Two babies makes three! < OPEN to all>

[whirleybird86]

It was finally that day! Any moment now Hannah's beloved mare Firefly would be giving birth to not one, but TWO little foals. Hannah could hardly contain her excitement everyday leading up to day that Firefly would foal. She had been camping out beside the foaling stall every chance she could get to be on watch. She wanted to be there to help Firefly if she needed it, and to also see the precious little babies being born. She also missed riding Firefly, but she was able to keep herself busy with training and riding other people's horses.

When she went to sleep at night, she would wake up during the night, and run as fast as she could to the barn to see if Firefly was ready. She wouldn't be ready, so she would walk back. She took Markus' advice and install a camera in the stall, and have the tv in her room so she could watch her. She also had the help of her good friend Heather who kept watch when she couldn't be there. Yeah, you could tell she didn't want to miss a moment. Would she have two fillies, two colts, or even better one of each!? She hoped to at least have a filly so she could have another Firefly. Oh gosh, what was she going to name them?

It had to have been 3am in the morning, Hannah was sitting in the corner of Firefly's stall, wearing nothing but her riding breeches, and a fleece jacket. It had to have been freezing outside, but she was too excited to care...and too tired to think. When was she going to drop? She sat huddled in the stall and smiled when Firefly came over to her and sniffed her face. " Are you ready to drop babe," she said softly and yawned.

[Markus Koenig]

Markus walked through the foaling barn. He couldn't sleep. It'd been a solid two weeks since he'd been able to sleep and he was grumpy. It was all because of that amazingly beautiful woman whom had unceremoniously dumped him on his ass. The lights had been on and he really wasn't sure why, at this time of night, they would be. He yawned thenand covered his mouth with his hand. Sure, now he gets sleepy after leaving the warm comfort of his bed.

As he turned the corner of the one hallway of the barn he saw her. She was in just a thin jacket and some sweats. Probably freezing, he thought though he smiled because she was staring wide eyed at her mare's stall. There was no noise so it was obvious she wasn't foaling yet, Hannah was just that excited. He watched her practically bounce on her toes. It was so cute. Unfortunately he could tell she was excessively cold, but she didn't notice because of her excitement.

Sighing he slipped off his coat. It was leather and tan in color. Sheep wool lined the inside, so that plus his body heat would make it very warm. He walked up behind her and laid the coat around her shoulders. Before he left Markus couldn't help but trail his fingers down her upper arms. Quickly though he realized what he was doing and pulled away. Stepping quickly he went to the other side of the isle and leaned against the stall door of another mare.

Sulkily he stood there brooding. He pulled his hat down slightly so it would shade his eyes. At least he had that to keep him warm. And so it was, the woman that had haunted his dreams for the past two weeks was keeping him up again, accept now she was physically standing in front of him. A frown tugged at his lips as he thought about his own attachment to her. They had only seen each other a few times since she denied him and even then he had walked off quickly. There was no need for further embarassment for she obviously didn't like him. She was very rude to him in the first place so why would he have thought she would have wanted to go out on a date with him. It was so stupid he just couldn't comprehend it. Markus stood there watching her, lost in his own thoughts.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah leaned against the door and watched every movement her mare made. Her breathing wasn't labored, she was trying to nest or pace around. She just acted like a normal horse. Ugh! How frustrating! She crossed her arms, and tapped her foot. She ran to her birthing box, and got out of vet wrap. She slowly walked in the stall and ran her hand down the mare's body, and felt her stomach. Oh, the foals were there alright, she could feel them moving, and causing Firefly such grief. She put her ear to her stomach, and could hear what was inside. She giggled and smiled at Firefly. She took her tail and wrapped the top end of it, so that way the majority of the tail would not get goo and stuff all over it.

