Let's go on an adventure! (Attn: Risa)

Fleurs laughter rang through her quarters. "Stop wiggling," she said with affection in her voice. "You're just making this harder than it needs to be."

She smiled gently down at the squirming little girl, her eyes bright with love. Erady was only 4 months old, but she'd already changed her mothers life. She already had a mop of brown curls, so much like her own, but the giant blue eyes... those were all her father.

Finally, Fleur chuckled and picked Erady up and cradled her gently. For today, she had put the girl in a deep red romper. Something that would not only handle her scooting and crawling, but also guaranteed to put a smile on a certain someone's face.

A smile that she'd grown rather fond of in the past Turn, she thought with a small smile of her own. She had followed Avidians orders, had bound the Weyr and the smugglers closer with a child. And while there was no exclusive bond between her and the father, she had to admit there was more than just a passing attraction.

He had forewarning that they were coming by, of course. She never simply dropped in. But he had the morning free, and he did so adore Erady. It caused a warm feeling in her chest, when she saw the two together.

"Daddy, we're here," she called from the doorway, giving him a moment before she swept in with a wide smile.

Nimath, already on watch, crowded a bit further into the weyr. She made an affection harrumphing noise, but H'den's grin was already about as wide as it could be.

"Here's the highlight of my day," he said, putting down the straps he'd been busying himself checking over, crossing the weyr and holding out his arms. For a hug, for the baby, for both?

Yes. "Now that's a good color for her," he added, glancing back up at Fleur, that grin shading into something just a bit deeper.

Fleur smiled back at H'den, managing a hug that was also a transfer of the cooing baby to his arms. Erady was squealing in delight and reaching for her father, and she felt her heart give a tiny squeeze of happiness at the sight of the scarlet rider and the tiny little life they had created.

At first, the idea had seemed a little boring. She enjoyed her life, going out on raids, and hadn't wanted to give it up. But Erady, and yes H'den as well, especially at times like this, made the trade off more than even.

"I thought you might like it," she said, affection that was just for him in her voice. "I tried to get the dye as close to Nimath as possible. How did I do, beautiful one?" She was used to the Scarlets interest in the baby, and in fact found it charming. She'd no doubt in her mind that daughter would one day follow fathers example and Impress a dragon of her own.

Nimath's low croon was a lovely sliding scale of notes, indicating her approval quite clearly. H'den chuckled, and made a ridiculous face at the cooing child in his arms. "Clever and resourceful, as always," he said, turning just slightly so Nimath could survey to her heart's content.

"Are you staying with us this morning, or do other things call you away?"

"I have the morning free, actually," she said casually, flashing a smile at him. She didn't always make herself available, letting him spend plenty of time alone with Erady, and sometimes it was just a matter of leaving him wanting more. She didn't offer more, turning to say hello and stroke Nimath gently.

If he wanted to spend the morning with her, she was more than happy to stay. But he would have to ask first, she thought, giving Nimath a little wink and grin.

"Free mornings seem too rare to waste," he said, pausing while he kissed Erady's tiny forehead. The expression when he looked back up was exactly innocent enough to be wicked. "If you wanted to stay here for some of it, I'm sure we could put the time to good use."

With a last gentle pat, Fleur walked back to the rider and baby, a crooked little grin on her face just for H'den. "I'm certain we could," she agreed, placing a and on his upper arm and kissing him teasingly, only partially on the lips, almost just a brush against them, like the target had been his cheek. She didn't give him even a beat to respond, instead turning to pull a silly face for Erady.

The baby crowed in delight, reaching out to grab at her mother's thick mane of curls. Fleur didn't stop her, and leaned in so Erady could put the fist full of hair in her mouth. It resulted in her being against H'dens side, and she slipped her hand around his waist easily while she gave a throaty chuckle. "Everything is straight in her mouth," she said, digging in the pockets of her pants before coming back with a pacifier. It took a moment, and a tiny bit of fussing, but soon her hair was free and Erady was happy.

She wondered what they looked like, she thought idly, smiling so gently at Erady. H'den and she had their chemistry, indeed, but little moments like this felt very different. H'den with that expression of blissful adoration for his child, her own maternal instincts that she hadn't expected, and the beautiful little girl who had somehow managed to inherit her parents best features that grasped and pulled at both of them.

She realized that at some point she had rested her head against his shoulder while staring at Erady, and she pulled back, but just slightly.

H'den's free arm moved immediately, his hand curving around her waist to rest on her hip, pulling her back against him. He didn't think too much about it - didn't need to, really - he knew how much he enjoyed it, was fairly sure she did as well, and when her head had been tucked against him, Erady burbling up at them...

