Wedding day was beginning to creep closer and closer, leaving Priscilla increasingly busy as well as a bit anxious. How on earth had she put this together on Terra one time before? There was so much to coordinate and things had changed from something small to something overwhelmingly large. Somehow, inviting a few of the Elite men who helped guard Illya's home meant they all were coming. All of them. And probably their wives too. Not that Priscilla minded their presence, but she had to go to the venue and caterers to get extra seating, supply food and drink at the caterers, then she had to get a list of everyone for seating. Luckily, somehow Calysta found time to help her compile a list and she made place settings for all of them. The small Kaerelean woman did ask a few questions about Terran weddings, the most amusing of which was regarding the size. "Are all Terran weddings this...big?" Calysta asked curiously, "I've only ever seen them in holograms." Priscilla took a sip of her coffee and shook her head. "No, some are quite simple and small. That's what I was hoping to do here. I had a large one with Harry and it was mass chaos. but here I am in the thick of it again." She sighed and looked into the empty mug of coffee. There were still a few details that had to be arranged and time was running out. "I'm going to get some more coffee," she smiled to Calysta. The woman looked tired but was still helping her create name places in Qouti for the guests. "Do you need anything?" The woman declined anything and ket working on writing out names.
Priscilla came into the kitchen and poured herself another cup of coffee with sweet cream. Whatever brand Calysta had brought from Kinte was absolutely delicious. Stirring her cup, she opened her notebook and sighed. Wedding planning was never easy no matter who you were and she was coming to a slightly saddening realization that her side of the aisle was looking barren. Sure, there were the Monroes but otherwise she wasnt sure who else to bring. Her family was long scattered, or would sooner kill her than come to her wedding. About that time Illya came into the kitchen and she sat up a little straighter. There was one decision she had already made. "Illya? Do you mind talking for a minute?"
It was a weekend and Illya had just finished putting the kids down for a nap, or quiet time. For his and Kalizda's sanity there had to be some quiet time during the day. Kalizda said that she'd got him some soda that was made the old fashioned way, with sugar and not corn syrup and she had a few other special geyser drinks for him. She knew that he missed having a special drink every now and then. There was juice too and if he mixed it with geyser water it would be like a soda, but healthier. Illya wanted to make a geyser juice for himself and Kalizda and he was on his way into the kitchen when Priscilla asked if they could talk. "Yes, I can talk wit yah." Heading over to the fridge he pulled out one of the juices. It looked like it was called tart cherry. Some of the little shops in Pytra had hired Rose to help them make Quoti labels and helped increase their sales because the Chippequoti liked shopping when they could easily read what the product was.
He went straight for the fridge and she shifted to allow him better access. His reply was a bit gruff and it made her wonder if there was a better time to be asking him questions. She knew he was struggling and it wasnt easy. How Calysta was managing so many children, work, and a husband who was having trouble was some kind of miracle and she was glad things seemed to be working out. "You know that Ehud and I are planning a wedding soon. It will be Terran style though, and I'm not sure how familiar you are with Terran ceremonies but I wondered if you might want to help me in the process?"
Pouring to glasses half way with juice Illya listened to Priscilla talk about her and Ehud getting married. He grabbed the geyser water and then paused when she asked if he would help. "Yeah, I would help yah. Nut sure how much help I can be. I dun know anyting about a Terran wedding."
He seemed entirely distracted and Priscilla folded her hands over her coffee cup, enjoying the warmth. "I thought not. I was hoping you might want to walk me down the aisle. Its a role usually filled by the father. He escorts the bride down to the man and gives her away to her knew protector, so to speak... my father wont come, so I was wondering of you would do it."
"Oh..." Illya set the geyser water on the counter next to the two half full glasses and then turned around. "Dat's a pretty serious ting tah ask. Et's a honor and I dun know ef I..." He couldn't say that he'd really been a protector, or even good at it, but she'd asked him to do this. "I will do et as yah ask. Jes might need tah give meh some pointers on how tah do et right."
His slow response made her sink a little. She wasnt sure he would actually want to do it and it sounded like a 'no.' When he rounded to a yes, she smiled brightly and her eyes lit with relief. "You would really want to? Of course. I could teach you what you need to know. Thank you, Illya." She put a hand over his and squeezed it a little before letting go. "It means alot to me that you're stepping in like this. I'll let Ehud know."
Priscilla moved a little closer and she put her hand over his briefly. Having her put her hand over his was a little disconcerting to start, but Illya realized it was just a friendly gesture. Some people were that way. "Yes, I tink et would be good for Ehud tah know how his wedding planning es going." Illya couldn't really think of anything else to say and so he smiled.