She stepped back out, shut the door, and leaned against the door and watched. Only wearing a fleece was not smart in this kind of temperature. She was actually shaking under the fleece, and wished she had thought better on her choice of clothing. She stood there and took her mind off by watching the mare. Moments later, she felt something drape over her shoulders, and felt two hands go down her arms. The wool, and the warmth felt much better against her fleece. She glanced over quickly and saw that it was Markus. She gave him a smile and softly said " Thank you Markus," and she watched him back away from her and leaned against the back wall. For a few more minutes, she kept watching her mare, and sighed. She tapped her fingers on the door, backed up and leaned against the wall with Markus. She stood close to him, and looked down at her boots, and thought about what happened two weeks ago. She was rude, and didn't really give him a fair chance. She put her hands in the warm pockets and said, " I'm sorry, it's not your fault. I...it's that I don't want to go out with you. I do, but there are just some issues I have to overcome before I... take that step," she said softly and looked up at him hoping her would look at her like he did before.

[Markus Koenig]

Hannah came and leaned up next to him. She looked just as uncomfortable as him, but less embarassed more upset. He really hoped he hadn't upset her. He looked down on her as she spoke. She did want to date him then why? Someone had hurt her. He looked away. The pain was written all over her face. His jaw clenched, not realizing that this could seem as though he were mad at her.

Markus wanted to pummel the man who had hurt her heart. He wanted to throw him up against a wall and punch him in the gut. It was truly astounding the vivid images that flashed through his brain of hurting a faceless man. The muscles in his arms ached from where he was clenching them unconsciously, but when he looked at her his facial expression softened noticably. How could anyone hurt her after she had given him her heart?

"It's ok Hannah. I'd never disrespect your decision and it was your decision to make." He hadn't been this close to her since that day his arms were around her and it was making his voice husky with want. "Don't ever think I'd push you into something you didn't want to do." A strong urge came over him to wrap her up in his strong arms, but he resisted, barely.

Slowly he leaned his head back up against the stall board so he could watch her mare. She held only the first signs of beginning to drop and he could tell if she foaled now that she would be early. Yet here they were, standing here watching this mare in case she foals. Hannah was amazingly devoted. Maybe someday he would find someone like that, someone like Hannah. Then he thought of that stupid stupid man who had thrown all of that awa, "And Hannah," He spoke her name with an intimacy unknown to them both, but this was quite an unconcious act. "If the man who hurts you ever steps foot on this property let me know. He won't be stepping back off." Markus crossed his arms over his chest and his muscles shown against his tshirt. He was just that mad. Pulling one foot up against the stall door he tried to relax, but he would probably be silently brooding for at least a day now.

[whirleybird86]

" I just have trouble trusting people in general, mostly men. Which is why I am sometimes cold on first meetings, depends on the setting really. If it's a private setting I'm usually less likely to be open at first. When my moth... let's just say I've just kept a barrier up for some time," she said softly and started to feel a little comfortable around him. She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled her hair back into a ponytail and she fixed her scarf. She looked down at his hand beside hers and wanted to place her hand in it. It seemed to fit so right. She told herself no, and pulled her hand away.

She looked at her watch, it was now 3:45, and still no foal. She sighed and waited to hear any noises in the stall. She heard him say her name so soft and intimate that it was meant for her. She looked up at him and heard him say that he would beat up any man who would or has hurt her. She gave him a little smile and nodded. " You'll be the first to know," she said softly and gently kissed his cheek.

[Markus Koenig]

A slight brush notified him to something, or someone, touching his hand. When he looked down though Hannah was already making a hasty retreat, as if telling herself that was a bad idea. Early though she had said that she did want to date him. That she did like him. He snatched her hand back. However, though the motion was quick his touch was gentle. The callouses on his hands molded well with the soft touch of her own fingers. He looked up at her, as if to ask for permission. Though his look also told her it was time to start telling herself yes.

