Shelagh pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She clears her throat.

"I was grossly unaware of any such development."

"You wouldn't be the only one in the dark."

"Were you appraised of such a situation?"

"She certainly did not willingly volunteer the information. I had to confront her with my observations."

"I was unaware that she was romantically involved with any suitor," Shelagh admits.

"I am not certain it was considered romantic involvement. I suspect it was a single incident of impropriety."

"Why didn't she say anything?"

"My assessment would be that fear was the motivating factor."

"I would like to lend my support in any way that I can," she adds.

"I am certain that she would appreciate any support."

Patsy sits in her room, in silence with a chunky newborn. She watches him as he proceeds in his attempt to fill his stomach. His tiny hand is stretched out against her chest. In the silence she contemplates how close they came to death. She tries to push the thought from her mind. She exhales, and presses her lips to his forehead. Her thumb rubs against his cheek.

"My sweet boy. I am sorry about the circumstances surrounding all of this. You must think the world is upside down. I guess it sort of feels that way, right now. For the most part there is a lot of uncertainty. For the most part I feel like I don't know what I am doing. There are basics that I am well versed in, but certain things are new to me. I don't know what our future holds, but I am certain that I love you. I love you far more than I even knew possible. It seems as if my heart would not be able to contain all of the love that I have for you. I didn't realize such joy was possible. Solomon, I know that we had a very rough beginning. I am incredibly sorry that I felt as if I did not want to do this. I want you to know that right now there is nothing I want in this world than to be you mother."

After a few minutes he finishes eating, and she shifts positions. As she sits on her bed, on top of the covers with her legs stretched out in front of her, he lies in her lap. He stares up at her, as if she is his entire world. She exhales, and lifts him onto her shoulder.

"I suspect we will need to elicit a rather large belch, or you are going to have a sour belly, and be quite intolerable."

She pats until she succeeds at her endeavor. She has nearly gotten him to return to a slumber when she hears knuckles wrapping against the closed door.

"It's only me," Trixie announces.

"Come in," Patsy insists.

Trixie pushes the door open.

"We require your presence downstairs."

"I don't know Trixie, I think he has just dozed off."

She grins, "Think again. He heard his Auntie Trixie, and his eyes popped right open."

"If we are going to descend the stairs again today we will require assistance."

"I accept any opportunity to snuggle my favorite cheeky little monkey."

When they reach the bottom of the stairs Trixie pauses for Patsy to catch up.

"Please don't be upset," Trixie implores.

"Upset, why would I be upset?"

"We did something without your approval."

"What did you do?"

"It is quite possible that we carried out an elaborate, and devious scheme."

"I am down here now," Patsy points out.

"Everyone is in the dining room."

Patsy casts a glance to her watch, "Dinner isn't served for nearly an hour."

"We are not having dinner right now," Trixie responds.

Patsy makes her way into the dining room, and finds several familiar faces situated around the table. Sister Monica Joan sits at the head of the table, beaming with pride. Without a single word Patsy takes a seat next to her. Trixie places the sleepy boy into Sister Monica Joan's waiting arms. Sister Julienne, Phyllis, Barbara, Trixie, Sister Winifred, Mary Cynthia, and Shelagh sit around the table with them. Sister Monica Joan slides a package towards Patsy. The package is in brown paper, and neatly secured with a green ribbon. She speaks up for the group.

"We felt that Solomon was in need of a few things. We wanted to also remind you of our support."

Patsy unwraps the first package, and finds that Sister Monica Joan has knitted a pair of booties, and a sweater to match Solomon's mint cap. Phyllis steps forward next, and presents Patsy with an adorable sailor's suit, and matching cap. With each gift Patsy grows less guarded. Shelagh presents her gift last.

"I was searching for a suitable gift earlier, and I couldn't find what I was looking for, even though I hadn't a clue what I was specifically searching for. I saw this, and thought that it would be something that we wouldn't outgrow," she explains as she hands Patsy a small box wrapped in blue paper.

Patsy unwraps the box, and then carefully removes the tape securing the flaps. She reaches inside, and pulls out her treasure. She finds a brownie camera, and a roll of film. She grins at the gift.

"Thank you Shelagh, this is a very thoughtful gift. I can't wait to use this. I am sure that we will be using this for years to come."

"We also have some gently used items that we have come by for Solomon that have been deemed necessary by all parties involved."

"Including a cot, as it will not take long for his weight to exceed the limits of his bassinet, as he has a rather healthy appetite," Sister Monica Joan explains.

"I weighed him today, just out of curiosity," Patsy admits.

"He has grown," Sister Monica Joan says matter-of-factly.

"He is four days old, and he has already gained a tenth of a kilo. He weighed four point six kilos this morning," Patsy reveals.

"Sister Monica Joan, I told you to stop feeding him cake," Trixie grins.

She grins mischievously, "I find that my memory is quite faulty when it comes to matters involving cake."

The entire room is filled with raucous laughter.