As the day went on Chummy finished her knitting a pair of white booties, a pair of hand mitts, a little white dress and a white hat for the chilly Popular days. She cooked a lovely dinner and set the table, she lit two candles and waited for Peter to come back. He had to help Ms. Louise move her new settee.
She heard the key in the door and ran into the kitchen. "Camilla?'' He called walking over the threshold. "In the kitchen'' She called back. As he walked into the kitchen, he was flooded with wonderful aromas of food. "Camilla that smells wonderful!'' Mrs. B had been giving her cooking lessons. "I've been cooking all day'' She said with a wink "Please sit Peter'' gesturing at his seat. He sat and she pulled a pan out of the oven and set it on the table, going back to the window where she set an almond sponge to cool that Mrs. B assisted her to make. She sat down at the table and Peter reached for her hand across the table, they said grace and began to dig in. "Camilla you made my favorite?'' He said, eyes widening as she removed the lid. She had made Steak and Kidney Pie with Squashed Potatoes, this was one of his childhood favorites and hers too. She managed to make a horrible mess of herself and the kitchen while cooking, but she got the kitchen and herself cleaned up just in the nick of time just before he got home. She threw on a beautiful pink dress that she had sewn and set the small gift under the table on her side.
"Camilla that was the best Pie I've ever had!" His words made her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. "Really?" She asked, tipping her head down "Really Camilla, Better than moms." He replied, rubbing his hands over his very full stomach and untucking his shirt for more space.
"Settee?" He asked "Sure, go on I'll get us a cuppa.'' Peter walked into the sitting room and stoked the fire. He sat on the settee and waited for her. She walked in the room and he was turned away watching the fire, she sat the gift by the couch and put the tea on the table.
"Come here." he said, she snuggles into his side not bothering to pull down her skirt when it slid up slightly. "Peter" She asked, getting slightly nervous. "Hmm?" He said taking a drink of his tea. "I have a gift for you." She said, handing him the parcel. "Camilla what's this?" "Open it!" He tore into the parcel and pulled out the items, His eyes lit up when she said "Surprise! I wanted to make sure I absolutely was positive!" She said beaming "Oh, Camilla! You have made me the happiest man alive." He shouted not caring how loud it was. He gave her a lingering kiss and held her tight.
They snuggled in on the sofa, him with his legs crossed and her leaning back on him. Their hands were intertwined and resting on her small belly. "How far along" He asked "somewhere between 5 and 6 weeks, I started feeling sick a week ago and I figured I should get checked out." She said enjoying having her feet up and him holding her, Oh how she longed for love her whole life, always feeling so alone. "What are we going to call this little miracle?'' He asked, rubbing her belly with his thumbs. "I think Little Bean." He saw how she glowed when she said it "Little Bean it is, Oh.'' He sighed "What?" She said anxiety setting in. "We are leaving for Africa in a week!" He said frantically. "Shh. I'll be fine, Perfect actually! I will be about eight months when we are home, enough time to get settled and ready for Bean." She said calmly and Tickety Boo. "Whew, You had me worried."
"Camilla, Are you okay?" He looked at her and knew something was wrong, She sat up and quickly ran for the bathroom. Knock, Knock. He tapped on the door and walked in to find her sitting on the floor, losing her dinner. He sat down next to her and rubbed the small of her back, she gagged again and he held her hair back. "Here, take a sip of water, little sips.'' He loved her in sickness and in health and that meant taking care of her. Peter always had a strong stomach, being a Police Constable called for it. "Thank you, Peter." she said, leaning back on him, feeling a bit dizzy. "Are you okay now?'' He asked with a soft voice "Yes, just a bit light headed from leaning over." He picked her up and took her back to the settee, they lay as they were just moments before she took off.
"Here Try to drink some tea before your shift." He helped hold her cup, worried that she might drop it. "Oh, Botherations! I have to leave at half past.'' Looking at her watch
"Come on I'll help you with your coat, then walk you there.'' They got up and got ready to leave, she changed into her uniform and was due to shift in fifteen minutes. They locked the door and walked hand in hand to Nonnatus. He walked her in and Sister Julianne met them in the sitting room. Peter pulled the Sister aside while Chummy went to put her things in her room. "Keep an eye on her for me, Please?'' "Absolutely, What's wrong?'' She said, Her face creasing in worry. "Don't say anything please, but she's expecting.'' He said, Hushed. "We aren't telling anyone until we get back." He continued, Her face lit up. "But you must not let her know you know!'' He said, very sternly. "Not a word, now you must go you will be late to the station." "Thank you Sister.''
More to come soon!