When she said that he would be the first one she called if someone came to hurt her is gave his heart a start. Markus' fingers squeezed her hand into his palm, a calming motion as if to tell a child it would be ok. He knew he had offered, but those offers were rarely accepted. A smile broadened itself upon his facade as when he thought of protecting her and keeping her safe. To be able to hold her in his embrace and tell her everything would be alright, to gain that kind of trust from her, would be amazing and wonderful in its own right. This was one small step closer to that exhilerating moment.

A gentle kiss graced upon his cheek then. He could have turned and caught her on the lips, but he would not betray her trust like that. His whole body came alive then. Women rarely seemed to notice more than the little kiss that they placed on a man's cheek, but Markus knew that the men felt this entire sensation apart from what the women thought. He felt her stomach press against his hip and her full breasts push up against his bicep. The kiss was actually one of the little things of this movement, but the soft lips that pressed against his clean shaven jaw line were just as potent as the rest of her body against him. Women really had no idea.

After she had returned to her spot on the wall, Markus brought their conjoined hands up and he kissed the back of her hand. "Do you mind if I have a look at your girl?" He wanted to make sure he had permission first, though he really doubted she would deny him this. Though it was quite cold out, and he had on but a t-shirt, his body was all but steaming from her nearness and he knew he should walk away from her soon.

So even though he had no gained permission as of yet he dropped her hand and walked to the stall door, throwing it open. A kissing noise left his lips as he called Firefly over. It was always better with pregnant mares to gain permission than ask for forgiveness, he had learned this the hard way. Especially for men pregnant mares didn't often like them around. He held out his hand in surrendering manner, asking for her to approach him.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah looked at their conjoined hands, and watched as he planted a gentle kiss on her hand. The touch of his lips to her soft skin was magical. She could feel the callouses on his hand, and they felt rough against hers. It showed that he was a hard worker, and wasn't afraid of working with his hands. She admired that in a man, someone who worked hard for his money and keep, and knew how to hold his own. She looked at him felt the butterflies flutter in her stomach. Their bodies were touching, and she felt hot, and it wasn't because of the jacket anymore. She looked at him and saw he was just in a shirt. He was crazy. She was about to kiss him, but he asked to see Firefly. She pursed her lips together, and nodded.

They walked to Firefly's stall, and she stood close next to him so Firefly wouldn't freak out at just seeing him there. " Hey beautiful, it's okay. I'm here," she said softly as the mare snorted seeing Markus. She walked through the hay bedding, and softly touched her neck. She talked to her in a soft voice, and looked at Markus and gave him the go ahead that it was okay for him to approach her. " She's not showing any signs of going into labor. Maybe I misjudged on her due date. I could have sworn the vet said it was this week," she said sounding confused.

[Markus Koenig]

Markus smiled as the mare walked over to them, and he chuckled when Hannah said about due dates. "Horses are a lot harder to pin point than humans. Let me check her." He held out his hand for the mare the sniff and she obliged. Then he rubbed his hands all over her neck, working his way to her backside. Hopefully Miss Firefly would be tolerant, but he wasn't too sure. He ran his hands gently down beside her spine and cooed soft nothings to her. The muscle on either side of her back had gone soft and he was satisfied with the sponge. That was a good sign. Her rump was also sunken in and mushy. Also a good sign. Markus wasn't sure if she would allow him the last test however, but he was a cowboy and was sure up for trying. He ran his hands down her barrel, but would retreat when she got uncomfortable. Everytime he would push her a little farther until he could reach all the way under her to her teets. There he wiped his finger along her and got some of her milk on it, just a drop. Quickly he pulled his finger up to stare at it. The milk ran down his finger, but more slowly than he expected.

"Do you see that? How it's a bit thick yet?" He bent and swiped at her again to show Hannah. "A mare will be ready to foal when her milk is more like the milk we buy in the store, more like water. This is thick." Markus flicked his hand to wisk the milk off. "I'd give her a few days yet, though it's hard to tell. The rest of the signs are there so she could foal tomorrow." This mare was beautiful and she was going to have some pretty babies. He could tell why Hannah was so excited. The news around the barn had been that she was having twins as well. How excited! Markus sure hoped they both survived the birth. Often twins didn't make it.

