We Have a Bump

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 24th June 2019

Characters: Nazli, Benamil
Description: Nazli delivers some happy news
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris

Nazli

Benamil

~*~
Nazli didn't smile much as a rule but today she did as she looked into
her mirror. She turned sideways and smoothed her dress down over her
stomach. Nothing to see there yet but the healers assured her there
would be soon. She'd felt a little knot low on her belly when she'd
woken this morning and that was the moment she'd really believed.

She nodded to herself and went to find her husband. It was time to
tell him the good news.

"Lady incoming," a hand called out in the stables, which immediately
caused all of the off-color jokes to cease and some of the banter to
die down.

Benamil straightened and pushed his hat back on his head. Nazli had
never visited him at the stables before. Pulling his gloves off, he
tucked them into the waistband of his pants and went to meet her.
"What brings you down?"

Nazli hadn't been down to the stables except when escorted but this
time she didn't care. She smiled at Benemil and took his hands.
"You're going to be a father," she smiled.

Benamil's eyebrows shot into his hairline, astonishment blossomed in
his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Nazli and swung her around in a
hug. "A father? Nazli! That's wonderful." Other workers stopped to
look up at the beastcrafter's good news. In her ear, he murmured, "We
did it!" It was an accomplishment that others would not quite
comprehend the way they did.

Nazli laughed and held onto his neck. For the observers, she leaned
down to kiss him. Not something she'd ever have done in private but
since this was all an act any way she acted the part of a normal wife.

Now they could tell Zathris that she was pregnant and his
brother-in-law would leave them alone, hopefully. Relief trickled
through Benamil, they were safe, and now all of the stress over hiding
his relationship with Arion seemed to dissipate. "Thank you," he said,
returning her kiss.

She smiled down into his eyes until he put her down.

"Congratulations Lord Benamil, Lady Nazli," one of the beast crafters
said, and then there were a number of others gathered around to give
their good wishes.

Benamil nodded his thanks as he wrapped his arm around Nazli's
shoulders and led her back towards the main Hold. "You've already seen
the healers?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded happily. "This morning," she said. "As far along as
you thought I might be. There's even a little bump you can feel later
if you want."

"I can't wait," his fingers tightened on her shoulder in an
affectionate squeeze. They had a little bump! _His_ child. He couldn't
believe it, hadn't thought it possible.

"Then wash up and come to my room," she smiled as they walked back
toward the hold. "Then you can go tell Lord Zathris to get off your
back."

Benamil pulled her in to press a kiss to her forehead. "I'll wash up
and be with you shortly," he promised.

She nodded and went back into her room. Removing her dress and corset
she laid down on the bed as she had for the healer. This was really
happening and she was happier than she could remember in a long time.
Raising a child was an honor and privilege and she promised herself
and her child she would do a better job than those who had raised her.

"All set?" Benamil said, head poking in her door. The beastcrafter had
taken the fastest bath of his life, his hair was still damp as
testament to his speed. He entered his wife's room, a place he rarely
frequented.

"Come on in," she said lifting her head from the pillow where she'd
been daydreaming of her child.

The beastcrafter knelt beside the bed, his eyes observing Nazli's face
for a moment, thinking she looked the most at peace he had ever seen
her. Putting one of his large hands over her abdomen, a slow smile
spread across his face as he felt the hard little bump that was just
beginning to be noticable without the coverage of her dress. "Nazli,"
he breathed her name softly, still smiling, "we have a bump."

She smiled at him, a truly brilliant smile. "Yes," she said in a soft
voice. "We're having a baby."

Last updated on the September 3rd 2019

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We Have a Bump