We've got the longest chapter yet with some Frary/kids moments!
Later that night, Mary slips into something sexy as Francis finishes his call about something she doesn't quite know about. Some guy named Olivier and needing to find him, she doesn't know - she drowns it out until he'll bring it up. For now, she makes sure her lingerie sits right but with the growing small bump, it's tight and she hopes he just takes it off immediately as sometimes he likes to enjoy what he sees.
Men, she thinks with a grin, putting on some lipgloss as she's not willing to deal with removing lipstick this late. It's almost twelve in the morning, she hasn't got time for that.
She fluffs up her hair, already feeling the slightly positive effects of pregnancy with her hair becoming fuller and her chest being well endowed than usual. She's always had average breasts, she hadn't really started growing them until she hit eighteen and some guys turned their heads back in school. But never enough to ask the introvert her out. She doesn't care all that much because she would have stayed in Scotland and never have met the handsome blonde who worked in the restaurant next door to her uncle's bakery.
When she's finished, Mary heads back into the bedroom and catches Francis at the end of his call. Bidding the person 'goodnight', he hangs up and laughs a little at his wife's attempt to appear alluring, emitting a roll of the eyes from her as well as a pout.
"You look sexy, Mary," he says, gesturing for her to meet him in the bed. He's already got the duvet over his lower frame and she stalks over and pulls the duvet down before straddling his hips. "Hi."
"Hello, there," she replies, kissing him deeply.
He pulls away after a while and bites his bottom lip thoughtfully as he runs his forefinger and thumb through a strand of her raven hair. "Can I do something?"
"What?"
"Something I haven't done in quite a while," Francis tells her, gently shifting her onto her side of the bed before getting out of it and retrieving an item.
A camera.
"You're just looking so exquisite right now, although that may have been to the absence between us... I just want to never forget this moment. A private collection, if you will," he explains.
Mary rolls onto her stomach seductively and grins. "Go on then. For your eyes only," she warns him.
Francis scoffs. "Do you think I'd go around showing people my gorgeous wife's body? Hell, no. That's all for me..." He fiddles with the camera a little as Mary does some mock poses.
"Photograph me like one of your French girls," Mary swoons.
Francis almost chokes with laughter. "21st century Titanic? Damn, you really must be horny..."
...
"...baby's looking nice and healthy. You're about seven weeks gone from when your last period occurred," the midwife says. "So, you'll be due probably around next February."
"Finally," Francis starts lightly. "A Winter baby."
The midwife raises an amused brow. "Oh?"
"Our eldest three were Summer babies," Mary explains. "June, July and August, we planned them well."
The midwife laughs. "Well, this one might be a little jealous that their older siblings have their birthdays consecutively. But they'll be special. Maybe arrive on Valentine's Day."
"Well, it would do me a huge favour," Francis says, helping Mary wipe the blue gel off. "A gift for the wife and baby on the same day? Yes, please."
The midwife chuckles as she helps Mary to more tissues. "So, I'll grab your prescription for your prenatal vitamins," the midwife tells Mary. "And we can schedule your next appointment if you'd like to remain with us?"
Mary nods. "Yeah, that's fine, I'd stay here. The previous midwife that I went to for our three eldest retired."
"Awh," the midwife tuts. "So, are you both thinking of any more after this one?"
Mary shares a glance with her husband. They've not really talked about that in detail. It was assumed that this baby would be it and that's it but they've not made steps to fortify their decision.
"Yeah. Four is way than enough," Francis says, Mary nodding. "And well, my brother only wanted one more child after his first but then his wife ended up having triplets so he has four too now. Funny how life works out."
"Wow, be careful what you wish for," the midwife adds, chuckling. "Congratulations again, I'll be right out with your sonograms."
Mary and Francis leave the room and head to the reception desk for Mary to make another appointment and retrieve her prescription. The clinic has an on-site pharmacy so Francis helps her go grab her vitamins as she waits for the sonograms.
It's never real until you stare at that small grey, black and white picture over and over again for evidence. She's still quite in awe. They must have made this baby the day after she helped Kenna give birth. Imagine that, some life forming after another life has just been born.
Her phone rings and she quickly answers it away from the reception before she disturbs anyone.
"Hey, Kens, what's up?"
