It had been a week since Matthew expressed interest in wanting to adopt Mary's little girl, but truthfully, he had thought of the idea when he first learned she was pregnant. When Robert had first uttered the words that Mary was pregnant, he knew in his heart that he wasn't just going to protect her, but that small baby too. Richard Carlisle was never going to be a father. He didn't deserve to be a father to this baby. Still, this baby deserved a real father and truthfully, Matthew was already attached to her. He had watched Mary's body change every step of the way, reading and learning everything about pregnancy and how a baby develops. He had thrown himself into Mary's pregnancy and fallen more in love with her each and every day. In his mind, this baby was his. DNA no longer had anything to do with it. This little girl and her mother consumed his every thought, impacting every decision he made. Every choice that his mother contacted him with the house, was a made with their interest in mind. When his mother contacted him about the blinds, he did his research. There were no strings that would be hanging from the window treatments, because they were a choking hazard. Today, he was working from home, because his mother wanted to come discuss some of the back-yard landscaping and he didn't want Mary doing too much. She had been light headed again this morning, so instead of seeing if someone could check in on her, he told her to stay in bed and he would make his way upstairs when he could. His mother was due to be over soon and he had just cut up a bunch of fruit which was Mary's first major craving. He put a little bit of whipped cream in a dish on the side of the plate with a glass of water before carrying the tray upstairs. She was probably sleeping, but he would wake her. She wouldn't want to sleep through a fresh plate of fruit. It was the first thing she wanted when she opened her eyes and the last thing she wanted before closing them. He pushed the door open to find her sitting up in the bed with a book in hand. "Hey you."

"Hey." She looked up, closing her book and sitting it down by her side. He smiled, seeing her up in the bed. Very light makeup on her face as she straightened up in the bed. He sat the tray down on her lap, leaning forward and pressing a light kiss on her lips. "Hmm…what did I do to deserve this?"

"Nothing, you're just you." He teased, sitting down on the side of the bed, picking up a grape and popping it into his mouth. "And of course, you need to eat."

"I was craving this." Mary replied, picking up a fork. "I can't stop thinking about fruit. All day. Even after eating it. Oh, and chocolate."

"I knew you liked chocolate, but you haven't asked for that yet." Matthew replied. "I'll bring some up later."

"I heard about cravings, but I didn't realize they could be so strong. Apples, grapes…all of it. Whipped cream is so good too." Mary closed her eyes as she ate a piece of banana. "Every time. I swear. I can't get enough."

"You're insatiable." Matthew laughed, dipping a strawberry piece in whipped cream before feeding it to her. "Well, when it comes to your love of fruit lately."

"Don't be vulgar Matthew." She teased, before licking around his finger. "Unless we have more time of course."

"Tease." He winked, leaning forward and kissing her again, a little bit deeper this time. His hand moved to her hair, pulling away and licking his lips. "Sweet."

"Hmm." She giggled, before taking a sip of the water. "So, what are you working on with your mother again today?"

"We're going to look at updating some of the landscaping and she wants to get an idea about what we should do with the stone patio." Matthew replied, reaching for some home décor magazines on the night stand and sitting them next to her book. "Any requests or thoughts?"

"I wouldn't mind somewhere to sit in the shade." Mary sighed. "With the baby. For when the weather is nice."

"I think that's a great idea." Matthew agreed, before there was a knock at the door. He stood up, pressing a kiss against her cheek. "When you're done, just slide the tray to your side. I'll be back to get it."

"Alright." She smiled. "Tell Isobel I said hello."

"I will." Matthew winked as he walked to the door. It was likely is mother would sneak upstairs at some point, but for now he would leave her there and allow her to rest. She was doing amazing. For the first time during the entire pregnancy, Mary was constantly asking for food. It had all started during the last week and it was a relief. When Matthew got to the bottom of the steps, he opened the door to see Isobel standing there. "Mother…"

"Matthew." She handed him a heavy tote and stepped into the home, immediately taking her coat off.

"What is in here?" Matthew's arm dropped. "It's heavy."

"I went to the bookstore; I found a whole section on landscaping." Isobel replied proudly, reaching into the bag and pulling out a hardcover book. "This one is all about turn of the century English countryside homes."

"Did you buy the whole section?" Matthew laughed, as he followed her into the dining room where she sat her purse down. He emptied out the bag, placing the books out on the table. He reached for one about stone. "You do realize this isn't a grand palace, right?"

"Yes, but it's your home." Isobel sat down, reaching for her phone and shaking her head. "Can you figure out how to turn the sound on this up? I can't hear it when its upstairs and I'm in the study at home."

