museboxingring | To be born from two worlds

To be born from two worlds

Eirik was late in her pregnancy.

As it got closer and closer, the anxiety became worse and worse. He remembered when he first heard she was pregnant. Over and over, he repeated to himself, "fatherhood". Or rather, "parenthood". This was something Eirik and Connor made, because they loved and trusted each other.

This was a time Connor couldn't even guess would have happened in his near future, even far beyond being with Eirik.

He was about to be a father, to a child.

What did Connor know about fatherhood? Nothing? Do people ever know how unless if it happened, probably not.

To be honest, it was hard to not think about Haytham and the kind of father he was.

Everything aside, he didn't want to be that father; more than anything.

Which brought them to present day. Connor would have gently suggested for Eirik to take a leave to the Homestead. Just to clear her head and have her relax and surround herself with simple hospitality and clean, quiet air. Where she could wake to the roosters and birds rustling through the forest trees as opposed to nosy peers by the thousands. Call it protective, because maybe it was. Connor had gotten advice after advice from Warren, Prudence, and Lyle White about the issue. Of course, they knew Connor would take this measure, being the overly gentle soul he was. After all, he helped Warren and Prudence with starting their family life, they wanted to give back; without using those words. Connor only focus was on being on the Homestead, helping Eirik. Nothing else.

Oils and other supplies were given to them frequently since Eirik started staying. Connor had just stopped his own errands around the Homestead for the day to notice the goods at the door. A shake of his head and a warm smile later, he picked them up and opened the door. Time to get dinner started.

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It really was something else to find that she hurt far more when he wasn't around. An implication that in front of Connor's eyes, Eirik tried to display a strength to keep his worries at bay. But when he wasn't, she felt she could be a bit more real about the situation and herself. She could be more calm, but at the same time, there remained a poor habit of self-sacrifice that she knew Connor wouldn't accept—and for a good reason, too.

The contracting pain subsided and as she shifted to lie lengthwise against the couch, she protectively cradled her stomach with an arm and thought that perhaps she could catch just some moments of rest. At least until she heard the door open distantly, footsteps, and her husband. He addressed her and though he hadn't entered yet, she lifted a hand to wave in an invisible audience.

"I have not moved," she answered him, cheek against a pillow cushion that belonged to the couch. It wasn't half as soft as what Renais would have had and normally the lack of luxuries didn't bother her much, but in the present, she couldn't help but wonder if it would have been for the better to have their child in the comforts of the palace with silks, satins, and more.

"...Who did you bring with you?" Eirik's question was one with obvious answers, but while she respected those of the Homestead, she couldn't claim to know them nearly as well as Connor did.

Connor came on over quickly to her side, Lyle and Diane following suit. He couldn't help but be worried, in the mere minutes he was gone, she could have been in more pain.

"You know Dr. White and Diane, they can help. They both have experience in this," he gently said as he knelt by her near the couch. He was still worried, plainly seen as he gently took her hand into his.

What can I do? I am here. I shall not leave you again, no matter what you say. Connor's eyes spoke for him again.

He didn't WANT to leave, but he had to get the doctor for her. Lyle knew how to handle pregnancy, obviously, and obviously well. Eirik was a different patient, sure, but Connor knew Lyle had the expertise moreso than him by a long shot.

If anything happened, Lyle had the power to do what he could. Connor would as well.

Diane was the first to come and check up on Eirik to see how she was doing.

"Alright dear, how are you doing?" Lyle asked her.

She turned her attention from Connor onto the two he brought with him. Lyle and Diana were people she knew of, but didn't really know too much about their history. Lyle White was a respectable man in his field, clearly knowledgeable where medicine was concerned and Eirik knew well enough she could trust herself beneath his capable hands.

