Pieces 11

Despite the fact that it's afternoon, rain and darkness permeates outside. I have to admit, the gentle tapping of rain against the house is lulling me to sleep. Trying to finish this swaddling cloth is becoming an uphill battle as I try to stay awake. Pretty soon I'll just give in and let my eyes close for a good hour.

Pounding on the door brings me back from the edge of sleep. I'm not sure who it could be, maybe Cyrene? Again someone pounds against the door.

'I'm coming!' It takes me a second to pull myself up out of the chair and waddle over to the door.

'Yes, who is…..' As I open the door, I'm greeted by the smiling face of my sister and a man who stands silently behind her. 'Come in, come in.' I usher them into the warmth of the house and offer them seats as I close the door behind me. Lila embraces me awkwardly around my stomach before sitting.

'Lila, what are you doing here?' She has yet to introduce the man that sits silently by her side. He is definitely not from Potedia.

'Well,' She looks down at the floor shyly. 'I got married.' She smiles brightly at me, and I'm guessing this man is her husband. She realizes her lack of manners suddenly. 'Oh, this is Yacob.'

'I didn't know you were to be married?' I feel slightly hurt that I was left out, but know my parents would not have been happy with me there.

'Oh, well you know, it was sort of last minute.' She takes Yacob's hand in hers. My sister still looks like the innocent little girl I left in Potedia. But she is 16 now, and most girls her age already have a child.

'You remember how I was supposed to marry cousin Alcaeus?' I nod; this a relative we have never actually met. 'Well I used to see Yacob in the market selling his wares every few months. One day I got the courage to talk to him, and well….' She shrugs her shoulders with a smile. 'Father was ok with it until her found out that Yacob has different beliefs.'

'One God?' I ask, suddenly recognizing where this man comes from.

'Yes, how did you know?' She's surprised by my knowledge.

'I've learned a lot since leaving Potedia Lila.' I smile and encourage her to continue.

'Yes well Father did not think our God's would sanction such a union but I really gave him no choice. We had a very small ceremony at the temple to satisfy father's fears. He wasn't happy and didn't really give his consent, but he came.' She smiles wistfully. 'We are going back to Yacob's family to have a ceremony of his people.' She squeezes his hand and he gives her a small smile in return. I'm beginning to wonder if this man talks.

'Hey, who's wagon…' Xena comes stomping into the house, stopping mid-sentence when she sees who our visitors are.

'Xena.' I struggle up out of the chair once more. 'This is Lila's husband Yacob.' Xena keeps her face stoic, still unsure if this is a good visit or bad. Yacob stands up and extends his hand and they grasp forearms in greeting. Still he says nothing , and Xena looks at him a moment.

'Come on, I'll help you with the horses.' She jerks her head towards the door and both go off into the pouring rain.

'Father actually let you get married?' I finally ask Lila.

'Yeah, he didn't really want to but I think mom made him.' She lets out a tiny giggle.

'You are going to stay here the night right?' I can't let my baby sister go back out in this weather.

'Do you have room?'

'Oh yes, there's an extra bedroom. It's very small but I'm sure you two won't mind.' I grin as she blushes profusely. She is still so very young and innocent. I'm sure that will change quickly now that she's leaving home.

'Oh, but where will Xena sleep?' I can tell she isn't actually worried, but is curious about our relationship.

'With me.' I casually get myself some water, drinking it down as I watch the emotions play out on her face.

'But surely there's somewhere else she can sleep?'

'Nope.'

'Does she always sleep with you?' Her eyes narrow as she finally gets to the point.

'Yes.' I shrug

'But Gabrielle, surely you don't…?' She can't bring herself to say the words.

'Don't what?'

'Are you two…..?' I can't help but laugh at her discomfort.

'In love? Yes.'

'But why?' She seems genuinely puzzled.

'Why did you marry Yacob?'

'Well, because I love him.'

'Even though everyone told you not too?' I hope I'm not being too subtle for her.

'Well yes. Just because other people think it's wrong doesn't make me love him any less. He's a good, kind man.' Suddenly she seems to connect the dots.

'We are no different than anyone else Lila.' I put my hand on her shoulder, giving her a warm smile. She nods, needing time to process this new information.

'Come on, you can help me cook.' She follows me as I waddle off towards the kitchen.

'How much longer?' She asks eyeing my belly, finally able to focus on something else.

'A month maybe.' I shrug as I pull out vegetables for her to chop. Xena had insisted on being the midwife. At first I was extremely uncomfortable with this, but she acted in such a serious manner every time she examined me, I was actually put at ease. I take any herbs and drinks she prescribes, though many of them taste very nasty.

'Oh I wish we could stay, but I promise we'll come visit every time we pass through.' She looks at me with such excitement.

'So, you'll travel with him?'

'Oh yes.' She nods enthusiastically. 'He insisted. Oh he is the sweetest man.' She swoons. Just then Xena steps into the kitchen.

'Hey, you're um husband is getting a bath set up.' She jerks her head down the small hall. Lila looks up at me as if asking permission. I give her a wink and a nod and she goes scooting out the door. I miss that sort of innocence. Strong arms wrap around me from behind, hands splay on my stomach as Xena rests her chin on my shoulder.

'She doesn't have a problem sleeping here?' Xena asks, lips grazing against my ear.

'No. I think she's too excited and caught up in the newness of her marriage to give it too much thought. But she did ask.' I toss the rest of the ingredients in the pot then wrap my arms around Xena's, leaning back into her warmth.

'What did you say?' She nibbles on my neck making me giggle. I can feel her smile against my skin.

'That we love each other.' She grunts in reply and continues to make me giggle in her arms. 'Did Yacob happen to talk?' I manage to ask somehow.

'Yes. Thick accent but he speaks pretty good Greek.' I turn around in her arms, my stomach in the way of getting too close. Her eyes sparkle at me, and it makes me love her all the more. 'I had a surprise for you,' She leans in, resting her forehead against mine. 'But it can wait till later.' Suddenly there's a squeal and the sound of uncontrollable giggles drifting down the hall. We both chuckle.

'Seems everyone in your family is ticklish.' Xena smiles devilishly.

'I think we get it from our mother.' I give her a quick kiss on the lips. 'Now help me finish this.'

Not surprisingly, Lila wanted to go to bed soon after our meal. I'm pretty sure she wasn't tired, despite her painful over acting to the contrary. Xena just raised her eyebrow in amusement before pulling me towards the bedroom.

'Xena, what is it?' Her eyes are glowing with excitement but she refuses to say a word. As we enter the room she drops my hand and walks over to an object covered by a sheet.

'I made this myself.' She announces proudly, ripping the sheet off. A beautifully carved cradle is presented before me; I can't help but gasp in surprise. 'You like it?' She asks as she walks up to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder. I start to cry, though I know if I wasn't pregnant I'd be fine right now

'It's beautiful.' I manage to gasp between sobs, running my hand over the smooth wood. Xena just stands there, rubbing the small of my back. At first my outbursts of sobbing disconcerted her, but she soon adjusted and now waits out the emotional turbulence. Turning into her arms, I whisper against her neck.

'Xena, I love you.' She wraps her arms around me as best she can.

'I love you too.' It's actually a treat when she says this. Despite her recent candor with me, she still refuses to succumb to all the things she is feeling. Yes, she loves me; but it is easier for her to show me than to say it. This is not something I'm resentful towards as I know where she is coming from. So any form of expression from her is welcome as long as she continues to let me know.