothingly as he stroked her back before hitting a button on his desk. “Sarah? Please have my car brought around,” he ordered and smiled as a confirmation was given over the speaker.

Standing up and straightening her skirt, Annalia smiled radiantly at him as he stood and wrapped his arm around her waist once more. She laid her head on his chest and snuggled closer as she purred softly. He chuckled and massaged her back once more before grabbing his jacket and leading the way out. He told Elise to hold his calls until the next day before they went into the ritzy elevator and headed down. He waved to the secretary who, Annalia guessed, was Sarah. She found herself impressed that he had two secretaries as she looked around quickly again to drink in the details. They trotted down the stairs to where a BMW was waiting at the bottom. Annalia stopped and squeaked. “You have a BMW?!” she demanded as he opened the door for her.

“Two actually as well as a Porsche,” Talin replied easily and snickered as she goggled at him.

“Two?! And a Porsche?!” she squeaked out as she slid into the leather passenger seat and the door shut behind her. She stared at him as he came in and cocked an eyebrow as he chuckled at her expression. She sank into the leather though and sighed as the car came to life with a growl before shuddering under her. She fidgeted, and then murmured, “Next time I’m sitting on the hood and you can watch as your car gets me off.”

Talin’s head whipped around and he stared at her in shock before he laughed and focused forward again. She’d never said anything that naughty before!! He grinned as she giggled softly, and then took her hand in his while he drove. He just needed to touch her, his need overwhelming his common sense for the first time. He had to admit that being in love was wonderful and he blessed the day that they had met thrice over. He parked the car when they came to the clinic, then helped her out and followed her into the small brick building. He nodded in approval at the sanitary surroundings and smiled as she beamed up at him lovingly. They checked in with the receptionist, then took their seats and waited for Dr. Meny to call them in.

They both looked up as Annalia was called, and then followed the nurse into the back to an examination room. Annalia sat down on the table while Talin took the chair nearby and spoke softly with her as they waited yet again while their fingers played together absently. They glanced over as one as the sound of the door opening alerted them to Dr. Meny’s appearance, then smiled as the blond doctor entered. Dr. Meny stopped before he had even said hello and pointed at Talin. “And we have a sir with us today! And you are…” He waved his hand, prompting Talin to answer while Annalia giggled in amusement.

Cocking an eyebrow as he smirked, Talin winked at his love before saying, “I am the baby’s father, Talin Esin. A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Meny. Annalia speaks highly of you.” He grinned as Dr. Meny looked him up and down calculatingly before shrugging.

“Sounds good. Now! Annalia, my dear! How are we today?” the blond doctor asked cheerfully as he went over to Annalia’s side and gestured for her to unbutton her dress so that her belly was bared.

“Pretty good. Talin takes good care of me, so I’m pretty healthy. Though I get bigger every day,” she whined out the last bit and grinned as Talin swatted her lightly while she did as she was told.

“Really? Well, we can do another ultrasound so that we can make sure everything’s ok. We won’t have to do anymore ultrasounds then, unless we feel something’s up, ok?” Dr. Meny murmured as he began checking her swollen belly. He clucked as she murmured her understanding while he pressed certain areas. He chuckled as Annalia hissed in surprise and winked up at her. “I see the baby has decided to get active now,” he commented and grinned as Talin perked up in interest. He straightened and nodded as he made some quick notes on his clipboard. “All right! Let’s head for the ultrasound!” he commanded cheerfully before leading the way out of the room to the back where the machines were hooked up.

They went inside and Annalia lay down and bared her stomach once more. She whimpered and complained about the cold Vaseline gel that was put on her belly before the patch was placed on it, which earned some laughter from the two men. She looked over along with them at the screen, but then looked up at Talin as the image came into focus. She smiled softly as she watched wonder and amazement appear on his face as the heart beat floated out of the speakers and the baby moved around. He whispered softly with tears in his eyes as he stared at the image while holding her hand tightly in his own.

Blinking back her own happy tears, she looked over again at the image, and then shivered as she heard her love whisper above her. “Songs of wisdom be your guide. Spirits of past be at your side. Look for the mists of places gone. And know the nature of what is born. All that is old shall be new. All that was lost shall come into view. For as the night draws close to shroud us all, the Pendragon reborn shall ensure its fall.”

Looking up at Talin, Annalia realized that he knew now what she knew. That the prophesy was indeed on its way to being fulfilled. Now they would have to be even more on their guard. Worried, yet thoughtful, she looked at the image yet again and wondered just how her son…their son…was going to save the world from the Shadow.