Alli, Adin and Fisher- a meeting

[Fisher nó Bryony]

I flushed with guilt at her last words, looking away as I began to lead her to her room.

“I just worry,” I said softly. “I can’t help it.”

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"And I'm not faulting you for it- you take good care of me," I replied with a smile. "I only worry that if you do so too much I'll become too heavy a burden- and I worry over you as well. You have a good deal on your mind as it is."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“But nothing as important as what you are doing,” I said softly, my eyes drifting to her belly.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I suppose it depends on the perspective of the person asked- those outside the situation would disagree, but their opinion matters little," I replied with a light laugh. "And it doesn't make your exhaustion any less, my love."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Anyone who says creating new life isn’t more important as anything else, needs to be hit in the head with a board,” I said, moving a little closer to her.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I think it's more the carrying new life that doesn't seem that difficult to them," I jested softly. "Or they think it's such a burden it makes one unable to live until after the child is born."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Both views are rather incorrect in my opinion,” I said, leading her inside Dahlia and turning us towards her room.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I agree," I told him with a smile, glad to have gotten us onto common ground again in our thinking. "Would you tell me what other work has been keeping you busy?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“More of the same mostly,” I told her. “I’m finally starting to settle in and feel like I may be getting a handle on my new position I think.”

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"That's wonderful," I replied, smiling with happiness as we drifted along. "Are you finding more time to do the things you enjoy then?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“A little, but not as much as I’d like. It will come I hope,” I said, smiling at her

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I'm sure it will," I told him confidently, resting my hand on the banister as we began to make our way up the stairs.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Have you had time to do anything fun?” I asked, moving my hand to the small of her back, supporting her subtly as we ascended the stairs.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"Mostly I've been working on the books I picked out," I confessed with a sigh. "Still. I have managed to find a few classes I can help in, however, and I enjoy that a bit."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to be around more and help relieve some of the boredom,” I told

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"That's quite understandable," I told him honestly and with a smile. "I enjoy it when you're here, but am accepting of when you're not."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“You are so kind,” I said honestly, smiling at her, my hand on her back caressing gently as we reached the top of the stairs.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"Love makes me soft, I think," I replied with a slightly playful grin, enjoying his touch a great deal.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Do you like it? Being soft that is?” I asked, smiling.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"Yes," I told him with a wider smile. "It's just different for me, and not something I ever expected."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“As long as you like it,” I said, smiling wide. My fingers continued to caress the small of her back, she seemed to like it.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

his fingers rested right at he junction of my back where it ached and I managed to lean into his hand a bit further as we came to my door and I opened it, stepping inside. "Would you like something else to drink?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“No thank you,” I said, following her inside. “Can I get you anything?”

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"No thank you," I replied with a smile, moving to sit down in one of the comfortable chairs and gesturing at the one across from me. "Though I do admit I'd like the company, if you don't have anything else you need to do."

[Fisher nó Bryony]

“Not for awhile,” I said, smiling.

I hesitated before I took a seat. “There’s something I learned how to do, may I show you?”

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"Of course," I replied with a smile. "What is it?"

[Fisher nó Bryony]

Grinning, I found a low stool to sit on and settled in front of her, facing her.

“Here, put your feet in my lap,” I said.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Raising a brow playfully I slid my feet from the safer flat slippers I'd been wearing of late and did as he asked.

[Fisher nó Bryony]

I blew warm air on my hands to make sure they weren’t cold and then wrapped them around her left ankle. Slowly, I began to massage her ankle and then up her calf.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Humming a croon of pleasure I leaned back against the chair. "You're wonderful," I told him with a sigh and a smile, opening my eyes just wide enough to watch him.