Woo, I'm back on this work!
I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. Some good old fashioned writers block and a focus on my longer work "Watering The Seed" took time away from this. Not to mention I've had some difficulties in my personal life that have gotten in the way of writing things like this.
I'm pretty happy with this piece though. Feel free to critique as always!
Kind Regards,
Symbiotic
The clock struck it's time to indicate Diana her lesson was over and she would have to let her students move on. "Remember, the Samhain festival is upon us in the next few weeks. For those of you are performing remember that my office door is always open if you need assistance." Her students took a chance to nod and acknowledge her offer before walking out of her classroom and leaving Diana by herself. Once they were all gone Diana made her own way out of her classroom and retreated back to her office for the one free period she had in between classes.
It wasn't going to be much of a time to relax because Diana had been putting off grading some of her assignments from her near constant doting on her wife during her pregnancy. Even with Akko's encouragement to not fall behind on her lessons Diana couldn't help it. Now she had to sit down and grade her students assignments, unable to delay putting the work off any longer than she already had. Her students were growing antsy to see their grades and Diana no longer wanted to keep them waiting anymore than she already had.
After making her way to her office Diana took a chance to make herself a cup of tea before setting down and pulling out the first of her assignments to grade; papers on the use of magic to heal joints, alleviate pain, and improve mobility. The spells were not easy ones to master as they involved regenerating existing tissue that was degrading, a difficult art to say the least.
She began to grade the papers and made her way through about five before she heard a knock on her door. She picked her head up and looked over at the door. "Come in," she said. Diana watched as the door was opened and not one of her students but instead a red haired witch wearing glasses and her regal attire that indicated her status at Luna Nova. "Headmistress Du Nord." Diana stood at attention. "For what do I have this honor?"
"Diana, how many times have I told you to not greet me like that," Chariot said with a shake of her head. "Despite my position I'd rather be known as just Chariot rather than Headmistress. That makes me feel very old."
"My apologies," Diana said. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"This is your free period isn't it?" Chariot asked. Diana nodded her head. "If you aren't too busy I would like to talk with you, but not in your office. Are you willing to take a walk with me around the school grounds?"
"Of course." With that Diana left her grading and walked out of her office to alongside her Luna Nova's head of faculty. "So how are you?"
"I'm fine," Chariot replied as they walked down the halls. "Just making the preparations for the Samhain festival with the rest of the faculty like always."
"I apologize for my lack of significant contribution," Diana said remorsefully. "I've been trying to not fall behind on grading my assignments while making sure Akko is attended to."
"Akko has told me she's alright and in good spirits," Chariot said with a smile. "I'm sure you must know that."
"I'd never doubt that," Diana said. "That doesn't mean though she doesn't require significant attention. I…"
"Diana, I wanted to talk to you about all this," Chariot said as they continued to walk down the halls and made their way toward the exit and onto Luna Nova's quad area where students studied outside when the weather was warmer. "Your students have come to me lately and have told me you don't seem to be fully engaged with them and your lessons."
"Excuse me?" Diana said, completely shocked by what she was hearing.
"They've said you are behind on grading their assignments," the older witch explained. "Not only that but your students have reported increasingly lethargic behavior from you and that you've been making mistakes in your spellcraft tutelage. Now I understand witches are human and mistakes are bound to be made but I am concerned its growing too frequent and I worry it could become unsafe."
"I assure you Headmistress that I am fully committed to my students and my lessons," Diana stated firmly. "I would never waiver on them under any circumstances."
"I don't doubt that, Diana," Chariot replied. "But I believe your personal life is negatively affecting your performance as a professor." The red haired witch paused for a moment before speaking again. "I'm deeply sorry for this, Diana, but I'm requesting you take a sabbatical until your personal affairs are in order."
Diana froze from where she was walking. A sabbatical? Time away from Luna Nova? That was something utterly unthinkable to her. She had never been away from Luna Nova very long, not since she had graduated and then taken up a job as a professor after her and Akko toured the world together. Luna Nova and the classes she taught were a huge portion of her life and now that was being taken away from her.
"I-I-I'm confused," Diana stammered. "You want me to...you want me to take time away from my teaching?"
"That's right," Chariot said bluntly. "Diana, I know what Akko told you about not letting your personal life get in the way of what you're doing here at Luna Nova, but I can't let this go on any further than it already has."
