I definitely wasn't expecting him to say that. I knew he cared for me, but love was another issue. Love was an entire new galaxy that I had yet to discover and here he was offering it to me. I replayed his words in my head a few times before succumbing to sleep as well.
I awoke unusually early the next morning. For the first time in weeks I woke up to a warm bed. Spot lay sleeping beside me, his breathing slow and rhythmic. I gently crept out of bed, after a few moments of basking in it's comfort, and quietly dressed. I combed my hair quickly, before pulling it into a tight bun. He stirred slightly but didn't wake as I crept out of our room and into the damp morning.
The fog was thick and covered the wharf, making the morning eerie and mysterious. The damp air sent a chill through me causing me to wrap my shawl tighter around my body. I was always good at scaring myself and this morning was no different, the silence of the morning amplified every sound on the wharf and I found my heart pounding in my chest.
"G'morning miss." A street peddler called to me as I made my way to the street. I smiled politely, hoping he'd think it a sufficient reply. I turned left and quickly made my way to the shop. Sophia was always up before dawn and all of the girls knew they only needed to knock on the side street door to be let in before opening.
"Winnie!" Sophia exclaimed as she let me in. "You're never early."
"Well, we got a lot of orders and I figured I needed all the time I could get." I answered, averting my eyes.
"Can't say I've heard that one before." She laughed quietly. "Most of you girls only come in early so you can leave early."
I laughed along with her as I gathered up the gown I had been working on the previous day. I was lucky to work for a woman like Sophia. She was fair, unlike the majority of the city.
"Sophia, can I ask you a womanly question?"
"Of course, what is it dear?" She looked up at me with concern.
"I, uh.." I hesitated briefly. "I havn't gotten my monthly bill since February. Am I alright?" Growing up with little motherly advice, I had come to rely on Sophia for guidance.
"Oh dear." She said quietly, obviously mulling over what she should say. "Winnie, you and that boy of yours…" she paused, "…have you two…" she paused again, this time raising her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
Catching what she was talking about I was unsure of how to answer, I didn't know how this even related to what I had asked but I figured I shouldn't lie to her.
"Yes." I answered nearly inaudibly.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that."
"Why, what's the matter me with?" I began to panic slightly.
"Dear, I think you might be…" She hesitated, trying to find the gentlest way to say what she had to. "…I think you might be with child."
