Introducing the New Wife,
"I'm not saying she didn't have it coming," Qhota began, unable to keep herself from grinning at her dinner guest, "but I'm not sure causing a scene in Hawkers' Alley was necessary."
The Hellsguard woman took a swig of her beer before responding. "Tell me now. You're the one what's married to her. Does Rosamund godsdamned Giantcleaver learn any other way?" Qhota burst into giggles. "Thought not. What she deserved, mind, was a hell of a lot worse--"
"Except, of course, that our daughter was with us. I understand, and you're more than welcome to argue with her all you like now that you're reunited, Miss Sparrow..."
She held up a hand. "None'a that. It's Tiny Sparrow, or just Sparrow. Congrats on tyin' Ros down for not one, but two kids, by the way," she added with a gesture at Qhota's middle. "'Course, and this is just me sayin', you're too good for her."
Qhota picked at her meal thoughtfully. "...is that why you asked me to dinner? To apologize, sure, but to steal me away from her?"
"...is it working?"
"Only just! It's refreshing to meet someone else who doesn't put up with her antics, to tell the truth!" She drummed her fingers on the tabletop with a nervous energy. "Really though, I am open to the idea. Just from the brief time we've known each other, I enjoy your company. Not to mention, if you and Rosamund were any kind of serious before, it stands to reason you and I should get along. But of course..."
Sparrow shrugged. "Of course, it's gotta include Ros. I don't mind that. I was hopin' she'd be willing to pick up too, after we...settle our differences, let's call it. Wouldn't upset your little family none?"
Qhota let out a full belly-laugh. "Our family is anything but little, I assure you. And as for Yaelle, well. We adopted her, I'm sure it would be just as easy to say we adopted another mother, should it come to that."
"Alright, I like the sound of that. Gonna need to set plenty'a ground rules for the three of us though, I imagine."
Qhota's grin grew wider at this. "Why, Sparrow, whatever will Rosamund do with two beautiful women setting rules for her?"
The pair's laughter echoed nearly all the way to Aleport.













