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Writers: Miriah, Yvonne
Date Posted: 7th October 2014

Characters: Humari, Taril
Description: Humari brings news
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 9 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha

Humari

Humari stared anxiously at the door to Taril's office. She'd never before come here and she did not know if she would be welcome, but after her talk with the healer, she'd felt that her husband should know immediately. The healer had been emphatic; there was no doubt. She had recognized the signs that had become obvious. Would this mean her position was concrete now? That she didn't have to worry? She chewed on her lower lip and lifted her hand to rap softly on the door.

"Come in." Taril looked up from the ledger in front of him and frowned when he saw his wife silhouetted in the door. She'd never come down to the docks before, and he honestly wasn't sure that he wanted her to. "Humari-- come in. What are you doing here?"

She stepped in, but was immediately ill at ease. This was his place of business and she hated to intrude. "Taril. I'm sorry to disturb you but..." Her hands wrung at her waist and she swallowed. "..but...I thought you would want to know immediately."

"Close the door, then, and come sit down," he told her. She was upset. This couldn't be good. Behind him, Dodger sat up from his perch on the back of Taril's chair and crooned a greeting to Humari's green.

She closed the door, but instead of immediately sitting, for the first time she didn't immediately do what he told her. Instead she hurried towards him. "I wasn't sure, but I thought it could be. There were signs and I thought it should be checked. And the Healers said it was so." She moved around the desk to face him, paused and hesitantly took his hand. Watching his face carefully, she pressed his palm to the flat of her stomach. "You're to be a father."

"What?!" Taril stared at her in disbelief. It was too soon-- Yriadha hadn't been kidding about fertility in the family-- he was going to be a _father_?! "Say that again?"

Her face flushed as she saw the expression of disbelief and shock fall over his face and a trembling little smile grew on her mouth as she pressed her hand flat over his. "I'm with child, Taril. Your child." Her hand pressed his a little more firmly against her lower abdomen. They didn't touch often, except in the privacy of their bed chamber and she felt the warmth of his hand keenly through her dress. She brought her other hand to cover the back of his hand gently. "A baby is inside me. Your baby."

He blinked. A baby. An heir. Already... a slow smile spread across his face, and he reached out to cup Humari's cheek in his palm. Her skin was soft against his ink-stained fingers. "I can't-- you're sure? Absolutely sure?"

Her smile became gentler and softer as he cupped her cheek. It was a rare show of affection and one she hadn't expected. "The Healers are sure. I'm due in month thirteen." She leaned against his palm and slowly turned her head to kiss the center before turning back to look at him. Her voice was soft, hopeful. "This pleases you?"

"Pleases--?! Of course it does!" He laughed, the sound bubbling out of him without its usual cynical edge. "A baby! He'll be next in line for Red Tide Rocks-- for my business. My father will want him to take the Shipfish! Unless it's a girl--" He shook his head. If his firstborn was a girl, his mother would fight for _her_ to take the Shipfish, propriety be damned. "Humari, this is excellent news. Congratulations."

Her smile became wide and her chin lifted subtly with a hint of pride. She had pleased him. And it sounded as though he would be keeping her. Relief flooded through her and she looked at him with for the first time with happiness. "And congratulations to you as well, Taril." She stood a little
straighter and covered the hand on her cheek with her hand her voice strengthened, unwavering. "I'm proud to be the mother of your child."

"And I'm very glad that you are." He reached out and pulled her into a kiss, something he hadn't dared do, and before now wasn't sure if he'd wanted to. But everything had changed.

She didn't have time to be surprised as she was pulled to him. Humari gave a little gasp as his mouth connected to hers and then gave a soft sigh. His kisses, though not always what she might have dreamt of in the night, weren't unwelcome. Without further hesitation, she pressed herself to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

A stir of desire made it hard to let her go again, but he did-- reluctantly. She felt so good against him, perverted or not... and now she was the mother of his child. His _child_. He slid his hands down her arms until he could fold her fingers into his. "Thank you for coming here to tell me. But you should go back to the Hold. I'll finish up here as soon as I can, and tonight we can celebrate."

Her lower lip pouted just a little as he pulled away. She looked down at their fingers and nodded, before looking back up to his eyes. "Alright. I'll cook something nice." She offered a smile. "Taril...uhm.." She nibbled her lower lip and hen spoke softly. "I like it when you kiss me." Her voice was soft. She quickly pressed her lips against his and stepped away. "I'll see you this evening."

Taril watched her leave his office with a smile and a mix of unfamiliar feelings. Pride, lust, possessiveness, confusion, and maybe... maybe a little hope. Perhaps he'd get the family he'd always dreamed of having after all.

Last updated on the October 19th 2014

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