That evening, Priscilla sat alongside Ehud after their dinner and poured over her agenda, making sure everything was timed and paid for exactly as it should be. It was strange to think of having a large wedding again. The reason her wedding was so large last time was because Harry's family was massive and it was expected for them to attend. With a small sigh, she flipped the book closed and yawned before inching a little close to her fiance who was looking over something on his pad. He looked deep in concentration and she couldn't help but inch her delicate bare foot across to casually nudge his leg some. It got his attention and she chuckled playfully. "Well, I think I've managed the last of the arrangements. Food will be there, drinks, seating, and a Terran officiate. All the Elders have their nice tables set so we can agree afterward too. Illya agreed to walk me down the aisle too. We're a month away from the day," she said. Her smile grew more playful and she nudged him again. "It's not to late to run for the hills before you're stuck with me, hm?"
* * * * * * * * * *
Calysta was more than excited to attend the fashion show. She had never been to one before and had planned on wearing a simple tunic and boots before her daughter appeared in the doorway wearing a pretty skirt and loose fitting peasant top. It was a very Terran outfit and her makeup was certainly heavier than Calysta had ever worn before. Rose clucked her tongue and shook her head. "Kalizda you can't go in that. It's a fashion show. Women dress up to go to these." Calysta raised a brow at her so suddenly knowledgable daughter as the girl swooped in and began rummaging through the closet. A few articles of clothing were tossed out on the bed until Rose let out a satisfied "Aha!" A nice, short summer dress of deep green and white fluttered to the bed and she tossed out a pair of strappy tan sandals. "Here. Now that's better. Go ahead and try it on." Calysta hesitated for a moment before peeling off her tunic in favor of the dress. She hadn't worn that one in about a year or so and it was still the warm season. She might as well dress up while she could. The tunic was tossed into the closet and she began shimmying into the dress which looked to be a few sizes to large at this point. It slid over her bony shoulders and spine to hang lose over her hip bones. "Hmm..." she said, "I'll just wear a belt with it, yeah?" Rose's brow was knitted together in a clear look of unpleasant surprise, but Calysta ignored it and found a woven brown belt to make the dress fit properly. "There. Much better," she said, making the outfit final. "Now, lets go."
The massive tent had been set up in one of the rotated fields for the evening and flytr bugs were already started to hover over the stubby red grasses, their glowing bodies creating a trail across the skyline. Rose looked excited and Calysta smiled at the sight. It had been awhile since she had gotten to do anything with her eldest daughter and this seemed like a good thing. Women from all over Pyrta were already pouring into the tent. Rose grabbed her hand and tugged her forward into the tent where they were met by a steady drum beat and the smell of food. "We had better get a seat down front or we'll never see anything," Rose grinned. If all the Chip women stood up, they would be entirely engulfed.
They found a low lying round table surrounded by Reylian poufs and occupied by the familiar faces of Tabit and Ahvah. The two women were already sipping on drinks and chatting to others as the show was starting to get underway. "Hey Ahvah! Tabit!" It had been a long time since she had seen her friends outside of any sort of work capacity and they were a welcome sight. Rose guided them over and they sat down on the soft poufs, ready to see what the night had in store. Before much more could be said, a waiter came around and offered them sweet creme liquor along with some small finger food. Calysta selected a few chocolate bon-bons and a glass of the sweet creme. She knew she wouldn't have anything more than just that drink because she wasn't about to go home to Illya with having alcohol in her system. He didn't need that temptation or reminder. The cream was delicious and she savored the sweet taste between the little bites of dessert being offered up by the passing waiters. "This is much bigger than I thought," Calysta admitted, "Thanks for making sure I got an invite, Ahvah."
It wasn't long before the show began. Calysta exchanged looks with Rose with nearly every beautiful gown that swept over the catwalk. There were some stunning evening wear dresses and some beautiful tunics available too. The colors had expanded from traditional black to a rainbow, but strictly the colors of sky blue and dark blue were avoided. No one wanted to look as though they were in mourning. Eventually, they showed off some mens wear which Calysta found appealing too. There were several things she thought Illya might like or would look good on him and she carefully selected those on her order form. She knew his measurements better than her own at this point and marking them off was easy.