"Two things," Kenna starts. "One, the triplets' christening is this Sunday at our house. We're doing the garden up since I'm still nervous about taking them all out and the vicar has been ever so lovely with my decision and has agreed to come and perform the ceremony and you all are invited. Two, can Ana sleepover next week? There's some stuff Bash is dealing with and I might as well use that time to also air some stuff between us and Ana's been through the wars when it comes to us and I don't want her around that."
Mary sighs. "Yeah, you don't even have to ask, just show up unannounced, you know?" Mary replies. "Is... everything okay between you two though?"
Kenna chortles a little. "Do you mean, am I talking instead of screaming at him? Actually, it's like walking on eggshells. Our therapist says it will take a while to get over the infidelity but he sees we're ready to move past that and even if the children weren't a factor, I'd still want our marriage to work."
"Good," Mary breathes out. She eyes her midwife head over and she clears her throat. "I got to go but we'll all be there on Sunday and we'll take Ana then. It's a great thing she goes to the kids' school so that makes drop off and pick up easy."
Kenna sighs in relief. "Yeah, the new house is closer to that school so you're lucky. Thanks, love you."
"Love you too. See you soon," Mary replies, hanging up and smiling at the midwife as she collects the envelope. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. I'll see you soon, Mary."
"Likewise," Mary says before going in search of Francis. He steps out of the pharmacy just as she reaches it and she links her arm with his as they head to the exit. "The triplets' christening is this Sunday. And Ana is coming over for a week-long sleepover next week."
Francis raises his brows. "Wow. Okay. I have a reason to finally do the second bed in Anne's room she's been begging for. I never knew why she wanted it when we have a guest bedroom but I guess they'll want to be together."
"I never had sleepovers," Mary muses. "The closest I've had was sharing a dorm with Kenna. That doesn't count though. It's quite exciting."
Francis chuckles now. "Let me guess, you'll buy lots of sweets and chocolates and pull out Netflix to watch movies with the girls every night. Paint each other's nails, braid each other's hair..."
"Well, Anne and Ana love that sort of thing! And it falls on Anne's birthday next Thursday," Mary replies excitedly. "Oh, it would be splendid before the baby comes. To just spend time with the girls and bring Ana into it. I'll even make some pink lemonade and let them have it in plastic champagne glasses to make it all fancy."
"And encourage them to start drinking early," Francis laughs.
"Stop!" Mary pouts. "I never had much of a fun time growing up, I want Anne and Rose to do all the things I never got to do. Have all things I never had."
"I know," Francis says, kissing her. "I'll stop teasing you."
She blushes, pulling him for another kiss. "You do it out of love but never tease my excitement for sleepovers."
He chuckles and they continue on. "I remember going to my friends' houses and always calling my parents when midnight hit. I'd go home in sobs because I hated being away from them."
"Awh, little Francis hating sleepovers."
"It never worked. And we barely have cousins so we weren't trained for sleepovers," Francis replies. "If we were, we'd be okay to be away without homesickness."
Mary gives him a smile. "I guess. Oh, I'm so excited, let's go shopping right now before we pick the kids up."
"Don't you have clients?"
"From four to eight," Mary replies. "So... Let's go grab tiaras and wands! Oh and some presents for the triplets."
Francis laughs and lets himself be dragged across the car park to her car.
...
On Sunday, Mary checks the day's weather forecast and smiles because it's nice and hot and since it's a garden party, she can swing for a flowery wrap dress. She pulls the light pink dress with white tulips and daisies on it from her wardrobe and puts it on before grabbing her white wedges and putting them on too. She sprays some perfume onto her neck and wrists and she giggles when Francis wraps her arms around her waist and sniffs her neck.
"Such a dog!"
"You smell great," he gruffs out.
"It's the same damn perfume I wear all the time, Francis," Mary replies, giggling.
"Maybe it's your pregnancy. You're glowing and your smell's just... I might need to take that pretty dress off of you-"
"And we'll be late for it!" Mary cuts him off before helping him button his shirt up when she turns in his arms. "Calm down, boy."
Francis pecks her lips and heads out to go and grab the kids and get them in the car. He helps Rose put her shoes on and smooths her dress down before helping Anne fix her headband on. He even helps Jamie with his tie since the boy suddenly wants to start wearing them for some reason and he grabs their snacks and extra clothes bags before herding them down the stairs and strapping them into their boosters and car seat.
