So You're Happy?

Writers: Avery, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th January 2015

Characters: Zelah, Bryvin
Description: Xeladrie tells Bryvin some happy news.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 11, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Telemon

Zelah

Bryvin

Xeladrie's mother had told her that she was a lucky girl. Her cycle
had been extremely regular for the past few Turns, always four days of
the third sevenday of the month. Occasionally stress could offset it,
like when her father had informed her of who she'd be marrying. That
had upset her badly enough to throw her off by a few days.

Now the new month had started without any sign of her bleeding. And
breakfast had been entirely unappealing. It was time to talk to her
husband. So she lingered in her bath for longer than usual, turning
over in her mind what she had to say and how to go about doing it.

When her servant came in to check on her, she accepted the help
dressing and drying. Then she penned a note asking her husband to come
see her at lunchtime and sent the girl off to deliver it. Hopefully
he'd be pleased by the news.

Bryvin was a little late to lunch so when he swept in the food was
already on the table. His morning hadn't gone as he'd planned and he
was preoccupied when he bent to peck his wife's cheek. "Good afternoon
my dear," he said as he sat and flipped the napkin into his lap.

"Good afternoon," she responded, smiling up at him. Her own food was
untouched so far. "How was your morning?"

"Interesting," he said without enthusiasm. "But I'd much rather the
minor holders would pay their tithe rather than send someone to
explain to me why it's impossible."

"I understand how that can be frustrating," she said. "I do have some news
that might lighten your mood."

He was paying more attention to the greens on his plate. She certainly
seemed determined to make him eat them. Though he had to hand it to
her she'd tried many different dressings and flavors until she'd
found a few he could actually tolerate. He skewered a piece of the
meat and a liberal helping of the leaves. "Do you," he asked and
shoved it in his mouth.

"I think we're going to have a baby," Xeladrie said, watching his face
carefully to see his reactions.

For a moment he stopped chewing in shock, **so soon?** Then he
finished the bite and smiled and this time the smile reached his eyes.
"Xeladrie," he said her name in a loving tone. "That makes me very
happy. How soon will you know for sure?"

She didn't want to bore him with physiological details he probably didn't
want to know about. "Two more sevendays maybe? Unless I ask one of the
midwives."

"Whatever you want," he said reaching for her hand across the table.
"This is very good news," he said with a sincere smile. "I never
thought it would happen this soon. How are you feeling?"

"Once the wedding date was set, my mother and I made a rough guess and
hoped for soon. She's very fertile and we hoped it would be passed down,"
she told him as she took the offered hand.

At the feeling question, she looked down at her plate and pushed the food.
"Fine so far, I think. Some food worry, but that's normal I'm told."

"Food worry," he looked concerned. "Is there something you want? If we
don't have it Xeladrie, I'll send for it. If you want peaches I'll get
them for you. They should be harvesting on the northern continent
right now."

"I hadn't thought about what I wanted, more what I don't want," she said
with a little smile. "But those sound lovely."

"Peaches it is," he chuckled. "Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of, but I'll be sure to tell you." She looked up
shyly. "So you're happy?"

"Very," he smiled at her and brushed aside the thought of identical
eyes and hair in another face. He lifted her hand to his lips. "You
shall have the best of care Xeladrie." He kissed her hand and then
leaned forward to kiss her temple. "I will make sure that Master
Telemon consults to help you select the appropriate healer or
midwife." He removed the napkin from his lap. "Now I must return to
work." He stood and walked toward the door. "I will leave you to your
rest tonight sweetheart," he said and with a nod left her rooms. He
would sleep in his own room this evening and allow her some space now
that they'd produced the desired result. All in all he was _very_
pleased with Xeladrie.

"I'm pleased that you're pleased, my Lord husband." And she liked the idea
of a break, too. While he was skilled at what he did with her body, she
did like the idea of time to herself now and then...

Last updated on the January 20th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

So You're Happy?