Verne
Emmett and Clara hadn't been married for long when they discovered the truth behind Clara's irritability and nausea. She was pregnant with their first child and so, nine months later a boy – soon to be named Jules Benjamin – was born to them. At first, it was strange adjusting to life with the new baby, especially for the Doc, but after the first few weeks, he refused to be out of Jules' sight. Clara was a good mother – a kind and loving one – and an excellent nurse. She was there when the little infant woke up in the mornings and she spoke softly to him, making him feel wanted and secure. As the small baby grew to small boy, his doting parents soon learnt he had inherited his father's obsession with science and inventing things. When he took his first steps, he toddled straight into the laboratory to assist Emmett in his newest science experiment. Though initially surprised by this, Doc was pleased as punch and planned to do all kinds of experiments once Jules was old enough to participate in them. But not long before he turned two years old, Clara started to get that nauseated feeling again.
Wednesday, 25th July, 1888
" Really, Emmett, I think I may be expecting again," she told her husband one evening after she'd put Jules to bed.
Emmett hadn't been fully listening. He was busily sketching a schematic drawing for a new hi-tech washing machine. " Hmm? Expecting what?" he muttered.
" Emmett, will you stop inventing for a minute and listen to me?" she snapped, giving the scientist a harmless smack on the back.
He was jolted out of his thoughts, letting out a quiet noise of alarm as Clara nudged him. He turned to face her, all of his attention on her. " I'm sorry, you were talking about…um…something, uh…"
Clara rolled her eyes. Men. " I'm having a baby, Emmett," she said, her tone soft but serious.
An expression of utter confusion formed on Doc's face that quickly faded away as the news began to process. " Are you sure?" he questioned, a hint of uncertainty and nervousness in his voice, which was not that hard to miss.
She nodded and she began to list her symptoms, ticking them off on her fingers. " I'm dizzy and sick and I'm hot. I've been awfully emotional lately, I'm exhausted and my menstrual cycle-"
The Doc started and grimaced, desperately not wanting to hear any more about her menstrual cycle. " That doesn't mean you are exhibiting the signs and symptoms of a pregnancy in its initial trimester," he blurted out. " It could mean that you are stressed. How's ya blood pressure?" Clara looked down at her feet and heaved a deep exasperated sigh. Detecting her disappointment, the Doc lowered his voice to a soft, gentle whisper. " You do have your hands full these days – what with Jules and everything." He smiled warmly, squeezing his wife's shoulders. " I can relieve some of my employment hours and spend more time with the budding Edison."
Clara smiled. " I appreciate what you're trying to do, but there's nothing that can change my mind about this. I am pregnant, darling. I just know it! I've arranged a doctor's appointment for tomorrow afternoon so he can confirm whether I'm correct or not."
" You know what's funny?"
Realising that this was going to be one of her husband's 'in the future' stories, Clara gave a hearty chuckle. " What?" she asked.
" All this talk of doctors. In the future, well, you don't have to go to a doctor to find out if you're pregnant."
" No?" She imagined life in the future, and how different the world will become.
" No. You can just take a test at home."
Clara laughed, hardly believing him. " That's not true!"
" Yes! All you need to do is…"