But where there is true friendship, there needs none."
Timon of Athens: I,ii

*Hurry up!* Avery tugged on Storm's hand as Yearling Brook came into view. Despite the sun's glow of the afternoon, both Storm and Avery were bundled for warmth.

"Have a bit of patience. A few minutes will not change a thing." She tugged on his arm, bringing him next to her and sending him a warning look. Her face still lacked it's usual warmth and color, but she was feeling better since the ceremony. Storm was in high hopes that the illness was leaving; it was a good day. Though her body still fought with moments of dizziness and nausea, it was nothing near her first meeting with Paola.

Upon coming to Yearling Brook, she felt a strong sense of nostalgia. It had been some time since Storm had come to visit, and she remembered her infrequent stays with fondness. Particularly the orchards behind the main house.

While Storm reminisced, Avery was nearly quivering with excitement. In one hand was a carefully folded drawing of a rose that he had colored purple for Sylvia. In truth, he was more excited to play with the boys rather than to give Sylvia his drawing.

Upon coming to the entrance, she recognized several faces and approached one of the guards. "Good afternoon. We have come to see if Her Excellency has some time for a few visitors."

Storm and Avery barely took a few steps towards the main house before Cian burst out of the front doors. Considering the trama the boy had witnessed, Storm was glad to see that he was at least excited about his visitor. It made most of her thoughts of the trip over worth while.

The face that Cian did not even wait for them to walk up the stairs brought a warm smile to face. ?I am sorry that your mother is hurt Cian, but I hope that she would enjoy some company.? Neatly plucking Avery?s folded paper from his hand, she released his other so that he might join his fellow playmate. Upon reaching the front of the house, her smile remained, ?Good afternoon, Aidan.?

The words were barely out before the children jetted off to play this game that Storm was sure Avery had never mentioned. Either way, she knew that he would enjoy the easy time to play with children other than those at Phen?s school.

Her smile eased and softened as she was greeted by Miriam. Listening keenly to her vague report of Sylvia?s condition, her eyes rolled up slightly as if she could see through the floor. The comment about her appearance brought out a rather sheepish smile, ?Yes, it does.? In reply to the weather affecting the walk. Storm did not want to acknowledge her cold, in some sad hope that it would be calm for the remainder of the day, ?Thank you, Miriam.?

Moving up the stairs, her hand did more than just rest on the railing. Sometimes such uneven movement would make her dizzy and start the long and horrible process. Taking her time, she steadied her breath as she reached the top. The brief unease in her middle came and left within a few moments, and Storm continued to where she hoped was the right room that Cian had pointed to. ?Sylvia?? She spoke out softly from the closed door. Waiting a few moments, she turned the knob of the door to step inside.

Storm did her best to conceal her own study of Sylvia?s appearance. The dark circles brought concern, but the simple fact that she was well enough to tolerate company spoke volumes to her understanding. Bringing forth a warm smile, she stepped further inside, ?Oh, but the room brings a different atmosphere.? Subtly easing into an indicated chair, her body relaxed against it's comfort. ?It is good to see you, Sylvia,? she did not add that it was good to see her alive; that was already understood.

At the question of the paper, she unfolded it to show Avery?s craftsmanship, ?Yes, he said that he wanted to bring you a rose, but since he could not find a purple one, he decided to draw it instead.? After Sylvia had a good look, she folded it again and set it aside so that it could be left here.

The difference in volume of the boys was already a noticeable difference to the Air before Sylvia had explained it. It amazed Storm that Avery could manage to be loud without having working vocal chords. ?A hurricane, is it?? She chuckled softly, ?I believe my father had used a rather similar term while I slept. Nothing has changed since then, either.?

At the mention of her husband, the missing was replaced with a confident smile, ?I appreciate your news, but I know he is doing what needs to be done. I wanted to stop by and see how you were faring, and to offer to take the boys if you needed them to be entertained. I would not mind, and Avery loves to play with them dearly.?

The sight of the tea was welcomed, but when the food came out, she had to look away. It could have been worse, with a strong aroma that made her stomach twist into knots. Instead, the nausea made its presence known without being completely overbearing. It did not make pleasantries easy.

