I awoke the next morning around half past seven, felling very nauseous with a headache. William was already up and dressed; he opened the curtains of the four-poster, exposing the sunlight.
"No William, please close them." I said moaning. "I've a headache."
"My apologies Mary." Said William, closing the curtains and climbing into the four-poster next to me.
"Would you like me to get you anything?" He asked softly.
"Just a pail." I replied, burying my face in my pillow.
William nodded and left the room, returning shortly afterwards with a pail.
"Anything else? Breakfast perhaps?"
"No." I replied "I'm mot very hungry. Just leave me in the darkness so that I may rest."
William nodded and kissed my cheek.
"I'll check on you in an hour. I love you."
With that, he left the room.
(William's POV)
I walked sown the hall to Braden's room to wake him; but when I opened the door, I found him and Brielle already awake and still in their nightclothes, sitting on Braden's bed.
"Brielle, what are you doing in your brother's room?"
"He's reading to me Papa."
I gave Brielle a small smile and asked, "Are you almost finished?"
"Yes Father." Replied Braden.
"Well when you're finished, you both need to clean up and get dressed."
Both Braden and Brielle nodded.
"When you're dressed, you may come downstairs and help me make breakfast."
"But Father, doesn't mother usually do that?" Asked Braden.
"Yes, but she is not feeling well and she has a headache. So don't disturb her."
Braden and Brielle nodded and I left the room, closing the door behind me; then I went downstairs; once downstairs, I was about to go into the kitchen when there was a knock at the door.
'Peter.' I thought in mild irritation as I went to answer it. 'Why so early? I may have been a soldier, but I don't get up at sunrise any more, even if my wife is pregnant.'
However, when I answered the door, I was surprised to find James Wilkins at my door, for the man had gotten married about a year ago and he and his new wife had done a lot of traveling in Europe, so I had seen little of him since their wedding.
"Sir I need you to get one of your brothers! My wife, she's in labour!"
"Wilkins! I've two children and a pregnant wife to look after; Edward lives just down the road from here; now go get him yourself!"
"I'm sorry Sir, but I know you better than your brothers"
"Oh alright then!" I said in an exasperated tone. "Braden! Brielle"
"But Father, we are still indecent, in our nightclothes.." Said Braden, stepping into the entryway.
"I understand that, but come anyway."
With that, I penned a quick note to Mary and then led the children out to the stables where we saddled my stallion and Braden's pony, and headed out to Edward's.
