Surprises

Writers: Bree, Dana
Date Posted: 17th January 2006

Characters: Kiyan, Fayne
Description: Kiyan and Fayne both have surprises for each other, and neither surprise is what they were expecting!
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 3

Unable to _stand_ sitting down another moment, Fayne rose to her feet and began to walk around the living room, her hand absently trailing to her abdomen as she did so. Where _was_ he? For Faranth's sake! **His supper's going to be cold,** she thought absently. As if that was more important that the news she had for him! She smiled despite herself. But of course, it wasn't.

The door swung open finally, but it took a few more moments for her husband to appear, wrestling with a large basket that he seemed to be having a hard time keeping ahold of. "Fayne! Fayne, come--oh, there you are." He caught sight of her and grinned. "I have a surprise!"

"What on--be _careful_, love!" Biting back what she had _wanted_ to say when he burst through the door, she rushed over to him. Could he have heard already? Is that why he had 'a surprise'? A sudden disappointment filled her before she firmly kicked it down. Of course he couldn't have! She hadn't told anyone else yet...and Miranek was the only other one who knew...

The minute the basket hit the floor, a large black and white blur tumbled out of it. Kiyan beamed proudly down at the canine, who immedietly jumped up and set two paws on his chest, giving his chin a slobbery lick. "I got you a pet! He's really friendly."

"Oh..." _Oh_.... "Oh, Kiyan, he's very fine!" Fayne smiled, her eyes widening noticebly when the canine decided to turn all his enthuastic attention on _her_. She'd never been much of a canine person... And it was obvious she'd never had much experience with these beasts as she hesitantly ran her fingers through his ruff.

He missed the hesitation and beamed. "I thought he might cheer you up. His name is Zip, and he's still not even a turn old."

Hearing his name, the canine woofed and turned back to Kiyan, thrusting his nose into his hand. "My--but he is quite a big...puppy, isn't he?" Very big! He was nearly the size of a baby runner! Fayne briefly wondered how much bigger Zip was going to get... She shook her head, a smile pulling at her lips.

So apparently, Kiyan _didn't_ know... She moved closer to him.

"He's going to get bigger," Kiyan replied, echoing her thought as he rubbed Zip's ears. "Do you like him?"

"I do like him, Kiyan." And she did...or so she firmly told herself as she gently scratched Zip's head. He was harmless, really. Or so he seemed. And he was so _big_... "But...but what's the occasion for such a surprise?"

"Well, you've been so sad, Fayne..." Kiyan reached over the canine to brush his fingers down his wife's cheek. "I thought maybe you'd like something to cuddle since things haven't worked out like you wanted with children."

Cuddle? With _Zip_? He was as big as a runner! But the beaming smile was starting to light her face again. _Now_ she could tell him! "Well, actually, love..."

"And it's not like I mind," he continued, still smiling. "Maybe it's better we stick to taking care of canines! I'm not as young as I used to be, after all..."

"Kiyan."

Kiyan looked up with a grin as Zip licked his chin. "Yes?"

She was smiling, her green eyes bright. "I'm pregnant."

Shocked, Kiyan stared at his wife blankly, sure he couldn't have heard what he'd just heard. "You're... what?"

"I'm pregnant."

"Does that mean I have to give back Zip?" He winced the minute the words left his mouth, knowing they'd been the wrong ones. But shards, she'd just _dropped_ it on him after last month when she'd thought it might never happen...

The smile fell. And she looked like she'd been struck hard across the face. What...what was he... Wounded, she took a small step back, away from the canine, away from him.

Kiyan pushed the canine away and nearly tripped over himself in his haste to get to his wife's side. "Shards, Fayne... that didn't come out right!
But you surprised me, I didn't know what I was saying..."

For the first time in a long, long while, her green eyes hardened as she fixed them on him, and once he reached her side, she took another step back. One hand slid to her stomach. "That's just it, isn't it, Kiyan? That's always it. How _else_ would you want me to tell you? Is there any other way for me to soften the blow?" Her sarcastic tone was as hard as her eyes, which were beginning to burn with rising tears. "If there is, please tell me, and I'll see if I can handle this better."

"I'm sorry, Fayne!" He stood a pace away from her, looking helpless. "I just... I said the wrong thing, but I'm happy. I promise, I'm happy!"
Except for he wasn't even sure that he really was. But he couldn't tell _her_ that, not now!

"Are you?" Her voice had gone quiet. She didn't want to be mad at him, but his reaction had hurt her. When she finally looked up again, her own expression reflected her thoughts, but it was still wary.

"Of course," he lied easily, reaching his arms out to her. "Shards, Fayne!
It was just a shock, especially after last month! I didn't mean anything by it... don't be angry with me. Please?"

She hesitated, not wanting to be angry with him. Carefully she moved closer until he was able to put his arms around her. The wariness still shadowed her eyes and her body was still stiff against his as he held her.

"I'm sorry, love. I'm sorry..." But even as he soothed her, Kiyan felt building panic. He was old enough that he'd grown used to the idea that he'd always be the only person in his wife's life. Having a child now... a tiny child who needed attention and care and so much time... It was more than a little intimidating.

Slowly, her body began to relax more against his, unaware of his panicked thoughts. She blinked back the last of the burning tears rising in her eyes and looked down at Zip, who was watching both of his owners curiously. Fayne let go of a sigh. This wasn't how she'd thought it would all turn out tonight, but everything would work out between them. It had to.

Last updated on the January 17th 2006

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Surprises