The State of Us (1/3)

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 19th June 2025

Characters: Coran, Relea
Description: The pair discuss the state of their marriage and what to do going forward.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 2, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Mirona
this continues "The Unwanted Sister" https://triadweyrs.org/series.php?sr_id=9

Relea

Relea didn’t think she would be able to sleep, but as soon as she sat
upon the bed, exhaustion enveloped her, a gift of her pregnant state.
Upon awakening, she opened her eyes to find the sun pouring into the
room, the tiny particles ever present, no matter how well one cleaned
a room, slowly floating through the beams like a school of fish.
Pushing herself up, she found familiarity and unfamiliarity both
coursing through her, the idea that she was in the wrong place
suddenly followed by recognition. She was in Green Valley.

She was back home.

But was it her home? The previous night, Coran danced with a strange
woman while she stood on the sidelines and watched. Although he had
escorted her to get Corlea, and they had put the child together, the
night had ended in stillness, for she had been unable to remain awake
as soon as she got off her feet.

Coran had slept on the couch after getting Relea into what had been
‘their’ bed, once upon a time. It wasn’t that he had any objection to
sleeping beside his estranged wife; in fact, he had missed sharing a
bed with her, but he thought she might like some privacy after… Well,
after _everything_.

He was still amazed by the ironies of his life and how he had come
full circle back to Green Valley. Back to Relea. Back to an awkward
tension in their marriage.

Sleep was nearly non-existent for him. He’d sat up most of the night
thinking of what Mirona must be thinking and feeling, while also
lamenting that Relea had seen him being ‘unfaithful’ again. The last
thing he ever wanted was to hurt Relea, and yet he seemed to do it
spectacularly.

By the time she woke, he had breakfast on the table and was waiting for her.

She emerged from the room, hesitant, cautious, and pained. Her
expression reflected the emotions that wrestled within her. Her eyes
fell to the table, upon which a hearty breakfast had been laid.
Before either of them could sign a word, however, Corlea zoomed from
her bedroom and threw herself at her father. “DADDY!”

The bright sunshine of his daughter’s enthusiasm cast aside his worry
and tension for a moment as he bent and scooped Corlea into his arms.
“There’s my little fingertail.” He buried his face against her neck,
tickling her with his nose and chin. The child responded with wild
bouts of giggles. “Look, I have your favorite,” he said, sitting her
down at the table and then passing a small bowl overfilled with
cherries. “Sprinkled with sweetener, just the way you like.”

Relea raised her hands to say something, then let them fall. Instead,
she eased herself heavily into a seat and watched as her daughter
basked in the warmth of the father she hadn’t seen in months. They
couldn’t discuss matters with her there. Although young, Corlea could
understand enough, and Relea thought such matters were too much for
little hearts.

So she waited. Picking at her food, she slowly took bites and smiled
whenever Corlea looked her way. To anyone peeking in, they were the
perfect picture of a happy family. If they peered more closely,
however, they might see a few cracks in the paint.

[Perhaps someone could take Corlea to play?] Relea’s hands asked once
the child finished as much fruit as her little tummy could hold.

[Of course,] Coran signed back.

“Would you like to go play with some of the other kids?” he asked
Corlea, who “eep’ed” with excitement, her hands shooting into the air.
“YES!”

Coran smiled and tousled her hair. Scooping her up, he left the
quarters to deposit her with the old Hold aunties who kept the
children too young for Harper lessons.

Last updated on the June 23rd 2025

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The State of Us (1/3)