A Beautiful Name

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 8th February 2006

Characters: Miryene, Jio
Description: Miryene and Jio find it easier to talk in the dark.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 2 of Turn 3

Jio rolled onto his back, carefully so that he wouldn't disturb Miryene too much. As he settled back into the pillows, he noticed that his arm could feel the warmth of her body next to him. She never _said_ that she was uncomfortable sleeping next to him now that they were married, and of course, they had not been in any way intimate. Not yet. Not with her pregnancy, and considering her previous marriage had ended the same day they had been married. Still, he wished he could get rid of the feeling that at night, in the dark, she scooted as far to her side as she comfortably could on purpose. He listened to her breathing as he unconsciously tried to match the rhythm of his own breaths to hers. Though he could not be sure, he thought she must still be awake. Her breathing was not deep enough to indicate sleep.
"Miryene?" he whispered softly.

"Mmmm?" Her voice sounded tired but it was clear that she hadn't been asleep. "You can't sleep?" he asked quietly. Jio didn't want to disturb her, but if they were both awake perhaps they could keep each other company until sleep finally came. Maybe it would help them both feel a little more comfortable sharing the same bed every night if they could break the uncomfortable silence.

"I don't sleep much these days," she replied, her voice quiet in the darkness. She shifted a little, adjusting the pillow at her back. "It's hard to get comfortable, and even if I do manage to get to sleep, it seems like the baby is always kicking me or moving."

"Is there anything I can do to help? Does your back hurt?" The healer had told her that as her stomach grew bigger her back be working much more than it was accustomed to.

Miryene laughed a little sadly. "Jio, I think my back _always_ hurts now.
Talrian doesn't say much, but I think he's worried about it."

"Well, can I... rub it for you? It might help a bit." Despite the fact that they were married, Jio was still not sure how comfortable she was with the idea of him touching her just yet.

"Oh..." Her hesitation was brief but noticable. "Yes, that would be nice.
Thank you." He rolled over on his side and propped his head up on one hand as he began gently rubbing the small of her back where Talrian had pointed out she would probably be feeling the most pain. "Just let me know if I am hurting you."

"No, that's nice." And it was... soothing physically and emotionally. The first few sevendays of their marriage had been awkward with neither of them knowing exactly where the boundaries were or should be. She still wasn't sure what she wanted from Jio for herself, but there was one thing she knew she needed. So she let him know where the new boundary was with a few casually spoken words that meant far more. "Do you have any ideas about baby names?" "Me?" he asked, his hand stilling for a brief moment in surprise. "I... I don't know. I guess I thought you already had chosen something."

"I wanted to wait until I could ask my baby's father," she said softly. "I thought it might be nice to decide together." Jio smiled in the dark. He was deeply touched and he wanted to touch her, to kiss her, to express his love openly to her. But instead he just said softly, "Well, I haven't had much chance to think about it yet. Have you thought of any names?"

The gesture had been offered and accepted, and some tension Miryene hadn't realized she felt faded. Relaxing into her pillows, she let her eyes drift shut. "I thought Jirene might be a nice name for a girl." "Jirene?" After him? "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer _Jhirene_?" he asked quietly. "It wouldn't bother me, you know."

Miryene felt defensive, as if he'd rejected a gift she'd offered. The feeling combined with her exhaustion to loosen her tongue. "If you don't want me to name the child after you, just tell me." Her tone changed from quiet to sharp, with anger underneath the words that she hadn't allowed herself to feel until now. "Or do you actually think I should name my baby after the man who nearly killed us and then left us?" "No, Miryene, no. I didn't say that." Shards, he was just making a mess of things now. He forgot about rubbing her back as his hand slipped around to her rather large belly. "I would be honored if you truly want to name your baby after me. But I know that, despite what was happening, you loved Jhonnel."

"I did," Miryene replied quietly, laying a hand over his. "But that just makes it worse." Jio stretched out behind her, his body touching hers, his cheek nestled just behind her ear. "I have told you I love you. I love you so much, and I want to be a father to your child, and I want to be your husband and your lover, Miryene. And I believe that will happen. But I know it hasn't happened yet, and I just want you to know that if you wanted to name your child after its true father, I understand."

It felt strange and a little uncomfortable to have him so close, but not unpleasant. "You're my child's true father, Jio. You're the one who is here." His eyes closed, silently thanking her that she would say that. "I think Jirene is a beautiful name," he whispered.

"Mmmmm." Her voice sounded sleepy again. "Me too."

Breathing her in, his arm around her and her hand on his, he wanted to stay like this all night. He sighed contentedly. "Goodnight, Miryene."

Last updated on the February 8th 2006

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A Beautiful Name