Chapter 4
The next morning Nanny went about her regular chores. She prepared breakfast for the children, making lunches, and starting a load of laundry. She busied herself in the kitchen while the children finished their breakfast. The Professor came into the kitchen and paused before sitting down.
Nanny brought over a cup of coffee for the Professor and placed in front of him. He could not help but notice that she did not say her normal cheery "Good morning Professor" in fact she did not say anything to him. He tried to make eye contact with her, but she turned from the table before he could. The children continued to notice the uncomfortable interactions between their father and their Nanny.
Prudence was the first to comment, "Nanny, Daddy why are you so angry?" The Professor looked at his daughter and then his sons. He realized that his children were already being affected by this situation.
Nanny was at the sink looking out the window when Prudence asked her question. She bit down on her lip to contain her emotions. She composed herself as best she could and turned to the children and said "Oh, Prudence, we are not angry, we are just very busy today and your father and I have a lot to accomplish over the next few days. I am sure that everything will be fine again very soon." "Now, you three need to get yourselves together and off to catch the bus."
The children solemnly gathered their school things and headed off the catch the bus for school.
The Professor sat at the table and truly felt his chest tighten. He took a deep breath and stood up and slowly crossed the room toward Nanny. As Nanny washed the breakfast dishes she could sense the Professor standing close to her. She straightened her back and tried to compose herself, yet again.
Hal stood near Phoebe and tried to gather his thoughts. He drew a deep breath and said "Phoebe, please look at me." Phoebe could not look at him, she let her head drop down and felt her lips quiver. Hal saw her lips quiver and gently put his hand on her shoulder, "Please Phoebe, look at me." Phoebe shook her head. She then looked up at him. Her eyes were brimming with tears and lip quivered again. Hal took her hand in his and said "I am so sorry Phoebe. Everything I said last night was not at all how I truly feel. I do trust you, I trust you in my home, with my children …I trust you with my heart, Phoebe." Phoebe's eye's widened and she gasped at his words. "Everything I said last night was said out of jealousy Phoebe, I – I let myself believe that you were leaving us, leaving me and I panicked. I am so sorry." "Please don't leave – please stay – please stay…with me." The tears that Phoebe had been holding back now spilled onto her cheeks.
Hal slowly brought his hand to her check and wiped at her tears with this thumb. Phoebe closed her eyes at his touch and leaned into his touch. Hal let his hand move around the back of her neck and tilted her head so she was looking up at him. He then slowly, so she would know his intentions, and give her the chance to resist if she wanted to. Phoebe looked into his eyes gently leaned toward him.
Hal's heart skipped a beat at her movement. He gently touched his lips to hers. Phoebe accepted the gentle kiss and let her lips respond to his touch. Hal drew back slightly and when he saw that her eyes remained closed he moved his other hand to her waist and pulled her gently toward him and kissed her again. With this kiss Phoebe let her hands move to his waist and returned this kiss. Hal gently moved his tongue over her lips and was so pleased that Phoebe opened her mouth and let her tongue meet his. The kiss slowly became more intense and the couple embraced while continuing to kiss.
When they parted from the kiss they fell into each other and held onto each other. Hal sighed and said "Please forgive me, please Phoebe you have to forgive me and promise me you won't leave." Phoebe nodded her head against his chest and said "Oh, I am so sorry Hal, I never meant to hurt you and am so sorry that I lead you to believe that I was betraying your trust." "I don't want to leave I truly am happy here and want to stay –. Before Phoebe could finish her thought Hal kissed her again, deeply and passionately and Phoebe returned the kiss moving her arms up his chest and wrapped them around his neck.
The couple now sat at the table holding hands. Phoebe explained that she was helping Roger look at homes. She, however, asked him to meet with her and Roger for lunch so Roger could tell him what had been happening. Phoebe explained that it was not her place to share this information without letting Roger know before-hand. Harold agreed and He and Phoebe drove to the dinner where they had agreed to meet Roger.
Phoebe and Hal approached the diner in Arabella. Hal smoothly parked the car. He walked around to the passenger door and helped Phoebe by offering her his hand. They smiled at each other and walked into the diner. They sat at a table and waited for Roger to arrive.
They had just ordered a cup of coffee when the little bell signaled someone walking into the diner. Phoebe looked to the door and smiled as Roger held the door open for the woman entering with him. Hal then turned took look at the door. What he saw surprised him as much as it appeared to surprise Phoebe.
