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All right, I admit it. I know zilch about you fine English chaps. Please, for anything wrong, I apologize. I AM an American and we people of the good ol' U S of A are known for bad tempers, slang, and stupid mistakes, ask anyone. I am only human! So work with me, k? Okay, enough rambling! Let's go!
Lady Evie
Pregnant Pains, Baby Names, and Regretting Things
(London Present)
It was the opening of spring when I had my examination. I had felt outright shocked when I received the news that I had a little one coming my way. But on the other hand, I knew that this would eventually happen. Rick and I hadn't really chatted about starting a family, it just...happened I suppose. Glancing down at my swollen belly, I sighed contently.
Well, here we are.
(8 Months ago; Same Place)
"I guess Nathanial Jonathan is a definite no, right?" Rick muttered. He crossed out yet another name and tossed the paper into the nearest wastebasket.
"Quite right," I said turning yet another page in one of the many baby name books. "It's too bland, it needs something else..."
"Evelyn, come on, make up you mind. First it's too bazaar, then it's too bland. Will you just pick something?"
"Well excuse me for wanting a baby with a perfect name! You can' just pick something at random! It has to be well though out, for if a child has the wrong name he or she could be emotionally scarred for the rest of his or her life."
Rick looked up from the desk to meet with my eyes. "And just how do you know that?" he inquired.
"Page 72." I giggled showing him the book.
He shook his head in a mocking way and tore another piece of paper from the notebook. "My ass is gonna be scarred for the rest of my life if I sit here much longer."
"Alright fine." I said standing and stretching. "How about some breakfast? We can have it on the back porch. How's that sound, oh ruler-of-all?"
"Not half bad." he grinned.
"And what would you like?
"Eggs and toast, maybe?"
I smiled seductively. "I'll see what I can do."
The moment I exited the house Rick was at my side. Before I knew it, he took the tray from me and nodded his head motioning towards the table where we would eat.
He smiled as we took our seats, but it faltered when he looked at the tray. I noticed and asked what was wrong. He muttered something about salt.
I started to stand up. "Oh darling, I'm sorry. Here, let me-" He shook his head and motioned for me to sit down.
"No, you eat. I'll get it." With that he left, leaving my face in utter confusion. What the devil was he up to? I was never one to call the man lazy, but this was just strange. He, like a certain brother I know, never insisted on doing something after I specifically said I would be the one to do it. Maybe it's a man thing? Or maybe...
The baby.
I glanced down at my stomach. It was still in the growing process and if you didn't know any better you couldn't even tell it was there. This little life however had changed my big brave husband. How? Cocking my head to the side I giggled.
"Looks as though dad turned into a softie."
As if on cue, Rick poked his head out the door. "You need anything?" I quickly looked up and thought rapidly: "Um, I could use some jam for my toast..."
"You got it." He went back inside.
"And Rick?"
"Yeah?" he called back.
"Get me some kippers to go with my eggs."
"Sure thing." He said absentmindedly.
I sat in silence and glanced up at the clear blue sky. It was a beautiful day, not one cloud to be seen-
"YOU WANT WHAT?!?" I heard Rick holler at full blast. I glanced back over at the door and saw that he was there looking at me funny. His eyebrows were squished together and his mouth was wide open.
"Kippers. There's some in the upper right-most cabinet." I said calmly. "I want to eat them with my eggs." When his expression didn't change I added: "What's wrong?"
"Sweetheart, you uh, never had kippers before." He uttered in disbelief.
"Yes I know, but that's what I want." I said plainly. He only nodded and slowly went back into the house. My normally calm husband was acting odd; this baby coming must have really had an effect on him. I shrugged and dipped a piece of toast into my hot tea.
Rick returned a moment later and set the plate of kippers next to my plate. I smiled up at him, and ate one. Grabbing my fork, I started on my eggs. Casually I gazed over at his plate. He hadn't even picked up his own fork yet.
"Are you not hungry?" I asked.
"Not anymore." He answered as I added picked up another kipper.
"Why's that?" I inquired.
He said nothing, but looked away when I swallowed the fish. His face almost seemed, disgusted. Was he sick?
I put my fork down and continued to stare. "Rick, you look pale. Are you feeling alright?" He paused, as if thinking about his answer. He glanced back at my plate.
"Jesus Evelyn, how the hell can you eat that?" he said after a long silence.
Now I was the one making the odd face. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the fish; just the sight of those things going in your mouth... you feeling alright?"
I swallowed my third kipper and made a yummy noise. "Mmm... these are fantastic." I replied rubbing my tummy in satisfaction. Still licking my lips, I pushed the plate to him. "You want a few?"
"I'll... pass."
"Suit yourself." I mumbled pulling tray of fish back.
He didn't know what he was missing. After lunch I left for the museum. Mr. Hafez had unfortunately chosen to double my work as to get everything done before I would take a leave. I had to file some newly arrived artifacts and then had to rearrange all of those same artifacts. My guess was this was my punishment for being pregnant. I wasn't surprised by the overload of work, but that didn't mean I wanted to do it all.
"Miss Carnahan, where is the eye?" he called as I set up a golden small cat statue. He was speaking of a jeweled necklace with an emerald stone that was now currently around my neck for safe keeping until it reached the case it would belong to.
I didn't bother to correct his name usage. I had been married to Rick long before I began working for this man, and no matter how many times I stated that I was in fact no longer know as "Miss Carnahan" nor no matter how many times I had shown him my ring, he had never even bothered to refer to me as Mrs. O'Connell. I didn't know if this was because he didn't bother to listen or if it was because he just didn't like me.
"I have it, sir." I shouted over the shelves. "And if you give me a minute, I'll-"
"Your minute ended twenty minutes ago." He stated his voice right behind me. Regrettably, he scared me into losing my balance and I nearly fell onto the my-size cat, but fortunately I moved just in the right moment missing it by an inch or so.
The next thing I knew I was staring face up at Mr. Hafez.
"Miss Carnahan, what the devil are you doing?! You almost destroyed..."
"I'm fine sir, thank you."
I helped myself up and dusted myself off as Mr. Hafez moved the position of the cat about a centimeter from where I put it. He nodded, satisfied, and turned to stare at me.
"Miss Carnahan, this isn't working." He said sternly.
Oh dear, I know that tone...
"I believe under the circumstances," he paused and glanced down to my stomach, and then back up to my face. "Perhaps it would be best if you..."
"Yes?" I asked meekly.
"You should find another career choice. Something that would put your... talents to good use." He removed the necklace from around my neck and shook his head wiping the green gem as though it had the germs of a horrible disease on it.
I was in utter shock. "You can't..."
"I'm terribly sorry, but it's for the best." With that, he walked away leaving me there with my mouth open in utter confusion. The thought hit me like a ton of bricks.
I, Evelyn Carnahan-O'Connell, had been placed in the unemployment line.