It was not a peaceful night far from it in fact. She had been hyper aware of the baby sleeping beside her. She had tried snuggling with him but was constantly afraid to squidge him. And lets not forget the nappy change. Thankfully it was one time and he had not wet the bed. She remembered reading that nappies were not invented till 1949. Even then they were nothing like the modern diapers. Elise briefly wondered if he was hungry but then she remembered little Mia's birth. She was fed an hour later. Hopefully he won't cry till the morning; she had thought. Morning was not something she was looking forward to but she was wide-awake as the sun started to rise. Admitting defeat she got up to get ready and make breakfast – whatever helps softening the blow!
Elise checked on the baby. I got to stop calling him 'the baby' he has a name for Pete's sake! And stalked down to the kitchen. It was only 6o'clock. Half way through her preparation she heard O'Donnell's bustling around their room. Just as the breakfast was ready they entered the kitchen.
"Good morning! I have just put the kettle on boil. Here's your breakfast!" said Elise smiling at them.
"Good morning! You shouldn't have to do all this, dear." Said Amelia sitting down.
"It's the least I could do for all that you have done for me." Replied Elise watching as they sat down to eat.
"It's delicious!" said Patrick looking a bit surprised. Elise just laughed in reply.
"About last night . . ." started Elise, " . . . I did went to the hospital to meet Joan but was informed that her shift was over and she had went home two hours ago. So, I decided to go around a bit before returning. You see I never had been early sleeper so I decided not to bother you by coming home earlier." She noticed them beaming when she said home. "It was around 10:30 that I decided to come back when I noticed a pregnant woman walking towards an orphanage. I decided to wait, see if I could help if no one offered. Around eleven she seemed to be in pain so I rushed towards her and helped her to orphanage. She was in labour and fortunately the orphanage mistress offered to help. It was around 11:45 was the baby started to come out. The woman died giving birth to a baby boy. And the orphanage looked so bleak and the mistress so harsh that I decided to adopt the child. That's the bundle you saw me carrying, Mr O'Donnell." Elise finished and looked down.
"It's Patrice, lass. Haven't I told you?" said Patrick.
"What you did is very noble, dear." Said Amelia.
"You are not angry?" asked Elise looking completely puzzled.
Patrice laughed and Amelia came and hugged her. Elise was too shocked to return it.
"Where is the boy, lass? We want to meet our grandson." Said Patrick.
"Grandson?!" said Elise looking dazed.
"Yes, dear. We have no child of our own but if we had we wish her to be just like you!" said Amelia smiled with moist eyes. Elise nodded and went to her room. Well, that went well. Entering the room she saw the baby ' no, little Tom' awake and about to cry. He is crying so the shit about 'product of love potion' is false! She sighed with relief and picked him up. Suddenly she was back again holding little Mia. She was feeling parental; her maternal instincts were kicking. What does this put me? She knew she had adopted intending to raise but to be a mother to potential dark lord. She was undecided on that. Later. Shaking her head she clambered down and walked to kitchen.
The O'Donnell's had eaten and Amelia was making her breakfast. Patrice turned to look at her as she entered. Smiling happily he strode towards her and peered down at the about to cry baby Tom.
"Look at the little lad. Amelia come have a look!" said Patrick beaming.
"Just a moment!" she called back.
"Here, you can hold him." Said Elise giving Tom to Patrick. "I think he is hungry."
"He is! Elise dear, go to the nearest baby store and buy him some formula and baby bottle. We will go and buy him clothes later!" said Amelia squealing and pushed Elise out handing her money.
"But I don't know where is this baby store, Amelia!" said Elise panicking.
"Just tell the cabby and he will take you to one." She said turning to join her husband who was trying to calm the crying baby.
Elise did as instructed and purchased the required items and rushed back.
She was greeted with a loud crying baby and two adults trying to hush it. She hurriedly made the formula and handed it to Amelia who was currently holding Tom. Tom stopped crying the moment nipple touched his tiny, cute mouth and sucked greedily. Patrick sighed in relief and Amelia laughed at him. Elise just stood watching them. They looked so happy. Maybe her arrival was not a bad thing. Not so soon! You have yet to tell them about the financial side of this adoption. She had a feeling it will go well.
"As you would know we have to pay for the adoption and I promised the mistress that I shall pay today." Said Elise nervously.
"Then we shall go this morning before going to the office!" said Patrick absent minded, watching Amelia feed Tom.
"More importantly what is his name, dear?" asked Amelia not looking at her.
"The mother named him before she died. Tom after his father and Marvolo after hers'. She was quite young." Replied Elise.
"Marvolo. What a strange name!" remarked Amelia.
"But it fits. He is nothing short of a marvel!" remarked Patrick in reply.
"Quite right! Our little marvel." Amelia said softly.
Something twitched inside her as Amelia said that. Frowning, she shook her head. Deciding to eat as they 'played' with Tom she picked up the newspaper discarded by Patrick. It was high time she found a place even if she had technically stayed here for only one day. Skimming through the paper she stopped at the to-let page. A small flat with one bedroom and a kitchen was what she needed and could afford. Maybe. She didn't even know about her salary. Ahh! All this uncertainty is driving me up the wall. Her 'later' section was overflowing!And she had a feeling it will remain that way as long as she was stuck here.Finally she found an ad that suited her criteria. Must be for students. Chalking it up in her memory she finished her tea and got up to burp little Tom there I said it seeing him finish the formula.
"Here let me get him ready for the day. When does the office hours begins, Patrick?" asked Elise as she took Tom from recusant Amelia. Without her permission a smile crept on her face as she held Tom. He looked at her sleepily and she made her way upstairs. Burping him, she bathed him in warm water and was wondering what to use as his nappy when Amelia knocked and came in with a cloth, which suspiciously looked as a scarf.
"Isn't that a scarf?" she asked.
"I don't us it now-a-days. Too old to wear, apparently!" Amelia answered with a chuckle.
"I possibly can't . . ." Elise started but was cut off.
"Nonsense! You can and you will." Said Amelia thrusting it towards her.
Sighing in defeat she gently laid Tom on the bed and dried him. Finished, she expertly wrapped the nappy and baby blanket, rocked him gently humming a tune. As much as she was engrossed with Tom she was aware of Amelia's presence. Like any new-born, Tom fell asleep in a second. So she placed him in the centre of the bed with pillows on the both sides.
"You seem to know what you are doing." Said Amelia.
"I used to take care of children in my neighbourhood." Answered Elise.
"Ah! So it seems only Tom and me are going to the shopping." Said Amelia with a sad sigh mockingly.
Elise nodded, frowned sadly. Amelia chuckled a bit at her; Elise smiled and went to her newly acquired and arranged wardrobe, pulled out office appropriate attire as Amelia exited the room. Dressing quickly and pulling her hair in a neat side bun she came down.
"All ready, I see. Come we mustn't be late. First we shall go to the orphanage and then to the office." Said Patrick, ready himself.
Nodding she pulled on her coat and scarf. She had bought exactly like one inSherlock! Amelia had looked at her grinning face weirdly."I will pay back as soon as possible."
"Good! You shall pay frequent visit along with Tom, without fail." Said Patrick seriously and Amelia nodded in agreement.
"As much we want you to stay with us we know you will not for long." Said Amelia.
Soon Patrick and Elise were sitting before Mrs Cole paying the fee for adoption. From there they took cabby to the office. Elise was very excited. It was a major publishing company and she was going to work there. Patrick had agreed with her assessment once they got out of the orphanage and praised her again. She was a bit embarrassed by the praise. Patrick then showed her office and briefed her on her job. All in all it had been a very good day, thus far.
