Evalina sat at her dressing table, now within her own home, staring into the mirror as if she expected the reflection to attack her. Her long cinnamon hair cascaded down her spine as she ran her comb through it as if she was trying to erase the memory of the jewels that had adorned her last night. "My, we are angry at the world this morning" I said by way of greeting. When I had come home last night I had gone up to my room to sleep fully aware that Evalina wanted to be alone. If she had not, she would have asked Poole to let me know or she would have waited for me herself. "I am in no mood to play games, Henry" she scowled "what has you so upset, my darling?" her sleepless and bloodshot eyes glared at me from the mirror "I thought I could handle the heartbreak but in all honesty I do not believe I could handle it with the added humiliation" "humiliation?" "he chose Vanessa Ives, my friend" "and to him I am nothing but a bore who is nothing compared to you" she snorted and began braiding her hair back "he probably wants to enrage you, are you going to allow a Strigoi to hold power over you?" "no" "good. I do have to get to work, darling, but I will be home soon" "of course, Henry" "try to get some sleep, it will do you some good" "when is your engagement party?" "in a week" she nodded "are you going to try again with the Board soon?" "perhaps- I do not want you there this time" "why?" "they will focus on you and we do not want a repeat performance" "then what shall I do?" "rest" "how can I support you if I am not there?" "support me from afar, dear Evalina" "very well" her hands fluttered "I-" "what is it?" "I will tell you when you return, Henry. It can wait" "are you certain? You look a little sallow" "no need to worry, husband, I am simply overtired as you say" I saw the concoction of herbs before her on the dressing table. A bottle I knew came straight from her midwifery box. "Evalina?" "yes?" "are those herbs not for strengthening a child in the womb?" "they are" I saw the teacup beside her and caught the slight whiff of the herbs above the tea "is what you are going to tell me make me happy?" "and excited" she smiled and I saw how her delicate little hand rested over her abdomen, her eyes softening for the first time this morning. "Evalina" I breathed "but you are the best midwife among us- how?" "I have taught a few over the years, Henry. Do not worry about that yet, embrace your wife and go charm the Board, for us" I pulled her close, burying my face into her shoulder feeling joy and fear. Joy for at last I shall have a child, and fear because Georgianna had died in childbed. Evalina had to cut the child out of her, I watched my son and my wife die an hour apart. With them going part of my own soul, a bit of the humanity that I could have had. My hope for an heir, gone in an instant. It had been true, I had considered taking a second wife, a stronger wife for better heirs, but I never did. G was too delicate to even consider such a thing and the only second wife I would ever consider was before me now. Hope rose within my heart, warming me once more. I would get convince the Board to listen to me, for Evalina, for the child that now grew within her. She would not have a failure for a husband, this I swore. I wiped my eyes and kissed her forehead "I want you to go back to bed, Evalina. You need your rest, your strength" I would bring her a gift when I return home this evening. Yes, that would please her. I found Poole waiting for me by the door "Poole" "yes, Dr. Jekyll?" "Evalina is not to be disturbed until she has slept. If it is an emergency you may let her go for I know she will simply slip from the house. I want her desires met, what she wants she gets" "of course, Dr. Jekyll. Congratulations, Dr. Jekyll" "you knew?" "she did not bleed for two months, sir. It was not difficult to notice" my butler and companion since I was a boy beamed with pride. I knew Poole would protect my child and my wife with his very last breath if it came to it. He was unendingly loyal to me, and now to Evalina. "and you did not tell me?" "that honor should go to Lady Jekyll" "of course, see to her comfort, Poole" he bowed and I stepped into the brilliant sunshine in a better mood than I had in ages.