Our Life, Our Love

Story

Ealhswith was folding laundry while young Sihtric played on the floor when her husband came in after training with Lord Uhtred's warriors.

“I'm sorry Ealhswith,” he said with a sigh, “I know I don't treat you like I used to.”

She walked up to him and placed a palm on his cheek. “What do you mean? You treat me extremely well.”

“Today while we were training, Finnan commented that we aren't as intimate as we used to be…” he trailed off softly.

“Sihtric, it's because of the time that has passed. When we were first lovers, we had to take every opportunity we had to be intimate as we both knew our opportunities were few and sometimes far between. Then when we were first married, there was the newness of it all. We were often physically intimate because of the novelty that we actually could be. Since then we've settled into our life and enjoy softer intimacies.”

“That does not excuse me from neglecting you physically though!” he replied, upset.

“You haven't been though!” she said in response. “When I was heavy, tired and moody with our son did you begrudge me those last couple months for not desiring you?”

Completely bewildered, Sihtric responded, “Of course not!”

“What about those first months after our son was born, even after I stopped bleeding, when I was paying more attention to him than you and I had no wish to be bedded?”

“No! Our boy was rightfully your priority. He needed you. I know having a newborn was very taxing, especially on you!”

“But I was neglecting my duties as your wife by denying your physical needs. In total we didn't have sex for nearly six months. Does that bother you?”

“No, not at all. You know that.”

“Husband, Sihtric, I love our life and all the soft and tender intimacies it includes. I love waking up in your bed, even when you are gone. I love the home you built for us. I love our son and knowing that he's the piece of you I get to keep at home even while you are away as he's still far too young to go with you to war. I love tending our home and garden and doing all the routine domestic tasks of my life now as it means I'm no longer a whore. Besides, we are still plenty intimate. Whenever you are home, we kiss multiple times per day. We take long walks holding hands. You hold me in your arms. We talk while we eat at our table and share tender looks while we tend our child. We do simple acts of kindness for one another. When you are gone, you are ALWAYS looking for things to bring home to me. You bring me flowers whenever you can find or buy some. At night, again, when you are home, we go to bed together. I love falling asleep wrapped in your arms. No, we may not seem to devour one another in public or rush to shove clothing aside whenever we meet, but what we have is much better. We have a marriage. Do you wish things were different?”

Sihtric tenderly kissed her lips while pulling her close to him. “No, I agree. I love our life together. You and our son are my happiness and my home. I just never want you to feel neglected by me.”

“All I need is your love Sihtric. I can do without everything else so long as I can just have you.”

“You have it, always, I promise. I love you.”

“And I love you,” she said back with a smile. Noticing their son had fallen asleep on the floor, she continued, “Let me put him in his cradle and then I will show you how much I love you.”

The couple then shared a tender look and another kiss before Sihtric released his wife to put their babe to bed, both grateful for the life they had together.