Diana was a different story. Not in the way that she wasn't well-practised, because from what Eirik had heard, she most certainly was. With a history of assisting Lyle with his various medical procedures, she seemed to be as close to a mid-wife as she was going to get. How did pregnancies really work in Renais, anyway? None of her ladies in waiting had really come with child considering it would have been a lack of virtue and modesty. And her mother had not been around long enough to answer questions about that for her...

"I'm unsure of how to answer you," she replied to Lyle as she raised an eyebrow. How was she doing? How was she doing? She wasn't ready for that pop quiz. She did shift, however, onto her back and adjusting the pillow beneath her head. Keeping a hold of Connor's hand, she didn't do much to disguise the slight concern in her expression.

"My dear doctor, I am with child and at full term," Eirik began with a subtle smile. "Prone to impatience. I believe I am having contractions, which would imply that soon well enough, Connor will have a son or a daughter. I would like you to confirm and tell me what I must do." Then she jerked her head to Connor, "...Does he need to be here for this?"

Connor knew he couldn't be much help since he had no idea of how exactly childbirth worked. Which he knew would be understandable, as he wasn't a doctor and helping Warren and Prudence was far different than he and his mate actually having a child himself.

Honestly, he was at a state of mind in which he just wanted to help and not leave. But how much help was that? He'd do anything at this point.

He listened to her and Lyle speak more.

"Well, how many contractions have you had in the time past, dear?" Lyle asked as Diana followed suit.

"Eirik, I have some experience in midwifery as well, tell me what I could do," she said.

Connor continued to listen and take in the knowledge before the conversation came to him. Did he need to be here? He was no doctor but...He just wanted to be here. He gave a worried, but determined, look all over again before finally replying, "What can I do, Dr. White? I would do what I can."

Connor then looked at Eirik, offering a soft look as he wasn't quite sure what she meant, in all honesty, "...Eirik, I wish to help you, just tell me what you want me to do and I will do it, I promise."

"I was supposed to count them?" Eirik asked, somewhat in disbelief. "I was not keeping a record of them. They started earlier today, before Connor even came home. I thought nothing of it, for the pain wasn't extreme. At least, at first."

Looking between Diana and Lyle, she tipped her head, "I am not at all familiar with childbirth. I haven't had one before and I didn't get to witness the hustle and bustle of it all in Renais. You are asking me to tell you what you can do, and I haven't the faintest what you should be doing."

Because saying 'get this baby out of me,' seemed highly inappropriate and Eirik wasn't about to let that slip. Impatience be damned, she could afford to hold herself together for at least a little while longer.

Another wave of tingling pain and she found herself squeezing Connor's hand. Looking over to him, while there was an appreciation for having him at her side, it wasn't the most comfortable experience. "It doesn't seem decent to have you witnessing this, Connor. Mayhap you should wait outside. Doctor White or Diana will be sure to tell you if something should happen." After all, if the gods were less than kind, she could simply have contractions for hours before any arrival of the baby.

Connor could tell just from the tone alone she was getting impatient. She didn't want the malarkey, she just wanted the deed done.

He just didn't know what to do, or what was expected of him. It was clearly obvious how inexperienced he was. It was indecent for him to be here, but Warren had that one time...

He didn't even and he had no room to argue, if it was what she really wanted then he felt he had no choice but to abide; much to his somewhat dismay. Had he overstepped another bound, he thought he was beyond that by now.

Suddenly, a hand gripped his shoulder. Not harshly, but gentle, it was Diana. It was like Diana could feel Connor's worries and she had to speak out to him. After all, Connor wasn't the type that like to say he was distressed or upset outright. He had too strong a face to show it often, but it was an emotionally heavy moment for him now. It was noticeable.

"Connor," she spoke. "I will be sure to call for you when we are sure she is taken care of. Or if she needs you immediately."

He got what she meant, but he really couldn't help but feel like he should be of some use.

I do not want to leave right now.

He had no choice, it was what she wanted. He didn't say anything, he just slowly nodded at Eirik and let go of her hand delicately, then stood up and walked slowly outside.