"All ready?" Mary asks, checking herself in the mirror by the door.
"Yeah!" The kids say as Rose just babbles after Francis has strapped her inside.
"Remember, behave and when the vicar asks for quiet, you be quiet," Mary tells her kids as she gets into the passenger seat. "Only one slice of cake each, Auntie Kenna has told me there will be some. And tell the triplets' 'Happy Christening' politely."
"They can't talk," Jamie states.
Mary laughs. "I know, but it's polite to say that, sweetie," she replies as Francis starts the car. "Right, here we go!"
When they arrive, most of their friends and family are there and Mary places the presents for the children on the gift table. She finds Kenna in the main bedroom, changing one of the boys' nappy.
"Hey," she says, knocking before coming in.
Kenna looks over her shoulder quickly before continuing to redress her son. "Hi," she replies. "Everybody here?"
"Yeah," Mary tells her, taking a careful seat on the bed. "Which one is this little handsome buddy?" She starts babbling at the baby, receiving a gurgle and she awes, seriously can't wait until she has her own fourth in her arms.
Kenna gives her a smile and looks down at the baby. "This is Alexander Benoit," she says. "Second to come out. And his middle name begins with 'B' because of the whole ABC thing. We have Audrina Alexis and finally, Adrien Christophe, after Henry."
"Those names are so sweet," Mary says. She only heard them refer to the babies as 'A', 'B' or 'C' because it seemed easier. "Want me to take him out?"
Kenna nods and watches as Mary lifts the baby into her arms. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"
Mary grins and looks down at the baby in her arms. "I'm eight weeks gone."
"Congratulations!" Kenna cries out, hugging her. "Now, I'm not the only one with four kids and a killer figure."
"I'm still jealous of how you managed to bounce back," Mary says lightly. "Took me a while after Rose."
Kenna sighs. "Well, a cheating husband just sets off all the exercise juices. It's some good fuel," she says before laughing about it. "Make that bitch jealous that he's still with me."
"Good on you," Mary replies. "I forget how petty you are."
"The queen of it," Kenna tells her, leading her out of the bedroom and closing the door behind them. She heads to the next door that separates the bedroom and study from the open-plan living area and when they return to the chatter of adults and children excited from the occasion, it's quite overwhelming.
Mary turns to Kenna. "Time to get these babies christened."
...
At work, during a quick breather between her last client and the next one, Mary writes down a plan of action for Anne's sixth birthday. She's already got an
itinerary for the sleepover this week and she and Francis decided against a party since they literally had the whole family and friends together for the christening yesterday so they've decided to take the kids to the swimming pool for a few hours before catching a film at the cinema on the weekend.
She's been striving to make her children happy lately. From doing things, she couldn't when she was growing up, with her kids to enjoying her children and buying them the latest toys. She never wants them to be deprived and that's why she works hard to make sure they're well provided for with hers and Francis's combined finances. She guesses she's all about this new leaf because she's pregnant and wants them to be assured that she'll always love them and also, because of her busy studying over the years. She's home now, she's got them in her mind as number one priority.
"Come in," she says when a knock sounds on her door and Dr Renier enters, placing her mug onto her desk. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," he says, raising a brow at her notes. "Oh, party planning?"
"Not so much," she replies. "Just a few things to do for my daughter's sixth. It falls on a school day on the 21st so we're doing a bit more on the weekend."
Dr Renier chuckles. "We used to have pony rides for my kids," he says. "They grew out of that quickly."
Mary chuckles before showing him her computer screen where there are many breeds of dogs. "I want a pet but my husband is dubious of our kids actually pitching in," Mary replies. "I want to make it a great birthday for her."
"You will, you're very attentive parents. I wish you all the best in your not-so-party-planning," he says, heading to the door. He pauses. "Has Francis spoken to you?"
Mary frowns. "About what?"
"Nevermind. I'm sure he'll bring it up soon," Dr Renier says before leaving.
Mary takes a sip of her tea and retrieves her phone from her bag before sending Francis a quick text. He says he's busy with some diners and will talk to her at home so she hopes he'll bring up whatever he needs to then. She will be patient but she doesn't want a repeat of the past months.
Sighing, she buzzes the receptionist to let her next client in and takes her birthday plans into her top drawer.
...
"I have a half-brother called Olivier."
