My prompt response. As an explanation - Ceri and Anders are my fanfic couple. In their story (which I won't go into too much because its probably not that interesting) - Ceri died and Anders pulled her back from the Fade. I decided in my little AU world that Spirit Healers can do it if its done quickly enough but that they're not supposed to. Usually what happens is that they pull a demon back. Anders managed to pull most of Ceri back but left some important bits behind. Like the bits that exercise impulse control and, well, you'll see. Oh also, she's not a warden. In case anyone was wondering ;-)
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"They're behaving like children!"
Anders blinked, glanced at Ceri and then back at the two causes of her outburst. A pair of young boys belonging to one of the servants. "They are children. Which explains their behaviour, yes?"
"Pfft." Waving that off, she continued to glare. "Listen to them. So much noise! I'll stun them, that should keep them quiet for a while."
He managed to grab her before she moved, just. "You can't stun children for being noisy."
"The spell will work on them. I've used it before."
"You've used it before!? No. Don't explain, I think I'd rather not know." Holding more firmly to her arm, Anders started walking back into the Keep. "We need to talk about this."
"Why? If I stun them, they'll be quiet and everything will be fine."
"Everything won't be fine! Maker's sake Ceri, you can't stun children. Its, well, its just wrong. How would you feel if someone stunned your child?"
"I don't have a child."
"You." Stopping suddenly, he released his grip. "No, I suppose you don't." Anders could see she had no idea why he was upset and no idea why she shouldn't stun children just for being noisy. "Go inside. See if you can find something to do that doesn't involve causing bodily harm to children."
"Anders." He was upset with her. "Don't be upset."
"Just. Go inside. Please." After briefly hesitating, Ceri nodded and did as he'd told her. Watching her walk away Anders sighed. His fault, so he'd have to find a way to deal with it.
"She doesn't understand." Velanna smirked when Anders jolted. "You need to find a way to explain that she does understand."
"I know that. Thank you."
"Ceri doesn't understand anything she hasn't experienced herself. You can't ask her to put herself in another's place."
"Velanna." Pausing he nodded. "Yes. I'm not sure how else to explain it to her."
"No?" Leaning on her staff she looked him over from head to toe. "She's with child. In case you hadn't noticed. Ser healer." His eyes widened with shock. "Ah, you hadn't noticed. Did you think perhaps she'd simply eaten too much supper? Every night for the past few weeks?"
"I."
"Hmm. Not so clever after all. "
"I."
Speechless. Velanna would have laid good gold that was impossible to achieve. Pity she wasn't able to take better advantage of it. "After you've regained the power of speech, I suggest you examine your wife to ensure I'm correct. Then, tell her. You may find knowing she's having a child of her own may give her a better understanding. If not." Shrugging she thought about it. "Ask her how she'd feel if someone stunned you every time you annoyed them."
"Oh. I." She was a few paces away before Anders managed to gather himself. "Thank you!" She didn't turn, just waved one hand in acknowledgement. Perhaps a woman's view was useful every now and then.
Right. Taking a deep breath, Anders marched up into the Vigil to chase down Ceri.
He found her in the kitchen, making a pie. Frowning he paused in the doorway and watched her. Why did that seem familiar? Why? Feeling Pounce brush against his leg he glanced down. Oh. Yes. After hitting his arm discreetly with a small jolt of lightning, he nodded. Not dreaming, thank Andraste.
"Ceri, pet? What are you doing?"
"Making you a pie." Ceri lifted the bowl so he could see. "Peach. Your favourite."
"I appreciate that, thank you." Her smile was as much relieved as happy. "When you've finished that, I need you to do something for me."
"What?"
"Ah." How to explain this without sounding like he wanted sex? "I have to examine you. For, um, injuries."
"I'm not injured."
"You might be."
"No, I'm sure I'm not."
"But you could be! I'm mean." Clearing his throat, Anders tried another tack. "Those bandits had poison on their arrows. You could have been scratched without realising."
"No." Pouring the peaches into the pie shell, Ceri glanced over at him. "The midwife said I was fine."
"The. Who?"
"Midwife." Lifting the pastry she carefully laid it over the filling and started pinching the edges. "I wanted to tell you when I gave you the pie. In case you weren't happy." Darting a quick look at him, she shrugged. "There's a baby."
She knew. Had known and hadn't told him. "Why didn't you tell me?" She shrugged again but didn't answer. "Ceri? Why?"
"You said you didn't want babies."
"I didn't say that! When did I say that!?"
Her hands free now she'd put the pie in the oven, Ceri had no choice but to look at him. "I asked you and you said it wasn't possible."
"Andraste's ******. I meant it wasn't 'possible' not that I didn't want it. They told me the taint meant I couldn't have children." Her expression lightened a bit. "They must be wrong."
"Oh." Twisting her hands together she tried not to look too guilty. "I. Did something to help. Some magic."
"Do I even want to ask?"
"Oh, no, nothing bad. Just some blood magic and some potions Velanna helped me with. I didn't sacrifice a virgin. If I could even find one here. I mean really, Grey Wardens have to be the most." She stopped when he lifted a hand.
"You thought I didn't want children and yet you still did this?" She nodded. "That's why you thought I'd be upset?" Another nod. "I see." He should be annoyed, she'd gone against what she thought he'd wanted, to do what she wanted. "You shouldn't have done it Ceri. Not without asking me."
"I'm sorry." Ceri tried a sad face but he shook his head.
"No you're not." Which she clearly wasn't. "Tell me why."
"You want her back. She can't come back, she's gone. One day you'll send me away because I look like her but I'm not her. I wanted something of yours to keep with me after I'm gone."
"Ceri, love, I'm not going to send you away."
"Yes you will. You let me stay because you feel guilty. Did you think I didn't know that? I know you think I'm stupid now but I'm not."
"I don't think you're stupid."
"You do. You think I don't understand anything. Those children before. Why shouldn't I stun them?"
"Ceri."
"See. You can't explain it to me because you think I won't understand."
"Alright. Fine." Taking a step closer he glared at her. "You can't stun them for making a noise because they're children. Children are allowed to make noise when they're playing. They aren't adults and don't always have to follow the same rules of behaviour. Happy now?"
"Why didn't you say that before?" He hesitated. "See! You think I'm stupid."
"I do not think you're stupid. I just didn't think you'd understand, on this occasion, that's all. I'm sorry." She sniffed. "Mamae?"
"Oh, now you're trying to charm me."
Anders tried a grin, which to his horror sent her into tears. "Don't cry! Maker." Gathering her up he rocked her gently while she cried into his chest. "Don't cry, pet, I'm sorry. Its all my fault."
"I tricked you!"
"I know."
"I'm not sorry I did."
"I know." That seemed to be all she had to say for now. "I won't send you away Ceri, I love you. Both of you." Thankfully she nodded, even if she did keep crying. "Just, no stunning children, alright?"
"What if they deserve it?"
"No!" He sighed when her sobs were broken by a giggle.
Children 
... but also fabulous.
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