Authors Notes: I'm doing great. My husband just finalized our cruise trip in April...and the best part is they have 'the scarlet pimpernel' play going on once on the boat. So Imma make sure I get to go :D

Forever Yours

Chapter 16

Expectations

2 Years Later

Percy walked back and forth as he waited 'patiently' for the Daydream to dock. Eve and Peter had just finished a dig over in West Africa. A place Eve had always wanted to go, and she wrote frequently of the things she saw, even drew some of thing things they dug up. It wasn't a very good drawings, but Eve was better at it then he was. He looked up finally when he saw the boat pull in. First it was Peter off the ramp, he walked forward and ushered Percy onto the boat.

"Don't rush her." That's right…the surprise she was going to bring. Then why didn't she just ask the men to bring it off for her. Perhaps she was managing them with it. Perhaps something they dug up.

Percy walked into the sitting room where Eve had her back to them. She was putting things into a case and closing it up. Ah that's why she didn't bring it…it wasn't ready to be brought. He walked up behind her and was about to hug her when she turned around and something brushed him…he looked down and stepped back and then looked at Eve.

"Um…your pregnant…" He said and pointed to her swollen belly. Eve just giggled and took his hand and lay it onto her stomach.

"Say hello." She said. Percy looked down at where his hand was and swallowed hard before leaning down. He was about to say something when he wife came around the corner and looked at her husband who seemed very very deep in thought.

"Percy…did she show you her surprise."

"I think he's mad…" Eve said to Marguerite who had guessed some time ago, but didn't mention it to her husband who would have jumped the ocean to go make sure she was okay.

"Eve!" Robert leaned through the door and then walked in. "Hey what are you all stu…ck…Oh…wow…your big. Eat a watermelon while you were waiting or something?" Robert asked. Eve looked at her brother and her bottom lip quivered.

"Pregnant woman are very sensitive to words Robert…watch what you say. Now apologize." Percy swatted his son on the shoulder. Robert walked forward and pulled his sister in gently.

"Okay your not fat…your pregnant…and…" He suddenly jumped up and looked at his dad. "I'm an Uncle…Do you think it's a girl…or a boy…I gotta go." He said and ran out of the room. Eve looked up at Percy who looked down at Eve. He reached out and pulled her into a hug.

"I'm not mad at you." He said and sighed looking at Peter who stood over her proudly protecting his wife and future child.

"When do you think the baby will be born?" Marguerite asked as she walked forward touching Eves stomach.

"I'm only seven months along, but the game says that it's a boy."

"Game?" Percy asked.

"Yes Papa…people at the museum are betting on if it's a boy or a girl. But the Director says that if it's a girl he'll put in 10,000pounds for the exhibits I'm putting in." Eve said. Percy chuckled and nodded.

"I'll give 10,000pounds if it's a baby. That way your exhibit gets what it needs anyways." He said and chuckled at her face.

"Alright lets go I'm starving." She said and walked out of the room. Percy had to laugh at the way she walked.

"What?" Peter asked picking up the box.

"She's waddling." He said and followed his daughter who seemed to have food on her mind. She walked into the café they normally ate at. The tavern woman that knew her since she was a child walked out and back stepped and looked at her.

"Child when did that happen?!" She asked and giggled hugging her tightly. "I'm so glad for you and Peter Milady. Sir Percy must be a very proud Grandpapa." The woman said and looked up at Percy who apparently just realized the weight of the situation.

"Grandpapa?" Percy said and looked down at his daughter who blushed bright read.

"Unless…you don't want to be." The look on her face was priceless. He had never seen her look so pitiful before.

"Sink me child. Why wouldn't I want to be?" Percy said and pulled out a chair for her to sit in. Peter sat down next to his wife and Percy sat down on the other side of her.

"So how was the trip?" Percy asked poring Eve some water before going to his wife.

"Hot." Peter answered and Eve giggled.

"Yes very hot. On our way toward the dig we saw lions! Just about as big as the Tigers in Tibet Papa." Eve said and opened the box Peter had. She pulled out a very thin and almost see through line of silk. "These are there cravats Papa." She said and Percy looked at the tan and black piece of silk. "Because it's so hot there they have to wear very thin clothing." Eve said and looked around at her mother who looked around at her son who walked into the café with a small wrapped up box. He sat down on the other side of the table and sat it down next to Peter.

"The women wear some of the strangest clothing, some…without shoes, or boots. I tried it, the sand was too hot. I don't see how they did it Papa. The women wear dresses that you can see their ankles. I got one for Mama… she'll probably wear it in bed knowing her." Eve said pulling the dress out. It was made up of the same material as Percy's but doubled up on.

"How…extraordinary." Marguerite said and gasped when Eve pulled out a necklace made up of shined up rocks and polished wood.

"And these are there weapons…its strange I should think. Called a bow and arrow." Eve giggled pulling back the string and let go. "I was taught how to shoot it while we were there." Eve said and handed it to her brother who looked it over. Eve looked on when Ebony walked into the café with another box and sat it down on top of the one that her brother brought in.

"Did you find any?" Robert asked her. Ebony smiled and nodded.

"Yes sir…but I'm afraid there wasn't much so they…" She looked up and blushed when Eve walked around the table and held up a sash and wound it around Ebony's middle.

"I made this one myself." Eve said and looked at Ebony who blushed.

"You really must not." Ebony was about to take it off when Peter took Ebony's hand.

"I tried that once…she didn't take no for an answer." He said and looked at Robert who nodded at the way it looked, but pulled the knot to one side.

"There much better." He said and looked at his sister. "One must always look their best, no matter who you are or the status you're in. The better you look the more likely that people will believe we take care of our servants." Robert said and took Ebony's fingers and kissed them.

"Thank you Lady Eve." Ebony said and sat down just behind her master.

Eve sat back down and looked around the table. She looked up at her father who was putting on his new cravat. He looked into the mirror looking at his reflection.

"You know I think I have a waste coat that will match this." He said and fluffed it up a bit.

"Papa…it's crooked." She said and untied it and tied it back perfectly. Percy looked shocked at what she did. He suddenly took her hand and bowed down to her level.

"I suppose it's your turn to fix the bows." He said and hugged her as close as he dared. Eve suddenly pushed away from her father and sat back up seeing that there food was there.

"I've been shoved out of the way for a plate of chicken and potatoes" Percy told his wife who laughed at his expense.

"Oh my love don't take it personally. She is eating for two now." She said and took a drink of her wine.