He made his way to the stall door, running his hand along Firefly's side to tell her where he was. She was a good mare, and more tolerable than he had thought. When he was about to leave she swung her head towards him as if to say, "When did you get there?" Her nose right in his face he laughed and kissed her muzzle. "Good girl pretty." He wispered to her. Markus patted her once more on the neck and made his way over to Hannah.

Once he closed the stall door he felt awkward, as if unsure of what to say or do. he scratched the back of his neck, a nervous habit and looked away from her. "You know since she's so close to foaling, did you want to stay at my place? It's a little closer than yours and..." His eyes widened. Nope he had definitely not just suggested she stay at his house. His wide eyes turned to hers, yupp he definitely had. Shit. "I...I...I mean like I'll sleep on the couch and you can keep the light on and whatever, keep a bat and a gun I don't care, but you know it's closer and..." Damn he was rambling again. "I can make you breakfast. I make one wickedly good omlet." He looked at her with a sheepish smile, apologizing with his eyes. Hopefully he didn't blow up on him like she had the other week. And oh crap, if she did accept...man he really wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.

ooc: I figured, either way if she goes to his or not, then we could continue the thread after your reply just as if it were the next day where Firefly could foal. Yes?

[whirleybird86]

Hannah looked at Firefly's reaction to Markus feeling her. He was so gentle with her in her condition. Having one foal was one thing, but having two. That had to be most uncomfortable. Maybe that is how women who carry multiples feel? Hannah would have to remember not to have twins. She smiled at Markus, and gentle he was, and she held Firefly's head in her arms. The mare put all of her weight against her. Poor girl was so tired. She kissed her head and patted her neck. She looked at what Markus was doing and listened carefully. Her grandfather owned a quarter horse breeding farm in Montana. He sired horses with champion bloodlines, and Hannah always wanted to be there when the foals were born over the summer. This was her first horse she gets to foal by herself...with Markus' help of course.

She watched him step out of the stall and she had a look of hope of her face. Markus knew a thing or two more about foaling, so she knew she had a good team on her side. She crossed her arms, and pretended to give him a look of shock when he asked her if she wanted to stay over at his place. She nearly laughed, and stepped forward, pulled his shirt towards her and planted a kiss on his lips. Held it there for a moment, and then let go, " I would love to, it's a date," she said and she said goodnight to Firefly and held his hand as they walked out.

[Markus Koenig]

Hannah crossed her arms and gave him that look, the oh you're in deep look. Right then he knew he was going to get slapped. His body stiffened up waiting for what he knew was coming....and then...then he caught this michevious glint in her pretty green eyes. What was that? He tried to look closer but he didn't get the chance. Hannah clenched the front of his shirt in her hands and pulled him close. Shocked he put his arms around her and caught her as she rushed forward, pressing her against him. If he had thought his body was on fire before this then he was surely up in real flames now. Her lips met his with a force and fire and he welcomed the passion with his own lips. Their lips melded together perfectly and his arms closed in even tighter around her. However good things never seemed to last and she pulled away quickly, too quickly for Markus.

He looked at her lips like a little lost puppy, but gently relinquished his hold on her. Though his grin was brought back full force when she said she was going to make tonight a date. He shouldn't expect anything, he told himself, she may still sleep with the lights on and a bat and gun beside her, and he was definitely still sleeping on the couch, but still, it was a date.

After she said goodbye to Firefly she clasped his hand in his and started to pull him from the barn. The distance between them was uncomfortable though and Markus longed to have her body pressed back up against his. He unentwined their hands and pulled her to him, resting his hand on her opposite hip. This way her entire side was snuggled up against his. Perfect, Markus thought. Just the way it should be. His thumb pressed half circles against her back while his hand stayed on her hip.

