Come Full Circle (2)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 22nd October 2017
Characters: Jeyme, A'dan, Emaye
Description: Jeyme thinks back about the last surprise in her life.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: D'hol, N'vanik
"Dragonshells." Jeyme cursed under her breath as she opened the lid to the jar where she kept her teas, only to find it empty. She hadn't realized she was getting so low on them. Quinneth wasn't due to rise for another couple of months, but as a female dragonrider in the Weyr, it was always smart to be on your teas.
She remembered well the last time she'd let her teas lapse....
**Flashback**
"Quinneth, look out!" Jeyme darted past her dragon and just barely crossed the threshold from weyrcouch to weyr when she lost her lunch, all over the floor. She'd been uncontrollably nauseous all morning during drills, and while she hadn't made it to the chamber pot, at least she hadn't thrown up during practice.
More scrutiny from her wingmates.... **That's the last thing I need,** she thought. Peeling off her gloves, she grabbed a rag to clean up the mess she'd made. Jeyme been extra fatigued lately and now with the upset stomach on top of it....
}:I think you know what the source is.:{ Quinneth interrupted.
Jeyme sighed and counted back on her fingers to the last time she'd had sex- the mating flight with A'dan. She was well past the time when she should have received her normal, monthly cycle.
"Dragonshells," she groaned. A pregnancy? That was the last thing she needed, but Quinneth had risen three days after their arrival at Far Island, and at that point she hadn't visited the healers to update her supply of teas.
Hot tears pressed against her eyes. All she had wanted was to leave Dolphin Cove, to go somewhere where people didn't know that her weyrmate had a burning desire in his loins for every goldrider that walked Pern, a place where she could be independent, and alone, and figure out what she wanted to do with herself.
This pregnancy was a complication. Rather than being able to use her time at Far Island to focus on herself, and figure out goals for her life, she would once again be focused on a child, and on a man.
**You could take a trip /between/.** A small voice, in the depths of her being, said.
The thought sent a violent shudder down her spine. No, no she couldn't do that. She remembered how it had felt when she had miscarried her first child with D'hol, and then she remembered how elated they both had been when she had conceived again, and then delivered Dheymin.
Didn't this child deserve the same chance?
"It's not like I even have to tell A'dan. Flight babies happen all the time. I don't have to let anyone else into my life other than the baby." She scrubbed the floor with some disinfectant.
But could she do that? Not tell a man that he had a child? She remembered how the news of being a father had been pleasing to both D'hol and N'vanik. Didn't A'dan deserve the same consideration? Had what happened to her really changed her core morals?
She would check with the healers first, for confirmation, she decided, and then she would speak with A'dan.
**End Flashback**
Jeyme smiled a little at the memory as she made her way down to the infirmary.
"Journeywoman Emaye," she smiled.
"Jeyme, it's good to see you. What brings you down?"
"Teas." She held up her canister.
Emaye grinned knowingly, "Ah yes, we wouldn't want any more surprises, would we?"
"Not again." Jeyme said, returning the smile.
**Flashback**
"Pregnant." A'dan repeated the word, blue eyes wide.
Jeyme watched the man's reaction carefully, it was the first time she'd told a complete stranger he was the father of a child, with N'vanik and D'hol it had been relatively easy. "That's right. I confirmed it with the healers last sevenday." It had taken her the remaining days to gather the courage to tell the brownrider.
As the word seemed to sink in, A'dan's eyes crinkled at the corners, and his signature, easy-going smile flashed across his face, "I've never fathered a child, that I know of, this is... This is great, Jeyme. I am glad you told me."
"I almost didn't," she blurted.
A'dan didn't seem surprised, "You _are_ the most private greenrider I've met. I would like to be involved, as involved as you will allow."
"I'm not really looking for-"
"Hey," A'dan cut her off, "we're friends, right?"
Jeyme surveyed the man for a moment. Well, she'd had more conversation with him than anyone else at Far Island Weyr, so, if that constituted friendship.... "Yes."
"Then that's all it has to be. I'm not looking for a weyrmate and neither are you, but we can be friends who raise a child, hm? It's not uncommon in the Weyr." The brownrider reasoned.
Ah, the phrase that grated on Jeyme's nerves the most, "not uncommon in the Weyr." That's what men said when they slept around with other women. There was an earnest look in A'dan's eyes, however, and despite her misgivings, Jeyme found herself trusting the man's word.
"Fine, I have another appointment next month, if you want to come. I'll have Quinneth remind Creloth when it gets closer."
"I would appreciate that. I'd be happy to come along." A'dan hesitated. "We could have dinner together some, you know, get to know each other a little better?"
Jeyme's guard was instantly back up. "Don't push it."
A'dan's hands flew up, "Hey, it was just an idea."
The greenrider regarded him for a long moment, before sighing, "Fine. Dining cavern. Tonight. See you there." She turned and went to Quinneth, who was waiting on Creloth's ledge.
The brownrider nearly called out "it's a date!" but stopped himself at the last minute. It was probably a joke best saved for later.
**End Flashback.**
Last updated on the November 2nd 2017