AN: Sorry for the long wait between updates. I've been swamped with school, and when things finally did slow down a little, I got a bad case of writer's block. Ugh! But I think I might be on a roll, just a little bit. At least I updated 4 different things today.

If you're still reading, thanks alot, and if you're new to the story, I hope you're enjoying it! Thanksk to the reviewers of Chapter 4: Darking Girl, Grace of Masbolle, 4-eyedDragon, CopperIslander, An-Jelly-Ca, Starzgirl, x17SkmBdrchichzxx, anonymous a, and no1 angel knight! You are all appreciated! Enjoy a cute new chapter!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN PAIN AND PASSION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After I ate supper, Uncle decided to have me moved back to my room; he needed another bed in the infirmary. When he left me alone, I realized that I was not at all sleepy. I wrote a letter to my mother, assuring her that I was not dead.

That done, I picked up a book that Kel had left on my bedside table. It was a book of battles. A woman of limited tastes, I thought amusedly. As I flipped through the book, I realized that it was of Yamani battles. My curiosity piqued. Maybe I could make some sense of their strategies.

When the door opened, I looked up. Kel's arm was holding the door open.

"Come on lad," she said to someone in the hall. "He's in here." A little boy peeked around the doorframe. When he saw me, his face lit up and he ran into the room, throwing his body at me. Kel smiled and closed the door. I hoped that she'd come back later.

I hugged Thet carefully, keeping him away from my left side.

"Hi, Thet. Did you keep my armband safe?" The boy nodded, his red curls bouncing.

"The mean lady said I had to give it to her a'cause it wasn't mine, but then she got dead in the blast. I thought you got dead too."

"I'm gonna be okay," I said, letting him climb up next to me. I felt bad for the boy; he'd seen so many deaths that week. I changed the subject. "What do you think of Lady Kel?"

He pursed his lips. "Well, she seemed nice, until we 'ot supper. She made me eat asparagus. It was yucky!" I made a face; I didn't care for asparagus either. Something about the texture, and the color… and the taste. Ick. Thet continued. "Anyways, she shouldn't talk; I don't think she eats very healthy. When we had dinner, she ate three pieces of chicken! And her belly is kinda big. She keeps touching it too, like she's proud of it. And I didn't see her eat any vegetables." I chuckled.

"Well she should eat them. Lady Kel is having a baby," I explained. "It's my baby, and she's going to be my wife."

"Oh," Thet said, suddenly quiet. Kel soon returned, servants trailing her. They carried bath water into my washroom. Another carried a box of clothes. When they'd left, Kel looked at Thet.

"I want you to take a bath," she said, tone serious. "Make sure you scrub very well. A healer will come later to check on Dom, and he'll take care of your fleas then. When you're clean, there's a warm towel, fresh clothes, and a slice of cake for you." I admired the way Kel handed the lad. He gazed up at her in awe.

"And if you forget to wash behind your ears, she'll dunk you herself," I whispered. Thet grinned.

"What kind of cake is it?" he asked. Kel matched his smile.

"You'll find out when you're clean. No go on, before the water gets cold." Now the boy's eyes grew wide.

"It's warm?" Kel laughed gently.

"Of course it is warm. Go," she said, steering him towards the washroom. She disappeared inside for a moment, then came back out, shaking her head. She sank down beside me.

"That one is spirited," she said. "Just like Tobe." I put an arm around her as she pushed her shoes off of her feet. They dropped to the floor with dry thuds.

"What do you think of him?" I asked. Kel smiled again. "He's a good boy, and he's world-wise. He's seen too much pain and sorrow. Thet needs some love and happiness." Kel paused and kissed the end of my nose softly. "We can give him that."

"But can we handle him and the new baby?"

"We can certainly try," Kel said optimistically. We heard a splash and a muffled 'oops' from the washroom. Kel and I looked at each other. "I'm too tired to go see what that was," she said at last. I smiled, putting my hand on her belly.

"How have you been feeling?" I asked her, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, Dom," Kel said, clasping my hand. "I'm eating like a horse and sleeping like a log."

"That's funny, because Thet said you didn't eat any vegetables, and yet he was forced to choke down asparagus," I said innocently. "That's a little hypocritical, isn't it?" Kel gave me a mock glare.

"Dom, I am pregnant. I ate some asparagus a few days ago, and I spent three hours throwing up. I really did not wish to repeat the experience, especially in front of a lad I hardly know." I kissed her.

"But you do like him, right?" Kel grinned.

"We're talking in circles," she said. We were also talking between kisses.

"I hit my head," I said in excuse. Kel shook her own head.

"So I've heard." She snuggled down into the blankets beside me, my hand still on her belly. We laid in a comfortable silence until Thet came out. He looked at us shyly.

