Welcome News (sort of)

Writers: Mirren, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st May 2012

Characters: Alivya, Livren, Silvyas
Description: Livren informs his wife and daughter that Alivya is to marry Chupsin
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 13 of Turn 6

Alivya pulled the thread through and pressed the needle back into the
fabric. Her stitches were small and neat as usual. She enjoyed helping
her mother with the mending, it gave her time to spend and talk, time
they didn't usually have. Only today, she could think of nothing to
say. "There's a lot of mending to do today," she said finally.

Silvyas hummed happily as she mended with her daughter. "Yes," she
smiled. "Your brothers decided they needed to run through the fields
yesterday and all of them ended up with ripped pants." She shook her
head.

"At least they got in before it snowed." Alivya said with a nod,
sounding more like 37 than 17. She looked up as her father walked into
the room, a huge smile on his face.

"Hello lovely ladies," Livren said lightly.

"Hello my dear," smiled Silvyas. "How was your day?"

He walked over to kiss his wife. "Marvelous! You'll be busy for the
next few sevendays, the healer, what's his name? Chupsin, asked for
Alivya's hand and I've agreed, of course."

Alivya paled.

Silvyas smiled and returned her husbands kiss. Followed by a big smile
for her daughter at Livren's announcement. "Oh Alivya, I had no idea
you'd attracted the healer's attention!" She dropped her mending into
her lap and clapped her hands "Oh my, what a great match," she said to
her husband. "And such a fine looking man." She nodded at her
daughter. "You're a lucky girl dear."

Alivya smiled, only able to do so because she was relieved Chupsin
could just as easily have abandoned her and denied the child growing
in her belly. She hadn't a clue what she'd have done if he had. "Thank
you mother," she said, fighting the urge to touch her still- flat
abdomen.

"I'm sure you ladies have plenty to organize, so I'll leave you to
it!" Livren gave his wife a wink and hurried from the room. Women's
talk was none of his business!

She hadn't had a chance to find out when they'd agreed upon for the
date. That would certainly affect their preparations. They didn't have
many marks to rub together but they would find a way to make Alivya's
day very special.

"When did you meet him dear," she asked with a happy smile

"Remember the time you sent me to drop off the citrus scented numbweed
to the infirmary?" Alivya asked. "We got talking about father's
joints. Then he helped me to make that pot I made to grow the seeds
for father to take." Of course she wouldn't mention their next
meeting!

"Ah yes," she said. "Have you and your young man talked about how soon
you want the ceremony?" Silvyas wanted to make sure she had enough
time to prepare for not only the wedding but the feast following. They
weren't well off but they could put up a respectable spread.

Alivya opened her mouth to respond but then shrugged. "We haven't
talked about it,' she said honestly.

"Ok, well let me ask your father then," she stood and went to the
door. "Livren, did you and the healer set a date?"

He had a mouthful of food but nodded. "End of the month," he said,
barely coherent.

"What?!" She turned wide eyes to her daughter. "That's not enough time!"

"We'll manage mother, we always do!" Privately Alivya was relieved
again. Any longer than that and she was going to start looking fat.
Then it would be too late!

Silvyas threw her hands in the air. "Men! They have no mercy on our
poor nerves." She shook her head. "I can't possibly make you a new
dress in that time my dear."

That was the least of Alivya's concerns! She smiled at her mother. "We
can fix up yours so it fits me, can't we? It wouldn't take much put it
just right."

"Are you sure," Silvyas asked. Of course her heart leaped at the
thought of her daughter wearing the same dress she had worn but then
children had minds of their own so she'd never thought Alivya would be
happy with that.

"Of course," Alivya replied, not wanting to make a big deal of it.
"It'll be fine. I could add some embroidery to the front it?"

"Oh of course," she tapped her teeth with an index finger as she
thought. "You won't have time for much though. I should get it out so
you can try it on. Then we can see what alterations will need to be
made. I was about your size when I married your father." She patted
her expanding middle, "but that was before I starting having babies."

Alivya smiled wanly. She wondered how long it would be before she
irreperably lost her figure. Not just with this child but with others
after that. She hadn't thought about others until now. She supposed
that if the seeds Chupsin had given her hadn't stopped her from
conceiving then she might be as fertile as her mother.

"I could get it out?" she offered after a couple of minutes of thought.

"Oh sure," she smiled at her daughter. "It's in the trunk at the foot
of my bed. You want to go in and get it?"

"Of course," Alivya put aside her work and went to get her mother's
dress. It was neatly folded inside the trunk, the creases staying as
she shook it out. It would need to be pressed. She took it back out
and stood with it held against her. "It's a bit long," she commented.
And not very fashionable, but she didn't say that. With a bit of work
it would be fine.

Silvyas smiled at her own memories of the day she'd first worn that
dress. "You'll look well in it my dear," she hugged her daughter. In
her heart she also hugged one secret to herself she'd never told
Alivya. She'd been expecting that day, and now that very child would
wear the dress for her own wedding.

Alivya hugged her mother back. "I had better try it on and we can get to work."

"Yes, yes, good idea," said the woman. She surreptitiously wiped a
tear from the corner of her eye as she followed her daughter.

Last updated on the May 14th 2012

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