Stone's Throw

[Bethany]

Fifteen minutes of near silent crying into her brother's shoulder, Beth is tucked neatly into the bed with Andreas nestled in her arms. She's not asleep, she's watching her baby with open if tired eyes, but she remains silent while Carver swiftly changes for bed himself.

[Carver Amell]

He doesn't bother with pajamas, merely stripping to his boxers before climbing into bed next to her. "Beth... maybe you should stay with me and Lina for a few days. Let me take care of you. You don't look like you're eating enough."

[Bethany]

Beth moves to cuddle against him as soon as he's laying flat, the baby not stirring a whit. In a small bit of mercy, he's suddenly shifted to being a deep, sound sleeper this last month. Beth had, of course, panicked despite the positive nature of the change, but all four healers she'd checked with assured her he's just fine. "Nothing tastes right," Beth says, noticing she's been silent for longer than she'd realized. "I've been forcing myself to eat enough but..." She sighs. "I have lost weight," she admits. "Not much, I'm only a few pounds lighter than I was before-- before-- than two years ago."

[Carver Amell]

"I'll make all your favorites," he promises. "Eel stew. Fresh scones. Everything. You need it."

[Bethany]

Oh dear. I really do need.to tell him. Looking faintly amused and faintly guilty, Beth smiles weakly at him. "I... the eel thing was just a pregnancy craving, love."

[Carver Amell]

"Oh," he blushes. "I thought-- I thought it was a childhood thing. Like, how we used to have it back home when we were little. I remember catching eels in the pond with you..." He shakes his head. "Nevermind. Just, whatever you need, I'm here for you, m'win."

[Bethany]

"Oh." Beth blinks a few times. "I always thought you loved eels?"

[Carver Amell]

"I loved spending time with you. The eels were... okay I guess."

[Bethany]

"Bastion's sake, we're such a pair, aren't we?" Beth giggles. "I miss that pond sometimes."

[Carver Amell]

"I miss living with you," he says, planting a kiss on her cheek. 

[Bethany]

"Even seeing you most ever day, it's not quite the same, is it?" Beth agrees.

[Carver Amell]

"I'm telling you, move in with me for a bit. You deserve to be looked after for a while." He pauses, then asks delicately, "is everything alright with you and Don?"

[Bethany]

Beth flinches, looking away. Thankfully, Carver isn't seeing fear, at all, in her reaction. Hurt, yes. Shame, regret and bitterness. But no fear. She doesn't say anything either, which is pretty telling.

[Carver Amell]

"Oh Beth..." He sighs. "You need someone in your corner right now. Someone to make you feel like a woman, not just a mother."

[Bethany]

"What if I want to be just a mother?" Beth whispers back, still not lifting her eyes from little Andreas.