One thing the couple neglected to think through was how late they would end up sleeping after an exhausting night. Only Mrs. Blatherwick knew what had happened – and only to a minimal extent. The children didn't understand why they hadn't gotten out of bed and why cook might be trying to wrangle them. The older ones tried to ignore their immediate assumptions, but when Mr. Jowels showed up at the door looking for Cedric, they began to worry.

"It's not like him to be a no-show without sending word," he said to Cynthia who had opened the door. "We want to know if he's all right."

Bashfully, Cynthia replied, "I haven't seen Mr. or Mrs. Brown all morning."

"What's going on?" Simon asked, coming up behind the maid.

"Do you know where your father is?" Mr. Jowels asked.

"Upstairs, I assume."

"Well… if you could tell him Mr. Wheen and I understand if he needs to take the day off so long as he's all right."

"Why shouldn't he be?"

Not about to give the boy any details, Mr. Jowels said, "Not easy being in this business sometimes. Sometimes you need a break."

Simon wasn't easily fooled. Something had happened.

"I'll go wake him if you want to wait," he said steadily.

"I've got to be getting back to work," the man said with a tip of his hat. "But do let us know."

Simon nodded and then darted upstairs.

It was strange approaching his parents' closed door. He'd long since been trained not to disturb adults in their quarters. The same went for when the study door was shut. Closed doors meant no children unless there was an emergency. Even at his naughtiest, this was a rule he usually followed. However, now he needed to know everyone was well. It was enough of an emergency for him. That would explain Mrs. Blatherwick plying them with food and telling them to run along and play. All he could think was that something had happened with the baby. He remembered it happening to Mama twice before.

Taking a breath, he knocked on the door, going inside without waiting for an answer.

"Papa? Evangeline?"

Cedric and Evangeline stirred.

"We were getting worried," Simon said apprehensively.

"What time is it?" Evangeline mumbled.

"Nearly ten o'clock."

This woke them.

"Good heavens," Cedric said as he sat up. "Why didn't anyone wake us sooner?"

Defensively, Simon answered, "Cook told us not to."

"Cook?" he questioned, then looked down at Evangeline, realizing she must have told Mrs. Blatherwick what'd happened. However, as he did so, he remembered that Evangeline had fallen asleep without her nightgown. Thankfully, her body was mostly covered, but her bare shoulders were visible. On his look, she realized as well, both pulling the blanket to her neck.

"Did something happen?" Simon asked, more worried than he was embarrassed.

"Out, Simon. We'll be along in a few minutes."

"But Mr. Jowels was—"

"Out!"

Simon huffed. When he turned to leave, Chrissie slammed into him.

"Are they finally awake?!"

The other children followed.

Cedric rushed out of bed and caught Aggie as she started pulling on the blankets, demanding Evangeline pick her up.

"Please, children," Cedric said, shooing them out, "give us a moment to get dressed. One of you can go tell Mr. Jowels or Mr. Wheen that I won't be in today."

"I'll go," Eric said with a weak raise of his hand as he turned for the stairs. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what was going on. Behind them, Cedric slammed the door.

. . .

"Don't be angry with the children, Cedric," Evangeline said as she pulled on her underthings. "They didn't know. They were worried about us. We haven't slept in like this since our wedding night."

"You're the one I'm angry with!"

She stopped and stared. "Me? How come?"

"How could you tell Mrs. Blatherwick what happened last night? When the hell did you find the time?"

"I didn't tell her!" She resumed dressing — quicker now. "She heard me boiling the water for your bath. All I said was that it was a rough night for both of us. I didn't say a word more!"

"You swear it?"

"Of course!"

Sitting on her vanity stool, he ran his hand down his face. "I apologize."

"Have more faith in me."

"I've got a throbbing headache."

"It's no wonder," she scoffed, not ready to let him off hook for his outburst that quickly.

"What do I say to the children?" he asked after a moment.

Reaching around to her back to do up her buttons, Evangeline said, "It's not a big deal. They didn't catch us in a compromising position."

