Understandably, the tension in the cavern was thick in the air. Sanria knew things wouldn't be perfect and had anticipated much of the jealousy and slight rankling which pervaded the couple's... no... triple's home. She knew within only a few days that the frustration level was on it's way to terminal, and so she called a meeting. The three of them sat at the kitchen table - she and Colin on one side, Gilean on the other.
It had been rather quickly decided that neither man wanted the affection to stop, but couldn't seem to handle seeing the other the object of that affection. As the ironed out that wrinkle, Orn, in search of milk, came into the kitchen. Sanria's heart sank at the avoidance, Orn deftly kept his eyes averted, back turned. "Orn, do we make you uncomfortable?" she asked.
"It's just... weird," he replied. And weird it was. How was this to ever work if her own son couldn't handle it?
Sanria stared down at the table, barely noting Orn coming to her side.
"Oh Mom, hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"You are honest... that is a positive thing."
"No, I mean, I know things have been tough for you... for all of you. I'm happy you guys are happy, you know. Really, that's all I want, is to see you happy, Mom." The words were a light salve to the wound.
"Thank you, Orn." And she was rewarded with an embrace.
"I love you Mom, I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry about being honest, Orn. What feelings I feel because of it are my own."
Orn left and as though a spell had been cast, Colin relented. They made arrangements that were impossible only moments before - working out the arrival of the new baby with ease. Even when Gilean admitted his lack of prior parenting, Colin looked on him with understanding and compassion. Mirin arrived and in short order made apologies to her father for her own unkindnesses. Sanria would never have expected such a turning point in the midst of what started as potential tinderbox.
The final point, the spot where Sanria knew they were going to be okay, was when Colin rose, and left the room to let her talk to Gilean alone. They hadn't wanted one another alone with her since the Eosos side moved in. And now... Sanria's heart warmed. Certainly, things would still be difficult from time to time... but progress had come faster than she had anticipated, and everyone was settling into understanding.
