A/N: This is the sequel to Daine and Numair, Parents? I've never done chapters before, so please bear with me if I mess this up. Hope you like it! R/R! Please!
P.S. I don't know if the lines I put in last time after the A/N and before the story started showed up, because I couldn't see them when I went over it. Fixed that hopefully this time
Summary: Daine and Numair tell their friends about the pregnancy.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, they all belong to Tamora Pierce.
Daine gripped Numair's hand tightly with one of her own, the other gently resting on her stomach. She didn't have a bulge yet; she wasn't far enough along for that, but she liked to imagine that she could feel her unborn child inside her, feeling her touch too. Numair smiled down at her, understanding and sympathy in his eyes as Daine's fingers quivered with nerves. He squeezed her hand, slowing down and whispering to her before they entered the dining hall in the palace, where all of their friends were waiting.
"Don't worry, Magelet," Numair soothed, calling her by her nickname. It made her relax for a moment before she remembered the reasons for which she was nervous. "They'll be happy for us, and just as excited as we are."
Daine knew that what he was saying was true. But she also knew that as soon as she told her friends, word would start to get out. They wouldn't gossip, but secrets were never secret in the palace. She was concerned about what the nobles would say about Numair—she couldn't stand the idea of them questioning his honor as they had when they were married.
There's no avoiding it, so quit being a coward and go through those doors, Daine ordered herself directly. It was what Cloud would have said if she were there. Daine wished she could have the calming presence of her mare with her when she faced the others. Numair was more support than she could ever imagine, but he was nervous too, under his façade of calm.
"You ready?" Numair asked her gently. Daine didn't know what else to do, so she forced herself to nod. They continued walking toward the double doors that loomed closer and closer. Daine took a deep breath and gulped.
Numair, too, stopped before the doors, their hands gripped together so tightly Daine knew that her knuckles were turning white, as were Numair's. She didn't care, though.
Without saying a word, Numair pushed open the doors and stepped into the dining hall. Normally, Daine would head for the food before going to sit with her friends. This was no normal occasion, however. She went straight to the table where Alanna had, hopefully unsuspiciously, gathered all of the people Daine loved, save perhaps those too far away, and her parents.
Onua, the Horse Mistress, sat on the table, chatting with Buri, who was in charge of the Queen's Riders. Buri's husband, Raoul of Goldenlake, sat beside her, laughing at something one of the women had said. Across the table, Alanna was sitting on the edge of her seat, scanning the room excitedly.
So much for subtle, Daine thought resignedly.
On Alanna's left, her husband George was talking to Myles of Olau, Alanna's adoptive father. He was engaged in the conversation, but Daine could tell that he had noticed his wife's preoccupation. George was the more secret spymaster for King Jonathan, and nothing escaped him, not even a small detail like the way Alanna bounced slightly when she spotted Daine and Numair come in.
Finally, near Myles, King Jonathan and Queen Thayet sat together, talking quietly.
Daine carefully steered around the other tables on the way to her friends, keeping her eyes on the ground instead of meeting Alanna's impatient gaze.
The others seemed to notice the formal, stiff way Daine and Numair were standing when they reached the head of the table. They slowly fell silent, watching the couple with concern and worry.
Daine took a deep breath. "I have to tell you all something," she started, barely recognizing her own voice. She felt as though her entire body was cold, except perhaps the fingers entwined with Numair's. "I'm pregnant."
Once it was out, it was as though a huge weight had lifted from Daine's shoulders. She relaxed slightly, and let her face slip into the beam of joy that always appeared when she thought or said anything about the baby.
A chorus of "Daine, that's great!" and "Congratulations!" ensued immediately. Daine found herself hugging her friends, tears of relief in her eyes and happiness filling her heart. George clapped Numair on the shoulder, and Jonathan shook his hand. Daine caught a brief glimpse of Numair's face. He looked as proud and happy as she felt inside, and Daine felt the love that always encompassed her fill her again as she looked at him.
When at last everyone had embraced the parents-to-be, they sat down once more. They chattered excitedly, and Daine's cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing.
Later, as they were headed back to their rooms, stomachs full of food, Daine took Numair's hand again. "You were right," she told him happily.
"Of course I was," Numair said, teasing.
Daine pushed his shoulder gently, not hard enough to cause him to let go of her hand.
They entered their rooms, and Daine allowed herself to enjoy the blissful hours of peace and quiet that she knew were numbered before the rest of the inhabitants of the palace would learn of what she had told her friends that night. A nagging thought pulled her back to herself.
Daine turned to Numair, suddenly worried. She needed him to know about her concerns for how the gossip would affect him.
"Numair, I need to talk to you," Daine began, her voice steadying as she decided what to say and internally told herself to just spit it out.
Numair was instantly sober. He sat down on their bed, and Daine sat next to him, wringing her hands in her lap. She wished she could take his again. Simply touching him felt as though there was lightning coursing through her in the best way possible, even after the years they had been together.
"What is it, Daine?" Numair sounded apprehensive, and a little anxious. "Is something wrong?"
"No. Well, yes. In a way," Daine stammered. "You know what they're going to say, when word gets out," she reminded him.
Numair instantly had a protective look in his eyes. "I won't let them say anything bad about you," he swore softly.
Daine gasped, astonished. "That's not what I meant at all!" she cried. "Of course I'm not worried about that! I'm more concerned about what they're going to say about you! Your reputation, your honor…" she trailed off, meeting his eyes with her uneasy ones.
Numair smiled, taking her hands again. "Don't worry about that, Magelet," he murmured. "I don't care what they say. All I care about is you, and our child. That's all that matters, okay? No matter what happens, or what they say."
Daine looked uncertain, doubting that he would maintain that same belief when the gossip started.
Numair leaned forward and kissed her softly. Daine let herself get lost in the feeling of being with him, and she momentarily forgot about her fears.
When he finally pulled away, Numair smiled, his face inches from Daine's. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," Daine murmured. Her doubts faded until they were mere thoughts.
Numair always seemed to have that effect on her.
A/N: Hoped you enjoyed! Review, please! I'm going to add at least a couple more chapters, but it might be a week or two…