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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 14, 2009 17:09:18 GMT -5
Soleil was due to give birth in the next week or so, and so I did not delay my visit after her reply letter. I arrived at her house in the morning, my brand new ring a comforting weight on my hand. I knocked, and a maid let me in.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 14, 2009 17:23:15 GMT -5
The babe had dropped, and it was getting harder to move around. I settled myself in my chair with my feet up, sipping a glass of water, waiting for Ana to arrive. When I heard the maid let her in, I called, "In here, Ana!"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 15, 2009 1:45:43 GMT -5
I waved the maid off and entered the sitting room where Soleil had ensconced herself. "Comfortable?" I asked with an amused smile, going over to kiss her cheek in greeting, then settling on a chair nearby.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 15, 2009 21:50:38 GMT -5
"It's lovely to see you, too," I teased, sitting up a bit. "Forgive me for not getting up, I've got such a weight on me." I patted my belly. "So to speak."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 15, 2009 21:53:11 GMT -5
"It's quite alright. And it is lovely to see you," I told her with a smile. "How are the last days?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 15, 2009 22:02:27 GMT -5
"Very strange," I answered honestly. "I've never felt anything like what I'm feeling now before. I can feel my body getting ready for labor. I'm eating like a starving animal, sometimes four times a day! And the baby has dropped; sometimes I can feel my womb cramping a little, like it's warming up. But Ana," I leaned in, as much as I could, anyway, "the hope, the joy I know will come once this baby is born, that's enough to make the discomfort worthwhile."
I leaned back again. "But I want to hear all about your engagement! Your fiance sounds like a wonderful choice."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 15, 2009 22:12:30 GMT -5
"Oh sister, he is," I said with a happy smile, fussing a little with my skirts to stop myself from beaming outright. "Jareth... Well, what can I say? I love him dearly. He's my breath of fresh air. He makes me laugh when I need it the most, and knows when it's wise just to keep his mouth shut." I chuckled. "That last doesn't sound like much of a positive trait, but you know me."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 15, 2009 22:19:03 GMT -5
"I do indeed," I said. "He sounds like a perfect match for you, I cannot wait to meet him. When are you planning to be married?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 15, 2009 22:27:37 GMT -5
"The twelfth week of this coming winter. Hopefully the snow will have melted enough by then that I won't be freezing in bare feet," I said with a wry smile. "You'll be my maid of honour of course. That is, if you would?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 15, 2009 23:36:41 GMT -5
I gasped and smiled widely. "Oh Ana, of course I will," I replied. "How marvelous, a mother who is a maid!" I laughed at my own little joke. "You're sure none of your many female relatives won't feel snubbed?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 15, 2009 23:55:06 GMT -5
I waved off the suggestion. "They can be bridesmaids. But I only have one near-sister," I said with a smile.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 15, 2009 23:57:55 GMT -5
I touched my hand to my chest. "I'm so touched," I said. "Forgive me, these changes make me feel things much more acutely than usual.." I took a breath. "I would love to be your maid of honor."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 16, 2009 0:29:51 GMT -5
"Wonderful," I said with a happy smile. "And it's quite alright. Hopefully a year from now, I'll be in the same state." I paused with a grin. "Jareth and I visited Eisheth's sanctuary on my natale. I lit my candle."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 18, 2009 22:21:11 GMT -5
My jaw dropped, and I quickly closed my mouth. "Oh, how wonderful!" I said. "I simply cannot wait, it will be so wonderful to be able to raise babies together."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 19, 2009 13:11:46 GMT -5
Her reaction made me laugh, as did the joy of the news itself. "Won't it? Hopefully I'll be pregnant by our wedding day, if the gods see fit to bless us as such."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 20, 2009 23:08:55 GMT -5
I giggled. "How daring of you," I said, "to come to the altar with a babe on the way." I sobered for a moment. "But then, neither of us was ever one for convention." I laid a hand on my belly.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 21, 2009 0:54:18 GMT -5
"No, we certainly aren't. But unless Jareth gets me knocked up tomorrow, it won't show. I hope," I said with a wry smile. "And only you and he knows that I lit my candle at all. So it will be a surprise for my family." And that made me grin, pleased at the idea.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Aug 27, 2009 11:56:56 GMT -5
"That is rich, I'm sure they'll all be thrilled," I said, grinning at the secrecy of it. "A little boy or girl, heir to two duchys." I looked to her. "What have you and Jareth decided about that issue, incidentally?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 31, 2009 1:38:17 GMT -5
"Oh, we're keeping the two duchies separate. We're certainly not cruel enough to saddle one child with the responsibilities of both. Our first will be my heir, and the second Jareth's, at least until they are old enough to judge where their natural talents lie," I explained to her with a smile. "We could well modify our default decision then. After all, we chose the order by flipping a coin."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 1, 2009 22:05:18 GMT -5
I laughed at that. "An excellent plan," I said. "And I am so thrilled that there are to be even more children."
