Startling News

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th April 2021

Characters: Timassa, D'hol
Description: Timassa breaks some news to D'hol and he doesn't take it well.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 9, day 20 of Turn 10

Timassa

D'hol

She paced. Her appointment with the healers had gone well with no
significant complications of any kind. Well other than the fact she
was larger than she should have been for her original due date. It was
weeks too early for her to be having to wear Maternity clothing but
she was obviously showing and receiving stares in the dining hall and
Weyrbowl. Not that they were unfriendly but she hadn't thought it
would start quite so soon.

She took a deep breath. "Hi," she said as the door opened.

D'hol looked up from his hides and offered a brief smile, clearly
distracted by the bundle of hides in his hands. "Hey. How are you
feeling? Sorry I wasn't able to be there today, but there was an
char-brain during drills today. New rider out of Vista Point."

"I'm feeling fine," she said. "But we have some news."

His attention was immediate and sharp. "Nothing bad, I hope." He went
still. "You're healthy and the baby is fine, isn't it?"

"They're fine," she said with a smile.

"Good. Good." He nodded and looked back down at the hides, then
blinked, going utterly still. **They?** He slowly looked up at
Timassa, his face pale. "They?"

She saw the blood drain from his face. "Yes," she said going to him.
"I'm a twin, remember? Surely you realized this could happen." She
took hold of his arm. "D'hol? Are you alright?"

His voice was rough as he slowly sat in the closest chair. "I'd
forgotten you were." D'hol swallowed roughly and with an unsteady
hand, he reached to pour a cup of water from the pitcher on the table.
"Twins..." He exhaled. "I didn't think that could happen again. But
they're healthy? No problems?"

"None at all," she said and sank down next to him. "Master Garion says
everything looks very normal. As it runs in my family and I have wide
hips there should be no difficulty delivering. But," she added. "I
think I'd feel better if my ma were here. Would you mind that very
much?"

The hips hadn't mattered when Wylra had given birth; she too had had
easy birthing hips according to the Healers. It hadn't mattered once
she'd went into labor. His eyes twitched at the pain of the memory, a
sharp ache that had never faded. "Having twins is dangerous." His
voice was rough. "No, I don't mind."

"Yes," she said. "It is but my family seems to be able to do it. Not
that I've wanted to chance it." That was more or less one of the main
reasons she'd never followed through. "But I am well and healthy as
are the babies." She watched him carefully for a moment. "So, are you
going to tell me what happened D'hol? Why has the news sent you for a
loop?"

He slowly looked up at Timassa, then took another quick drink, wishing
for a moment that it was a much harder drink than simple water.
Clearing his throat and taking a breath, he spoke softly. "I've
fathered twins before, Timassa. They died during the birthing. Their
mother nearly died." He looked down and rubbed his face. "Two little
boys."

"I'm so very sorry," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. Then
she wrapped her arms around him. "But that's not going to happen to
us. We can't even let those thoughts in."

They couldn't know that and the thoughts were already there. He
reached to cup one of her hands in his as he felt the warmth of her
embrace. "Bring your mother, Timassa. We can make room for her."

"Would you feel better if I were to sleep with you?" She'd been
resistant to giving up her room. But with this news she realized some
of his concern was as a result of his prior experience and not because
of overprotectiveness. "Would it cramp your style too much?"

"I'd prefer it, yes. I wouldn't bother me at all." D'hol admitted
easily. He'd much rather be able to keep an eye on her and their
unborn children, just in case there was an emergency. "I'd like you
close."

"Alright," she said and drew back slightly. "I promise you I'll do
what the healers say and take every precaution. My mama has been
through this so I'll send for her and put her in my room. We'll be
just fine. You have to believe that." She cupped the side of his face
and looked deeply into his eyes.

As her hands cupped his cheeks, D'hol took a slow breath. He wanted to
be hopeful, but the painful memories were difficult not to think
about. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to lose another child.
The first three losses had nearly destroyed him. "I'll try."

"That's all I ask." she nodded. It felt rather strange to be
reassuring him but she knew with her knower that was what he needed at
the moment. He was one of the strongest men she'd ever known but this
one tender spot had almost leveled him. She was determined to make
certain it wouldn't affect him like that again. "Alright," she said,
slapping her knees and standing. "I need to write my ma and get
someone to take my note, then get all my things moved down into your
room."

He watched her as she rose, then rose himself after her. "You write
it, I'll take it to her." He paused. "And I'll get a drudge sent to
help you. You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy. Or just wait until
I get back. I can help you."

She twinkled a smile at him. "I'll just be bringing down clothes and
they're not all that heavy but I'll call a drudge to help me," she
said as she walked over to his desk and sat down. She dashed off a
quick note to her mother with the plea for her to come. She'd already
sent a note telling her of her pregnancy and her intent to keep the
baby... well babies now. "Here," she said, holding it out after a
moment. "Her name is Sokita and she's in the lower caverns. She works
at the Dining Hall these days. Ask anyone you see, they'll know where
to find her."

Taking the note, D'hol nodded. "Alright. It shouldn't be too hard to
find her then." He bent to brush his lips over Timassa's cheek. "I'll
be back shortly."

Her hand ran down the inside of his arm and squeezed his fingers as he
stepped back. "Thank you," she said softly.

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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