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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Oct 30, 2008 22:54:24 GMT -5
I had invited Caraf over the night of Gratien's fete, not wanting to be along when I knew everyone was over at his house having a jolly time. I was definitely feeling better after my time with Jasmine and didn't want it ruined. Besides, I wanted to hear all about her honeymoon. So I was thrilled that she accepted my invitation, and set about making sure dinner was prepared.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Oct 30, 2008 23:08:49 GMT -5
Somehow I’d had this feeling I might be hearing from Juliet when I learned of Gratien’s fete. There was no question, I’d accepted her invitation, telling Elliot to attend the fete if he wished and being the amazing husband that he was, he’d completely understood.
Knowing the theme of the fete was black and white, I purposefully dressed in a gown of vibrant colors. I was shown in to a side room when I arrived. I didn’t sit though, choosing to stand for now as being in one position too long tended to make my back ache more these days.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 2, 2008 1:08:44 GMT -5
Jeanne arrived to tell me Caraf was here, and chuckled as she brushed flour from my cheek and took my apron. I smiled bashfully and went out to greet my cousin.
"Caraf, how wonderful to see you again," I said with a happy smile as I entered the room, going to her to give her a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2008 1:12:33 GMT -5
“Oh, it’s so good to see you too Juliette,” I said, smiling as I returned her hug and kiss. “Thank you so much for inviting me over.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 2, 2008 22:21:02 GMT -5
Her bump was rather hard to ignore, and it made my grin widen even more. "You're getting so far along," I commented, joy in my voice. "I'm looking forward to having another cousin."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2008 22:23:59 GMT -5
“I hope you don’t mind an active one,” I said, grinning. “Once the baby started moving it hardly ever stops. Do you want to feel?”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 2, 2008 23:03:55 GMT -5
I nodded happily and laid my palm against her stomach.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 2, 2008 23:06:46 GMT -5
I put my hand over hers and moved it just a little. Not a second later the baby bumped against the pressure of her hand and I smiled at Juliette. “The only time it stops for any length of time is when I sleep… or maybe I just ignore it better then,” I said with a laugh.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 3, 2008 0:17:45 GMT -5
I grinned, delighted to feel the new life growing beneath her skin. "That is always amazing," I said with a laugh of my own.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2008 0:20:32 GMT -5
“I thought I’d never feel her move, I was so afraid. Now, I thrill every time she does, especially if she’s been quiet for awhile,” I said, smiling.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 3, 2008 1:15:56 GMT -5
"You're sure she's a she?" I asked. This was what I wanted, the happiness that radiated from her face with the knowledge of her loving husband and child on the way.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2008 1:28:44 GMT -5
“No,” I answered with a laugh. “For awhile we were sure it was going to be a boy and join the navy. I just can’t stand referring to the baby as an it, so he or she just sort of varied by the day or week.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 3, 2008 14:26:08 GMT -5
I chuckled. "I think I can understand that," I replied, then remembered why I had officially asked her here. "But come, dinner's ready. I hope you're hungry, there's lots of food."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2008 14:29:04 GMT -5
“I’m glad you have lots of food, because I’m always hungry any more,” I said with a laugh, slipping my arm companionably through hers. “Lead the way.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 3, 2008 15:49:03 GMT -5
"Fantastic," I said as I led her into the dining room. "I hope you know, I fully expect you to tell me all about your honeymoon."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 3, 2008 15:52:27 GMT -5
“Everything?” I asked with a teasing grin and playful sidelong glance.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 3, 2008 23:56:34 GMT -5
I laughed. "I don't know, do I want to know everything?" I asked in return as we sat at the table.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 4, 2008 0:03:14 GMT -5
“Probably not,” I replied, chuckling as I settled into my chair. “Not if you ever want to be able to be in the same room with Elliot again.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 4, 2008 0:45:37 GMT -5
I laughed. "Well then I want all the censored details," I said with a smile. One of our new maids, Emma, entered carrying the roast and Cook followed with the potatoes. The gravy and vegetables were already sitting on the table, steaming gently.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 4, 2008 0:50:11 GMT -5
“Well, the first thing of note was how much both the baby and I love sailing,” I said, chuckling as the food was set down. It all smelled amazing. “I’d never even seen the ocean but now I’m still trying to figure out how Elliot and I can afford a ship and just spend all our time at sea.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 4, 2008 12:59:29 GMT -5
I thanked the ladies and they left us alone. "That sounds wonderful," I said with a smile, indicating that she should go ahead and serve herself. "I've only ever been on a boat to go up and down the river to Marsilikos."
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 4, 2008 15:48:22 GMT -5
I began filling my plate as I continued. “I’d never even been on that much a boat, but it was just wonderful. The baby loved it too, my sickness disappeared as soon as we set to sea.”
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 4, 2008 23:34:22 GMT -5
"So where all did you go?" I asked, eager to hear of their travels as I served myself after she did.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 4, 2008 23:38:18 GMT -5
“First we went to Alba and oh Juliette, it’s so amazing. Everyone there was so nice and the land is just so beautiful,” I told her, smiling wide.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 5, 2008 0:36:55 GMT -5
"Oh I'm jealous," I said with a happy smile. "What all did you see?"
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 5, 2008 0:40:18 GMT -5
“We toured the countryside around the estate we stayed at. There was a lovely little village and a beautiful temple. One of our favorite things was this pool in the woods that was filled with hot water that came straight from the earth, it was just incredible,” I told her between bites as I began eating.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 5, 2008 1:01:12 GMT -5
"That sounds absolutely amazing," I said, listening rapturously as we ate.
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 5, 2008 11:00:20 GMT -5
“Oh it was. I can understand now why others who’ve visited become so enraptured by Alba. I made Elliot promise that we’d go back some time or I wouldn’t leave,” I said, laughing.
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Post by Juliette L'Envers de Montegue on Nov 5, 2008 14:15:08 GMT -5
I chuckled. "How long were you there for?"
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Post by Caraf Tewar on Nov 5, 2008 16:30:06 GMT -5
“Six days, and it wasn’t even close to enough. We barely got to venture past the village and there is so much more to see.” I smiled. “Perhaps once we are old and our children are running things Elliot and I will go settle there for awhile, have time to really take it in.”
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