Good Together

Writers: Eimi, Suzee
Date Posted: 9th June 2012
Series: It takes Time to Love

Characters: U'kaiah, Tavia
Description: The new parents find a little alone time.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 19 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Vandor, Kaiafel

Tavia

"Kaiafel was very disappointed that he wasn't coming on this trip. He
couldn't stop talking about his new little brother," U'kaiah smiled with
a sigh as he dropped his overnight bag by the door. "I
might have to bring his mother, Felke, out next time. She'll have heard
all about him anyway." He walked over to the crib and carefully lifted
the little baby into his arm. "Kaiafel's especially proud of the fact
that they have the same hair." Walking over to the bed, he gently
hitched his leg so he could settle back against the headboard beside
Tavia. "It certainly leaves no doubt whose boys they are, does it."

She smiled. "I've never seen another baby with that much hair," she
chuckled. "And I don't think anyone could doubt his paternity."

"Well, hopefully for his foster mother's sake, his personality follows
yours more than mine." He shifted the boy to one arm so he could curl
the other around the greenrider. "I think I gave Sarazara lots of
trouble as a youngster."

She chucked as she leaned into his embrace. "I'm sure you did." She
reached over to run her fingers in the baby's hair. "He's such a sweet
baby, he seems happy all the time. Not like some I've seen in the
infirmary who seem to be mad the entire time they're awake."

"Another charmer, perhaps?" U'kaiah said with a gleam in his eye. He
knew Kaiafel already had a bit of a winning way about him that several
people had commented on. He hoped Kaiavin would be just the same.

"Oh I think he already has that one down." She grinned at the twinkle.
"His foster mother can't wait to get her hands on him full time." Her
voice faded off a little at the end. While she certainly wanted to get
back to work she was still struggling with giving up Kaiavin's every
moment care.

U'kaiah could hear the change in her tone, and could understand the
reason
why. He knew as well as she did that this was the only time in her
son's life when she could truly be his only mother. Another would have
to be entrusted with his care while she fought Thread and worked in the
infirmary. Still, that did not mean she could not be a significant part
of their little boy's life if she wanted to. "You can see him every
day, Tavia. He won't forget who you are."

"Oh I know," but she'd grown up in a Weyr and knew the affection that
grew between the parent that was always there and the ones who weren't
or couldn't be. That brought another thought to her mind. One they'd
never really talked about much. "Where are your parents U'kaiah?"

"Sarazara died a few Turns back, and her weyrmate died when I was very
young. I have only a few memories of him. They were the only parents I
knew." Though he had certainly not felt lacking in love. Growing up in
the Weyrhold, with so many children running around having been fostered,
it hadn't seemed strange to him. And many of the dragonriders had
enjoyed doting on the all weyrbrats whether they were related by Blood
or not.

"Did you ever know your birthing parents?" She didn't want to be too
pushy since he'd never seemed to talk about them even when he'd been
introduced to hers. Of course her situation was vastly different. Her
crafter parents had had the time and will to raise her themselves. So
even though she'd been raised at Dolphin Cove as a weyrbrat she'd
stayed with her birthing parents until she was done with her harper
classes.

"No, I never did. I was a Flight baby. I think my birth mother thought
it best not to get attached. I was given over to my foster mother from
the start." U'kaiah had often wondered just why she had bothered to
carry him to term rather than just take a quick trip /between/. Of
course, he was grateful she had not.

"Well this little guy is very lucky he will know both his birth
parents and his foster parents." She smiled and leaned against him.
"Now put your son back in his cradle before he wakes up. Vandor
cleared me and I really need to feel you with me again U'kaiah."

U'kaiah looked down at her in genuine surprise. "Tavia, are you sure?
It isn't too soon? You know I don't expect anything of you..."

She chuckled, "Of course I'm sure. Just be careful with your son's
food supply, they can be a little tender."

"I'll be gentle," he assured her. After all, he did have _some_
experience with nursing mothers. "But I will also be _thorough_. We're
going to wake the baby, you know." He really didn't want to have to
stop in the middle if Kaiavin decided to wake up fussy or hungry.

