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Post by Soleil Belfours on Oct 27, 2009 22:53:46 GMT -5
Synnove's second day of life had begun, and I was already beginning to understand what the toll of motherhood would be like. She was a demanding little thing, eating every two to four hours, but I wouldn't let anyone else dress or change her. She was mine and I would take responsibility.
I had just settled her in her cradle and crawled into bed for a nap. Hopefully I would have a little more energy when Christophe came by.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 3, 2009 17:13:26 GMT -5
I handed my mount over to the stablehand when I arrived at Soleil's. I was later than I would have liked, having had a row with Mala that morning, and so I carefully cradled a dozen white carnations in one arm. A maid let me into the sitting room and told me that she'd see if her mistress was available. I stayed standing, looking out the window to the gardens.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 3, 2009 17:42:50 GMT -5
I was deeply asleep when Synnove's cries woke me. Groggily, I went to pick her up and bring her into bed with me. I nestled her at the breast, and she had just begun eating when I heard a soft knock. "Come," I called.
A maid peeked her head in. "Monsieur Legard is here," she said.
I smiled sleepily. "Show him up," I said.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 3, 2009 22:17:51 GMT -5
The maid showed me upstairs, and I thanked her with a soft smile before entering the room to find Soleil with the babe in her arms.
"Now isn't this a sight," I said with a soft voice, smiling as I approached and kissed first Soleil on the cheek and then Synnove on the forehead.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 3, 2009 22:21:40 GMT -5
"I must be a sight," I replied wryly. I noticed the carnations in his arms. "Are those for us?" I asked. "I can ask the maid to put them in water."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 4, 2009 16:47:48 GMT -5
"Of course they're for you," I said with a soft smile, looking at Synnove's little mouth sucking away happily at her meal. I didn't leave Soleil's side just yet, even though I knew the flowers needed water. "How are the two of you doing?"
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 7, 2009 18:50:14 GMT -5
"I'm very tired, but this little one is doing just fine," I said, stroking Synnove's head. "She eats, then sleeps, then eats again. Selwyn says she's doing exactly what she's supposed to." I looked to him. "How are you, are you all right?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 7, 2009 19:39:16 GMT -5
"I'm fine," I lied. "I'll go find that maid to take care of these." I indicated the flowers, smiling slightly, and then went out to the hall to relay my request to one of the staff members before returning to Soleil's side. "She's beautiful."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 11, 2009 17:57:35 GMT -5
"Isn't she?" I replied, beaming. Synnove let go of the nipple and whined, and I switched her to the other breast. "She eats like a starving animal," I groused, though inwardly I was overjoyed. "Selwyn said it will take a few days to get used to her eating."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2009 21:45:00 GMT -5
"Do you have a nurse for her yet?" I asked idly as my finger gently stroked along my daughter's arm. She was so tiny, a miniature work of perfection.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 11, 2009 23:36:27 GMT -5
I frowned, looking up at him. "I was planning to nurse her myself through the first year," I said. "My mother nursed me, and her mother before her...do you think I should hire extra help?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 11, 2009 23:42:03 GMT -5
I looked up to find that I had just step into a hole without knowing. "No, not at all, I just assumed..." I made myself stop speaking for long enough to straighten out my words. "I had heard that many noblewomen find nurses. But that decision is completely up to you. I think it would be wonderful if you devoted so much to our daughter."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 11, 2009 23:45:13 GMT -5
"Well, I will be, so worry not," I said, relieved, and a smile came to my face easily. "I have wanted this baby for so long, it never even crossed my mind not to nurse her myself. I am even happier that I found such a caring father." I reached over to squeeze his hand.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 12, 2009 1:17:28 GMT -5
I squeezed her hand back softly, smiling. "When she's done, may I hold her?" I asked. I hadn't had the chance to hold her yet.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 14, 2009 21:59:08 GMT -5
"Of course," I replied. I stroked Synnove's little head as she sucked. "You can even burp her, if you want to."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 15, 2009 0:23:28 GMT -5
"I'd like that," I said with a smile. "One of the things I miss about Valerian is the children. But now I have one of my very own."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 15, 2009 0:41:24 GMT -5
"That you do," I said, smiling. "The Valerian children were lucky to have you, and now Synnove is lucky to have a father who cares so much." Synnove made a soft sound, and I bent my ear down to hear it better. "I think she agrees with me," I jested.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 16, 2009 16:39:05 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Are you agreeable my little angel?" I asked the babe, a smile on my lips. I could hardly wait to hold her.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 16, 2009 17:27:36 GMT -5
"Yes, I am," I said in a little baby voice, gently bouncing Synnove as she finished eating. "I am the best baby in the whole world. And I love you, Daddy." A few more sucks and she was done, letting go of the nipple easily.
