[10.27.2707] Secret Revealed(B'ren)

[sorra]

Tanly was feeling lousy that morning. Nothing seemed to be going right for her. She woke up sick and it hadn't seemed to fade as the morning went on. The green rider frowned a bit. She finally got motivated enough to pull on a loose tunic and breeches. She didn't feel like doing much else even though she knew she needed to.

Tanly picked up her brush and started to brush the knots out of her long hair. The young rider was getting frustrated as her hair just wouldn't lay right at all. "Shard it!" she shouted, throwing her brush across the weyr, causing Cadalayith to jump.

The green looked into the weyr. She was going to ask what was wrong, but she could sense from her rider that it probably wouldn't end well for her if she did.

[Kendrall]

B'ren's eyes widened as he saw something hurdle through the air, the object spinning towards him. Ducking at the last moment, the sound of said object shattering as it hit the wall mixed with a harsh "Shard it!" coming from the opposite direction. The scoundrel sighed as he examined the damage. A broken brush. Hmm...

Walking over to where his beloved was, he could see she was frustrated. Her red hair seemed to be a bit frazzled and knotted, and if he was any judge, seemed to be missing some of its shine and luster. He didn't have to say a word just yet, but instead B'ren opted to wrap his arms around her waist and drew her close to him. "I'll get another brush," he said softly, trying to make light of the situation. "And you know you can always talk to me if something is bothering you, love." He looked down into Tanly's eyes. "Tell me."

[sorra]

Tanly was still fuming. She knew throwing the brush hadn't been a good idea. She was a red head, but she didn't normally have such a temper. The girl frowned, annoyed with herself.

She jumped a little when B'ren put his arms around her. A thought suddenly struck her. "I didn't hit you, did I?" Tanly tensed a bit when his arms encircled her waist. She shifted closer to him, not sure what to say. Tanly shook her head. She wasn't ready to give everything away yet. Would he even understand?

[Kendrall]

B'ren simply gave his beloved a warm smile, then shook his head. "No, you missed." He could tell Tanly was still a bit unsure of herself, of just how close she came to hitting him with that brush. Instead, he simply planted a soft kiss on her lips, then hugged her tightly. "Something's bothering you, love," he whispered. "Don't be afraid to tell me what's on your mind. It wasn't anything I've done recently, was it?" Pulling back for a moment so he could look into her eyes, B'ren nervously bit his bottom lip. He couldn't think of anything offhand that may or may not have offended his weyrmate, but he searched her eyes as if looking for a definitive answer.

"I think it's time you and I had a talk," he finally spoke. "Someplace where we can relax in relative privacy. Where I can brush out your hair." It was at a time like this, the Brown Rider genuinely wished he had his own private bathing chamber. Perhaps he could ask one of the Wingthirds if he would be willing to give the pair some time alone...

[sorra]

Tanly smiled in obvious relief when he said she had missed. She had been frustrated, but she hadn't wanted to take it out on her mate. Her poor hair brush had been a different story. But at the moment she didn't care about that. The green rider let him pull her close, wondering if he would notice anything different. She was still leery of saying anything. She didn't want B'ren to feel trapped after all. He had already made quite a few changes. "I'm glad I missed," she whispered before he kissed her. She leaned into his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. She shook her head. "No, it's nothing you did." Well, in a matter of speaking anyhow."

She looked up at him with stormy gray eyes. "Umm, okay," she said softly. Tanly was a bit nervous about having a talk. Had he started to suspect? She couldn't tell. She couldn't always read his facial expressions. Tanly nodded. "How about out on the couch?" There wasn't really anywhere more private then their own weyr at the moment that she could think of.

[Kendrall]

B'ren nodded, grateful that he was able to seemingly defuse Tanly's ire when she reciprocated his kiss before wrapping her arms around his neck. But an eyebrow arched when she told him it wasn't anything he did...in a matter of speaking. His Trader's intuition kicked in, and it was telling him something wasn't quite right. B'ren just had to find out what it was, and why. Tanly suggested they sit down on the couch, and the Brown Rider gently took his weyrmate by the hand over in that direction. Sitting down first, B'ren propped his feet and legs on the padding, then patted his lap. "Come, love. Tell me what troubles you so."

He privately wondered what was making Tanly so worried. He couldn't possibly think of anything that took place in the last several weeks, unless...

[sorra]

Tanly let B'ren lead her over to the couch. She still wasn't sure about talking. She knew B'ren deserved to know, but she was scared. She couldn't help it. The green rider quietly sat down on her mate's lap. Would he still want to try to be her mate when he found out? Was she willing to take that change that he would run? Tanly sighed softly and lay her head against his shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks. She had been so emotional lately and she hated it. "I don't know if you'll like it," she whispered.

Tanly closed her eyes tightly. She wouldn't be able to keep it hidden much longer anyhow. She took the brown rider's hand and set it against her stomach. "Notice anything?" she whispered uncertainly.