They had seen quite a few beautiful dresses and more than enough handsome Chip and Kaerelean blend men's tunics in a rainbow of colors already. It was enough that when the music faded into the back ground that Calysta was beginning to fill out her purchase sheet on her pad while chatting along with Ahvah and the other Chip women who had come to watch. To her surprise, the lights dimmed even lower until soft red lightening hummed to life over the walkway, creating a sensual sort of look against the flowy black curtains being unfurled on either side. Pyra stood at the end of the catwalk in a stunning dress of black and silver made from her own design as she announced in trader's tongue, then in Kaerelean that the next show was about to start. The announcement was made by a translator for the Chippeqouti women in attendance as well and the music began to rise with a steady beat again until a woman appeared onto the catwalk sporting a long, billowing nightie of turquoise silk. There were oooohs and aaahs over the crowds of women and Calysta's mouth slipped open a little as she realized that this was also...a lingerie show. Her eyes peeled from the models, all of whom were tall, gorgeous women, and glanced to her daughter who was looking eagerly at the sets. "Do they work?" she asked openly to the table, "I mean, the seem impressive and beautiful, but do men actually like them?" Her daughter was bold and Rose had always been the prudent type. She wouldn't invest in something she wasn't sure would work as intended.
A few of the Chip women had some things marked on their orders. Ahvah specifically wanted to get Ehvan one of the tunics that had a little bit looser cut. His guts seemed to hurt badly enough that some days it was all he could bear to have a tunic on, much less have it snugly tightened. He often wore them open when he was at home and having a painful day. Perhaps if she got him something that was a little more roomy inside he would be more comfortable and he could feel like it was appropriate to go out even if he didn't feel the best. About time she finished carefully selecting a few pieces for Ehvan the best part of the show started and she sat back to watch. Rose burst out with an odd question and Ahvah and Tabit both looked to the girl and laughed. Tabit answered first, "Oh they work alright. Just make sure you tell him he gets nothing if he rips it."
Another set came down the walkway, a more daring set of strappy corsets and garters with a bright tangerine color combined with black lace. Calysta hardly noticed this one when her daughter asked an open question. The girl had already tried once and she highly doubted that abstinence would work for long after she was off her grounding time. Still, it wasn't a subject she was good at talking about without blushing or sounding awkward even to her nearly seventeen year old daughter. When the answer came from Tabit and Ahvah with a few chuckles, Rose looked aghast. They would get excited enough to rip it? "He wouldn't dare," she said confidently, "Or he certainly wouldn't be getting...anything. " It was a proud attempt at sounding grown up but Calysta could see through that, and Rose knew it too. "I think I will see what I like though. Is it better to go with something...ah...simple?"
Ahvah raised an eyebrow at the girl and she laughed again. This time a few of the other Chip women laughed with her. Naturally, they were going to let Ahvah have her moment and shock the poor girl. Every girl had a chance to learn this lesson and it was better learned from a woman that had gone the road ahead of her. "Naked is simple as you get and it's still uncomfortable the first night. Ehvan didn't quite know where to put it and I tried to help him on the first night. It was horrible." Speaking in Quoti she hushed her voice some, though it wasn't likely that anyone besides other Chips would hear the language and know it. "He just thought he could go right at it like a wild rabbit. I screamed and there was blood and he jumped off of me and danced about like a mad man trying to figure out if he'd somehow murdered me. It was embarrassing to say the least, but I eventually had to ask my mother if we'd done it wrong and found out it was right, but we needed to take our time the first round. I wouldn't get in such a hurry to wear something exciting, Simple is better." Tabit snorted, "Or naked is fine. No man complains when he sees a naked woman."
Rose's eyes grew round at the story Ahvah uttered in hushed Qouti. Discomfort? Pain? Blood? These were not at all like the romance novels she had read nor was it like any thing she had heard Kalizda and Illya doing upstairs which sounded so nice sometimes. Her eyes shifted to Calysta as if looking for confirmation that this was the truth and not some older woman trying to scare her away from such activities. Calysta had told her how sex worked but Rose had never thought it would be painful. She found her mother was nodding in agreement. "It's not all that glamorous to start and....depending on your partner...it takes a long while yet to get good at it."
Rose shifted uncomfortable and glanced at Ahvah again with a wince. "He didn't even...take it slow? He just jumped right in? Don't men know they're supposed to romance a woman. That's a simple thing too."
Tabit glanced at Ahvah and both women shook their heads. Ahvah smiled gently, "No, they don't know they're supposed to romance the girl unless she tells him, or unless he's older and he already knows better. Once you have them trained they're quite nice." Ahvah pointed to a racy blue bit of lingerie. It was a lovely aqua blue with gold decoration on it. There was enough to cover the breasts and stomach and then long slits on either side that went up to the hip. "I think I'll ask if I can try that one on. Ehvan would like it and he knows to take it slow." Stepping up to the stage she walked over to Pyra. "Please, I try dat one and see how et looks. Model et for meh friends and see ef dey approve?"
