—Miracles—

Chapter Twenty Five: The Bet

Four eyes starred at Sophie as she sat outside savoring a cup of lemonade and the brisk spring breeze. "She's wearing Mummy's dress," one set observed. It was a sun dress Megan refused to wear because she hated white.

"That's not the important part, dummy!" scolded the other in a hushed tone, "Who is she and why is she here?"

"She's pretty."

"Yeah…she is."

Sophie rubbed her back. It ached. Her feet were propped up on stool brought out from the kitchen. They were swollen.

"She's going to have a baby!"

"Very good observation, Mari," said a new set of eyes.

The two gazed, abashed, up at their father. "Good afternoon," they chorused.

"Good afternoon," Gareth nodded, "Have you said that to Miss. Sophie?" The children said nothing. "It is very rude to be so aloof to a guest," lectured their bear of a father, "How can you fix this error?"

"By greeting her," piped Mari.

"That seems like a good solution." Mari grinned at her papa's approval and skipped to go fix what was wrong. Her speed slowed down as she approached the stranger. Sophie seemed surprised. The two exchanged polite words. Mari reached out a hand and touched the bulging baby. "Well, Neil?"

The young man said nothing. He was used to playing video games, not talking to pretty woman. He brooded as his sister chattered like a happy bird in the trees. "Who is she, Father?"

"She is going to have Uncle Howell's offspring," Gareth answered stiffly.

Neil added, "His wife."

"No."

"No?" This was very weird. This was very abstract.

"They have not married, and apparently never will."

"How can they have a child then?" Neil prodded, very interested about this anomaly.

"Through love," a strong voice interrupted.

Neil locked eyes with Sophie and then dropped them, in shame.

"Gareth," she greeted the bulging, refined man.

"Miss. Sophie," he returned.

"Did it turn out like I said?" she asked. Mari hung onto her arm and still jabbered even though the adults were talking.

"Yes."

Sophie smiled triumphantly. "I believe I won, then."

"It would seem so." Gareth was not used to being bested by woman; Megan has been the only woman daring enough to meet his gaze and here stood another, willing to throw herself into a relationship with the egotistical Howell, Gareth's unfortunate brother-in-law. "But I hoped you would be wrong."

Sophie sighed, "Me, too."

Author: I edited this chapter; I apologize for the horrible mistakes. I forgot to fix the names before I posted!

Word Count: 400