Mary blinks in shock, her hands wrapped around her hot mug of tea as she takes in her husband's words. She only knows of one half-brother, Bash, but they're more full siblings at this rate. Bash's mother could even be considered as a surrogate. But another half-sibling?
"I know you're shocked. So was I when my mother called me by his name. That was why I was tetchy when you brought her up," he says. "Bash and I did some digging and we found out about how he came to be. When my mother was seventeen, she was raped. She and her family decided to not terminate the pregnancy and her then-boyfriend said he'd father them as if they were his own."
"Wow," Mary breathes out, shaking a little from the bombshell.
Francis nods and sighs. "So, the day she went into labour, it was hard and she ended up losing one of the babies - they were twins. A girl and a boy. In her grief, she gave the boy up, thinking she would fail him as a mother and her boyfriend's parents weren't happy he was with a pregnant unmarried girl so sent him to Spain. They never saw each other again but I found him and I'll take her to him. He's a good guy. I've spoken to my grandparents and they gave me the name of the adoption centre Olivier was taken to forty-three years ago. I'm going to find him, Mary."
Mary takes his hands in hers. "I'll come with you-"
"You have to stay for the kids," Francis tells her, kissing the back of one of her hands. "I really want you there but one of us should stay."
"Okay," Mary agrees. "Will you take the guy who wanted to raise them with her?"
Francis's brows raise. "I... haven't thought of that. He's got pictures of Olivier from when he was born and he has two daughters so always considered him as his son... I guess we should take him, Bash and me."
"I think he'll appreciate that," Mary says.
"The guy's really nice. His personality is like Dad's. And they're into bushy, brown beards. My mum has a type," Francis says lightly, making Mary laugh. "I'll take her to see him on Friday when the kids are at school. And Bash and I will go to Italy next week."
Mary hugs him tightly, rubbing his back in circles. "I'll be here, sending you all the strength you need telepathically, okay?"
Francis snorts. "I'll take it, sure," he laughs. "I love you."
Mary pulls away a little to look at his face. "I love you too, Blondie," she teases him before kissing him and resting her forehead against his.
...
"Right, ladies, I've got the popcorn and strawberry tea, where do you want me?"
Anne shares a look with her cousin before sending her mother a sweet smile. "Urm, Ana and I were wondering if we could... be alone tonight?"
Mary's smile falters a little but she waves it off and places the teapot down along with the cute, fake glass teacup set she washed for them to use after buying it on Monday. She also puts the bowl of popcorn down onto the floor between the girls and wipes her hands on her duck pyjama-clad thighs.
"Yeah, sure," Mary says. "Uh, keep the noise down, Rose is down for the night. Remember, one episode and then bed, okay?"
She slinks out of the room and heads downstairs to find Francis watching TV. She pouts as she takes a seat beside him and sighs. Her little girl is growing up. "I need to get myself some friends who won't mind having a sleepover." Maybe I'll take Kenna, Lola and Greer to a spa for a babymoon..., she thinks lightly.
He laughs, bringing her into his side as she snuggles up into him. "How about we have a sleepover?"
"We're not having naked pillow fights when our niece is next door, Francis."
"We always have sex when the kids are sleeping," Francis laughs.
"Yeah, but when it's your niece..."
Francis rolls his eyes. "Are you seriously rejecting moi?"
Mary smirks, running her finger down his chest sultrily. "Baby, I can sort myself out. Speaking of sorting things out..." She points down his lap and raises a brow. "Since we're stopping at four... Perhaps you could..."
"I could...?"
"Maybe get a vasectomy after the baby comes?" Mary asks, her voice a high pitch.
Francis sputters, eyeing her with wide eyes. "Mary, you want me to what?!"
"It's safer than having a hysterectomy. I mean, the health benefits are a factor," she tells him. "And I don't want to start using the pill and condoms again."
"Damn," Francis mutters. "Can I think about it?"
"If you need time to talk to Little Francis, then take all the time you need. You have seven months," Mary says lightly.
Subconsciously, his hands draw down towards his crotch area, almost protectively. "A-Are you sure you don't want another?"
"Francis! Do you really want to have another kid just so you don't get the snip?"
"Okay!" Francis says, sighing heavily. "I'll do it."
"I don't want to pressure-"
"Four is enough," Francis cuts her off with a kiss. "I'll do it. It makes all the most sense."