Rose looked almost wild eyed at the idea of a man having to be trained to do anything. They should just know to treat a woman. They grew up with them. Suddenly, it was seeming like having a man was alot of work. The more she thought about Sam, the more that became apparent. Sometimes he couldnt find things in plain sight, left the toilet seat up or made wild choices. That would hve been what she was climbing into bed with! When Ahvah got up, her eyes followed the woman over to the glamorous Reylian who smiled. "Of course," she said gesturing to the changing tent, "My assistant in the tent will find the right size for you at your leisure." Beckoning the woman forward, she lead her away to go sample the merchandise. "Do you see anything you like yet?" Calysta asked Tabit, hoping to recover some of her surprise, "Pris has a wedding coming up too. These might make good little wedding presents."
Ahvah nodded eagerly and she walked with one of the women showing her to the changing tent. Inside she went through the racks and chose a few pieces beside the aqua one. "I try dese and get in line tah show et off." Stepping in behind the other models, Ahvah gave a swish to long lingerie and grinned before marching out confidently to show her style to the other women. A few of the ladies clapped and yelled to her, "Yah look like sexy!" Sticking one scarred let out of the side slit on the Lingerie Ahvah gave a smolder and small twitch to her hip. It made the whole piece of lingerie ripple gracefully around her legs and then she swung around and let her hips sway as she marched back to go try on her next piece. As soon as she finished that little display several other women jumped up and wanted to begin modeling the pieces they liked.
Apparently, the Chip women were more raucous than Calysta gave them credit for. Tabit must not have heard her question over the cheering when Ahvah took the stage. The woman looked wonderful in bright turquoise and gold with her deep tan skin. Rose watched as more of the chip women got up to try the fashion pieces. She was so lost in thought over the fact that the first night would be awful and that dressing up would do little to fix that, she hardly noticed her mother vanishing. She certainly noticed when her mother appeared on stage in a tiny,
red silk nightie with stockings. She looked shy, and lacked Ahvah's flair in walking across the catwalk, but her cheeks were pink with a bit of alcohol and carried a look of determination. .
Tabit stood in the back and cheered loudly as Calysta stepped out in her red little number. Ahvah was returning from showing another piece and she grinned. "Yah look like little flame." They all knew that Illya would like to see her wearing red and with stockings it was quite risque. One of the other women jumped up, "I want one of dese leg socks!"
Calysta looked slightly emboldened when the women cheered and she smiled a bit more before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her little steps grew that much more confident as she laughed as she continued down the walk way. When someone called out for "leg socks" Prya called over her assistant, a reedy looking woman, and had a quick conversation in Kaerelean before addressing all the women in attendance. "I'm having all of my stockings brought out for show along with the garters and matching shoe selection." Some of the women looked uncertain as to how that worked, so Pyra called over Calysta. "The stockings clip right into the garters like so and then you can unclip to let your lover discover as you like." Pyra smiled and knelt next to the councilwoman. She easily unclasped the garter and slid down the stocking over her pale, smooth legs.
A round of loud 'ooohs' and 'aahs' fell over the group of women as Pyra demonstrated the leg socks. Some of the other younger women decided to get in line to buy some of those leg socks. They were quite exciting. One older woman's eyes widened and she huffed a bit as she got up and decided to walk out of the fashion show, but not before entering her order for some of the more appropriate attire that was offered.
Rose cheered a little as her mother had decided to try some of the lingerie. She supposed that some girls would have been embarrassed, but it was no secret that Kalizda and Illya lead an active night life- evidence of that came in the form of multiple children- and Kalizda had always encouraged her not to be ashamed. Cautious, yes, but not ashamed. The other women got in line when the leg socks were displayed in all types. Fishnets, delicate laces, soft silks and sexy shears with matching garters and heels were on display everywhere. Calysta herself bought the little red number and another set for the absent Terran woman Priscilla. It would be a good gift for their wedding as they already had a fully furnished house to live in. Maybe it would supply them with some motivation to fill the extra bedroom. That wry little thought came to Calysta's mind and she laughed before joining the other women in line. "Thank you for the invitation," she said to Ahvah with a grin, "I think the whole affair turned out wonderfully. I don't think the gentlemen will mind it so much either. Illya will get his little flame, yeah?" She chuckled and then took a sip of water as they placed their orders.
