Just the Way You Are

[confessorlove]

Title:  Just the Way You Are
Author: confessorlove
Pairing: Richard and Kahlan
Rating: PG
Summary: Richard reassures Kahlan that he loves her no matter what.
Author's Notes: Written for my legendland Let the Music Move You Challenge where you put your ipod on shuffle and whatever song you got you had to write fic about.  My song was Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I just like to make them do my bidding.

 

It was still early but more and more frequently Kahlan had been going to bed early, the child growing within her exhausting her more than usual.  She hated it when she would be so tired that by the time Richard got back to their suite she would already be asleep.  It upset her that she couldn’t say goodnight as they crawled into bed together.  He would be gone in the morning when she woke, his duties as the Lord Rahl calling him away more and more frequently, much to her displeasure.

As she sat at her vanity getting ready for bed, her hand tracing the large swell of her belly, she wondered if Richard still found her appealing.  It had been weeks since they made love, his schedule and her constant exhaustion making it hard for them to do anything but sleep at night.  The lack of intimate moments in the past few weeks only fueled her worry that Richard wasn’t attracted to her anymore; the thought broke her heart.  She could understand it though; she didn’t find herself attractive anymore either.  She was as big as a house and the exhaustion coupled with her trouble sleeping because of the baby leaving dark circles under her eyes.  She felt ugly and didn’t know how to make herself beautiful for him when she was always huge and exhausted.

Richard managed to finish his work early, telling his generals that if they had any further questions they could be directed to Cara, she knew how he wanted things handled.  He needed to spend time with his wife.  He hated that he had been so busy lately and knew she was feeling neglected.  He just hoped she would still be awake when he reached their room.  Getting home long after she drifted off and leaving before she woke was becoming all to frequent.  He doubted if he had seen his wife conscious in the past few days.  He felt terrible about it.

He quickly and quietly mad his way into their room, he breath catching at the beautiful sight before him.  His wife was there, her hand absentmindedly caressing their unborn child as she looked in the mirror of her vanity.  It was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen.  She caught sight of his reflection as he closed the distance between them.  Despite how she felt about her appearance she smiled, the sight of him warming her heart.  Spirits how she loved him.

He stood behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders and lightly massaging the aches in her neck.  “You are so beautiful.”  He practically whispered, like he was imparting some kind of secret on her as he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

She shook her head sadly upon hearing his words.  As much as she loved him she didn’t know if she could believe him on this.  She was sure he was just saying that to give her ego a much needed boost.  “No… no at least not anymore.”  She closed her eyes against the beginnings of hormone induced tears, her hand stroking the bump which housed their child.

He was surprised by her words, kneeling next to her he let one of his hands join hers softly caressing their baby while his other tilted her chin to look at him.  “Kahlan, why would you say that?  You’re always beautiful.”

“Richard look at me.  I’m huge!”

“Kahlan you are beautiful just the way you are.  I love that you have our child growing inside you.”  His hand slowly caressing her belly for emphasis, offering her the support his tender touch could bring.  “There isn’t a thing I would change about you. I love you just the way you are.” 

She smiled at him, that smile she gave no one else that warmed his heart.  “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.  I love you.”  He stood then, offering her his hand and leading her to bed.  It had been far too long since he held her until she slept and tonight he planned to make up for it.