Copyright: I don't own the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I do not intend to infringe upon any copyright. But the idea for the story was mine… :-)Chapter 4
After having talked
to Marguerite, Veronica had thought a lot about what she'd been told and what
she should do now. And no matter which way she turned it – the only solution
was to tell Ned as soon as possible. Before anyone would notice it. 'He's the father! He should know it first!,
she blamed herself in thoughts. 'All
right, I'll tell him. I must – I will. Today. ... When he comes home.'
She realised she felt much better now, that she made a decision, and she smiled
and began to prepare everything.
She put candles on the boards in their bedroom, fetched some flowers and
arranged them on the bed.
All the time she tried to imagine what it would be like... telling Ned...
watching his reactions. She put a hand on her belly and mumbled: "We'll make
it." She paused and started to giggle. "We're two vs. one!"
She could hardly stop giggling. 'Must
have something to do with the pregnancy', she told herself and tried to
calm down while headed for the wardrobe. She wanted to look special. Wearing
her usual 'jungle-outfit' would not have been adequate for this evening.
She searched through it and took out a light blue dress which she knew had
belonged to her mother.
She swallowed hardly. If only her mother could see her now... She had a
wonderful man at her side and she was carrying his baby under her heart. Her
mom would've been so glad...
Veronica restrained her tears from coming out. This should become a pleasant
evening, and she had spent too much time crying because she had lost her
parents...
So she got dressed, arranged her long blonde hair and risked a look at herself
in the mirror. A smile spread over her face. It was perfectly fine.
She watched out for the sun; its position told her that the men would soon be
back home. Just enough time to get relaxed... But the more she tried it, the
more apprehensive she got.
And when at least she steps approach – which she knew were Ned's – she wasn't
sure anymore if all this was a good idea. But there was no way out and so she
hurried to set the candles alight.
The door opened and she heard Ned ask while his head popped in: "Veronica, are
you-" He broke off. He stared at her, stunned.
She smiled. Good to know she could still overwhelm him.
At least he came in and pulled the door shut behind him, taking a look around.
"Wow..."
He came over to her and Veronica noticed that he furrowed his brow like he
always did when there was something he didn't understand.
"Veronica, did I... did I miss anything?", he asked confused, "Your birthday
was last month, mine is half a year ago... and it's not our anniversary... at
least I think so..."
Veronica had to smile – he was just so cute! Then she put her arms around his
waist and shook her head. "You didn't forget anything."
"But what is it then?", he wanted to know. It was obvious that he had no clue
what was going on.
Veronica felt her heart beat faster when he asked her: "Why all those flowers
and the candles? And why are you looking so damn beautiful in that dress?" She
noticed a twinkle of desire in his eyes and suppressed her upcoming feelings.
She made half a step backward and took his hands.
"Because there's something I want to tell you."
She felt sick and took a deep breath. Looking straight into his wonderful blue
eyes she said:
"I am pregnant."
Ned was stunned. "What?"
"We're gonna have a baby, I'm pregnant.", Veronica repeated. 'Oh hell – he'll turn around and leave,
he'll-'
His face brightened and – after a second – he smiled happily.
"Veronica... that's wonderful!", he shouted, embraced and kissed her.
Veronica felt so relieved that she was about to cry.
They had told the others and on the spur of the moment they had decided to make
a little baby-party.
Ned was sitting on the couch, now, and gazed at Veronica, who was laughing and
talking to Marguerite – obviously about the kind of stuff that young mothers
were likely to talk about.
He was still overwhelmed. The thought of being father in less than 7 months
seemed strange to him. Strange, but nevertheless wonderful. He could not
remember when he had felt such a joy last time. Perhaps he had never.
He couldn't take his eyes off Veronica – she looked so beautiful, but all above
she looked totally happy.
Ned tried to remember the time when he had lived in London. But he had to
confess he hadn't known any pregnant woman; at least he didn't remember. It had
never affected him. He was young, he had never been married – and the English
society did not allow pregnancy when you hadn't married before.
He sighed and hoped he would not have to go back to London. This attitude
surprised him, but he knew it was true. He had all he needed, and the dream of
getting a top-reporter was nothing he dreamed of anymore.
He had watched Marguerite's pregnancy as far as possible and without seeming to
be too curious. She had grown rounder and rounder and some things had changed,
but she seemed to be glad and confident and pleased.
And Roxton... sometimes, Ned wasn't sure it was really him. He had changed at
least as much as Marguerite (just not in outer appearance); it was obvious that
he'd do anything for her and the baby; he was more gentle and tried to avoid
the insane arguments he had always had with Marguerite.
John's voice interrupted his thoughts: "Hey, Ned – congratulations!"
Ned turned to face John and smiled. Roxton went on: "Great surprise, I didn't
expect that..."
"Well, I didn't either...", mumbled Ned more to himself than to John. Then he
asked: "May I ask you what it is like?"
John knit his brows. "What do you mean?"
Ned tried to find a way to express what he wanted do know. "Well, to watch the
woman you love expecting a baby within the next weeks. How does it feel to know
you two will soon be responsible for a baby?"
"It feel great – at least to me. Although a lot of things will change or have
already changed, I don't regret. I'm really looking forward to the day when the
baby is born. And I think we'll be able to cope with the responsibility." He
smiled. "And of course I can hardly stand to wait, because I want to know
whether it's a boy or a girl."
"Did you two already think of a name?"
John laughed. "Well, we did. But our attitudes are quite different... Perhaps
we can agree on a compound name."
to be continued…
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