AN: Hello everyone ? I do hope I haven't introduced something too soon and that I don't ruffle too many feathers. BTW Both Tom and Sybbie were born in September so this chapter is set in September of 1925, for those of you I have confused. As always, I love all of the reviews I receive. They do motivate me so much. Anyway, here's chapter 8 (already?!), I do hope it's not too controversial.
"We must think of something for your birthday darling," Mary whispered to Tom as they lay on the plush bed with Sybbie asleep between them.
"Mary," he sighs, "I don't want to be another year older. I mean thirty seven?"
Shaking her tired head and laughing softly she retorted sarcastically, "Positively ancient sweetheart. Anyway I'll be thirty three soon so I'm much younger,"
He smirked as he moved his arms behind his head and rested on them, "Well then I hope you'll keep me young sweetheart. By the way, I will disown you if you throw a party,"
She looked disappointed, yet managed to expertly roll her eyes, "Whatever you say Tom,"
"Anyway, we'll be married before Christmas. That'll give you as many parties as you please."
They both grinned at the prospect of being married by the New Year.
"Just think, Sybbie and George will have a whole family," she looked down at the girl, who cuddled her new Steiff teddy bear, with an odd glint in her eye.
"What's that look?" He asked suspiciously.
"What look?" She answered cluelessly.
"That shine, that glimmer in your eye. I know you well enough to know when you're thinking about something serious,"
She met his questioning gaze and decided to ask him the burning question.
"Do you want any more children darling?"
Tom thought for a few seconds before replying, "Of course I do, but we don't have the best luck do we?"
Mary got up from the bed and walked away, whispering "I suppose we don't,"
She shut the door on the bathroom and a number of minutes later Tom heard a muffled sob. He crept into the ostentatious en-suite and saw Mary sitting on the cream tiled floor, sobs racking her slight frame.
"Mary what's the matter?" He rushed over to her and sat beside her, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I'm perfectly fine Tom, perfectly happy not to have your children,"
More tears erupted from her dark eyes and turned her visage a pale red. She cut a rather pathetic figure.
"Sweetheart, nothing would make me happier than for you to have my children."
Her sorrowful gaze met his comforting one as she asked, "Then why did you say we don't have good luck?"
He sighed and replied, "Well we haven't, have we? I couldn't bear to lose you Mary."
She relaxed at the sudden realisation, he didn't want a repeat of Sybil. Why, she didn't want a repeat of Matthew. However, she wanted another baby. Another baby that she could rear from day one. Having missed out on those precious few months with George she was keen to experience them. Besides, the children would adore a new half brother or sister.
"Well if I promise not to die and to listen to all orders given, and you promise not to drive, our luck cannot be that bad,"
He smiled, hugging her gently with one arm, wiping a tear with his other hand.
"But what about complications. Matthew told me that it took a while for you and he to conceive.." He stopped, not knowing whether he should divulge the private information that Matthew bestowed on him.
"It did, but that won't be a problem. I had a small operation, nothing serious, and now everything's fixed."
He nodded, as if that were the first time he had heard that information. In actual fact, Matthew had confided his fears in him and told him of her operation.
"That's excellent sweetheart. So, to answer your earlier question, yes I would love more children. How many are you up for?" He visibly brightened as they discussed their future.
Mary laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "As many as we can darling."
She planted a long and lingering kiss on his awaiting lips.
"Well, since you want so many kids sweetheart," he picked her up and carried her in his strong arms, "We'd better get some practice,"
That night, the couple were very grateful for The Ritz's adjoining rooms, but were eternally grateful for their soundproof ones.