darker_london | Aly Gets Proactive (Aly, Peter) Rating: PG

After Lydia's equestrian event in which she had placed second in her division, the family had had a lovely ice cream party in Peter and Aly's room. Aly was thrilled by the fact that Lydia had wanted to share the event with her. It made her feel good. After everyone toddled off and Kat and Thomas headed out for their movie, Peter sat by Aly's side with his arms wrapped around her. "Feeling any better, Love?" He asked her, kissing her on her temple.

"A bit better. Ice cream cures all, doesn't it?"

"Hmm. I suppose it does. As long as it's not Deirdre's Evil Orange Ice Cream of Doomy Doom."

"That's a rather long name for an ice cream flavour." Aly said with a grin.

"Oh well, it only does the horribleness of it half-justice."

"Peter, I was thinking and I don't think I can do my job at the museum any more. I know the doctors said that this..." Aly indicated herself in the bed "will come and go, but taking people on tours all day up and down those stairs and standing around and lifting and moving things...I don't think I can."

Peter rubbed Aly's arm consolingly. "I understand, Honey." Money wasn't an issue and it never would be. he knew that Aly's job wasn't about that anymore, it was to feel like she was contributing something. It was to keep her interested and involved. It was to give her a purpose and keep her from getting bored. "I'm sure you'll find something else you love."

"Well...as much as I won't miss the tour guiding, I'll miss the history of the place. I'll miss the artefacts and everything. I spoke with the museum director and he's willing to let me have a place as a historian but I'd have to have the qualifications first. I was thinking...maybe I could go back to school?" She'd been an art student so many years ago, but she'd never finished her degree. She'd be starting an whole new one as well. She wouldn't do it if it wasn't okay with Peter, it was his money she'd be spending and his time as well.

A smile spread across Peter's face. "I think that's a fantastic idea, Aly."

"Really? You don't mind? I wouldn't be working and I couldn't..pay for it..."

Peter shook his head. "That doesn't matter. I want you to be happy and if this is what you what, I want you to have it."

"I'd be busy a lot and...we're going to have four children soon..."

Peter smiled. "Aly, it'll be fine. It will be wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. I used to take care of an entire parish, I think four children that I happen to love will be just fine. I love spending time with them. Believe me."

Aly grinned. "Thank you, Peter. You're just...you're wonderful. Really. I want this. I can handle sitting in class and taking notes and writing papers. It'll get me back on my feet."

Peter kissed Aly on the cheek. "I'm very proud of you for not letting this get you down. I don't think anyone would fault you for being angry about it and instead, you're doing something positive. I love you, and I think you're...fantastic."

Aly giggled. "I can handle being fantastic." She turned her head and kissed Peter softly on the lips. "And in a week you'll be Mr. Fantastic."

"Don't remind me, I get butterflies! They've set up camp right here." Peter pointed to his stomach. "They like to flutter about when someone mentions weddings or marriage or....garters too. But that might be for different reasons." Peter grinned.

"You're very silly. And it will be a wonderful day, Peter."

"It will be. And you get to lie here and let me take care of worrying about arranging it, okay?"

"Yes sir." Aly saluted Peter. "You'll be the most fantastic husband ever."

"Oh...the butterflies are maturing and now they're....brontasauruses."

"You have brontasauruses in your tummy?"

"Yeah. Mad things, they are, fluttering about. I might....vomit." Peter did look a bit white.

"Peter. You will be a fantastic husband. And if you vomit, don't do it on me. Thomas is used to it, do it on him."

Peter giggled. "I'll keep that in mind."

"You know Brontasauruses aren't real, right? It was actually a mistake made by paleontologists."

"Oh. Well...no wonder they're mad. They they were mistakes. That would anger me a little bit." Peter winked and curled up beside Aly. "I'm just going to stay right here and you'll protect me from them. You and Philbert the watchbear." Peter patted the bear that was in the bed on the other side of Aly.

"You are so strange, Peter." She ran her fingers through his hair. "I like you that way. Don't change."

"Yes ma'am." Peter said, kissing Aly's side. Not changing was something he could do. It didn't even take any effort!