My heart melted when I saw her

Writers: Emma, AL
Date Posted: 28th September 2005

Characters: Carlan, Nikanna
Description: Carlan tells Nikanna that he told his family about the birth of their daughter
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 3

"She's just as beautiful as you," said Carlan as he stood next to his wife, gazing down at their tiny baby daughter sleeping in her crib.
"She's got your nose."

Nikanna pulled the blanket up a bit further to better cover her daughter. "Not so loud," She admonished in a voice barely above a whisper, "You'll wake her." Nikanna admired her daughter for a moment, then leaned against her husband. "She has your eyes." Though they were hard to see at the moment considering that the child was asleep, but when she was awake, it was easy to see how she resembled her father.

"We'll see when she grows up," he said, lowering his voice. Although so far the babe had slept through just about all disturbances.

"Indeed and we'll see how much trouble she becomes if she continues to take after her father." Nikanna whispered as she drew her husband away to let their child sleep in peace.

As they moved to the other side of the room, Carlan dropped a light kiss on his wife's head. "I do love you, you know."

"Do you now?" Nikanna slipped her hand into her husband's and squeezed it gently. "I should hope you would after all the trouble I went through for you!"

"I mean it," he said. "All we've been through, to get here, and now we have a lovely little girl." He smiled at her. "Makes it all worth while."

"It does indeed." Nikanna placed a gentle kiss upon her husband's cheek. "Very worth while."

"Do you think we should tell your father?" he asked. He was reluctant to break the mood, but the question had to be asked.

Nikanna's smile faded and she shook her head. "Why would he care?
He's not bothered to even write and tell us he hates us, so why would he care about any children we have begotten?"

"I know that, but if I were him I'd want to know. Maybe our little daughter will help him accept us. My heart melted when I saw her, maybe his would too."

"I don't know." Nikanna couldn't help her doubts. Her father had changed since her mother's death and despite the fact that their daughter was named after her mother, she couldn't be sure that Nikeves would be willing to accept any of them. "I'd rather just avoid him."

"Are you really sure?" he asked gently. He was aware that the Lord Holder would most likely find out anyway, he'd sent word to his brother of the birth, and that would mean that his parents would know soon, if not already. Given that his father was still based at the hold itself, chances were high that Nikeves would get word of Ryannae.

"If he wants to have anything to do with us, I'd rather he do it on his own account and not because we prompted him." Nikanna moved over to a chair and lowered herself into it. "Otherwise, I don't want to bother."

"He may find out anyway." Carlan looked his wife in the eyes, "I told D'meil, and he will probably, will almost certainly tell my parents."
His mother would no doubt tell the rest of the ladies in the Hall, and then word will get to Lord Nikeves.

"Then so be it." Nikanna lifted her hands in a dismissive gesture.
"If he finds out, he finds out, but it will not be from us. I do not wish to engage in any sort of communication with him unless he is the one who initiates. I will not have him think that I am trying to beg back his favour."

"I know you are not," Carlan pulled his wife into a hug with those words, knowing that would say more than words ever could.

Nikanna leaned into him and said no more. She knew that Carlan would respect her wishes. If Nikeves wanted to contact them, then let him. She, however, would not put forth the effort; there was too much risk at being pushed away again.

Last updated on the September 28th 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

My heart melted when I saw her