Difficult Day

Writers: Heather, Miriah
Date Posted: 31st May 2016

Characters: Bahji, K'lvin
Description: Being a parent can be really difficult
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 3 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Solieira

This was the worst day of her life. Bahji sat with the squalling baby
on her shoulder was trying in vain to snuffle her own tears. Kaliha
had rolled off of the blanket on the floor and bumped her head shortly
after K'lvin had left. She had eaten, and been burped, but hadn't
stopped wailing since. She had heard of colicky babies before but
everything she tried didn't work. She'd even tried to nap with the
baby, but Burst woke her up repeatedly with images of the baby rolling
towards the edge of the bed.

Warm baths hadn't work, nor had tummy rubs or any remedy her mother
had given her. And then, while changing her daughter, Kaliha had
voided all over her. From both ends. Finally, Bahji just plopped down
on the floor and began bawling right along with her daughter.

}:I think you might be needed in the weyr.:{ Xmrenth had said, which
in turn prompted K'lvin to leave everything on his desk, and
immediately go home.

When he walked in to both his weyrmate and daughter crying, he had to
fight back a little laugh. He was sure there was nothing funny about
the situation to Bahji.

"What's wrong with my ladies?" he asked, joining Bahji and Kaliha on the floor.

She hadn't even heard him come in and it made her feel even worse for
being less than vigilant. "I'm a _horrible_ mother!" She wailed,
holding the crying child to her. "She bumped her head and she's
colicky and nothing works and she pooped and spit up all over me and I
can't get her to stop crying!"

For perhaps the first time, K'lvin was glad that Bahji couldn't see
his face, since he was fighting back a smile. "I see. Why don't you
hand her over to me, and then you can lay down, hm?"

She may not have been able to see his smile, but she could hear it on
his voice. "It's not funny, K'lvin! I'm horrible and I can't be a good
mother!" She handed him the baby out of desperation. "I want a bath
and I want to rest and I can't because she needs to be fed!"

"I'll take her down to the creche, I'm sure a wet nurse wouldn't mind
helping out at all. You can get cleaned up and when I get back I'll
give you a massage hm? You're not a bad mother, everyone needs a break
sometimes."

She wiped the wetness from her eyes with a sniff. "She shouldn't need
a wet nurse." Instead of arguing more about it, she rose, stumbling a
bit before righting herself. "Bath. Yes. I want a bath." She nodded.
"And a massage." And definitely a break from the crying, which Kaliha
was still doing.

Tucking the squalling babe into the crook of his arm, K'lvin rose to
his feet and tossed a few of the baby's things into a bag that he
slung over his shoulder. "I'll be right back." He told Bahji before
stepping out of the weyr. He would take Kaliha to the same foster
mother that kept Kylena, he knew she wouldn't mind, and she was still
giving suck to a child of her own.

~*~

When the Wingleader returned to his weyr things were much more
peaceful. He walked to the bed where Bahji's form was resting, her
hair still damp from her bath.

"Feeling better?" He asked as he settled onto the bed beside her.

Curled up on the bed, Bahji rubbed at her eyes, feeling them water up
once again. "A little. I just feel like a failure. I mean, Burst helps
me watch the baby, but..." She huffed a little choked sigh. "I've
always been able to handle not seeing for myself. I found ways to work
with it or around it. But it's not just me any more. I'm glad I have
Burst, but he gets tired too. I just...I don't know. " Her shoulders
slumped.

K'lvin rubbed soothing circles along Bahji's back. "We could set it up
so that Kaliha is kept a few hours each day by Kylena's foster mother.
Give you a few hours to do what you need to do around the weyr, rest,
or just get some quiet. If you lived in the Hold you would have your
mother to help, so it's not that different."

The touch was soothing. "I thought it was going to be easier than
this." Her voice was soft, but her back was slowly relaxing. "I didn't
think it would be so hard."

"You're doing better than you think, Bahji." He assured her, running
his fingers gently along her neck.

It was more soothing and her eyes closed, arching her neck to his hand
in a silent plea for massage. "It doesn't feel like it." She
admitted, then sighed. "That feels better."

Stretching out beside of her, he tucked her into his side, continuing
to stroke her back and side. "Maybe one night soon we can get a baby
sitter, and I'll take you back to that seaside tavern for fish."

Bahji wiggled into his warmth, moving her head to rest on his
shoulder. "That sounds nice." She paused. "K'lvin, I don't like to
ask, but could you do something for me?"

"Of course, anything." he replied.

She snuggled tighter. "Could we get another flit? I know you're not
really that fond of them, but Burst is such a help."

"I think that is a great idea. I'll ask around to see if anyone has a
clutch local." He assured her.

"You will?" Bahji smiled widely and hugged K'lvin, snuggling close.
"You're absolutely the best weyrmate ever and I love you." Her fingers
found his mouth, then her lips did. "You mentioned a massage?"

"I did mention a massage, but it's going to require less clothing...."
He smiled, murmuring the words against her lips.

She smiled along with him and sat up to unlace her dress. She paused
and looked over her shoulder at him. "Do you think I should wear
trousers?" The dress got tugged off and laid to the side before she
settled back on her stomach, head on her arms. "Are they comfortable?"

K'lvin chuckled a little at the question. "I think it is up to you.
I've never worn a skirt myself," he grinned, "but I find trousers
quite comfortable. The Headwoman can set you up with a few pairs if
you want."

She wiggled her rear at him. "Start rubbing." She settled back and
turned her head towards him. "I've been thinking about it. I like them
sometimes, but when it gets hot, they're not comfortable."

"You know, if it gets too hot, you just don't have to wear bottoms at
all in our weyr."

"Well, that would make for some embarrassment when we have company."
She replied ruefully. She sighed as his hands hit a particularly tense
knot. "And you just want to have easy access. I know where your mind
is, old man."

K'lvin's lips touched her ear, "You're right, that's exactly where my
mind is, Red."

She gave a little giggle, feeling far more at ease than she had for
days. "You're not done with my massage yet." Her voice was prim, even
as she wiggled at him.

"Oh, I'm just getting started." He promised.

Last updated on the June 9th 2016

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Difficult Day