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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 28, 2011 21:05:03 GMT -5
The day that Anacrasia was coming over for tea had finally arrived, and I was nervously checking and re-checking the kitchen, until Hannah shooed me out. I had selected several of my nicest pregnancy gowns, some of which had set Kendrick back quite a bit of coin. I had them hanging up in the sitting room, so that she could see them while we had our tea, and also a few things that Jace had already outgrown, some of which he hadn't even had time to wear. I hadn't realized how fast he would grow, and I had bought him more clothes than he could possibly wear before he went up to the next size.
Jace himself was sleeping in his bassinet next to the sofa, though he should be waking any moment to eat. Would it be bad form to feed him in front of Anacrasia? My mind went in circles with these little worries, and it was with some relief that Hannah came in to update me on the status of the tea and food she had prepared, so that I could direct my mind elsewhere for a few moments.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jun 28, 2011 22:41:40 GMT -5
I had been very pleased when Naia had invited me over for tea after I ran into her shopping a few days previous. Maybe it was the pregnancy making me moody, but it felt that everyone stopped talking to me because they were afraid of upsetting my delicate condition. I was a Shahrizai dammit, not some fragile butterfly! At least Naia seemed to understand that, she had been pregnant not that long ago herself. I arrived in one of my nicer black gowns, my stomach straining the stitching, and rang the bell.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jun 29, 2011 15:34:05 GMT -5
I was just leaning over Jace in his bassinet to pat his back, when Hannah returned to let me know that everything was ready and waiting for Anacrasia's arrival. Not thirty seconds later, I heard the sound of the door, and I straightened up.
"Shall I show her directly here to the sitting room, my lady?" Hannah asked me and I nodded, smoothing my skirts and waiting nervously.
I heard Hannah answer the door, and I knew that Anacrasia would be in the sitting room any moment. I took one last glance around to make sure everything was just right.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 4, 2011 21:42:24 GMT -5
I was shown into a sitting room where little Jace already lay sleeping. I walked over to the bassinet and looked down at the peaceful little face. Would my babes be this handsome, I wondered to myself. Will I have a son, or two daughters? Is it wrong to want a son?
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 4, 2011 22:33:17 GMT -5
I felt drawn to Anacrasia when she went straight to Jace, and perhaps it was because we were both mothers without a husband to help us. Of course, I did have Kendrick, in a manner of speaking, and that made me even more sad for Ana. What if Kendrick had passed away without ever even meeting Jace? The thought was unbearably sad.
"Good afternoon, your grace," I said, curtsying as her station decreed. "I am pleased that you were able to come." I was on my best behavior, and I had made sure that Kendrick would be nowhere around today to cause any trouble for me.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 8, 2011 18:40:19 GMT -5
I was clearly far too wrapped up in my own worries, for I hadn't seen Naia from where she stood motionless by the far door. "Good afternoon Naia," I said, smiling at her over the bassinet. "Thank you for having me. But please, call me Ana."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 8, 2011 21:57:28 GMT -5
"All right, Ana," I said, more than pleased. I walked toward her and stood on the other side of Jace's bassinet. "How are you feeling?" I remembered how hard my pregnancy had been at times, with all of it's unfamiliar aches and pains and I hoped that she was having a better time of it so far.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 10, 2011 13:18:19 GMT -5
"Like a whale," I replied wryly. "A sensitive, grumpy whale. I've been told that it will pass. How are you? This little one not running you too ragged is he?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 10, 2011 21:03:22 GMT -5
"It does pass," I confirmed, "but only after it gets worse." I gave a small laugh and moved to her side to look at Jace. "No, he's an angel, truly. He hardly ever cries and only if he is hungry or wet, easy things to fix. In truth, he sleeps much of the time, and I cannot wait for him to be awake more often. Hannah tells me I will regret that wish one day, but I don't believe her."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 10, 2011 21:41:35 GMT -5
"He looks so peaceful, like a little angel. Just for that I can see why Hannah would advise you against wishing that," I said with a smile before moving to sit down and letting the little one sleep. Getting down to the couch was a bit awkward, another thing that would only get worse before it got better. "How was your labour?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 11, 2011 19:59:42 GMT -5
I sat down near her, but not too near, and made a little face. "Oh well, it was difficult, surely, though Hannah says I had a relatively easy labor. Relative to what, I'm not sure, but honestly, the moment Kendrick lay Jace in my arms, I knew I would have gone through ten times that pain for him. Some people say you forget the pain, but to me it is more that it just doesn't matter anymore, once you have your child."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 22, 2011 10:45:08 GMT -5
I liked her words. Yes it was painful, but it was definitely worth it. The thought made me imagine what Jareth's babes would be like, and I smiled. "That's something to look forward to. Though my chirgeon is worried. Not that he'll say it to my face, but he would prefer if I were ten years younger." My smile turned wry.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 22, 2011 20:15:25 GMT -5
I hadn't ever given it much thought, being only nineteen myself, but I supposed it stood to reason that there could be difficulties if a woman was older. However, Ana wasn't that old, truly, and I said as much, scoffing at the idea.