Mary smiles happily, hugging him tightly. "Don't worry, I'll be there for you, you big baby."
"Don't make fun of me when it happens-"
"I won't," Mary says, grinning into his shoulder and letting out silent giggles.
...
"Mum!"
Mary jolts awake in Francis's arm, the TV show they were watching long forgotten about and they both look at each other before hurrying up the stairs. Mary's first into Anne's bedroom and her eyes immediately go to the pile of vomit on the floor.
"Ana threw up!" Anne explains, pointing at her crying cousin.
"Oh, God," Mary breathes out before lifting the girl into her arms and going to the bathroom. "Anne, get her a fresh pair of pyjamas, sweetheart. Daddy will clean it up."
She sits the girl on the stool and checks her over. A kid throwing up is normally normal but Anastasia isn't like most kids. She's been on medication for her heart problems and even Mary and Francis had to receive training before she could stay over.
"Do you think it's your medicine, sweetie?" Mary asks, running the hot and cold taps to get the water warm in a bowl before grabbing a flannel.
"I don't know," Ana replies quietly. "It hurts."
"I know, darling," Mary coos before kneeling in front of Ana and wiping her off with some kids' soap and warm water. She sees Ana's eyes dart downwards and she raises her brow. "Is there something you want to tell me? About why you got sick?"
Ana bites her lip before sighing. "Mummy has a sweetie and chocolate box in her office. I took some for Anne and me..."
Mary sighs and laughs softly. "And you had too much?"
The girl nods. "Yeah..."
"Sweetheart, you know you're not allowed a lot of sweet things. And I know your parents keep you away from that at home, but you should not do that behind their backs because it could do more harm to you," Mary says gently. "How about I call your school tomorrow and say you both got some food poisoning and you can hang out all day with me?"
Ana nods and hugs her tightly, Mary pulling a face when she realises the sick that's now attached to her pyjama top. She chuckles anyway and squeezes the girl tight.
She's got three rare days off, the first one to plan Anne's birthday and the other one to celebrate it before her third day off is on Saturday to do more family things. She doesn't mind the distractions as long as Anne doesn't know what she and Francis have planned for her.
"Don't tell Mama and Papa, please," Ana begs tearfully. "I never get to eat exciting things... It's all boring!"
"Well, boring food saves your life so..." Mary replies lightly before cupping the girl's cheeks and sighing. "How about this? Whilst you're here, I'll give you some sweet treats as long as you brush your teeth right after and wash it down."
"Deal!"
After deciding to give Ana a bubble bath with Anne and putting the girls to bed and removing all traces of vomit and sweet things and the strawberry tea Mary gave them earlier, Mary heads downstairs and retrieves her phone from the living room, dialling Kenna's number.
"Mary? Hey hon, it's quite late. Is everyone okay?"
Mary checks the clock. Past eleven. "Yeah, sorry. Uh, Anastasia threw up-"
"Oh, my God. Was it the warfarin? Do you want us to come and get her? Bash!"
"No! No! It wasn't," Mary quickly says before wincing. "Anne managed to grab some sweeties when Francis and I weren't looking and they had it between them before bed. It was quite a lot. Ana's fine, she's fast asleep, Francis just checked on her." It's better not to let Ana get in trouble. It's her first sleepover, Mary doesn't want to prevent more. "She's okay, alright? I just wanted to let you know, she's your kid but she's perfectly fine. It was only a little bit and I gave her a bath and put her in a fresh pair of jammies."
Kenna sighs in relief before pulling away to tell Bash to hold his horses. "Thanks for letting us know. Are you guys okay with keeping her with you until Saturday?"
"Saturday?" Mary asks. It's not really a huge bother, they'll celebrate Anne's birthday then and who better than her favourite cousin to come along? "Are you guys okay over there?"
"It's just the triplets' monthly check-up. Adrien has colic," Kenna says. "I totally forgot to tell you when we spoke earlier, that's on me but we'll pick her up that lunchtime straight after."
"Oh, no we'll drop her off before bedtime. We're doing stuff for Anne's birthday and she should enjoy some of that."
"If you're sure," Kenna replies uncertainly.
Mary nods. "I am. Just take your time. Are you making progress?"
Kenna sighs heavily. "Sort of..."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"One of the boys needs me," Kenna replies quietly. "Tell Ana we love her. Tell her that I love her so much, okay?"
