It Was Her Choice
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 22nd November 2005
Characters: Birigundi, Nialyn
Description: Birigundi and Nialyn decide what to do next
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 17 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "And...?"
Birigundi carried the tray with tea pot and sandwiches gently balanced through the door. He gave Nialyn a reassuring smile as he set it down on the table in front of her. "All right, I brought sandwiches and some of the tea the healers recommended that you drink," he said as he sat down next to her on her couch.
"Thanks, Biri," she murmured as she took the mug, cupping her cold palms around it. She stared down at the steaming liquid for a long moment.
She'd been so nervous there at the Infirmary. So nervous and yes, even a little scared. This was all just so...foreign to her. While she'd been waiting for them to finish examining her, she had contemplated what to do if she _was_ pregnant. She could either have the baby, or she could take a short ride /between/, and that would be the end of it. Going /between/ would certainly be the easiest way out of this situation - and she would be much more careful in her romantic affairs until she finally _was_ ready to handle such a responsibility.
Nialyn had come so close to choosing that route.
But as she'd laid there, her mind turning over and over with so many different thoughts, she knew she couldn't do it. How could she? How would she be able to _live_ with herself - with the guilt? It would be so sharding _selfish_ of her to take that ride /between/ - to end the life that was growing within her just because she didn't feel like she was ready to have a child.
She _could_ have the child - and not be ashamed. This wasn't a Hold, or a Hall. She lived in a Weyr now. She'd have as much help as she needed
- even if Birigundi decided not to be involved. There were fosterparents here, and nursemaids to aid her in looking after the infant.
Nialyn would have this baby. Her firstborn.
"I want to have this baby, Birigundi," she whispered softly, finally looking up to meet his eyes.
**Wait! I thought we were going to talk about this!** His head bobbed up and down, more in acknowledgment of her simple statement than agreement. It wasn't that he _didn't_ want to have her to have the baby. Then again, he wasn't quite sure he did want her to have it. He didn't know. It was all so fast! One moment he was contemplating who he would spend the night with and the next he had been told that she might be pregnant. In the blink of an eye they had gone from 'maybe' to 'you _will_ be a father'. It was all happening so sharding fast...
It was her choice, really. He knew that. If she says she wants to have the baby, that's it. The decision has been made. Birigundi had just wished they could have _eased_ into the decision. Now he had no time to adjust. He had to face the fact head on - his life had changed dramatically with that one simple statement.
"I understand," was the only verbal reply he could muster as he wondered just what this all would mean for his life. For her life. For _their_
lives. This was no longer a casual encounter. They would be eternally linked by the tiny human he now knew was growing inside her that was some how, _amazingly_, half him.
"I know the customs of the Weyr." She looked away. "You don't have to be involved. There's no obligation for you here." Maybe her tone was a bit harsher than she'd intended...
Birigundi looked down at his hands, a bit stung by her words, though he knew it was true. He was not obligated to stay with her. "Nialyn, I...
I have no memories of my father. He died when I was small. But my mother tells me that he loved me and that he dreamed big dreams for me. She said the day she told my father she was pregnant with me was second only to the day I was born as the happiest moment of his life. But he didn't get to even see my fourth turn." He finally looked up at her and met her eyes. "I think I owe it to him to be there for my child like he would have been there for me if he had lived."
She searched his face, and knew just by looking in his eyes that his words were genuine. That the emotions behind those words were genuine. After a long moment, Nialyn inclined her head. "I want you...to be involved, Biri."
He took her hand gently in his. "I cannot promise that I will be commited to only you to share my bed, but I do promise that I will be commited to helping you and the baby any way you need me to."
At that, she just had to grin, and she looked down, a little resigned at his statement, but still amused. "You? Sleep with only _one_ woman?" She shook her head. "I don't expect you to," she told him quietly.
Birigundi had to admit that he was a bit relieved at hearing her say that. Sometimes holdbred girls could get a bit... sticky... on that point. "All right. So... what's next then?"
Nialyn shrugged. "You're asking _me_? Well...I know that I have to go back to the healers in a few days.... And I know I have to drink my teas..."
Surely there had to be _something_ that they should be doing... "Well, what can I do for _you_?"
She didn't know. But for now... "Stay with me a while?"
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "As long as you like."
Last updated on the November 23rd 2005