"Oh, you aren't old enough to worry, I shouldn't think. You know, if you like, I can give you the name of the adept I saw at Balm, he was wonderful. It was too expensive to see him all the time, but a few times and he worked wonders."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2011 14:52:58 GMT -5
"That would be wonderful, thank you. I have found myself a midwife who isn't nearly so alarmist, and have been listening to them both, but having another opinion would be appreciated." I lacing my fingers together over my stomach, cradling my babes before they were even out of my womb.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2011 18:32:51 GMT -5
I smiled as Hannah appeared with the tea things, setting them on the table before us. I thanked her and moved to pour the tea myself, looking to Ana as I did.
"Do you take cream and sugar?" I asked, gently setting the teapot down before adding to the conversation a bit. "And yes, I have found midwives to be much more practical about such matters. Especially women, men seem to get a bit hysterical about babies."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Jul 31, 2011 19:00:33 GMT -5
"Both please," I requested, liking my tea sweeter than before my pregnancy.
Her other words made me chuckle. "Yes, I remember the look on Jareth's face when... when I asked if I could bear his child. I thought his heart might stop. And then he proposed, and I thought my heart my stop. It was quite the dinner."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Aug 2, 2011 22:00:16 GMT -5
I added the sugar and cream and then handed the cup to her before preparing my own tea. What would it be like to have shared this news with someone I loved, and who loved me? Elua, what would it be like just to be loved that way? I wondered if Ana knew how lucky she was to have experienced it.
"I can imagine," I said, though of course I couldn't, not really. "Kendrick was ... well, our situation is not ideal and he was definitely surprised."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 6, 2011 0:03:45 GMT -5
I raised my brow delicately, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "From the rumours, the two of you get on like a pair of alley cats," I teased before taking a sip of my tea.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Aug 6, 2011 18:59:02 GMT -5
I colored slightly at that, but it was only the truth.
"True enough," I said, laughing slightly. "We are too much alike, I think, to get along easily. Still, Kendrick loves his son, and that in itself is enough to make me put up with him." I sipped my tea and then made something of a confession.
"There is so much I want for Jace, but strong family ties the most. I don't know how much you know about my immediate family, but Sarielle and I had a difficult childhood, and were very isolated most of the time. I don't want that for my son, so whatever problems Kendrick and I might have, if he is good for Jace, then that is what matters." I smiled and looked down at her belly.
"And of course, I would love for him to know his little cousin, and I would love to build stronger relations with the rest of my own family as well."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 8, 2011 21:43:15 GMT -5
"I think play dates are definitely in order. Have you met Soleil Belfour's little one? She's a bit older than Jace, six months or so. The three of us could get together with our little ones and relax?" I suggested. "Once I have little ones of course. It seems like forever away." I took another sip of tea, to cover the realization of my slip of the tongue. I still hadn't told anyone I was having twins. I prayed that Naia hadn't noticed.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Aug 14, 2011 14:06:22 GMT -5
"I have, actually," I said, remembering that humiliating apology I'd had to make to Soleil after my birthday party. However, she had been very gracious, and I'd even gotten to hold the baby. I hadn't known yet about Jace, but the memory of the little one had helped me decide that I was going to be a good mother.