"I was hoping so," she grinned back at him. "But he'll just have to
get used to his parents enjoying each other's company."

"Or," U'kaiah said, looking at her hopefully, "we could see if his
fostermother might be free to take him for a couple candlemarks so we
could _really_ each other's company."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind a bit," Tavia smiled. Truthfully, she did
want to spend a little time alone with the bronzrider if it was
possible. That and she was fairly sure Ranari would jump at the
chance.

"Then if you'll show me the way, we can start in on that 'enjoying each
other's company' part." Now that he knew she was ready and willing, it
was all he could think about!

'Okay," she said and began putting some things into a bag for her son.
"You want to carry him?" Her grin was amused at how eagerly U'kaiah
had embraced the idea. Of course she also really wanted it for
herself. She and U'kaiah were _very_ good together.

~~**~~

U'kaiah sank his head back into the pillows with a mix of a groan and a
sigh. For him it had been a mental as well as physical exertion. Truth
be told, after watching what Tavia's body had gone through, he had been
a bit nervous that he could do her a real harm if he wasn't careful. He
had tried to be sensitive to her reactions, and looked to her for
confirmation a bit more than he usually had. In the end, it was just
easier to let her lead and set her own pace. He was surprised at just
how quickly it seemed her body had healed! But as he looked up at her,
still straddling his hips, he murmured softly, "Do you feel all right?"

Tavia was out of breath but smiling. "I feel marvelous," she said.
Then she bent and kissed him before falling sideways next to him on
the bed to recover. He'd lifted her to heights she hadn't reached in a
long time and it felt wonderful. "Thank you," she added softly and
snuggled against him.

"Oh, I'd say that was a team effort," he said, with a hint of smugness
in his voice now that he knew that he had apparently done his job well.
It was so comfortable having her cuddled up so close to him, and the
pillows and mattress seemed to cradle him perfectly. A blissful
exhaustion was beginning to overtake him, and sleep sounded so
inviting... His eyes felt heavy and his lids began to close, his mouth
hanging open ever so slightly...

The sudden realization that he might indeed be asleep caused him to lift
his head with a sudden jolt and gasp of air. "Did I doze off?"

"Hmmm?" was the sleepy response he got from the woman in his arms.
Tavia drifted in a pleasant fog her body satisfied for the moment.
U'kaiah had indeed been thorough and her lips curved in a tiny smile
even as she tried to open her heavy lids.

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his face with his free hand. "I'm awake,
I swear." U'kaiah took a couple deep breaths to try to get the oxygen
flowing again, but it only induced a yawn.

"I'm not," she mumbled back. "Wake me up later."

He sighed, settling back into the pillows, but now he was awake. Still,
it was nice just lying next to her, even if she was asleep. This was
the first time since the baby was born that they were actually _alone_
together, and it pained him a little to waste the opportunity to just
talk and touch and laugh together like they used to. But she was
exhausted from more than just their love-making, he knew. It was
selfish of him to wish for more from her. There was always next time.

Or was there?

It suddenly occurred to U'kaiah that "next time" might be long in
coming. Turns even. It wouldn't be long before she'd be giving Kaiavin
to his foster mother to raise. Now it was a welcome treat to have a few candlemarks without having to worry about the baby, but soon time with the child would be
precious. Rest days and a few free candlemarks here and there would be
all she'd have, and U'kaiah was sure she'd take every opportunity. And
it just so happened that rest days was the only time _he_ would have
with her, too. How willing would she be then to give up her time with
her son for time with him? Ashamed though he was to admit it, he
couldn't help but feel just a little bit jealous of his son in that
moment.

**If only they were closer...** he thought, imagining how it could be.
If they were at Dragonsfall, they could _make_ time for each other after
drills, between meals, early in the morning, in the middle of the night.
It was hard to be spontaneous from half a world away. U'kaiah would
always have to share her with Kaiavin, and he could accept that. He was
his son, and the bronzerider loved him and wanted to be close to him,
too. But he needed a little of her time for himself, as selfish as that
might be. They _both_ could have her, if only she were a little
closer...

Last updated on the July 1st 2012

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Good Together