"MO-THER!"
Sekhmet winced as the voice of her eldest son rang out in the cool autumn air. She knew she couldn't hide from her boys forever. They were getting worried about her. She had become a ghost, hiding from everyone. For good reason! In her mind at least, She wasn't too sure how to tell her boys she was pregnant. At her age!
Not that she had to tell them anymore, they could clearly see her. "Hi boys."
Atum's jaw was just about hitting the floor. "What's wrong with you what happened?"
Nabu, the quieter of Sekhmet's boys, simply canted his head. "She's pregnant Atum."
"I know she's pregnant brother! Whowhatwherewhenhow-" Atum was going a mile a minute. His brain couldn't understand what he was seeing.
"You've had kids. I think you know the how and then when is a while ago by the looks of it." Nabu rolled his eyes as he respond.
"This is not the time for sassy Nabu. This is serious! Mother is...."
"Pregnant, we've been over this."
Atum stomped his hoof in frustration at his brother. "Enough from you." Fine, He'd start from the top. "Mother, are you with the father?"
A wave of panic hit the mare's face. "Yes...No...Kinda....It's complicated."
Nabu raised an eye brow. "Mother...Were you...."
"WHAT NO NO NO it was very consensual." Her eyes darted around as she could not look at her adult boys.
Nabu let out a sigh. He understood why his mother was being so evasive with them. "Mother. Does the father know?"
Sekhmet took a shape intake of air through her teeth. "....No?" Her voice was quiet.
"MOTHER!" Atum exploded again. "HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL HIM?"
"I know I know..." Sekhmet let out a defeated sigh as she settled down into the ground, tired of standing. "It's complicated. I told you two that. I know I have to tell him. I should have when I realized it's just..." Her voice trailed away as her words failed her before the reason.
"...Just you haven't told anyone. You're hiding. From everyone. Even us, your children. Why?" Nabu started to get the picture of this whole mess.
Atum stomped his hoof again so his voice could be heard. "Wait wait. Hold on. We don't even know who this guy is? First thing is first, I'd like to know more about him...Seeing on how you've clearly spent a lot of time with him."
He was right. Sekhmet was quiet for a moment with her head hanging low before she looked to her boys. "His name is Sariel. He's...wonderful. A blessing sent from the stars it seems. He looks at me like I'm the only mare in the lands. He's protective and just...everything...He makes me feel like a young filly again. I...I hate myself for staying away since I know I've hurt him...So badly...But I...." Her voice trailed off again.
Atum was confused. "If he's so wonderful why aren't you with him? It sounds like you're falling pretty hard for him." Those words had his mother hang her head again.
"Atum, read the room. She's scared." Nabu scoffed at his brother.
Atum blinked. "Mom? Scared? Mom is never scared."
"Your brother is right Aum. I am scared. The venom I used to spit has all dried up in my mouth and simply tastes like ash. I'm old. I've spent...So many years alone. With no one. I just...Can't do that again. Not anymore. I just...Don't know if I can fully open up to anyone again." Sekhmet's words were soft as she spoke. Tired. "I don't want to hurt anymore."
Atum was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "Do you really think this...Sariel hurt you like dad did?"
Sekhmet didn't even have to think on that. "No. I don't believe he'd ever want to see me hurt. He'd want to see me smile."
"So...You've got this wonderful guy who seems like he wants to be with you yet you're pushing him away over a what if?" Atum quizzed his mother.
"I know. It's stupid. I should just go to him...I'm just so tired of hurting." Sekhmet let out a defeated sigh.
Atum looked to his brother before moving to his mother and slowly nuzzling her cheek. "Mom. I know it's scary. Everyone here has been alone and hurt...But you can't give up. You need take this chance, the chance you won't be hurt. You can find happiness again. You deserve happiness again after everything mom. To be fair, I think you have found it. Maybe you're less afraid of being hurt again and more afraid of being happy." Atum looked his mother in the eye. "You'll be more hurt if you let this blessing, as you called him, slip away. Then you'll just be wondering what could have been. Stop wondering mom. Go."
Sekhmet paused, sighed and nuzzled her son in return. "You're right...I need to go see him. I hope he won't be too mad at me."
"I think he'll be understanding mother." Nabu smiled and chuckled softly.
"So...Boys...When are you two putting yourselves back out there?" Sekhmet asked with a sly small smile on her face.
"This is about you not us Mother." Atum was quick to shut that down. Nabu just let out a laugh. What a family.
WC: 909