Content. Maybe something more. Still, he didn't want to hold her if she wanted to move away, but he would make it clear he'd like to keep her close, if she was willing.

And maybe some of that had to do with the rising intensity of Nimath, slowly building over the days - but just as likely, not.

With a small smile she let herself be pulled back the scant distance she had moved, this time consciously allowing herself to lean into him. She didn't say anything, but did let a content sound escape from her as she brushed her fingers through Erady's already unruly hair.

"She's so beautiful," she murmured, not even meaning to speak the words aloud, but unbothered that she had. It was impossible to deny, they had made quite the gorgeous child together. She bent in to kiss her head gently, her other arm snaking around H'den so that she was hugging him at the waist when she straightened again. Once more she pressed her head to his chest, listening to the quickening beat of his heart, likely from how her body was almost melting against his. She knew Nimath was due to rise soon; H'den would invite her back to his weyr more often in the days leading up to them, and she hadidn't found no downside in that so far.

"Takes after her mother," he replied, voice skewing lower. "What say we take her for a walk, and then put her down for her nap?"

H'den was not one for games, or coyness. Flirting, sure, a bit of a chase here and there. But when he enjoyed, truly, someone's company...well. Why live a life with less of it, when one could have more?

She made a noise of appreciation at his sweet compliment, and nodded in agreement with a small chuckle. "Those gorgeous blue eyes are all yours," she said, leaning back just enough that she could brush her lips against his in a gentle kiss.

"We should take her down to the lake," she said, although it was practically a given. She definitely was the daughter of a dragon rider, always greeting the sight of dragons with coos and shrieks of joy. "Maybe we'll get lucky enough to see the new Queens, hm little one?" She addressed Erady directly, unable to stop from smiling so wide her face almost hurt. Maybe it was just her imagination, but she could swear Erady knew she was going to see dragons. Even now she kicked her tiny legs, a burble of laughter exploding from the baby.

Nimath's reply was a clear sound of agreement, and H'den laughed. "Swimming it is. Floating and dragons for everyone."

He leaned in to nab another kiss (who could resist that face of hers?) and the tilted his head back toward his scarlet partner, wordlessly asking if she wanted to go for a ride.

A grin on her face, Fleur simply tucked Erady tighter against her and moved towards Nimath. H'den knew she would never turn down even a short glide to the lake; in fact his surprise visits to take her on flights at the beginning of their trists were one of the things she had found so enchanting.

"Well?" she asked, not bothering to hide her eagerness for the short flight.

Nimath took off and landed more smoothly than could be imagined - not incredibly necessary, as carefully strapped in as Erady and Fleur were, but the scarlet wasn't remotely above a bit of showing off.

H'den dismounted easily, Erady tucked close against him, and looked up to help Fleur if she needed. He didn't imagine she would, but he didn't exactly need an excuse to want to put his hands on her, now did he?

Fleur grinned for the entire little flight, delighting in the smoothness and tranquilty of it. Nimath had always been gentle, but when the scarlet had discovered there would be a baby she'd become oh so careful. And now that Erady was here... she chuckled a bit to herself, positive that the dragon was as in love with the little girl as her rider was.

She met H'dens eyes, a twinkle in them. Of course she could get down herself with ease. But she still reached for him, letting him curl an arm around her waist to help her down.

"Excited little girl?" she cooed, sliding her arm around H'dens waist so the scarletrider couldn't escape. Not that she was too worried; things had been progressing so well between them, and the addition of Erady had only brought them closer.

She had expected to be desperate to get back in the field after birth. She had expected a lot of things, actually. None of which included doting on a baby she simply couldn't take her eyes off, or looking up into H'dens eyes with genuine emotion. Those blue eyes made her stomach do flips when they locked on hers.

Perhaps, after they had worn Erady out, they could find someone to babysit her for a bit, she thought, her smile growing mischievous despite herself. The thought of a little bit of privacy with him made her heart speed up.

"What are you smiling over?" H'den asked, not bothering to stop himself from smiling in turn. Hers was infectious - as was her company, in the absolute best sort of way.

Nimath rumbled contentedly, and he released them to turn back to his scarlet and pull her straps loose so she could properly luxuriate in the water.

"Just thinking we should find a baby sitter after we've worn her out some," she said with a wicked little grin. "Have a bit of privacy."

Erady made burbles of joy when the scarlet entered the water, stretching her tiny arms out and wiggling frantically. "Definitely after she's worn out," Fleur laughed, sitting down near the water. "Hold on, little one, let me get this off you or you'll be as bright as Nimath!" She somehow managed to remove the romper, and set it far enough back that it wouldn't get splashed. The dye was still fresh, and she didn't want it to run when it was such a perfect match.

