Facing the mother
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: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 30th November 2006
Characters: Birigundi, Rigella
Description: Birigundi meets Rigella's mother for the first time...
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 4 of Turn 4
"No buts, dear. No other option is acceptable," Naeralla told her daughter with a firm tone.
"Fine, Mom. Not a problem, expect, isn't this bit premature? We don't even know if the baby will survive to be born," Rigella said.
"Oh, hush, all will go well," Naerella assured her and gave her a little kiss.
Birigundi knocked, but he knew Rigella shouldn't be walking more than was necessary so he felt no qualms about walking right in. He quickly stopped when he noticed she was not alone. "Good evening to both you, ladies," he said with an uncertain smile.
Both women turned to look him.
"Hi, Birigundi. Have you met my mother, Naerella?" Rigella was first to react.
"So, you're the baby's father," Naerella said. She stood up. She was lovely, dark woman if bit too thin. Her eyes were sad but sharp and she gave him a long, intense look, like she was looking to the bottom of his soul.
He paled ever so slightly under the stern gaze. Rigella's mother? Couldn't she have at least given him a little warning first? "Yes ma'am."
After studying him awhile, Naerella finally smiled and said: "It's nice to meet you finally."
Rigella let out a little sigh of relief. Seemed that Birigundi has passed what ever criteria she had.
Birigundi also let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
Still, he was a bit put on his guard by the surprise visit. "Thank you. It's an honor."
Naerella sat down again. Rigella was feeling oddly awkward. She didn't know what to say.
The young man looked between mother and daughter, feeling the silence stretch out between them... "How are you feeling today, Rigella?" he asked, finally letting his gaze settle on the safety of a familiar face.
"Better. They are probably allowing me to get up and do some light duties, since I haven't bled," Rigella answered.
"Well, that's good news." He glanced over at the older woman sitting by her side. Birigundi gave her a small smile, unsure what to talk about.
"So, I heard you have another baby due too, before this one," Naerella remarked, her voice perfectly calm. It told nothing of what she felt, if she approved or disapproved.
Birigundi could feel his face turn crimson as the Red Star. "Yes, ma'am. This month, in fact."
"Congratulations then," Naerella said and Rigella suppressed a nervous giggle.
"I know... It looks bad that I'm having another baby with Nia, but... I mean Nia and I... Well I didn't mean for this to happen... I didn't even think that it could... Rigella and I..." Shards! Meeting Nia's mother had been way simpler than this!
That did it. Birigundi's nervous stammering reduced Rigella to a fit of hysterical giggles.
Birigundi watched her helplessly. The whole situation was quickly spiraling out of control. His eyes turned once again towards her mother but he was at a total loss for words. Faranth's name, couldn't the woman give him a clue, just a _hint_ to what it she thought about all this?
A smile tugged Naerella's lips upwards. "This _is_ absurd. Birigundi, sit down and don't look so forlorn. I don't bite."
He perched on the edge of the bed, still not sure what was going on. "I will be here to help her as much as she needs me to, ma'am. I promise."
"Yes, I know. Rigella and I were just talking about the future. What happens after the baby is born."
"She's already thinking NAMES," Rigella groaned.
"But you and I haven't even talked about names yet." Her mother was jumping ahead just a bit, wasn't she?
"And fostering," Naerella added with a faint smile.
Fostering? Birigundi hadn't even _thought_ about that. "What kind of fostering? Daily? Or permanent?"
"I will take care of the baby when Rigella can't. I have had fosterlings before," Naerella replied.
"Ah." For some reason, the thought of his baby being raised by a complete stranger had unnerved him. "Thank you," he said, honestly greatful that she would be helping.
"It will be my first grandchild and I won't let anybody outside the family to raise it."
It was the perfect solution. Rigella could keep crafting and the baby could be raised by someone close to them. "Well, I appreciate that. And of course I will help out however I can."
"That's nice," Naerella said with approving smile.
She _seemed_ to like him, Birigundi decided. He gave Rigella a hopeful smile. He still wasn't too comfortable with Naerella yet. But maybe things would be all right between them after all.
Rigella gave him a discreet thumbs up -sign when her mother wasn't watching.
Last updated on the December 1st 2006