Yeah, there was no way he was getting any sleep tonight, even if she did sleep in the other room. His mind was much to active to just be put to rest. Markus was happy though and a warm smile seemed as though it would be a permanent fixture upon his face. As they were walking to his place he said, "You're beautiful. Did you know that?" Then he pulled her to him, so that her front was against his and kissed her again. This time for longer and much more passionately. His tongue grazed against her lips asking for entrance and his hands gently moved up her back. Markus really just wanted to see if she was real, if she had really accepted him, and had agreed to a date. And maybe, just maybe, a kiss like this would get him a second date. When he pulled away he was breathless. Every nerve in his body was sparked with excitement and he didn't want to let her go, but he knew he had to. Satisfied now knowing that she was indeed here and this wasn't one of his weird dreams, he put his arm around her waist and continued on to the cabin. He just hoped to God that she was as happy with this night as he was.

[whirleybird86]

After she kissed him, she slowly pulled away and looked at him and smiled. She declared it to be a date and she laughed and kissed him again. She held his hand and they headed out of the barn, and were heading back to his place. She looked over her shoulder at Firefly's stall and bit her lip, she was still anxious about Firefly's birth. She was not going to be able to sleep tonight, even if she is was staying in Markus' cabin, but still she would not be able to sleep a wink. She felt his fingers unentwined with her fingers and pulled her close to him. She laughed when he pulled her so close to him and she smiled and looked at him. She called her beautiful and she smiled, " I believe that is the nicest thing you've said to me the whole time," she teased and laughed.

He pulled her close and kissed her sweetly. She slowly lifted her arms and rested her hands right on his side and gripped his shirt. His kisses were so sweet and longing, and she felt herself surrendering to him and giving herself to him. She pressed into him, letting him take control of her, and she was letting him know that this was for real. Hannah George was actually kissing Markus Keonig. They pulled apart and they continued towards his cabin. They got in and she took off his jacket, and her jacket and let him show her to his bed. She crawled in, and curled up under the covers and fell asleep. She left a big spot on the bed if he wanted to join her.

[Markus Koenig]

Last night Hannah had left a space beside her on the bed. Markus hesitated. He had not wanted to encroach on her personal space so soon, especially since he was just trying to be nice by letting her come and sleep her and had not expected any personal gain from the invitation. Instead, once her eyes closed, he settled for tucking her in like his father used to do for him. He pulled the covers up closer to her chin and then pressed them all slightly beneath her sleeping form all around her. When he was done he had kissed her forehead, turned out the light, closed the door, and went to sleep on the couch like he had promised.

Of course he didn't sleep well last night at all. His back ached and his neck had a crook in it for the couch was too small by all means. He wouldn't have invited anyone over to his staff house, but no one had signed up to room with him yet. Once he had roommates this definitely wouldn't be happening. He tossed and turned all night and once the first rays of light hit the window he was up, he couldn't take it anymore.

Markus actually really liked to cook. In his old house the household cook had been appalled when she found him making breakfast for himself one day but he had laughed it off and from that day on she had taught him how to make things himself. So he had promised Hannah one wickedly good omelet. he wasn't sure exactly what she liked but he figured he could get away with a basic omelet. Markus chopped up onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. These all went into the egg base of the omelet. Once he flipped the egg he put on American cheese and ham. Then he placed it on a plate and poured a glass of orange juice. All of this he put on a tray with a napkin and silverware.

