(Untitled)

[acarelesslife]

Once upon a time, Leon had never found it difficult to speak to Cecilia. Growing up they had been more friends than siblings. They had been playmates, confidantes. Leon and Cecilia Tallis against the world it had been, once upon a time

Comments

[so_near_an_end]

It would not be long now before the twins arrived. Every day, it seemed, Cecilia's belly expanded even more. Her back ached more often than not, her shoes had grown quite tight, and she was increasingly restless.

Though it was difficult for Cecilia to get around as of late, she was stubborn enough to forgo the discomfort in lieu of simply moving.

Moving, as it were, was an act in which Cecilia had to slow down considerably. Prior to her pregnancy, she bustled from place to place. No longer. Mindful always of the babies, Cecilia walked at a leisurely pace wherever she went.

Today, she had taken her time going to the kitchen. While Robbie had gathered quite a bit of fruit for in their hut, what Cecilia craved most of all was a good cup of tea.

She was fixing herself just that when she spied a familiar, albeit unwanted, face in the doorway. After catching Leon's eye for but a moment, Cecilia averted her gaze and fixated on the steam beginning to seep out of the kettle's spout as it warmed on the stove.

[acarelesslife]

"Cee-" Leon hadn't even meant to speak the childhood nickname, but somehow his sister's full name had stuck in his throat. "Cecilia," he tried again with more success.

A moment later he was hurrying into the kitchen, towards the stove. He didn't know a damned thing about babies, but he was almost certain that Cecilia shouldn't be up and about in her state. "Here, sit down. Let me."

[so_near_an_end]

At mention of the name she had expressly asked Leon not to call her any longer, Cecilia flinched. Delicate mouth setting into the thinnest of lines, she placed the kettle back on the stove. A clang resonated loudly as kettle hit burner, giving Cecilia cause to start slightly.

Though she was loathe to accept any help from Leon, she could not deny that she desperately needed to sit. Simply being in Leon's presence was quite making her on edge.

Mutely, Cecilia fairly waddled to the closest chair, hissing softly under her breath as she situated herself.

[acarelesslife]

Tea was easy enough to make. It was something to do with one's hands, a way to occupy one's mind, an excuse not to speak whilst one struggled to find words that should not be so very difficult to say. It was very English like that.

His back was to her as he waited for the water to boil. "There's something I need to talk to you about." Leon's voice was somehow smaller than usual. It lacked authority or strength, even carefree certainty.