"Or you could just bring it with you." Matthew laughed, turning the volume up and sliding it back to her.

"When my landline phones ring, the sound fills up the house." Isobel rolled her eyes, reaching for a notepad. "The cell phone doesn't. You kids are always so sure your technology is so good."

"Yeah, alright." Matthew shook his head, trying not to tease his mother.

"How is Mary doing? I will go up and see her later." Isobel inquired, searching her purse. "I figured I would come over one day soon to meet with her about the nursery. So, we can decide how to make it fit for a little girl."

"Mom, I know Mary has already expressed how much she can't wait to work with you about the nursery." Matthew replied, expressing how grateful they were. "But we want to make sure that you don't feel we've taken advantage. Only help if you want to. Mary was worried you've pushed yourself."

"Matthew…" Isobel sighed, taking his hand. "You have no idea how much joy this has brought me. Getting you and Mary ready for your family to expand. We spent so long with it being just the two of us after your father died, but now there is going to be a little one running around and you know I love and adore Mary."

"I know you do." Matthew smiled. "I do too."

"I know you do." Isobel smiled, squeezing his hand. He shifted in his seat, running his hand over his mouth as he debated talking to his mother. "What is it?"

"Mother, I want to tell you something."

"Not bad I hope."

"Not bad at all." Matthew smiled, before taking a deep breath. He wanted to tell her, but that didn't stop his voice from shaking a bit. "I am going to adopt the baby. I will be her legal father. I've already spoken about the steps to a social worker and while the ink won't be dry until after she's born, my name can immediately be added to the birth certificate. We just want to make sure that everything is legal."

"Oh, that's great Matthew." Isobel's eyes watered, squeezing his hand even harder. "It shouldn't be that difficult, with Carlisle already surrendering his rights."

"That's correct." Matthew breathed, nervously running his hand through his hair. "I want to propose to Mary. Make everything legal within the next year."

"So, you can be true family." Isobel grinned, pulling her hands away. "And Mary?"

"She seemed a bit surprised, but happy. I think she's been afraid that I won't stay. I explained to her that she and this baby are my world." Matthew explained. "Richard did a number on her, but I think she realizes now that I'm here and committed."

"Well, he did perform a number on her. I noticed a lack of confidence due to him." Isobel's eyes went sad, shaking her head. "She used to be the most confident woman on the planet, now she's slowly coming back to all of us. Cora and Violet are feeling better about her."

"Good." Matthew nodded. "And now we're making her home perfect."

"For your family." Isobel smiled, opening a notebook. "Has Mary said anything about the landscaping?"

"Just that she wanted somewhere to sit on the patio with the baby." Matthew smiled. "I was thinking a porch swing."

"I'm sure Cora and I won't mind a porch swing to rock with the baby when we come over." Isobel's smile widened, clasping her hands together. "You do realize that when you guys aren't around, Cora and I will want to be the ones to watch her. We've already had several conversations about watching the baby."

"You would babysit?" Matthew asked.

"Of course!" Isobel sounded surprised that he would even ask. He was surprised, but also thought about it for a moment and realized that it was what Grandparents did. Cora and Isobel loved them and loved the baby that was coming. It was a realization that this is what family did, no matter how grand. Love made true family. "And don't think for a minute that you're off the hook for diapers."

"Well, I didn't think she'd change herself." Matthew teased as Isobel slapped his arm and stood up. He watched as she smoothed out her skirt. "Where are you going?"

"I want to go see Mary before we get too far deep into planning outside. She might fall asleep and I want to ask her about colors." Isobel stood, walking towards the hallway. "Does she need something to eat? I'll make her some soup or a sandwich."

"I took her some fruit before you got here. She's got an appetite, but I doubt she'll want more of anything for now." Matthew replied, reaching for one of the landscaping books.

"I'll make her some pasta first." Isobel replied, walking out of site as Matthew laughed. Matthew knew his mother to be one of the most open minded and kind souls. She was also a nurse, which meant her greatest passion was to take care of others. Mary might not be hungry, but she was getting a bowl of pasta. He knew that much. He also knew that their child was going to be the luckiest little girl in the world. She was going to have amazing parents and amazing family who wanted the very best for her. It was all they could ask for. Truly. The baby would come home to a beautiful home, be surrounded with love and one day, they would add more children. How many? He had no idea, but he and Mary would have to keep working on their relationship before those things happened. He knew that. He was just thankful they had a support system of people who wanted them to be just as happy as they wanted to be.