Chapter Twenty Five - Loving and Tender

Several days had passed since the trip to Whitwell. It seemed a cloud of gloom hovered over Pimpernel. She rarely ventured out of her apartments. Pervinca and Lilas drummed up a series of schemes to draw her out--not only out of her quarters, but out of her depression. This morning there were four lasses--which included Estella--in the Smials' kitchen making breakfast for the family. Pimpernel was frying the bacon while Pervinca broiled the sausages and made gravy. Lilas prepared and cooked the taters as Estella baked the bread. Whoever was finished first would scramble and cook the eggs.

"We can't forget the jam," said Lilas, opening the door to the pantry to find the jar of blackberry preserves while her potatoes boiled in the pot. When she came back out of the little room, she leaned upon the table with a look of bewilderment on her face.

"Lilas, what's wrong?" Pervinca asked, seeing her sister-in-law's expression.

Lilas put her hand to the side of her belly. "I don't know. It feels like…," she blushed, almost too embarrassed to speak, "air bubbles passin' through."

"Goodness, lass!" Estella quipped, winking at her friend, "You could have at least stepped outside the kitchen to do that."

Pervinca was still giggling when she approached Lilas, looking at the growing belly. "Are you certain? Are you passing anything?"

"No," Lilas answered. "It feels like I need t', but nothin' ever does--at least not with this feeling," she added. The young mother-to-be began to get worried. "What's wrong, Pervinca?"

"Sit down, Lilas," instructed Pervinca. She placed her hand where Lilas said the "bubbles" were. Pervinca waited for a long minute, then smiled. "It's not what you think it is. Remember after your wedding when Pearl, Pimpernel, and I talked to you?"

Lilas nodded, then she recalled what Pearl had described as… "The baby?" Lilas gasped. Smiling, this time Pervinca nodded.

Estella rushed towards Lilas, "May I?" Lilas took Estella's hand, placing it just so on her tummy. Many long minutes passed before Estella smiled. "I felt it!!" She leaned down and hugged Lilas, "I'm so happy for you!"

Lilas paid no heed to the shiny brass wall sconces as she did months ago. The soft floor runners were ignored as were the colorful wall tapestries when she briskly walked past them on her way to hers and Pippin's apartment. The news of the baby moving inside her thrilled her to the point of bursting--she just had to tell Pippin! Estella took over cooking the taters while Lilas left to tell her husband the good news. Lilas' mind was not on where she was walking, but on the significant milestone she had just experienced in the kitchen. As she rounded the last hallway she nearly collided with a servant bearing a large tray laden with silverware and glasses. Making certain the lass was fine, Lilas continued on.

Opening the outer door of their apartment, Lilas entered the sitting room, shutting the world out. This moment would be for her and Pippin alone.

"Lilas?" Pippin called from inside the bedroom. "Is that you?" He appeared in the doorway wearing only his breeches, brushing his teeth. "I thought so!" Then he saw his wife was breathing hard; stunned would be a good description for the expression he saw on her face. "Lilas?" He quickly disappeared inside the bedroom to rinse his mouth. When he finished, he turned around, there was Lilas in the bedroom with him. She sat upon the bed, then beckoned for Pippin to come join her there.

"It's the baby--feel it!!" she was still breathing rapidly, but she took both of her husband's hands, gently placing them around her belly on each side. After a few minutes, Pippin shook his head.

"Ye don't feel it?" she asked. Pippin shook his head again. Lilas stood up from the bed and unbuttoned her frock, letting it fall to the floor. In her camisole and knickers, Lilas again sat upon the bed, placing Pippin's hands where she felt the bubbles earlier in the kitchen. "Now do ye feel it?"

Pippin waited a long time before he felt what he thought to be a gurgle underneath the thin cotton fabric. He blinked in wonder--looking at his wife for confirmation. Lilas was radiant with smiles. Overcome with joy, Pippin's eyes filled with tears. He took Lilas into his arms; she, too, had tears in her eyes. He kissed her auburn curls, "That's our baby!" he said. "Our son!" he smiled impishly.

Lilas chuckled, "No, it isn't! It's our lovely, little daughter!"

Pippin gazed into her shining brown eyes. His emotions were running high at the feel of his baby's first movement. "Our beautiful boy!" he whispered, then kissed her to thwart her response.

Much to Lilas' surprise, the kiss deepened. She wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders, effortlessly drawing him in towards her. The kiss became more fervent with passion as he slipped one hand atop her belly, stroking it. Still kissing her, Pippin then slipped his hand underneath her camisole.

Lilas shifted as Pippin pulled up on her camisole; her bare skin tingling at the touch of his hands. Minutes later, they lay naked next to one another. Pippin certainly wasn't her first, but now--at this moment in time--he may as well have been. She had never before been touched in this way--so loving and tender he was. She cried.

Gently, tenderly, passionately, they made love.