(Charlotte's POV)
It was half past ten. I was just finishing pressing a couple of Thomas' waistcoats and shirts when the front door opened and Braden and Brielle stepped into the entryway, followed by Thomas, who had a grim look on his face.
"Aunt Charlotte!" Cried Brielle excitedly.
"Hello Brielle." I said embracing my niece. "And hello to you as well, Braden."
"Hello, Aunt Charlotte." Braden replied with a small smile. "Uncle Thomas, can you teach me more sword fighting tricks?"
"Hasn't your father taught you any?"
"Yes, but Father hasn't had a lot of time to teach me new ones."
"Alright, the wooden practise swords are upstairs in the armory. And don't' touch anything else." Thomas finished sternly. "I'll met you upstairs in a few minutes, and then we shall go outside."
"Can I swordfight too?" Brielle asked.
"Has your father given you permission?"
Brielle hung her head and replied gloomily, "No."
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to wait. Now I know you don't like waiting so as a compromise, when your brother and I are finished, I'll take you on a ride with Saxton."
Brielle's face brightened.
"Alright, Uncle Thomas." She said and then headed upstairs with her brother.
"Well, hello to you too finally." I said to Thomas.
"Hello, my dear."
"So, we have visitors."
"Yes, for the rest of the week. I offered to take them for a while so Will could take care of Mary without any distractions.
"What happened?"
"Mary's very ill; she has pneumonia."
"Oh my… Poor girl."
"Yes…"
"How will this affect the pregnancy?"
"She could miscarry or there could be stillbirth if she doesn't get better soon; and because she is in fact pregnant with twins, the odds are not in her favour."
"She's having twins?"
"Yes; it has been suspected by both Will and Edward for quite some time, and I just confirmed it today."
"Do Braden and Brielle know that their mother is having twins?"
"No, and I'm sure they intend to keep it that way."
"I see.."
"Are Edward, Cristabel, and Peter still coming for supper tonight?"
"Yes." I replied. "Though I'm not sure about Cristabel. Edward said that she hasn't been feeling well lately."
"Did he say why?"
"No, he did not."
"Well it can't be something too serious then." Said Thomas. "Look, I've got to go upstairs to meet Braden for sword fighting lessons. I'll see you in a few hours, when we're finished."
With that, Thomas gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and disappeared up the stairs.