[Kendrall]

B'ren watched as Tanly sat down on his lap, then leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. He wasn't sure what was bothering his weyrmate, but he wrapped his arms around her waist nonetheless. Even in spite of her whispered warning. Taking his hand into hers, he felt her place it against her belly. "Notice anything?" came another whisper, this time in the form of a question.

B'ren frowned, but it didn't take him long to figure out what Tanly was referring to. Her normally flat belly now had a significant bump. Was it weight gain? Was that Tanly's problem, why she was so moody? Too much weight gain in a short amount of time? If that was her reason for her tears, was she afraid she wouldn't be pretty to him if she gained a few pounds? Before he could open his mouth, though, Chiath's voice cut through the fog shrouding his mind.

Try again, Mine. There's a reason for Cadalayith's sudden increase in size near her stomach.

Frowning, B'ren tried to comprehend what his dragon was saying. His eyes widened in horror, and his mouth opened in surprise. Impossible. Tanly is...is...with child? Part of him wanted to push his weyrmate away and run out of the room, screaming. Another part of him wanted to climb onto Chiath's back and flee to the furthest regions of Pern. I want nothing to do with a child. I've never wanted any offspring, but Faranth knows if I've sired any over the turns. Various thoughts similar to what was now going through his mind raced at breakneck speed, yet a certain Brown came through once more.

Not this time, Mine. You're going to be responsible for your actions. Besides, I think you have what it takes to be a great sire, you just have to find that within yourself.

B'ren peered over the back of the couch and glared at his bonded, then gave a defeated sigh as he turned to look back at Tanly. "I know I've always cut my losses before and ran. But I can't this time. Chiath thinks I can be a good father to our child, but I'll need your help, Tanly." He gently rubbed his weyrmate's belly. "Um...how far along are you?"

[sorra]

Tanly didn't say anything. She was trying hard not to tremble and totally break down. She bit her lip to keep the sobs in. She was scared and figured for sure that B'ren would run. She noticed that he seemed a bit confused to start with and she wasn't ready to come out and say it. If he couldn't figure it out then so be it.

Stop that. He loves you. You'll be a great mother. And I bet the little one will be cute, Cadalayith assured her rider.

A sob broke through Tanly's defenses. He'll run. We didn't bet on this. She couldn't blame B'ren if he did run. When they had made that crazy bet children had never been mentioned. She was still young herself and had been through plenty of flights that she never figured on ending up pregnant. I can't do this, Cad. I can't handle it.

You can do it. I'm here and Chiath's won't let. Give him a chance. She didn't know that Chiath was pretty much giving his rider the same talking to.

Tanly tensed up as B'ren started talking. He was going to leave her. She'd be all alone with this parasite. She didn't want children. She just wanted B'ren. Her eyes widened when he rubbed her stomach. "About three months," she whimpered.

[Kendrall]

"About three months."

B'ren could see that Tanly was just as scared as he was, neither of them had even discussed the idea of having children before they decided to get together and become weyrmates. But now that a child was entering the picture...Tanly was about to lose it, and yet B'ren felt so helpless. Had it not been for Chiath chiding the scoundrel, yet encouraging him, well...

He sighed, lifting a hand to rub his eyes before resting back around Tanly's waist. His other hand was still on her stomach, but he couldn't stop rubbing it for some reason. "Look. I can tell neither of us were quite prepared for this. But Chi won't let me walk from this. He's right; I need to step up and take responsibility. This will be our child, Tanly. Part of you, part of me." B'ren leaned over the best he could to kiss his love on her forehead, then looked into her eyes. "I can tell you don't want this, but we'll get through this together. Who knows. If it turns out to be a daughter, she'll be the envy of the entire Weyr, and all of the lads will be chasing her as if she were the Weyrwoman herself. If it's a boy, Faranth help everyone, including us. If it turns out to be twins, then we're all in deep trouble." He tried to say it as lightly as possible to help cheer things up, and even emphasized it with a playful wink at the end. "Fact is, Tanly, I love you deeply, and I'm going to stay right here with you. And with our children. Right until the very end."

Chiath snorted. About time you came around, Mine.[/i]

[sorra]

Tanly was trembling a bit. She couldn't help it. She had known for a couple sevendays now, but she had been terrified to tell B'ren. She had hoped to keep it to herself a bit longer just in case he chose to leave. At least she would have had a little extra time with him. The green rider actually smiled slightly when he kept rubbing her stomach. This gaining weight thing wasn't going to be fun.

Tanly shook her head. "It never even crossed my mind," she whispered. "I've had other flights and partners and well..." She trailed off. Other partners yes, but not ones that she slept with every night. She should have known what could happen, but she just hadn't thought about it. She looked at him with wide gray eyes. He was staying. "I am afraid to keep it, but I don't want to lose it either." Tanly wasn't willing to between and lose the baby. She actually managed a weak laugh. "She would be the envy of the Weyr. And Faranth help us if it's twins. I don't think I could handle that." She didn't want to think about twins. One would be trial enough as it was.

