I Can Wait

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th January 2006

Characters: Jio, Miryene
Description: When all their guest go home, Jio and Miryene find themselves alone...
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 9, day 19 of Turn 3

Jio shook the healers hand and gently shut the door behind him. As the lock clicked into place he let out a long sigh. Turning around to face Miryene on her sofa he gave her a broad smile. "What a day, huh? How do you feel?"

Miryene smiled at Jio, both hands pressed to her stomach. "Right now, a little sore. I think all the excitement has woken up the baby... I'm getting kicked."

"Is he?" He came to settle gently on the sofa next to his new wife. Shards, _his_ wife! Jio couldn't believe it! Even as he sat down next to her, completely alone and in rooms they would be sharing until the baby was born, it just hadn't sunk in until that moment. He reached over and gently covered one of her hands with his own.

In spite of nervousness, Miryene tugged on his hand until it was resting where he could feel the baby's movement. She hadn't realized before how badly she'd wanted to have someone to share her pregnancy with. He grinned as he could feel the child's movements just below his fingertips.
"Yes, I'd say the baby is getting ready to be out in the real world where he can stretch out. Or she."

"It won't be so long now." She set her hand over his tentatively, wishing she could find the comfortable feeling she'd shared with Jio before. She tightened her grip on his hand, looking up at him. "Jio... thank you. I know this might not be what you'd imagined..."

"Miryene, please..." He his grey eyes raised to meet hers. "I'm sure this isn't exactly how you saw things happening either. I think I might have had the better part of this deal. I've loved you for so long now, but... I would be a fool if I thought you were ready to love me the same way so soon."

"I haven't had a very good time of it lately," she said with a sad smile, hanging onto his hand with both of hers. "We're good friends, Jio. And you're going to give my child a father... that's the most important thing."

"I will be the baby's father, Miryene, and I will provide for you both. I promised you that today. But..." He studied her hands a moment. Shards, it felt good to know that they could touch each other and not be afraid anymore. "But the baby isn't the _only_ important thing. I want _you_ to be happy too. And I hope you can accept the possibility that someday, you could learn to love me."

"Jio..." She didn't want to hurt him, not with the way he was looking at her, but there was one thing that had to be clear. "You understand that it could... take some time, don't you? I wouldn't have married you if I didn't think things could work out, but if it hadn't been for the child... well, I would have waited. I need time, Jio."

"I know that, Miryene." He did. He knew it would not be right away. But he was sure that soon she would see just how much better life could be with him. So much better than she ever had it with Jhonnel. He would love her, take care of her, never hurt her. She would love him. He knew she would.
"I can wait."

Miryene smiled at him in response, hoping they could set the topic aside for now. "Do you think you could help me to my chair? I like to sit next to the fire..." She hesitated and then shook her head. "Well, that won't do anymore. Maybe you could move the couch over where my chair is now? Then we could both sit there." Maybe it wasn't much to offer him in the way of intimacy, but Miryene hoped Jio would realize that for her, it was a start.

He smiled, glad that she was thinking of him too. It seemed to be an optimistic beginning. "I sure can do that. And then shall I make us some tea?"

"That would be nice." She held her hands up, her smile turning rueful. "And now you get to see what you've gotten yourself in for, Jio. You'll have to help me up... I'm afraid I'm not moving very easily these days."

Jio smiled as he took her hands. "A few days of this and you will wonder what you ever did without me."

Last updated on the January 25th 2006

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I Can Wait