"I would love that, to have all of the children together." I never wanted Jace to be the lonely child I had been, once Sarielle left, and the earlier he had friends, the better, as far as I was concerned. "I don't think there are any little ones in Kendrick's immediate family, so it is good that Jace is blessed with a large family on my side, plenty of playmates built right in."
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Aug 17, 2011 21:02:12 GMT -5
I breathed an inward side of relief as she didn't comment on my wording. "We've never had a problem with numbers," I agreed with a chuckle. "Quite the opposite, I tend to think at times."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Aug 23, 2011 21:23:12 GMT -5
I smiled wryly at that, sipping again at my tea and thinking about how right she was.
"I know what you mean, but then again, at least there is no chance that we are going to die out." Of course, that we were so prolific also meant that the family tree needed trimming every once in awhile.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 3, 2011 2:25:35 GMT -5
"Oh yes. I haven't often had to worry about what to do with an estate without an heir. Too many heirs? Sometimes I think it happens every other day," I said with another little laugh.
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Sept 5, 2011 13:22:59 GMT -5
I laughed softly and shook my head at the silliness of it all.
"Well, no shortage of heirs can be a good thing, but on the other hand, Kusheth is like to be carved up by all of the grasping fingers." I, for one, had no interest in my father's land, or gaining any for myself. This house was all I needed, and Jace and my family. Leave the rest for people who saw more value in land than I.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 8, 2011 8:33:10 GMT -5
I finished my tea and gently replaced the cup in the saucer. "Carved up by those who don't necessarily have the best head for finances. I do hope that you have a competent advisor to help you deal with those matters?"
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Sept 12, 2011 22:36:23 GMT -5
I blushed a little, but chose to be honest. She was family, after all.
"I don't really have much in the way of finances," I confessed. "Father left everything to Sarielle. Kendrick bought me the house, and he pays for most things that Jace and I need, but the money isn't actually mine." It was embarrassing to admit how much I relied on Kendrick's money and I felt suddenly like nothing more than a high-priced whore.
I covered my embarrasment in a long drink of tea, hoping that I hadn't caused Anacrasia to think less of me, though prepared for it, because in the long run, didn't everyone?
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 17, 2011 9:58:22 GMT -5
I sat back a little bit, as I was suddenly forced to reevaluate my views on Kendrick. "As is only right, he should provide for his son," I said after a pause. "But Sarielle doesn't give you an allowance? I shall have to speak to her. If you could invest just a little bit, steadily, then you would be much better off in case... in case Kendrick isn't always such a gentleman."
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Post by Naia Shahrizai on Sept 18, 2011 21:21:48 GMT -5
"Well, she did," I began, cringing at the idea of Ana talking to Sarielle about me. Sarielle would be likely to give her an earful! Probably best if I did some of it myself...
"We had a falling out, I... I stole something from her. I am sorry for it, and we've since come to some terms between us, but I don't feel right taking money from her." I took another sip of tea and sighed heavily. "I'm afraid I've made quite a mess of things since I got here. I'm trying to pick up the pieces, but it's going to take some time."
I tried not to think about what she said about Kendrick, because it was my strongest fear- that he would fall in love, or Elua forbid marry, or lose interest in Jace, or ... well, anything could happen, and he and I had nothing to tie each other together besides our son. I hoped that would be enough, but of course, there was no certainty in that.
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Post by Anacrasia Shahrizai on Sept 22, 2011 4:44:08 GMT -5
The way she flinched, I knew it was complicated before she even attempted to explain the situation.
"Well when you get things sorted, make sure the financial side gets seen to," I advised. "You want to make sure that Jace is looked after if something should happen to you or Kendrick, right?" Naia seemed far more grounded after her son's birth - I had a feeling that if anything would motivate her to be responsible about her money, it would be little Jace.
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