Mary frowns a little. "Okay. Night."
Kenna doesn't bother replying before hanging up and Mary grips her phone tightly as she switches all the lights off downstairs before heading upstairs. She finds Francis closing the door to Rose's bedroom behind him and he gives her an exasperated look.
"Little Miss Rosie got out of bed and started to mess the damn bathroom up when we weren't looking," Francis informs her. "I managed to get her in some fresh pyjamas and put all the bubble bath things away."
"She's been acting up lately," Mary says disappointedly as they head to their bedroom. "Maybe it's the idea of no longer being the baby of the family... Not even James or Anne went through this."
Francis sighs. "Claude was a little bitch when Charles came around. And Leeza whined and moaned when we found out about Claude. It's a kid thing, she'll get over it."
"I hope so," Mary replies. "Do you think she hates me for being pregnant?"
Francis rolls his eyes, bringing her into his arms. "She'll never hate you. Just wait, she'll be blowing kisses to your bump in no time."
In no time is the next morning when Rose suddenly grows an attachment to her unborn sibling.
...
After yesterday's fun adventures, Mary doesn't think she has it in her to be just as fun today on Anne's sixth birthday. She's just finished making banoffee pancakes with chocolate syrup and Francis sticks a numbered candle into the middle of it before lighting it up.
"Happy Birthday, Annie!" They call out when they reach the girl's bedroom to wake her and Anastasia up.
One of the girls groan and shift from her bed, Ana pulling her sleep mask down and giving them a glare. But Anne's a morning person and she stretches, yawns and grins happily before squealing.
"Pancakes?!"
"Yeah, Birthday Girl," Francis sings. "Hurry up and blow the candles. It's starting to melt all over your breakfast."
Anne hurries over as Mary leans forward to place the plate closer to the girl's face. She blows the candle out and squeals happily again before hugging her parents' legs tightly.
"I'm six!"
"Yes, baby girl," Mary replies, pulling the candle out and handing her the plate. "Bring it downstairs."
As Francis herds the girls downstairs to eat breakfast which is pancakes for everyone (with vegan ones for Anastasia) since it's a special occasion, Mary goes to get Rose and James. They're also morning people and excitedly greet their sister with birthday wishes.
"We have lots of presents for you," Mary says. "Your uncles and aunts and grandmother gave us most of them on Sunday. Grunkle and Grauntie will come over after school, okay?"
Anne nods. "Can I wear my tiara and pink outfit, please?"
Mary grins, sharing a look with Francis. "We might have got you a new tiara..."
"And a new pink outfit!" Francis finishes before grabbing the outfit which hangs from a sparkly pink hanger. "Mama made sure it came with a tutu, actress-singer-dancer princess."
Anne gasps loudly and takes the outfit which has a unicorn in the middle of the light pink shirt which is paired with pink leggings and a sparkly rainbow tutu. "Oh my gosh, I love it!" She hugs Francis and then Mary. "You're the best parents in the world!"
That makes both Mary's and Francis's hearts swell with pride as they downplay their efforts, their son giving them pointed looks which they blush to in reply. They do sometimes go above and beyond but it's worth the joy in their eyes and Mary's eyes water, her hormones making her more emotional but she knows it's not the pregnancy.
"My baby's six, Francis!" She wails.
"Okay, I'll take Mama to cry upstairs. Eat up everyone, I want your teeth brushed in ten and clothes on in twenty!" Francis tells them before taking Mary upstairs where she almost jumps his bones.
"I want another baby-"
"Mary!" Francis cries out, laughing. "You're already pregnant, sweetheart." He cups her cheeks and thumbs her tears away. "And we're stopping at four."
"Anne's all grown up! She and Ana snuck treats two nights ago! She's so smart, Francis," Mary sobs.
"She gets that from you," he says warmly. "God, stop crying, love."
Mary pouts, sniffling. "I love them so much," she says, rubbing her bump.
"Should we tell everyone our news?"
"Not until we pass the thirteen-week mark," she replies, hugging him tightly. "I love you."
Francis beams, kissing the top of her head. "Love you too, babe."
...
After picking the kids up from school, they surprise Anne with her presents outside in the garden, under the sun. Their grass is lovely this time of year and Mary lays out various blankets for the kids as Rose toddles after the older kids.
