Liadan returns to the bakery

[Lazey Winde]

By the time Liadan got to the bakery she had told Fawne all about yehudit.

"Aron is a wonderful father and he couldn't love her more if she was her own child. I'm afraid I'll never be bale to give him any children." Liadan broke off and before Fawne could comment Liadan broke into a run. She could hear Yehudit crying, the poor baby!

Fawne trotted after Liadan and hung back as Liadan went into the bakery.

"Yehudit!" Liadan exclaimed, making her way over to Aislyn and Yehudit. Yehudit sounded like she was hungry and cranky.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn smiled with relief, milk dripping from her finger. "Thank heavens. Yehudit is very hungry and she's not got the patience to suck milk from my finger."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan scooped up Yehudit and fussed over her. "She's hungry all right."

Nelek felt like he should make himself scarce.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn smiled at the sight. "I'm rather hungry myself. I think I'll make us some lu...Where are Aron and Brie?"

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek mumbled something about seeing Difyr home before making a hasty retreat.

Liadan's face fell. "I don't know. Last I saw Brighid she was jumping out a window after Galina Aron is still looking for her, I'd be with him but I knew Yehudit would be getting hungry."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn blinked. "Brie jumped out of a window? Could she have even survived that?"

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan nodded. "She's different s omehow."

Fawne shyly peeked in the door.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn heard the rustle at the door and walked over to open it further. "Hello, Fawne. Come on in."

[Lazey Winde]

Fawne trotted into the kitchen. She sniffed Yehudit but the baby was hungry and too busy eating so the unicorn was ignored.

Fawne turned back to Aislyn. "You glow." Fawne told her.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn beamed at her friend. "I am expecting a babe," she confided. "I do hope Juku will let me bring him or her to visit you. You're much too important for my baby not to get to know."

[Lazey Winde]

"It would be good to see the baby." Fawne replied.

Liadan was quiet and her eyes were on Yehudit.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn smiled at mother and child. "The baby would enjoy it too. You would be good friends to them." She nodded toward Lia and Yehudit. "Lia's a good mother."

[Lazey Winde]

"It has been a long time since we have had a human foal with us." Fawne said.

Liadan was growing uncomfortable.

"Maybe I should take Yehudit upstairs for a nap." She said.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn nodded. "She is probably ready. It's been a busy day." Then she turned to Fawne. "I will bring the babe as often as Juku will allow."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan went up to the spare room and sat on the bed she had slept in until she married Aron earlier this year. She knew the room would be turned into a nursery before long.. Though she looked forward to getting another niece or nephew she did not look forward to the familiar room changing. She also felt unpleasantly jealous of Aislyn and her healthy family. Liadan arranged a nest of pillows, settled Yehudit in and kissed the baby's forehead. She noticed that Yehudit's fuzzy head was sprouting some hair, it was hard to tell but the hair looked to be a dark brown.

Fawne felt a sting of disappointment, she had hoped to get better acquainted with Liadan's babe. "If it's safe I'll visit as well."

[Muffin Puffin]

"We would like that. All of us would like it." She glanced toward the stares. "She loves that baby but she is still having trouble dealing with what happened. I can't blame her. I was attacked but not as badly as Lia. I can't even imagine what she feels." Aislyn sighed softly. "I would give almost anything to have her happy again."

[Lazey Winde]

Fawne lowered her horn. "Maybe if she spent some time with the herd again... It couldn't hurt."

[Muffin Puffin]

"No, it couldn't. She aches so much inside, I can almost feel it."

[Lazey Winde]

Fawne nodded, her mane sparkled in the light.

"Your brother is her husband now?"

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn nodded. "He is. He is devoted to Lia and Yehudit. Aron only wants Lia to be happy and safe."

[Lazey Winde]

"He has always seemed like a good man." Fawne agreed.

Liadan came down the stairs and back into the kitchen, her face was shadowed.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Is everything all right, Lia?" Aislyn asked as Aron came through teh back door, alone.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan shrugged, but her expression grew relieved when Aron returned. But where was Brighid?

"Aron? Are you all right?" Liadan asked, going to him.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron held his arms open for Lia. "I am fine, Cupcake," he assured her.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan buried her face in Aron's chest and let his arms wrap around her. She listened to his heartbeat under her ear.

"Yehudit's been fed and is sleeping upstairs." She said, grateful that Aron was all right but too worried about Brighid to even ask after her friend.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron held her close against him, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "I'm glad she's not aware of what's happening." He rubbed his palm over Lia's back.