Cadalayith snorted. I told you things would be alright.

[Kendrall]

"I'm not entirely innocent myself," B'ren replied when Tanly mentioned she'd had other partners, other lovers in the past. Any one of them could have sired a child by her, but that didn't seem to be the case. On the other hand, there was no telling how many children B'ren was the father of. He wasn't exactly proud of his track record, either. "And you don't need to remind me there's an off-chance Chi won't always win Cadalayith's Flights, or he'll win some other Flight and I wind up in someone else's furs. But I'll always come back to you, Tanly. Not just for our child's sake, nor to keep Chi off my back. I'll do it because I love you."

He listened as Tanly pressed on about her fear, but he kept gently rubbing her belly. "If I know Tess, C'olt, Tesni, Lyrensa, and the other Healers; they'll make sure your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible. If you're afraid of losing the baby, it probably would be best if you get temporarily transferred to the ground wing. That'll ultimately be Tess' call, but she'll most likely recommend it to the Leadership to get you moved over."

B'ren did manage to grin when Tanly agreed with his opinion about their child being a girl, or just how much trouble everyone would be in if the Green Rider wound up bearing twins. "Come on. Let's go get you another hairbrush and go find a private bathing chamber we can occupy for a while."

[sorra]

Tanly nodded slightly. She knew B'ren wasn't innocent. He still had a reputation around the Weyr and Tanly didn't really mind. He always seemed to come back. She lay her head against his shoulder, feeling sick to her stomach. She wasn't sure she could get used to this. "Really? You'd still come back even with..." She trailed off as she waved her hand over her stomach. At the moment it was still a parasite in her eyes.

She bit her lip. "I'm scared, B'ren. I don't know the first thing about being a mother or what to expect during pregnancy." The green rider looked down at his hand that kept rubbing her stomach. It felt nice and sent shivers down her spine. "And what about us? What are you going to think when I look like I ate a ball?" she asked softly. She wasn't vain, but was she ready to lose her curves totally and let everyone see? Not that there weren't others around the Weyr that were pregnant. She just had never thought about being pregnant herself.

Tanly closed her eyes briefly. She had to admit, the baby would be gorgeous no matter if it was a boy or girl. Although she kind of wanted a little girl. She nodded. "That sounds nice," she whispered. Spending some time with B'ren would help her calm down. Or at least she hoped so.

[Kendrall]

B'ren nodded when Tanly asked the question if he would come back even if she was with child. "I don't know the first thing about being a father, either, Tanly; but there really aren't any quality examples I can think of to turn to for advice. As for us, I'll still love you when you get further into your pregnancy. In fact..." He licked his lips as if in anticipation. "I think it makes you look even more beautiful, a bit more desirous. Also means we can actually enjoy each other, if you catch my drift." B'ren winked playfully at his weyrmate. "Not like I don't enjoy you or anything - I do - but during this time I think we can really let our inhibitions go." He draped his arm around Tanly's waist and gave her a kiss on her lips. "You'll be fine. We'll be fine. And our baby will turn out fine."

The scoundrel started to lead his beloved out of their weyr in search of that hairbrush and that private bathing chamber. "You know, in a way this makes Chi and Cadalayith parents, even though they can't produce any offspring of their own. Something tells me they'll be just as protective of the baby as you and I will be. Who knows?" He shrugged. "Although it's too early to talk about it, maybe having another child or two after this would be a future topic of discussion. But I can't think of anyone else more beautiful to be the mother of my children, Tanly. I'm honored." B'ren gave her another kiss on the lips as he continued to lead them down the hallway.

[sorra]

Tanly was slightly shocked to know that B'ren would still come back even when he had no idea what to expect. Well, that was one less fear at least. She hadn't been sure. She knew his reputation and she wouldn't have blamed him if he had run. He hadn't signed up for parenthood when they had made their deal. She arched a delicate brow. "More desirous?" she asked, looking at him. That didn't sound right. But then again, she wasn't him. Although she found it hard to believe that putting on weight for the baby would make one look better. An impish grin spread across the young rider's face. "You have a point there," she agreed before he kissed her. They wouldn't have to worry about her getting pregnant now.

She let him pull her to her feet. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Only time would tell now. She followed quietly as B'ren headed for the door. Finishing her hair and that bath sounded like an excellent idea at the moment. Not to mention more time with B'ren. That was always a good thing. Tanly laughed. "I can only imagine what Cad is going to be like. She's already been asking questions when I haven't been in a bad mood." She knew she had snapped at her dragon a few times when she shouldn't have. She looked at B'ren in surprise. "More children?" she asked. He would want more?