When I awoke, Anthony was not by my side. I was, to say the least, aggravated. Papa sat on the floor by my head, stroking my hair softly. As my eyes opened, I saw a soft smile appear on his lips.
"Good morning, Johanna."
"Where's Anthony?" I asked almost immediately. Papa let out a low sigh.
"He is not far off, I can promise you."
I nodded, but was silent, awaiting to finally be told where I may find him specifically. Papa did not seem to wish to tell me, and so we sat in absolute silence for the morning. Mrs Lovett seemed to have brought in a tray of food before I had woken up, and so I was left to eat with only Papa as company.
For some reason or another, I found it was not enough to satisfy me any longer. In fact, I quite forgot a time where it had been enough to calm me. At last, the afternoon came and Anthony's voice came sounding softly at the door. Papa opened his mouth to say something, but I cared not what it was for and instead cheerfully intervened, calling Anthony in.
"I see you are awake," he said, chuckling slightly, moving to sit by me on the bed. As he did so, Papa held up a hand, halting him. I did not know why, but ignored it. I was too busy smiling at my new visitor.
"Papa wouldn't tell me where you were," I said, not even looking at Papa, though. Anthony did not either, but I could see his smile dropped ever so slightly.
"Well, I am here now."
"For how long?" I enquired.
"As long as I can," he replied in a most sincere voice. I clapped my hands in delight, laughing as if I were a child. Anthony smiled, although did not join my laughter. This was a fact I barely noticed, and instead I simply filled my mind with thoughts of conversation rather than thoughts of actual thinking.
"I think there had been enough excitement for one day," Papa said after what seemed only to be a few minutes to me. I shook my head.
"I haven't had nearly enough time to speak," I said.
"Do calm yourself, Johanna.
I sniffed contemptuously, folding my arms.
"I am perfectly calm, Papa."
"Perhaps Anthony is getting slightly tired," he said in an exaggerated manner. I looked at Anthony desperately, but smiled to see him shake his head.
"Not at all, sir. I could stay up all night if need be."
With that, Papa stood frustratedly and left the word without another word. I stared after him questioningly.
"Papa?" I called after him, confused.
"Leave him be," Anthony said softly. "He will come back, I promise."
"Is Papa mad with me?"
"Of course not."
"He seemed it."
Anthony shook his head, placing his arms around me.
"Just…ignore it for a moment. It'll calm you down."
I opened my mouth to protest, but found I could not bother with such. Anthony rocked me gently, talking quietly in my ear. He spoke of little I understood. There were senseless murmurs of babies, rings and senseless little situations I was unfamiliar with.
He spoke for a while of these things. It may have been hours before I finally put my hand on his cheek to stop him.
"Anthony, what are you talking about?"
Anthony chuckled, squeezing me tightly.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"No," I said seriously, pushing him slightly. "What?"
"Well," he said, smiling softly and placing his hand on my stomach. "Us."
I shifted, moving away from him and pushing his hand away from me.
"You're not making any sense."
He sighed mournfully, rising.
"Perhaps it is time that we should summon your supper."
I could only watch as he left the room. Still puzzled over his words, I followed him.
Sorry, dears! Another filler chapter. I hate having to make these, but otherwise this thing'd be over by now. Next chapter will be coming ASAP and I promise will be better!