May 26, 1194
"Do you think you'll start your leave about a month before again?"Alina nodded, a gentle pat to her just-showing stomach. She'd credit the high-waisted tunic for the deceptive physique--Ellie's suggestion, based on how Lady Rona dressed when she was expecting. "Don't worry; I don't intend to leave you to fend for yourself until late August."
And she wouldn't be gone long! She loved her children, and she loved being a mother... but, she needed something for herself. Her work at the bank provided that, and by the time she'd gone back after both of her girls, she'd been half out of her mind.
"You know... I kind of think this one will be a boy.""Oh?" Rina slouched a little. If she was resentful of having to manage the bank on her own for a while, Alina couldn't fathom why. Alina may have had a better rapport with the clients, but Rina had the sharper business sense--and even with the clients, she'd done splendidly the last two times. "Does it... feel different from the last two times?"
"No, I think Thetis and Via varied from each other more than either did from this one. It's just a feeling."
"Uh-huh." Rina picked at one of her fingernails. She never did that at the bank, but for some reason, it was a frequent habit when she made social calls. "Did you get feelings with the other two?"
"Not with Thetis--what with that being my first time and all. But I figured that Via would be a girl. Maybe you develop more of a sense with each pregnancy.""Or maybe it's just that there aren't many possible outcomes, so any guess has a reasonable chance of being right."
Alina chortled. "Maybe. Perhaps you can verify when--"
She stopped herself at the sight of her friend's dreary eyes and wilting lips--and cursed herself. Stupid! "Oh. Oh, Rina, I'm so sorry.""It's fine." But Rina picked at her fingernail again. God damn it, Alina! Think before you say things like that!
"You know... two and a half years of marriage isn't really all that long. Plenty of people have to try a little longer."
"We're not trying."
"Oh."
For all Alina knew, that was true. Or, it was just a way of telling her to shut up.
She wouldn't ask which. It wasn't her business."Fair enough."
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