Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Looking For Diversion

"Martine?" asked Leiria in her sad tiny voice.

Martine immediately recognized the tone of his wife's voice, and sat with her. "What is it, Leiria?"

"Do you think I'm... boring?"

"Where is this coming from, darlin'?" asked Martine, scooting closer to Leiria.

"Well, I've been looking through my news feed, and recently..." Leiria turned her tablet so that they could both look. "All of our friends look like they're having so much fun. Look, there's the guys with their championship..."

Leiria pointed to a picture of Gale, Vidina, and Berrik holding their new blitz trophy; Linna had taken the picture, so she wasn't in it.

"Vidina went on that trip of the islands with Oravee over the summer," added Leiria, pointing to the picture of Vidina and his girlfriend snorkeling.

"Them fish were real colorful." Martine smiled.

"And, and there's also Gale and Leviesse and little Alexine. Look at the cute little pictures of them all apple-picking. And Aurelie and Harlan always are traveling the world."

"Leiria." Martine looked up at her.

"Linna and Nora both have such promising studies going on, and the latter's relationship with Berrik seems to be going so strongly. And- and Raine-" Leiria grinned. "Raine's engagement to Kazel, and their little ones on the way..."

"Where are you going with this, Leiria?" asked Martine.

"What do we have to show for our relationship?" asked Leiria. "What do we do, Martine? Nothing exciting. And I feel that it's because of me. You- you work with SeeD, you see many things around the world, your life holds very much excitement. I... sit at home and draw things sometimes."

"I like your drawings." Martine looked around; many of Leiria's drawings were hanging on the walls.

"I'm boring, aren't I? And it's not just about social activities. My meals and my lovemaking are boring to you as well, aren't they?"

"You're not even listening to me, are you, Leiria."

"I'm sorry, Martine- you must have had such great expectations of me that I don't live up to!" Leiria whimpered, sobbing into Martine's sleeve. "It's echoing Vidina and Aurelie when they used to date- and we know how that turned out!"

Martine sighed. "Leiria."

"Yes?" She looked up.

"We got something special in our relationship, honey. We were the first to be together, first to be married. Tied the knot at eighteen."

"Three and a half years of mundanity."

Martine sighed again. "Are you trying to convince me to think you're boring?"

"I don't understand your question, Martine."

"I love everything about you, you don't have to change nothing." Martine hugged her. "But, it wouldn't hurt to try some new stuff, right? Why don't you spend some time with our friends and see if we find a hobby you like?"

"That sounds fun." Leiria smiled.

"I'll go call a few of our friends, then. You want excitement, you'll get excitement." Martine gave her a kiss. "Now... what's up first?"

~ * ~

"Glad to see a Galbadian on the island. We don't get too many of you all here..." Vidina laughed. "Hey, but Leiria... I never really got a chance to apologize for always teasing you when we were younger, ya? I really am sorry."