Northern Refreshments 5

"You're more than welcome to visit our courtyard. I make a nice Azato. I'll treat you." Dorien volunteered. Nora smiled, not knowing what Dorien was talking about, and nodded.

It was not long before the coolers were emptied by the families. The food was served and each table sent up a representative to fill their platters. Kadir created a massive platter of meats, cheese, fruits and vegetables to share together. Nora was ravenous and stuffed herself. The four of them emptied the platter twice. 

For dessert, an assortment of melons was served. They symbolized the wish for a full-term pregnancy in their society. She thought this was a really fantastic way to celebrate life. Imagine growing up in a world where you were truly wanted and treasured as a child. She hoped her babies would grow up with happiness. She prayed that she was carrying girls. She knew that the world was a different place for males. Liem was more educated than his sister from what she gathered. It would make more sense for him to inherit the clan than his own sister, but he could not even think of it because of his gender. 

Leilanna sat with her mates, who were unhappily eating together. She was feeling terrible about what had happened between the members of her spousal group and a little envy as she watched the Quills celebrating. She still could not get things right. Liem had achieved harmony, and he was in a happily functioning spousal group. He was going to have twins with the most talked about woman in the world right now. Leilanna really loathed her brother right now for being happy. Sometimes she thought that her mother thought she was not as smart as Liem. But that did not matter for the longest time, because he could never become the Matriarch of the Allari. Now he was off in his own new clan with that Northerner. She had a new sister. And she had a very unhappy spousal group to fix. Her spouses might be all she would be able to count on.

Leilanna looked at Nora sitting happily with the boys that she used to tease for pleasure when she was young. Leilanna felt that it was very unfair that this simpleton was already leading a clan with her mothers guidance. Leilanna pouted as her mood soured very quickly. It had been a week of her splitting her time with them, and they still seemed unhappy. Some of her own spouses were even stealing glances at Nora. If she punished them for that, it would not help the very tense relationship. Leilanna feigned weakness and yawned. "I am tired, let us leave after we finish the melon. I need to talk to all of you when we get home." Leilanna said, addressing the group. They were all on edge around each other. Right now they were putting on a show for the public. They all missed Leilanna, who was warm, romantic and excited to be with them. Not Leilanna, who seemed frustrated by their presence. They wanted to clear the air with her again. It did not seem like she was going to change.

"Did you want me to bring over the gift?" Prim asked nervously. She had been in a terrible mood all evening. It would be a temporary relief to get away from her. Kadir was also part of his extended family. Prim arranged to have a deluxe maternity pillow sent from his clan. His family made infant apparel and was very popular. Leilanna gave a tired nod. She could use her pregnancy as an excuse for her not to greet her brother for now. Prim approached the group of four and was taken back once he got closer to the group. He felt his pulse quicken as he got closer. A small, pale, attractive female sat in the large lap of his cousin Kadir Sedai. Her red hair hung in silky loose ringlets, her pale skin glowed, her swollen breasts presented cleavage that drew one's eyes to her voluptuous frame. Her face was delicate, she had fully pouty pink lips and sky-blue eyes. 

"Prim?" Kadir boomed with a large smile on his face. "I almost did not recognize you. You are much taller and bulkier," Kadir said.

"It has been years, I am no longer that little boy." Prim responded excitedly, willing himself to look at his cousin and the spousal group. He avoided looking at Nora again. Something in the air was enticing him to look and interact with her.

"Congratulations, from our family to yours." Prim said and handed the box containing the very compressed pillow to Liem. "It's a maternity pillow, it makes it more comfortable to sleep when her belly starts to grow bigger. It twists and bends to any shape and conforms to the body" Prim explained, starting to get flustered. Nora looked up and smiled appreciatively. 

"Thank you very much for the gift," Nora said from Kadir's lap. "I think we will have to let this expand in the open air for a while, but I really am excited about napping with it." Nora said. She was truly excited about using the pillow. The ones in the bedroom were very nice, but she could not hook her legs over them and the guys were very warm. Kadir and Cerez liked to sandwich her between them.

"Our company makes a lot of infant goods. Like clothing and toys." Prim said. He felt his eyes drift back to Nora as she talked. He used his willpower to keep his gaze locked on her face. 

"Oh, wonderful. I am interested in creating an infant carrier that we can wear to keep our children close to our chests or backs." Nora said, striking at her chance to talk with someone with connections to the industry. "Close contact between parent and child during their formative years was believed to contribute to intelligence in my culture. It is also convenient. I could wrap fabric around my body and use it. I would want something safe and ergonomic. Does your company currently have a carrier like this?" Nora inquired. She had browsed through baby supplies, but she could not find them. 

