Robert looked up from his desk when he heard the commotion. Furrowing his brow and standing, he made his way towards the library door. Mary flew through the door, almost running straight into her papa's knees. She stopped and looked up at him, smiling.
"Good afternoon, papa. How are you?"
Robert, somewhat confused, smiled back at his daughter.
"I'm very well, Mary, although I would like to know what's going on?"
Just as Mary was about to tell him the reason for her untimely entrance, Cora followed through the same door, Edith in her arms.
"Robert. The girls and I wondered if you would like to come for a walk with us? It's such a beautiful day!"
Edith held out her hands, wanting her father to hold her. He obliged and took her from his pregnant wife. Mary looked up at her mother and scowled.
"I wanted to ask papa to come on our walk!"
She crossed her arms and stamped her foot. Robert, a grin on his face, patted Mary's arm.
"I would love to come for a walk with you but..." Mary and Cora both sighed in unison.
"But what, Robert? It's a lovely sunny day and your daughters and I would like you to spend an hour away from that blessed desk!"
Robert smiled at his wife and looked down at Edith who had laid her head on his shoulder and gripped his collar with her tiny fingers. He ran his hand over her hair and sighed happily.
"I can think of nothing I'd like more."
He looked up at his wife who smiled warmly at him and returned her smile, then looked down at Mary who had started to jump up and down with excitement.
"You can hold mama's hand, papa. I am six now and can walk on my own!"
She stopped jumping and ran towards the front door. Robert grinned at his wife.
"I like the sound of that."
He took her hand and followed their eldest daughter out into the gardens, keeping his youngest in his arm as she slept against his shoulder.