"In a way they did. I should have told you to get dressed before going to sleep."

"We've both forgotten on several occasions and last night was innocent. If you ask me it's good luck this is the first time anything like this has happened. At least you were dressed. They might think less of it if they're thinking anything at all. Given it was Simon who barged in, it must have been serious."

Cedric shook his head. "I don't know, it feels more scandalous."

She shrugged. "So, we tell them the truth if it's that important. At least some of it. You wanted to be near the baby. They'll all know by this afternoon. Or we can simply tell them now. Either way, I think our best bet is to ignore it."

Seeing her struggling, he stood and walked over to her, turning her so he could take over. "I'm surprised you're so calm about this the way you've been fretting lately."

"There are bigger problems to be dealt with."

"Such as me."

"Let's not do this now… Thank you." She turned to face him again. "I'm embarrassed, but it could have been more embarrassing. We are married."

"I know, it's just…" he trailed off, a look of guilt entering into his expression.

Evangeline waited a moment, wondering what was causing his sudden hesitation, but soon figured out what he was going to say. "I'm not their mother."

"I didn't say that."

"But you're thinking it."

"Don't tell me what I think!"

Inhaling deeply, refusing to let this turn into a full-blown shouting match, she said, "I'm not talking about this now. We have to speak with the children and assure them nothing is wrong. You decide if you want to tell them about the baby or not." She hurried to the door and opened it. Before exiting the room, she turned her head around. "You're their father, after all. What do I know?"

It was her turn to slam the door.

. . .

Evangeline found the kids in the playroom once she was finished washing up and pinning up her hair. Where Cedric had gone, she didn't know. She didn't particularly care at the moment, either.

"Are we in trouble?" Chrissie asked immediately.

"Of course not."

"Then why was Papa shouting?" questioned Sebastian.

Aggie toddled over to Evangeline impatiently, her earlier attempts for a good morning hug having been thwarted. "Up!"

Evangeline obliged, kissing her forehead in the process, and sat with the baby in her lap. "We had a lot to do last night," she fibbed. "We didn't get to bed until much too late."

Simon rolled his eyes. "A waste to worry."

"I appreciate your concern, Simon. Honest. And so does your father. You know he can be grouchy just after he wakes up. I don't blame you for being worried. It was a surprise to hear the hour."

"It's just that we should have known the way you hold yourselves up so much these days."

Evangeline pursed her lips, unable to help but wonder if it hadn't been for Cedric's temper they might have skipped over this course of conversation. "We're aware that we've been, shall we say, inattentive at times. We're going to be better about that."

"So Evangeline and Papa want to spend time together," Lily said in her brother's direction. "Can't you see they're in love?"

"Oh, I saw," he scoffed.

"That's enough, Simon," Evangeline headed.

Ignoring her, he rose from the floor and carried on. "Papa missed work. Why shouldn't we have jumped to the worst conclusion? And Mr. Jowels came here looking concerned, too. All of that to find out you only decided to sleep in?"

"You know there are other things to consider."

"What things?" Sebastian asked nosily.

Before Evangeline could come up with an answer, Cedric entered the room. "I think that's something we all should sit and talk about, my boy."

Evangeline stiffened. This wasn't how she'd imagined announcing her firstborn. Then again, nothing about this marriage had gone as anticipated.

Walking over to where his wife and daughter were seated, he put his hand on her shoulder. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Stubbornly, she shook her head.

"All right, then," he sighed, but maintained a smile. "Your stepmother and I have exciting news."

"Oh, it is true!" Lily beamed, clasping her hands over her heart.

"What's true?" Chrissie asked.

"Wait!" Tora said. "Eric isn't here yet."

"Good heavens," Cedric said. "Where's he gone?"

"You told him to go to the parlor and tell them you won't be in," Simon groused.

"Oh, quite right."

"You couldn't even tell we weren't all here?"

"Honestly, Simon, what's gotten into you?"

Raising his voice, he replied, "Me? What about you?"

