"I'm pregnant."

"Pardon?"

"I said I'm pregnant," Rilla repeated to her husband as she sat on the bed in her nightgown. She waited all evening, and after the children were put to bed before she said the words out loud to him.

"Are you sure?" Ken asked approaching the bed. Forgetting about his suspenders that were still hanging from his trousers.

"Somewhat?" Rilla sighed. "Christmas Eve was almost three weeks ago, I still haven't started, and I've been eating pineapple again. I'm a feel drained?"

"Pineapple?" Ken asked slightly confused. He bent to take off his socks and rolled them up together and tossed them in the hamper in the process.

"I think I had a thing for pineapple with Oliver. Then last August there were a few weeks where I couldn't get enough on pineapple desserts?" Rilla explained. "I don't even think of pineapple half of the time, peaches are much better fruit."

"All right," Ken said not really understanding. Still confused since he thought they had both done their part. "Something isn't working, if this happened when we weren't planning on it, for a second time. Either way, this will change things, we'll have to figure things out as they happen." Ken said sitting down.

Rilla sighed as she leaned towards her nightstand drawer and pulled out the veils she had been given. "Nothing is wrong with them, I even ran them underwater to see if they are defective."

"Could it be too small?" Ken asked he remember something about her mentioning sizes. "You did have Oliver, not that I noticed anything different from my perspective." He clarified quickly.

"Thanks," Rilla rolled her eyes before she sighs as she fell back on the bed.

"Besides the timing of this?" Ken asked her. "Are you happy?"

"I can't even think straight enough right now to contemplate being happy. I just keep thinking of everything that needs to get down and now we have to deal with this, and factor in my health into this." Rilla sighed and shrugged her shoulder. "Gertrude knows, she was here when I put it together and I just cried on her shoulder when Oliver napped."

"Well, I think all we can do is wait and see what happens," Ken told her. "Get you to the doctors as soon as we can."

"We'll have to explain to Jimmy," Rilla told him. "Explain that there is a chance I'll be violently ill, but as long as I keep some food down and keep hydrated I'll be fine."

"We'll deal with that when it comes to it," Ken told her. "Maybe it won't be that bad this time?"

"One can only hope," Rilla sighed. "I can't imagine managing Oliver while you're at work if I'm vomiting every fifteen minutes."

"We'll manage," Ken said as he rubbed her back. "We'll figure it out, anything else happens today?"

"Shirley telegrammed, it seems the reason Susan stayed behind was that Lillian was having twins," Rilla told him. "A boy and a girl, Jasper and Lunette is what they were called."

"Twins," Ken said in disbelief. "God help them?"

"You do realize they do run in my family?" Rilla looked at him.

"I do," Ken said with a nod of his head. "But really what are the chances?

"Large enough apparently," Rilla said giving him a look with a wrinkled nose.

"So did you say Christmas?" Ken said thinking back to what she had told him. He had a rather proud grin on his face.

"Yes, Christmas," Rilla confirmed shaking her head at her husband who was amused by his capabilities. "Which means by the due date estimator in my maternity book, mid-September for a birthday?" Rilla told him.

"A rather nice memory, to have," Ken said grinning down at her. "We can use it to embarrass them one day." He said trying to bring joy into the situation.

"We will not," Rilla told him. "Why on earth would you anyone want to know when they were conceived? That thought of your parents….no thank you. I am not doing that to our children." Rilla shook her head at him.

"Very well, I will keep the corny jokes to myself," Ken grinned and laid down beside her.

"We'll keep it to ourselves for long as we can? We'll tell Jims so he doesn't worry about you, or at the very least worry less about you if he notices you being tired or sick. Whether you wish to tell Mrs. Clarke it will be up to you, not sure if you want to stock up on the essential food you can eat?"

"Are bananas even in season?" Rilla asked.

"I will go to the end of the earth to find you some if I need to," Ken told her. "Or at least advertise for people to send us bananas." He added seriously.

"What happens if I am ill again and can't manage a train ride?" Rilla asked him.

"We'll figure something out," Ken said kissing her forehead. "If we have to send Jimmy to my parents to start school? Or you spend some time with your parents and I come back in September. Then as soon as you're up and about we'll bring you both to Toronto." He told her.