Shutting the door and sitting on the steps outside.

Watching him go was hard. Painful even, but anything pained in Eirik's expression was likely chocked up to the concept of child birthing. She'd told the others before that she knew very little about the process. The procedure itself to begin it all had been rather simple. The nine months of waiting and wondering and resting had still been simple, but somewhat troublesome. The coming of 'that time' had left her hardly all peaches and cream as she had tried to be.

Honestly, there were good days and bad days for her, and when she felt like there was a bad day coming, she preferred it that Connor didn't witness it. Yet she couldn't hide everything from him. There had been a promise they'd made to one another with their marriage and while she never forgot it, Eirik had a feeling that they both endured a kind of inner struggle with their independence and the balance they had attempted to create in their new life with one another.

Old habits aside, Eirik's knowledge on childbirth went in one direction alone. A woman of noble birth was to consider the whole nine months a privilege and honour. (Eirik did, but she knew very well not to say a word to Connor, for he continued to have little love for court politics, despite the title she'd bestowed upon him.) The man for whom the woman sired sons and daughters was not permitted to witness, for childbirth was difficult and in the event of something befalling the mother-to-be, even the most rational man could grow irrational. And Eirik knew well enough that Connor didn't need to be poked too much on her own endangerment.

A late pregnancy could be troublesome as it was and if that was the case, she didn't want Connor to know of it.

Finally, when a child was born into a house of royalty, the child would be granted to the lord, the duke, the king, whoever he might have been, and he would host great feasts in honour. Provided it was a son. There was always a great want for sons.

Connor only wants it to be well and safe, she reminded herself as she eyed the doorway through whence he left. Sometimes he is like a prince more than he knows. And sometimes he is like a radical prince, the type who could bring about revolution to the very concept of court procedure.

Eirik tensed when she realised she was holding her breath and the hand that had previously thought to squeeze the life out of Connor's, found itself wanting and took the pillow beneath her head instead. If it hurts too much more, I may want him to return. There is strength in our unity. But I cannot call on him unless I know everything is well.

"...Can..." she started between harsh breaths, "...you tell me if everything... seems as if it will be... without hindrance?" For speaking of ill things tended to bring about ill things and Eirik had no other idea as to how to address such a tender subject subtly.

Dr. White had looked to Eirik and to Diana, to which she responded in a slow nod. The only thing that seemed to concern either was Connor's absence. Sure, Eirik came to the choice that he SHOULD leave and it was now becoming obvious why.

There was a battle of following to conduct and to what she wanted. Eirik, a woman composed from royalty who married the native made Duke; it was hard to most people to grasp that concept. The Homesteaders loved Connor, and got to know and grow to adore Eirik from him. They respected each other and watched them grow in their relationship, so they knew how each acted.

It wasn't a stretch to say that they were all one giant extension of family, not at all.

So it kind of sentimentally hurt them inside to see Eirik like this, troubled in terms of a number of things, pregnancy included. Then to see Connor in his own state didn't make it any better.

If it weren't for them having large professional standards in the practice, they would have convinced that Connor should have stayed for the good of both of them. But they seemed to understand that without saying anything. The moment a Connor was needed, a Connor will be fetched. Simple as that.

That is, if a Connor didn't come in on his own.

Still though, White responded as such, "Nothing yet, just remember to keep breathing. Let us know what you need and my nurse will make sure it's done." He said this straight but with gentleness, because this was a tender and sensitive moment; and because he knew Eirik and all.

Meanwhile, as expected, Connor was a wreck. He literally stayed just outside the manor door, feeling a sweat coming on and trying to hone in on his eavesdropping skills to hear what was happening inside. A panting and worried Eirik was what he heard and nearly ran inside anyway until Dr. White gave the okay that nothing bad was happening.

If anything happens to her or our child...

