Chapter 2--Home, Sweet Home
After lunch Catti-brie helped Delly with the dishes then they said their good byes and left. Once they arrived they paused in front of the house. It was two stories and made of red stone. There were a lot of windows, to give light and fresh air, but each had a set of strong shutters to cover them in bad weather.
There was a large wooden porch on front that overlooked Catti-brie's garden and in the back was a separate bathhouse as well as a sparring area. The garden was Catti-brie's pride and joy. She had spent a lot of time finding plants that were beautiful, but still hearty enough to handle the cold and she had done well at it.
Stone benches were placed about and in the center was a huge tree that gave shade. A waterfall tumbled into a pool that's bottom was decorated with colorful stones and water plants. Brightly colored fish swam about in the clear water and water lilies floated on top.
"It is beautiful. Isn't it?" Catti-brie said softly.
"Yes, they did a good job," Drizzt said. A cold gush of air rushed past them, making Catti-brie shiver. "Let's go inside," Drizzt suggested.
Catti-brie nodded and they went in. The house was different inside. The living room had a large window overlooking the garden and a fireplace. Fur rugs covered the floor. Comfortably cushioned furniture was arranged about the room and a portrait painted on their wedding day hung over the fireplace.
Drizzt helped her take off her cloak and went to hang them up.
Catti-brie walked over in front of the fireplace and gazed up at the portrait. It had been a beautiful ceremony with many people attending. It had been the happiest day of her life. Danica and Delly had stood up with her. Danica's husband, Cadderly, had performed the service and Wulfgar and Bruenor had stood up with Drizzt. It had been held in the cathedral Cadderly had built--the Spirit Soaring.
Drizzt came up behind her and put his arms around her and she leaned against him. "Do you want me to start a fire?" he asked.
"I think I'm enjoyin' this to much," Catti-brie said with a contented sigh. She looked back to the portrait. "I was lucky that most women were to busy lookin' at yer black skin to see how handsome ye are," she teased. "Oh!" she gasped suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Drizzt asked.
Catti-brie took his hand and placed it on her rounded stomach. "Wait," she said.
Something thudded against Drizzt's palm and he smiled. "She's kicking again," he said.
"He," Catti-brie retorted pertly.
Drizzt laughed. "We'll see," he said.
"That we will, in five months, I can hardly wait to hold our son," Catti-brie said.
"You mean our daughter," Drizzt teased.
"Nope, it'll be a boy with his father's beautiful purple eyes," Catti-brie said firmly.
"It will be a girl as lovely as her mother," Drizzt said just as sternly.
They both laughed at their game then Drizzt released her to kindle a fire to warm the room. Catti-brie sat down in a chair in front of the fireplace with a sigh. "When do ye have to go to Bryn Shander to give yer report?" she asked.
Drizzt sighed. "Tomorrow, I'll have to leave early," he said.
"I'll miss ye," Catti-brie said.
"It will only be a couple days," Drizzt said.
"I know, but I still will miss ye," Catti-brie said.
Early the next morning Drizzt gathered his gear and got ready to go. Catti-brie got up to see him off and fixed a hot breakfast.
Drizzt paused at the door to kiss her good bye. "I'll see you in a couple days, I love you," he said.
"Be careful, Drizzt and I love ye too," Catti-brie said.
Drizzt left and closed the door. Catti-brie watched from the window until her husband was out of sight then sighed and went upstairs to try to get some more sleep….
Off to Bryn Shander…R/R please.