Nothing Better

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 6th August 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste, Tahna, Linli
Description: The girls come and meet little Follen and Eliste asks them a question.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 21 of Turn 4

They would be there soon. Eliste had dressed Follen in an adorable little outfit that had been given to her by one of the women in the hold, blue stripes marking his gender. He suckled at her breast, eyes open and gazing up at her, his hair, darker than her own, sticking up on end. He was so precious.

But how would the girls take to him? After all, he was to be their brother, and she their step mother. How would they take to her?
Eliste hoped to find out that day. She liked the girls, loved them even if she wasn't their true mother. She wanted to at least be friends with them. Was the feeling mutual?

Follen had finished and she was just tying up her tunic when the knock came at the door. She called for them to enter, lifting her son up and placing a diaper over her shoulder - they made such good burp rags. She patted his back and turned her smile to her visitors.

Fog watched as the girls entered the room ahead of him, he flashed Eliste a smile of encouragement. The girls had been peppering him with questions from the moment they left the boat. Surprised at how well they had taken the news, they had hurried him from the boat; Linli skipping far ahead turning impatiently and calling to him and Tahna to hurry. Now, they entered the room a little shyly, but Linli's gasp of wonder at the small bundle on Eliste's shoulder allowed him an exhalation of relief.

"Hello Tahna, Linli." Eliste's worried expression brightened visibly when she saw the girls and the expression on Linli's face. "Good morning." She shifted the baby and motioned for them to come closer.
"Would you like to meet Follen?"

"Yes, please!" the girls answered in hushed unison, as they both took steps to be closer. Linli's eyes opened wide in wonder at how small her new brother was. "He's tiny." she said, holding her hand out and touching his little head. Tahna just stood nearby, her eyes taking in every inch of the baby.

"Yes, but he'll grow." Eliste smiled down at the child who's gaze had settled upon Tahna. His hands furled and unfurled and he let out a long yawn. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Me?" Tahna's voice was barely audible, "Oh! No..." she shook her head, "I'd be scared I'd drop him."

"You could sit in a chair or on the bed." Eliste suggested. "If you sit on the bed, you can scoot back far enough to prop him on your legs and if he falls, well, he'll just roll onto something soft. The invitation is for you too, Linli."

"Really?" Linli was in awe of the baby, and the thought of being able to hold him for herself sent a thrill of excitement through her. She looked up at her sister, "Go on, Tahna, you go first."

"Ummm..." Tahna still looked uncertain.

"You won't drop him," Fog prompted from behind her, "You used to hold and take care of Linli for me, when you were little. Don't you remember?" he asked, his hand settling on her shoulder.

"No..." she shook her head, but edged onto the bed, looking over at Eliste. "Is this far enough?" she asked, a nervous smile on her face.

"You're fine, sweetie." Eliste carefully placed the bundle in the elder girl's arms. She drew away and Tahna was left cradling the newborn by herself. Eliste then looked to Fog. "Would you be willing to get something to eat? I'm...rather hungry." It was the truth, but there was motivation beyond that for getting Fog out of the room.

"Oh..er, sure." he had been watching the wonder cross Tahna face, and an answering smile had settled on his own. "I'll get something for all of us, shall I?" he asked, not waiting for a reply, but turning and leaving the room. The girls had accepted this whole situation so much easier than he had anticipated. Did this mean they had been starved of a mother's connection? He had been so sure Neke had filled any need they may have had, but their acceptance of Eliste may be an indicator that he had been wrong.

Once Fog was gone, Eliste looked between the two girls. Well, no time like the present. "Tahna...Linli. I'd like to talk to you about something."

"Oh?" Tahna looked up from her new brother to Eliste, a beatific look on her face. Linli had slid onto the bed beside her sister, her finger resting lightly in the babies fist.

"I'd like to know what you two think." Eliste hoped they were happy with the arrangement. She felt it was important that they be all right with everything. "What do you two think about your father and me? I want you to be honest, no fear of repercussions. I want to know what's in your hearts."

"Oh..." Tahna sat back against the wall, her eyes flicking from the babe to Eliste. "I'm.... I like you, and I like the way my dar is when you're around. Dar - I love my dar and want him to be happy -
and you make him happy, so that makes me happy. And - I like you too." she finished, blushing at the admition.

"I'd like you to be my new mum." Linli nodded, "And I want Follen to be my new baby brother." she flung her arms around Eliste's neck, "When will you come back tot he Sungazer?" she asked.

The answers were better than she had imagined them to be. Eliste pulled Linli into an embrace and nodded. "I will. As soon as Follen is able to travel, I will." She would have to get off at Emerald Falls, but hopefully she wouldn't have to stay for long. "I look forward to returning."

"He's beautiful." Tahna said quietly, "And he really will be our brother, won't he?"

"Yes." Eliste whispered, one hand reaching out to gingerly touch Tahna's arm. Brother. Sister. Son. Daughters. A family, one that she loved and who loved her. There was nothing better on Pern.

Last updated on the August 7th 2008

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