[Lazey Winde]

Some of the tension went out of Liadan's shoulders. A back rub felt nice.

"Now she can be. I don't know what I'll ever tell her when she's old enough to realize things aren't what they should be." Tears were absorbed in the front of Aron's tunic.

[Muffin Puffin]

"We will figure it out together," Aron said softly. "Every parent faces that very situation. And we can always get advice from Papa."

[Lazey Winde]

"So should I just write a journal and leave it someplace for Yehudit to find in a couple years?" Liadan asked.

[Muffin Puffin]

"I think we would do better to talk to her. We'd be able to answer her questions and comfort her. A journal would be...harsh."

[Lazey Winde]

"Yeah, but your mother's journal told Aislyn all she wanted to know and more." Liadan said. She sighed. "I don't think Yehudit is even going to look like me."

[Muffin Puffin]

"Aislyn has tons of questions. She wants to get to know Mama. She wants to learn more. Yehudit will have some of your features."

[Lazey Winde]

"She's already starting..." Liadan shook her head.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Lia. Listen to me.  Little ones, they don't get behavioral traits from their parents. Look at Aislyn. She would never dream of cheating on Nelek. As she grows you'll find more of you in her appearance."

[Lazey Winde]

"I know she's not ever going to be evil like them. She's innocent. But that won't keep her from looking like one of them." Liadan said. She tightened her arms around Aron.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Then we will have to find features on her that resemble us." Aron hugged her tightly. "We'll get through this."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan hiccuped. "I guess so."

Fawne nuzzled Liadan's shoulder.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron held Lia close, his chin resting on top of her head.

[Lazey Winde]

"Liadan, would you like to come be with the herd for a while?" Fawne asked.

"What about Yehudit?" Liadan asked, her voice muffled.

"She can come too." Fawne said.

Liadan looked up at Aron.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron's heart sank. He wanted Lia safely away from the village, tucked in the mountains of Bavaria until it was safe to come home. But he could tell that Lia ached to go with the unicorns. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "If it's what you want and it's what's best for you..."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan kissed Aron's cheek.

"I'll come back." She promised. "I won't go until Yehudit wakes up."

"She'll be safe with us." Fawne told Aron.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron nodded at Lia and ran his fingers through her hair. Then he turned to Fawne. "I know she will be. I just feel...inadequate...that I can't protect my family."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan's eyes teared up.

"Oh Aron, you do protect me."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron wrapped his arms around Lia and held her close. He rested his cheek atop her head. "I love you, Cupcake."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan hiccuped. "I love you too."

Fawne curiously sniffed at some breadcrumbs that had escaped Aislyn's broom.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Fawne? Can I get you anything?" Aislyn inquired as Aron cuddled Lia to him.

[Lazey Winde]

"I'm a little hungry." Fawne admitted.

"Did you find Brighid?" Liadan asked Aron.

[Muffin Puffin]

"What can I fix for you?" Aislyn asked, moving a little closer.

Aron shook his head. "It's like she disappeared into thin air."

[Lazey Winde]

Fawn did not know much about human food, only that humans had more complex food preparation than unicorns and that humans made bread which tasted good.

"Anything will be good." Fawne said.

Liadan squeezed Aron's hand, she was worried. "Maybe she's hurt."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn smiled and bustled about the kitchen.  She tore apart a fresh loaf of bread that burst with a buttery flavor, then Aislyn pulled apart a few sticky buns to place on another plate. She added an apple and some greens, then set the plates down for Fawne.

Aron looked thoughtful. "I didn't see any indication of her being injured. No blood or anything."

[Lazey Winde]

Fawne tapped a rear hoof happily and dug in.

"That doesn't mean that she isn't hurt." Liadan fussed, then trailed off, her eyes moving to the sticky buns Aislyn had given Fawne.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn smiled at the young unicorn and set about fixing platters for everyone else.

"I know," Aron replied with a calm he didn't feel. "But without some sort of trail, I'm not certain how to find her. I'm almost starting to feel like I imagined her or she swooped in for one thing and then left again."

[Lazey Winde]

"Maybe we should check at Ertzels... and Kegan's." Liadan said worriedly.

[Muffin Puffin]

"I can do that. After you eat and Yehudit wakes up, and you've left with the herd. No reason for you to be in danger while looking for Brie."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan chewed on her lower lip. "If Brie is hurt or anything I want to know."

[Muffin Puffin]

"I can come tell you," Aron assured her.

