Dreamed This Up (Dreams, Book 1)

Chapter 21: The Dance

(yup, you guessed it. They go to a party)

Armed with the promise of protection from the Council, and with wounds healed, they felt emboldened, and when Rofin brought home an invitation from his sister-in-law, they decided to attend.

It was a gala given on the occasion of the winter solstice. It had been seven months since that day on the track. Sophia no longer felt queasy, and Loklin had cleared her for the excursion. Earlier Rofin had brought her to the market, where she had been fitted in a lovely shimmering gown, that despite her changed shape was still quite striking. She spun gently to show him. "Thank you."

He smiled and drew her near. "Thank you. I will be the envy of every other male at having brought such a lovely vision." She blushed, and then left to change back into street wear.

That evening, they were seated at one of the small tables along the perimeter of the dancing floor. Seated, in the dim lighting, with her eyes downcast on the plate and arms covered by long sleeved gloves, Sophie might have passed for a Rifan herself. And that seemed to be the misunderstanding, when an elegant creature in a glittering golden dress swept up to their table.

"Why, Rofin" cooed the female Rifan, "Fancy seeing you at one of these events. I thought you'd stopped coming."

"Good evening, Lirilit. You look well." he answered politely, but his hand gripped Sophie's under the table. Some history? she mused.

"Ah, thank you. The same to you. Your latest career must agree with you. What are you this century? Architect? Scientist? Musician?" 

Sophie darted a sidelong glance at him, but did not look up at the other woman yet.

Coolly, he replied, "I am something of a cultivator, now"

Lirilit let out a rather unladylike snort. "Cultivating what? Ah, this one? Fancy yourself a Pygmalion? Hmm. Why did you pick one with baggage, then?"

Sophie looked up then, and her eyes gave her away.

"And a harac, too?"

Rofin stood, and stated quietly but in a deadly tone. "Because her baggage is mine as well, now if you'll excuse us, my wife and I intend to dance."

With that he guided Sophie to stand, and lead her out, leaving a sputtering Lirilit behind.

Once they were safely out of earshot, Sophie asked, "Who was that?"

"-------"

"Rofin?"

He lead her through another whirling turn before answering. "We were close at one time. Until I understood more of her nature, and she understood mine, and we parted amicably enough"

 "Oh," she answered, very subdued.

The music had slowed, and he brought his free hand around to tip her chin up. "She has no place in my heart. You do."

She smiled. "I'd better. Or a certain someone will be sleeping on the couch."

He laughed and they continued dancing.

But after a few dances he lead her back to their table. Sophie sank down gratefully and furtively kicked off her shoes under the table. Ai, but it was getting harder to move. "Soon, baby, soon," she smiled and patted the bulge. "Mama just wanted to get out one more time before you really start to take up all her time." 

Rofin smiled too and placed his hand over hers.

"Sophie! Rofin!"

He turned to look. Ah, it was Huda, Talin in tow, looking bored as usual. Huda, by contrast was all sparkle. "How's my favorite sister-in-law?" 

Sophie grinned, "You're only sister-in-law. At least, I'd better be." She poked Rofin, who merely smiled, and then leaned over as if to peer under the table, "I dunno, you think I hid another one around here somewhere?"

"Rofin! Stop!" She tugged on his arm and he straightened. "Anyway. Good to see you, Huda, Talin. Thank you again for the invitation." 

Huda snorted, "You're always locked up in that lab now. It does you good to get out."

He shrugged. Sophie turned to Huda, "How are you, then? And the children?"

"Terrors as usual. I inflicted them on their grandparents for the evening."

Sophie smiled. "Say hello to Lisk for me"

"I'll do that."

The four of them sat, and chatted easily. Around them, the music swirled. Various guests passed by. Most raised an eyebrow at Rofin's companion, but none were as outspoken as Lirilit had been. Sophie relaxed, and watched the flow of guests around them. Huda and Talin had gone to dance, but she was tired now, and Rofin seemed content to sit beside her.

He turned to her, "How are you holding up?"

"Other than the swollen feet? Fairly well" she smiled. "Could you get another- ah!"

He rounded the table, "What is it?" 

"I don't- ah! that hurt."

"Where?"

"Here - ah!"

Not now, not now! he thought frantically. 

He patted her hand, "Just lean back, um, oh, I'll get help!"

She gripped his hand in hers. "Don't - AH! Oh, is it supposed to happen so fast? I felt fine!" The spasm passed, and she sighed. "I think you'd better get me out of here quickly. I - ah! think it's happening NOW."

He fled to one of the waiters, and explained they needed a quiet room and the house medic. The man was swift, and they soon had Sophie in one of the small rooms off the main hall. One of the servers had found a robe for her, and the shimmering dress hung over the chair.

Rofin tried to be useful, but was soon shooed out by the Rifan who had been called. "But I'm a doctor! and she's my wife! I need -"

"SHE doesn't need you getting underfoot. I'll call you when you're needed, until then, shoo!"

So he paced outside the room, until Talin found him. "Come on, papa, it's best to leave them alone while they're in there."

"But- but-"

"Oh, can it. Come outside. Huda was the same way. Threw a vase at my head during the delivery of Lisk. Swore she wasn't going through it ever again! Ha! Like that lasted. Twins came along not long after ... "

Rofin shook his head but followed his brother out.

Sometime later .....

A server caught up to them outside. "It's all over. You're wanted inside."

Shaking, Rofin followed him in.

"Is it -is -"

"Get in here" He smiles on hearing Sophie's voice. "Come and meet your son" 

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