On the way home, Calysta grinned up at Rose and winked. "That was fun. Maybe they will do another one soon. Did you order anything?" Rose gave a rare bashful sort of look and shook her head. "No, I thought...well, I thought I might wait awhile." It didn't take much to see that she was talking more than just about clothing and Calysta wrapped an arm around her daughter's waist and they walked home together. When they arrived, she found the house was dark and silent except for some absolutely obnoxious episode of Micky Martian playing. She knew this one all too well and the hologram coin had been set on replay apparently. Letting go of Rose, she quickly crossed the room and turned off the hologram coin. At some point everyone had gone to bed and the only remaining evidence was globs of nail polish on the floor and a few crackers stuff into the chair. She would clean that up in the morning. One by one, she checked on the children. The twins were sleeping soundly and Lohgan was piled upside down in her bed. Cypher was asleep with his arm tucked carefully against him. Best of all was finding her Chip in the bed his hands were a rainbow of glittery colors- no doubt a present left by his youngest daughter-and there was a pile of berets on the beside table. Calysta chuckled at her snoring husband and dropped her bags by the door before slipping into bed with him. He was warm and his steady breathing was nice to listen to, even with the snoring, as she fell asleep have come home a literal fashion model.
The next morning she woke with a small yawn and found Illya struggling with few remaining clips in his hair. She chuckled as one fell free and his fingers fumbled with another one, unable to loosen it enough to let go. "Aye, c'mere." Her fingers played over his scalp as she unclasped the remaining pink berets. "I don't know, I rather think they are your color." The earned her a look and she laughed all the more as she helped him undo the rest.
That afternoon they played at the park with all of the children and it was a glorious day to do so. The sun was out in full display and the children ran through the red grasses to the swings and climbing squares without a care in the world. They set up a nice lunch of snacks and let the children run. Occasionally, she would give chase to them just to hear their peals of wild laughter when they managed to escape to the "safe" space on the picnic blanket. It was a grand romp of a time that left her cheeks pink from the sun and her lips curled into a happy smile long after they had left to go to the chocolate shop. Calysta helped the twins sip on their hot chocolates, blowing on the hot liquid to make sure they wouldn't burn themselves before tipping the cups to their lips. "Oooh was that good?" Edgar smacked his tongue against his lips and grinned with his chubby cheeks. "More!" She chuckled and nodded. "Please?" He nodded and eagerly gripped the up to suck down his hot chocolate with gusto.
Dinner would be a lighter one since they had eaten so heavily during the day and everyone was tuckered out from a full day of simply having fun. They needed a little fun as a family and she was glad Illya had wanted to go out with his children. He tried to help with the cooking, but she could tell that he was tired and probably sore by this point. "I'm almost done," she whispered to him, "Why don't you go help the kids get set at the table, yeah?" There wasn't any need for him to be standing any longer than he had to. Later that night, he held her close and cracked off a few jokes about wanting to just lay around before they got too old to admire each other. It was odd to hear him talk like that. Not that he wouldn't normally make a joke of that nature but because he didn't seem to want hard work. That was the true concern. She gazed at him, studying his tan face with his prominent, but handsome features in a look of worry before masking it. "Who says we'll get wrinkly, eh? All I'll see are the laugh lines from too my smiles, and the crows feet from the same," she chuckled as her fingers brushed over his cheek. They chuckled in the dark with one another until they both fell asleep.
Morning came all too soon and Calysta woke to the sound of Lohgan stomping through the house. "Mam! Maaam! French toast! French toast!" A tacked on little "please!" was added through the door on an after thought and finally Calysta could sleep through the ruckus no more. She slinked out of bed, put on her robe and gave a stretch. Her body felt achy and she groaned some before stiffly padding out of the door. Lohgan was right there and immediately the girl clung to her legs, beaming up at her expectantly. "French toast?" Calysta ruffled her daughters firey mop of dark red hair and nodded. She had no idea how to make french toast, but apparently she was going to learn today. Lohgan had successfully woken up the twins and Cypher emerged from his room looking grumpy. "Can I have the tea, Mam?" Calysta had one of the twins on her hip and he was crying because she had taken a spatula from him. "Edgar...stop..." The crying continued into an all out toddler fit which caused his brother to burst into tears from...lack of the same attention? Or maybe they had both been woken up too early by their sister and were simply grumpy too. She was beginning to think it was all a conspiracy amongst her children to see who could break her first.
Rubbing at her temples, she mixed up the goopy eggs for french toast and then summarily burned the first batch trying to make tea for Cypher at the same time. Lohgan helped herself to some berries while she waited and Calysta struggled with flipping the dredged cinnamon doused toast over the hot pan with Edgar wailing in her arms. She chased the toast all over the pain, her tongue stuck in the corner of her mouth and her nerves on edge already for 7am in the morning. "I am a highly decorated pilot, engineer and mechanic. I can bloody well make french toast!" She told herself with determination. After a desperate chase over the hot pan, she finally managed to free the toast and slapped it out on a Mickey Martian plate. The first order would go to....where was Lohgan? The girl had left an empty, blue stained bowl and gone into the living room to play. "Where did your sister go, Cypher?" Calysta blinked. "She said she wasn't hungry anymore. She ate all my berries and den left," he grumped. He still hadn't gotten his tea and now all of his berries were gone.
