Chapter 10 The Aftermath
Peggy's point of view
The next morning, we got up and came downstairs. I was worn out. I'd been awake all night with nightmares… Howard had been wonderful, we'd had "adult time" and then he held me, but I couldn't stop thinking about Jane and about how guilty my decision made me feel and about how she had turned out. She'd been educated at boarding school in Malibu because I was unable to bear the thought of seeing her again after she had been adopted.
*Memory 7*
Obie's point of view
When I had visited Maria in the hospital, I told her about the baby.
"And Peggy doesn't want to raise her?"
"No, and Howard doesn't want her to go into the care system. She won't get a good education if we did that to her, and it would be cruel… when we have the space, and we have the time to take care of her"
"You're right…"
"I'll tell Howard you're up for it"
"OK"
I went home and discussed the possibility with the children and Cecily.
"Another baby? Why?"
"Well, there's a little one in need, and you know how your mother is about babies."
"So we're going to have another little one?"
"Yes… a girl"
"What's her name going to be?"
"I don't know yet"
A couple of days later, I went to see Howard. Peggy was up and about, Howard and Ana had been taking care of the baby. Peggy was out in the garden helping Edwin with the menagerie.
"Did you discuss it with Maria?"
"Yes, she's willing to take the little one"
"What are we going to call her?"
"How about Jane?" Ana suggested. "Even though Peggy doesn't feel she can raise the child, she should have a British name"
"What about a middle name?"
"Elizabeth?" I submitted
"That's Peggy's middle name"
"I know".
"Surname?"
"Peggy doesn't want her called Carter and since she isn't my biological child, technically, she can't be a Stark… so how about Foster? It was my maternal grandmother's maiden name?"
"Perfect and if she wants to do what the others did and change it to Stane when she's older, she can do that"
Peggy walked in to the living room as I said that
"I hope she doesn't want contact with me when she's older because I'm not certain how I will feel about that"
"If she does, I'll support you through it."
"Thanks Howard"
"If that time comes and if it's appropriate to do so, we can tell her the truth."
In the room
"You were so brave Peggy"
"Thank you"