*Victor's P.O.V.*
Did Trudy just say that? She's going to have our baby? My Trudy? No. No way.
A tear fell down her cheek and she looked at the floor. She must be upset by saying anything. I reached out and gave her a cuddle. She didn't seem like she wanted to be left alone. And even if she did, I wouldn't.
Knowing her, she probably thought that she's useless and pathetic and worthless. She'd probably cry for the rest of the week. Or the rest of the month. She can cry all day, but that doesn't mean that I'll leave her to it.
"My dear, don't cry. You're so deeply loved. Come, now. Don't cry."
I kissed her soft, curly hair, trying to make her snuggle. And to think, the poor girl's barely more than a child. No wonder she's so scared. Trudy had such a beautiful way of gazing about like a newborn, while still biting her lip and trying not to cry.
"I thought you hated me because of this." She wept, still trying to control herself.
"Beautiful Trudy, I could never hate you. You're lovely, a wonder."
A knock at the door interrupted us. Trudy went and answered the door, then I heard her talking to another woman. Then a little boy. My Trudy. She definitely knows what she's doing.
"OK, sweetheart. There's another little boy here, he's your age, but he's sleeping. However, Victor isn't. You come into here."
My adorable Trudy came into her bedroom, holding the hand of a small dark haired boy. He had very pale skin, just like Jerome, except he looked healthier.
"This is Fabian Rutter, Victor. He's five. He's here during term time, his mother works in another school in Africa, a college."
The small boy had a suitcase in each hand and a guitar case slung around his neck. He had a pretty small case, but the thing was in perfect condition.
I think that now, the only problem will be with raising two small boys and the coming baby. Trudy is more than capable of looking after them, herself and everyone around her. She's a wonder.
"Hello, sir." The boy was polite, a trait I liked in a child. Jerome was quiet and very polite, he clung to Trudy or I like lint we could shake off. Not that Trudy wanted to. She loved having a child cling to her.
"Hello, Mr Rutter. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you, sir. I know we came very late at night, my mother needs to be in Africa by tomorrow evening. Her term starts the day after." He spoke like a child twice his age.
*Trudy's P.O.V*
Aw, another beautiful child! At this rate, Victor won't want our newborn. I thought we'd have Jerome and a baby. Now we have Jerome, Fabian and a coming baby.
(Two months on.)
I hate myself. I have to keep this whole facade up every day of the rest of my life. My baby hasn't grown very much, I only have a slight bump. Despite its size, my child has very powerful movements. It knocked me so hard two days ago that I fainted. I came around before Victor got home with the boys. I hope he's forgotten that I'm even pregnant.
I've been hiding my desperate cravings for Party Rings and Cola Cube drinks. I know it sounds awful, but I have been desperate. I've been hiding my mood swings, too, trying to stay calm and happy at all times.
I just really hope he's forgotten. He hasn't mentioned it after the week I told him. For four days after, he was gentle with me and made sure I was happy. But now, he doesn't seem to remember or maybe he just doesn't care now.
A knock at the door interrupted my deep musings, yet again. I got to the door as tiny Fabian opened it. A little dark blonde girl stood there. She was actually quite pretty, Fabian's height, and skinny. She wore a purple shirt and blue jeans, her wavy hair hanging to the middle of her back.
She had a tiny face, and pearly white straight teeth. I saw Fabian's eyes turn into bright red hearts with this child in the middle.
It was... adorable! So cute! A childhood romance, how sweet!
She spoke and she had a beautiful American accent.
"Hi, I'm Nina Martin. I'm from America. What's your name?"
I watched quietly as Fabian stumbled over his words, trying to say his name coherently enough for her to understand.
"His name's Fabian Rutter."
The young girl looked at me, smiling. Then she looked back to the blushing boy.
"Fabian? Now that's a really wonderful name."
Victor came and kissed my cheek.
"Hello, Trudy."
At least he still spoke like he loved me.
"Hello, Victor." I at least have respect for him. He respects me, but I really wish he didn't. I don't deserve it. I misbehave every single day.
These children were gorgeous together. Love at first sight. I never thought I'd see it. I let them in and got Nina's stuff. She was a niña linda y se había ido y se encontró un novio con sólo caminar pulg. (Cute little girl and had gone and found a boyfriend just walk in.)
I said as much to her. She giggled.
"Mi nombre es Trudy. No, no estoy casado. El niño que se aferra a mí es mi hijo adoptivo, Jerome. Él es de seis años de edad, ahora. Él tenía su cumpleaños justo antes de Fabian vino aquí."
"Mi nombre es Nina. Tengo cuatro años. Nací en Estados Unidos. Mi madre era estadounidense y mi padre era español. Así es como yo hablo español. Por favor, podría usted decirme más acerca de ese chico de pelo oscuro. Él es muy dulce. ¿Es su hijo?"
(My name is Trudy. No. I'm not married. A child clings to me is my adopted son, Jerome. He is six years old now. He had his birthday just before Fabian came here.)
(My name is Nina. I have four years. Was born in the United States. My mother was American and my father was Spanish. This is how I speak Spanish. Please could you tell me more about this dark-haired boy. He is very sweet. Is your son?)
