After checking everything was in place, Mal headed to the shuttle he and his fiancé occupied. He was having strange dreams lately – not bad – but strange, he always pictures Inara with her back to him in a shop holding a baby as she talked animatedly with the sales girl – he didn’t even know what the shop sold! And every time he tried to touch Inara or calling to her, she disappeared.

He shook his head, this was insane and they’re just dreams after all. Malcolm Reynolds was never one to think much about family – of coarse the crew and Inara were his family… but kids? His life didn’t permit these thoughts of actually having a kid of his own but these dreams made him yearn for it somehow.

He found her asleep on their new comfortable bed, wearing one of his shirts. She had been very tired lately and it wasn’t because he didn’t let her sleep or anything, they decided not to take that step yet so that they wouldn’t risk their relationship being all about sex. There will be time for that all right. He was a bit worried though at seeing her like this… she was so pensive – she wasn’t changing her mind on marrying him and was feeling trapped was she? He shuddered at the thought.

He changed into his sweatpants and crawled into bed pulling the woman of his heart to him so she was nestled in his arms, apparently this woke her up.

“Sorry, darlin’ didn’t wanna wake you…”

“No I was resting a bit, waiting for you. I need to talk to you Mal…” she said, expression serious but fearful.

“All right, talk.”

“This is serious Mal!”

Mal sighed held rubbed her back soothingly, knowing this always worked “I’m listening honey”

Inara took a deep breath, “Maybe this is too early, maybe you won’t agree with me but since we’ll married soon…well, we made that promise, ‘no secrets’ right?”

“Right.”

“And I’m keeping my word so don’t be mad at me, ok?” her eyes were dilated with fear.

“Ok, ‘Nara but you’re killing me here.” He was worried now.

“Mal… I want to have a baby – your baby- I knew it was the price