Quality Time Part 3
by Sabine
“ D’Argo, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful crib you made for the baby. John and I are very grateful for receiving such a gift,” Aeryn smiled, her eyes sparkling brightly. She looked at D’Argo and then at the Delvian priestess. “We actually wanted to thank you for all the things you both have done for us in the past monens. Is there anything John and I could do to repay you?”
“ Just enjoy every moment with the baby when she has finally been born, my dear. That is all the payment I want or need,” Zhaan spoke with a smile. The entire crew had welcomed Aeryn’s pregnancy. All had been delighted with the news that their little family was gaining a new member. The next in line to have children would be Chiana, but Zhaan had the feeling that the Nebari wasn’t all that fond of the idea of settling down just yet.
Having observed the way Chiana was with Benjamin, she was convinced that Chiana would be a good mother if she ever decided that it was the right time for her to start a family. It was unlikely that she and Stark would ever have children. Her relationship with Stark gave her all the fulfilment she needed out of life. That relationship had given them a special bond, capable of even transcending death. It had a higher meaning.
“ I just hope for your sake that your daughter doesn’t take after her father,” D’Argo laughed. “ Or else the two of you won’t be getting a lot of sleep. ” The Luxan shook his head as he emptied the tea from his cup in his throat, almost choking from him having to laugh. He remembered how it had been for his wife and him after Jothee had been born. The two of them had the greatest difficulties with finding time to fall asleep or simply relax, since they were always concerned with Jothee’s well being and had to be especially careful with certain individuals who believed their union and product of their love to be evil.
“ Why thank you, D’Argo. I’ll talk to you again when you decide to have another child. Just don’t let John hear you say that or he’ll find a way to make you regret those words,” Aeryn retorted. She had felt the baby kick in objection to what the Luxan had said and smiled. * Meara, you are definitely going to change all of our lives, aren’t you? Maybe you have more of your grandmother in you than I thought * Aeryn mused as she looked down on her swollen belly and placed her hands on the place Meara had kicked before. She was immediately rewarded with some more movement. * You are just so anxious to come into this world, little one. I hope that it won’t disappoint you *
“ Is she moving again, Aeryn?” Zhaan asked interested.
Aeryn nodded. “ Yes…she has been a very busy girl during the last couple of weekens and especially during the last solar days. Here…” Aeryn grabbed the Delvian’s hand and placed on the spot where Meara was kicking. She saw Zhaan’s face light up as the priestess felt the baby move.
“ This is truly magnificent, Aeryn. It must be rewarding to feel the seed of John and your love growing inside of you. It’s simply wonderful,” Zhaan stated, almost at a loss of words. She looked over at D’Argo and realized how he must how felt when Lo’laan had been pregnant of Jothee. D’Argo was smiling at her, but his eyes had suddenly strayed away from the two women and stared at the door of Ben’s room.
***
D’Argo had been the first to detect movement in Ben’s bedroom and quickly alerted Aeryn and Zhaan by signing towards the door. Somewhat relieved Aeryn turned her head in order to see what was going on. The first thing she noticed was the tall figure of her husband moving from the bed and heading for the living room, but she couldn’t see if Benjamin was with him. She was about to panic until her husband stepped into the room and saw a little hand tightly holding on to John’s hand.
John entered the living room with a huge grin plastered all over his face to show Aeryn that everything was all right. He stopped in his tracks as he noticed that his son wasn’t walking next to him, but instead had chosen to remain hidden behind his legs.
“ Ben, they won’t bite. You know that and you know them. There’s no reason to hide from them, sport. Well…except when D’Argo is having one of those patented Luxan Hyper Rage moments again…” John chuckled as he looked from his friend to his wife, Zhaan and back to his son. Aeryn was looking a little pale and he knew that it was because she was worried about what had happened inside Ben’s room. He really didn’t want her to be worried over nothing. John felt that Ben had let go off his hand and hoped that his son would go over to his mom. “ Why don’t you go and sit next to mommy and Zhaan on the couch, Ben?”
“ Isn’t she going to be angry with me, daddy?” Ben whispered barely loud enough for John to hear. He was afraid that his mother was going to be angry with him for the way he had behaved earlier. Ben knew that she hadn’t been sleeping and feeling well lately and hadn’t intended on making her worry about him.
