August to November 1911
Nestorius began noticing a lack of Hairini's presence at the estate, and began snooping around to see what was going on. According to Kurien, she got herself an apartment somewhere in town, but he refused to say why. When asked, he said that Hairini told him to stay silent. Nestorius grew worried. She had become so distant that she basically moved out without a word. He had to know why, but when he tried to find the address himself, his searching turned out negative. Not wanting to be filled with worry, he concentrated on bringing all the remaining family belongings to the estate within a specially made room designed to withstand strong forces, as to avoid another situation like the one when the communists invaded.
At the November session, he mostly kept to himself, but he did keep notes on a few certain things. He wasn't sure if Taior's group was connected to the progress made on investigating social alienation, but he liked to think it was. He also noted down to keep track of realism - sounded like something he'd enjoy, at least some what. He was worried over the Russian invasion through Armenia, as well as the Javan occupation in the far east.
---
Early December 1911
Nestorius was in his office, when he heard a knock on the door. It was Franco Lazaratos.
"May I come in?" the Neapolitan asked.
"Sure, sure, come in," the Senator said in a tired manner.
"So, what is it you need? Is it news regarding those Illyrian knuckleheads, Taior's group or is it about your job here?"
"No, sir. I came here about Hairini," Franco said, as Nestorius leaned in.
"Yes, what is it?!" he haphazardly said, not expecting to hear that.
"I know I shouldn't be telling you this, as I promised her I wouldn't, but it has gotten to the point where you have to know. But first, I have to ask; what have you noticed about Hairini the last time you've seen her?"
"Hm... last time I saw her, she was around here, eating something that someone had bought for her. But that was a while ago."
"Yes, but did you notice something different about her..... physically?"
"Physically? Why, she had become much fuller! I assume it is because of the increase in food she's had in the last few months after the attack."
Franco just looked at him, disappointingly. The two stare at one another for half a minute before Nestorius thought of something.
"....it isn't because of the food, is it?" he asked, to which Franco replied with a head shake. Nestorius' eyes widened, as he considered another possibility.
"You aren't suggesting......" he was about to ask, when Franco placed his hands in front of his mouth with a sad look on his face. That's when he realized what was going on. He placed his hand on his mouth in response.
".....why? Why did she hide this from me?"
"If Lykidis and Antecheirinidis heared, she assumed they would take action in some way or another. They are still a bit old school in their ways, even if the former worked with Onobanjo."
"But still, she could've told me in secret-" he was saying when Franco placed a note on the table.
"It's her address. Go find her. Tell no one of this," he said, as he got up and left the room.
Nestorius just watched the Neapolitan leave. He leaned back in his chair when a shocked expression on his face. He pushed aside the papers on the table and placed the note dead center. He held his head with his hands, with the only words coming out of his mouth being "Iisoús Christós". Soon, he got up, got his coat, hat and cane, grabbed the note and rushed to the address.
---
Soon, Nestorius arrived at the apartment. The new housing style fit the modern nature of the city, but the place was one of the cheapest. He knocked on the door. He listened as footsteps approached. The door was unlocked.
"Hello-" Hairini asked, as she saw him midway opening the door. She rushed to close it, but he shoved his cane in just in time.
"Cyrene, please, let me in!"
"No! You don't understand what you're doing!"
"Quite the contrary, I'd say you don't understand what you're doing!"
"And how are you so sure about it?"
"Because what you're hiding from me could start a....... scandal," he said the last word very quietly to avoid others hearing it. Once she heard the word, she realized he knew what was going on.
".....so you do know," she said, as he opened the door in full. By this point, her condition was quite obvious, down to the clothing!
"Come in," she commanded, as he followed her inside. The place was nice enough, he admitted. She sat down and motioned him to sit next to her, which he obliged.
"It took you this long to figure out, huh?"
"Well, I didn't really get a good chance to look at you, considering you've distanced yourself from me. But after hard thought, I realized it and searched night and day for you," he lied, covering Franco's trails.
"But tell me - why did you keep it a secret from me?"
"I didn't want those two idiots getting involved."
"Even after they left months ago?"
"Well, after they left, I attempted to try something but..... I got the better of myself."
"And you didn't even realize that a scandal could arise from a senator going on a premarital ride?" when he said this, she realized that she had been even more foolish than before.
"What do we do then?" she asked.
"Well, there is one solution..." he said, as he looked into her eyes. She realized what that solution was.
"You aren't thinking about marriage, are you?"
"This is an awkward situation to suggest it, but....." he stopped himself, to get himself on his knees.
"For the time we've been together, you've helped me so much. When you began distancing yourself from me, I was hurt. Even now, despite my age, I cannot stop the feeling I have for you. You're the only one I want to share the rest of my life with. Hairini Waata, will you marry me?"
Hairini placed her hands to her mouth. She couldn't believe this was happening, especially in this scenario.
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Nestorius got himself off the ground and kissed Hairini. After the kiss, he helped her up.
"Considering we did it in March, we should get this done as soon as possible!" he said, with her nodding in agreeance. The two got themselves ready and rushed out.
---
December 1911
In the weeks following, Nestorius Thaddas and Hairini Waata wedded with one another. The entire Aeteorean governorship crew, along with a few personal and family friends of Nestorius' were in attendance at the wedding. With their marriage, she became Kyrene Udata Thaddas.
Some time after their marriage, Kyrene gave birth - a boy, christened Timon. The doctor assigned was surprised by her age, as a woman of her age shouldn't be able to even have children. He figured her menopause was late. In the end, things worked out decently.
---
January 1912
Nestorius and Kyrene mostly spent their time at the estate, caring for their new son. Everyone at the Aeteorean governorship was considered an uncle/aunt, which they took incredibly seriously. The two were even closer than ever now. When the news that a new session was being planned in February arrived, it was decided that, for now, Kyrene would continue to stay at the estate to care for the newborn. But, at some point, she'll rejoin him at the senate.
---
18 February 1912
Nestorius was quite chipper at first. He enjoyed hearing about the success of realist literature, and scientific management sounded great. The fact that Iberia was once more fully Roman also made him glad, but that feeling went away after he heard the military news in Anatolia, Armenia and the Far East. He abstained from commenting on it. But when it was revealed they were all invited to the grand unveiling of the Impressionist collection, he spoke up;
"What an honor it is to be invited to such an unveiling! I'll see if my wife will be able to join us."