After fixing 12 more batches of french toast, which was kind of required since thats how much egg dredge she had managed to over-make, she wandered into the bedroom to put on real clothing and to wake up Illya. It was close to 9am now and she didn't know if he would sleep much longer or not. "Illya?" She sat next to him on the bed and ran a hand through his hand, smoothing it down gently. "Illya, are you ready for some breakfast? It's ready. Why don't you come eat with us?" He grumbled something back about wanting to sleep all day and she chuckled. "C'mon. I made french toast. Sort of."
Finally, she cajoled him up and into the shower. How he had managed to sleep through all the children was a mystery. While he was showering, she went back downstairs to make his plate and her own so they could all sit down together. Just as she was putting syrup onto the table a heavy thud rocked the house. Calysta knew that sound all too well. Disentangling herself from Tomas, she ran upstairs half stumbling at the top then hit the second flight of steps. By the time she made it to the bedroom Illya was flopped out on the ground like a pale fish, flopping rhythmically. "Shit." Diving for her night stand, Calysta fumbled to find the vials of medicine she kept close by. Pouring the medicine down his throat was even harder since his face was slick with blood. A swath of red on the bedpost told her he had definitely hit his temple when he fell. The liquid medicine didn't work even after she counted down the seconds. "Damnit!" She dumped out her bedside drawer entirely and found the shot he needed. With a well practiced hand, she primed the needle then drove it into his leg, pushing all of the medicine into his system. "One....two...three...four..." The longer she counted the more it became apparent the seizure wasn't going to stop. Half panicked, she grabbed at her pad and called the Ehaui, her fingers mashing the holographic buttons in desperation.
They came quickly, but by the time they arrived the grand mal seizure had ended and they carried him down the stairs limp as a ragdoll with all the children crying. "Is Dah dead?" Cypher asked, his bottom lip trembling. He certainly looked dead with pale skin and limp limbs everywhere. "No, he just had a very bad seizure. It's okay," she told Cypher numbly. In nothing but a pair of pajama bottoms and a tunic top, Calysta followed them in her flyer to the hospital while the children stayed home with Papa Thomas. It seemed to take years for Illya to show any signs of waking up and even then she wasn't sure how much of a state he would be in when he did. How badly had he hit his head? Calysta slumped over the side of the bed and curled her fingers around his large, brown hand. When his bright green eyes cracked open she was waiting for him. Immediately, he mumbled something about being sorry and she winced. "Shh...there's nothing to be sorry for...it's okay." She whispered to him and smoothed down his hair again, her fingers running through the messy curls with a gentle touch.
Eventually, the doctor came back in when Illya was more awake to give his report. Ehaui were always straightforward like that and it was something Calysta preferred. Except, this time the doctor suggested that he might be taking medicine again or drinking instead of going entirely clean. It was a fair question of course, but it made Calysta bristle until those issues were ruled out and the Ehaui came to the conclusion that it was pure and simple exhaustion. Illya needed rest and that's all there was to it. He had been working so hard and she knew it was for her. That thought struck a cord in her that hurt and she found herself nodding along with the doctor. "He'll get proper rest." She would make sure of it, though this did put an end to some of the other things she had planned. This was her fault and any plans she made were irrelevant in comparison to making sure he was alright.
* * * * * * * * * *
The children were naturally terribly upset by the time they came home. Cypher and Lohgan wanted nothing more than to cling to her when Illya went to bed for the rest of the day and she let them stick to her while they sat on the couch. She fixed them something to eat and let them snuggle on either side of her until the both fell asleep from the effort of the afternoon. While the children napped, she did a few things that needed to get done. Namely, she cleaned the kitchen and went to the laundry room where her and Illya's bag was packed. It didn't take but a few minutes to unpack it, but she paused at the bottom of Illya's bag before pulling out his handsome red wedding sash. It was the same one he had worn in their first wedding. The second one too. Her fingers brushed over the smooth silk as she remembered what he had looked like in the desert that morning when the sun rose. Something he likely didn't remember. With extra care, she began to fold it neatly and stow it away in the closet when her father came in carrying his own laundry. When his eyes set on the sash, he frowned. "You're unpacking?"
Calysta nodded. "Aye."
"Why? He's had seizures before. He'll be fine," Thomas replied, stuffing his clothes into the washer.