Anne's got so many presents, Francis and Mary swore they'd be opening it for days. Apart from the new tiara and outfit they got her, they surprised her with a necklace containing her birthstone and birthday, some new ballet flats she wanted after coming across them on one of the girls at school, a pair of new stud earrings in the form of crowns, more children's makeup, a new jean jacket to match one of Mary's and a sparkling side handbag to keep all her little lipglosses and sunglasses in. And her last present will come on Saturday - a new labrador retriever.
Their child is so grateful, it sets Mary off again and Anne hugs her mother tightly, smiling widely into her mother's chest as she tells her how much she loves her and Francis. Again, Mary cries some more and Francis lightly begs his daughter to stop being so polite and adorable.
"Meme says Nonna and Nonno called to wish you 'Happy Birthday'," Francis says, handing Anne his phone. "She's on the phone."
The girl immediately becomes giggly when whatever Catherine starts off saying pleases her. Having her engaged with the conversation, Francis and Mary turn their attention to Rose who seems tired from the game Ana and Jamie are playing and comes to plop herself between the couple.
"Is Rosie all tired out?" Francis asks.
"Yeah..." Rose nods.
Mary chuckles and leans into Francis's side to get a snuggle and a kiss but she winces when she feels a smack on her frame and soon Rose is pushing Francis away from her.
"Caterina Rose!" She scolds her child but Rose throws a strop and pushes an amused Francis away even more.
"No, Mama. Papa, bad!"
"What in God's..." Mary sighs and takes the child onto her lap before pointing at Francis. "You do not hit Papa and Mama, Rose! Why can't Mama and Papa kiss, hmm?"
"Baby," Rose whines.
"You are not the baby of the family anymore, Rose," Mary tells her firmly. "If you keep this behaviour up, I'll take away Mr Bunny for two nights."
Rose sighs and lays against Mary's chest with a huff. Her fingers play with a button on Mary's dress and Mary sighs, rubbing her daughter's back gently.
"Rose, do you have something to say to Mummy and Daddy?"
"Sowwy," Rose mumbles, shying into Mary's chest.
Francis gently lifts her off Mary and into his arms, pressing kisses on her face as she giggles. "Daddy forgives you," he says, kissing her forehead.
"And so does Mummy," Mary says, not believing this sort of behaviour will stop. But hopefully, they'll nip it in the bud.
By the time evening falls and they've finished dinner, Mary brings out the cake and they all sing 'Happy Birthday' for Anne. It's a two-tier pink fondant cake Mary spent the evening making at the bakery after closing time with her uncle. She'd left the kids with Francis and quickly got to work.
"It's so pretty!" Anne gushes, her blonde curls flying everywhere as she hops up and down and Mary places it down on the table.
Francis gets to work lighting up the six birthday candles on the cake before pecking Anne's forehead. "Make your wish, sweetheart."
Closing her eyes, Anne thinks deeply with a hum and her tongue sticking out a little. When her eyes open she blows the candles and giggles as everyone cheers and claps for her. Mary immediately starts cutting up slices, the baby inside of her begging for a taste.
"Slow down or you'll lose a finger," Francis chuckles, grabbing the knife gently and continuing to cut the cake evenly.
Everyone has a slice with half of the cake to spare and Mary cheekily saves a slice for Anne's packed lunch tomorrow. If her teachers have anything to say, they can ring her up and she'll let them have a piece of her mind.
She giggles to herself.
"More!" The kids say but Mary packs the rest of the cake up and sates them with jelly instead.
It will be a struggle getting them to sleep on time but as long as Anne's had a lovely day, it will be worth it. She playfully rolls her eyes at the personalised dollhouse Kenna got Anne and before she knows it, the girls are lugging it up the stairs with Rose climbing the stairs behind them.
"Right, James, since you did your homework, you can watch some TV before bed," Francis says.
"Okay!" James says, hurrying into the living room.
"I think today was a success," Mary says proudly, leaning into Francis's side as they wash the dishes. The dishwasher is so unromantic, Mary believes whenever she and Francis spend time in the kitchen.
Something about pressing a couple of buttons just doesn't have the same effect and as a half washes the dishes and the other half dries the dishes.
"Anne's really happy," Francis says with a smile. "And she's enjoying her presents so they weren't a waste of money after all."
"Told you so."
Francis chuckles, pecking Mary's cheek. "Mums know best, I know..."
