"Could you really?" Uriel asked, delighted. "I'd love that."

His question, however, made her turn serious. "Nobody," she replied briefly. "Nobody as far as I'm concerned. This is my child, and mine alone. Its father will have nothing to do with it." She spread the fingers of the hand she had over her belly in a protective gesture. She would indeed protect her child from anybody and anything -- yes, even Pestilence, should the need arise. She still loved him, but her child's wellbeing was more important to her.