The day was bright if slightly cool. Still it was not enough to keep Sylvia and Kieran or their two boys from enjoying the out of doors and the sunshine. Kieran chased after his sons who laughed and squealed in delight from the ?bear? coming for them. Sylvia called out, ?We should return to packing soon. The Lark leaves early tomorrow morning.? But the ruckus was so much from the men, big and small, in her life that they did not hear precisely what she said only that she said something.
Cian went tearing in her direction as fast as his little three year old legs could carry him so he could hide behind her. Aidan was not so lucky, his gait as he ran a strange hopping lope, and he was scooped up into his father?s arms. Kieran proceeded to ?gnaw? at Aidan?s belly causing more peals of laughter and wiggles from the tickling. ?What was that, Via?? Kieran asked with a smile as he placed Aidan on his shoulder like a small sack of potatoes.
?I said,? she continued as she tried to still Cian who thought his mama should get in the game and was now tugging on her breeches, ?Cian, be still a moment. Mama is talking.? To which his reply was to kick at her shins to get her attention. ?Cian!? Sylvia gasped more appalled at his activity than hurt.
Kieran was not so hesitant, he handed Aidan over to Sylvia and took his eldest by the arm conducting him promptly, and silently, to the woods. It ached Sylvia?s heart to see it, but she justified that he had to be instructed on proper behavior. It also helped that she knew Kieran was not going to strike their son. He did not need to, for there was a certain look, the distinct disappointment and displeasure he could communicate without saying a word.
Sylvia and Aidan sat on the ground and played hand games waiting for the other half of their family to return, when Ewan approached, ?Good day, Sylvia.? He looked about the grounds then back to her with question in his eyes.
A tilt of her head towards the woods, and Ewan gave a nod only. ?I see. I just came by to let you know I will be on the Lark in the morning.?
?Are you sure you can leave things as they are??
?Changes will come when they do, and whether I am here or not will not dictate that timing. I will not miss Lord Aidan?s birthday celebration-?
?-It is just going to be family and near friends,? Sylvia interrupted smoothly.
That did not stop him, ?-for anything.? He smiled warmly on Aidan who just beamed back up at the man oblivious of his returning, sniffling brother coming to his mother for comfort.
Cian curled up into Sylvia?s side, laying his head on her swollen belly, ?I can hear him,?
?Him is it?? Ewan grinned and then laughed low and brief when Sylvia sighed at the thought of another boy.
Kieran turned to Ewan, ?Joining us then??
?Aye, I am, my lord.?
?Anyone else we should expect?? Sylvia asked demurely as she caressed her eldest?s curls of brown hair.
?Gaerwyn, his children, my mother, and if Lenika is still in town, probably her if she is willing to come.?
Sylvia looked at Ewan longer with some expectation of more and then said, ?I will be glad to have them all.?
Ewan bowed and turned away to stride toward the front of the grounds. Sylvia and Kieran shared a look, then shook heads in synchronization.
Cian went tearing in her direction as fast as his little three year old legs could carry him so he could hide behind her. Aidan was not so lucky, his gait as he ran a strange hopping lope, and he was scooped up into his father?s arms. Kieran proceeded to ?gnaw? at Aidan?s belly causing more peals of laughter and wiggles from the tickling. ?What was that, Via?? Kieran asked with a smile as he placed Aidan on his shoulder like a small sack of potatoes.
?I said,? she continued as she tried to still Cian who thought his mama should get in the game and was now tugging on her breeches, ?Cian, be still a moment. Mama is talking.? To which his reply was to kick at her shins to get her attention. ?Cian!? Sylvia gasped more appalled at his activity than hurt.
Kieran was not so hesitant, he handed Aidan over to Sylvia and took his eldest by the arm conducting him promptly, and silently, to the woods. It ached Sylvia?s heart to see it, but she justified that he had to be instructed on proper behavior. It also helped that she knew Kieran was not going to strike their son. He did not need to, for there was a certain look, the distinct disappointment and displeasure he could communicate without saying a word.
Sylvia and Aidan sat on the ground and played hand games waiting for the other half of their family to return, when Ewan approached, ?Good day, Sylvia.? He looked about the grounds then back to her with question in his eyes.
A tilt of her head towards the woods, and Ewan gave a nod only. ?I see. I just came by to let you know I will be on the Lark in the morning.?
?Are you sure you can leave things as they are??
?Changes will come when they do, and whether I am here or not will not dictate that timing. I will not miss Lord Aidan?s birthday celebration-?
?-It is just going to be family and near friends,? Sylvia interrupted smoothly.
That did not stop him, ?-for anything.? He smiled warmly on Aidan who just beamed back up at the man oblivious of his returning, sniffling brother coming to his mother for comfort.
Cian curled up into Sylvia?s side, laying his head on her swollen belly, ?I can hear him,?
?Him is it?? Ewan grinned and then laughed low and brief when Sylvia sighed at the thought of another boy.
Kieran turned to Ewan, ?Joining us then??
?Aye, I am, my lord.?
?Anyone else we should expect?? Sylvia asked demurely as she caressed her eldest?s curls of brown hair.
?Gaerwyn, his children, my mother, and if Lenika is still in town, probably her if she is willing to come.?
Sylvia looked at Ewan longer with some expectation of more and then said, ?I will be glad to have them all.?
Ewan bowed and turned away to stride toward the front of the grounds. Sylvia and Kieran shared a look, then shook heads in synchronization.