Mene
After getting properly married, Sven and Alba had spent the last nearly-a-season combining their households and learning how to live together. Alba had moved into his alcove, and they'd enjoyed blending their things and creating a space that felt truly "theirs". It had been difficult for Alba to give up her large bathroom, as Sven's alcove used that space for a kitchen instead, but she made do, finding creative ways to store her lotions, soaps, and pigments that didn't take up the whole room.
They both had been used to living alone as adults, and while they were both thrilled to be spending all their time together, instead of just most of it, there was still an adjustment period. Luckily their personalities were so well-matched there weren't any major snags, just little frictions that were smoothed out as easily as straightening a wrinkle in fabric. They learned to give each other grace, and, in time, they settled into a rhythm they both enjoyed.
Alba had been mulling over how to bring up the question of children for a fortnight or so. All the babies in their family had grown up now, and Alba was beginning to feel strongly that it was their "turn". She felt ready for parenthood, or as ready as anyone could feel. But Alba didn't want to spring such a conversation on Sven; neither did she want to cause him undue anxiety by stringing it out.
She'd chosen to broach the subject during a calm moment. After dinner, they were enjoying a glass of wine together on the sofa, just relaxed and cuddled together. "Darling," began Alba gently, holding Sven's hand where it came around her shoulder, turning her head to kiss his thumb. "I wonder if we can...talk about what it might look like when we're ready to start a family."
They both had been used to living alone as adults, and while they were both thrilled to be spending all their time together, instead of just most of it, there was still an adjustment period. Luckily their personalities were so well-matched there weren't any major snags, just little frictions that were smoothed out as easily as straightening a wrinkle in fabric. They learned to give each other grace, and, in time, they settled into a rhythm they both enjoyed.
Alba had been mulling over how to bring up the question of children for a fortnight or so. All the babies in their family had grown up now, and Alba was beginning to feel strongly that it was their "turn". She felt ready for parenthood, or as ready as anyone could feel. But Alba didn't want to spring such a conversation on Sven; neither did she want to cause him undue anxiety by stringing it out.
She'd chosen to broach the subject during a calm moment. After dinner, they were enjoying a glass of wine together on the sofa, just relaxed and cuddled together. "Darling," began Alba gently, holding Sven's hand where it came around her shoulder, turning her head to kiss his thumb. "I wonder if we can...talk about what it might look like when we're ready to start a family."
Dai
More than most, Sven and Alba had been incredibly intentionally... well... intentional as they continued to progress their relationship up until their wedding night and beyond. It'd be a lie to say everything has gone just swimmingly, but it had been reasonably smooth. Sven had been aware from the time he spent at her place, but by the Earth did women like to keep a lot of things - especially of the beautifying kind... To say nothing of her veritable horde of yarns and fabrics.
Still, she'd been real considerate with the speed she changed the space, so he'd had time to ease into it without it becoming overwhelming.
During this time, their families' combined horde of children - could you believe there'd been 9 borne around the same time?? - had aged into strapping young lasses and lads. He didn't see much of his brother's 2 anymore, which was to be expected given Yipes' own fickleness, but the rest still came by occasionally when they needed something of their Auntie... Or, er... Cousin? It was complicated - not worth thinking too hard on.
What a family he'd married into.
He rubbed her shoulder lightly as he usually did when they were spending their quiet time together, just enjoying each other's company. "Hmm...?" He hummed as he took a sip from his wine. Had she brought this question up again a couple of seasons ago, perhaps she'd have been met with more hesitation, discomfort... But he'd had quite a while to muse it, grow comfortable with it. He still wasn't super keen on the chaos children would bring, but he prioritized Alba's wishes over that little comfort. "Sure... What about it?"
Classic Sven.
Still, she'd been real considerate with the speed she changed the space, so he'd had time to ease into it without it becoming overwhelming.
During this time, their families' combined horde of children - could you believe there'd been 9 borne around the same time?? - had aged into strapping young lasses and lads. He didn't see much of his brother's 2 anymore, which was to be expected given Yipes' own fickleness, but the rest still came by occasionally when they needed something of their Auntie... Or, er... Cousin? It was complicated - not worth thinking too hard on.
What a family he'd married into.
He rubbed her shoulder lightly as he usually did when they were spending their quiet time together, just enjoying each other's company. "Hmm...?" He hummed as he took a sip from his wine. Had she brought this question up again a couple of seasons ago, perhaps she'd have been met with more hesitation, discomfort... But he'd had quite a while to muse it, grow comfortable with it. He still wasn't super keen on the chaos children would bring, but he prioritized Alba's wishes over that little comfort. "Sure... What about it?"
Classic Sven.
Mene
Alba flushed. That wasn't much to go on. "Well," she began again with a bit of a shrug, cuddling into him a bit more. "I'm sure I've made my feelings on having children....rather clear," she said with a bit of a giggle. That much was an understatement. "But I don't want to start a family until we're ready. So I just....wanted to talk about what 'ready' looks like. Is there anything that we, like, want to have done first?" She kissed his hand again. "I want to know your thoughts," she added.
Dai
Sven nodded emphatically - oh yeah, she'd certainly made it clear -just- how much she wanted kids, pretty much from the moment her brother's.... er... partners...? were expecting. Playing the role of Auntie and Uncle had given them both time to slow everything down.
He took a sip of his wine, then leaned forward to set it on the coffee table before holding that now-free hand up to count. "Well, there were a few things... Let's see... 1) married; 2) living together; 3) no longer babysitting..." Mm... Was there anything else? He fell into silence as he contemplated.
He took a sip of his wine, then leaned forward to set it on the coffee table before holding that now-free hand up to count. "Well, there were a few things... Let's see... 1) married; 2) living together; 3) no longer babysitting..." Mm... Was there anything else? He fell into silence as he contemplated.
Mene
Alba nodded as he spoke. All those qualifications were met! She bit her lip to keep from speaking up--by now she could sort of tell when he was quiet because he was thinking and didn't want to interrupt--but she couldn't help a hopeful little smile and a "Mhm?".
Maybe they were ready. Her heart raced and her mind wandered a bit, planning patterns for baby blankets.
Maybe they were ready. Her heart raced and her mind wandered a bit, planning patterns for baby blankets.
Dai
Oh, lightbulb!
"4) a room needs to be made and prepared for them; 5) we need toys and blankets and bedding ready; 6) names, of course..." Another pause. "Have I missed anything?"
"4) a room needs to be made and prepared for them; 5) we need toys and blankets and bedding ready; 6) names, of course..." Another pause. "Have I missed anything?"