His stomach hurt, and he felt like he was more feverish. Composure, he remembered, keep composure. Connor simply looked like his face was getting slightly pale and his lips completely pursed. He wasn't someone of emotional breakdowns, but he obviously wasn't normal. No one can be completely composed at all times, and the time was not now.

Oddly, he was so preoccupied that he didn't notice Warren coming near the manor and began watching the scene unfold.

"Connor? I don't see you so frazzled often, what is happening?" He stopped himself before Connor could even answer, one look was all it took.

Edited 2014-05-18 20:50 (UTC)

Just remember to keep breathing. Yes, that was probably the wisest action to take at the time. One thing wrong and she could affect the baby poorly. Hell, even sitting improperly could have resulted in poor posture. Baby bones were soft and malleable. Last thing Eirik needed was to be responsible for something of that nature. Connor might have been able to forgive her, but she doubted she'd be able to forgive herself.

Contractions themselves were waves of pain. If pain were seeable, she would have described it as an ocean tide, though the only ocean she'd ever seen was in Carcino from what she could recall. To be fair, however, there was little she could properly recall with the current situation. Nothing seemed as important either.

"My brother... should be here," she found herself murmuring, wondering what he was doing that kept him from visiting. Aside from running the whole that was Renais. "He would want to," Eirik forlornly continued, and it was less that he was her brother and more that he was her twin.

They shared their mother together for nine months and were nigh inseparable when they were younger. Everywhere Ephraim was, Eirik wanted to be, too. There was no one in the world she was closer to and for her, not having Ephraim around was akin to missing a part of herself. One could survive without the other on shorter terms, but trying to live apart affected Eirik more than she truly wanted to admit.

And surely Renais suffered for it, too.

Hands with well-kept nails clutched the pillow, inched for her ocean-like hair, and she tried not to tense too much. But she kept breathing through it all, even with the way her very skin glowed and the way her hair stuck to her face, matted, and hardly beautiful.

"...If this... keeps up," the pain, she implied, "...I want my husband." When he was available. When he was calm. When she knew everything was going to be okay. When nothing would go wrong.

Connor would have done anything for her, if she wanted. Anything for her and their child. That where where his heart and mind were. The anxiety that a family could be real, it was so much, almost too much, to bear.

Warren must have understood that as he entered the scene on the outside. "W-Warren," Connor simply spoke. "I believe...I believe Eirik is in labor inside. Dr. White and Diana are there."

What was wrong with this scene then, Warren wondered.

"She said they would call me if they needed me."

Warren really didn't need to say anything else, as suddenly Diana would open the manor door. "Connor," and that was all she needed to say, as Connor would then quickly move through the doors. Warren would then leave quickly, intrigued at the result, obviously. If they were having the baby, he was going to let people know.

At the manor, Connor was focused on Eirik, Eirik, Eirik, get to Eirik. They could practically feel his steps from the other room if White and Eirik paid attention at all to that. Not saying a word to any of them, he sat back down next to Eirik, who looked like she was going through hell.

Still not talking, and not leaving again. It took only a couple syllables from Diana, and he was here, regretting leaving at all.

And she was right. The pain didn't subside the way she wanted it to. And instead of wanting to focus on it herself, she decided it would be better to have Connor with her. She could smile through anything for him. She would try to, anyway, even if she failed miserably. Connor made her want to try, regardless of however things wound up. She felt like if she didn't, she'd somehow be letting him down and that was one of the worst feelings to experience.

When he rejoined her side, she did nothing to hide how relieved she felt. Her hand released her pillow and she offered it to him, still breathing and practically forcing the air out the way Dr. White had coaxed her to. Diana, too. The pre-labour lessons had helped. Eirik wasn't completely out of the loop and she knew what to do to keep herself calm. Everything else was just dependent on time and the baby had its own schedule. She only hoped it wasn't going to take too long. Not because she had any other plans (as she didn't); simply because she knew something that took too long could mean there was something wrong. With her, and it wasn't unheard of for complications in pregnancies to result in the deaths of mothers, babies, or both.

