Lady Shimmer-scale stood on a balcony overlooking the courtyard where her children were training. She was cradling a child in her arms as she watched. The child was a fosterling, whose mother she had taken under her wing. The mother had no family to help and her husband was serving with the army. Octavius has taken her on as a patient and had asked Raena to look after the girl; knowing full well she would not refuse. True to form, Raena became a surrogate mother to the young woman. She helped the girl prepare to be a mother herself.
Octavius was not long in joining his wife on that balcony. ?That is a sight I have not seen since Tiberius was an infant.? He murmured as he looked at the pair.
?Moments like this are gone for us unless our children decide to settle down and grace us with grandchildren.? She mused as she cradled the sleeping infant.
?I do not understand why you do not require the girls to wed, Raena.? It was a point of contention between the couple.
?We have already discussed this, Octavius.? She said with a hint of exasperation in her voice. ?I see no need to force Aquillia and Lucretia into a loveless match and Elianna is too young.?
?And the boys??
?Maximus and Tiberius are too young and do you wish to lock horns with Larcius?? Raena replied wirily.
?Not particularly, no.? Octavius sighed. ?We indulge them far too much.?
There was a soft laugh from Raena. ?In this, yes. It is a balancing act, especially since we cannot allow them to be children.? Her voice trailed off with her own memories.
?Rae, they are not you. We are here and still draw breath.? Octavius spoke as he looked over the balcony. ?Was growing up with Gaius that difficult??
?Octavius, you were in training when Gaius took Liviana and I into the field.? She closed her eyes.
?I know, my dear.? It was one of those rare moments where Octavius demonstrated any soft of affection where others can see. He rested an arm across her shoulders and truly looked at the pair. ?The child is beautiful like her mother.?
?Yes, she is, Octavius.? Raena murmured, ?They were fortunate to have your expert care.?
?They are fortunate for your caring heart.? Octavius countered.
?You knew full well that I would not allow her to go alone in this.? She said with a fond smile to her husband.
?You have a tender heart when it comes to children, especially babies.? Octavius? lips curved into a rare smile.
Raena started soothing the child as she started to fuss. ?I think someone is needing her mother.? She placed a chaste kiss on her husband?s cheek and reluctantly moved from the shelter of his embrace. Without looking back, she knew he was watching their own offspring.
http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/8kmRJYfviqvi435JsLGthQ/cid/75665473/id/su9xt4yrRPClUPrn_jO6jw/size/c600x654.jpg
Octavius was not long in joining his wife on that balcony. ?That is a sight I have not seen since Tiberius was an infant.? He murmured as he looked at the pair.
?Moments like this are gone for us unless our children decide to settle down and grace us with grandchildren.? She mused as she cradled the sleeping infant.
?I do not understand why you do not require the girls to wed, Raena.? It was a point of contention between the couple.
?We have already discussed this, Octavius.? She said with a hint of exasperation in her voice. ?I see no need to force Aquillia and Lucretia into a loveless match and Elianna is too young.?
?And the boys??
?Maximus and Tiberius are too young and do you wish to lock horns with Larcius?? Raena replied wirily.
?Not particularly, no.? Octavius sighed. ?We indulge them far too much.?
There was a soft laugh from Raena. ?In this, yes. It is a balancing act, especially since we cannot allow them to be children.? Her voice trailed off with her own memories.
?Rae, they are not you. We are here and still draw breath.? Octavius spoke as he looked over the balcony. ?Was growing up with Gaius that difficult??
?Octavius, you were in training when Gaius took Liviana and I into the field.? She closed her eyes.
?I know, my dear.? It was one of those rare moments where Octavius demonstrated any soft of affection where others can see. He rested an arm across her shoulders and truly looked at the pair. ?The child is beautiful like her mother.?
?Yes, she is, Octavius.? Raena murmured, ?They were fortunate to have your expert care.?
?They are fortunate for your caring heart.? Octavius countered.
?You knew full well that I would not allow her to go alone in this.? She said with a fond smile to her husband.
?You have a tender heart when it comes to children, especially babies.? Octavius? lips curved into a rare smile.
Raena started soothing the child as she started to fuss. ?I think someone is needing her mother.? She placed a chaste kiss on her husband?s cheek and reluctantly moved from the shelter of his embrace. Without looking back, she knew he was watching their own offspring.
http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/8kmRJYfviqvi435JsLGthQ/cid/75665473/id/su9xt4yrRPClUPrn_jO6jw/size/c600x654.jpg