Having a baby (2/2)

Posted on Fri Jan 2nd, 2026 @ 1:44pm by Sr Journeyman Halia & Brown Rider S'lei

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M3 D30

Halia slid down from the brown and grinned as she looked around and then up into the sky at the sun on her skin. It was worth it coming to the island just to have this moment on the sun shining down on her and the feeling of freedom with nothing around her apart from her brown rider mate and the brown dragon.”This is lovely,” She decided softly, looking over at the man. This was the further island from the Weyr which was great for them to have some privacy.

Redeirith yawned a bit as he crouched down to let his passengers off. S'lei smiled as he looked around. He loved the island and it would be great to get to spend the time with his mate. “I've always liked it here,” he agreed, walking over beside Halia.

“I’d forgotten how breathtaking it is.” She admitted turning to look up at him, smiling a little.

“It really is,” he agreed. It was amazing the things they took for granted sometimes. He was glad she had agreed to come with him.

“I never thought in all my turns that I would get to live this close to the ocean or that I would live somewhere like the Weyr.” She admitted taking off her sandals to step into the ocean letting the waves crash over her feet.

After S'lei had gotten straps off Redeirith splashed into the water with a happy chirp. The brown rider nodded as he watched his dragon and then his mate. “I know what you mean. I had never expected to leave my original Weyr and end up in a gorgeous place like this.”

“I can see when they expanded back to the south they chose this area, it’s fertile and stunning. I do not think you have ever mentioned what Weyr it was.” She admitted thoughtly smiling as the brown dove past the woman into the deeper water. So much for looking like he was about to sleep

Redeirit ignored the humans as he splashed around in the warm water. S'lei nodded. “It was a good choice.” He hadn't realized he had never told her where he was from. “I grew up at Telgar,” he answered. “didn't come here til after Tanly came.”

“I knew you came here after Tanly that I just couldn’t remember that it was Telgar. I am sure you have mentioned it but I have forgotten.” Halia admitted with a shrug as she turned to the man. “Thank you for bringing me.” She said trying to act less awkward.

S'lei chuckled a bit. “I may not have,” he smiled. He didn't really talk about Telgar much. “Of course. I am glad we finally got a few moments together and could enjoy this.” It was nice to be together.

Halia sighed and slowly stepped up to him and looked up at him. “I am sorry I have been avoiding you. That is not very mature of me and I am a better person than that.” She said reached up and caressed his cheek feeling terrible that she had been pushing him away.

He gave her a gentle smile, not angry with her at all. “It's okay,” he assured her. “I can understand why you did. it is a lot to take in. I should have realized that too.” He closed his eyes at her gentle touch.

“It’s not okay. I am not the type to… act like that.” She was not Luna, she was a grown woman who knew mind and what she wanted. She was currently too scared to make a decision either way. She didn’t want to rock the relationship but her actions had put them at odds anyway. “It is a lot to take in. I never thought that … I did not ever expect to be a mother.” She admitted.

“I know you're not,” he assured her. “But I also know this was a real surprise. It wasn't something either of us had really planned or thought much about.” He hated how this seemed to be tearing her apart. But he would also do his best not to push her one way or the other.

“A real surprise. I know I was actively taking precautions but I must have messed up.” She said still not able to remember when or how but it was her fault obviously. Her actions were having very deep and daunting consequences.

S'lei nodded a bit. “Its okay,” he promised. “We'll get through this together no matter what decision you decide is best,” he said, running a hand through her hair.

Halia looked up at the man and smiled at him running his hand through her hair. The wind picked up the tendrils brushing them all over the place. “I want this baby.” She voiced softly. “But… I do not want you thinking that if we ever broke up or something… that i would take them away from you even though as a rider you…” she sighed overly explaining herself.

He was a bit surprised to hear her finally voice her opinion. She hadn’t really told him how she felt about having the baby, just that she didn't want to be like Luna. “Hey hey,” he soothed, not wanting her to worry. “It will be okay. First off I don't plan on ever leaving, but if something happened then I know you would do right by the baby.”“

“I would but that’s not what I meant. Your last mate took your baby despite being a rider …” she sighed, scrubbing at her face as she turned away from the man to look at the ocean again.

S'lei nodded a bit. That had been a mess. “Yeah, I know now that being with her had been a huge mistake. I let myself get caught up in helping her.” It had truly been a bad idea on his part. “And I know you would never do anything like that.”

“I would never do that.” She did not want to compare herself to anymore any longer but it hard not to when she felt like she was under her shadow.

“I know.” He gave her a gentle smile. Halia had helped him see that he could be normal again. He just wished she wouldn't compare herself. “Hal, you are kind and sweet and the best person I have ever met.”

The woman smiled back at his sweet words. “Back at you brown rider.” She assured him quietly. He had shown her that men could be decent and kind and not all just looking for one thing.

He gently tugged her against his chest. “We'll get there,” he promised. “One day at a time. We just have to keep talking.” He knew they could get through anything as long as they stayed together.

The woman smiled up at him as she lay her hands on his chest. “So it looks like we are having a baby.” She whispered finally saying it properly aloud.

A big smile touched his lips. “We're having a baby,” he agreed, not able to stop smiling. He leaned down and kissed her properly.

Halia accepted the kiss with a soft moan feeling better than she had in sevendays since they had discovered it. “Now we can enjoy the island.” She said breathless as she pulled back.

S'lei chuckled softly. “Now we can enjoy the island,” he agreed as Redeirith bugled happily in the water. The brown was content and even more so since his rider was happy again.