Once Agnieszka leaves I slump down at first, at least a little. I lean heavily on the workbench, enough so that Elzbieta seems to see reason to rub my back in a comforting and reassuring way.

“Are we done for the day?”

I ponder her question for a moment. Then my gaze settles on the things Agnieszka dropped off. I sigh, straighten back up and grab both the money and the papers.

“Almost. I just need to take care of this.”

Thankfully, it doesn't take me too long. Even going over the details of Agnieszka's recipe and counting the coins, not because I don't trust her but because out of principle, I'm done pretty soon. It's a good thing too. I can feel my eyelids grow pretty heavy, even as I bring my ledger up to date. It's in fact bad enough that I end up double checking it to make sure I made no mistake.

Once I'm done for good, something else catches my eyes. Something I have been avoiding for a while now. The enchanted wreath. I really should check it out. I doubt I'd end up cursing myself a second time within such short order, but I better be careful anyway.

Cursing yourself twice with items you enchanted yourself would be like asking for bad publicity. Word would get out after all, even if no one has any ill feelings or means me any harm. People talk after all.

Damn it, why am I stalling again? This is a waste of time!

I pick up the wreath and have a good look at it to activate my appraisal skill once more. The effect is almost immediate.

[Everlasting crown of the summer night's queen, Quality: Epic, A wreath of summer flowers and other greenery of the season, to be worn by young women to the dance during midsummer night. It looks good and smells pleasant. This particular wreath has been created with love and great care. In addition it has been enchanted to endure the change of seasons time and again. A second enchantment greatly boosts the wearer's charisma as well, greatly boosting any charisma based powers like charm. When worn together with Summer night's sandals or other matching items additional effects might be achieved.]

Oh my! It might not be the most powerful item on its own, but together with the dress alone it will already be out of this world. With the sandals on top? I simply have no idea just how powerful the combination might turn out to be.

I pick the wreath up again reverently and deposit back in my strong chest for safekeeping. It's not just to keep the floral crown safe either. I have to make sure no one else puts it on by accident Just like grandma locked away her marvelous dress.

I stop at the thought, the lid of the chest half closed. Maybe I should get a separate chest just for powerful items like this one? Yes, that is something I should give a little more thought. I'm sure Olgierd and Nawoja could make something that is both sturdy and pretty, although the latter really isn't necessary, strictly speaking.

I'll ask them about it tomorrow, or maybe the day after. I'm not exactly in a hurry after all.

I let out a yawn, as I lock the strong chest once more, before I make my rounds around the shop once more to make sure everything is locked up properly. Then I head back into the backroom.

Elzbieta seems to have taken the chance to get ready for bed. And that is exactly where she is waiting for me. That smile of hers is quite inviting too.

“Coming?”

I have to admit that the idea of just climbing into bed and slipping under the covers with her sounds incredibly tempting right now. I'm smiling too, in response to her question and I'm certain, that it's the kind of smile that makes me look quite silly.

“Sure.”

Ah yes, that was a reply worthy of my wit. Marvelous and eloquent. I quickly shrug off my clothes, barely taking the time to throw them over the back of a chair in the process, before I can say anything else. It probably is for the best like that.

And thankfully Elzbieta doesn't mind anyway. She just wraps an arm around me as I snuggle up close to her under the covers.

It quickly becomes obvious that I'm not the only one who hasn't bothered with a nightdress. Not that we need those. It is a pleasantly warm night after all, close to midsummer. And with the two of us under the covers we certainly won't get cold. Even without any strenuous physical activity there is no doubt about that.

Not that Elzbieta seems to have anything like that in mind. She seems perfectly content to just snuggle. And to be honest I'm quite content like that too. I only adjust myself a little to snuggle up even closer as I close my eyes.

Before I can doze off for real though, Elzbieta's voice snaps me back awake. Well, maybe it just keeps me from slipping deeper into the embrace of sleep. That is probably more like it.

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“Valeria?”

“Hm?”

My reply really isn't terribly eloquent, but it is good enough to prompt her to keep going.

“Say, since you agreed to be the godmother of the little one … have you spent any thought on names?”

Oh! Now I snap awake for good. I don't even waste time blinking owlishly in the not quite complete darkness. Instead I flat out stare at her wide eyed. Oh, gods and goddesses! It's not that I'm actually unaware of the custom that the godmother or the godfather of a child pick their name. I just plain forgot about it. Completely.

My reaction isn't lost on the woman snuggled up to me. Of course it isn't. The way I just went rigid wouldn't be lost on anyone. Her reaction helps ease my mind though. She starts to chuckle at first. Then she kisses the tip of my nose.

“Hush! Relax. You should still have a little time.”

She grabs one of my hands and places it atop her belly. I feel the need to apologize anyway.

“Sorry. I completely forgot. Got any preferences?”

She shrugs in my embrace.

“No, not really. Just, please, nothing fancy.”

I can relate to that sentiment. Fancy or even just uncommon names can lead to some merciless teasing or worse. Children in their cluelessness can be terrible that way. I was never target of such treatment, but I have seen it happen.

“So, no Klementyna? Or Zenobiusz?”

I can't exactly see her grimace, but I can feel her body tense a little. I lean in a little closer once more, to reassure her.

“Don't worry. I'll try to come up with something that won't feel out of place around here. Does that sound good to you?”

For a moment I fall silent, but as I move my hand along the curve of her belly, something else comes to me before she can say anything.

“Should I think of more than one name? Just in case?”

At first, she just snorts in reply. Her body trembles in silent laughter. Finally she speaks up though.

“I honest don't know. For the longest time I didn't even consider the possibility. I … I really don't know. So, maybe? Like you said. Just in case? It can't hurt, right?”

I hum softly in response. My mind is already racing though, going through names. Mostly ones I have personally encountered so far. I don't want to go for names of people I know right now though, to avoid confusion. Finally I come up with some first ideas.

“How about Sylwia and maybe Eliza for girls?”

She seems to think about it for a moment. Maybe she is thinking about people she knows too? Finally she speaks again.

“Sounds fine. I have to admit, I really like Sylwia. What about names for boys though?”

She likes Sylwia? Good, that is one thing settled then. Now for her next question. I give it a little more thought.

“Maybe Ulryk? Oh! How about Aleksy?”

This time her reply comes faster.

“Aleksy? Really?”

“What? It's a perfectly common name.”

That seems good enough for her. She giggles again.

“Fine. Let's go with Ulryk as the first choice though.”

I don't protest. Why would I anyway, I suggested the name in the first place. I just hum softly. It seems that with that settled we are done talking for the night. I let out one last mighty yawn. After that my breathing soon matches hers as I drift off to sleep.