It had been a reasonably secret nightmare she held to herself as she carried her baby to full-term.

"...I'm thankful... for you," she murmured to him gently as she waited for him to take her hand. "In Renais, it isn't permitted for the man to be with his woman, but I keep having to remind myself that this... is not Renais. I want you here with me always, through all things. With all of my love, respect, and fidelity."

Connor could only smile at her, warmly, as he did soon take that hand of hers into his. He held it with only a little firmness, as to simply say, I am here, I will always be here. Even when you want to be strong, you will always have me by your side, helping you be even stronger.

He moved some of her matted, sweaty hair to reveal her cheek to kiss it tenderly. With as much tenderness, he responded with, "I would have not abide by those rules anyway."

It was an effort to make her feel better, with his own sense of "humor". Yeah, when he had none to speak of. But he had learned to soften more and more as he lived with her. Well it got Diana to make a snort.

Soon, she got some more supplies ready for Dr. White because, "Eirik, keep breathing, I'm seeing something."

Edited 2014-05-19 16:39 (UTC)

When the rest of the world could be cold and cruel, she could always rely on Connor to be warm and kind. Looking over to him, she tried to seem as sure of herself as he did. Sometimes Connor wasn't confident. Sometimes he got nervous and uncertain. Often, it used to be that way with her. But something in him had grown courageous in their time together.

And sometimes he could be more decisive than she and she needed that.

"Of course not," she managed to say to him as carefully as she could muster. "I'm hardly surprised." She wasn't at all. Connor was going to do whatever it was he believed he should do, regardless of what she said. Something akin to a wild animal and she could not tame him. She didn't want to.

Her attention turned onto Diana and Dr. White once more with a subtle nod. "Finally."

He smiled at Eirik before turning to the two practitioners. It was coming, the baby, it was almost here. Birthed into the world, Eirik and Connor's world. Thoughts couldn't be organized right now, organization will have to wait until the baby was born.

Their baby.

Connor kept his grip on Eirik's hand still, speaking up with support, "Finally," he repeated.

Connor agreed, and continued with, "Almost, Eirik. You are almost there. Never give up. I shall not give up on you."

With whatever happened after he said that, it felt like hours when it was only a few minutes. Connor's gaze never left Eirik, she was who he was most focused on. The suddenly, his heart stopped when he heard a noise.

The small wail of a baby, who was just born and welcomed to their lives.

A baby. A baby. A baby.

Everything was for the baby. Eirik wanted everything to be for the baby. Every hour of indescribable pain. Every moment Eirik thought she'd just have to stop and wait. There was no waiting when babies were involved. Not really. They did as they were willed to do and while Eirik could have tried to keep it inside of her a bit longer, the body was going to do what it needed to do and when it was a baby's time, not even the diplomatically silver tongue of the princess could keep it at bay.

The first cry spelled relief for many reasons. A baby crying sounded most natural, though in Eirik's head it sounded so much more far off than it truly was. It was the first sound that coerced her to relent her unforgiving grasp on Connor's hand. He had been her strength. She should have known it all along. Her blue eyes found Connor's of brown and for many moments, she said nothing. Simply relished in the very sound and in how he looked. Her husband. Her glorious husband. And for him, a glorious child.

And then, "...Remind me, my darling, my heart, that while the pathway to parenthood may be enjoyable, the delivery is not. Should we wish for another." And she imagined they both would at some point.

Oh, Eirik.

Connor found himself taking an arm around her shoulders to gently embrace her. Ever since he found her and courted her, life had given him joy after joy. Now, he had the joy of parenthood and he didn't want to waste that feeling on anything. Who would waste it, who would be so heartless to? When the woman you grew to love, who had shown you light, became the light, suddenly bore a child. Thus, beginning a family. He didn't think of anything else, the Creed even taking a step backwards. Being the Duke also went to the back of his mind.

