Have I Told You Lately...

Writers: Heather, AL
Date Posted: 29th July 2014

Characters: Coran, Relea
Description: An angry Coran confronts Relea about the rumors
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 8, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Arippa
Notes: ........... that I loooooooooveeeeee youuuuuuuu? *sings*

Relea

Relea was waiting for Coran when he got home. The weight of the day
had left its scars upon his expression and rather than burst out with
what she had prepared, Relea rose and signed. "Hard day?" Without
hesitation, Relea turned upon her heel to take up their silver teapot
and place it upon the small fireplace. She had to stoke the cinders
and tease them back to life with some more wood, then straightened to
face her husband once more.

At first Coran did not know what to say. There was such a mixture of
hurt and anger roiling inside of him that he wasn't sure if he was
mad, or hurt the most. He had never wanted to believe the rumors about
his sweet Relea and his brother Reven having an affair but.... Now
there was no denying it. They had been overheard professing their love
to one another! It was worse than just sleeping around! Coran would
have been mad at that, yes, but the love part... That was like a
dagger to the chest. He recalled the night he had said "I love you"
and it had not been returned. Well, he guessed he knew why now. Because
she loved Reven! And apparently she could talk! Why had she never done
that for him? Especially when he had told her how he yearned for her
to open up to him.

**Was I not the one who held her while she cried over the miscarriage?
Was I not the one who cleaned her up, brought her water, and brushed
her hair? It was_me_! I mean, I am not the 'Holder' or anything, but
I work hard, I treat her like a Lady! I don't know what else I can
give!**

"We need to talk." He was so upset he forgot to use his hands.

A hint of confusion coloured Relea's face. Something wasn't right.
Had something bad occurred? Not Reven, he was far too protected these
days. Arippa? Or something else? "Of course." Whatever it was, the
matter was obviously quite serious. Had someone passed away?
Someone Coran was close to? Had something happened to his parents?
Thoughts of what the matter could be whirled through her mind. She
glanced over at the kettle, but not enough time had passed for the
water to get anywhere near boiling, so she simply took a perch upon
the couch, then patted the seat next to her. After Coran was beside
her, she studied that expression a little more closely as she signed,
"What's wrong?"

"First of all," Coran finally said, his teeth clenched together and
his hand signals jerky, "I would like to point out that I wanted you
and loved you when no one else did. No one! Not because I_needed_ a
wife, not because I wanted someone to clean, or cook, or even have
babies. Just because I wanted to take care of you." He kept going to
make sure that she could not cut in, "Secondly, I have stood by your
side through all of the 'rumors' of you and Reven and never once asked
you to explain yourself. Never once. I didn't even ask you to explain
why the two of your were alone in_our_ rooms when you miscarried. I
didn't ask." He nearly lost his cool and had to take a deep breath to
steady himself before he met her eyes, "But now I am asking, how could
you tell Reven 'I love you' without so much as a regard for how I
would feel? I know I am not the Holder, or anything like that, but
what is so much more lovable about him? What am I missing?" He broke
off in a choked voice.

"Couldn't you two have at least closed the door so no one would hear
you? Now am I not only married to a woman who is in love with my
brother," and he nearly mentioned his doubts about the baby having
ever been his, "but I am now also the laughing stock Green Valley!"

He finally stopped, "Well? What do you have to say for yourself? Can
you explain any of this?"

Part of Relea wanted to laugh. It really was such a mess and she
really shouldn't find it funny, but that side of her, for some reason,
wanted to just laugh in the face of all the insanity. Rumours,
rumours, rumours. They were nasty flies biting everywhere, and their
sting could be felt, even if what spurred them on wasn't true. That
knowledge curbed that laughter and her concern for her husband
overshadowed any desire for such a vocal outburst.

"Yes I can." She signed, her voice calmly. "I wasn't telling Reven
that I loved him. He was trying to help me."

Coran's brow furrowed, "Trying to help you? What could he possibly do
to help?" He asked, the incredulous tone mirrored by the look on his
face.

"To do this." Relea took a deep breath. It was now or never.
"I...love...you...Coran." For the first time, her hands didn't move.
She didn't need them to speak. Not this. Through trial and error and
practise, Reven had managed to teach and she had managed to learn.
Her words were stuffy, as if she had some wool in her mouth, but they
were still understandable. After the last syllable was uttered, she
smiled a little and let her hand reach out for his.

"Say it again." He whispered.

Relea scooted a little closer, then repeated the words, her hand warm
on his as she did as he requested. "I love you, Coran."

Oh how he wished she could just continue right on talking, about
anything, the weather, the horrible way the crown of his hair
wanted to stand up, anything! Had his wife and brother_really_ been
overheard as she was practicing her speech? He guessed the story did
make sense but.... There was still a part of him that wasn't sure.

"I love you too." He said in return, holding her chin in his hand. He
only wished she could really hear him say it- just once.

Last updated on the March 25th 2025

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