...
"Do you want me to come inside?" Francis asks his mother as she takes a moment to muster up some confidence to go and ring her former boyfriend's door.
"What if he hates me?"
Francis smiles. "I'm sure he's still in love with you."
"It's been forty-three years, Francis," Catherine breathes out. "We were kids. Younger, more beautiful!"
"You're young and beautiful, Mum-"
"I'm sixty, Francis, don't flatter me," his mother says, sighing heavily. "Okay, I think I'm ready to see Samuel."
Francis gives her a smile and squeezes her hand before saying, "Good luck. I'll pick you up when you're ready to go."
"Okay..." His mother mumbles before getting out of the car and heading to the house. He watches her ring the doorbell and soon she's embraced tightly before being invited in, Nostradamus waving at Francis before the door closes.
He texts Bash with something along the lines of the eagle landing in its nest, receiving a thumbs up in reply before he drives away. It's a Friday, he's not all that busy as the restaurants run themselves at this point. He could visit Mary and see what she's up to but she's really busy from the looks of it and doesn't want to disturb her.
But getting her some lunch won't hurt.
He stops by McDonald's after texting her at the joint, feeling a burger himself. He laughs at his wife's desperation for something greasy because of her cravings and he makes sure to order her two meals with two drinks. When he's done, he goes to the clinic and finds the reception quite full.
The receptionist, Maya, gives him a welcoming smile as he heads over.
"Delivery for Dr Stuart-Valois," he says lightly, reading from his receipt.
Maya chuckles and presses a button on the telephone. "One delivery for you, Doctor."
"I'll be two minutes, Maya. Thank you," Mary's voice rings through before Francis heads down the hall and takes a seat beside Mary's next waiting patient.
The patient's a kid who looks no older than nine and Francis gives him a comforting smile before focusing his attention on not spilling Mary's drinks everywhere. A while later, the door opens, someone leaves and Mary steps out.
"Martin, hello!"
"Hello, Mary," Martin says quietly.
"Do you mind if I eat my lunch during our session together, Martin?" Mary asks kindly. She knows it's unprofessional but she's working through her lunch.
Francis even chooses Dr Renier's lunchbreaks as he doesn't care for the basic human necessity during his sessions. He knows the man, they're friends now and the man's given him and Mary great advice and help lately even out of hours.
"I don't," Martin says much to Mary's relief as she invites him and Francis inside.
"He's not staying," Mary assures the boy. "Just helping me with my lunch."
Francis quickly places her meals down before mouthing to Mary that he loves her and leaves the room. He spots Dr Renier come out of the staffroom and greets the man warmly.
"Hey, how's it going?" Dr Renier asks. "We don't have any sessions today."
"Yeah, just came to give Mary her lunch. She wanted McDonald's and I was in the area with my mother," Francis explains.
Dr Renier smiles. "So, you're back on track?"
Francis nods a little. "Yeah. I shouldn't have pressed for more details. It must have been hard and she would have wanted to forget and now I know... I feel terrible. But I'll make it up to her."
"That's good. I'll see you-"
"Hey, do you know why toddlers suddenly get so possessive and jealous?" Francis asks.
Dr Renier invites Francis into his office before closing the door. "I suspected as much when Mary threw up every day..." The man says, making Francis laugh.
"Don't say I told you. We're waiting for the thirteen-week mark but she is pregnant, yes," Francis admits, Dr Renier beaming.
"Congratulations!" Dr Renier cries out. "Now, leads me to your youngest. Rose, right?"
"Yeah."
The older man clicks his tongue. "It happens when they feel displaced. I'm sure it's Mary she's aggressive with and you that she's possessive over. Since Mary's carrying the baby, she'd seek validation from Daddy instead, hence when you and Mary show each other affection, she'd try and prevent that in fears of losing you too. It's nothing to do with the baby, don't worry. At least not a huge extent. Young children are very smart for their age, they know which side's going to be more attentive to them. Try assuring her that both of you love her and will not spend any less time with her when the new baby comes."
Francis nods in realisation. "I see. Thanks so much," he says gratefully. "I'll leave you to your lunch."
"Thanks. Congratulations again," Dr Renier says before Francis leaves.
As he gets into his car, he gets a photo text from his mother, showing her smiling widely with Nostradamus.
It makes a smile grow on his face before driving off.