Early Morning Wake Up

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 19th March 2009

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Fog tries to take on early morning duty with Follen, but Eliste reminds him he doesn't have the right equipment.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 4 of Turn 5

"Hey little man..." Fog reached into the bassinet and drew his son into his arms. "Your mother hasn't had much sleep the last few nights, thanks to you. How about you settle down?" even though the words were more of a reprimand, the tone was unmistakably loving and tender. "Those toothy pegs aren't being nice to you, are they?" he asked, a touch of concern in his voice as he eased himself back onto the bed and leaned back against the pillows. He glanced across at Eliste who was stirring. "Tis fine, my sweet, I have him."

"Perhaps you do." Eliste smiled from the bed, turning over so she could watch her husband with their son. "But unless you can start producing milk, I doubt you'll be able to keep him much longer."

"But you only fed him a candlemark or so, ago." he said softly, eyeing the clock on the small sidetable. "Go back to sleep for a while, lovely."

"Are you setting his schedule for him?" Eliste asked playfully. "His gums are bothering him still and its possible he might not be eating as well he might simply wish to suckle in comfort."

"I was hoping to let you sleep for a little longer..." he said softly, passing Follen across to his mother. "Now that he knows you're awake, I'll have no chance of him dozing off again." Once he had settled Follen next to Eliste, he leaned back against his pillow and watched the pair, smiling indulgently from one to the other in the dim light.

Eliste placed Follen against her breast and the babe immediately latched on. She eased herself back down, letting the child suckle as she rested. "You're so thoughtful." The mother traced a finger down the side of Follen's face. "But I'm fine. Have a lot of work today?"

"Not so much I can't handle looking after this one for a little while, while you get some extra rest. It hasn't escaped my notice that he's been more restless during the night this past sevenday or so."

"It's only because he is teething." Eliste let her eyes half close and she gazed at Fog through her eyelashes, giving him a misty, hazy look. "It won't last forever."

"For your sake, I hope not." he slid down in the bed beside her and stroked her arm where it curved protectively around Follen's body. "You're almost as busy as I am during the day these days. I've seen you working with the other women, you fit in onboard the Sungazer as though you were born to it." he said with a certain amount of pride in his voice.

"I'm trying." Eliste had to admit the transition had been quite a bit easier than she thought. Of course, her joy at being free of _him_, at having a life where she could be loved and happy, probably had a lot to do with it. "They've been quite accommodating."

"Well, you're one of the family now." he smiled softly, and glanced down at their son who had fallen asleep again still attached to his mother. "I suppose since he is asleep again, I should let you sleep again too?" He leaned towards her and kissed her lightly on the forehead, "Love you..."

"Come get me in an hour?" Eliste requested, glad for the extra time to relax. "I should try to be useful at least part of today."

"I'll go and get ready for the day, and bring you a klah and something to eat to wake you - how does that sound?" he asked, sliding back the blankets, being careful not to wake the sleeping baby.

"That sounds wonderful." Eliste shifted to settled better beneath the blankets and let her eyes close.

"Good. Go to sleep and I'll see you shortly." he slipped his feet into his boots, and pulled them on. Leaning back, he kissed her lightly on the forehead, before shrugging into the shirt which lay at the end of the bed.

Last updated on the March 19th 2009

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Early Morning Wake Up