Just then, Victor decided he wanted to talk to me privately.
"Trudy, dearest, may I borrow you for a moment?"
Nina, niña linda, nodded. She hopped down from her seat and went to find Fabian. I went with Victor.
"What is it, sweetheart?" I asked him innocently. Well, whatever crime has been committed this time, I had nothing to do with it.
"Trudy, I'm sorry if you think I've been neglecting you?" He looked at me.
"Neglecting me? What? You think you've been doing what?" I tried not to laugh. "You've done nothing of the sort. Why would you say that?"
"Because, Trudy... this isn't the best time to tell you. I've met somebody else."
Whoa. My heart stopped a few beats and my baby moved.
"What? Who?"
Then a slightly familiar blonde woman stepped out of the shadows.
"Her name's Vera Devenish." I knew that name, but for everyone's sake, I pretended not to.
"Oh. Right. Well, I'll just..." I backed away, then left. That figured. I knew he didn't love me like he thought he did. But the most painful part was: his baby would be born in about six months. I couldn't leave, there were children. I couldn't parcel them off with me. None of them were mine. The only one that was mine was my coming child.
Jerome needed me. I loved the beauties of those children. I'd always wanted them, I couldn't leave them. I had to decide. But I chose to take the pain. I hated the idea of leaving children so that I wouldn't suffer. I'd sooner be tortured for eternity than I would leave children.
(Three months later.)
I think I am now broken beyond repair. I can't live much longer, I'm sure. I am six months into this pregnancy and my child has grown a little. Right now, I only look three months along. My child is going to be tiny, I'm certain of it. If I wore loose shirts, nobody could tell that I was even pregnant. I just looked like I had three of my own beautiful children. Two of them had blue eyes and dark blonde hair. One had dark hair and eyes. But I knew that even though they weren't my own, they looked like they were.
I stayed out of the way when Victor was about. If he entered a room I was in, I left that room. It didn't matter if I was doing something, I just left it until later. I wouldn't allow him to see that I was even there a lot of the time. To him, I wasn't there. I wanted to be, but now that Vera was there, I was non-existent. Even the kids had taken to her. Little Jerome started clinging to her. OK, I feel a little bit offended, but I can't change it all by crying. Besides, I have a baby of my own to think of.
Unless this one wants to live with Vera and Victor too.
I'll allow it if that's the case. If it's a child's wish and well-being, then yes, the child can choose who it's mother is. I don't care. This is Victor's child as well as mine. If my baby wants its daddy, then I'll leave it with him as soon as it's old enough to live without me. Some mother I'll ever be.
I spent my days slipping quietly from room to room. I made sure that this place was clean, I made sure everyone was well-fed.
(Vera.)
I saw Trudy every day. According to Victor, that's the name she goes by now. She's silent, she won't do more than what she's supposed to and she won't leave her room once she's done her chores unless she's cooking. Nobody seems to pay her any attention and she's always lonely. I feel so sorry for her. She was clearly in love with Victor, but it looked like she was content to stay away now as she avoided being in the room with him.
I caught her arm and held her in the kitchen with me.
"Trudy."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here. My mistake." She was flustered. Oh, great.
"Listen, Trudy, I'm sorry about how all this has..."
"No. It's honestly fine. Life's like that. You just do what you're doing. I'll try harder to keep out from under your feet." She was promising things I didn't want my friend to promise.
"No! Just listen to me. I know that you were happily in love with Victor."
"Yes, I was. Past tense. I'm a grown woman. I can handle things like this without crying and whimpering about it. Just forget it, enjoy your life."
Honestly, why did she have to be so sure of herself? This is just wrong! She slipped free of my grasp and she was out of there. I see why he liked her, because she was always so calm and rational. Nobody could hurt her. Those walls of hers were too high, nobody could climb up or knock them down.
If a man wanted her, they'd have trouble getting to her. She wouldn't let anybody near enough to see her. I went to my final resort.
Jerome.
I sent him to see if he could talk to her. If anyone could make her melt, it'd be him.
(Jerome.)
The nice lady, Vera, sent me to talk to Mummy. She was my most lovable person. I wanted Mummy so much, but she went too quickly so I had to hang onto Vera.
I tapped on Mummy's bedroom door, hoping she'd let me give her a cuddle and tell her I loved her. When there was no reply, I went in.
"Mummy?"
She was sat on her bed, cutting up pictures. She put down her scissors and the pictures, picked me up and put me in my room. Then she went back to what she was doing. Did this mean that Mummy didn't like having people anymore? I left my room and went to her again.
"Mummy? Please let me talk to you."
She gave me a look, like the ones my real mummy gave me. She didn't want me. But I knew that Mummy would be nice, she wouldn't hurt me. Not physically.
"Mummy, I miss you. Talk to me." I had to plead. She gave me that nasty look.
"Out of my room, now. I don't want to talk with you. Go talk to Vera." She sounded mean.
"I want you, though, Mummy." I went and put my arms around her. Mummy made me let go and put me back in my room.
"Do not ever come in my bedroom again. Can't you even understand that I don't want some little kid to pester me?"
