Visit From a Protective Mother

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 1st February 2016

Characters: K'lvin, Bahji, Bartona
Description: Bahji's mother comes for a visit
Location: River Bluff Weyr, Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 3, day 3 of Turn 8

K'lvin inhaled the refreshing sea air as Xmrenth circled down over
Sunstone Seahold. The weather was beautiful, leaving the sunlight
sparkling over the waves. Once they were close enough K'lvin could see
his weyrmate's mother waiting on the steps leading to the Hold. He was
glad that he was able to do this for Bahji, he imagined a new, young
mother would be comforted by having her own mother with her.

When the bronze came into sight, Bartona lifted her arm and waved
towards K'lvin. She didn't wait too long for the bronze to land,
hurrying over. "She's alright? The baby's okay? She was so brief in
her message."

"All is well." K'lvin assured her as he reached down and helped lift
the woman up and onto Xmrenth's neckridge in front of him. He would
let Bahji tell her mother of the difficulty with Kaliha's birth if she
chose.

Bartona had yet to get used to riding dragonback, but she knew enough
to wait until K'lvin strapped her in. "I wish I could have been
there." She smoothed her hands over her skirts. "I can't tell you how
thrilled I am. I have a granddaughter. I just want to hold her."

K'lvin smiled, "Your granddaughter is beautiful. She looks just like
her mama." He made sure the woman's straps were secure and then hooked
his hand through her harness to keep her steady as they rode. "Here we
go."

Xmrenth didn't take off with his usual powerful launch, but instead
gave a gentle hop, that turned into a long glide. Stroking his wings
smoothly he gained altitude gradually before taking them /between/.

When they emerged over the Weyr, Bartona gave a visible shiver. "Oh, I
hate having to do that." She patted his hand lightly. "Thank you,
Xmrenth for making it so easy on these old bones."

The bronze gave a warble in response. "He says you are welcome."
K'lvin translated as they made an easy descent to their weyrledge.

Bartona was impatient as the dragon landed and her straps were undone.
She carefully climbed down the big bronze and was greeting by a much
smaller one who appeared in the air with an audible pop of sound.
Burst gave a welcoming chitter and landed on K'lvin's shoulder, his
tail lightly around the back of the man's neck.

"This way." K'lvin said as he reached up and scratched Burst's tiny
head. He led Bartona into the main weyr where he had left Bahji
cocooned in a sea of blankets, propped in a comfortable chair with her
feet up on an ottoman.

Following K'lvin, Bartona paused when her daughter came into view,
eyes immediately going to the swaddled bundle in her arms. Looking as
though she might actually melt, the woman hurried forward, forgetting
K'lvin completely at the sight of her tiny granddaughter. "Oh...she's
beautiful."

Bahji's head lifted and her tired eyes were both proud and tired, a
bit of pinch of pain around her lips. "Mother. I'm glad you're here.
Meet Kaliha." She lifted the sleeping child, letting Bartona slip her
hands under to pick up the baby.

"Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful." Bartona rocked her in her arms, her
eyes gentle. "She's perfect."

K'lvin smiled as he watched Bartona with her granddaughter. Moving
around behind Bahji's chair, K'lvin reached down and massaged her
shoulders lightly as he bent and pressed a kiss to the top of her
head.

"You feeling okay?" he murmured with concern in her ear.

Hearing his voice, Bahji's lips lifted slightly as she leaned towards
him just a little. "Just a little pain." She murmured. Burst hopped
off of K'lvin's shoulder and onto Bahji's settling in with a soft
croon as he pressed against her neck.

Bartona looked up and finally noticed the pinched look of her
daughter's face. Her brow furrowed. "You're still hurting? Is it
cramps? They should have given you some pain teas for that. And it's
better for you to be moving around, especially after birth."

Bahji shifted just a little. "I'm still healing mother. It..." She
laid a very light hand on her abdomen over her blanket. "It wasn't a
regular birth."

Bartona blinked. "How do you mean?"

Bahji's head turned towards K'lvin. "Can you explain? I'm not really
sure I can."

K'lvin shook his head, he'd spent most of the time behind a curtain
after all. "There were complications, that's all. Recovery might take
a bit longer for Bahji."

Bartona looked between the pair of them. "Complications." She frowned.
"What kind of complications."

Bahji swallowed and sighed softly. "They had to take the baby, Mother.
Cut her out. I'm afraid that my hips..."

Bartona interrupted Bahji with a choking, distressed sound. "Cut?" Her
face became alarmed. "You could have died! Why didn't anyone come and
get me? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"It all happened very quickly." K'lvin said, and for his age he looked
like a scolded child as he stood behind Bahji's chair.

Face still distraught, Bartona looked at the pair, cuddling the small
baby close to her. "But you're better? You're healing alright? There's
no infection or..."

Bahji lifted a hand to pause her mother. "It'll be okay. I'll be
healing for a few more seven days but..."

Her mother cut in. "Sevendays?" She shook her head. "Then I'll stay
and help with Kaliha."

K'lvin liked Bahji's mother just fine, but the idea of her staying for
an extended visit made him tense his fingers lightly on Bahji's
shoulders. "It's really not necessary Bartona, the Weyr has
fostermothers that will help with Kaliha when I'm busy or when Bahji
needs rest."

Easily feeling K'lvin's hands tighten on her, Bahji lifted one hand to
over his. "Really, Mother, I'll be okay. You don't have to stay so
long; I know you don't need to be away from Father that long. "

Bartona frowned. "This is my first grandchild. Of course he wouldn't
mind if I stayed."

Bahji cleared her throat. "Mother, I do have enough help."

"Don't you want me to stay?" Bartona looked wounded and Bahji could
hear it in her voice.

"I don't mind, but I would really like to take this time that I'm
healing to bond with the baby on my own. Perhaps you can stay for a
longer visit when we can go out together, okay?"

Her mother kept her frown. "Just the night then." She looked at
K'lvin. "If that will be alright."

"That's fine with me, I can get Kylena's room fixed up for you to stay
in for tonight." His oldest daughter would be with her foster mother anyway.

"Thank you, K'lvin." Bartona looked relieved and cuddled the baby closer.

Last updated on the February 9th 2016

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Visit From a Protective Mother