There had been a number of different ways Navia had thought Théadan’s reaction could have gone. He might have gaped at her for a moment, then reached for her. Or perhaps would have immediately been overcome with joy and not hesitated in embracing her. Of course, she had considered Théadan’s disbelief might be the first reaction, but surely he would see the truth of it in her eyes? Her expression? Navia had not considered Théadan might simply stare at her in utter bewilderment. Suddenly she was transported back to a land of snow, her ankle throbbing and her icy hands in Théadan’s as she told him she loved him for the first time. What was with him blanking into a stupor every time she had something major and wonderful to tell him?<br/><br/>It was clear to her Théadan was confused and unsure of what to do with what she had said, much to Navia’s disappointment. She’d been waiting for the absolute perfect moment to share the news with him and had thought there would be no better time than when they were sharing a quiet moment in the sunlight, alone on a beautiful beach. Instead of getting to see his face light up or to be pulled into his arms, Navia watched disappointment replace the confusion on Théadan’s features. “It’s not a joke,” Navia protested as soon as the words left his lips, but she immediately focused on what he said afterward that she abandoned trying to defend her love of teasing him. “’A bit of a sore topic?’” Navia rose her eyebrows at him, her temper flaring in her gaze, “You have spent only a few months thinking children were not possible for you, Théadan. I have spent<i>years </i>trying to come to terms with it. Do you really think I would joke about something that painful?”<br/><br/>Her lips pursed together while she tried to rein in the frustration that Théadan did not believe her and thought her insensitive enough to joke about something so serious. “Even if I hadn’t tried so long to have a child before I met you, I wouldn’t joke about something I’ve always regretted not being able to give you. I still remember what you told me that night we talked about it,” Navia had to pause before continuing, feeling tears form in her eyes as she recalled how touching he’d been that night, “You told me you wanted me more. You accepted never having something you wanted because I meant more to you and…well, I could never tease you about that.” It seemed almost cruel. They had never really spoken much about the subject other than that night and Navia had always figured it was because it would be too painful for both of them.<br/><br/>“Trust me, Théadan, I didn’t believe it at first either,” Navia sighed and looked away from him, still a little hurt he thought she had been teasing him with something so important, “I was short with Ragná when she told me her suspicions and I made up excuses for all the signs, but you’ve even commented on some of them yourself. You’ve noticed my breasts are larger and I know you know they’re more sensitive. And you…well, you saw me throwing up a few times.” Her gaze drifted back to him then, but it was guilt that filled the dark orbs instead of hurt, “The truth is I’d thrown up nearly every day since we left Nygaard until we reached Khlurios. I had thought it stress and guilt at first, then was too stubborn to admit what it really was. I know plenty of new mothers have trouble with nausea when they’re first pregnant. But I was so convinced that I couldn’t be, Devam and I had tried so hard for so long after all, that I had blocked the possibility from my mind.”<br/><br/>She paused again, eying Théadan’s reaction to everything and how she’d been hiding being ill from him. Then she shrugged and continued, “Osa is not just a wise woman or a witch. She has helped women have children in the past, so I sought her out to help Devam and me. I used to visit her for treatments and tests. We would try pills she would make, different foods, even these awful drinks, then I would return after a couple months to see if I was pregnant and the results were always negative. Nothing ever worked and eventually I gave up. I accepted there was something wrong with me and I would never have a child. Until yesterday.” The wistful smile returned to her features and Navia adjusted to hold herself up with one elbow while her hand reached across their bodies to take hold of one of his own. “Yesterday the test worked,” Navia said softly, her thumb smoothing across the scar in his palm he’d acquired for being with her, “And I still didn’t believe it. It wasn’t supposed to be possible.” Her hand guided Théadan’s to rest low on her abdomen, flattening his palm over the small bump that was surely growing larger by the day. Her smile widened as her voice broke with the emotions swirling around in her, “Then Osa put my hand here…and I just knew. We’re going to have a child,<i>kamin</i>.”