Reality Check

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 26th February 2006

Characters: Birigundi, Nialyn
Description: Birigundi finally realizes that Nialyn's pregnancy is for real
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "Not Too Late"

Birigundi

"Shells... Don't stop doing what you're doing, Biri. That feels quite nice..." She tilted her head back so he could have easier access to her hair, enjoying the way his fingers stroked through the strands, then came up again to massage the base of her neck.

"You like that, huh?" he whispered into her shoulder. As his fingers worked on her neck muscles his lips did a little therapy of their own. Nialyn was nice to wake up next to. He should do it more often, he decided.

A slight shiver ran down her spine and she sighed, letting herself drift in a haze of soft pleasure "Mmm... I do like it." She turned her head just enough so her lips could brush his chin as it moved along her shoulder.

He forgot her hair completely as he wrapped his arms around her and turned his head to catch her lips with his own. She smelled good, felt warm, and from the way she moved against him, he could tell she was willing. What could be better than this?

Suddenly her breath hitched, but it had nothing to do with a eager and ready man curling up against her backside. "Biri?" **Something's wrong.** She swallowed, choking down bile. Her eyes widened and she tore out of his arms, throwing off the covers and sprinted to the bathing room.

"What the..." Birigundi watched her tear across the room. "Nialyn, are you all right?" he called. When she didn't answer he walked cautiously towards the bathroom door.

She was kneeling over a bucket, her shaking hands holding her long hair away from her face. Her blue eyes were glazed, her face pale as she shuddered and coughed.

"Nialyn?" He knelt down next to her, pulling her hair back in his hands.
"What's wrong? Was it something we ate last night?"

Embarrassed for him to see her like this, she shook her head, clenching her jaw to keep everything down. She gestured with a hand to her abdomen, hoping he'd get it so she wouldn't have to open her mouth.

He was starting to get it. **Shards...** "Morning sickness?"

She nodded before swallowing hard, her eyes squeezing shut.

For the first time since Nialyn had told him that she was pregnant with his child he was starting to truly get it. This was for _real_. She was going to have a baby! She was going to have _his_ baby... "Well...
well... what should we do? We should get you to the infirmary to have you checked out! I mean just in case, right?"

"It's natural," she managed to whisper hoarsely to him. "I...don't need...healers."

"Yeah, but... But you've never had this before! How do you know? What if its not? What if you're really sick?"

Despite everything, his concern both touched and amused her. Nialyn took in a deep breath through her nose and let it slowly out her mouth. Then she did it again. The wave had passed. "You're sweet, Biri," she managed to croak, giving him what she hoped was more of a smile than a grimace.

"I'll get you some water." Birigundi hurried to fetch her a glass all the time repeating to himself **This is natural. It's only morning sickness. It's natural...**

She wanted to stand, to get up off the hard floor and go sit on the soft cushions of the sofa, but she wasn't sure if that was such a good idea. Nialyn rubbed a hand over her brow. Shells... She knew she shouldn't be embarrassed, but she was. Looking up at him as he came towards her, she wondered vaguely if enough color had come back to face to make it obvious enough that she was flushing.

"Are you still feeling nauseated?" he asked as he handed her the glass.

She took a sip before answering - a little one. She swallowed carefully, but didn't feel her stomach churn. After a moment, a small sigh escaped. "I think it passed. And stop looking at me like that...I'm fine."

He couldn't help the look. Seeing her throwing up and knowing the cause had brought reality home more than anything had yet. "Do you think you can eat something?"

"I know I don't _want_ to, but it might be better if I tried..."

"All right. Just a moment." Birigundi walked back towards her bed chamber and pulled his pants back on. He found a robe in the closet and wrapped it around her. "Here, why don't you sit down on the couch and I'll go get us some breakfast."

Before he could move away, she grasped his hand with her own, her fingers tender on his. "Thank you, Biri."

He leaned down to kiss her forehead gently. "I'll be back," he promised. Though Birigundi was a little shaken up by the experience, he was glad that she had not been alone. Perhaps he should make more time for her. This was not going to be as easy as he had thought...

Last updated on the February 26th 2006

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Reality Check