“ No, honey. She won’t be. She just loves you too much,” John replied as he tried to reassure Ben. He got down on his knees and enabled the others to see Ben. “ Remember what I told you when we were talking in your room?”
The boy bit on his lip and looked down at the floor. His eyes were still somewhat reddish from having cried. Ben tilted his head and looked in his father’s eyes. “ Yes…I remember,” he spoke softly.
“ Good boy…” John grinned as he gently gave his son a hug.
Aeryn looked curiously at her husband and son. She wondered what John had exactly said to Ben. He probably wasn’t going to tell her until the two of them were alone. Whatever he had said…it seemed to have helped. Aeryn felt Meara move again.
* Hush, little one. Everything is all right. * She saw Ben looking from John to her and back again. It had been evident to her that her son had been crying, because of the now almost unnoticeable reddish spots on his cheeks. Her son seemed to be plagued by an inner turmoil and trying to decide what his next step would be. He felt guilty about something and as she looked into John’s eyes, she guessed what the reason behind it exactly was.
A familiar smile appeared on her face as she reached for Ben with one hand, gesturing that she would like him to come over to her. “Would you care to keep your aunt Zhaan and I company, Ben?”
“ Please, Ben. Your mother and I would really love it if you would keep us company,” Zhaan joined.
With hesitant steps at first and later more confident ones, Ben made his way over to his mother. If Aeryn had been able to pick him up, she would have. Instead she held out her hand to help her son climb onto the couch. Ben smiled somewhat insecure as he grabbed hold of her hand and easily climbed onto the couch, to sit in between his mother and Zhaan.
As her son came closer to her and sat down, she felt Meara move inside of her. Her daughter’s sudden movement gave her an idea.
“ Ben, I would like you to feel something. Give me your hand, honey…” Aeryn softly spoke. A puzzled expression appeared on Ben’s face. He had no idea what his mother wanted to do, but he had seen her angry and he didn’t want that to happen, so he let Aeryn take his hand into hers. Aeryn slowly guided Ben’s little hand to a particular spot on her swollen belly and let it rest there. * Come one, little one. Show your brother that you are there. You have been moving all day, don’t stop all of a sudden… * She thought as Ben looked up at her confused, obviously unsure of what his mother was trying to accomplish.
After three or four microts Ben’s eyes widened in surprise and he quickly withdrew his hand from his mother’s belly. “ Wh…what…what was that? Something moved in there,” he exclaimed surprised and equally intrigued. A grin started to spread over Ben’s face as he looked from his hand to his mother’s belly.
“ That’s your sister…”
“ My…sister…”
“ Would you like to feel her again, Ben?” Aeryn asked, pleased that her plan had worked. Ben quickly nodded and Aeryn took hold of his hand, this time guiding him to another spot.
“ Dag-yo,” Ben giggled as Meara communicated with him through her movements. He placed his other hand on Aeryn’s belly and carefully moved his hands over it, trying to find out if his sister would react to his movements. Every time one of his hands got rewarded by movement from his sister, he laughed happily. Caught up in his game he hadn’t noticed that John had moved to stand beside his wife and next to the couch. He gently squeezed Aeryn’s hand and lovingly kissed her on top of her raven black hair. She always knew what to do, no matter the situation.
Ben looked up at his parents. A previous expression had been replaced with one quite serious.
“What is it, Ben?” John smiled.
“ Doesn’t it hurt when she does that?” Ben asked as he pointed at Aeryn’s belly. “Does that hurt, mommy?”
“ No. It doesn’t hurt, Ben. It can be quite uncomfortable at times. Especially when I am trying to sleep, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s just her way of talking to me…to let me know she’s still there,” Aeryn spoke amused. She pulled Ben closer to her, so he would be able to snuggle closer against her.
“ Hey you…” Ben whispered to his sister as he once more placed his hand on his mother’s belly. Meara was quick to respond with a firm kick against his hand. “You should let mommy get some rest. She’s really tired, ya know? That’s why she went to auntie Zhaan… to get some potion to make her fall asleep. If you give mommy some rest, I promise I’ll do some really cool stuff with you when you are finally out mommy’s belly. I’ll show you some cool places to hide and I’ll teach you some words from Pilot’s language. Is it a deal?”
Ben felt Meara move underneath his hand and grinned. “ I’ll take that as a yes…”
TBC…