A Life Saver

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th October 2014

Characters: Shilara, Jylanya
Description: Needing some new clothing
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 9, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Veerona, Naton, Famell

Jylanya

She had put it off for as long as possible by letting seams out of her
normal clothing, or picking tunics that were a little large for her
frame.... But the pregnant belly she was beginning to sport now could
no longer be simply hidden.

**I need maternity clothes.** Shilara thought with a sigh as she
looked into the mirror that hung on the back of her door. The shirt
she had on currently had to be tugged downward constantly to hide the
bulge of her stomach.

With a sigh she swung open the door and strode out of her room as a
brisk pace. She didn't want people seeing her ill fitting clothing if
she could help it. It was with great relief that she found Jylanya in
her office.

"Jylanya," she whispered with relief, darting her eyes around as she
closed the door to the woman's office and slumped against it.

"Yes," Jylanya said with a puzzled half smile. She was deep in her
preparations for the wedding so the bride visiting her office wasn't
unexpected but Shilara's abrupt arrival and closing of the door sent
her senses jingling. "What's going on?"

Shilara's hands slashed through the air to frame her abdomen, "Can't
you tell? I am busting out of my clothes!" She moaned and practically
slithered over to a chair in front of Jylanya's desk. "It's time for
maternity clothes." The words were a grumbled pout.

Jylanya's smile broadened. "We can fix that," she said. "Come along
with me." She got up from her chair and walked out of her room and
down a back hall toward the back entrance to the third level.

With her hands holding down the hem of her shirt, Shilara followed the
Headwoman, grateful that this seemed to be a problem Jylanya was ready
to handle promptly.

Jylanya smiled to herself. Perhaps living so near the Weyr had changed
some of her sensibilities and that was why her first inclination had
been to help rather than judge the other woman. Shilara was obviously
hiding her pregnancy as she herself would have in her condition. But
then there was no real doubt who the father was and he was marrying
the woman so who other than the parents should care.

"Here we are," she said taking her chain and pulling forth the right
key to the door. Once the door was open she climbed the stairs and
went directly to the second storage room on the right. Inside were
racks of clothing under covers in various shapes and sizes. She
flipped on a light. She moved about halfway into the room and pulled
the cover off one rack. "There, this one had quite a bit of maternity
clothing."

"You are a life saver." Shilara said with a smile for Jylanya as she
raked her fingers through her short hair and began slowly walking down
beside the rack of clothing.

"Don't worry about it Shilara." Jylanya tried to reassure her. "It's
only a few days til your wedding and then all will be fine." She
smiled when she remembered how Master Famell looked at the Dolphin
Rider. It was rather the same look she'd seen in Naton's eyes when he
looked at her.

"Did Naton tell you we're engaged?"

Shilara smiled at Jylanya, "I didn't hear it from Naton, but I did
hear the whispers about your engagement. Congratulations, by the way.
When will your big day be?"

"We're taking our time," she wrinkled her nose. "Veerona, is having a
great deal of difficulty with sharing me."

The journeywoman dolphineer could not imagine letting a bratty child
stand in between her and Famell. But then, she had never raised a kid
before and still did not know what to truly expect from the
mother-child bond.

"Hopefully that will work out for you sooner rather than later then."

Jylanya smiled at her with a hint of steel in her look. "She'll adjust
over time, but that doesn't mean I'm going to delay very long. I think
perhaps during the Turnover celebrations when so many weddings are
celebrated."

"A Turnover wedding! How romantic!" Shilara smiled and then added,
"And with Master Naton I am not sure how you are waiting that long
anyway." She winked.

Jylanya laughed and shook her head. "Me either," she blushed. "He is
rather yummy. And boy can he kiss." She heaved a great sigh. Veerona
had no idea what this was costing her.

"He is yummy." Shilara agreed. She as engaged, not blind. Turning back
to the rack, Shilara snatched up a few of the pieces she had been
admiring, "I think this will do... And if I need to go a size
bigger... I'll just hide in my room until the baby is born."

"Oh, you won't do that I'm sure. Not if you can spend time in the
water. I'm told he helps with most of the discomfort of carrying the
child around." She remembered another one that was similar to one of
those Shilara had picked and searched for it for a moment. "There is
another one here like that, ah ha," she finally exclaimed and pulled
the garment from the rack. "How's this one?"

"Looks great." Shilara said, before returning to the topic of the
baby, "I was actually considering a water birth where Keyla could be
there too.... Does that sound crazy?"

"No not at all," Jylanya smiled. "Maybe I'll do that with Veerona one
day. I do so want her to feel included but she seems to think its
either her or Naton and I can't love both of them. Probably to do with
her own past." She didn't want to over burden the other woman with her
own problems. "I think a water birth sounds lovely."

With the clothes draped over her arm, Shilara led the way back out of
the room, "Yes, including Veerona would be very good for her. Maybe if
you give her a special part in your wedding day she will like that a
little better too?"

"At this point I'm willing to try anything," Jylanya said as she
exited behind Silara and turned to lock the storage room behind her.
"Thanks for the ideas," she smiled and patted the other woman's arm.
"You let me know if you need anything else, alright?"

"Absolutely. Thanks Jylanya." And Shilara walked away with the clothes
hugged over her expanding midsection.

Last updated on the November 16th 2014

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A Life Saver