Dearly Departed

Dane shrugged, "Suit yourself. I'll just wait here."

Gwene smiled "Thanks for understanding."


She sighed "We should be in there now, but we are just working up the courage. It is really nerve racking to be honest."

"Mm, let's just get it over with, hey?" Konbei said.

Gwene nodded and stood up, she took Niamh's hand and thread her arm through Konbei's, together they walked to Nuala's home and knocked on the door.

"...Gwene?!" Nuala said, surprised. "Where have-" she stopped short when she looked down and noticed Niamh. As soon as she saw her knew exactly what was going on; the child was a dead-ringer of them both, and her eyes, they were Konbei's.

Nuala pushed the door the rest of the way open. "Get inside," she said, looking at Konbei inparticular.

Gwene proceeded inside and sat at the table, Niamh hoped up and sat on her lap and gave her a smile.

If Niamh wasn't nervous, she had no reason to be.

"One of you better start explaining," Nuala said with a raised eyebrow as she looked between Konbei and Gwene.

"I was kidnapped, I was pregnant, I guess, and I didn't know about it until I came back four days ago." Gwene said courageously. But she still was afraid what Nuala might say. She held Konbei's hand beneath the table and it was shaking slightly.

Nuala looked over Gwene, noticing that she hadn't aged. "How..?" she stopped and shook her head.

Konbei gave Gwene's hand a reassuring squeeze. "She was 'sleeping' apparently," Konbei said. "We dunno what that means exactly yet but it sounds like she was in a stasis..."

Gwene nodded to confirm what Konbei said was true.

Nuala rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Alright..." she sighed, looking at the little girl.

"Niamh." Gwene said to her "Could you please go find Celeste and play with her for a bit."

The little girl nodded and left the room, and Gwene turned her attention back to Nuala.

"Nuala, I can understand if you hate me right now, but I wish to say something first." Gwene said, her voice still full of courage, but some doubt was in the mix. "Most if this was out of our control, I would have loved to have felt carrying her around for nine months, but I couldn't, I would have loved to have held her when she was born, but I couldn't, I would have loved to have feed her, taught her how to walk and talk, but I couldn't." she paused for a moment.

"I can only begin to imagine how you must feel that your only son has a daughter, with me. But think how we feel, I have only known about her for four days, but I am already proud of her and love her to bits, and nothing is going to change that." she looked to Konbei for a few moments and looked back to Nuala

"I love you son Nuala, truly I do, and I feel honoured that I gave him a daughter and you a grandaughter. I'll be honest, I am a little nervous about being a parent, I'm afraid that I may do something wrong, but I wish you would support us through this and that I can look to you for support and advice."

Gwene had said what she needed to say, Konbei's hand still in his, she grasped it tightly trying to stop from shaking.

Nuala sighed at Gwene. "Gwene, I don't hate you, and I'm not disappointed in either if you. I'm just concerned that your both underestimating the situation a little. It's tough raising a child and I just hope you're prepared to put everything second to Niamh," she paused and looked at Konbei and slightly raised an eyebrow as if to tell him that statement was especially directed at him.

"But I also feel sorry for you that you missed out on being a part of some of her most important milestones..." Nuala said sincerely. "Of course I'll be here to help but I'll tell you now, that's not to be taken advantage of."

"Nuala." Gwene said with a bright smile. "Thank you." she got up went around and gave Nuala a hug. "You have nothing to worry about, I will do my absolute best Niamh is well looked after."

"Though I am a little hurt that it took you so long to tell me..." Nuala said.

"I'm sorry." Gwene apologised, she looked over at Konbei "He wanted to bring her straight here and meet you right away, but I wanted to get to know her first." she paused "Would you like a proper introduction to your grandaughter?"

Grandaughter... That word would take a little getting used too.

"...Sure," Nuala said.

Gwene lead Nuala to Niamh and Celeste, both of whom were enjoying playing with each other.

"Niamh." Gwene summoned Niamh. "I have someone here I would like you to meet." she gestured to Nuala.

Niamh walked up to Nuala and looked up at her. "Wow, you hair is pretty, it looks like mine!"

Nuala sat on a nearby chair so she was more at Niamh's level. "You're right our hair does look the same doesn't it?" She said, stroking the ends of Niamh's hair.

"Turn around for a minute, Niamh," Nuala said and glanced at Konbei and Gwene as though what she was about to say was also directed at them. "Do you know when your birthday is?"

Niamh turned around, feeling rather excited. "My birthday. I was told it was the 10th day of the 6th month."

Gwene quickly thought in her head, that would make her birthday in three months.

"Did they tell you why your mother was asleep?" Nuala asked as she started braiding Niamh's hair in the same style as Gwene's.

(You should put Niamh in the character thread in case she's ever used again)

"They said she was hurt and she needed rest." Niamh said "I can't really remember much though."

"I see," Nuala said. She finished the braid and hung it over Niamh's shoulder. Nuala leant in towards Niamh so only she could her. "Now who's hair does your's look like?"

Niamh gasped in surprise. "Mama! I look just like you!"

Gwene smiled, she knelt down and get a better view, she could easily pass for a younger her. "You have your Grandmother to thank for that."

"Grandmother?" Niamh asked.

"Yes." Gwene gestured to Nuala "This is Nuala, and she is your grandmother."

Niamh's face turned to delight and she leapt into Nuala's arms and squealed "Grandma!"

Nuala smiled a little and smoothed her hand over the back of Niamh's head.

Nuala looked up at Gwene. "She's friendly, isn't she?" She commented lightly.