Chapter 21

Lisia and Cobweb woke up at mid-morning, just as the sun had risen high enough in the sky to pass over the trees and come through the windows, shining onto the bed. Eyes still half-closed, they snuggled against one another, pulling the blanket over their heads, not wanting to get up. They probably would have stayed under the blankets until lunchtime if it hadn't been for a knock at the door.

"Um, come in," Cobweb managed, startled. Quickly he pulled down the blanket and sat up, composing himself. Lisia followed suit, even if he did shrink down a bit, apparently trying to appear inconspicuous. Cobweb knew Lisia was loath for anyone to suspect he had any ulterior motive in visiting Forever.

When the door opened, it was Seel. He'd brought a tray with tea and cookies, which he wordlessly set down on the night stand. If Swift's consort was at all surprised to find the couple in bed together, he gave no sign. In fact there were two teacups on the tray.

"Good morning, you two," he said, pulling up a chair.

"And good morning to you," Cobweb replied. "How's it feel to be a father?"

"Wonderful," Seel answered. "We waited a long time. I'm glad it worked out so well... thanks to you two -- especially you, Lis."

Lisia smiled self-consciously. "Oh, you're welcome. I didn't see why Cobweb had asked me down here but it seems I was of some use." He drew the blanket up over his shoulders.

"Of course you were of use -- more than that, Lis!" Seel enthused. "You were brilliant." He ran his rand through his long blond hair, reflecting. "I'm so glad Phlaar didn't cut him." He paused, assessing the green-eyed hostling. "Now what is it, Lis? You look like you're trying to hide under the covers!"

Lisia immediately drew the blankets down around his waist again. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just a little... embarrassed."

"Whatever for?" Seel asked.

Lisia was furtive. "You won't tell Swift you found... you found us together like this... will you?"

Seel couldn't help it. He laughed out loud. "What?!"

"I fail to see the humor in this, Seel," Cobweb burst out suddenly. Apparently the paranoia was catching. "What's so funny? We both want to be sure you don't tell Swift!"

"Tell Swift?" Seel chuckled. "Well, first off, no chance of telling him now -- he's dead to the world, snoring alongside the pearl. For a couple hours after the delivery he was asleep but once he woke, he wouldn't shut up! Kept me up babbling, wanting to talk about everything that happened -- Lis this, Lis that, the pain, opening up, how he loves incubating the pearl, everything! Finally an hour ago he dropped off at last. I don't think he'll be up for quite a long while."

"But about telling him..." Lisia murmured.

"I don't need to tell him, you two." He was finally understanding the issue. "What is it? You think he doesn't know?"

Lisia and Cobweb both looked indignant. "Know what?" they asked in unison.

Seel stood up and motioned to the night stand. "Oh, you're both impossible. Almost twenty years you've known each other and yet-- oh, never mind! Have your tea." Seel left the room smiling, shaking his head.

Cobweb sighed. "Well, I think it's time we both got up. You have some tea, I'm taking a bath."

"Fine," Lisia agreed, reaching for a cup. "I wouldn't mind staying in bed just a little longer."

They spent the next week together, Cobweb savoring every second, wishing Lisia could somehow stay.

Finally on the eighth day they were in the living room when Azriel, arrived two days earlier for a visit, burst in. "It's happening!" he announced excitedly. "Come on, they want you to come see!"

Cobweb turned to Lisia, who was knitting a small blanket. "Want to come see my new grandharling?"

"Of course!" Lisia set down his knitting and followed Cobweb and Azriel to the master bedroom upstairs. "I still love tiny harlings so much," he remarked on the stairs. "Probably because I wasn't allowed to see them for so long."

"Probably," Cobweb agreed. They'd reached the door. Azriel gestured for them to go in first.

Swift and Seel were seated cross-legged on the bed as between them the brittle pearl shell trembled and twisted with the efforts of the newborn harling, making its way into the world. Along with Phlaar, the three hara watched the proud parents as they gently broke away bits of the shell. Five minutes later, Swift lifted the little one up and into his arms.

"Oh, my precious," Swift cooed. Seel came up beside him and they embraced the child between them, murmuring a prayer.

The other hara allowed them a few minutes together before speaking. This was such a personal, powerful moment they couldn't bear to interrupt.

Finally Phlaar said, "Well, do you think we could see him?"

Swift looking up smilingly. "Yes." Seel moved out of the way as Swift held the child in his arms. Predictably he was beautifully formed, with Seel's blond hair and small version of Swift's face. The harling laughed and tugged on the collar of his hostling's nightgown.

"I'm so happy for you," said Lisia, stepping closer and looking the infant in the eyes. "Do you have a name for him?"

Swift turned the harling to face him. "Yes, I do. He's going to be Opal."

Cobweb quirked an eyebrow. "After the Kamagrian priestess?" he asked.

"Oh, no," Swift said, "just because I love opals and they match his eyes." The child's irises were a lustrous grey.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, Lisia backed up from the bed and turned away. "Lis, what is it?" Swift asked.

Cobweb got up and touched his shoulder, turning him around. Lisia ran a shaky hand over his face, brushing away the start of tears. "Nothing," he mumbled. "Nothing."

Cobweb was not so easily fooled. "You'd like a child of your own, wouldn't you, Lis?"

His guess was correct, although Lisia refused to admit it -- just as he refused to stay in Galhea.

He had to start getting ready for the spring sessions and training some new teachers, he explained. Cobweb hadn't expected anything more, although he had hopes.

He let Lisia go back, but he was unhappy about it. Little did he know that during the summer, everything would change.