The child and his wife were all that mattered.

He became amused, and even chuckled. "In a hurry, are you? You were so impatient before you went into labor. Patience. If we were to do this again, I would hope we would be experienced enough to have any to spare."

The very thought of having this feeling again could make a man drunk with joy, but he couldn't even talk of that now. What of the child they just had?

Dr. White finished his business and soon enough gave them the news, "You two are the fine parents of a baby girl. Both of you...you should be so proud."

Diana followed, with the new bundle in a blanket, still giving soft wails. As a mother herself, Diana couldn't help but look at the child like any mother would.

Then Connor became impatient.

A girl.

What had Eirik been hoping for? Tradition told her a boy. Earnest feelings told her a boy. But she was happy. Boy or girl didn't matter quite so much. If Connor was happy, that was an added bonus.

Lyle's words went in one ear and stuck around, but Eirik's thoughts were mostly on the girl. Her daughter. Her and Connor's daughter. A daughter. A child. Their child. Her gaze moved off of Connor and onto Diana who held their bundle of joy.

If she'd had more strength, she could have pulled her blankets aside and moved to take her. Yet she couldn't. "I want to see," she said directly, trying not to sound so completely tired. She wanted to hold, too. To bring her daughter right up against her. But she knew something about patience.

Sort of.

She was exhausted, so Connor did the movements for her. As far as he was concerned, they were going to hold their child. The first few moments of her life, they were going to hold her and they would together.

He wanted this to happen more than anything, as long as it meant they could hold their little girl.

Yes, a girl. A woman could keep hold of the family line, could be a leader, could do great things within his people. His people may not have been around, but she could carry the lineage of two cultures.

A patriarch and a matriarch, two different cultures.

She could very well be the most well rounded individual, and yet now, she was a small bundle in a soft blanket. Her eyes shut, not yet ready to see the world that her parents could give her.

Yes, Connor will give her everything, he had decided. Fatherhood seeped into his veins, then suddenly he wanted to give her his whole heart. He could see her grow into a fine woman, free to do what she wished.

Just think, he hadn't even seen her yet.

He held out his large arm toward Dr. White and Diana, then spoke, "...Is it alright?"

A smile from both, and they passed over their offspring. Gently, Dr. White laid her between the both of them so she would get support from both of their arms. Connor's arms felt strong with pride, but he was so gentle he could hardly feel their presence. He wanted to be as gentle as a feather.

It took one look for Eirik to fall in love. Or mayhap that was just a natural occurrence with first-time parents. It was magical, was the only way Eirik knew how to put it. All of her strength had gone into delivering something so small and delicate. Something. Someone, more or less. Beautiful, indescribable-- many words turned over in Eirik's head as she moved as carefully as she could onto her side.

And with one hand, she reached over to draw blanket from the face, to seek out a much smaller hand that likely could barely wrap its entirety around a single forefinger. One could only imagine how long it'd take for her to get a grasp about her father's. Just the mere thought made Eirik's lips upturn into a smooth curve.

"She has your face," Eirik observed quietly. "Your structure. My nose. My mouth. Your... eyes, I imagine, if she ever lets us see them," which was supposed to be some very gentle motherly coaxing if there ever was some. "Books do say that life is miraculous, but I was not prepared for just how much it was."

She was delighted, beyond comprehensive speech, to put it lightly. Although Connor's question did beckon her to look over to Doctor White and Diana expectantly. She'd heard neither of them claim something to be wrong with her or the little one, after all.

He got a good look at their child, and he could feel his heart simple melt. It was still unbelievable that they made this little thing, that they created this little bundle of life.

Connor couldn't possibly smile more, it felt. He watched the little thing, he watched her open and close her tiny hands and he watched her slowly nod off to sleep in her newly made parents' arms.

"Books cannot tell you everything," he said to her softly, and that statement was from experience. But he didn't want to end it there at all.