?I am well, thank you, just dealing with a cold. The sight of food has not settled well lately.? An apologetic smile, she licked her lips and wrapped her hands around the teacup. She inhaled slowly, and wished that she did not get ill in front of others again. Smiling, she forced her mind away from the food that tempted her so, ?And how have you been feeling? Is there anything that I may do for you??

Though the food was moved farther away from her vision, it took much of her concentration to settle her system. Determined, she took an easy sip of the tea, and let the warmth soothe her. She was not certain that Sylvia would have taken her offer, but Storm wanted to help in any way that she could. As it was, Storm could barely make the trip to Yearling Brook without becoming ill; perhaps she was lucky that Sylvia could see that as well.

She slowly shook her head, ?No, I have not taken anything yet. It has been difficult to have anything other than tea and crackers.? She had managed some soup as well, but it was not necessary to list all the things she had been able to eat. At the mention of teas that could help, her pale face perked up, ?Oh? What teas..?? Her words trailed off then, as Sylvia gave the reason for her needing such items. Shock in its true form crossed her face with her eyes widening and her lips just slightly parting.

Even as Sylvia asked the question, her mind was already considering the possibility. She had allowed the chance to happen before the ceremony and before Ewan had left. It had only been a few days, though there was something within her that knew. With her mind and body reacting to the ceremony, it was no surprise that Storm could not have considered the likelihood.

Several moments passed before Storm realized that her mouth was open, and she tried to move her lips and say something. When nothing happened, she exhaled quickly, and her lips trembled with a contained smile. She even laughed a little, ?It is not a possibility; it is the truth.? Thinking more on the matter now, she could not feel more confident and everything made more sense.

Her mind was racing now, but she could not rub her starstruck expression away, ?Oh, I will have to tell Ewan.? Stating the obvious, her focus returned to Sylvia, ?I told him he would be the first to know, when it happened. When he comes.. do not tell him? And when he tells you, act surprised?? Nausea momentarily forgotten, she was thankful to already be sitting as the news caught her off guard.

Storm could not help but chuckle as Sylvia explained her husband to near perfection. Her smile borderlining giddiness, she had another sip of tea to soothe her excitement; not that any drink was going to do that. Her eyes narrowed however, as she noticed Sylvia?s discomfort with her own laughter. Color was momentarily restored to her cheeks, and her eyes spoke volumes of merriment.

?Thank you, Sylvia.? Storm could not even begin to explain how those simple words were spoken on so many levels. Sylvia meant so much to her husband, and over time Storm began to share the same sentiments. ?Anything to help with the unease will be greatly appreciated.? Even the thought of her nausea possibly not fading for some time could not diminish the news.

As Sylvia?s hand reached out for hers, it touched her deeply and she turned her palm up to give her hand a gentle squeeze. Storm did not have many female friends that she could go to ask any questions that she had, or friends that she could simply speak to on such matters. Letting out another another breath, she shook her head slowly, ?I think that I will wait until he comes home. I could not imagine what he would do or think if he received such news through a letter.? There was several other reasons, but they were best unmentioned.

Sylvia resettling brought some concern, but when she breathed deeply and continued on, Storm relaxed her demeanor and listened. Despite her envisioning of how to tell Ewan, she could not deny Sylvia's words. The wants and the necessities tugged in different direction of her mind, and she had to put them aside for now. No matter what choice she made, now was not the time for either, "I will consider your words. I am still adjusting to the way he is." The comment was with a warm smile, reflecting that she enjoyed molding her life to his.

Some missing color was replaced back into her pale cheeks, "Avery has been and will continue to be a wonderful boy. He has made me a lucky person." As if on cue, she heard a thump against the floorboards that was quickly followed with shushing.

"I hope that everyone else agrees with you." This said to the comment of Storm becoming a wonderful mother. It was said with a teasing smile and with bright eyes. "It is good for Avery to have your children and Gaerwyn's to play with and befriend. Even little Beata will have a playmate now."