When Félicie woke up the next morning, she did not see Odette at her usual post at the kitchen, where she usually was by this time of morning. She was about to go see what was going on when she heard the hints of voices coming from Odette's bedroom. She decided to wait for them to come out on their own, not wanting to have anything to do with what grown-ups did in their bedrooms at night. She did wonder, though, why M.Mérante was staying over so frequently these days. Odette and M. Mérante came out of her bedroom soon enough, and they both looked to be in the best of moods.

"Good morning, sweetheart," said Odette, going to her and kissing her on the cheek "sleep well?"

Félicie answered in kind and Louis came to her and bid her good morning, awkwardly putting a hand on her shoulder. Odette told her to sit and went to begin breakfast preparations for the three of them, and Mérante immediately went to help her, the second time in three days, which seemed very odd to Félicie. When all three were seated, Odette started talking.

"Félicie, sweetheart, do you remember yesterday, when you asked me what was going on with me?"

"Yeah…", Félicie answered with a full mouth, causing Louis to purse his lips

"Well, Louis and I have been talking, you see, and he has asked me to marry him", said Odette, at the same time looking at Louis for support.

"Wait, really?! Is this finally happening?" Félicie looked between her two teachers, who were both looking back at her. Her face slowly drew a smile and she said "Louis, honestly, I can't believe it took you so long to ask her!" She got up and hugged Odette, and Louis made an effort to not tell her to be gentle. When she was back to her seat she continued her questions

"So, why now, what made you finally make up your mind to ask her?".

Louis smiled, looked at Odette in the most sickeningly sweet way Félicie had ever seen and spoke

"I have been a coward; I should have asked her a very long time ago."

What surprised Félicie even more was the fact that Odette returned the sweet look, and her eyes looked rather wet.

"Was that why you've been acting so weird lately, Odette? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Félicie asked

"Uh, actually," started Odette, looking at Louis for help

"Well, uh, in fact, Félicie" he tried

"Sweetheart, there's something else. Something that must be kept a secret for the time being, it is very important that nobody knows."

Félicie's eyes grew wide, and she just nodded with her mouth full of the bite of bread she had just taken. Nobody spoke for a few moments and Félicie, having swallowed her bite asked

"So, are you going to tell me?"

Mérante and Odette reached for each other's hand, and Odette drew a deep breath

"I'm pregnant, sweetheart. Louis and I are having a baby."

Félicie was not very sure how women got pregnant, but she did know that people had to be married to do so

"So are you already married?" She asked, confused

"No," answered Odette

"Oh," said Félicie "but I thought you had to be married to become pregnant."

All the color drained from Mérante's face and his eyes got bigger than she had ever seen. He looked embarrassed to say the least. Odette, meanwhile, looked pointedly at her and said

"Félicie, if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them at another moment, alright?" while raising an eyebrow the same way Louis did.

"Alright" Félicie said "so, what does this mean? I mean, for me? What will I do?" Suddenly the tablecloth and her half -eaten plate were very interesting. She began wondering if she could find any way to continue doing ballet in Britanny.

"Well," said Louis, smiling kindly at her, even though she didn't see it, engrossed as she was in moving breadcrumbs from one end of her plate to the other "I expect you'll help us take care of your little sister"

"Or brother" added Odette

"Or brother," conceded Louis

Félicie looked back up, her green eyes shining with joy. Haven gotten her zest for life back she gave them both a smile "I've never been a big sister before, but I did help with the smaller kids at the orphanage!"

"And we're sure you'll do wonderfully as a big sister" said Odette.

"But," interjected Louis "it is of utmost importance that you do not speak of this to anybody. Promise?"

"Promise" Félicie crossed her heart.

Louis had been in the process of reaching for the butter when his eyes laid on his pocket watch that had been resting on the table. "Jesus Christ! It's already ten to eight! We'll be late!" he exclaimed.

With that both he and Félicie shot off from the table, Odette being a bit slower. Louis went to get his waistcoat and jacket, thanking Providence that he kept a spare set of clothes at Odette's. He looked at her and saw she was making her way to the bedroom in order to get herself ready. She had not touched much of her breakfast, just half a slice of toast and a bit of tea.

"Mon coeur," he said "you did not touch your food. Are you sure you're up to teaching today? I'll take your lessons if you are not well."

Odette fixed Louis with her own version of his glare and thus let him know that his coddling was not appreciated.

"If I need anything of the sort, I will tell you, Louis. I am not any different because I am pregnant, and I appreciate you letting me get on with my day."

I'm so sorry this took so long, it has been a crazy time, what with a pandemic and all... but the story is not dead and here is proof. Hope you like it :)