Somehow he managed to open the closed door and went to sit beside her on the bed. He set the tray on the night stand for a moment so that he could kiss her delicious lips and wake her up. It was still quite early after all. "Hannah, I made you breakfast. Hope you like it." He ran a tentative hand down her arm to help her wake up and not feel so groggy. "Eat up, then we can go see your girl." Markus hadn't made any for himself, but he could grab a bagel or something on the way out and do the dishes later. Both of them still had to change out of their pajamas after all. Markus had offered her a T-shit of his and some shorts to sleep in if she had wanted something other than what she had on.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah couldn't remember she had a good nights sleep in weeks. She had been constantly monitoring Firefly, teaching some students, and working like crazy. She hardly got any sleep, which made her irritable and fatigued. Sleeping in a warm bed was a welcomed blessing. She curled up under the covers and slept. Not even an atomic bomb could wake her. She would've slept all day if she wanted to, but she was softly awoken by a pair of lips that touched hers that morning. After the lips slowly pulled away, she slowly moved and stretched. She felt a hand run down her arm, and she figured it was a sign to wake up. Noooo, she wanted to sleep in. She moaned and slowly turned on her side. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She laid back on her back, and looked up seeing Markus through her blurry eyes. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, and she slowly sat up. Her hair was slightly a mess, and she probably had morning breath. She looked at Markus, and leaned forward and leaned into his shoulder. She was so tired.

After a good breakfast, Hannah changed and walked with Markus back to the barn. She had her arm around his waist and she leaned her head into his side. Still a little tired, but she wanted to see Firefly. When they got closer to her stall, she heard noises, and her eyes widened, and she took off running down the aisle. " I'm coming Firefly," she called and ran after fast as her tired legs could take her. Was it finally that time?

[Markus Koenig]

Hannah finished her breakfast quickly and dressed, too fast for Markus to grab breakfast. He grumbled quietly under his breathe. She just wanted to see her girl. He probably would have done the same. When they walked out the door her snaked an arm around his waist and laid her head upon his shoulder. He gulped. This woman would be the death of him. Slinging his arm around her shoulders they walked comfortably to the foaling barn.

There were noises coming from the barn, but Markus was much too distracted by Hannah's body touching his to really comprehend what they might mean. That's when Hannah pulled from his side, saying something about Firefly and ran towards the mare's stall. Shaking his head to clear his obviously unclean thoughts, he bolted after her. Because of his longer legs he was able to catch up to her but in her haste he really had to work for it.

When they arrived at Firefly's stall Markus looked in immediately. The mare was on her side in a birthing position, but the first foal hadn't begun to move out yet. As tough as it was the only thing they should really be doing right now it watching. There was nothing to do to help her unless the foal was coming in the wrong direction.

Sensing that Hannah would probably try and go in with her mare Markus quickly grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him. "You need to wait. Let her do this by herself." He commanded and then kissed her softly behind her ear, though he doubted she actually felt it in her excitement. Hopefully the vet would be around soon. She was usually here for most of the day. Markus usually wouldn't have cared if the vet was here or not, but Firefly was a maiden mare and having twins. The possibility of things going wrong was higher than normal. He knew some of what to do when things went wrong, but he would still feel better if the vet was here.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah's excitement reached an all time high when she reached Firefly's stall and saw her on the ground, groaning and breathing heavily. She covered her mouth and tried not to scream with excitement. Carefully, she unlatched the door lock, and slowly opened the door, but a hand came and closed it behind her and locked it. She tried to get in, but Markus had come up behind her and held her tightly against him and told her to not worry, and let Firefly do her thing. She protested to being let go, and she wiggled to get free. With everytime that she moved, his grip only got tighter around her. She tried not to yell, because then she would put Firefly in a lot of distress, and she needed to deliver both healthy foals. Hannah pressed down on both of Markus' arms and said, " Let me go, she needs me Markus," she said and wiggled harder. This only caused Markus to change his holding on her and hold her close to him again.

She felt him kiss her behind her ear and she slowly calmed down, but inside, she was still jumping for joy. When Hannah had stopped thrashing like a wild animal, she felt Markus let her go, and she let go of his arms. She quickly got away from him and jumped over the stall door and calmly walked to Firefly's side. " Hey pretty girl, it's alright, it's me," she said softly and knelt beside her head and stroked her neck. The mare lifted her head and pointed to her stomach and moaned. " Markus, nothing is happening. What if the babies are not alright," she looked at him and pleaded for a solution.