'Leilanna had stated that she was not intelligent, but it was obviously a lie.' Prim thought, as he was taken aback by the question. 

This was a way of carrying infants several centuries ago. He liked the idea of closeness. It was marketable to all parents. "We have not made anything like that, but it is possible. I would be happy to introduce you to my Mother." Prim said, intrigued. Kadir took the initiative to speak up before his cousin stole their idea. His mother might try to introduce her to a brother as useless as Prim. They had a very select group of candidates selected for her.

"No need. I will message Amrita later to start the liaison with our research and development team. We look forward to working with you in the future." Kadir said, as he locked eyes with Prim, quickly messaging the idea to his mother. He really hoped that this would dissuade him.

Kadir had noticed the way that Prim was looking at Nora from the start, it was like he was examining her. It made him feel incredibly uncomfortable. He imagined that Liem and Cerez had noticed as well. It was fortunate for the three of them that he was the one talking to Prim, he was less prone to violence. He assumed Leilanna had been bickering about Nora because of Prim's shocked expression when she spoke to him. They had not made an attempt to speak with any of Leilanna's spouses as a group lately. Leilanna's awful attitude towards Nora's attempts to get along with her at events and dinners hosted inside the home were the reason. At her own banquets and family dinners she would smirk at her when she tried. Allurai had noticed. But nothing has actually been done to address the problem. Now, in front of family and close allies, Nora had been slighted by Leilanna. She was not greeted or congratulated by her. She had sent a spouse over and it was becoming awkward.

 Leilanna irritated Kadir to his core. She was a walking child even as an adult. She had touched him very inappropriately a few years ago simply because she was curious as to what type of husband he would be. His own uncle had not even lodged a complaint with Allurai, and his mother had just received compensation for what happened. He had to work through it alone. He felt so let down. He had found comfort with many of the men training. He disliked her immensely, and it was one of his drives to work harder on his projects so they could live independently soon. Kadir watched Prim's eyes lower again. His gaze shifted to a warning glare. He lived in the same building as this man.

"Thank you Kadir," Prim said nervously. Prim looked at Nora again and gave her a nod and left to go back with his group home. Prim rejoined his spousal group, which had already started to exit the room happily. He knew that he would have to avoid the Quills for sometime until his cousin's anger ceased. He was lucky that the others did not mention anything, being that Liem was Leilanna's twin brother. He was surprised that they were not close. They barely interacted. He was lucky today. He would have to do his best to mind his behavior in the future. He would normally not slip up like that. He was caught off guard that she was not an imbecile. It was a great idea. 

Kadir decided then and there to talk to Nora about sharing her thoughts on products with them first. He also liked the thought of keeping their children close to him. No matter the biological father; these two were still Quills. And, by that extension, they were children for them to love equally. He had plans to love, bond and teach them about the world. To teach his son or daughter to be respectful. Nora noticed the odd interaction and Prim's lingering gaze on her, she was used to being leered at now, from her experiences on Earth. Nothing made her feel like an outcast more than the stares she would get. She hoped her daughters and sons, if they inherited any of her traits, would not be subjected to discrimination and stares. The look she was getting was that of lust, and it shocked and appalled her a little. Her face, practiced in handling men like this, remained professional and unemotional.

"Thank you. For handling that. It was very odd towards the end." Nora said, lying back on Kadir's chest.

 "There is nothing odd about you, my beloved," Kadir said as he wrapped his arms around her. 

 "It was a really good idea. I like the idea of keeping them close to us. There is a lot of evidence that Daleth parents, since they are such nurturing parents, tend to have brighter children and better relationships with them since they always hold them. They often go on to excel in their professions," Kadir said. 

"They are parents to be learned from. They are good people, that is why I want to protect them." Kadir finished. 

"I am looking forward to seeing them smile, and the scent babies carry, my brothers always smelled like love." Liem admitted. Having them close by would also free him up to do work when he was caring for his child.

"They will not need to cry because we will be right there for them. They know that we are here for them, and we can meet their needs quickly. They will definitely be happy in a carrier close to our bodies." Cerez chimed in with a huge smile on his face. Nora sat silently enjoying her little family. Feeling loved and really looking forward to the future. Not noticing her envious sister-in-law leaving the room.