"I leave for fifteen minutes and I come back to shouting," Eric said as he joined the rest of the family. "Did I hear my name?"

Refusing to let this moment go any more sour, Evangeline stood, passing Aggie off to Cedric. "We thought we might go to the shore today… take advantage of your father's day off. We'll all cool down and we can continue this discussion later."

"But what's the exciting news?" Sebastian persisted.

"Ah, so you've told them about the baby." Eric said.

"Baby?!" Sebastian and Chrissie said in unison, then echoed by Aggie.

"Thank you, Eric," Cedric replied, then looked to Evangeline.

After last night and the rough awakening this morning, there was no more room for tears or disappointment. She simply nodded and said, "Gather your things. We'll leave in twenty."

. . .

Cedric knew he was in trouble. He'd known it since the moment she shut him in the bedroom.

He hadn't meant it as badly as it sounded. It also spooked him how she always seemed to know what he was thinking. Perhaps it came from all the years catering to him. This quality was a blessing and a curse in a wife.

Never did he mean to imply she wasn't their mother in the sense that she was a stranger to them or that she didn't have any say so in matters regarding them. He'd meant it more for the sake of propriety. But he supposed even then he could see why she was stunned into silence. Her lack of words concerned him more than if she'd cried or yelled at him.

And now he'd gone and bungled up their announcement.

He wasn't on a good streak.

The children chatted excitedly amongst themselves on their way to the beach. All of them besides Simon who was a good match for his stepmother's sour face. Cedric knew he owed his son an apology as well as an explanation. Less afraid of the wrath of his twelve-year-old, he opted for this one first.

"Can I talk to you?"

Without taking his eye off his kite, Simon said coolly, "Sure."

Cedric put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I apologize for my temper this morning. I wasn't angry with you. I was stressed by the situation."

Simon shrugged.

"I'm also sorry that we made you worry. I'm sorry you've had to carry the secret about the baby around. I'm sorry for how all that came about."

"It was hardly a secret," he scoffed. "Keeping Sebastian, Chrissie, and Aggie in the dark isn't much of an achievement."

"I understand you're frustrated, Simon, but that doesn't mean you can speak to me in this tone — or Evangeline for that matter. I did hear part of the conversation you were having before I came in. What you said was uncalled for."

"How else was I supposed to react?" Simon said, finally looking at his father before turning back to reel in his kite. "You think Tora and I don't realize all the sneaking around you've been doing? Lily, too, I'm sure. And Eric."

Straightening his back, Cedric cleared his throat. "I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"It has to do with everything! We're left keeping Chrissie and Aggie away and not being able to tell them why. It's uncomfortable and…"

"And what?" he pushed when he didn't go on.

Simon shook his head. "Sometimes it's hard seeing you two together."

Had he realized the gravity of Simon's feelings, Cedric might have opted for a shouting match with Evangeline. After a moment, he replied, "I never realized you had an issue with her."

"No," Simon corrected. "It's not her. Evangeline is the greatest stepmother a kid could ask for. It's just that until the baby, I never really thought of her as being your new wife. And lately, it's like you… like you've forgotten Mama."

Swallowing hard, Cedric lowered himself to his knees. "Don't ever think that, Simon. I could never forget your mother. Never."

"But you and Evangeline look so happy," Simon said, averting his eyes. "Not that I don't want you to be happy—"

"I know what you're trying to say." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "Evangeline and I… yes, we are happy together. Some moments are happier than others. Sometimes, I miss your mother so much…" he had to stop again, feeling himself well up.

Once more, he cleared his throat. "Don't you remember how you found out about the baby? And how you scolded me for having yelled at Evangeline?"

"Yes."

"That happened because I missed your mother. I thought of all the times she told me she was pregnant. And then I was afraid. Afraid of going through what happened all over again."

"I'm afraid, too," Simon admitted in a weak voice.

Cedric took hold of Simon's shoulders. "We all are, including Evangeline. It's something I've had to work through. At the same time, we need to be strong for her. We have to make sure she's taken care of."

Simon nodded.

