Georgina and Fredrick
"Papa! Papa!" a small urgent voice broke through the mist of sleep
Sidney cracking open one eye and found Georgina whiskers away from his face. The first time it had happened he had jumped out of my skin… thinking it was a ghost watching him.
He had only had a few hours of sleep thanks to Crowe. Georgina kissed his face and he smiled. He had to remember that this was something he had missed all these years. He suddenly engulfed her in his arms and listened to her giggle as she struggled to get out of his hold.
"Papa… shh… we don't want to wake up Mama and Fredrick!" Georgina suddenly going quiet. Sidney looked over and observed the two snuggled together.
"How is it you always wake me up at this god forsaken hour and leave your mother and brother peacefully sleeping?" he growled softly while kissing her on the forehead.
"This is our special time when there is no one else and we can go riding" Georgina spoke. Sidney nodding… Georgina had both her parents adventurous spirit and knew he overindulged her. He kissed her on the cheek and got up from the bed. He leaned over and kissed his wife and little son before quietly getting dressed. It had taken time to get used to the colder climate but that was nothing compared to the blessings he lived every day.
Georgina was waiting at the top of the stairs and took his hand as they walked through the silent house. Once outside he started to whistle, and Georgina would skip alongside as they moved quickly to the stables. Sidney chuckling as the groom had his horse already saddled. Once Georgina was settled in his protective arms they rode towards the beach.
"Please Papa? Could we go faster today?" she exclaimed excitedly as the horse picked up speed. It would not be long before Georgina would be asking for her own horse. Sidney M had already approached his father if he could purchase ponies for the twin's 5th birthday. But until that time Sidney would enjoy these precious moments with his youngest daughter. As they rode Sidney reflected on the years, he rode alone to deal with his grief… now it was a time of peace.
"Papa? Tell me how you met Mama?" Georgina loved hearing her parents' story and Sidney never grew tired of telling it. At times she would join in and fill in the blanks when he paused. He often joked that she should be the one telling the story but smiled when she proudly reminded him he was the best storyteller.
It was getting lighter, and they had many guests staying with them. He turned back towards home and let the horse race across the sand. The sound of his daughter's happy laughter imprinting on his memory forever. The old groom watching as Sir Parker and his daughter walked hand in hand towards the house…. both beaming from their ride on the beach.
After leaving Georgina in the capable hands of her nursemaid Sidney went in search of his wife and son. He smiled when he found them still sound asleep in bed. Feeling tired he removed his boots and outer clothing before easing himself back into bed. He moved closer to their warm bodies as he was now cold. Fredrick waking by the sudden chill and turned to see his father… instantly moving into his father's arms.
"I will warm you up Papa!" Fredrick whispered before snuggling into his father's embrace. Sidney's heart burst as he kissed the top of his little son's head and loved Fredrick's gentle soul. He was always looking out for his father and when not in the company of other the children he was his father's shadow. The family always travelling together and like he did with Anne he took his two youngest to his London office for them to see their father's world.
"I don't deserve to be so blessed!" he often shared with Charlotte when he watched his little ones.
"They have been gifted to us in our older years and will always be special" Charlotte reflected
Sidney kissed the top of his son's head and it didn't take long until he was peacefully sleeping. Charlotte had woken up and had watched the interaction between the pair. It was her turn to get up… kissing her husband and son before preparing for the busy day. She knew Sidney would have been tired as he never refused his daughter's request for a horse ride.
It didn't take Charlotte long to find her daughter retelling her maid about her morning horse ride while eating breakfast.
"Mama!" Georgina exclaimed and with a broad smile on her face started retelling her story again.