CHAPTER 17

2 MONTHS LATER

River watches amused as a grumbling Jayne picks up the clothes and books strewn about their room. She covers her mouth with her hand as she giggles at his tone.

Jayne looks at River annoyed, "Could help me out here baby girl." He remarks gruffly.

River points to her belly, "Too big."

Jayne tries to remain annoyed but fails when he looks at her bared belly. 'Damn she looks good.'

"Besides" River shrugs "it is your mess."

"Books ain't mine. Papers ain't either." He drops beside her on the bed with a sigh.

River shifts lying down her head resting on his leg, "Too much stuff." She yawns

Jayne grunts in agreement as he strokes her hair "Think your right River girl."

"Once she's crawling she'd get lost in this." River giggles

Jayne laughs "Probably right."

"Jayne" River turns her head looking at him.

Seeing the sadness in her eyes Jayne inwardly winces, "Why so sad Princess?"

"When she's here... my mind is going back." She says sadly. "No more weeks or months of sanity... strong threads... maybe days... hours."

"River you don't know that." Jayne protests "Things been fine since you got back."

"Her threads... mingling with mine. Once she's out... back to own threads... frayed threads." River sighs, "Centered with her because she's part of you." She closes her eyes, "Want to stay this way... but won't."

"River"

River opens her eyes looking at Jayne through her tears, "Still love me then zhang fu?"

"Course River girl." He wipes at her tears. "Gonna be fine." He leans down kissing her cheek, "Love you no matter what wife." He says softly.

River closes her eyes as she hears him call her wife. 'Love hearing that.'

Jayne strokes her hair as she drifts off to sleep his mind wandering over her admittance. He looks at her hand resting against her middle and smiles, 'Soon she's gonna be here.' He brushes a strand of River's hair back behind her ear. He looks around the room shaking his head when he notices the weapons are