"No we can see Nimath," she cooed once Erady was down to her nappy, taking a step into the cool water. She'd planned ahead and worn clothing she didn't mind getting soaked. "Coming, daddy?" she asked, bouncing the squealing baby against her hip and giving him a wink.

He was facing Nimath at her comment, but turned, hearing the wicked grin in her voice and wanting to see it.

Worth it.

Nimath was stripped at about the same time Erady was, so the scarlet moved delicately into the water as H'den pulled off his top and pants, leaving just his undershorts as he followed some of the most important ladies in his life into the water.

"I shouldn't still be surprised by how much energy she has. At least she sleeps as hard as a little dragon, once she's finally tired." And as sprawled, as well. He couldn't imagine where she'd gotten it from.

Fleur didn't bother to hide the appreciative look she gave him, the smile spreading wider when her mind wandered to her planned activities for later. "Well, she'll need that energy if she wants to follow in her father's footsteps," she said, wading in closer so that Erady could reach out and touch Nimaths' slender neck.

The baby gurgled in delight, her hands slippery on the scarlet hide. She practically had managed to drape herself against Nimath, though her mother's hands kept her upright. Not that Erady hadn't received the same treatment all canyon dwellers received as new borns; she was already capable of holding her breath and swimming to the surface. But Fleur still preferred to hold her, and she wondered if her mother had worried the same.

"A tiny scarlet-rider, is that what we have on our hands?" he chuckled, maybe took a bit longer than strictly necessary to get situated in the water (his rider body a win for sure). "They do take a bit of energy, but I guess they all do, in their way."

He got low in the water to pretend he was sneaking up on Erady, hands breaking the surface in a clear 'someone's about to be tickled' gesture.

"Mmm," Fleur hummed, tilting her head to the side. "No matter what color she Impresses eventually, I'll be proud of her," she said finally, trying to imagine a fully grown Erady with a dragon of her own.

Now the baby was reaching out for her father, and she laughed and let her go. Erady dipped in the water but swam unerringly towards H'den, hands grasping out for him immediately.

"Suppose I shouldn't limit her options," he replied, a laugh in his voice, unable to picture their little dumpling as anything other than the squishy adorable tiny human she was.

H'den twisted in the water once he had a good grasp of his daughter, swirling her in a circle around him. "You just want wings, I bet, like your da." Teasing affection coated his words, and how not? Who wouldn't want a dragon?

A splash and a laugh drew Fleurs' attention away for away moment, and she smiled brightly as Jah'vi approached them. "There you are, dad," the bronzerider said teasingly, a nod to H'den being the first of their class to become a parent. He gave his friend a good, appreciative look up and down, even more obvious Fleur.

If she'd been a less secure woman, it would have bothered her. Instead she just chuckled lowly. "It's your uncle Jah'vi, Erady!" she exclaimed, wading the distance between her and her lover and child.

She gave H'den a pointed look while her back was still turned to Jah'vi, and winked. Erady was happily blowing bubbles in the stream water, splashing her arms around in the safety of her fathers grasp. "You know you're her favorite uncle, Jah'vi," Fleur said, flashing the bronzerider her brightest smile.

"Really?" Jah'vi asked, a boyish grin on his face. "Well she's my favorite niece!" He pulled some faces at the baby until she was crowing with joy and splashing as hard as she could. "Kids love Nolinth, you know." Said bronze was already splashing Nimath playfully. She was one of his favorite mates, after all.

H'den drifted lazily in the water, grinning at his friend and former clutchmate as Erady beamed and burbled at her uncle. Nimath, delighted to see the bronze, immediately launched into a barrage of questions and observations about his most recent wing drill, because of course she did.

"I don't know if Erady could possibly love Nolinth as much as she loves Nimath, but I suppose you could take her for a bit and see if you can get her to warm up to him? Fleur's just reminded me I can't make her be a scarletrider, and she needs all kinds of options."

He wasn't trying to be subtle, not a bit, but he was trying not to laugh, so that was nice of him.

"Really?" Jah'vi asked, his eyes going wide and his smile almost splitting his face. He put his arms out, and the little girl swam to him (with perhaps a gentle nudge from her mother) and straight into them. He lifted her out of the water and over his head with a laugh, spraying water everywhere as Erady shrieked with happiness.

Fleur glanced at H'den and grinned while Jah'vi was distracted. This was almost too easy. "Well we want her to spend as much time with her uncles and aunts as possible, so if you want...,"

"I'd love to!" Jah'vi exclaimed, bringing Erady close to his chest and making baby noises to her. "I promise I'll take good care of her," he swore very seriously, already turning around to being her back closer to the dragons.

Fleur just grinned.