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“I am leaving in the afternoon.” I respond as I walk to place the basket with all manner of fruits and her special leaves for tea.
“See me before you go then young orc,” Owa says.
“You can come in, Owa. Let me make you something to eat, we were just finished,” Aria says.
“Oh no, I don’t want to intrude. I know how much you missed him.” Owa giggles a little at the end and I narrow my eyes at her before I smile.
“Come on, I am going to feel bad if you don’t eat with me.” Aria takes her hand in hers.
“No, dear, I insist. Spend time with your mate.” She squeezes Aria’s hand before she retreats. Aria isn’t happy with her not eating and I have to smile.
I am happy she has gotten closer to Owa. But it makes me wonder a little how she and my mother are doing. I wonder if they talk or are getting close. An orc can hope but it wouldn’t surprise me if they aren’t close because I know my mother isn’t open with most people.
Aria sighs. “Okay, don’t cook later, I will be making that charred goose you like.”
“With the ani seeds and red potatoes?” Owa asks.
Aria smiles. “Yes, how can I forget. Hani brought me some yesterday.”
Owa smiles fondly at Aria before she turns and leaves. Aria turns to me with a fond smile. “That old orc is a treasure.”
“Did I disrupt your plans for breakfast?” I pick up the basket and go to the kitchen, and she follows.
“Yes and no. We have breakfast almost every day. I actually had forgotten she was coming here.” She says.
The kitchen is cleaned with most of the cupboards changed, but the structure is the same and they currently have no doors. The steel table was nailed to the floor, and it is standing as strong as the last time I saw it. Luckily, I had the foresight to source the rare stainless steel. When I return, I need to source more of it.
“I am happy you two get along.” I say, placing the fruits in their rack.
“We do. She is amazing and she makes the best tea. Want me to make you some?” Aria nears the stove.
I smirk at her. “Tea later. Come and let me give you a massage. You need to keep your feet off the ground as much as you can.”
She doesn’t answer but lets me lead her to our bedroom.
“I’m serious.” I say.
“But moving around is getting more important as I near my date of birth. I’m told it’ll help with the delivery. Especially since the babies are bigger.” She crawls on the bed. Once more I am a little worried that her human body has to carry not just one, but two orcs. I just hope she is fine.
I decide to not argue because she is right, but I worry about her body. I worry about a lot.
We spend the day indoors, and by the time the sun starts going down and it nears time for us to leave, Aria’s face is sadder. I watch her rub her belly as she watches me put on my armor. The sound of metal is the only sound in the room.
“Aria?” I call to her even though she is looking right at me.
“Hm?”
“Do you think you can be happy here, like we were back in the forest?” It’s something that has been a bothering question for me. Can I make her as happy as she would have been back in our home? And what will I do if she can’t be?
She takes a moment before she licks her lips. “I have things that I like about here, and I have things I don’t. I don’t know if any place could ever compare to me and you alone in our beautiful home. But Igor this is our life now. And as long as I have you and our children then I will adjust. The plus side is I have friends now.” She smiles and I give her a meaningful one back.
I guess that’s all I can ask. It’s not like there is a way for us to have our old life anyway. This is us.
I pick up my helmet from the table.
“Let’s go see the old orcs.” I stretch my hand to her as I near her.
She gets up with a long groan.