"Why are you being so mean, Mummy? I only want you. I love you, Mummy." I wanted her to give me a warm, squishy cuddle. I wanted her soft, gentle voice. Where was the nice mummy?
"Go kiss up to that Vera, she'll like that." I went and sat on Mummy's foot and held her leg.
"I am not letting go of your leg, Mummy. You mine." I looked up at her pretty face in determination. She smiled.
"OK. Come here. Let's give you a cuddle." She picked me up, then quickly put me on the bed and left. She tricked me into letting go of her.
I waited until bedtime. Then I slipped in and got in bed with her. She picked me up, but she didn't press me gently to her chest like she usually would. Instead, she put me to bed.
"Don't you dare to get out of that bed again tonight. Or there will be consequences."
She wasn't happy, but I defiantly joined her again. This time, she got out of the bed and packed her cases. She made me lie in her bed.
"You wanted to be in here so badly? Fine." She started toward the door.
"I want you, Mummy. Please stay with me." I gave her my best puppy eyes. She almost melted for it.
"Catch that happening. If Vera or Victor ask what happened, I moved to Brazil."
Mummy started to pick up her bags. I sat on her feet again.
"No, Mummy. You mine. Me keep you here, with me. Me love you." I tried my best baby attempt on her. Then Fabian and Nina came in and saw me sitting on Mummy's feet.
"Mummy, you staying here." She picked me up and balanced me on her hip.
"You are a troublemaker. I won't stay here." Then the other two sat on her feet and wouldn't let go. I put my arms around her neck and swung around to her front, then kissed her neck.
"My mummy. You mine. Me love my mummy. Please stay here?" I felt a weird nudge-y thing from Mummy. "Mummy, what was that weird nudge-y thing?"
"What weird nudge?" Another nudge-y thing happened while she said it. I'd felt the nudge-y thing on my leg and my leg was across her tummy.
"That one." I looked down. Mummy was round? What? Not much, she was still tiny, but there was definitely some round there. There were nudges and Mummy was acting all weird.
"That strange nudge-y thing, it's from you. What is it? It's making you a little bit round, Mummy." She rolled her eyes.
"You caught me out. That nudging is a baby." She sighed. Why was she upset? Where was the baby? All I knew is she was nudging.
"What? A baby? I thought that it was you?"
She laughed. I love it when Mummy laughs, she's so pretty. She gently took my hand as she sat down, and made me put my hand on her tummy. There was the nudging.
"That nudging is the baby. It's moving about. That's that strange nudging you can feel."
"Wow, I didn't know babies did that. How long has it been there, Mummy?"
She looked so pretty... Why is Mummy so beautiful?
"Six months. Another three and there'll be a new baby in the house. But for now, it's going to just enjoy playing around inside me."
So Mummy's having a baby? Wow... And she's beautiful.
"Mummy, do you know who I want to marry when I get big?"
She smiled, looking beautiful. My Mummy.
"Tell me, sweetheart."
"You!" She smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Aw, baby. You know something? When you get big, you'll have a special girl. She'll be your girlfriend. You'll marry her and she'll have your babies."
"Will it be you, Mummy?" I hoped so, my mummy was a very special person.
"No, sweetheart. I don't know who she'll be, but you'll love her in a different way than you love me. You'll love her in a special way, a way you'll never love anybody else."
So I can't marry Mummy? Hmm. Well, I don't think I want anybody else. I love Mummy.
"Mummy, did you know you gorgeous?"
She laughed. She even laughs pretty. How did Daddy not want her? She's lovely and pretty.
"Darling, I'm not gorgeous. I never have been and I never will be."
What does she see in that mirror? She's gorgeous!
"Mummy, is your mirror very dirty and scratched? You beautiful." I told her. Why doesn't she ever believe what I tell her?
"I am not. You have eyes, my darling. I couldn't be classed as anything even remotely beautiful."
"You have eyes, too, Mummy. You are classed as unworldly beautiful, you can see that."
Mummy started crying. Hard. She kissed my hair and cradled me. She wasn't mean anymore, she was sweet.
"Aw, my darling! You're so sweet to me, angel. I'm sorry I was so awful to you, baby." She gasped as she spoke.
"You never awful. Me be bad. Me not do as you tell me." I patted her soft hair. It's like a soft black velvet curtain. Her face is soft and a nice shade of coffee colour. She's so beautiful... I love my mummy.
Fabian and Nina joined in, giving my mummy cuddles. She was very nice to them, but nowhere near as kind as she was to me. They slept in their beds at night. I wanted Mummy, so I slept in her bed, next to her.
Then I heard Daddy shouting and Mummy jumped.
"It's 10.00! You have 5 minutes precisely! And then I want to hear a pin... drop!" Then he dropped the pin. As we little ones were in our sleepy time clothes, Mummy suggested we stay with her all night.
We all wanted to, so we did. Mummy was all warm and comfy as we went to sleep.
There's a reason we all love her. I can't wait to see the new baby.
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How sweet. So have any ideas, prompts, pairings to see, people you want in? Just review if you want anyone or any pairings putting in, PM me with prompts and ideas. Until next update, Random Dizzy. :D