Rilla sighed, the uncertainty of the situation, it made her headache. They needed to plan and yet...they couldn't

"We'll figure it out," Ken promised her as he sought the area where their child rested in her. "I promise."


The days went on for the family, the familiar feeling of sickness crept in slowly.

"Mama, mama, mama, mama," Oliver chanted from his crib. Rilla sighed as she braced the edge of the tub. Trying to bring her body upright, she wasn't sure what was worse dry heaving or actually being sick at this point. She took a deep breath and hauled herself upwards as she gripped the sink.

She heard Ken speaking to Oliver as he greeted their son.

"Mama!"

"Mama needs a moment," Ken shushed Oliver from shrieking out.

Rilla sighed as she looked in the mirror, she took a deep breath as she tried to get her stomach to settle. She opened the bathroom door and walked down the hall to the Olivers room.

"Mama is here," Rilla said as Ken was in the middle of taking off his pyjamas. "Whatever is so important you must shriek at 7 am?" She asked him.

Oliver giggled and reached for her as Ken quickly held him rolling off the changing area.

"I'll finish up," Rilla told him.

"I'll go shower quickly then," Ken said nodding. "Are you all right this morning?"

"Mostly nauseous," Rilla told him not wanting him to worry. "I'll be fine for a little bit."

"Don't downplay things," Ken told her gently yet sternly.

"I'm not, I'm fine right now," Rilla have him a look before focusing back on her wiggling naked son. "I swear you would run around naked if I let you," she told Oliver. As she tried to pull on and repin his diaper before he could pull it off once more. She managed to get Oliver dressed and downstairs as she knocked on Jimmy's door telling him it was time to get up.

By the time she got downstairs, Mrs. Clarke was already putting the coffee pot on for the morning.

Rilla went pale, as she quickly placed Oliver in is a play area and raced for the bathroom.

Coffee was something new for her to react to, she wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.

Mrs. Clarke gave her a knowing look. She had a plate of toast and peanut butter waiting for Rilla as she came in.

Rilla smiled weakly, as a few moments later there was a mug of steaming ginger tea placed in front of her.

"It seems like we'll have a very busy year," Mrs. Clarke commented.

"So it seems," Rilla sighed. "I suppose that is how life goes for us. We give an inch and end up with a mile?"

"Life never waits for you," Mrs. Clarke reminded her as she started on the breakfast for the other members of the family.


When she felt a little better, she dressed warmly and found herself sitting in the doctor's office.

"Mrs. Ford," Dr. Halliwell smiled at her when she came into the room. "How are we doing lately? How were your holidays?"

"Good, maybe a bit too good," Rilla said with a sigh. "It seems I am pregnant." She added on.

"Well, let's find out shall we?" Dr. Halliwell said with a perfectly schooled look. "Did you menstruate after last October?"

"I did, November and December which started on the 9th to the 11th," Rilla told her. "I know that day it happened since. Mostly since the lead of Christmas and travelling to Toronto didn't leave much time for anything." She blushed.

"Nothing wrong with knowing," The doctor smiled. "Experiencing any sickness?"

"I'm nauseous most of the day, but it was like that with Oliver then one day it steadily got worse and worse," Rilla sighed. She wasn't looking forward to such a thing happening again.

"We'll watch you closely, but I'll do a quick exam and then we can talk more?" She said to Rilla who was used to such a thing as she wiggled her skirts to her waist before she laid down.

"You seem nervous? Are you worried?" The doctor stated as she took in Rilla's demeanour.

"A little," Rilla admitted. "This wasn't exactly planned, we were hoping to wait a few more months," Rilla said. "I suppose I should mention that we are planning on moving to Toronto this summer. We decided it was the best course of action for us before we found out. If this is like last time, it will make things ten times harder for us."

"That is understandable, and would make any move tricky." Dr. Halliwell stated and she looked over Rilla pressing into a few spots. "You said you were trying to prevent pregnancy? May I ask your method, if this the second pregnancy that has caught off your guard?"

"The usual ways?" Rilla said blushing.

