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 Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:44 am
Naledi was blushing as she realized the truth. She’d denied it, almost as if that would make it go away…but the burn in her chest told her otherwise, just as the slight bulge that was beginning to show.
He had left, it had been…a short affair.
A month ago, she’s met him in the mountains by a small lake. It had been about to storm, and he’s offered her shelter. But as the storm raged, so did something else…and when the morning came she couldn’t believe what had happened. She had never planned for this to happen.
But the evidence was very clear. The sick feelings, the hunger…the bulge. It all fit and now it was all definite. She was pregnant, and alone.
She was frightened of what her mother would think, of how she’d react. Her father! That was going to be terrifying. It was beyond him that they could be grown, let alone capable of love…or anything else that involved procreating. Fiendfyre had gotten into a couple of tight spots about that. But somehow…they’d always wind up never being his fault…his kids…his anything.
But this was different, very different. She couldn’t’ believe that she’d gotten into a spot like this, the first time too.
The feelings in he body, seemed almost too much too bear. She was frightened, and she was happy…and she was sad he was gone. She was lonely, and those moments…those few days though fleeting were etched in her memories and burned like fire as she tried to remember and to forget.
Why had she chose to love, when it would hurt so bad? When there would be leaving to do?
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:04 am
“Daddy?” She spoke tentatively.
“Yeah, baby?” He looked up from the book he was reading. Naledi had always been quiet, not brooding like her brother. He glanced at her and put his book down carefully. “What’s the matter?”
“Is momma here too?”
“No, she’s out.” He frowned a bit. “Talk to me.” He was standing now. She wasn’t the kind to look this worried, or to be in trouble. “Did something happen? Is Fiend hurt?” He glanced out the door a bit afraid.
“No daddy, he’s fine.” The tears started falling down her face. “I’m hurt daddy. I made a mistake.” She ran to him and through her arms about him. “Oh daddy!”
Ember held her close, not knowing what to say. “You’re scaring me, what’s the matter? What can I do to fix this?”
Naledi sobbed harder, “Nooo. Da-dad-dy you c-can’t fix th-this.”
“Tell me what’s happened.” He stroked her hair.
“Just, not now daddy.” She backed away a bit and wiped her eyes. “I just--” She shook her head, “I can’t talk about it yet.”
Ember looked at her desperately, “Nal, tell me what’s wrong. You can tell me anything.”
“I will daddy, just not…now. Where’s Fiend?”
“He’s in the garden.” He knew it was no use begging her to tell him anything more, she was just as stubborn as her mother. He watched as she left, desperate to know how to help her.
He hated seeing her hurt, to see any of his kids hurt. But, especially Naledi. She was the spitting image of her mother. She had the same look in her eyes, she smiled the same way...But she was softer, more fragile than her mother was now. He was afraid of what she was keeping from him. She'd never given him any cause to worry, and now something was wrong.
He sat down to think, hoping Ariluna would come home soon so that they could talk to her together.
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:16 am
Naledi had made her way into the garden. Walking among the roses, the heady scent filled her lungs. She stretched out a hoof to steady herself, the smells made her so sick and dizzy feeling. It was kind of hard to think or move now. Why couldnt' Fiend have been somewhere else?
She felt heat near her, and her brothers arm touching her. "Here sit down on the bench." His voice was steady, a bit alarmed.
"Oh, Fiend. I need to-"
"You don't have to."
She looked at him, searching his face. He was so much different than her. He was more worldly, more experienced. He'd seen more things than she'd even dreamed of, but what alarmed her was his usually almost savage face was alarmed. "You know?" Her voice was soft, almost unhearable.
"It's not that hard to figure out. I've known for weeks."
"Why didn't you say something? I could have talked to you!" It came out in a harsh whisper.
"You could have talked to me, no matter what. But you didn't. Whose fault is that?" He looked at her, his face still soft.
"I was afraid what you think."
"Since when has what I thought weighed that heavily?"
"Don't say that. You've always been there for me. I was afraid you'd think less of me."
"I could never do that. He kissed her forehead, "You're in a fine mess though."
"Don't I know it." She sat there silently for a minute, the waves of different smells getting to her again. Leaning over the bench, she was sick.
Sitting back up, she wiped at her mouth and brushed at her mouth. "Smells."
"That bad, eh?" He looked at her for a moment, "How much longer?"
"Not long at all. It could happen now, or a month from now. Anytime is safe."
Fiendfyre let out a low whistle. "You better tell them soon, they're going to have a bit of a freak out about it." He laughed as he turned away, "You know, I figured I'd be the one to do this sort of thing first, not you."
"It would have been better on me now, if you had." She smiled weakly at him.
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:33 am
"Is he in the picture?"
"Hmm?" She opened her eyes and looked at Fiendfyre. "What are you talking about?"
"The father. He left you didn't he?"
"Yeah....He's not coming back." She touched her belly gently as she felt movement inside. "I met him when I was traveling a few months ago. He was kind, he was charming. He was more wonderful than I could have imagined. We talked, we swam...We found so much in common. I could have spent lifetimes staying with him, but...he was gone. My whole world came crashing down when he left me.
"I woke up, and he was gone. I stayed there that night, hoping he'd come back to me. I waited for hours. I cried. I prayed. I did everything you do when you're in love.
"But it was hopeless, because I was the only one in love." She sighed deeply. "When I got to Aunt Gylden's, I felt a little off. I thought I was just tired from traveling so far in this heat. But after a week, I kind of knew.
"I didn't know how to tell him. I didn't know where he was, or if he would even want to know if I did. I stayed, I hid it as well as I could. Then...I came home and said nothing.
"I was stupid, it wasn't like it was some flu that was just going to go away. It wasn't as if, I could just have them and give them away so no one ever knew. I knew from the moment I was sure, that I'd keep them as best I could.
"Because despite he left me, despite that I was scared. I did love him." She looked at her brother with glistening eyes. "I loved him. I was a fool."
Fiendfyre pulled her to him, "There, there. You took a chance. It's what you got to do sometime. It's not what's easy, and some people wont' think it's right. But you did what's right at the time. You took the chance, you got burned and you're dealing with it best you can. That's all we can ask for. To learn to deal with things."
"I hope mom and dad feel that way."
"I can help with that."
She looked at him a bit confused, "What do you mean?"
"Just trust me."
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:44 am
Fiendfyre made his way into the living room, Ariluna was still absent. "Dad, we need to talk."
Ember jerked his head up, he'd been lost deep in thought-in worry. "Yes, do you know?" He searched Fiend's face for some sign. "Is she okay?"
Fiend shuffled his foot, "Look dad. I'm in a bit of a spot. I kind of..."
"Well?"
"I went off on someone."
"Did you punch them?"
"No, I blew them up."
Ember's eyes widened, "YOU DID WHAT?"
"It was an accident, but I've got to go into hiding."
Ember sat down heavily, "Killed."
"Nah, dad. Not really. Naledi needs to tell you something."
"What?" He looked absolutely confused as Fiendfyre waved Naledi in.
"Tell him."
"Dad, I'm pregnant. Due any day."
Ember's mouth fell open as he gawked trying to say something. He sat down heavily, "I'm not telling your mother. You have to."
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