Chapter Seven
Alody felt Diena drop into actual, restful sleep. Not hospital sleep.
Ithal looked at her and smiled. “She’s going to be fine.”
Eskin frowned. “What happened?”
Torun said, “She had a baby this morning. Hospitals don’t let you rest. They keep checking that you are alive, and as annoying as it is, it is important.”
Alody snorted. “Have a bowling ball pulled through your groin and see if a bit of blissful sleep with automated monitoring isn’t what you want more than life itself.”
He snorted. “I have delivered my share of babies at scenes. The ladies are so relieved when it’s out.”
Eskin smiled.
Ithal frowned. “How does it get out?”
“You can know in three years. If Torun ever offers to explain it, let me know, and I will burn some of his favourite parts off.”
Ithal grinned. “Okay.”
Torun blinked. “I am not a monster.”
“No, but when Zera is around, your brain goes in one direction. He doesn’t need that direction. When he is old enough, I will get him a BDC account of his own.”
Ithal frowned. “What’s that?”
Torun sighed. “A special club for adults.”
“Oh. Sounds boring. I like the playpark. Mom, can we move in here with Diena like she asked?”
Alody paused. “I don’t know, Ithal.”
“It’s close to school. Close to Kessie and Diena’s friend Keska.” Ithal ticked things off on his fingers. “It’s even closer to Vaken.”
She chuckled. “I know that is a selling point for you. But what I think we should do is bring an overnight bag here, maybe a few sets of clothing and homework. I definitely think we need your homework here.”
Ithal grinned. “I will make a list.”
“Good idea. When Diena is awake again, we will head home and get some stuff for the guestrooms.”
“Oh, and we don’t want to leave while she’s sleeping in case she wakes up alone.”
Torun murmured, “I don’t think she’s alone.”
Ithal looked around. “Where is Dr. Jenaki?”
“Making sure that Diena is recovering and helping her put on her pyjamas.” Alody glared at Torun, and he smiled.
Eskin was still staring at her. “You look exactly like the last time I saw you but relaxed.”
Alody blushed. “Well, domestic life is good for me. Being a mom is something I have always wanted. Ithal’s arrival surprised me, but I am very grateful for the moment that I became his mother.”
Ithal grinned. “I am going to ask Vaken what I should put on the wall. He has a guestroom at his aunt’s house. He knows what I need.”
Alody nodded. “Off you go.”
Ithal grinned and ran off to the terminal where he could call Vaken.
Torun smirked. “I think Salat still has drawings of Katta in action. That would make a fun poster for him.”
“Don’t you dare suggest it.”
Eskin looked between them. “You have history with Torun?”
She grinned. “Sort of an older sister, younger brother situation. He and I have always enjoyed taunting one another. I was in the program for fifteen years before he showed up, and another ten after that before I was teaching in the program.”
Torun asked, “How old are you, exactly?”
“I don’t know. Birthdays weren’t really a thing in the program. I was eight when I left the Sethir-Nin. I do know Aluhara was just becoming an adult. They were planning a huge party for her, and I was removed the day before.”
Torun blinked. “That makes you...”
She held up her hand. “Fairly old. Yes. I am aware.”
Eskin chuckled. “You were the most even-tempered and controlled of all the instructors. Also, surprisingly good at combat for a healer.”
Alody exhaled on her nails and buffed them against her shirt. “I have skills.”
Torun grinned. “That you do.”
Alody snorted. “So, when do you think Diena will be facing trade negotiations with the prefect?”
“Two days at the outside. The Lorn Empire was famous for its exotic minerals.”
Alody smirked. “I can’t wait to hear what happens when you tell Zera she isn’t the real empress.”
Torun had been sipping at a glass of water, and he spluttered. He looked at her in astonishment. “How do you know about that?”
“I travelled the world and sent her all kinds of scenario ideas. In the empire, there are statues in every corner of a woman covered with glyphs. Diena knows more about it than I do.”
Eskin smiled. “She’s an impressive woman.”
“Yeah. I am so proud.” Alody smiled.
Torun said, “Well, Katta, this is not the last time you will be seeing me. Let Jenaki know that he makes good waffles.”
Alody nodded. “I will. If you want to come over again, let us know or knock on the gate. I am loving the bug zapper.”
Torun sighed. “Sorooth should paddle Keska’s butt.”
“I don’t think that’s her thing.” Alody smiled. “She does excellent work. Half the domestic gadgets Zera sells were based on Keska’s designs, and some of the weapons. She made the bug zapper for fun and for protection.”
He grumbled and walked over, kissing her on the head. “Glad to see you again... Alody.”