"Do you want to be called Daddy?" I asked, as I reached over to drape a diaper over Christophe's shoulder. "Or would you prefer another name?"
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 17, 2009 3:49:23 GMT -5
"My father was always Papa. I think I'd prefer that," I said with an easy smile. Then, not taking my eyes off of Synnove, I relieved Soliel of her weight. She fussed for a moment before I got her into place and began to gently pat her back. It took but a few moments for her to burp, and I soon had her settled in my arms. I marveled over her. I mean, I had held babies before, but the memories of those children's perfection paled in comparison to the girl in my arms.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 22, 2009 14:37:58 GMT -5
"All right, Papa, then," I said, watching them, father and daughter.
I gave a dry chuckle after a moment. "As much as I hate to dampen such a moment with business, there is one last thing for me to tell you."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 26, 2009 1:00:17 GMT -5
I looked up at Soleil. "Yes?" I said with a soft smile. I couldn't help but smile with such a joyful bundle in my arms.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 26, 2009 1:13:18 GMT -5
I smiled back at him, before opening the drawer of my bedside table and pulling out a sealed parchment. "This is for you," I said. "A cheque for 2000 gold, the remainder of my patron-gift to you. If you present this to my exchequer, Acton Leboure, at the Royal Treasury, he will arrange for you to be given the gold, whether in cash, or to be transferred to your account." I set the paper on the counter. "Thus concludes our business," I said, a bit dryly.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 27, 2009 20:14:08 GMT -5
"As long as it's just the business portion we're concluding," I replied before Synnove started to make happy baby noises. I smiled down at her. "Because you are just so amazing. And your mama is amazing to. Yes she is."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 28, 2009 1:16:27 GMT -5
"It is," I said. "I would shake your hand, but you're occupied." I chuckled. "You are so good with her. She loves you already."
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 28, 2009 18:34:30 GMT -5
"As I love her," I replied with a tender smile. "I've never loved anyone or anything so instantly as our little girl."
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Dec 30, 2009 0:46:24 GMT -5
"I feel the same way," I murmured, lying back on the pillows. I was tired, but I wanted to stay awake, and enjoy this time together. "What did...your family say, when you came home last night?" I asked, avoiding directly asking about Malabelle.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Dec 31, 2009 0:25:54 GMT -5
"I haven't had a chance to tell my siblings yet," I replied, not wanting to say that I spent more time worrying about Mala than telling them. "But Henri in particular was very excited at the thought of being an uncle." I found a seat near her bed, getting comfortable with the precious bundle in my arms.
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Post by Soleil Belfours on Jan 5, 2010 0:27:44 GMT -5
"Oh, that's good," I replied. "Perhaps we should all take lunch together, you, me, and your family, so they can meet your daughter." I left it up in the air for Mala to attend, I would never turn her away but somehow I didn't think it would be quite her scene.
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Post by Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai on Jan 5, 2010 16:30:37 GMT -5
"That would be wonderful," I said with a happy smile, though it faded slightly when I thought of Pierre. I hadn't told him about Synnove yet. I didn't know how he would take it. "I'll see when they're free and try to organize something right away." I looked down to find Synnove waving a tiny fist at me, and it caused me to chuckle.
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