"She is beautiful," he continued, "Just like her mother."

Connor didn't care if that was corny, he meant it. He said what he meant at all times.

Dr. White spoke after him, smiling as well, "She is in perfect heath too, and she's in good hands. I can tell." He couldn't be happier for the couple, and neither can Diana; nor the growing number of people outside the manor door, curious if a newborn was inside of it, courtesy of Warren.

Part of the joy was seeing their child. The other part was Connor's reaction. True that she had dreamed about it at night curiously, ever wondering what he might think or say when the time came. Dreams were only half as good as the real thing, she found. Every moment Connor smiled was a moment that she smiled more.

"She is beautiful. Just like her mother."

"You think I am beautiful," she teased Connor with plain written affection in her expression. "Not right now, I'm not." More teasing.

She looked back between Doctor White and Diana with a nod. "Thank you. For your help, your kindness. For everything." Eying Connor once more, her eyebrows rose, "Do you want to hold her?"

Connor could argue that, she was always beautiful. Eirik just went through a very tiresome ordeal, and seeing her so tired and worn made him really realize that. Since he was a man, he wouldn't begin to be able to experience this, obviously. At least, Connor wanted her to know he supported her through the pain. She lived through it, she was strong, she is beautiful.

But he wasn't even in the mood to argue a darn thing, even with affection. Because all he had on his person was pure love and tenderness. So he looked at Eirik with loving eyes, and giving her another kiss on the head.

Dr. White smiled at them both, "I am a doctor, and a doctor who cares quite a bit about the townsfolk here. I'm just glad to be of use."

Connor took a second in memory lane to remember the Dr. White from back then suffering from horrible, false slander. Dr. White's reputation was now in good hands after that whole ordeal, and it seemed to have made his life turn for the best. His humbleness was subtle, but so was Connor's most of the time. The two were all happier for it all, and Connor found no trouble in helping him. To Dr. White, helping Connor with his first born was the least he could do.

And Connor was the happiest man these days, with his wonderful wife and now his child. The moment he was asked about holding the baby, did he want to hold her?

Of course he did, did he need to say anything? Connor gently held out his arms to hold his little girl. His beautiful little girl.

While that was happening, a voice came up. "Doctor," Diana spoke as she looked out the window. "We've attracted a number of eyes."

Or rather, Connor did. On accident, of course.

...Warren.

"Honestly, this is not a show!" White softly exclaimed, just so he wouldn't disturb the baby and her parents too much with noise. He turned to them for a moment, and reassured them. "My assistant and I will handle them, kindly. It should be alright to leave you two alone for some privacy. We won't be far, let us know if you need anything."

He didn't say it, but she could see it in how he looked at her. Connor always had incredibly expressive eyes. She loved his eyes, really. Had from the very beginning and was always drawn to them. For that reason, among others, she read what he wasn't saying and didn't further push the proverbial envelope.

Instead, her expression softened and without much in the way of argument, she offered up their daughter. And in doing so, it created an overprotective bond of tension. She didn't want to be far from her, but at times she would have to be. After all of the time and effort that went into birthing children, Eirik never wanted to let hers go.

But she didn't say any of that. She'd save those words for another day and another time when it was only the two of them.

Once Connor had her, Eirik turned her attention onto Lyle and gave him a succinct little nod. "Thank you again," was what she managed to get out before he and Diana went to quiet the rest of the Homestead.

"You are causing an uproar," she said to their daughter. "Although it was likely your father."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

To be born from two worlds

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YOU THOUGHT I FORGOT ABOUT THIS. I, IN FACT, DID NOT.

SCREAMING AT MY INBOX

NO, STOP SCREAMING. OR SCREAM WITH JOY. ONE OR THE OTHER.

SCREAM WITH JOY

YES GOOD. I ACCEPT DIS.

Re: YES GOOD. I ACCEPT DIS.

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