"I have good news Mrs. Cuthbert. You aren't sick, per say, I would make a very confident guess that you are around seven weeks pregnant," the doctor said after examining Marilla.
As soon as the words left his mouth Marilla began to cry. Tears spilled down Matthew's cheeks as well and they hugged each other.
"We're going to have a little Cuthbert!" Matthew exclaimed, kissing his wife.
The doctor cleared his throat and the couple broke apart, "you are a bit of a high risk, considering your age. I would suggest bed rest by the third trimester."
Marilla was now worried, "do you think it'll stick?"
"I won't lie. There are risks so I will have you come in every week just to be safe. Congratulations! I will see you very soon." The doctor gave a warm smile and left.
Marilla and Matthew hugged and kissed, both overjoyed.
"I love you so much, Matthew."
"And I you."
Rachel Lynde sat on her porch watching the younger children play.
She saw the Cuthberts driving down the road at a steady pace.
"My I wonder where they're going," she thought.
Later in the day she watched them come home at the same speed, but both looked deliriously happy.
"I wonder where they could've gone? It's not like them to go out at that hour. I'll go over and see what's up." She left fourteen year old Sarah in charge of the little ones and hurried over to green Gables.
She rapped on the door, "Marilla! Are you alright?!"
Marilla swiftly came and let her in. She felt better than she had in years.
"Rachel! Come on in. You know you don't need to knock."
"You have me worried, Marilla. I saw you and Matthew drive down the lane and was wondering if you were alright."
"Mm, I'm perfectly fine. Never better, actually"
Marilla continued to pour tea, not saying a word.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Marilla, you leave be mystified!"
"Alright fine, Matthew took me to the doctor because I haven't been feeling well these past few days."
"And?"
"And it turns out I'm p-pregnant," Marilla smiled, unconsciously putting her hand on her stomach.
"Pregnant! Oh My! Oh, Marilla! Congratulations!" Rachel have Marilla a tight hug.
"Thank you. Maybe little Rose will have a friend to play with."
"What are you hoping for? What does Matthew think?!"
Marilla laughed, "Matthew is so delighted but I think it hasn't quite settled in yet. And we don't really care about the sex."
"A boy would be more useful logically," Rachel said matter of factly, as if you could choose.
"Like I said before, we don't really care. We're just so happy that the Lord gave us this."
"Oh, I'm so excited for you! Marilla, what if our children get married?!" Rachel practically bounced with excitement.
"Wouldn't that be something?" Marilla said, but inside she hoped that her child wouldn't marry into the Lynde family. She loved them, but to have Rachel as a mother in-law would be rather tiring. She was much better as a friend.
Matthew rubbed her back as she vomited into the chamber pot.
"Why don't you just rest today? Don't push yourself too hard, " Matthew suggested.
"Don't be so worried, I'm fine. Leave me be," Marilla snapped at him.
He looked hurt and got up to leave.
"Wait, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. You did nothing wrong."
He gave her a smile and held her on their bed.
Marilla continued, "I'm happy that I have morning sickness. It means that there is a baby growing."
She absentmindedly put her hand on her stomach and could feel the love that she had for this child. Of course, it was mixed with worry and fear.
They decided to wait until her belly showed to tell everyone. Rachel had been sworn to secrecy snd Marilla hoped that she would stick to it.
"Did you hear about the new family that moved in next to you?" Rachel asked excitedly.
"Yes, I believe their last name is Barry, although I'm not to sure about their first names."
"And did you hear that she is expecting as well? Maybe little Barry and little Cuthbert will be good friends," Rachel suggested.
"Yes I suppose. I don't know how I feel about mingling my baby with someone of a higher status. What if the child bullies my child because he or she isn't as fancy? It seems as though the Barry's are quite wealthy. Is it normal to worry this much? I worry about bringing a child into this corrupt world," Marilla sighed.
"All mothers worry about their young. I'd be worried for a mother who didn't worry about her children. Worrying shows that you care. And yes, you can't protect them from everything, especially bullying. But can I give you some advice?" Rachel said with an air of wisdom, "you can't protect your child from everything, but they can protect themselves. Teach 'em how to and they'll be fine."
Marilla thought that for once Rachel's advice seemed useful.
"Thank you for that. I needed it.
"Thank you for breakfast, dear," Matthew said, sitting down to enjoy his egg and toast.
Marilla ate a bigger helping of the same thing. Matthe eyed her portion size but said nothing.
He put the fork full of gooey egg into his mouth and nearly choked on it.
"Matthew are you alright?" Marilla said, going to get him some water.
He coughed, "mm yes Mar. Ummm...did you put salt on my eggs by any chance?"
"Oh yes, I did."
"I think my eggs have too much salt on them," Matthew said cautiously, these days anything would tick Marilla.
She took a bite of his eggs and said irritably,
"They taste fine to me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, in fact, they taste better than normal," Marilla huffed.
"Mar, that much salt could kill you!"
"You're overreacting, it just tastes a little bit salty!"
He looked at her in bewilderment. His wife was an amazing cook. And she never used to like salt on her eggs.
When the doctor came for her weekly check up Matthew pulled him aside when Marilla was getting dressed and told him about the salt situation.
"Ah yes, some women's taste gets a bit altered while they're pregnant. It goes away shortly. Based on my exam both mother and baby are doing wonderful. I'd say that the due date could be the second or third week in March, but you never really know."
"Thank you," Matthew said with relief in his voice.
"What about Peter if it is a boy?" Matthew suggested, one night as they lay in bed together.
"I like that. Peter Matthew Cuthbert is a good strong name."
"We should think of some girl names too," Matthew said, as he caressed Marilla's belly.
"Constance? After your mother?" Marilla suggested.
"Hmm. I'm not sure. We could have a little Marilla."
"Absolutely not. I don't want to put that on anyone else. The poor thing would get bullied something awful if we gave him or her that name!"
At this statement Matthew squeezed his wife. He knew that her name caused much pain when she was a young girl.
"Sara? June? Candie?"
"Oh I don't know," Marilla sighed deeply.
"Maybe a name will come when we finally meet the little person."
"Maybe, Matthew, maybe. Goodnight dear," Marilla kissed him.
"Goodnight, Darling."