Short Chapter! But don't worry, I'll get the next one up soon! Thanks again to all those reading this. 3
Jim Dear stood in front of the calendar, staring at the month of April with a pen in his hand.
"Let's see, so that would be…" He paused, pen drooping a little. "Oh well." He said finally, simply circling the whole month as Matthew watched shyly. "Darling?" he called to the next room over where his wife was writing down a list of names. "There's no way we can know for sure what it's going to be, is there?"
"I'm afraid not." She replied. "No one ever knows for certain. All we can do is…hope."
It was January, and Matthew woke to the sound of Jim Dear's footsteps going down the steps in the middle of the night, in a snowstorm.
"Darling!" He called up the stairs when he took a look at the weather outside. "Are you sure you want watermelon?"
"Mhh-Hmm." Came the reply "And some chop suey too!"
"Chop suey?" Jim Dear said with despair. "O-oh, alright then Darling.." He said before opening the door and disappearing into the raging storm.
February, and there was a huge party to congratulate the expecting couple. Matthew hung around shyly, not sure what to do. On one side he could here the women chittering away, on the other the men laughing in booming voices. Feeling unsure he stepped into the women's side, wondering if anyone would even notice him. Instantly fast paced chatter hit him.
"That's the cutest little thing I ever saw."
"And the bonnet! Isn't it just adorable?"
"Don't you just love showers?"
"Darling, I've never seen you look more beautiful."
"Isn't she absolutely radiant?"
"Radiant! Why that's just what I told Bill yesterday! 'Bill' I said 'Darling looks radiant, positively radiant! Why in all my days' I said "I've never seen someone look as radiant as Darling.'"
Matthew backed out slowly, deciding staying there might not be the best of ideas. Instead he headed to the room with the men, which was just as packed.
"Jim, you look terrible!"
"Absolutely terrible!"
"I never saw ya look worse."
"Cheer up, Jim. Old Doc Smith has never lost a father yet!" The room burst into laughter, all except for one blond who stood there silently, seemingly not noticed by anyone.
It was April now, and it was raining. There was an old carriage parked in front of Jim Dear and Darling's house, and their adopted son sat on the first floor quietly, waiting to hear news. The silence shattered with the pounding of footsteps as a pajama clad Jim Dear came down the stairs instantly grabbing the phone and ringing someone up.
"Hello? Yes. Yes, Aunt Sarah it's a boy! A boy! What's that? Eyes? Oh, what color are they? Well oh Gosh, I-I forgot to look! Dropping the phone to hang on its cord he started running up the stairs. "A boy, It's a boy! It's a…Doctor!" He exclaimed running into said man "Doctor it's a boy!"
"Yes, yes, I know." Was the reply he barely heard as he started running up the stairs again.
"Aha a boy. Oh boy, oh boy. It's a boy! A boy!" Matthew stared up after him, listening vaguely to Aunt Sarah continue to talk to nothing.
"Hello? Hello Jim? Are you there Jim? Central, central we've been cut off. Hello? Hello? Hello…..
Matthew woke up the next day to the sound of a baby crying. Slowly he slipped out from under his blankets and picked up his glasses before heading cautiously towards the noise. It was mixed with a lullaby now.
"La la lu, La la lu, My little star sweeper…"
He remembered that song. Remembered it very well. Darling would sing it to him when he was little and scared…
"I'll sweep the stardust for you…"
He pushed very gently at the door, violet eyes just barely peeking in. Darling was rocking the baby back and forth, still singing. Ever so slowly Matthew walked into the room
"La la lu, little soft fluffy sleeper,
here comes a pink cloud for you.."
He approached cautiously, not sure if he would be wanted. Darling looked up from her singing, and to his relief smiled. She motioned him over, all while laying the now quiet baby down in his crib.
"Little wandering angel,
fold up your wings, close your eyes…"
Matthew looked down at his little brother, sleeping peacefully in his lacy blankets, and couldn't help but smile too. Arms wrapped around him and he felt Darling kiss him on the cheek.
"And my love be your keeper,
la la lu
la la lu
la la lu."
A hand reached over and ruffled his hair, causing Matthew to look over in surprise at Jim Dear who was now standing there, looking proudly at his family. Matthew smiled up at him, feeling happy for the first time in a long time.