IVAR, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU

Chapter 4

The sun had not yet risen when you were awakened by the motion of Ivar stirring beside you. As he slung his legs over the side of the bed, your eyes slowly fluttered open. You lay motionless, with your back to him, hoping he would not disturb you. But regrettably, that is precisely what your husband did.

"Y/N...........Y/N!" Ivar said – reaching over and placing a hand upon your hip. "Y/N!"

He shook you gently as he tried to wake you, not knowing that you were roused already.

"Y/N! Please get up."

You shut your eyes tightly and gritted your teeth, knowing exactly what he was going to pester you about. The baby! It was all he had talked about for the past week and you were utterly fed up. Everything revolved around his daughter to the point you could not bear being around him.

"What is it, Ivar?" You finally asked, still refusing to stir from where you lay.

"You were wrong. Despite what you said, I have not gotten accustomed to the sleeping arrangements. I do not like the baby sleeping with the wet-nurse. She should be here, with us."

You sat up straightaway and looked at your shirtless husband who was already securing his leg braces. Was he serious about breaking the tradition of a child residing with their nurse?

"Ivar, she is a newborn! If you bring her in here, we shall never have any rest."

"I do not care about that!" He said, almost becoming cross with you. "As a mother, you should want her here even more than I do."

Ivar continued fixing his braces as you pondered what to say next. Though you had held the baby a few times, you still had not fully accepted that she was yours. Especially since you had always believed you would have been the mother of Herry's children.

"My poor, sweet Herry." You reminisced. "Oh, how I loved you."

Herry Forester. The light of your life whom had died by your hand, though it was through not desire of your own. The image of him taking his last breath was imprinted in your mind and haunted you daily. You saw him in your dreams often. He was always gazing at you from afar, too far away for you to communicate with him. When you did attempt to draw closer, you could never not quite reach him. It was a nightmare that you had at least every other night. Since this issue prevented you from getting proper rest, the last thing you wanted was a screaming baby nearby.

"Perhaps you do not care for sleep Ivar, but I do. I have a great deal of work during the day, to include taking care of the baby. How shall I oversee the operation your household if I am awake all hours of the night?"

"If that is an issue, I will simply find someone to assist you until she is older."

"Ivar! You cannot have her at your side every waking hour. It is absurd."

"That is enough Y/N! I will do as I please." He turned around to face you - visibly upset by your words. "This conversation is over! I am going to fetch my daughter whether you like it or not."

Ivar took hold of his crutch and used it to slowly stand to his feet. Once he had positioned it properly underneath his armpit, he glanced at you one last time. Though he appeared on the verge of one of his tirades, he suddenly had a change of heart. Instead of voicing his displeasure, your husband scowled at you before leaving the chamber. You laid back down, pulling the furs over your body.

Though you tried not to let it get underneath your skin, you were angered by how Ivar had spoken to you. However angry you were with him, there was someone else who you detested more. Your mother! If it had not been for her treacherous ways, you would not have been in this situation in the first place. Understandably, you had made certain that she was aware of your resentment.