Willing Caregiver

Writers: Ainsley, AL
Date Posted: 2nd February 2009

Characters: Nimroy, Benani
Description: Nimroy seeks out Benani to help him look after Ailnim
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentor Approved

Benani

Bouncing a giggling baby as he walked down the hall, Nimroy was thankful for
the hundredth time that he had Ailnim. He studied his son's intense blue
eyes as the boy pulled at the fasteners of his shirt. Dark blond curls fell
into the boys face and Nimroy realized that if he didn't see about getting
the baby's hair cut, everyone would think he had a daughter rather than a
son. He hoped Benani would be around. Having started well before dawn
today, he had been more than ready for a break by mid-morning and decided to
make a visit to his little sister. As he approached, she was just exiting
her quarters.

"Hello Nimroy." Benani greeted her brother, then immediately held her arms
out for her nephew. "My, who is this big boy you have here?" She gathered
the child in her arms and kissed him soundly several times in a row, which
caused the child to laugh and squeal in delight. "Before I know it, you're
going to be so heavy that I shan't be able to carry you at all." She
tickled the boy under his chin and kissed him again, that time more
tenderly. "Is Ailnim ill? I can take him if you need me to."

"Not ill, but teething. He is happy at the moment, but that seems to vary
by the candlemark. His nurse on the other hand, is very ill so I've kept
him with me except when he needs to eat. Actually, he is eating gruel now
and some mashed up fruit or tuber so he misses Nandrie less than he might
have a few months ago," Nimroy answered, much appreciating his sister's
offer. "Getting any work done has been a challenge, however, so I will
gratefully accept your kind offer. I don't have to hurry away this instant,
though."

"So he's not nursing as much?" Benani asked in a distracted manner as she
shifted the wriggling child to get a better hold on him. "It seems like
only yesterday he was born."

"Indeed," Nimroy answered with a smile as he watched his sister try to
contain his energetic son. "And no, he is not nursing nearly as much as I
understand it. Nandrie thinks that he will wean himself earlier than most.
She says he has an independent streak. I have no idea where he might get
that," he stated a little too seriously, eyes alight with mirth.

"Oh no, no idea at _all_." Like father, like son, of course. Benani
couldn't deny it and neither could Nimroy. That wasn't necessarily a bad
thing. She turned the boy again and he reached out to grab her nose.
Benani squealed playfully and the child laughed. "I'm sorry Nandrie is
sick. She's gone to a healer, right?"

"She has. With her own daughter as well as Ailnim to care for, illness is
particularly difficult and even a bit frightening," Nimroy answered.

"You know, Nim..." Benani wiped some crust out of the baby's eye, then
turned to her to brother. "When he's fully weaned...I'd love to take him
for you."

"Oh, Nani," Nimroy's voice caught in his throat as he looked at his sister
in adoration. He swallowed, "I would like nothing more, but you may have
one of your own on the way by then." Honestly, Nimroy could think of no one
who would show more love and care for his son than his sweet sister, but he
was loathe to allow her to commit to something that could burden her
unnecessarily.

"I don't know about that." Benani dropped her gaze. She wanted a baby,
more than even Zathris probably realised. Yet, there was nothing. Every
month she was disappointed as her flow told of her failure. "I'm beginning
to wonder..."

"Benani," Nimroy took his sister by her shoulders, Ailnim between them
looked up wide-eyed at his father's face. "You are young and married for
only a turn. Ailaya did not conceive for five turns. Be patient little
one."

Benani's mouth quirked upward slightly. She knew what he was trying to do.
"Thank you Nimroy. I'm _trying_ to be patient...it's just...well..." They
had never _not_ tried and she supposed she should enjoy the time with her
husband, just the two of them. She _did_ enjoy it, but that didn't mean she
wouldn't enjoy time with him and a child of theirs. "I just want one so
much..."

Leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead, Nimroy allowed his arms to
drop from her shoulders as his son's wiggling increased. "And I fully
believe that you shall. Give it time. You have a good husband who loves
you dearly. Treasure your time with him, because I assure you, once you
have children that time will seem precious."

Benani gave Nimroy a sidelong glance. She knew that he felt guilt over his
wife, that the marriage had been more of convenience than love. Did he love
her now? Realise that he had loved her but too late? Nim had never shared
that much with her. "I will try. In the meantime, I'll gladly treasure my
time with my nephew if you have some things you need to do." Taking care of
him would also kelp keep her mind off of recent events.

"I do and really can't thank you enough. And Benani, when the time comes,
if you are still willing, I would very much like for you to take over
Ailnim's care."

"I would love that." Benani reached out to give her brother a one armed
hug. He was right, they hadn't been married that long. Still, Benani
couldn't help but worry. If she couldn't have children...well, at least she
would have Ailnim. It wasn't quite the same, but it was certainly better
than nothing.

Last updated on the February 10th 2009

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Willing Caregiver