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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 3, 2011 22:06:24 GMT -5
Jace was only a week old, but I was already tired of being cooped up in the house. The first few days I felt like I could barely move, and besides, all I wanted to do was hold Jace. He was so beautiful! His head was covered with black fuzz, like raven's feathers, and his eyes were so blue, just like mine. He looked rather like me, though I could see Kendrick in the shape of his nose and sometimes in his little expressions. Still, I was secretly pleased that he possessed the Shahrizai hair and eyes and was obviously my son.
I decided at last that it was a good day to take Jace out for a walk. I had a few errands to run, and why not walk? I could use the exercise, I still had baby weight to lose. I took a long bath with Jace, dressed us both, and lay my son gently in the pram that Kendrick had bought him. Part of me wished that Kendrick was here with me, like a real family, but I knew that it was too much to expect of him.
We walked through the borough, then along to the Artisan's district. I was getting tired already, but I stubbornly decided to go shopping rather than turn back. Besides, it was good for Jace to have some fresh air ... wasn't it? I didn't really know what was good for babies, truth be told.
I was going to need some clothes that weren't several sizes too large soon, so I stopped into a clothing boutique and began to browse, while Jace slept in his pram, perfectly content with his lot. I wondered if I had ever slept so soundly, or knew the love that I was determined my son should have.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 3, 2011 23:15:28 GMT -5
I was trying to do some shopping, but was rapidly coming to the conclusion that I would have to head up to Eglantine. The maternity clothing selection was ridiculous. I was not going to wear a tent. I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the offending garment, and put it back. Only to take out the next one and repeat the assessment. Kusheth save me, this one even had ruffles...
Thankfully I was saved by the arrival of a family member. "Naia, hello," I said with a smile. "How are you?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 4, 2011 13:58:47 GMT -5
I recognized the Duchesse immediately, though I was surprised to see how pregnant she was. Had it been so long since the funeral already? A moment's thought and I realized that it had indeed. I had been so preoccupied with my own pregnancy and my issues with Kendrick and my sister that time had slipped away from me completely.
"Your grace, hello," I said, curtsying. I rose and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I am doing well, and how are you? How long until the baby comes?" I asked, trying not to shudder at the memory of my own birthing experience. Thank Elua I had Jace to show for it, because otherwise I might repressed the memory entirely.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 4, 2011 22:09:18 GMT -5
"Early autumn, as a guess," I said, my hand resting against my extended belly. "I am doing better, thank you for asking. And who is this little one?" I asked peering into the pram sitting beside her. "Oh my, isn't he a handsome little man."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 5, 2011 23:57:58 GMT -5
"Oh, that will come faster than you think," I said, laughing softly. When she asked about Jace, I couldn't help but beam proudly. "My son, Jace. He is, isn't he?" The smile on my face was so wide it almost hurt, but I couldn't help it, he was perfect. I reached down to pull the blanket back so she could get a better look at the newest member of the Shahrizai clan, despite that he shared Kendrick's last name. It was obvious he was one of us, no matter whose name he wore.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 7, 2011 22:42:08 GMT -5
"Hello Jace, welcome to the family," I said with a soft smile, my voice soothing so as to not wake the little tyke up. "You must be so proud. I have a feeling that you'll do right by him," I said to the young mother.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 7, 2011 23:01:00 GMT -5
"Thank you," I said, thrilling at the praise. Anacrasia was the head of our family and it meant a lot coming from her ... especially since I sure she had heard tales about me, being friends with Gadleon and all. "I fully intend to," I said, smiling. "Having a baby, it changes you, makes you want to be a better person."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 13, 2011 17:45:07 GMT -5
She beamed from my words, and I knew that I had said the right thing. "It's a great responsibility," I agreed. I thought about the two beings forming inside me. I still hadn't told anyone that I was carrying twins, I didn't want to jinx it. "Does he have our eyes?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 13, 2011 23:26:29 GMT -5
"He does," I said proudly. "He may have his father's last name, but I think he is truly one of us." I would see to it that he had more knowledge of who we were than I had had. To that end, I knew I had to make peace with Sarielle, and to become closer to the rest of the family. Perhaps I had happened on an opportunity to do just that.
"If you need some maternity clothes, I have a whole closet full," I offered. "You might need to have them altered a bit, but it would still be easier than buying a whole new wardrobe."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 17, 2011 20:55:07 GMT -5
I was surprised by her offer, but I smiled with the selflessness of it. Little Jace seemed to have had quite the affect on his mother. Not that Naia was known for being irresponsible exactly; perhaps... flighty was a better word. "That's very thoughtful, thank you Naia, I shall take you up on that offer."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 17, 2011 21:21:47 GMT -5
"Wonderful," I said, pleased that she was interested. Kendrick had paid a lot of money for the clothes, it would be silly to let them simply hang in my closet. "If you'd like to stop by one day, you can pick out the things you like." Having Anacrasia over for tea or some such would be a boost in status that I could hardly hope for. I was determined that Jace's future wouldn't rest solely on Kendrick's name and money.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 21, 2011 22:19:58 GMT -5
I mentally went through my calendar. "How about Thursday?" I suggested with a smile. "Around two?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 22, 2011 20:58:00 GMT -5
I was thrilled and already mentally ticking off the things I would need to prepare by then. "That sounds lovely," I said, trying not to smile too widely and pretend that this was all perfectly usual.
Jace provided a bit of a distraction as he began to fuss softly and I bent over to tend him, patting his back softly to see if he would go back to sleep. I had to admit that I much preferred him awake so that I could sit and make faces at him and marvel over how utterly perfect he was.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 27, 2011 18:47:38 GMT -5
"Wonderful, then I won't keep you any longer," I said, seeing that her boy was beginning to fuss. "See you on Thursday," I added with a smile before moving deeper into the store and letting her see to her son, her first priority.
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