"Not like this."
Thomas paused and stood up to look at his daughter. "It's not going to do you any good to cancel your plans over this."
Calysta's mouth set into a stubborn line and she hung up the sash deep in the back of the closet. "He had a seizure because he's exhausted, Dad. I'm not dragging him out to Verais just because it's our anniversary. It's only the ten year one anyways and we have many more....it'll be fine for now. It's my fault he's so tired anyways. He's doing all of this for me, Dad. Putting himself under all this pressure. It's not his fault." Her voice cracked a little and she stuffed Illya's back into the closet too. She felt threadbare and her body hurt some. Maybe an impending cold coming on, or just flat out stressed.
Thomas looked over his daughter. She was thin looking and had red rings around her eyes as if she wanted to cry but refused to let it happen. He'd seen that look a time or two. "Why don't you just ask him how he feels in the morning, yeah? A man already feels bad enough when he misses his anniversary and it's important to you."
Without the energy to argue, she gave him a passive nod. "Okay." Then she left the laundry room with a few other arrangements for the kids to undo before tomorrow's anniversary.
* * * * * * * * *
Time had gotten away from her through the day as Illya slept and Calysta sat in her chair with her pad propped up tightly against her knees. Now that the children were all snuggled into bed, she had a few moments alone and it was about time she contacted Helena and Edgar for the first time in awhile. She doubted they would be awake, but if they were maybe they would give some advice or counter what her father had said. As the call went out, Kalizda rubbed her eyes tiredly and waited to see if anyone would answer.
Helena glanced at Edgar as the pad rung. They were simply sipping at tea, but it must have been important if Kalizda was calling. The elderly woman turned her pad on. "Kalizda, I'm here with Edgar. Are you alright?" The young woman looked terribly exhausted and she knew it had been a tough couple of weeks. They hadn't seen Illya, or heard from him, but when he did have time they had seen he was tired out too and he was barely pulling through.
Calysta was surprised when the couple actually answered and found herself at a loss for any greeting other than answering Helena when she asked. "Aye," she said. Despite the words coming out of her mouth, her head shook from side to side a little. "I'm fine. I just hadn't called in awhile and I wanted to touch base with you. I know I was supposed to be going out of town tomorrow but I've changed plans. I can bring the kids over tomorrow if you like." She was hoping they wouldn't mind that but she needed to get some work done and having the kids out of the house might very well be the only way to do it.
"Well, I hope the change of plans didn't happen because of an emergency." There was no telling what sort of emergency might have arisen, or caused this sort of response. Kalizda had seemed so pleased when she'd asked them to help watch the kids.
"Its alright," Calysta said, "Illya just had a bad seizure and hit his head. The Ehaui says its because he needs more rest. He has been working very hard and over extending himself, often times with alot of pain. He has finals at Skycorp coming up and he needs rest. Trips and anniversaries arent so important when compared to his health and there is no need for him to be exhausted. Especially when its me pushing." This time her eyes were wet with tears and she was afraid she might burst with it all, so she mustered up a water smile and nodded. "We'll see you tomorrow afternoon, yeah?"
The seizure was concerning and Helena knew that. She didn't like that her grandson happened to be epileptic and it had been a problem since he was tiny. There was, however, a different side to all this too and it was easy to forget. "Well, I can tell you that I remember since he was little that he liked to be given options. Does he know that you've decided this?"
Rather than signing off, Helena asked if she had told Illya what she decided. "No," Calysta replied, "It was meant to be a surprise before the seizure and the first thing he did when he woke up was apologize to me. I didn't want him to feel bad for this. It's not his fault."
Helena nodded and took a deep breath. "I would suggest telling him and asking him what he would do to get the rest he needs and if he would like to do this party." It was probably going to be an easy guess that he would want to go to the party, but it was only fair to let him have a say. "I know it wa supposed to be a surprise, but he can't help it anymore than you can and he hated having things taken away from him because of the seizures when he was little. Especially because when he was tiny it felt like a punishment. He's old enough to manage his time now and he can tell you if he can do it, or not. Just taking it away isn't fair to you, or him."
It wasn't necessarily a party and it would require travel, but Calysta recognized the woman's point. Of course, he was able to say no because he didn't feel well and it would be perfectly acceptable. She couldn't go in there all weepy though. She wouldn't do that. Wiping furiously at her eyes, she nodded. "I'm not trying to punish him. It's just a Kaerelean tradition and if he's not up for it, he can say so. Maybe it will be better that way and we can try again in 10 years, yeah?" She solidified that thought in her stomach though nothing else felt okay at all. "I'll go ask him. Thanks Helena."
