Lorian and Tegan finished having sex. In the dim light of the bedroom, the air was still tinged with the lingering, intimate scent of their lovemaking.

Lorian lay back. His muscular chest glistened with sweat. It was evidence of his exertion. After catching his breath, he turned to Tegan and asked her a private question softly,

“It’s been a while. Why haven’t we conceived yet?”

Lorian gently stroked Tegan's flat abdomen. Clearly, he was yearning for a child.

Tegan was still softly catching her breath. Hearing her husband's question, she stared up at the dark ceiling. She suppressed the ache in her eyes as she responded,

“Maybe it’s just not meant to be yet.”

“Perhaps,” Lorian agreed with her explanation. He suggested they shower together to save time, but Tegan declined. She said that she wasn’t accustomed to sharing a bath.

Lorian didn’t insist. They each took their showers separately, in the master bedroom and guest bathroom, respectively. Then, they went to bed.

Lorian fe