This is just a little quirky story about Briar Moss and his expecting wife, Eugenia. I am hoping to elaborate on their story a bit more when I get time. Eugenia is a ambient mage, her power manifesting itself in her artwork, and the couple are expecting their first child. But having three foster-sisters-in-law that can communicate with your husband by mind and don't understand the need for privacy is proving to be more that poor Eugenia can handle. And to make matters worse, Briar seems more nervous about the birth than his pregnant wife!
Chapter 1
"What do you think your doing?" Briar exclaimed when he looked in on his wife for the fifth time that morning. Eugenia was sitting at the kitchen table writing up the orders for the next shipment of herbs from Sotat. She and Briar ran a store in Summersea where they sold Briar's famous shakkans and Eugenia's magical artwork. She was startled and a little annoyed by Briar's reaction to her doing the accounts.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she demanded. Eugenia may have been pregnant but that didn't mean that she was totally useless. Briar fussed over her constantly. "You're acting as if I'm the first women to ever give birth!"
"I just don't want you to over do yourself." Briar cooed. Eugenia was not in the mood to be buttered up. She grabbed her hat and left for a walk.
There was a nice breeze blowing that helped to keep her cool in the balmy spring weather. Eugenia had noticed that she got hot easily. The weight she was carrying made the going slow but she managed to reach the Market Square before lunch. There who should she run into but Tris. Tris insisted that Eugenia come back to the house that she shared with her foster-sister Daja.
"I really don't think that that is necessary." Eugenia insisted. But Tris was very persistent and finally Eugenia, who was starting to wear out, gave in. Before she knew it Eugenia was back at Tris and Daja's home with her feet up and a cool drink in her hand. Daja stopped her work in the forge to eat lunch with Tris and Eugenia.
"I've almost finished the crib for this little tucker." Daja told Eugenia, patting her very swollen stomach.
"And I've been reading up on all of the runes and protective signs for the young one." Tris smiled and refilled Eugenia's glass. Eugenia couldn't help but get a little suspicious when Tris's eyes glazed over slightly as she looked at Daja. She knew that look on Briar's face. The four of them were in conversation with each other.
"Thank you both for taking such good care of me but I really must be going." Eugenia heaved herself out of the chair.
"No! Don't go yet." Tris exclaimed. Eugenia raised one eyebrow.
"Why ever not?" She asked distrustfully. Tris and Daja looked at each other in a panic.
"Because… because you still haven't told us what names you've decided on for the baby." Daja replied with false cheerfulness. Eugenia put her hands on her oversized hips.
"That's the lamest excuse I have ever heard," she said angrily, "and you can tell Briar that if he wants to know where I am he can bloody well come and fine me damn it!" She had managed to waddle her way to the door when Briar burst into the room.
"There you are!" He cried opening his arms to give Eugenia a hug. Taking a big breath to scream at him Eugenia's world went black.