Always Remember

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 14th August 2008

Characters: Eliste, Reitha
Description: Reitha comes to visit Eliste and her new baby.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 16 of Turn 4

Follen had woken up, quite hungry. It didn't take long for Eliste to answer to his need, for she kept him in the bed beside her. She liked having him close. She had liked having Varel close too, but Helvar had complained about having her in the bed. Helvar was not there. Helvar was not her son's father. Fog was. He was empathic to her desires and for that she loved him even more. Eliste spoke softly to her son, crooning to him as she untied her tunic and exposed herself, bringing him to her breast. He was a good latcher. Varel had trouble latching and the midwife had to help her learn how to ease her. Not with Follen. He knew just what to do.

He was so handsome. Eliste couldn't see Helvar in him, and for that she was grateful. No, Follen took after his mother, his features more masculine, his eyes just as bright as her own. She reached down and caressed his cheek as he nursed.

The knock at the door startled her from her reverie. Without disengaging her son, Eliste reached over and pulled the quilt she had made for him. Green and blue danced over it, and it looked as if water sparkled around reeds of grasses - like the river. "Come in!" She called once she had covered herself.

"How is he?" Reitha asked before she was properly into the room. "And you, of course, dear."

Eliste's laugh was soft. "He is well, eating at the moment. Just as handsome as can be."

"Of course, of course. Do you mind if I stay and chat while you're feeding him?"

"Not at all." Eliste motioned to the chair, empty and waiting in the corner. "Please, sit and stay a while."

"Have you got something to drink? That's what everybody says - drink while babe's drinking."

"Really?" Eliste's laugh was soft and held back, as if she were afraid of disturbing the child. "I've always heard 'sleep while the baby is sleeping'." She shook her head then in answer to the woman's question.
"But no thank you. I am fine for now."

"All right, but you make sure you drink and eat plenty. There's no shortages at this Hold, and especially not for nursing mothers."

"I'll be sure to remember that." Eliste's eyes crinkled in amusement.
"You haven't starved me yet, so I'm not fearful. I'm more concerned with him eating, but he's eating well and often thus far."

"And no problems because he was a little bit early?"

"None at all." Eliste shook her head. "He wasn't really that early, just a couple of sevendays. The midwife said I was considered full term."

"That's good." Reitha was happy to be reassured. "My twins - my grandbaby twins - they were a little early and small with it. To be expected, I suppose, with two of them in there."

"I knew a woman once," Eliste mused - had known her before her marriage, "Who was pregnant with twins. Never put on bedrest and they were born only a week early."

"I think that was just bad luck for you because it's not very common.
But I'm sure you don't begrudge the time now, do you?"

"Of course not." Eliste shook her head and gaze down upon her son.
"He's healthy, that's what's important."

"And so are you - also very important," Reitha reminded her. "And I suspect you're making plans to leave us, already."

"I'm afraid so, Reitha." Eliste gave her a small smile. "Though I will always be grateful to you for sheltering me."

"It's our pleasure to do so for people in need, but in your case it's been a personal pleasure, too. Fog is very dear to us, more so since his accident."

"He has become very dear to me as well." To be honest, dear didn't quite go to the extent and Eliste couldn't bring to mind any words that would.

Reitha smiled, seeming to understand what the younger woman wasn't saying. "And remember, this is the Sungazer's waypoint, so it's the home of all those aboard, at any time."

"I will remember that." Reitha had done her best to make Eliste feel wanted and safe. "And I will always remember your kindness to me."

"You've been easy to be kind to," Reitha said with kindliness and honesty in her tone.

Last updated on the August 16th 2008

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