She snorted and got up to escort him to the door. “Remember. Manners matter. I tried to knock that into you then, and it looks like getting cooperation from little boys is my destiny.”
He grinned. “See you soon. The prefect is going to find this interesting.”
“Go and take care of a natural disaster, you purple goof.”
Torun nodded and left, saying, “I think you should move in. More family is good for you. It’s softening your edges.”
“My edges are none of your business.” She shoved him out the door and closed it behind him. She exhaled in relief and then saw Eskin. “Now, what the hell am I going to do with you?”
He grinned. “I have many ideas, but you would need to get a babysitter for Ithal, or we could go on a family date.”
She laughed softly and felt her face heat. “So explain your interest, recruit.”
Eskin chuckled. “Well, it wasn’t appropriate to express it back then, but I have been fascinated by you since you first taught that course on battlefield triage.”
“I think I called you an immature dumbass.”
He chuckled. “Like I said, fascinating.”
“So why are you here now? I am guessing you are still working in the capitol.”
“I am. The program and the academy trade specialists all the time. Aksalla has been trying to lure me over here for years.” He stepped closer to her. “I am highly desirable.”
She looked up at him and cocked her head. “Interesting.”
His cheeks bronzed. “I mean, as an instructor.”
“Uh-huh. My eight-year-old is standing right behind you. You may want to watch how deep you dig this hole.”
He turned warily and looked at Ithal. He went down on one knee in front of her son.
“Ithal, do you object to my courtship of your mother?”
Ithal smiled. “No. I think you should. I will call you Silver Storm when you are dressed all shiny and Uncle Eskin when you are in street clothes.”
She smiled at the surety of her son’s voice.
Eskin nodded. “Can we go for a walk and discuss what you think your mom would like for a date?”
“Yes. Mom, can you see if sis has any dessert in the freezer?”
Alody started laughing and said, “Yes, my treasure. Go and negotiate for my time. You know your schedule better than I do.”
Ithal nodded and gestured for Eskin to come with him, like a tiny king. He walked to the door to the back yard, and Eskin stood, bowed to her, and followed with a grin.
Alody smiled and went to tidy up the kitchen. The weirdest thing about Eskin was that she wasn’t mad about Ithal seeing them together. He looked all grown up from the front and amazing walking away.
She noticed that Jenaki didn’t come back to the main room, and she smiled. They had both been alone for a very long time. Affection had been in short supply and romance non-existent. Alody had begun embracing change when she adopted Ithal. It was time to continue the trend of embracing the new.
She was still smiling in a sparkling-clean kitchen when the guys returned, sitting and reading a book while Ithal and Eskin muttered intently.
Ithal said, “We need a notebook and a calendar, please, Mom.”
Alody smirked, found the drawer that contained the items, and held them out to Ithal. He went to the kitchen table and drew a chart with a marker in his precise movements.
Alody said, “Sweetie, what are you doing?”
“Making a chart so that Eskin knows when he can borrow you. You will have to work regular hours for this, though. I will make arrangements with Kessie and Vaken to go over to their places for sleepovers once a month.”
She raised her brows. “Borrow me?”
“Ask you to go to nice places for dinner and stuff. Other stuff I don’t want to know about.”
Alody covered her mouth. “Why do you say that?”
“That’s what Vaken says about his aunt and her partners. Stuff he doesn’t want to know about. Like cuddling and kissing and stuff.”
Eskin smiled. “That kind of stuff.”
He kept his gaze locked with hers as Ithal made the availability chart.
“It’s quite the commute.”
He smiled. “I have already put in for transfer to the academy.”
She blinked. “You are serious.”
“And I have also tipped them off that Katta is in the city and one of the best field medic instructors of the last several decades.”
She blinked. “Treacherous butthead.”
He grinned. Her heart ached. She remembered that grin. “Are you still under-tightening the pressure bandages?”
Eskin sighed. “I might need a refresher course. Ithal, put refresher first aid course on the list.”
Ithal was serious as he added it. She could tell because he tilted his head, and his fin came up a bit.
Eskin smiled. The smile had a knowing twist, and her eyes went wide when she realized that CPR would be part of the demonstration. She suspected his mouth-to-mouth wasn’t going to be the one she remembered.
He grinned wide as her expression must have betrayed her thoughts. She always had an easy-to-read face.
Ithal looked up, huffed, and looked down again.
Eskin chuckled. “What was that huff?”
Ithal kept writing. “It is the look she had when she was looking at your back.”
Alody smacked a hand over her eyes. “Seers are really annoying.”
Ithal chuckled happily. “Yes, we are.”
Eskin asked, “That isn’t one of your skills?”