"Climb up here," I said, patting the empty side of the bed. Kel smiled, sitting up. I took her hand, as Thet settled in beside me. I wasn't sure what to say to the boy, so I rambled. "Thet, Kel and I are starting a family. We have each other, and a boy named Tobe, and soon we will have a new baby."

"So you don't need me," Thet said dejectedly. Kel intervened.

"Actually we were hoping that you would like to be part of our family."

"A real family? With a Ma and a Da and games and rules and stuff?" Thet said.

"Yes, Thet," Kel said in a warm voice. "We would love for you to stay. I already talked to the orphan-keeper. She has her hands full with all the children under her care right now. She is glad that you found a family."

"I'd like that a lot!" Thet said, throwing himself at me. When he finally pulled back, Kel held out her arms. Thet looked at her hesitantly, then gave her a hug as well.

"I still miss my mama," he whispered, beginning to cry.

"Oh Thet. We'd never expect you to forget her," Kel said, rubbing his back slowly. "Both of my parents died because of this war. I know how you feel. It's hard to loose anyone you love. Just remember, you're safe with me and Dom. And if you ever want to talk about anything, you only have to open your mouth. Ok?"

"Mmm-hmm," Thet said shakily, sitting up to wipe his eyes. Kel smiled, kissing his cheek.

"I think cake is in order," she said, and she got up to retrieve it. Thet sat back down beside me, waiting patiently.

"Is there cake for me?" I asked playfully.

"Only if you've been a good boy," Kel teased. Someone knocked on the door.

I figured our visitor would be my uncle, come to check in on me, but I saw instead a familiar-faced young man.

"I heard that you picked up another stray," Tobe said lightly.

"Actually, Dom did the picking up this time," Kel said cheerfully, turning back towards us. "Thet, this is a boy I adopted, Tobe. He's from up north."

"I guess I'm sorta your new big brother," Tobe said, plopping down next to Thet. The younger boy was paging through Kel's book on Yamani battles, pausing only to look at pages with diagrams and illustrations. Tobe noted this. "You know, when I met Lady Kel, I couldn't read either. This time, she's going to be pretty busy with the new baby. If you want, I'll help you with your letters."

Kel handed each boy a slice of cake, and they moved to the floor so Kel could sit back down by me. She shoved a plate into my hands, watching the boys. Tobe was truly showing Thet some letters.

"Look at that." She turned her gaze back to me. "We started a family tonight."

"That was relatively painless," I commented. She smiled, placing a hand on her belly. I watched her face as she looked between the boys and the new baby. There was something in her eyes that shone with love. Setting my cake on the bedside table, I leaned up to kiss her gently, ignoring the pain in my side.

"Thank you, Kel," I whispered. "For doing this with me."

"Doing what with you?" she asked, settling down into the pillows.

"Life," I said, receiving another kiss.

No sooner had I done that did another visitor entered my room. This time it was Uncle, and he did not stay long. The healings and deathbeds he'd been attending to in the infirmary were taking a toll on him. He needed to rest.

He checked my wound, which needed to be re-bandaged, then did a quick spell to banish Thet's fleas. As he left, he looked at our mix-matched family.

"Your mother will be proud," he said, with a light smile. As he turned out the door, I heard him mumble a conclusion to his statement: "As soon as you marry that girl."

"I think he's going to keep dropping hints until we tie the knot," I chuckled. Kel smiled, reaching over me for my fork.

"Your mother is already proud," Kel said, taking a bite of my cake. "She wrote me a letter."

"She did?" I asked. Kel nodded and, leaning over me again, opened the drawer to my bedside table. I saw a few items that belonged to her among my assorted junk.

"Moving in?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Kel stuck out her tongue and handed me a letter. It was dated for the day I left for Port Caynn. I read it quietly while Kel continued to pick at my dessert.

"My Dearest Keladry,

Though we've not met, I feel as though I know you. Domitan writes more letters home about you than he ever did when he only traveled with the Own. I am happy that my son has found someone to love.

Dom has told me of the predicament in which you have found yourselves, and I must applaud your decisions on how to handle it. I am thrilled to be gaining a new daughter, as well as a grandchild. If you need anything, please let me know. I'd love to see you and Domitan married, and to assist as you welcome your new child into the world and into our family.

I am looking forward to meeting you soon, my daughter.

Love,
Willany of Masbolle"

"Wow," I said, handing the letter back to Kel.

"I know," she replied, swallowing. "I think we'd better wait and get married when she comes. Once she hears about your injuries, it won't be long. I believe Duke Baird sent her a message that you are alright."

"Good. Kel, I love you." I glanced down at my plate; there was nothing left but crumbs. When I looked back up, Kel was smiling sheepishly.

"I love you too?" she tried. My stern look didn't change, and her face fell. "I'll get you more cake."

All I could do was smile.