In Which Alina Vows to Rest

February 18, 1167

"You know, I have to say," Honora sighed as she lowered her heavily pregnant form into the chair, "it seems to me that each time is a little more comfortable than the last. I was practically confined to bed for most of the time I was pregnant with Evaleith, and even with Had I was housebound, but this one's given me no trouble at all."

Of course, seeing as she was ready to burst any minute, Honora was certainly housebound now, but Alina chose not to point that out. "I think mine were a little more random. Searle was probably the worst; Jadin and Riona were both much more docile in the womb than they ever have been out."

"And what about this little one, hmmm?"

Well, so much for keeping that suspicion to herself until she started showing. After those two miscarriages, Alina didn't care to spread any news before she could be reasonably sure that the baby would make it, and she might not have even been late enough to ponder in the first place... but she couldn't deny that the way she'd been feeling for the past few weeks was pleasantly familiar. "And what little one might this be?"

"Oh, don't be coy with me!" her friend scolded with a laugh. "My God, Alina, if anyone can tell when she's pregnant, you can! Besides, I know it too--you're always so nauseatingly happy when you've got one on the way."

Was it really so obvious? No one had ever mentioned it before; with any luck, Honora alone had made this observation. Alina decided to pretend that she herself had not. "Am I?"

Honora nodded. "Seems to me, at any rate, even if you do seem a little wary this time. Besides, I was your maid for long enough to know that you have the most predictable of monthlies; if you think you might be pregnant, you probably are."

She was right; for almost twenty years now, it had come every twenty-four days to the precise hour in times when her womb rested empty. Still, she thought it might be wise to keep it between herself and Honora for the time being. Her friends and family had suffered a somber spell when they'd learned of the first miscarriage; she'd told only Severin, Raia, and Honora of the second pregnancy, and when she had lost that baby as well, the burden of secrecy had worn heavily on each of them.

"Well, could you keep it to yourself? The last thing I need is for the whole damn kingdom to know my business."

Honora sent her a smile that Alina supposed was meant to be reassuring. "It comes with the territory, your ladyship. Besides, you have to think positive; if you just relax and enjoy the next few months like you did with your last seven, I'm sure everything will be just fine."

Maybe she had a point; Alina's anxiety had certainly been much higher during the pregnancies she'd miscarried. Perhaps a little rest was all this baby needed. "You know, you could be right."

"Have you not learned by now? I'm always right."

Alina smirked; leave it to Honora to put a smile on her face. "Humble, aren't you?"

"Oh, enough about me!" her friend dismissed, attempting to bounce in her chair but held back by the mass of her bulge. "Since we're both in this state, we might as well talk about names. What are you thinking for yours?"

Names. Yes, there would be a baby to name--at least, providing this whole positive thinking thing worked. "Well... we're out of parents, so I suppose we have to finish up the grandparents now. I guess that leaves either Roderick, Conant, or Ovrean for a boy, and then Celina, Ramona, or Lileina for a girl."

Running a hand over her swollen stomach, Honora rolled her eyes. "Why do you nobles insist on milking the same twenty or so names for all they're worth? Have all the Searles taught you nothing?"

"The fact is that we're all horribly lazy," Alina admitted, prompting a grin from her friend. "Now, tell me--what are you going to be calling this one? It seems to me that you and Adonis have run out of parents as well."

Honora shook her head, her cinnamon hair flipping over her shoulder. "It's a surprise."

Unamused, Alina pouted. "I told you what I might name mine."

"Yes, but you gave me six possible names instead of just two," laughed Honora. "I have a pair names in mind, one for a boy and one for a girl--and, actually, Arydath thinks this one will be a boy, and we both know she's always right."

"If my memory serves correctly, this one feels more like a boy too," Alina stated, her eyes resting on her friend's stomach. "Perhaps they'll be playmates."

"That would be nice, although truth be told I'm still hoping that one of mine marries one of yours--you must admit that we'd have exceptionally pretty grandchildren."

A slight bit of nausea welling within her, Alina grimaced. "Honora, please! I'm still having babies; grandchildren are about the last thing I care to think about right now."

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