A 'New' Family for Gelira

Writers: Miriah, Ames
Date Posted: 10th October 2014

Characters: Gelira, Sezian, Zisloh, Felian
Description: Z'an's family visits the new mother after the birth of the baby.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 17 of Turn 7

Three sets of footfalls sounded down the infirmary floor, each
different in their own way. The first, a booted, firm step was the
loudest. The second a lighter, definite feminine sound, while the
third was barely audible, heels landing with a light click with every
step. Voices were heard as well, a deep tenor asking for directions.
There was a murmur as the question was answered by an apprentice.

There was a light tap on an open privacy curtain as three people
appeared. The first was a tall man with medium brown hair, light
brown eyes and a lanky build; his expression was kind, but somber.
Well into his fiftieth turn, it was obvious where Z'an had inherited
his looks from. The second was an older woman, inky black hair pinned
back in an intricate braid and large eyes that were were so dark, the
pupil was barely discernable. She wasn't an overtly pretty woman, but
the laugh lines in the corner of her eyes made her attractive.

The final visitor might have been bit of a shock to anyone who had
known Z'an. He had the woman's coloring, dark eyes and jet black hair,
but where they to be lightened and had he taken on a tan instead of
having pale skin, he would have been almost indistinguishable from
Z'an just a few turns prior. The differences were few. He had a wider
set of shoulders, stood a little taller and there was no crease of
laughter around his eyes.

The woman cleared her throat and when she spoke, it was gentle.
"Excuse me, but are you Gelira?"

"Yes," she replied, her eyes diverting from the sleeping infant in her
arms to those who had entered. First, she saw the man and woman. She
blinked. She saw a resemblance to Z'an in him, but when her eyes fell
on the other, she gasped. "Z'an?" She whispered, then blinking
realized her mistake as she noted a difference in his stance. Her
lower lip quivered as she fought back tears once again. She felt as
though all she'd done since she'd heard the news of Z'an's death was
cry. Each time she looked at their child, more tears fell. Tears of
happiness and sadness mingled together.

There was a flash of pained grief in the young man dark eyes, but
before he could say anything, the woman immediately stepped forward.
There was a mingling of understanding and sadness in her eyes as she
bent to immediately give Gelira a hug. "Don't cry, Gelira." She wiped
at her own eyes hurriedly as she released her and stood straight."I'm
Zisloh, Z'an's mother." She turned to indicate the man behind her.
"This is my husband, Felian." The younger man stepped forward. "This
is Z'an's younger brother, Sezian."

Her eyes went to the child in Gelira's arms and she took a deep breath
only to let it out in a soft sigh. "Oh...he's beautiful. Look at him
Fel. He..he looks like our Zian did." Her lip trembled and she had to
take a quick breath before her own tears started.

Gelira found herself instantly liking Z'an's mother. The hug helped to
dispel some of the darkness for the moment, though it lingered in the
back of her mind with each breath she took. Z'an wasn't here. He
should have been. _He_ should have been the one to introduce their
child to his family. She knew she was still leaking tears from her
eyes, but at least she wasn't wracked by the uncontrollable sobs that
hit her at times as well.

She turned the babe so they could see him better, pulling back the
blanket that was wrapped around him.

"I've named him Gelzan. I think Z'an would have liked that," her voice
caught and new tears fell as she spoke of him. She gazed down at the
babe to try and blink away the moisture. She couldn't seem to control
it even for a moment. She was sure his family understood.

Looking back up, she asked. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Oh, yes." Zisloh smiled brightly as she wiped at her eyes to brush
away her tears. She carefully picked little Gelzan up, cradling him
with confident hands. As she picked him up, Felian approached and his
eyes softened as he looked down at the infant. Sezian held back merely
looking, but his face too held a measure of gentleness.

"He's absolutely perfect." Zisloh rocked him gently from side to side
and brushed her lips over the child's brow. She looked up at Gelira,
her eyes moist. "You've given us something so precious Gelira. Z'an
would have loved him so much."

Sezian's eyes closed and he nodded in agreement, finally speaking, his
voice soft, a melodious tenor. "Yes, he was very excited when he told
us." He looked at Gelira, the dark eyes fathomless. "He cared for you
very much."

She sniffled as she watched them holding her son. _Her_ son. He was
Z'an's as well, but Z'an would never hold him....never....she stifled
those thoughts for now as best she could. Her tears welling behind her
eyes. Every moment, every thought, every glance seemed to remind her
that he would never be there for her or for their son.

Zisloh's words caused the tide of tears to flow. "I cared about him
too," she manged through her tears. She couldn't say any more for the
knot in her throat restricted her as she reached up to swipe at the
tears that rolled down her cheeks.

As if reading Gelira's mind, Felian spoke, his deep voice somber.
"Z'an isn't here to help you like he wanted to be, but..." he glanced
at his wife who nodded for him to continue. "We could be. All of us. A
Weyr always needs Harpers. And since you're a Weyrling, we know Gelzan
would have to be fostered."

Zisloh spoke up, her face earnest. "We would be honored if you'd
consider allowing us to foster him. Even if you're not comfortable
with that, we'd still transfer to the Weyr to help in any way we
could."

Gelira found herself speechless for a moment. They were going to give
up everything to come and help her and Gelzan. It made her want to cry
for yet _another_ reason. She would need many sevendays just to
process all that happened in such a short time.

"I...I would like that," it would be nice to know that Gelzan would be
with family. It made the thought of not getting to be with him herself
easier. She'd always hoped to raise her children the way her own
parents had. Sure she had had to follow the same rules as the other
children and fosterlings growing up, but more often than not she had
been able to live in her parents' weyr. She wanted that for Gelzan but
it wasn't feasible. She had duties to see to with her training, and
now Z'an wouldn't be there. Her lower lip quivered again at that
thought.

"I would like that very much," she added.

Zisloh beamed brightly. "I'm so glad, Gelira. Felian is a Master, so
I'm sure he'd be welcome to teach. And Sezian is a Senior Journeyman,
so I'm sure he could find a position as well." The younger man
inclined his head slowly as his mother spoke. "I promise you that
Gelzan will be well cared for while you're in training. After that,
well, we can come to whatever is best for you both."

This would be good for them all. Maybe they could even help her some
with Charayoth during her recovery. Thankfully the little green was
flying now and getting ready to hunt on her own. That would help
matters, but still she was quite limited in what she should do
following the birth.

"I like that we will all be part of Gelzan's life together. They've
assigned me a special weyr for Gelzan's first few months as I recover.
After that though I will return back to the barracks to continue my
training. I'll also be relying on any help I can get with Charayoth
for the next few sevendays." Gelira sighed. It was all so
overwhelming.

"We'll be there as often as you need us to be." Sezian's voice was
soft, but reassuring. Zisloh handed him Gelzan, and Sezian took him,
but it was clear that he felt a bit awkward about holding an infant.
Zisloh had to adjust his arms for him. He looked down at the baby and
his lips lifted, just a little.

She felt relief wash over her. Their help would be so appreciated.
Maybe, just maybe things would work out after all. Even though little
Gelzan would not know his father, at least he would know the rest of
Z'an's family. It was a comforting thought for Gelira.

Last updated on the November 5th 2014

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A 'New' Family for Gelira