"Mary…" a voice called from the very edges of my consciousness. "Supper. Up now…"
"La…ter." I responded in sleepy complaint, feeling a sudden lift of pressure from my lap.
"Pa…"
Forcing my eyes to open, I squinted up as Charles rested Jaime against his shoulder.
"Will you come for the meal?"
"Shortly, yes."
"I will see you then."
I answered with a vague nod as Charles turned and left the room with our son still resting against him. Though I hadn't expected to nap as long as I did, I was still tired and hadn't yet worked up an appetite, but I resolved myself to making a brief appearance at the midday meal.
""Mama, you're late." Bryleigh greeted me with a pointed observation. "The food is getting cold."
"I did not tell you to wait for me." I answered, glancing toward the head of the table where, Charles sat, glaring warningly at Braden and Jaime, who were attempting to dispose of their vegetables in their serviettes.
"My apologies," the general replied, turning to Kezia who had entered the room with a pot of hot stew. "And thank you, Kezia."
"General," she acknowledged before swatting Braden lightly on his shoulder. "You're a poor example for manners…"
"Mum…" He grated, but ceased his attempts to throw his food away.
"Mary," she offered me a bowl of soup.
"I'm sorry, but I really haven't much of an appetite," I answered with a blush. "I think I'll go upstairs, actually…"
Charles paused and studied my expression.
"Really," I pressed. "I'm tired; it's all this cold weather. I'm not ill."
Apparently satisfied, my husband nodded quietly and I stood to leave.
"You're sure?" Kezia asked.
"Quite. I will have my meal later." I insisted dismissing my friend with a subtle wave and left the room.
Upstairs in the master chamber, I settled into bed, giving the coverlets a forceful pull, back onto my side. Out of the two of us, it was Charles who managed to steal the bedding on cold nights. Catching a hint of his smell on a gathering of sheets, I pressed it to my face and sighed contentedly. I cherished it now, but at another time, it had brought only confusion and uncertainty. However, we each to our part, had managed a relationship within the marriage. It had been far from easy, and the general was not my first choice, but he became the best choice, even if he did leave me in the cold on some nights.
"Thief," I muttered, moving around before I found a comfortable position, and fell into an easy slumber.
Some time later, I stirred and awakened to see Charles sitting in a chair near the large bedroom window, thumbing through one of his books while Jaime sat next to him, playing with a ball and cup.
"When did you get here?"
Charles put down his reading and looked over at me.
"Half an hour ago."
"Yes!... you talk in your sleep, Mum!" my son piped up.
"Jaime!" I reddened.
"It was nothing too scandalous," Charles assured with a smirk. "Actually, I don't even know what you said."
I looked down at Jaime who shrugged.
"You just talked."
"How long was I asleep?"
Perhaps an hour, maybe a little more." Charles replied.
"And you didn't wake me when you got in?"
"No. You can be mean if we don't wake you up right." Jaime spoke, crossing his arms and puffing his chest out.
"You would too if you had a little monster jumping all over your face."
"So Papa said I had to be quiet if I was going to be here, and we let you alone." Jaime finished.
"Well thank you," I glanced at the general. "It was very thoughtful."
"You're welcome," Charles' mouth twitched with a suppressed laugh. "Now Jaime, will you please leave your mother and I for a moment?"
"Why?" Jaime suddenly became pouty. "Why must I leave? I was quiet!" He insisted.
"You were, and I am grateful for that. I would like to speak with your mother privately. Only for a few minutes." he reassured.
Jaime gathered his toys with an irriated huff, narrowing his eyes as he glanced from his father to myself and then back again.
"Only a few minutes," I echoed. "And then you can come back in."
"Can I sit with you?" he asked.
"Later, yes. Now go on…"
With a nod, Jaime started toward the door, turning back briefly to the general.
"Only a few minutes."
"Get out, you little whelp!" Charles waved his hand, rolling his eyes.
Jaime skittered out the door, and closed it behind him, laughing and screeching his way down the stairs.
Charles turned to me and groaned.
"We must come up with a price for that little oddling."
"No amount would be enough."
"Shame," my husband sighed.
"You wanted to speak with me?" I asked, sitting up in bed.
"Nothing too worrying," the general replied, "are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, I'm just cold and tired. The change in weather has been playing with my energy."
"Just your energy?"
Yes, just that. We've hardly had time for other possibilities." I replied, narrowing my gaze. "And I would know."
"You don't want another?" Charles could not contain his amusement.
"Not with these two cubs! I won't sleep properly until I'm on my deathbed."
"We'll just have to make you more comfortable then," he smiled.
"Give me more coverlets then. You steal them every time it freezes at night."
"I'm sorry," Charles put his book down and stood to join me on the bed. "I'll have Braden keep the fire longer this evening, maybe heat a few blankets as well."
"How generous," I kissed him. "You're spoiling me."
O'Hara laughed softly and pulled away, nipping my bottom lip. "I told a little boy that we'd only be a short while."
"Then you'd best keep your word."
"Certainly. Will you be coming back downstairs?"
"Soon, but Jaime wants some time."
"Of course," my husband replied. "I'll not keep him waiting."