"At least give me till the Samhain festival," Diana said quickly, trying her best not to get emotional and seem like she was begging. "The students have important exams coming up and I can't…"
"I'll get a substitute to cover the class in your absence. But as of tonight you are officially barred from setting foot on Luna Nova grounds for a period of six months. Failure to comply with this rule will result in an immediate review and potential termination of your status as a professor at the academy. Am I clear, Professor Cavendish?"
Diana took a deep breath and looked down at the ground while sighing. "I understand, Headmistress."
Chariot stopped and put her hand on Diana's shoulder, looking deep into the blonde witch's eyes with a gentle and understanding look. "Please Diana, devote your all your energy and resources to taking care of Akko and your child. Be there for her and take this time to reflect on all that is happened so far and all that there is to come."
Diana nodded her head and went to make her way back to her office. She had a long list of preparations to make before she went on her sabbatical.
Diana made her way home for the night and still felt her heart heavy in her stomach. She was having trouble believing what she was told, but most of all she dreaded having to tell Akko about this. Akko had told her to stay committed to her work and worry. How was she ever going to break this to her.
She opened the door and walked inside. "I'm home," she called out.
It wasn't long before she heard footsteps making their way toward the door. Akko could no longer greet her as eagerly as she usually could, her pronounced baby belly inhibiting some of her physical movement. That didn't soften Akko's spirit though. Diana still felt herself wrapped up in a large hug. "Okaeri!," Akko said happily. "How was our day?"
"I have some unfortunate news, Akko," Diana said.
Her wife raised her eyebrow. "You want to sit down on the couch and talk about it?" Diana nodded yes and Akko led her to the living room. "So what's going on, Diana?" she asked.
"I regret to inform that…" She swallowed hard. "I've been put on a sabbatical." She saw her wife raise her eyebrows to the top of her head. "Headmistress...I mean Chariot...said I'm in no condition to be teaching given what is going on in our lives at this moment."
"How long?" Akko asked.
"Six months," Diana explained. "Long enough for the baby to be born and for us to settle into parenthood." She paused again and felt tears well up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Akko."
"Diana, what do you have to be sorry about?" Akko asked.
"On the day you revealed the news that you were pregnant to me you said you couldn't live with yourself if my work was interrupted by what is happening to you. And I've failed you." She let the tears fall from her eyes and sniffled. "I'm sorry but I just can't…"
Before she could say another word she felt Akko's belly press up against her own and Akko's arms wrapped around her shoulders. A passionate kiss was planted on her lips and Diana quickly settled into it, wrapping her own arms around her wife as their lips were pressed together. "Don't you tell think you've ever failed me, Diana."
"Akko I," Diana began. A finger was put on her lips.
"I know you tried really hard to make it work, as hard as you possibly could," Akko said gently. "Chariot kept pushing me to ask you to put in maternity leave, but I didn't want you to because well you're not the one carrying a baby girl inside of you," she chuckled. Diana watched Akko paused. "I wanted you to do what makes you happy, Diana. And I know how much your teaching means to you and I didn't want to take that away. Sure, it definitely sucks that Chariot had to force you do this but...I'm actually really happy she did."
Diana felt her heart come up in her chest. "You are?" she asked. "But I don't understand."
She watched Akko lie down on the sofa and moved over so she had room to spread out her legs. "Come on," Akko ordered. "Come listen to our baby."
Diana nodded her head and moved herself up on the sofa, cuddling alongside her wife and placing her head on Akko's belly She put her ear back on the chest and listened closely. She could feel little thumping upon Akko's belly. "Can you feel it?" Akko asked her. "She's kicking. She's actually been kicking for awhile but you haven't had the chance to notice because you've been so busy with your work."
"Akko," Diana choked out of her throat. She was mentally kicking herself for missing these things. Despite what she was doing to take care of her wife Diana had missed out on several milestones and memories to be made of their pregnancy. It made her sick.
Diana felt Akko run her hand through her hair and say "shh" to calm her down. "I know what I said in your classroom that day, but I'm really glad you're staying home for awhile," Akko said gently. "I know you're going to take great care of me and the baby, not that you weren't before but now you'll have all the time to do so. And you won't miss any more milestones or things like this." Akko paused. "Plus she'll get to spend time with her other mother. It'll just be you, me, and the baby. And I couldn't ask for anything better than that."
Diana felt her heart flutter and reached up to hold Akko's hand. This kind of empathy, this understanding that Akko possessed to connect with anyone and everyone that she met, was one of many reasons that Diana loved her so much. She leaned down and kissed her wife lovingly and gently before going back to listen to her baby girl.
For the first time she couldn't wait to be away for the six months.
