Up the stairs

Writers: Devin, Suzee
Date Posted: 21st January 2012
Series: It takes Time to Love

Characters: N'vanik, Tavia
Description: Tavia gets some unexpected advice.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 14 of Turn 6

N'vanik

Tavia

Tavia had one last document to return to the Weyrwoman from her last
lot of work. Then she could go lay down until after the baby was born.
At least she was hoping.

Her back was killing her as she plodded up the steps toward Janani's
office. There were footsteps behind her and she knew she was moving
slowly so when she got to a widened spot she stepped to the side.

"Why don't you just go ahead," she waved the person past her.

N'vanik paused when he got a good look at the greenrider. "Need any help?"

She was a little startled to see N'vanik, though she realized she
shouldn't be. "I wouldn't mind a hand," she smiled collecting herself
quickly. "These stairs get a little harder every day."

The Weyrleader offered his arm. "When are you due?"

"In the next couple of sevendays. Though I wish I were done." She
smiled up at the tall Weyrleader as she leaned on his arm.

"I bet you do." He decided not to comment on how big she was. "Is this
your first?"

She was becoming a little out of breath as they mounted the stairs.
But she smiled at his question. "Yes. It's the first I've carried to
term." She knew she really didn't have to say the rest. He would know
by her phrasing that she'd been pregnant before but either lost or
/betweened/ to end it.

"Ah." Before, that fact of Weyr life didn't bother him, but now it was
a sore spot. "Well, congratulations."

"Thanks," she smiled again. "It's a new experience but I've enjoyed it so far."

"Really?" Many women complained about pregnancy, especially at this stage.

"Well up til now anyway. Now, it's just _really_ uncomfortable." She
grinned at the Weyrleader certain he'd never understand. "Do you have
any children yet?"

He nodded. "A daughter. She's a greenrider in Cyclone wing."

"Oh?" Tavia didn't know how she could not have known that. But then
she wasn't a gossiper so his daughter must not be one to try and nose
that information about. "How long has she been a rider?"

He looked up, calculating. "About a turn and a half. She Impressed at
my first Hatching as Weyrleader. Loseth's first Clutch."

She nodded her head remembering the clutch he was talking about. She
tried not to get invested in the weyrlings and didn't understand how
the Werylingstaff did it. But there were many jobs to be done in the
Weyr and thankfully her job was one for which she and Sawauth were
well suited.

"Well I'll be happy to get back to work," she said.

"Do you have a foster mother picked out?"

Tavia was rather flattered that the Weyrleader was taking such an
interest. "Yes sir," she smiled up at him. "We're all set. U'kaiah has
even promised to try his best to be here for the birth."

"U'kaiah, huh?" He managed not to make a face. "Have you thought about
transferring to Dragonsfall?" It was terrible and selfish, but if
Taiva was the reason U'kaiah kept coming to Dolphin Cove then if she
left N'vanik might finally be rid of him.

Tavia blinked. That thought had never even occurred to her. "Uh," she
managed. "I've never even thought about it. I mean, I was born and
raised here." Dolphin Cove was her home. It was the only place she'd
ever lived and leaving had never even entered her mind.

"Well, it's an option. It might make things easier."

"I suppose," she said noncommittally. Though it would be a very big
change and U'kaiah had never made any kind of suggestion in that
direction. Knowing him as well as she did she didn't really expect him
to either. It wasn't like they wanted to weyrmate or anything like
that.

They were almost at Janani's office door so she let go of his arm and
gave him her prettiest smile. Another time and place she would have
flirted outrageously with the handsome bronzrider. But today she had
other things on her mind. "Thanks for your help."

"You're welcome, Tavia." He gave her a little nod. "See you later, and
good luck with the kid."

"Thanks," her smile was genuine.

Last updated on the January 28th 2012

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