"So does this mean I need to make you a few more?" she asked.
And the way she smiled at me? It was beautiful. I wasn't sure if that was because everything about her was golden, or maybe it was simply the way her eyes hung on me as if she actually sawme. Not the person I was supposed to be, or expected to be, or forced to be. This woman saw me the same way Ayla and Callah had.
But it didn't feel the same.
Lessa made me want to smile and look away. She made me laugh more than I had before. I always got excited to see her, and I liked how she never judged me. This was the woman who'd taught me how to ramble, and that sometimes saying the mean things out loud made it easier to figure out what was just a need to get it out, and what parts were the ones I really meant.
"I can make more soon," I told her. "I know you're busy. Omden said you've been behind on your orders."
"I have," she admitted. "Proves how much I need you back." Then she chuckled. "And do not start worrying about that. I'd much rather wait a few extra weeks to sew with you than have you hurt yourself to come help."
"But I don't have anything to do," I reminded her. And whined. Part of that was definitely a complaint.
"Lies," she teased. "Meri, healing is work. It sucks, and it's not a lot of fun, but it's your responsibility right now."
"I know," I admitted. "I am doing my best, but it's hard!"
"It is." And she reached over, taking my hand.
My heart immediately tripped over itself. A smile took over. I liked when she did that, but there was something I had to know.
"Are Brielle and Jeera still happy with the baby?"
Lessa murmured, pulled her hand away, and pushed herself higher. Just when I was sure I'd said the wrong thing, she tapped my hip, making me move over so she could sit on the bed beside my hip. She was turned to face me, and it looked a lot more comfortable than before.
"Meri, they're thrilled with him." Then she sucked in a little breath. "Oh, and he has a name!"
"What?" I asked, dreading hearing something that didn't suit him.
"Cerlik."
My entire body relaxed, even my eyes, which slipped closed, and a sigh of relief fell out. "That's a good name."
"It's a Dragon name," she assured me. "And that little boy is something else. Sounds like he's keeping Brielle up all night, and - " She stopped hard. "Shit. Meri, do you even want to know this stuff?"
I hurried to nod. "I do! I'm honestly curious about him."
"Well," she said, "he's got a set of lungs on him. Jeera said he can scream as loud as she can. He eats good, taking his whole bottle every time. He also has his days and nights all wrong, it sounds like. Jeera can barely keep him awake before the sun goes down, but the moment it's dark outside, he's kicking and playing."
"Our lights came on down there when it's night up here," I told her.
"Yeah, but I hear most babies get it wrong," she told me. "But they're so happy with him, Meri. They also sent a letter to Irrik, their boyfriend. Sounds like he's going to come visit just as soon as he can."
"I like Irrik," I admitted. "And the dog man."
"Yeah," she said. "They're good men. But you know that if you want to see the baby, you can, right?"
"No!" I gasped, shaking my head. "I don't want to see him, Lessa!"
"Then you don't have to," she promised. "I just want to make sure you know youcan."
"Oh."
"Yeah," she breathed, taking my hand again. "Meri, those women said they'd like you to be in his life, but only if you're comfortable with it."
"What do you mean?"
"Like an aunt," she explained.
