You're What? Will You?

Writers: Ames, Heather
Date Posted: 25th July 2014

Characters: Famell, Shilara
Description: Shilara delivers some VERY interesting news and the pair make a BIG decision
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 7, day 19 of Turn 7

Now that he'd gotten the main formalities over with and checked on the
goings of the Hall with Thayde and Jylanya, he made his way to his
office. Thayde had indicated that Shilara would be there waiting for
him. Famell was excited to see her again. He found himself thinking of
her night and day whilst he was away. His thoughts were so consumed
with her that he was beginning to think there might only be one path
for them in the future. If, that is, she would even agree to it. He
smiled at that thought. He hadn't thought of committing himself to
anyone since he'd lost Ranyta.

The door to his office was opening. He grinned as he pushed the door open.

As the door opened Shilara turned, a nervous smile on her face as she
looked at Famell. Shards he was a sight for sore eyes and she had
missed him more than the independent woman would ever want to admit.
They had only kindled their relationship just before he had left and
now she was nervous that things wouldn't be like they were before.

"You're back." She smiled.

There was something different about her. He noticed it right away, but
he couldn't put his finger on what it was. Shrugging, he moved forward
to embrace her.

"I am, and glad to be back," he replied, "I've missed you."

"I have misses you too." She said, wrapping her arms around his waist
and tucking her head in against his shoulder. She breathed in his
scent with a sigh, "We need to talk Famell."

He enjoyed feeling her warmth pressed against him. It reminded me of
the last time she had so eagerly and warmly been in his arms.
Something he found himself wishing to enjoy again.

He pulled back slightly, his brow furrowing at her words. "Alright.
Let's sit, then we can talk." He could sense there was something she
needed to tell him. He hoped she wasn't going to break things off
between them, or tell him she wished a transfer away. Was she angry
he'd been gone so long? With baited breath, he took a seat beside her
on the sofa in his office and waited for her to tell him whatever was
bothering her.

"I am sorry to drop this on you the day you get back but I thought it
best not to wait." She had certainly tried to hide all of the symptoms
for the past couple of months but she knew orthers were beginning to
suspect, "I am pregnant Famell."

He was anxious as she began to talk. Then he simply stared at her,
blinking. A look of surprise spread across his face even as his lips
quirked up into a slight grin. "You're pregnant?" He repeated. His
heart skipped a beat. A happy beat, but then his face seemed to freeze
and the slight grin dropped away. What if this was not what she wished
for? That thought gave him pause.

He reached for her hand, taking it in his he gazed into her eyes. "Are
you happy about this Shilara? I will support you no matter what, but
before I get ahead of myself, I need to know how _you_ feel about
this." His mind was whirling all the while he waited for her answer.

"Well this would be my first child," she had been too focused on her
craft to ever consider them before, "but I was mostly worried about
what you would think. I mean, we had such a good time on the island
but we haven't even gotten close to talking about anything more
serious." Shilara's eyes rose to meet his, "You are not mad?"

"Mad?" He responded almost aghast. "No, I'm not mad." His hand reached
up to stroke her cheek. "Shilara I haven't felt this alive since my
dear Ranyta died so many Turns ago. No one has made me feel as happy
as you have made me. One of the happiest moments in my life was
learning I would be a father. That still hasn't changed." His lips
quirked up a bit as he continued, "I didn't _expect_ to ever be a
father again. New life is never something that would make me mad. Now,
it does, however, pose some interesting decisions for you and I."

Shilara felt hope and a little something else flutter inside of her
stomach. Famell wasn't mad and he was actually _happy_ about the baby!
That little something else in her stomach was definitely relief.

"What decisions?" She asked, looking up into his eyes.

"Mostly decisions about us," he replied, his hand returning to hold
hers once again. "I would never force or expect anything from you, but
being pregnant can be hard in Hold and Hall when one is not wed." He
paused, and then quickly added, "Thankfully most of the Dolphin Hall
is much more forward thinking and will not make things as difficult,
but it may not be an easy path for you, or for both of us."

He paused again, tilting his head slightly as he thought back to the
many nights he'd been away and how he'd longed to be with Shilara. His
heart felt full when he thought of her, and he'd been thinking that if
things went well there might be a future for them together. With that
thought he spoke the next words, "I care very deeply for you, Shilara,
and have been thinking about a future with you. I," he reached up and
rubbed a hand to the back of his neck, "well, I was hoping it might
lead to a wedding in our future. It may be early for us now, but if
you want it, I _would_ marry you sooner."

It wasn't exactly the proposal he would have hoped for and he felt as
though he'd made a mess of his words. He only hoped he'd gotten his
message across and not totally stuck his foot in his mouth.

Shilara was speechless. Married? Again? Had she ever even told Famell
about her first marriage? She couldn't remember and didn't want to
think about it. The Journeywoman wasn't much of a traditionalist when
it came to antiquated ways of thinking, which the holds and halls
still harbored, but she could see the sense and logic behind Famell's
proposal.

She studied the man's handsome face. She did care a lot for Famell,
beyond just attraction. There was no doubt in her mind that she could
easily see herself falling in love with him.

"Yes." The word came out soft but confident.

"Yes? As in yes, you would marry me?" He blinked for a moment in
reaction. He felt his heart leap for joy at the thought, something it
had not done in a very long time, yet he wanted to be _sure_ her yes
meant what he thought it did before he got too caught up in his
excitement.

Shilara smiled at the Hallmaster, "Yes, I will marry you."

He beamed. Leaning forward he captured her lips with his in a kiss.

"I'm so happy to hear that Shilara. It was already something weighing
on my mind. I haven't felt the way I feel about you since I lost my
first wife. You've awakened in me a part I thought long dead." He held
her hands in his. "Now, the only question that remains is when? When
should we plan on this happy day to take place?"

Shilara's laugh was light, "Well, I hope it can take place before I am
as big as a boat." One of her hands automatically slid down to the
bump that she had been hiding with well chosen tunics. If they waited
too long there would be no hiding the bump at all. Not that she was
ashamed, but a part of her didn't want to hear that snicker behind
hands. She knew there would be people that would say the only reason
Famell was marrying her was because of the baby.

"Well then, soon it shall be!" Famell declared with a happy smile as
he pulled her towards him for a kiss.

Last updated on the July 28th 2014

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You're What? Will You?