"I don't have to tell you how much can go wrong in a pregnancy. In that regard, you had the misfortune of being the eldest. We weren't going to tell you until she was much farther along. So much could happen… I pray we won't have to be telling you all something's changed."

Morosely, Simon said, "That's what I thought had happened this morning. That's why I barged in. Mr. Jowels seemed to know something had happened… but everything seemed fine yesterday."

"I realized that after it was too late." Then standing, Cedric questioned warily, "What did Mr. Jowels say exactly?"

"Not much. Only that with your job it can be difficult and you might need a day off."

"Oh… good."

"Did something happen?"

"Let's just say I was missing your mother quite a bit yesterday."

Though he didn't quite understand, Simon accepted his answer, not sure if he truly wanted to know what had occurred.

Putting his arm around his son, Cedric began slow steps back toward the rest of the family. "You know you can always tell me when something is bothering you, don't you?"

Simon didn't answer.

"You can," he empathized. "Especially when it comes to Mama."

Simon inhaled swiftly, though refused to shed a tear.

"Know what I told Evangeline the other day?"

"What?"

"That I believe your mother had a hand in our marriage."

"Why would she want you to be married to someone else?"

"Because she loved me. More importantly, she loved you and your brothers and sisters. Don't you think she'd want to see us happy?"

He didn't have to think long for his answer. "Yes. She would."

"Then we owe it to Evangeline to let her be happy as well."

Their conversation came to an end as they reached the others who were just sitting down to the picnic Mrs. Blatherwick had prepared. As Cedric sat down on the blanket next to Evangeline, accepting the sandwich she held out to him though she still wouldn't meet his eye, he added silently, "I wish it were so easy."

. . .

"Papa," Sebastian said over lunch, attempting to whisper though his voice carried. "Does a baby mean we'll lose Evangeline, too?"

It was the question looming over all of them even though Tora and Simon had already had these discussions with their parents.

"Is that true?" Chrissie said, food nearly falling out of her mouth as she turned to Evangeline. "Are you going to die, too?"

"I don't plan on it," Evangeline said. She'd expected this sort of reaction at some point, though not so blatantly.

"Statistically, a woman's first child has the highest risk factors given the unknown," Eric offered. "Subsequently, a mother and those tending to her then know what to expect. That is, it could be known sooner if there is a complication given there is the ability to compare each child and their delivery. However, in Evangeline's case, she is of an age and position that stands for the least number of complications. Of course, no one will know for sure until the baby comes."

Everyone stared blankly at him a moment before Cedric replied, utterly perplexed, "Thank you… Eric… for that."

Having comprehended none of it, Chrissie posed the question again. "Does that mean you're going to die like Mama, Evangeline?"

"Of course not!" Lily snapped, coming over to sit on the other side of Evangeline. "It's too early in her fairytale for tragedy. It's not 'happily ever after' for nothing."

"Those are storybooks," Eric said. "At best, they can depict the psychological aspect of life. Certain kinds of people are more prone to a fairytale — like in Evangeline's case, that rags to riches story, as it were. However, the laws of nature do not change. Unless of course, you encounter someone like Nanny McPhee with an uncanny power to change certain aspects of reality."

"Couldn't we make Nanny McPhee come back if Evangeline gets sick?" Sebastian questioned. "Act real naughty then ask her to make her well?"

"Don't be daft," Simon said. "She doesn't work like that."

"How do you know?"

"Because even a witch can't bring someone back to life," Eric said.

"Stop calling her a witch," Tora scolded.

"Children, please," Cedric finally intervened. "We're all concerned about Evangeline's well-being. Given what happened, it's unavoidable, but we've all got to try to see the positive. You're going to have a new brother or sister. That's cause for a celebration."

"Cake!" Aggie cheered.

"Ah, a wonderful idea," Cedric smiled, tousling the girl's hair.

"Well, I'm excited," Lily said, lifting Evangeline's arm and putting it around her as she leaned into her side. "I don't think Evangeline is going to die. Kids don't lose their mothers twice. At least not as young as us."

