He Loves Her More

Writers: Suzee
Date Posted: 4th June 2013
Series: It takes Time to Love

Characters: Tavia, Shialis
Description: Rumination about the future.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 6

Tavia

Tavia looked out of her weyr from where she sat cradled against Sawauth's side. Ever since her return from the visit to Dragonsfall she'd kind of pushed the events of that day to the side and focused instead on her son.

The move, if he ever got brave enough to actually ask Aielyan about it, would be good for Kaiavin. Though she was less certain it would be good for her. She couldn't face talking to anyone about it because her best friends had kind of evaporated recently.

Even Vandor hadn't been as available as he had in the past, and she didn't want to force herself on him. He'd made it very plain that even though they'd once shared a bed, he didn't share a woman with any other man. While that was impractical in the Weyr she wasn't about to argue the point with him and their friendship had suffered.

So she was left with her own thoughts to keep her company that and a bottle of wine as she watched the Turns End celebrations from the emotional safety of her weyr. This would be the last Turns End celebration. Of course she and Kaiavin would spend the next morning with her parents.

Tavin and Shialis were nothing but supporting though she rather thought her mother knew she was having reservations after her visit to Dragonsfall. No sooner had she thought that then she heard the footsteps behind her.

"Tavia," her mother's voice called softly.

"Out here mom. I have a great view of the party," she turned and smiled over her shoulder.

The older woman moved out to the edge of the weyr and looked down at the weyrbowl and the party going on below them. "The question is, why are you up here and not down there?"

Tavia sighed, and her head fell forward. "Oh mother," she sighed. Her mother never stopped pushing and prodding her in some way or another and she wondered if some day she'd get the same heavy sigh and comment from her own son. Probably, if she knew anything about human nature, she'd be on the receiving end of one of those someday.

"I don't feel like partying," she murmured into her glass.

"That doesn't sound like you," Shialis rubbed a hand up and down her daughter's arm in a little tactile demonstration of love.

Tavia smiled at her mother who never ceased to surprise her with her insight. She just seemed to know when something was bothering her and offered silent support and a willing ear.

"I just don't know about this move," she said finally after a few moments of silence.

"What concerns you?" Shialis had learned long ago that he daughter could figure things out on her own given enough time but it was sometimes difficult to do it alone

Trust Shialis to get right to the heart of the problem marveled her daughter. "I know this is good for Kaiavin." She started and her mother nodded her agreement. "And I know U'kaiah cares about me… us."

A corner of the older woman's mouth rose in a half smile. "That didn't sound convincing," she said. "U'kaiah loves you Tavia. " She leaned a little forward to look into her daughters face. "I'm sure of it."

"I hope so," Tavia nodded. "But he loves her more."

"Oh," said Shialis. "And does he talk about her all the time when he is with you?"

Tavia looked back up with a little puzzled crease between her brows. "No…" she said. "I mean, sometimes he talks about her but it's more about me moving and stuff."

"Mmhmm," she said. "So, when he's with you, he's really _with_ you and not off dreaming about his other woman."

"Yes, but then he has lots of women, mother."

Shialis snorted and let out a laugh. She was completely devoted to her husband and always had been but Tavia was a greenrider and had only tried commitment once with a rather undeserving bluerider.

"Of course he does, he's a bronze rider and not bad to look at. And you have lots of men," she smiled to take the sting out of her words. "I don't see that as an issue. Is this other woman a greenrider as well?"

"Yes," Tavia said. "Her name is Aielyan. But I get the feeling from things he's said, that she doesn't share pleasures around all that much. She was a holder before she Impressed," she added as though that explained everything.

"Oh," said her mother again. "So what are you saying then Tavia?"

"You should have seen the way he rushed to her side and kept his arm around her almost as if he was protecting her." She shook her head and tossed off the rest of her drink. "He hardly looked at me."

"So you're just a tiny bit jealous then?"

Tavia's eyes widened as she stared at her mother and the realization hit her. "Yes," she whispered. She'd told U'kaiah she loved him and she'd meant it even when he was being an ass, even when he was just asking her to say it.

"You know what? I've told him that I love him several times but he's never said it to me." This time she couldn't control the tears.

"Oh sweetheart," Shialis put her arm around her daughter's shoulders, and pulled her into her arms while she cried.

Last updated on the June 18th 2013

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He Loves Her More