[Lazey Winde]

"Be careful." Liadan hugged Aron tightly.

[Muffin Puffin]

"You as well," Aron whispered, holding her close.  He kissed the top of her head.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan rose onto her toes and passionately kissed Aron full on the lips.

Fawne was licking the glaze off of one of her sticky buns.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron's eyes widened slightly before letting his lashes flutter down as he returned her kiss, filled with love and passion.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan reluctantly broke off the kiss and looked down.

"I think I hear Yehudit." She mumbled.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Yeah," Aron said softly, his voice laced with disappointment. He glanced over to Fawne. "Take good care of them. Please."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan felt guilty. She retreated up the stairs.

"We will." Fawne promised. "We will probably stay close to the village while she is with us."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aron nodded and glanced away for a moment, then back to Fawne. "Don't hesitate to come for me if she needs anything. Anything at all."

[Lazey Winde]

"I  will." Fawne said. "I can tell she cares for you deeply... And I doubt she will be away from you for long."

Liadan fussed over Yehudit.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Thank you, Fawne," Aron said, then bolted for the door as he choked up.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan came down the stairs just as Aron bolted out the door.

"What happened?" Liadan asked.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn moved over next to Lia. "Nothing happened. Aron got...over emotional and like any typical male, he's going to bolt to save face."

[Lazey Winde]

"Aron's not a typical male. Most men wouldn't have married me and..." Liadan's face clouded. 

[Muffin Puffin]

"Never said he was typical in all ways," Aislyn said. "But he feels deeply and right now, he doesn't want to show his emotions to anyone."

[Lazey Winde]

"I'd like to say bye before I go." Liadan said.

[Muffin Puffin]

"I think he was heading for Ertzel's," Aislyn replied, eyeing her friend sadly.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan looked at Fawne. "Maybe we can go there on the way out."

Fawne nodded.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn headed toward the oven, offering up a prayer for all of their souls and lives, one hand protectively over her stomach.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan moved towards the door. "I'm going now, Ais. But I'll be back, probably before my new little niece or nephew is born."

[Muffin Puffin]

"I hope so," Aislyn said before hurrying to the door. She wrapped Lia in a hug and held her close. "Be safe."

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan got a little teary-eyed.

"I'll be safe with the herd. Bye Ais. I'm gonna go see Aron."

[Muffin Puffin]

"Bye, Lia," Aislyn whispered, choking back a sob as she dropped her arms.

[Lazey Winde]

"I'll be back." Liadan promised again, then slipped out the door with Fawne.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn slumped down on the chair and stared at the left behind sticky buns.

[Lazey Winde]

Liadan came back into the bakery, pocketed a dozen sticky buns, then slipped back out the door.

[Muffin Puffin]

As much as Aislyn was already missing Lia, she couldn't help but snicker when Lia snuck in and swiped the buns.

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek stood behind Aislyn and massaged her shoulders.

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn leaned against Nelek, her fingers resting on top of his hands.

[Lazey Winde]

"The cottage seems quieter already." Nelek observed.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Too quiet," Aislyn said. She sighed softly.

[Lazey Winde]

"She'll copme back." Nelek tried to cheer her. "Those sticky buns won't last her long. And pretty soon we'll be hearing the pitter patter of little feet."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn nodded. "That's very true. And this will give us the chance to be alone and for me to work on baby clothing." Aislyn mustered a small smile.

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek smiled back. "Privacy will be nice... I can walk around the cottage in my underwear."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn giggled. "Yes, you can. And I have a lot of things to do around the cottage to prepare for the babe."

[Lazey Winde]

"I'll make a crib." Nelek said.

[Muffin Puffin]

"Can we enlarge the bedroom a little bit? I guess moving the wardrobe and chest would do that."

[Lazey Winde]

Nelek stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I could."

[Muffin Puffin]

"Good," Aislyn smiled, her head leaning against his stomach.

[Lazey Winde]

"You work me hard." Nelek grinned.

[Muffin Puffin]

"I'll be working myself just as hard," Aislyn assured him.

[Lazey Winde]

"We won't let you." Nelek teased. "I and the rest of your family will be fussing over you so much you won't even have to move."

[Muffin Puffin]

Aislyn grinned. "Our family. And I suppose so, but there is so much to do to prepare."

[Lazey Winde]

"You just take it easy and let us run ourselves ragged." Nelek kissed her cheek.

[Muffin Puffin]

"I suppose I can concentrate on sitting and making baby things," Aislyn smiled.