Cared for by Family

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 13th July 2007

Characters: Karei, Reia
Description: Minall and Rettana bring baby Allini to Karei - a new sister for Reia
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 4, day 13 of Turn 4

"Today Mam! She's coming today!" Reia all but bounced out of bed in excitement as soon as she remembered what the day would bring.

"Hush Sweetling, hush!" Karei bid her, as she glanced to her own bedroom where Kaldyn still lay balled up under the bed covers. "Your Dar was up all night with the beasts, that wind had them riled up." she cautioned. "Come into the kitchen and I'll make you something to break your fast with."

Shrugging into a dressing gown, Reia slipped her feet into her furlined boots, and followed her mother into the kitchen area. "When are they coming, Mam?" She asked in a loud whisper.

"I'm not sure Sweetling, but it shouldn't be too late in the day, they'll want to see her settled before returning to the Weyr."

"Allini. I like that name Mam. It's a pretty name for a baby, isn't it?"

"Yes Reia, it's a sweet name, but so was Reia as well." Karei smiled indulgently at her daughter. "Reia was sweet name for a sweet baby, and you were a very pretty one too."

"Oh Mam, you had to think that, I was your baby." Reia laughed, taking her seat at the kitchen table and smiling up at her mother.

"Yes, that's true. So - porridge for breakfast?" Karei asked, but before Reia could answer the sound of the beasts outside drew her attention to the window. A dark shadow crossed overhead and then the top layer of dirt between their house and Kaldyn's parents house was stirred up to a whirling wind outside.

Before her eyes a green dragon appeared from above, settling on to the expanse of land. In the distance Karei could make out two figures appearing from the cot opposite, and she assumed correctly, that Minaretta and Tannallyck were out watching the arrival as well.

"Go get dressed, quickly." she said to Reia, "We'll have something to eat once everyone is settled." She hurried from the room to wake Kaldyn.

* * *

It had been a long time since Karei had heard the sound of a baby crying, the last time had been ten turns previously and the babe had been Reia. The sound was like Harper music to her ears, and she looked down at the baby in her arms; so tiny, so loud. A beatific smile graced her face and she was held in thrall by the child, so too was Reia, she hadn't left her mothers side since Minall had handed Allini over to Karei.

"She's so tiny." Reia's voice was filled with awe as she gazed down at the squalling child.

"She's so loud." Minall replied and gave a small, self-conscious laugh.

"Like someone else I could mention." Minaretta replied, "Like mother, like daughter. But oh, it does this old heart good to hear a babe's cry again, even if it is a spoilt 'mother me' cry." the older woman said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

The men had beaten a hasty retreat once the breakfast meal had finished, all dispersing to different corners of the small holding. The women sat around the kitchen table, discussing the babe and Minall's delivery. Reia didn't understand some of it, but other parts she could imagine after watching the birth of beasts on the holding.

"Everything you will need has been supplied." Minall said to Karei across the table, "I had some bottles made on a special consignment by the glass smith at the Weyr, he's used to making these types of bottles nowadays with more babies being fostered outside the Weyr. It's as though we're making up for being Searched from outside the Weyr, replacing ourselves as it were." she gave a small laugh. "Though it's been a long time since I was Searched."

"You have no need to worry about Allini while she is here with us, Minall." Karei reassured the other woman.

"I have no concerns, I know she is in good hands." Minall replied, waving her hand, "You are so maternal, Karei, and you have my mother here as well, if you need help in anyway."

"I'm still puzzled as to why you want to have her fostered here?" Minaretta asked, a frown creasing her already wrinkled face, more.

"I can't concentrate on my work when I know she is at the Weyr. I guess my maternal instinct finally kicked in, Mother." Minall gave a small laugh, "I wanted her in with us each night and spent all my spare time with her, and when I wasn't with her I couldn't take my mind off her." she shrugged, "This was the only option, the fostermother at the Weyr, was good enough, but - I was a pest."

"She really didn't want to foster her away from the Weyr, which is why I had to send you that message by flit, to say Allini wouldn't be coming after all." Rettana spoke up, her hand resting on Minall's shoulder in a sign of support. "Having waited so long to deliver a healthy baby, she was loathe to send her here, but after a few bad drills, she came and asked me whether she really was doing the right thing in keeping her there."

"The Wingleader was worried she wouldn't be able to concentrate fully during a Fall." Rettana continued, "He doesn't want her, or Kr'illin, distracted and after discussions, we decided this was the best option."

Minall turned and smiled gratefully at her sister, while dabbing at her eyes with a kerchief. "I'll be here every sevenday, so much that you'll be sick of the sight of me." she half heartedly laughed, but she didn't convince anyone.

"We'll take care of her as if she were our own." Karei reassured, once more, reaching out with one hand she clasped her sister-by-marriage's hand in her own and held it tightly.

"I want her to have the life I had, before I Impressed. It was a good life, and I know I can concentrate better at my work knowing she is being cared for by family."

Last updated on the July 14th 2007

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Cared for by Family