In Which Nanalie Tells Someone

Hi all. Just in case you're at work or school, there's some nudity in the first few pictures. It's completely non-sexual and the most you'll see is a nipple, but regardless, maybe save this one for when you get home.

May 24, 1180

It was probably time to start telling people.

If she studied her reflection head-on, Nanalie saw little difference, but when she turned to check her profile it was sure enough: not a large bump, but significant enough that there was no longer any sense in being mum about it. It couldn't have been a great idea to stretch her usual dresses much further either; might as well make it official and start wearing something more accommodating.

Damn good thing she hadn't come to that conclusion yesterday, though. She couldn't say she'd cared for her stepsister's husband--even before he'd gotten himself drowned in a ditch, she'd figured Melria could do better--nor had she and her stepsister ever been close, but it couldn't have been appropriate to make what was effectively an announcement at a funeral.

She would visit Melria soon enough, she supposed, but perhaps she would ask Avine to break the news beforehand. As recently as a week ago Nanalie's father had said that Melria was hoping for another baby soon, and while Nanalie had no doubt that she'd marry again eventually, her stepsister's form at the funeral hadn't suggested that she agreed. It probably wasn't the best idea to show up at the door of a grieving young widow wearing something that might as well have had the word 'Baby' embroidered on it.

Ah, but what did Melria have to do with Nanalie's baby? Melria's misery didn't mean that Nanalie couldn't be happy. She'd maybe send Garrett over with some biscuits, and perhaps a little something for Melria's daughter. She'd keep a sensitive distance until Melria had had some time to adjust, but what else could she do? If that was selfish, so be it.

Nanalie thumbed through the gowns in the armoir and settled on a white silk. Technically, it was a nightdress--but the material would stretch without breaking and it was hardly as if she'd worn in the previous night. She slipped it over her head, then pulled out a front-lacing tunic that could improve the look somewhat; if nothing else, she recalled seeing Had's friend Raia in something similar?

It would do, for all the white was impractical. She grabbed some pins from a box beneath the row of hems and pulled her hair up, slipping the little wires into place, shaking her head a couple times just to make sure they held.

Yes. That would have to do.

"Nana!"

Smiling, she turned around to see her little stepson toddling into the room. He was such a sweet little boy--even if he did tend to be lazy about knocking. "Did you grow since last night, Karl? You look taller."

Karlspan beamed as he drew nearer. Nanalie took mercy on his little legs and stepped away from the armoir to meet him partway. "All that sleep must be working." He pouted--too old for naps, no doubt. Nanalie laughed softly to herself and, mindful of her womb, bent over to pick him up.

"One day, you're going to be a big tall man like your papa." She hoisted him up and he tapped his own face. The poor boy hadn't dodged Garrett's rock-crushing chin, but that wasn't what he meant. "Yes, you'll have a beard too."

Karlspan giggled. "Why don't women have beards?"

"Because women have enough to worry about without adding shaving to the list. Ever tried to lace up a corset?" He shook his head. "Lucky."

Another giggle. "That's silly."

"You're silly." She tapped him on the nose; he was a little big for her to be 'stealing' it, but she supposed she'd have another victim for that soon enough. "And big. Don't mind me if I take every opportunity to hold you, because soon you'll be too big for me to lift."

Karlspan's foot grazed her stomach. Something moved within her, as if to kick him back. "You're big too."

Nanalie swallowed. Her stepson was a polite little fellow who knew better than to comment on ladies' bodies, even in jest. More to the point, he wasn't the sort of kid who liked to state the constants; if he made note of something, it had changed.

Garrett knew, of course--seeing as he saw her naked as many nights as he didn't--and Arydath knew, as she always did... but Nanalie had yet to tell anyone. She'd supposed Asalaye would be the first, or perhaps her father. But surely Karlspan had just as much right to know? It was his little sibling, after all.

"Well, that's because you're going to be a big brother."

He blinked. He was more than old enough to understand the concept of siblings, even though he wouldn't have one himself for another five months. Garrett had siblings. Nanalie had siblings. Most of Karlspan's little friends had siblings. He'd probably figured out by now whether he'd wanted them or not. She just hoped that if he didn't--

"Really?"

A row of tiny teeth peeked out through a wide smile.

Well, so much for whatever she'd been thinking. "Mm-hmm. And you'll be a good one, too."

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