Shelagh got out of bed it was still early but she knew gran would be up and awake, sitting in the garden. She got up and deciding it was only five in the morning she put on a night dress, intending to return to her bed soon. She padded down the stairs, and within moments had a cup of tea in hand, warm and sweet filled her mouth, slowly cascading down her throat. A hand fell to her abdomen and a smile permeated her face. She heard the first few whimpers and smiled a little bigger, setting down her cup she walked into the bedroom and picked up her daughter blanket and all. She picked up her cup on the way out to the garden and sat down. Gran was nowhere to be found, but that wouldn't be for long. She unbuttoned her blouse and sat with her daughter offering her the breast, Angela was old enough now that she needed hardly any help. She was now more aware of how sore she really was, always being the smallest one of the bunch, breastfeeding was strange. If they were this swollen and sore now, what was it going to be like in a few months? A cringe soon found it's way across her face "Ouch" she thought to herself, and quickly dismissed it. Soon she heard the door behind her go and the chair next to her being pulled up.
"Morning lovey." Miriam chirped, kissing her cheek before settling.
"Morning Seanmhair, your up early." Shelagh teased, trying not to disturb her daughter.
"Very funny, hows the wee one?"
"She's been better, but she's fine." Shelagh gently rocked, her daughter in her arms, smiling as she did.
"So when were you planning on telling your Ol' Gran, hmm?" Shelagh's face popped up, confusion flashing over it.
"Huh?" She questioned, looking up at Miriam.
"You know, I know. About the bairn."
"Oh" She chimed, her smile returning. "How'd you know?"
"Call it Seanmhair's intuition. How far along?" She chuckled, taking a sip of her tea.
"Only about eight or so gone"
"Have you heard the beats yet? Assuming that's where Patrick went running to yesterday." She saw Shelagh's eyes widen in horror. "Don't worry no one saw" She let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding in, slowly returning to normal.
"Yes, to both." Giving a faint chuckle. Miriam picked up on the tension Shelagh was failing to hide from her.
"Don't worry love, all will be well."
"Promise?" She asked, holding out her hand like a small child.
"Promise." She took up the offered hand and smiled at her.
After a bit Shelagh returned to their room, laying Angela in her cot and snuggling up to her sleeping husband, they still had three hours before the kids would wake again. He pulled her close, and she loved how his hand even in his sleep was protecting their unborn child.
Shelagh's favorite part of the day was waking up next to Patrick, today was an especially good day. Her eyes began to flutter open, and a smile crept upon her cheeks. Their noses were almost touching, arms wrapped around each others backs and legs tangled together. She absolutely loved that they went to sleep on way and almost always found that they just ended up tangled together. She woke him with little kisses, waiting for him to respond. With a gentle grunt he smiled and kissed her back, eyes still closed and pulse quickening. She deepened the kiss ever so gently, and he responded with great effort. Finally breathlessly pulling away her head fell to his chest.
"Well that Mrs. Turner, was an amazing way to wake up." He smiled, into her hair.
"Only the best for you Mr. Turner." She let out a faint giggle, and his heart leapt at the sound. Oh how he loved that sound.
"Should we tell them?" She looked up to meet his brown eyes that were staring back at her pooling blue ones.
"Shelagh, what's wrong?" He asked, moving his hand up to stroke her cheek.
"I want to, but we leave in four days. Oh, Patrick! I don't want to go yet!"
"Shelagh, we can plan another trip back next year, don't you miss everyone?"
"Well yes, although I am still keeping up hopes that they have buried Sister Eve somewhere, she'll want to know every detail and probably gripe at me too when we return to the ward!" The two shared a chuckle, and he wiped a tear from her cheek then laid a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Room for two more?" Timothy popped his head into the door and they made room.
"Always!" They chimed in unison, Tim handing his sister to his father and climbing between them.
"Goodmorning Angel girl, did you sleep well?"
"Daaaad… Do you really have to baby talk to her every single time?"
"As a matter a fact I do, isn't that right? Is Timmy silly?" He continued the childish voice, trying not to laugh at how much it annoyed his son.
"Mum, can I get ready and go see granny and papa now?"
"Alright, lord knows she was up three hours ago, go on. Off you pop, dear." Timothy walked out leaving his sister snuggling and being the princess with his parents no doubt there would be mushy stuff.
"I suppose we should get up, this one will be needing her breakfast soon."
"I suppose you're right my love." Patrick kissed his wife and got up, taking his daughter with him.
"Good morning all!" Shelagh chimed, walking in with a spring in her step. She decided not to think about leaving until absolutely necessary.
"Well aren't you positively glowing and chipper Etta" Sìneag chimed, seeing the couple walk in and proceeding to snatch her niece from Patrick.
"You don't even know Mila." Shelagh gave her sister a wink and set down Angela's play things.
"Sit, sit. Enjoy your breakfast, Lord knows you need it! You are both twigs!" They all shared a few chuckles and ate their meal. Shelagh loved having family around, it was a whole different experience for everyone. They decided they would relax with a cup of tea and enjoy their morning in the sitting room. Patrick and Finnean took Timothy out to play ball and the girls stayed in and enjoyed their books. Sìneag had chosen to read Jane Eyre and Shelagh was enjoying a classic, How to Kill a Mockingbird. She couldn't help herself smiling, hearing a babbling Angela being read to by her Granny. Shelagh took a sip of her tea and nearly flew herself off the settee, running for the bathroom as quickly as she could. Her knees hit the floor something she would surely feel later, and sickness consumed her. Soon she was joined by Miriam, and a glass of water was handed to her.
"Thanks" Shelagh gladly took the cup and sipped it, her throat was on fire, she hadn't felt like this since her and Patrick both got food poisoning last Christmas.
"Come on, nothing makes it worse like sitting in front of the bowl." They made their way back and Sìneag set a little further up in her chair. Shelagh could tell by the look on her face that she had gave her a fright. Shelagh sat down and was followed by Miriam, giving her a faint grin and a wink.
"I'm fine sis, baby is just being stubborn." Shelagh very nonchalantly said, trying not to grin.
"Oh okay." Sìneag replied, waiting a moment and then looking down at the little girl in her lap.
"Wait! BABY?!" Sìneag's eyes widened to the stars and Shelagh couldn't contain her laughter.
"Why yes sister dear, baby Turner is misbehaving."
"When were you going to tell me!?" She didn't realize she nearly yelled that at Shelagh until Angela whimpered. "Sorry sweetheart" She said, kissing the infant on the temple.
"Well now actually!" Shelagh wasn't even aware of the hand that slid to her middle, until she moved back into the sofa and gasped at her abdomen a little tighter.
"Oh, Etta! How far?! Tell me all the deets!" Miriam just set in her chair, now holding the small child and watching the girls chatter about across the room. When the boys arrived back Timothy ran to his mother and hugged her tightly, Patrick had told Tim and Finnean the happy news; that night the entire house was cheerful and happy, completely forgetting the trip home that was fast approaching.
