The profile of her body had changed drastically over the past few days. What had been up beneath her breast, and almost wrapped around her, was now lower, riding near her hips, and presenting itself in a more forward fashion. How did it make these changes? By moving. For the past few nights, it seemed that her sons were restless, and making themselves known. Constantly they had squirmed, moved and manipulated themselves into a position that was more conducive to making an entrance into this world. As a result, she had slept little, only catching naps when they were still. Ba'atar had even been forced to sleep with the boys last night, because the babies kept kicking him in the back, the side, any where his body touched hers. The man could only stand so much awe and amazement, before he had to find a place to get a restful nights sleep.
And what of her? Well, that was her duty of course, to provide a place for the babies to grow strong and healthy. It was just a woman's job, according to him. Sometimes, she found great amusement in how he was about her when she was heavy with child. He said he found her more beautiful than any woman he has seen. Perhaps that was why he was always so dead set on when the next one would be born. If you stop and think about it, that was the only way he knew women for the most part. He had eight younger brothers, so for the biggest part of his life, his mother was pregnant. That is how he thought women should be. Thick, as he calls it.
She had been putting the boys down for the night. Telling stories, singing songs with them, just enjoying their company. As she watched each of them, she could see their fathers in them, and knew that Tayco and Lochlan would be proud of how their sons were growing. How they were being raised in the traditions and ways of their people. And being a mother, she found nuggets and beauty in each of them, even Also. She was aware that maybe there was some disappointment in Ba'atar that his true first son was not showing that he was going to be a man of words. But she also knew that it was too early. At this age, you did not know the path that he would walk, it was just something you had to wait and watch.
It was like tonight. One had been expounding on a hunt that Rook had taken him and Another One on. And in the telling the tabuk became the fiercest of animals, and danger abounded. Perhaps he was going to be their singer, the teller of stories. He certainly did have a way with words, and a way of turning a phrase.
She was just as intent as the younger ones were in his story, when Also crawled up and wrapped his arms as far around her as he could, and lay his ear against her belly. She had smiled watching him, then realized that he was whispering softly to the babies inside. She could not hear the words, but she watched the moving of his lips, and the serious expression on his little face. When he finished with what wisdom he was imparting to his siblings that she carried inside her, what he did next brought a tear to her eyes. With concentrated effort, he placed two kisses to her belly, just as if he were aware there were two babies there, and finally said something that she could care and understand.
Take care of you.
And what of her? Well, that was her duty of course, to provide a place for the babies to grow strong and healthy. It was just a woman's job, according to him. Sometimes, she found great amusement in how he was about her when she was heavy with child. He said he found her more beautiful than any woman he has seen. Perhaps that was why he was always so dead set on when the next one would be born. If you stop and think about it, that was the only way he knew women for the most part. He had eight younger brothers, so for the biggest part of his life, his mother was pregnant. That is how he thought women should be. Thick, as he calls it.
She had been putting the boys down for the night. Telling stories, singing songs with them, just enjoying their company. As she watched each of them, she could see their fathers in them, and knew that Tayco and Lochlan would be proud of how their sons were growing. How they were being raised in the traditions and ways of their people. And being a mother, she found nuggets and beauty in each of them, even Also. She was aware that maybe there was some disappointment in Ba'atar that his true first son was not showing that he was going to be a man of words. But she also knew that it was too early. At this age, you did not know the path that he would walk, it was just something you had to wait and watch.
It was like tonight. One had been expounding on a hunt that Rook had taken him and Another One on. And in the telling the tabuk became the fiercest of animals, and danger abounded. Perhaps he was going to be their singer, the teller of stories. He certainly did have a way with words, and a way of turning a phrase.
She was just as intent as the younger ones were in his story, when Also crawled up and wrapped his arms as far around her as he could, and lay his ear against her belly. She had smiled watching him, then realized that he was whispering softly to the babies inside. She could not hear the words, but she watched the moving of his lips, and the serious expression on his little face. When he finished with what wisdom he was imparting to his siblings that she carried inside her, what he did next brought a tear to her eyes. With concentrated effort, he placed two kisses to her belly, just as if he were aware there were two babies there, and finally said something that she could care and understand.
Take care of you.
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