A Saint To A Sinner

3.33

Sihtric stood there, a confused look on his face as he looked between the drunk men and his wife. Neither of them sober enough to explain what was going on except for Stiorra. Sihtric pushed Young Uhtred forward to the table, while Cynlæf ran towards his father, who picked him up in his arms.
"Come and meet yur new sister!" Finan drunkenly said as he carried Cynlæf over to the little basket. Sihtric greeted his wife with a shocked look on his face as he lent down to kiss her lips.
"Ah. Ah. Ah. Yu've got to be nice and quiet. She needs her sleep." Finan whispered loudly.
"I don't think she will sleep in Alehouse with you shouting, Finan?" Osferth called out.
"Uh! She has been sleeping alright in Alehouse. Ain't that right, father?" Father Pyrlig nodded at Finans words as they watched Cynlæf look over at her. Sihtric followed over to look at his daughter. He was still in shock at the sight of her.
"What is her name?" Sihtric asked as he picked her up. His head tilted to the side, almost studying her little face.
"Yur going to hate it. She named her Eir. Whatever that means?!" Finan grumbled as he sat Cynlæf down.
"Eir?" Sihtric said. "Eir is the name of the Goddess of Protection!"
"Of course its a Pagan name!" Father Pyrlig said as he nudged Finan, who nodded. Although, Y/N still did not understand why she named her daughter Eir. It was the first thing that had come out of her mouth.

Sihtric sat down and cradled his daughter as he listened to Finans' drunk story on how Uhtred was becoming the Lord of Mercia tomorrow. Sihtric slowly drank his cup as he looked at Uhtred with a confused look. None of this made any sense to him. He had come back with his son to find his wife had given birth early, and Uhtred was going to be Lord of Mercia.
"Anything else happened?" Sihtric questioned as he looked at the state of the drunk men in front of him.
"The Lady Ælfwynn is fine." Osferth said as he passed Cynlæf a cup of milk.
"So I've heard." Sihtric said slowly as he watched Finan drunkenly whisper to Y/N. The two of them were completely unfazed by their surroundings.
"Right, Cynlæf, bedtime." Sihtric called out as he patted his son, who had started to fall asleep from the long journey.
"Give your mother a kiss." Sihtric whispered as he ruffled his hair. Cynlæf walked towards his mother, kissing her on the cheek before telling them goodnight.
"You can play with Æthelstan in the gardens tomorrow." Y/N said as she hugged her son. Cynlæf nodded excitedly as he walked with Sihtric to go to bed.
"Good night, little man." Finan drunkenly waved his son goodnight as the rest of them stayed up until the morning celebrating.

It wasn't until Cynlæf came down to find his mother that they realised they had all fallen asleep at the table. Y/N lifted her head when she heard a noise.
"Hey? Did you sleep well?" Cynlæf nodded at her as he hugged her.
"Come on. Let's get you something to eat, and then we can go and play." Cynlæf nodded as he took his mothers hand to go and get some porridge. She looked back with a laugh as she saw the state of the rest of them. Y/N nodded at the woman and gave her son the bowl of porridge as she sat down with him at another table.
"Eat slowly." Y/N said with a smile. "Did you have fun with your father?" Cynlæf nodded. Excitement building up as he was ready to tell his story.
"We rode for days, and they were so hard to find, but we found them. I even poked Lord Aldhelm with my sword, scaring him." Y/N ruffled his hair. A proud look on his face as she listened to him. "Haven't you become a little warrior."
"He has." Sihtric said as he came down the stairs with their daughter. "Jesus Christ. Did you sleep?" Sihtric said as he looked at them all. Y/N shook her head and took her daughter from him.
"Come with me to take our son to play in the gardens." Y/N said as she laughed at the sleeping men. Sihtric nodded as he followed her outside towards the gardens silently.

Æthelstan and Ælfwynn ran towards them, greeting them.
"Lady Y/N. How is Eir?" Æthelstan asked as he held out his arms, wanting to hold her again. Y/N crouched down to show him.
"She has gotten bigger." Æthelstan giggled. Y/N stood up when she noticed Eadith, who appeared around the corner. A happy look on her face.
"Congratulations to you both. How are you Cynlæf?" Eadith asked, as the boy grinned at her before running off to play with them.
"I can take your daughter. It is no problem. I believe I am accustomed to children now." Eadith said gently. Y/N looked at Sihtric, who nodded at her, allowing Eadith to take their daughter.
"Please look after her. She is very precious." Sihtric said before calling out to Cynlæf. "Will you be good for Eadith if I am good to your mother?"
"Yes father." Cynlæf sarcastically answered back, making them chuckle. Sihtric nodded to Eadith before they turned back.

Sihtric silently took Y/Ns hand in his, stroking it gently as he looked at her.  Y/N looked up at him gently, a smile forming on her face as she placed her head against his shoulder. Sihtric nudged his head against hers, making her turn her neck towards him so she could plant a kiss on her lips. A soft and gentle kiss. Her hand found its way to his hair, gripping it as she felt his tongue poke at her bottom lip. Sihtric pulled back, placing his forehead against hers just as she cupped his face.
"Your hair has gotten curlier!" Sihtric laughed at her words.
"And you have gotten more attractive." He whispered as he pushed her towards the tree.