Welcome to Gaia! ::

Araima took the recipe gratefully, telling her good-bye and wishing her good health for a long time. She smiled a little sad to see her go so soon, but the day ws already ending and she needed to get home.
She glanced over the recipe, wanting to see the ingredients. She read the message, surprised. She supposed that a mother would see things like that. It was a little unnerving to thing how long it would take to figure out she wasn't human.
She pocketed the paper and turned back to Gale and his father. "I've had a wonderful time here." she said to his father. "Are we ready to go?"

Araima smiled and kissed his cheek. "I was happy to help. Thank you for bringing me here. I really love your parents. They're sweet." she told him as they walked back to the forest. It was so beautiful here. Simple. Even in the waning light of dusk.
"Perhaps you can come see my family soon. Though, I think the difference will be easier to tell amongst us." she told him thoughtfully.

She smiled, if somewhat sadly. "I'll wait for you. As i always have. Don't take too long." she said, squeezing his hands. "I love you." lending forward to kiss him lightly. It wouldn't be long. She was sure of it.
Araima looked toward the gate. Would it always seperate them? She hoped that someday it wouldn't.
She stepped thought the passageway until she was one again in her orchard. She was tired and headed straight home, not wanting to interact with anyone.

(Time skip)

Araima sat at the table of her home, staring at nothing. How she wished Gale were here. She needed him. Six months had already passed. She'd hoped he'd be here by now. So at least she could explain to her family many things. And give him the news.
"Araima, are you listening?" her mother said exasperated. Araima snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. She smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I guess I drifted away."
"Araima, please. I wished you'd listen to us. I only want to see you taken care of. I can't believe you've hid this for this long. From me especially. I want to have the peace of mind to know that my daughter and grand-child will be alright."
"I know." Araima said, subdued.
She looked down placing her hands on her small round belly. She hid it well, hoping Gale would come so she could tell him first. She'd only found out about a week after that dinner. She wished she'd realized sooner that she was carrying his child. To think this happened only after that one day. But time kept going by and Gale hadn't returned.
"Let me at least help you find a suitable husband. There are many who would gladly take you. Unless you tell me who the father is?" she asked, hopeful.
"Mother, I really wish to tell you, to explain... but I don't think you'll believe me until you see him. I won't marry anyone but him."
"Ari." Her brother stepped up. Darius had the same worried expression as their mother. "If it really best to pine after someone who abandoned you?"
"He did not abandon me! I told you he doesn't even know." she said for the hundreth time. "Just give me a little more time."

Araima heard a knock on the door. She started to rise, hope filling her. Her brother placed a hand on her shoulder pushing her down and moving her seat closer to the table. He brought a finger too to his lips.
"If that is him, then sit still. I want to know what kind of man he is, before he finds out." he said quietly. "He won't see with you sitting so close to the table." He looked over at their mother Irana and she nodded.
Araima started to protest but held her tongue. If it was Gale she hated to do this, but at least she'd finally prove to them he was a good man. Just as she'd assured them many times over last few weeks.

Irana stood and opened the door. Araima could just see around her and she was filled with relief. It was him.
"Gale!" she called joyfully. "Mother let him in. I want you to meet the man I was talking about."
"Come in then." her mother said pleasantly. She eyes him critically though. There was something about him....

(Im off night!)

Araima frowned. How could that be? At least she knew the reason for his long absence.
"It doesn't matter now, I'm happy your here." she said, beaming. She wan't to stand up and hold him. To tell him so bad that they were having a child. But she held her peace for the sake of the two in the room.
"Mother, Darius. This is Gale. Gale this is my mother and brother." she said.

A look had passed between the two when Gale had talked about locked doors. It was odd, calling something into Irana's memory. Her eyes looked over at her daughter and she was almost surprised at the joy in love in her eyes when she looked at Gale. When had she started looking at someone like that?
She looked back over at Gale and sighed smiling. She'd always wanted to see Araima happy. If this man made her happy so be it. His disappearences did still worry her though.
"Welcome Gale. She said warmly. We have many things to discuss. You can tell him Araima. I see there really no point in hiding it."

Araima squeezed his hands gently. "You don't need to be worried. I'm prefectly fine." she assured him. Darius snorted behind her and shot him a glare. "It's true." she said with a curt nod.
She let go of one of Gale's hands and pushed herself away from the table. She ran her hand lovingly over her round belly and suddenly felt shy as she looked back up at Gale.
"You are going to be a father." she said, blushing.