Tearfully, Evangeline bent down and kissed Lily's head. Aside from Mrs. Blatherwick, who had really only spoken matter-of-factly, Lily was the first person to react to the news of the baby without fear. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear the words, 'I'm excited,' spoken so genuinely.

"Thank you," she whispered into her stepdaughter's hair.

Lily looked up, reaching to brush the tear that had fallen down her stepmother's cheek. Then with a smile, she said, "I'm going to be the best stepsister ever."

. . .

By the time bedtime rolled around, the talk of death and fairytales gone wrong had mostly subsided. Evangeline's spirits were no better for it, though. She was tired, still not recovered from the emotional intensity of the night before and dreading having to face Cedric alone. She'd managed to keep at least one of the children with her at all times. Once they were asleep, she would be out of excuses.

This was precisely why she ducked out as soon as she kissed each of the children goodnight to get a snack from the kitchen.

"How was the shore?" Mrs. Blatherwick asked.

"Lovely, thank you."

"You don't have the face of someone who's had a little holiday."

"We were only there a couple hours."

"More than most people get."

Of all the petty debates there were to be had, she wasn't going to waste her voice on this one. "I'm tired. Even sleeping in, I didn't get much rest."

"How's Mr. Brown?"

"Fine."

"You're holding out on me, pet," Mrs. Blatherwick said as she put a bowl of stew down in front of Evangeline.

She changed the subject. "Cedric and I had an argument this morning. I don't want to face him until I can trust myself to be civil."

"You've gone the whole day carrying a grudge?"

"Not a grudge," Evangeline replied. "It was an attempt to not have to deal with something for a little while."

"I hate to tell ya, there's always going to be something to deal with."

Evangeline didn't respond, blowing on her spoonful of soup.

"At least you don't have to worry about keeping the baby a secret anymore."

"I'm glad of that."

"Did the kids take it well?"

"As well as could be expected. They aren't dreading another sibling if that's what you mean."

"Another good thing."

"I was worried about that, though, it's too early to tell. I feel like that's a problem that will arise after the birth."

"They'll be glad you've pulled through."

"You think my chances are good?" she questioned.

"More women live than die."

"It only takes once," Evangeline said, borrowing from Cedric.

"Aren't you the gloomy Gus."

She took another spoonful. "I'm not in good spirits today."

Mrs. Blatherwick scoffed. "That's obvious."

"I guess I'm not in the mood to talk."

Understandingly, Mrs. Blatherwick said, "You know where to find me whenever you are."

. . .

Evangeline was glad to see that the door to the study was closed when she came up from the kitchen. Though a momentary concern went through her that Cedric was having another breakdown, she decided against disturbing him. She needed a break from the intensity and some time alone was too inviting to spoil it.

Upstairs, she took her time getting ready for bed, wishing she'd thought far enough ahead to boil water for her own bath. At the same time, cool water felt good after a day at the beach, the salt air having clung to her skin. After she bathed, she put on her freshly washed nightgown, making a mental note to thank Cynthia for the surprise. She retired to the bedroom and crawled into bed with a book. It'd been so long since she tried to read by candlelight that she didn't get far. But though her eyes were heavy while looking at the page, she couldn't fall asleep. So many thoughts ran through her mind and being alone and in the quiet, the worst of the last twenty-four hours replayed in her mind.

Eventually, she heard footsteps approaching the room. She shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. The door opened and Cedric came in. He paused a moment, no doubt looking at her, then he went about his own nightly routine. She let out a breath when he left for the washroom. She was never going to get used to these ups and downs between them.

She closed her eyes again when Cedric returned and climbed into bed next to her. He made no attempt to come near or wake her or kiss her goodnight, and for a moment, she thought she'd gotten away with a confrontation-free evening. But then he spoke.

"I know you're awake."

Evangeline didn't say anything, hoping this was a bluff.

"You snore, you know."

"I do not," she protested.

Cedric chuckled. "It's faint but noticeable enough that I know when you're pretending."