At that, a maid entered the room, carrying a lunch tray with a carafe of sparkling water, finger sandwiches, crou d'ite and dips, petit fours, and sliced fruit, the last of the summer. "I hope you don't mind eating in here," I said. "These last weeks have made my ankles swell, and they can be a bit painful to walk around on. I'll be glad when I am able to move about normally."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 2, 2009 22:47:19 GMT -5
"It is no problem sister. Besides, this is quite relaxing and I think we both need all the relaxation we can get right now," I said with a smile. I had wanted to say something else, but I was mindful of her maid.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 2, 2009 23:19:03 GMT -5
The maid left the room.
"You are quite right, sister," I said, leaning forward to help myself to some food. "Please, eat."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 2, 2009 23:47:11 GMT -5
"Thank you," I replied, leaning forward and filling a plate. "Now, I don't mean to ask indelicate questions, but how are you doing? I heard you had a meeting with my cousin and her fiancé."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 3, 2009 0:07:36 GMT -5
I chewed and swallowed a bite of sandwich, giving me enough time to formulate a response. "Oh, you heard about that?" I asked. "It was no secret I suppose, but I hate to discuss unpleasantness at such a happy time." In truth, I did want to talk about it, though I knew it was an unpleasant topic. "It went about as well as can be expected; an encounter with your cousin Malabelle is like walking into a viper's den - you have to be very careful not to step on her tail." I laughed dryly.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 3, 2009 0:23:17 GMT -5
I smiled. "I suppose my encounters with her have been slightly skewed, as I am her matriarch," I conceded. Truthfully, I was willing to give Malabelle the benefit of the doubt more than some because of her brother. "I don't mean to bring up such a topic just because, I only wish to know what was decided so I don't step on any toes. For I fully intend to be a very good godmother." I grinned teasingly.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 4, 2009 15:04:48 GMT -5
"Well, there was no change in my agreement with Christophe," I said. "Originally, I wasn't going to invite him to the birth, for I thought it would upset Malabelle, but she actually requested that he be able to come, though her face told me that she was in agony to do so." I continued to elaborate. "So Christophe will be at the birth, and will receive the gift I promised him." I grinned ironically. "I wonder if I should give him any more money, as a wedding present, you know."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 5, 2009 16:44:49 GMT -5
I chuckled, as she seemed to be taking everything in stride. Though I could just imagine the meeting itself. "I'll let you decide that one on your own sister," I replied. "I'm very glad that you three seem to have come to an agreement."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 9, 2009 0:44:35 GMT -5
"My agreement with Christophe has largely been unaffected by his engagement, in terms of the legality, at least," I said. "We have a contract, which we are both bound to honor. I also don't doubt he will be a loving father to this babe. And Malabelle has agreed not to interfere with Christophe's relationship with our child." I scoffed. "She threatened that I would rue the day if I ever tried to take him from her. Can you imagine?"
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 11, 2009 18:19:11 GMT -5
I chuckled. "We're all passionate women, and so often jealous," I agreed. "I can imagine quite vividly."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Sept 12, 2009 15:36:53 GMT -5
"She admitted that she wished me dead," I said. "Though that was before I said I had no interest in taking him away. She probably still wishes it. It's poison to think that way. I'm no threat to her, I don't want any consort. Wasn't that the point of all of this?"
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