Chapter 54 – Ooops

The weeks marched on and soon we were solidly in the throes of a cool and rainy autumn. My baby continued to grow and my pregnant belly was no longer able to be hidden. Thomas and I had returned to Dr. Manchester who gave us the incredible news that all the genetic testing had come out clear for major inherited diseases. We had forgotten to mention the predominance of lazy eye in Thomas's family and Dr. Manchester explained that the trait was complex. Some studies had claimed it was a dominant trait. He however, believed "it is a polygenic recessive trait with variable penetrance", whatever THAT means. In any case it was not predictable but something to watch for when little Fitz was born.

My ultrasounds were perfect with Fitz well within normal parameters in the upper percentiles, which could be expected with Thomas's height. I was not in the age group that needed amniocentesis, but due to the Fitzhenry family history Dr. Manchester and my obstetrician thought it appropriate that one was done. The results were not available yet. Thomas and I decided that we didn't want to know if little Fitz was a girl or boy. We would find out the old fashioned way. Thomas was a delight to observe. When he wasn't wide-eyed with wonder he carried himself with more confidence and didn't seem as prone to hide away. He even had a major business trip to London to attend a board meeting…something he had always done by phone conference before.

I continued to work at the Pub with Steve because I felt a need to work. As my belly expanded the murmurs and gossip grew exponentially. I heard some extremely ugly remarks from groups of moronic men…things about being "grossed out" or "hopefully it's a virgin birth". They didn't say it to my face but said it loud enough for me to hear. I was brought close to tears because I was really able to realize what poor Thomas went through his entire life. It was so unfair because he was an innocent victim of his genetics and never asked to be born the way he was. I was so glad he was born though, because I loved him and couldn't find a better man. My friend Chloe approached me one time and wanted to talk when I had a break. The next break I had we sat down for tea with my customary healthy snack.

Chloe and I had a continuing friendship and I had explained to her everything in reason about Thomas. She had honestly confessed earlier the she was a bit repulsed and worried about me. I had explained about Thomas's loving personality and hinted about our compatibility in bed. I had challenged her to sit down with Thomas and me and specifically look at his face and eyes and carry on a conversation. She and her boyfriend did so and after we spent an hour laughing and having fun she was hooked. "He has such beautiful eyes and such a wonderful personality…I think he is oddly sort of cute," she said. "See," I replied, "I have a secret treasure. I wouldn't let him go if Chris Helmsworth knocked at the door….well, I might have to take a break…..we had a great laugh.

Cathy still worked at the Pub. I no longer said anything because it didn't change anything and we'd end up having a row, which we almost never did. Her acquiescence was that I could take her and pick her up whenever possible. I worried more now that her tummy was showing without doubt. My protective instincts were raging and I couldn't bear the thought of anyone hurting her or touching her. There was a vicious circle of gossip in town that wouldn't let go of the way I look and I'm sure they would be relentless about Cathy being pregnant with my child. Genetically, all the tests done on Cathy and myself were fine. It made me ecstatic and when I saw the ultrasounds with a little baby person inside. I always had to smile…a really big smile. I almost fainted at the amniocentesis but we got through that too.

I had just finished my dinner and was sitting at the table studying some organization's proposition about leasing a small plot of estate land and building a playground and dog park on a little open space at the edge of the property. It would be a number of miles from the main house so I was pretty much just studying structurally what they proposed. "Mr. Robbins?" I asked as he cleared the table, "What do you think about this playground idea?" "Well sir," he answered, "It seems to be for a good cause and it is something the village desperately needs and it would not affect the household in any way….and it may be somewhere for your son or daughter to go and pass the time…" "Golly, I hadn't thought about that…smashing idea…I'll get in touch with them soon." A few minutes passed and I gathered the gumption to ask the question that I really wanted to know. "Mr. Robbins, you and Mrs. Robbins are more in touch with the goings on in the village than me," I said, "Have you heard any rumors or gossip about Cathy and me out there?" He turned to me and said, "There will always be rumors about you sir…you are a public figure, so to speak. I am certain that Cathy has caught wind of them too. I won't lie, but in general people are smiling and in wonderment of the joyful prospect of a baby in your house." "Thank you, Mr. Robbins, I appreciate your frankness. I just needed to know." I replied.

I puttered at my desk for a while until it was time to pick up Cathy from the Pub. "Mr. Robbins, I have to go get the Lady Fitzhenry from the Pub." I said. "Well, I hope you don't plan to get your Mother," he replied, "As you know, she has been deceased for quite a while." That was an odd and a bit inappropriate answer coming from Mr. Robbins. I asked, "Why did you say that?" "Well," he replied, "Some of the rumors floating around are from well-wishers who wonder if you are going to marry Miss Cathy." I was flabbergasted….how dare they think we weren't married! "But Cathy and I got married a while ago and then we had that dinner….remember? Bloody hell, what these people will say…preposterous." I complained. "Sir….sir, calm down please. You and Miss Cathy are not married. You never had a wedding, sir." Mr. Robbins replied. I could have sworn that we had gotten married, but then, on second thought…bloody hell, we didn't. Cathy and I had never gotten married. Damn, now I was embarrassed. There was no way I would lose the woman I loved and the mother of my child. How could we forget to get married? I felt like the world's biggest moron. This had to be put straight and soon. I rushed to get my car keys and ran to get my jacket. "Mr. Robbins, I need to pick up Cathy and set this right. What an idiot I am!" I shouted. Mr. Robbins looked down at his worked and suppressed a knowing smile.