She remained on her side facing away from him. "It's been a long day. Can't we both pretend I'm asleep?"

"We shouldn't go to bed angry."

"I'm not angry."

"Upset, then."

"Do you blame me? All day the children have been asking me if I'm going to die. That gets tiresome after a while. Or should I say your children?"

Cedric grumbled. "I knew that's been your issue all along."

"How was I not supposed to be hurt by that?"

"I never said it!"

"But you thought it. That's worse. You think it but know better than to say it. It wasn't a heat of the moment thing."

"I didn't say it because I didn't know how to say it in a way that wouldn't offend you. You know as well as anyone that you didn't give birth to them, but that doesn't mean you aren't a mother to them. You have just as much say as I do. Hell, they probably listen to you more than me."

"Then why think it in the first place?"

"For the sake of your dignity!" he said with aggravation, as though that had been the obvious point all along. "It's just as I said this morning. I suppose it's not a big deal among the girls, but the boys?"

"You're reacting as though they'd come in as I was in the bath," she said as she turned onto her back. "It was an embarrassing situation, but it's like I said this morning, it could have been worse. At least I had the blanket on me. We can't be surprised when the kids do suspect things given our lack of discretion lately."

"Simon is particularly unsettled by it."

Turning her head to finally look at him, Evangeline questioned, "Did he say something?"

Cedric nodded. "I had a talk with him at the beach."

"Oh…"

"It was more to do with Agatha than with you and me. Where we've failed to hide our moments from the kids, I've apparently done a good job hiding… well, everything else from them. He's been thinking that I've forgotten about her."

"What did you tell him?"

"That of course I haven't," he said, then pressed his palm to her cheek, "but that it doesn't mean I can't find happiness with you as well."

"I feel like I've been the reason for so much unhappiness lately."

"How can you say that?"

She took hold of his hand and held it in hers against the pillow. "Because you've been so unsettled since the matter of the baby arose. That's not to say there haven't been any good moments, but if last night is any indication of all that you've left unsaid… I'm worried about you."

"What happened last night wasn't entirely… It would have been upsetting even if you weren't pregnant. It was only more upsetting under the circumstances."

"I think it was a mix of everything else as well. I've made you hold so much in even if it wasn't intentional. And I can't help but think if I'd just come to bed in the first place none of this would have happened."

"Don't blame yourself. It isn't an obligation that falls on you to keep me distracted from unpleasantries."

"I can't help it," she said. "It feels like all I have to offer sometimes." She could feel a retort building inside of him, so she added, "I don't want this to become another argument, Cedric. I enjoy being with you. It doesn't always feel like a diversion. Most of the time it doesn't."

"Good."

"I think I just need to mope for a little while," she said after a moment. "I know I have the children's affection, and I know you appreciate my role with them. It's been a complicated day. I need to settle myself to the fact that as much as I'd like it to be, this pregnancy isn't going to be a happy occasion for any of us."

"Evangeline—"

She pressed her finger to his lips. "We both wish it could be different, but it's just not possible under the circumstances. I'll make my peace with it. I know once the baby is born things will be more positive. For now, I just need to feel sad about the way things are."

"But you shouldn't have to sacrifice—"

She cut him off again. "And you shouldn't have to hold everything in to the point of complete devastation, even if what happened yesterday was brought on by an upsetting situation. I can handle it better than you're able to right now and that's okay."

"It's not okay," he protested. "I'm not okay with you putting everyone else before yourself."

"It's what needs to be for now." She pecked his lips, then took hold of his arm as she turned over to face away from him again. Settling against him, she set his hand on her belly. "I'm not discussing this anymore tonight."

"Evangeline…"

"Goodnight, Cedric."

Knowing this was a losing battle, Cedric sighed, pressing his lips to the back of her head as he conceded. "Goodnight, my sweet."

This chapter deviates from the brief mention in Chapter 9 in the original story where the children are told about the baby. It's the same gist, Sebastian questioning if Evangeline will be all right, but there is a more thorough response than indicated in the 'official' version.