"Would you please stop!" He shouted, leaping to his feet and scattering a small stack of unopened mail.

Florian paused, mid-hum and blinked up at him, eyes instantly filling with tears. "Why? I'm not singing any more."

"I know that!" Ray forced himself to calm down at the sight of the first tear sliding down Florian's face. He took a deep breath and crossed the room to where Florian was seated before the blond could begin the struggle to stand up.

"I know that." Ray repeated, wiping Florian's tears away gently. He knelt beside his lover, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He needed to say this in a way that wouldn't hurt the man - he was so unpredictable these days.

"You're doing everything you can for the baby, Florian, but I'm concerned about you too." Ray placed his hand gently over the large bump that even the yards of fabric in Florian's clothes couldn't conceal.

"The book Laila found said that singing and talking were good for babies, even before they are born. I know I didn't know all the words to those songs, but I thought it wouldn't matter as long as I sang." Tears still threatened to fall from the lovely amethyst eyes so Ray rushed to offer further encouragement.

"It's a good thought, even without the words, but you can't sing all day. It tires you out."

"But I'm better now that the morning sickness has stopped - mostly anyway - and Laila makes sure I take my afternoon nap." Florian reached out and caressed Ray's face. "She's been very understanding through all of this but sometimes she's... a bit too enthusiastic in looking out for my well-being."

"Still making you eat pickles is she?"

"And drink milk. I really hate milk." Florian frowned and managed to look completely adorable and pathetic at the same time. Ray had to look down to cover his amusement.

"I know you never expected to become a parent like this, Florian, but you are doing everything you can for the baby. That's why I don't want you to overdo it and wear yourself out. Just because I can speak seven languages doesn't mean the baby has to learn them all before he's born. And you don't have to learn them either, unless you want to." Ray leaned very close and whispered a few sweet words in Italian before pulling back.

"Did you just say...?" Florian smiled with delight as he took Ray's hand. He watched as Ray stood, then allowed himself to be helped up out of the comfortable chair. He felt very awkward and self conscious about his lack of grace but Ray didn't seem to mind. They started their journey towards the back of the house where a suite of rarely-used rooms had been converted into a temporary bedroom. It saved Florian the effort of climbing the stairs, and it spared Ray from the worry that Florian might have one of his dizzy spells and fall.

"I said that I'd be glad to teach the baby for you. And you, if you'd like, but not German. We'll start with Italian so you'll be more comfortable when we stay at our villa there."

"We're going to Italy? When?" Florian looked very happy for a moment, then his smile faded. "I'm not allowed to travel in this condition."

"Even if the doctor approved it, Laila wouldn't. No, we'll go when the baby is old enough to travel. The villa is too remote and I want you close to doctors and a hospital."

"Ray," Florian tugged Ray's arm and stopped them in the middle of the hallway just outside their bedroom. "I'm sorry to be such a burden."

Ray just shook his head and ushered into their room. He pulled Florian into his arms, holding him as close as he could with the bump between them. "You're no burden, Florian. No matter what happens. After all, I was the one who gave you the bracelet that caused this little surprise."

"Do you regret it?" Florian asked meekly as he settled onto the bed. He was still in his dress but Ray didn't want to take the time to help him change when they'd be up again in an hour.

"Not in the slightest." Ray finally admitted. He'd spent many sleepless nights asking himself the same question, but there was no longer any doubt in his answer. "Do you?"

"No." Florian assured him, but then added, thoughtfully, "I just wish that I was... smarter, more clever. I want our child to be brilliant like you, Ray."

"I'd rather he inherit your compassion." Ray leaned back against the large bedpillows and eased Florian into his arms.

"Perhaps he could have both? The very best of both of us." Florian smiled, but then had to cover a yawn.

"No more talking," Ray chided gently. "Just close your eyes and rest if you can't actually sleep. If you'd like, after dinner we can take a look at that list of baby names you've been writing for the last two weeks."

"It has to be something special," Florian insisted, giving Ray an apologetic smile for his compulsive listing of possible names. His eyes drooped and his voice faded. "Like his father." Then he was gone, fast asleep in an instant.

Pressing a kiss lightly against Florian's forehead, Ray shifted a little to make his lover more comfortable. When a few minutes had passed and Florian was still asleep, Ray closed his eyes and allowed himself a few minutes of worry-free rest. He did his best to set aside his concerns for the not-too distant day when Florian would give birth and concentrated instead, on just appreciating his Amethyst's warm presence.

"Italian," Ray murmured to himself, thinking for a moment before opening his eyes and smiling at his sleeping lover. Very, very softly, Ray began to sing an Italian lullaby.