14.
wind
Settling down was a surreal experience, due in part to the fact that Brielle Shepard found excitement in the things that normal people tended to take for granted.
Prior to moving in with Kaidan, Brielle spent most of her time aboard ships or on distant planets. The variety of environments she experienced on those faraway worlds were little more than an annoyance, a distraction from the task at hand.
But sitting on the balcony of their Vancouver home, she found herself taking notice of every little subtlety of the weather: the scent of the breeze coming up from the water, the steady heat of the afternoon sunlight, the humming and buzzing of the insects. Brielle closed her eyes and turned her head up toward the sun, smiling serenely.
Kaidan's voice in her ear startled her, making her jump.
"Were you sleeping?" he asked, both alarmed and amused by her response.
"No," Brielle replied, "Just in the zone, you know?"
"I do. So, how was your day?"
"Quiet. Well, unless you count the twins," she said, gesturing toward her swollen belly.
"Ah," Kaidan said. "Not too bad today I hope?"
"Surprisingly calm. I was thinking of walking down to the beach actually."
"Good idea," Kaidan said. "Why don't you let me pack some food and we can set up a blanket by the shore?"
"That sounds amazing," Brielle said, "Let's just make sure we bring a chair with us this time."