Surprising News and a Decision

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 26th March 2012

Characters: D'ale, Kenza
Description: Kenza has some news
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 21 of Turn 6

D'ale

Kenza found herself uncertain as she stood outside the door she knew
so well. Seldom did she doubt herself, but as she stood here, alone,
and lost in thought, she began to wonder if she'd have been better to
make this decision on her own. **No,** she told herself. D'ale had
_always_ been there for her when she needed him, whether in person or
in spirit. This was not her decision to make alone.

"D'ale?" She called out as she entered without knocking, hoping he was
in his weyr.

"Out here," he called from the outer weyr where he was working on his
straps. There was a portion of one of them that was showing some wear
and he wanted to take care of it sooner rather than later. He
recognized Kenza's voice of course.

She approached him, less confident and sure in herself than she might
normally have been othewise. She tried not to let her emotion show on
her face, but for someone who had learned to school her features often
enough, Kenza found that task very difficult in the current
circumstances and with the man she spied as she moved to the outer
weyr.

"Hey," she said, wondering how she was going to approach what she had
come to tell him without just blurting out the news. What if he wanted
something different than she did? They had not had to walk this path
together in so many Turns, she wasn't sure she wanted to walk it
again. She knew what most people would probably tell her, but she also
knew what was in her own heart?

"Hey," he looked up from his work and smiled. He knew Kenza well
enough after all these turns to know something was bothering her by
the way she was standing there. So, he put down what he was working on
and stood. "What's up?"

She heaved a bit of a heavy sigh and moved to sit beside him.

"We need to talk," she stated simply, turning to look him in the eyes.
**Just get it over with,** she told herself.

"I'm pregnant, and it's yours," she let out a breath as she watched
him. Kenza knew she was well past the age that most riders were
birthing babes and she knew her thoughts on the matter, but this was
D'ale she was dealing with, her closest friend and lover through all
the Turns.

He sat back down when she did but what she said floored him and he
almost slipped off the bench. "You're... really?" He didn't quite know
what to think. Still there was something. He would be happy to be a
father again. He loved both K'ale and Dalora with all his heart. Then
he stopped in his tracks. "Ok," he said putting an arm around her.
"What do you want to do?"

His arm around her was a comfort and she took courage from that.
"K'ale has been a true joy in my life, I want you to know that. Having
a child with you all those Turns ago was wonderful." Kenza looked hard
at D'ale, "But I'm _old_ to have a babe now D'ale. I'm well into my
45th Turn. Life is different now. We're both different now." Kenza
looked away from him, down at her hands which she'd subconsciously been
wringing together in her lap. "I didn't want to make this decision
without you," she finally added on almost a whisper.

His other arm came around to pull her close. "Thank you for telling
me," he said and kissed her temple. She could just as well have
handled it herself and he'd have never known. "Look," his fingers
lifted her chin to tilt her face up to him. "We have to do what's best
for you. I'm just fine with that Kenza." Whatever disappointment he
might have felt he buried deep so she would never see it in his eyes.

She knew D'ale would always understand. He'd always been so good to
her. Looking him in the eyes, she reached a hand up to caress his
cheek. "I _could_ carry the babe to term, but things could be
difficult for it and for me." She slipped her hand down over her
abdomen. She knew what she _should_ do, but what she wanted to do was
so different. She was well past her prime and there were serious risks
to what she was considering. This could very well be her last chance.
"I want the child, D'ale, but I'm scared." she finally whispered.

"I'm here whatever you decide," he said pulling her into his arms. It
wasn't often that this tough woman showed her softer side. "You know I
love the kids and would love this one too. But it will be hard on
you." A corner of his mouth raised. "Are you getting sick already?"

"Some mornings, yes," She replied with her lip twitching into the
start of a smile. "I know my body so well after all these Turns, that
I think I knew something was different even before the signs were
there. I'm surprised, actually, as so often we miss those signs and
with Threadfall," she paused and drew in a breath, "It's amazing that
the babe is still safe and here. Almost like it was meant to be." She
looked into his eyes imploringly. "If we keep the babe, would I be
making a grave mistake? I'm truly _old_ for this, yet it seems so
right for some reason. Many women my age are well past their Turns of
even being able to carry a child." Kenza hated this feeling of
indecision that was sweeping through her. This was not like her and
she couldn't stand it. She heaved a rather frustrated sigh.

"Alright then, lets try to have another baby but if it get's too hard
on you we'll do what's necessary." He had another thought though one
that stemmed more from his job than her lover. "You'll have to stop
flying thread." He left it at that knowing she could draw the right
conclusion.

Kenza felt relief at his words. She wasn't sure why this was so
important to her, but it was. His next words gave her pause. Yes, she
had considered that when she'd first begun thinking of what to do, but
she hadn't _really_ considered exactly what that meant until now.
"I...yes....you are right. I will have to stop flying Thread." She
looked to him, the hint of a smile on her lips. "It will be worth it
to know that I brought forth a child of ours one last time." She
reached her hand up to his cheek and leaned in to kiss his lips
softly.

"You know me D'ale," she said as she pulled away, "I've never quite
had the same mothering instinct as some of the women, but something is
different this time. I _want_ this child. Our child. I _want_ to be a
mother one more time."

He smiled and held her close after the kiss. "I want it too," he
smiled. "I'm sure U'kaiah will understand since he just had a baby of
his own. Though I don't imagine he'll thank me for losing him his
Wingthird."

"No, he might not be all that happy with you," she replied, her eyes
lighting with mirth as she felt the weight of her news being lifted
away. "I love you D'ale," she added, knowing the words were true.
D'ale had always been more than a just a man she slept with. He was a
dear friend and someone she cared about deeply. A part of her heart
belonged to him.

D'ale pulled her into his lap. "Love you too sweetheart," he pulled
her head into his shoulder and just held her. Kenza was a part of him
in a way he couldn't describe fully. A better friend he would never
have. He promised himself he was going to watch her like a watch wher
though. If she showed any signs of distress they'd take steps to
assure she'd stay healthy.

Last updated on the March 27th 2012

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Surprising News and a Decision