"Rhythm, douching, male or female barriers?" Dr. Halliwell asked knowingly. "I'm far from being against birth control, no one should be forced to have children if their choice is not too."

"I used the veil for multiple years, after Oliver I acquired a new one, it was one that was supposedly a size larger. We're starting to wonder if maybe it might have not been the correct size? It didn't feel too big but it didn't seem to be too small either." She said quietly.

"Could very well too small if this has resulted in two unexpected pregnancies," Dr. Halliwell told her honestly. "Either way, you will have to keep me updated on the move. I should be able to refer you to a doctor or two in the Toronto area unless a family member can recommend one to you. That can work as well, as long as I can fill them in on your pregnancy. "

"There is much to figure out," Rilla agreed as she stared up at the ceiling.

"I'm sure things will be fine," The doctor said to her as she moved away from her patient allowing Rilla to sit back up. "I think you can safely tell your husband if you haven't already," She said. "Is the little one weaned?"

"Yes, I weaned him back in November," Rilla nodded.

"You can expect to pull out any maternity wear you have sooner than you might expect. Things often expand more quickly during the second pregnancy. I know you are not one of those ladies who wear corsets on a daily basis but it is good stomach and back support," The doctor reminded her. "Other than that, much is the same as last time, be mindful of your activity, rest when needed, eat as much as you can. Should you find yourself in the gripes of Hyperemesis. We will work diligently together to ensure that you stay healthy and not write it off as a 'women's plight'?" She said reassuring Rilla.

"From a doctor's perspective, was I that sick when I came to you?" Rilla asked curiously.

"I never set out to frighten new mothers, any mothers more than necessary." Dr. Halliwell told her diplomatically. "But you have one of the harshest cases I have seen in my practice." She admitted.

Rilla only nodded.

"Is there anything else on your mind today?" The doctor asked and Rilla only shook her head. "Then I will let you be on your way and you can tell your husband that good news?" She said trying to read the situation.

"He knows that I'm here, he's already over the moon," Rilla told her with a small smile.

"What did the doctor say?" Ken asked he saw Rilla appear in his office doorway.

"What we already knew?" Rilla told him as she sat down in a chair as she looked over to see Oliver napping on one of the large chairs curled up with his blanket. "How was he?"

"He played, he toddled around desks babbling. Stealing everyone's hearts and then promptly took a nap," Ken said proudly. "Maybe I'll do this more often, take him for the afternoon while you do your errands."

"I would have left him with Mrs. Clarke but I could only get her afternoon off to see the doctor," Rilla told him.

"All the same," Ken said with a small smile and closed the space between them and kissed her temple. "How are you feeling today?"

"Same as this morning," Rilla sighed.

"Are you hungry? We can go grab a light lunch?" Ken said looking at the clock on the wall.

"I'll be fine," Rilla shook her head. "I really don't feel like tempting fate, I'll have something light when I get home."

Ken nodded. "What did she say about the move?"

"To keep her updated and she'll work with us, and try and see if she can refer us to a doctor in Toronto if needed," Rilla told him as she looked at his shut door. "She asked about this pregnancy being unplanned and things possibly you might be right about the veil. Twice in a few months apart? It's too much to be a coincidence."

"So we were doomed from the start?" Ken replied with a shake of his head.

"Seems like someone else had other plans for us," Rilla agreed with him. "We'll tell Jimmy tonight?"

"Might as well, we promised him we would if there would be another." Ken reminded her. "I already see him watching you in the mornings."

"Nothing does get past him," Rilla shook her head with a sigh. "I'm nearing the week when everything went from tolerable to not tolerable. I suppose we shall see what happens."

"I'm sure we will," Ken agreed nodding his head. "We'll get through this, we did last time and look at him now? A right charming terror that rules the house more than ever." Ken grinned as he looked over to the dark hair toddler who was beginning to wake up from his nap.

"Mama?" He called out half as sleep rubbing his eyes.

"I'm right here Ollie," Rilla said softly going to him. She picked him up as he cuddled into her shoulder. "I should get going home, he'll be hungry soon." She said kissing the little boy's hair.

"His things are just behind me," Ken told her as he went to retrieve them. He helped put on the woollen pants and sweaters, hat and mittens. By the end, all that was left was a chubby face.

