Eira kissed Nimraph and Briar goodbye. Her husband took Briar to the Library while Eira and Dammon waved. Eira looked down to the boy with a smile, "So... Do you remember the beginning of our routine?"
Dammon looked up to Eira with a shrewd look, "Enjoy the quiet, cause no Briar."
Eira snickered, hiding her laugh behind a hand, "No, darling. Try again."
Dammon looked over to the windmill, "Get yardwork stuff on."
Eira gave Dammon an approving nod, "Good. Let's go."
The two approached the windmill shed. Eira pulled a small apron out and gently pulled it over Dammon's head. She then took some leather gloves and slipped them over his little hands.
Dammon grimaced, "I don't like the gloves."
Eira reached up and rubbed the boy's cheek softly, "Ah, but you need to wear them. They protect your hands from thorns and bristles, as well as chicken talons."
Dammon smiled, "And Fisher claws!"
Eira booped Dammon's nose, "Exactly."
Dammon giggled. Eira stood up and put her own apron and gloves on. She would have to go without a sun hat, as she had lost her's somehow. She nodded to Dammon, "You remember what's next?"
Dammon already was picking up a basket, "I take this heavy stuff outside, you feed the birds."
Eira rolled her eyes, smiling, "The gardening tools are not that heavy."
Eira was soon refilling the bird feeders as Dammon set the gardening equipment out. Eira winced as she lifted the heavy bag, feeling a pain in her back. Was that from fishing, or her top heavy bloating? With a grunt, she managed to fill one feeder. Some of the feed splattered on the ground, and some chickens flocked over for the treat. Eira struggled to dance around the chickens as she trudged over to the second feeder. She filled that one as well and finally lugged the feed bag back into the windmill shed. Then, she took the chicken feed. Once again lifting a massive bag, she sprinkled chicken feed near the coop. She wiped the sweat on her brow before she checked out up on Dammon.
Dammon had pulled out all the needed gardening tools baskets, which Eira always arranged for the child's safety; as well as the empty chicken egg basket. Soon enough, Eira was once again walking Dammon through the egg snatching. The chickens were docile enough, they put up no fights.
After that, Eira gently helped Dammon to take the filled basket and put it on a top shelf of the windmill. Eira lifted Dammon so he could do the honors, but felt tremendous strain. When had she been this weak? Was this pregnancy truly effecting her so much? As did her best to hold Dammon as he set the eggs on the shelf. She was relieved when she lowered him. Dammon was unaware of his mother's strain, she was currently holding her lower back, and ran off.
"Next! Garden!"
The next half hour or so was spent in the garden. Having been a slave harvesting crops as a child, Eira had a deep root in tending to the vegetables in her garden. She did most of the work, of course, though she taught Dammon to pull out some of the lighter weeds. Dammon's main job, however, was to hand her tools when needed.
Of course, just standing idly by waiting to hand a tool over like a nurse and surgeon was too boring for a five year old boy. Dammon spent some of this time pestering Eira about what she was doing. Meaning to teach him, of course Eira explained everything the best she could. Most of the time, however, Dammon spent running around the yard. He chased the chickens and Fisher, and played with the always playful Obsidian. Dammon had helped Eira nurse Obsidian to health as a scrap of fur kitten, and the boy and cat always had a significant bond. While Fisher lazily groomed himself on the steps, Dammon and Obsidian played with a wad of lettuce leaves as a makeshift ball.
Eira continued to ache under the sun. Having no sun hat definitely helped her misery. Her bloated body ached as she stayed on her hands and knees. Her swollen front felt tender and pained frequently. Eventually, Eira was able to tend to the garden. She felt crippled as she stood up and waddled over to the steps. She sat down, huffing and puffing, and she asked Dammon...
"Darling, can you bring me that equipment please?"
Dammon was able to bring the equipment and baskets to Eira, and she sat on the steps reorganizing them. Meanwhile, Dammon tried his best to stand on his tippy toes to see the tall bird feeders.
After long last, the work was done. Eira took Dammon to the pond, where they cleaned up using water and some soap. The two then went inside and enjoyed a snack. While eating, Eira once again began teaching him to read. Soon enough, the lessons transitioned outside, where the two relaxed under the willow tree next to the pond. Moss the bog lurker happily greeted them and slept nearby as they practiced letters and basic sounds.
Eventually, the lessons stopped. Eira was reading a book on caring for babies as Dammon slept in her lap. She looked down to the child snoozing. She reached down and gently brushed some of his hair aside. With a smile, Eira whispered.
"I love you, son."