Roger turned to the woman and took her hand in his and walked toward the other couple. Roger was not entirely surprised to see Professor Everett seated with Phoebe and smiled at them both. Professor Everett stood, "Hello Professor Samuelson, welcome back. I hear you are considering returning to the University" extending his hand to the other professor. Professor Samuelson returned the handshake and smiled at Hal and Phoebe. "Yes, I am. As a matter of fact I have just returned from the President's office. I have officially signed on as a resident Professor in the Humanities Department." Phoebe clapped her hands together and said "Oh, that is wonderful news, congratulations Roger." Hal also said congratulations.
Roger turned to the woman with him and said "Phoebe, Hal allow me to introduce you to my wife, Amelia." He smiled at the woman with an adoring look. Hal extended his hand to the young woman "It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Samuelson, welcome." Phoebe stood and extended her hand to Mrs. Samuelson, "It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Samuelson, I am sure you will be very happy here."
Mrs. And Professor Samuelson took their seats. Amelia Samuelson thanked Phoebe and Hal for their welcome and congratulations. The other couple ordered their beverages. Roger then turned toward Hal and said "I must admit I am a little surprised at your warm welcome. I wasn't sure you would be very happy to have me return." Hal somewhat uncomfortably looked down at his cup and shook his head. "I must admit I was initially a little unsure of how I felt about your returning, that is at least until Phoebe explained." "I am disappointed with myself, truth be-told." "Phoebe and I have talked about this I am now very happy that you will be returning the University and I am sure you will be a wonderful addition to the staff." Phoebe smiled at Professor Everett when he looked at her.
Phoebe explained to Roger and Amelia that there had been some misunderstanding and miscommunication between herself and Hal. She explained that they had cleared up the misunderstanding. Phoebe told Roger that she thought it was up to him to explain all the details of what she and Roger had been working on over the last week. Roger smiled at the couple and said "I am sorry that if I caused any friction and should have been more forthcoming with you Professor Everett." Professor Everett looked at the younger man and said, "no apology necessary Professor."
Amelia Samuelson turned to Phoebe and said, "Miss Figalilly I want to thank you for helping Roger over the last week. He told me how much assistance you provided in finding us a home." "It was very kind of you to help us." Nanny turned to Amelia and said "Oh, please call me Phoebe, and I am very happy to have been of help." "I trust you found the houses Roger chose acceptable." "Have you made a decision on one of the homes?" Amelia smiled brightly and said "Oh, yes we went to look at two of the houses this morning, before Roger spoke with the University President. We will be going back this afternoon to put an offer on our favorite." Roger took his wife's hand and told Nanny and Professor Everett that they chose a home a few blocks away from where Nanny and Professor currently lived. Phoebe and Hal congratulated them again.
After they placed their orders for lunch, Phoebe said "I am a little surprised at the home you chose. I thought you might have chosen the smaller home as it sounded similar to the home you currently have." "Why did you choose the other home?" Amelia smiled shyly and said "While the smaller home is very much like our current home and it is lovely, the house we chose will suit our needs better moving forward." Roger smiled at his wife and cleared his throat. "You see, Amelia and I just found out that she is expecting our first child. We will be making good use of the extra space in about 6 months." He lifted his wife hand and placed a gentle kiss to her fingers.
Phoebe and Hal both told the other couple how happy they were for the blessed news. Phoebe and Amelia started discussing how Amelia was feeling and Phoebe said she would give Amelia the names of the pediatrician the Everett children went to. They then discussed how Amelia hoped to decorate their new home. Amelia asked Phoebe if she would be interested in helping her shop for new furnishings. Phoebe and Amelia said they would have a lot of fun shopping together. Professor's Everett and Samuelson discussed the University and the upcoming semester. Hal told Roger what he could expect to need for his office.
The couples left the diner and made plans to get together again very soon.
Nanny and the Professor returned home shortly before the children were due home from school. They sat in the kitchen enjoying a cup of tea and a piece of the cake Nanny had made the night prior.
While they sat they considered all they had learned this afternoon while having lunch with the Samuelson's. Hal was relieved that all of the confusion of the day prior had been put to rest and that he and Phoebe had both acknowledged their feelings for one another. Phoebe was thinking along similar lines as well as the fact that the Samuelson's were expecting their first child. Phoebe and Hal were lost in their thoughts when the children came running in the back door.
The children looked surprised to find Nanny and their father just sitting at the table. Butch asked "Hey, why are you two just sitting here? Didn't you go to work today Dad?" All three of the Everett children waited for the answer. The Professor smiled at his children and said "No, Butch I will not be going to the University today, I don't have any classes today." "And we were just sitting and enjoying a cup of tea."