"Call me when you get home," Ken whispered before he pressed a kiss against her forehead.

"I will," Rilla kissed him gently, wiping away her lipstick from his lips before she turned away from him.

The rest of the day went normally which consisted of light food and naps. Naps that Rilla took in bed or the sofa to relieve her dizzy head and twisting stomach.

"You're only getting one younger sibling," She told Oliver who was climbing around the bed. "I hope you them enjoy whoever they might be."

"Im-Im?"

"Jim-Jim is your older sibling," Rilla explained. "He'll be home soon enough from school, one day you'll be old enough for school." She said feeling her throat close and her eyes water at the thought of him being old enough for school. "Oh! What am I going to do with myself?" Rilla sighed with a sobbing laugh.

Oliver climbed over the blankets and plunked himself beside her. "Mama," he patted her face and repeatedly kissed her. Wetly as well as if he was trying to cheer her up because mama's kisses always cheered him up and made him happy.

Rilla was downstairs when Jimmy came back from school, leaving his mittens and boots near the back radiator to dry.

"How was school today?" She asked him

"It was fine," Jimmy told her. "I think I did well on my math test," he told her.

"I'm sure you did well," Rilla reassured him. "Are you hungry?"

"I thought I was always hungry?" Jimmy asked her with a crooked smile.

"Oh you," Rilla shook her head. "Go wash your face and I'll make you a sandwich."

Jimmy nodded and ran out of the room, when he came back he found Ken home from the office already. He was always home early on Wednesdays when Mrs. Clarke had the afternoon off.

"Why don't you sit down?" Rilla told him as she reached for a plate in the cupboard above her.

"Okay," Jimmy said as took a drink of his water. Rilla smiled at him as she placed his sandwich on a plate and placed it in front of him as she sat down. Waiting for Ken to come back from changing out of his suit.

"We have some news to tell you," Rilla began as she heard Ken come back down the stairs.

"Are we still moving?" Jimmy asked them confused.

"Yes, there will still be a move. Though it will depend on how Rilla is feeling for when and how we make the trip to Toronto," Ken spoke up as he sat next to Rilla.

"What Ken is saying that there is going to be another baby this year," Rilla told him. "It's why I've been tired and not always feeling well. With Oliver, I was rather ill and we're not entirely sure how I will be with this baby." Rilla explained.

"A baby?" Jimmy said looking at Oliver and then to Rilla.

"Indeed," Rilla confirmed. "In about eight months or so, September I am told." She explained. "This is more of this stays in the housing news at the moment though. We most likely won't tell anyone for another few months."

"Because of last time?" Jimmy said thinking back to last October.

"Exactly for such reasons, but this time is different since we know. Still, most don't tell family until a certain time period passe," Rilla explained to him. "Though in some ways, it's a good sign that I am feeling like I am, it means that things are going as planned."

"Do you know what it will be?" Jimmy asked them.

"Not until they are born, like every other baby," Ken said shaking his head. "We just don't want you to worry if you see Rilla ill."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Jimmy asked curiously.

"Not really," Rilla shook her head. "Mrs. Clarke will be with during the day and will make sure that I not trying to do too much." Watching over her like a hawk so they don't find her passed out in the bathroom with Oliver around her crying.

"When you were visiting the island before Oliver? You fainted out in Rainbow Valley," Jimmy asked her. "Was that because you were going to have Oliver?"

"I had an inkling but I didn't know at that point," Rilla nodded her head. "Though that was the only time that happened. If you ever do find me in such a way again you just do the same thing, find an adult or call for a doctor."

Jimmy nodded thoughtfully. "Can I have a bedroom away from the nursery?" He asked.

Ken chuckled as Rilla laughed a sigh. "We'll give you the furthest room away from the nursery." They both told him.

Jimmy nodded and sat for a moment, chewing his lip.

"Mother?" Jimmy asked seriously. "I'm not yours am I?"

"What in the world?" Rilla looked at Jimmy. "Wherever did that notion come from? You know exactly who your parents are."

