Point and Counterpoint

"You know I will respect your decisions, Daine—whatever they may be—but will you please at least give me your reasons?"

Daine knawed on her lip. She had reasons, but she didn't want him to know them. And yet he waited, loving eyes hiding hurt, as he rested his hand on her enormous belly. "What's marriage got to do with us?" She asked hesitantly. "It won't change how I feel about you. It's just some legalese drummed up for the nobles."

Numair frowned. "That same 'legalese' would give us protection too. And it's not just us anymore—being married will give me more rights, such as custody of our child if something were to happen to you—trust me you do not want to involve the courts in cases where paternity is not clearly and explicitly bound—or indisputable inheritance if anything were to happen to me. Again, you do not want the courts involved.

"Furthermore," he continued with emphasis when Daine opened her mouth to protest, "I do not want people to even consider for one moment that I won't acknowledge either of you. Yes we've flouted conventions so far, but again…it's about more than us now. You and I are willing to overlook others' prejudices, but are we to subject our child to that?"

Well of course he has an answer for everything. Odds bobs, he's really not going to like this then.

She mumbled. He lifted her chin, saying, "Can't hear you, sweet."

"I don't want to trap you."

He rocked back, eyes wide. Before he could start to sputter, Daine hurriedly continued, "I don't want to take your options away…marriage is—very well and final. I want you free to choose, if...years from now—"

"This is my choice!" He cut her off. "You are my choice! All gods above, Daine, I wouldn't be here asking—begging—for your hand if I wasn't absolutly certain."

Tears came to her eyes as her last bastion of insecurity wavered. She had all faith in him; rather, she couldn't believe she could hold such a draw to him. She never could believe she was worth it, til now.

Now he clenched both her hands in his, entirely earnest. "Magelet, my unborn children's mother, marry me."

Throat now completely closed, she nodded, and her new fiance crushed his lips to hers. But she was forced to break the kiss as her lower half turned into a walrus, and she asked incredulously, "Children?"

"Planned next time. That is, if you want more than one little me running around."

A/N: You just know Numair practiced for this just like a scholastic debate. He probably has a thesis paper hidden in his writing case that he's been compiling for years, now several inches thick. He probably practiced what he'd say that very morning as he was shaving, waving the razor around with vehemance while one cheek was still covered in shaving cream, then jumping guiltily when Daine asked from the other room what he was talking about…um. Ahem. Ack! The two whose daily lives would be the most interesting are the two whose daily lives we don't get to see. :\