The older woman smiled gently. "It will be fine. I'm sure you'll find a solution with Illya. Have a good night." Helena had a feeling Illya would find a way to make the anniversary work. Her grandson was a wiley fellow and he loved parties of all kinds.
"Goodnight, grandmother," she said, offering up what little smile she could before handing up. Before she went upstairs, Calysta spent several minutes wiping down her face so she was presentable. Her eyes would be a tinge pink but if she waited too late Illya might actually go to sleep and she would be loathe to wake him up. Dousing her face with cold water from the kitchen sink for the third time, she dried off her cheeks and then went upstairs to their bedroom where Illya was already in bed. His big form was a practical mountain under his heated blanket and she knew the only activity they would be doing was snoring that evening. She hastily peeled off her tunic and crawled into bed alongside him. More out of instinct than anything her hand sought out his in the dark and she kissed his cheek. "Illya?"
It felt good to be at home in his own bed and Illya was still tired out even after his long nap at the hospital. When Kalizda crawled into the bed with him, he turned over to face her and grunted. "Huh?" She would know he was awake, but he didn't really know what she wanted to talk about.
"I feel jes fine. Little tired, but I will be ready for dah week tomorrow. Naughtin little sleep won't fex eh?" Illya flopped one arm over Kalizda and pulled her in tighter for a kiss. "How yah feel about little more activity before bed? I dun get enough exercise tahday and I get fat ef I dun do some hard work regular."
He hefted an arm over her and pulled her tighter as he assured her he would be ready for the week...and that he was ready for a little hard work. His excuse for it made her chuckle a little and she kissed him back for a long moment. "I had something planned...but it would be a long day trip...and alot of walking...it was supposed to be a surprise, but I didnt know if you would still want to go."
Illya mumbled a little as he got closer to Kalizda. "I like walking." Kissing the side of her jaw he moved to her lips and kissed her a few more times before answering her question more fully. "When es dis little surprise?"
"It was meant to be tomorrow. I had permission from Swyft to take you for the day. I spoke with all the professors on their lesson plans and thought maybe you could work a little bit on Classwork while I flew us to where we were going." Her words spilled out in little hums between kisses. "Its alright if you are tired. I won't make you get up..." The kisses on her jaw and down to her lips left her feeling both wanting and guilty at the same time. The two clashed and emerged as tender kisses in return and her hands creeping around him to hold him closer with the utmost tenderness. .
"I'll be jes fine tah go tomorrow. Dat doesn't sound like et will make meh too tired. I jes walk around a little. Fly on dah shep and dun worry about meh classes. What good es all meh study ef I dun remember et? I memorize a lot." Grinning a little in the kiss Illya felt her teeth bump his and he pulled away slightly. His head was starting to hurt a little, but he was going to ignore that for now. "I like yah surprise idea. We do et eh?"
He didn't seem to understand that it would be alot of walking and some of what he was saying didn't make sense. Where was he getting the memorization comment from? She had no idea but the distraction of having their teeth bump derailed that comment and he said he liked the idea. It wasn't all too encouraging for him to say that when he didn't know what he was in for, or didn't seem lucid enough to understand at the moment. Rather than pushing the conversation, she decided to ask him again in the morning to make sure it was what he wanted. Her little hands wrapped around him as she felt him smiling into another kiss. "Alright. We'll do it so long as you feel up to it. For now, let me do the work, yeah?" She drew him closer until she was on top then went back into the kiss hoping he would be able to relax all the more.
Their little session was short and to the point before Illya crashed out with one arm flopped over her side. She listened to him breath in the dark and let out a tired sigh. Laying there made her feel dizzy. It was an uncomfortable sort of vertigo and she shamelessly clung to the only solid thing that she could which was Illya's form in the bed. He was asleep and wouldn't remember it anyways.
The next morning she let Illya sleep and got the children moving along to their various spots. Cypher would go to Priscilla and Ehud's for the day after school. Lohgan would be going with her twin brother's to Helena and Edgar's house until Papa Thomas came to pick them all up after his teaching day. Once all the children were off to school or dropped off where they were meant to be, she went home and repacked Illya's bags. Inside, she placed everything he would need for the trip. An exchange change of clothes and something
new to wear later on that she hoped he would like. His red wedding sash went in along side his other clothes too. Having packed everything he might need, she put the bag on the chair in their bedroom while he snoozed and left a note on his pad and on his pillow written in Qouti.
If you are feeling up for an adventure today, come downstairs with your bag sitting on the chair. If not, come down stairs anyways and eat breakfast with me. There's plenty of creme waiting.- Love, Caly.