"One of the boys at school, he says he's not supposed to know but his oldest sister is actually his mother," Jimmy explained. "Back in Toronto, I heard some women whisper behind your back saying that you must have pulled the wool over Ken's eyes. It made me wonder about all the circumstances around my own birth. I know it's foolish but at the same time…" He trailed off.

"That it seems too perfect of a story?" Ken finished for him.

"I suppose so?" Jimmy nodded his head and shrugged his shoulders.

Rilla sat for a moment trying to find some sort of answer for him. She noticed he seemed quieter than usual since the trip but put it down to post-holiday blues and going back to school.

"Sometimes decisions are made to preserves a girl's reputation. Usually, if something happens to her or she makes some choices that change her life. Sometimes the family raises the child under false pretences. Or sometimes the child is placed in another home with a couple who has been wanting a child." Rilla explained. "You however were born within a marriage that while brief because of the war, you were very much wanted and loved. There is nothing secretive or hidden about your existence. My family did not make some sort of story up that allowed me to bring you to Ingleside. Neither of my siblings or myself has any relation to you. Pay no heed to anyone in Toronto or even the boys here."

She looked at Ken unsure if she had explained it well enough for Jimmy.

"Think of it this way, Rilla chose to love and care for you and you chose to accept that from her as an infant. You and I decided together to let and see how our relationship will continue since last summer. If anyone misconstrues that, they are being judgemental and nosy," Ken added on. "Anyone who looks at you can see that you and Rilla are not related in any sort of way. If anyone ever questions your parentage, all you have to say is that we adopted you to set them straight."

Jimmy nodded, feeling a bit relieved that he wasn't some hidden secret. He knew it had been foolish of him to think, but he was beginning to learn that everyone had secrets.

"You also got some mail today," Rilla said to him as she nudged Ken to go retrieve it from her desk not wanting to get up.

"Is it from England?" Jimmy asked as he saw the package.

"Indeed," Rilla nodded handing him the wrapped-up package to him. She watched him rip open the letter first.

"Mama Adeline hopes everyone is well and that we had a good Christmas. She thanks you for the photo of me. She says Willow likes to point to it." Jimmy said. "And Willow loves the doll I picked out for her."

"You did pick out a lovely doll, she must have been over the moon. What's in the package?" Rilla asked him.

"I don't know, they didn't say," he said as he opened up the small box.

"This was your fathers, I wanted to send it for Christmas, but it took a little more time to repair than expected. I wanted you to have it." Adeline wrote a small note. Underneath it with a rather simple pocket watch. Inside it still had an old photo from his childhood that Rilla once sent him.

"That was very nice of her," Rilla stated. "It will be something to treasure as you get older."

"Do you think Willow has anything of Dads?" Jimmy asked quietly.

"I'm sure Adeline is keeping a few things for her as well," Rilla told him as she yawned. "Do you need help with your homework? Or am I able to sneak in a small nap of my own before Oliver wakes up?"

"I should be fine, does the baby make you tired all the time?" Jimmy asked her.

"I'm growing a person, so most of the time it does make me tired," Rilla nodded her head. " I'd rather be tired than sick though," Rilla she said.

"You were sick this morning," Jimmy said out loud. "I heard you."

"Mornings are particularly worse. I'm just happy if it dissipates by early afternoon and I don't spend all day being ill," Rilla explained to him. She didn't have the heart to tell him she might get worse. "We also got these today?" She held up another envelope. "It's from the lawyer, It's our petition for the adoption so he can arrange a day for the hearing," Rilla told him.

"Is that all it takes?" He asked wide-eyed at the adoption papers.

"Well, we will have to go down to the courthouse for witnesses and a judge will declare it valid and sign off on it," Ken explained.

"Do I have to wear a tie?" Jimmy asked.

"One generally dresses up to go to the courthouse," Rilla laughed lightly. "You're not annoyed there will be another baby, are you? It won't change your place in this house or my heart." She reminded him.

"I'm not annoyed," Jimmy told her as he came up beside her. "I just don't want to be too excited just yet, that way I can save my excitement when you are feeling better."

Rilla laughed and shook her head. "You are too considerate at times." As he placed a kiss on her cheek.


Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review lately. It is very much appreciated.

Thank you for all the followers that popped up over the past week as well! It warms my heart that you enjoy this story.

Tina