Hello all! Thank you all for the support of the last chapter! This little story is winding down with only a few more chapters to go!

A huge thank you to my lovely Beta HogwartsDuo...she keeps it polished and me from looking too stupid!

It had been ten months since the shooting that had cost them a baby and things were slowly getting back to normal. Joe had been sentenced to fifteen years behind bars, for not only attempted murder, but also outstanding debts.

Elsie and Charles had almost gone back to normal. Her nightmares came less and less. They had decided to let things happen as far as another baby was concerned. If it was meant to be it would happen.

They were packing for a holiday, or what would be a holiday for Ainsley and Charles. Elsie would be on the press tour with Rose MacClare Aldridge and her newest book that had been a huge hit. There might even be a movie coming out of the deal. They were going to the United States, spending two days in New York City (going to see The Little Mermaid on Broadway), spending a day in Atlanta, three days in Orlando (obviously going to Disney World. Ainsley had begged, but Elsie had wanted to go just as much). After Orlando, Sybil would be taking over the western portion of the country, and then their little family would go home.

Charles was going over what to pack, more specifically what books to pack. Elsie had been packed for the last two days, packed for gala's and book signings. She had also had Ainsley packed, however Charles was dragging his feet.

"Elsie, would you stop huffing?"

"I just do not know what is so hard about packing, Charles," Elsie sighed.

"You have done this before though," he exclaimed indignantly.

She arched her eyebrow, and was about to retort when she heard the doorbell ring. She motioned to the suitcase with a pointed look and headed for the front door. When she got there it was Rosamund and Isobel.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Is that anyway to greet your cousin, Els? I mean really. Mama would be appalled," Rosamund intoned with a smirk.

"I just happened to be in the neighborhood and figured I could say goodbye to the little lass," Isobel answered in an ever sensible tone.

"Well she is back in her room deciding what stuffed animal to take this time. She will probably take the new lamb that Aunt Vi got her. The bear may need to be tossed. Think you could do that while we are gone? I don't think it can be salvaged," Elsie sighed. There had been an incident with hot chocolate and ketchup and marshmallow fluff, and she still did not understand how it had happened.

Rosamund took a seat on the sofa and studied the room. Portraits from the wedding hung on the wall. Each a bit different. One of Elsie and Charles, there was one of the little trio together, and one of Charles and Ainsley hand in hand, and similar one of Elsie and Ainsley with their foreheads touching and Ainsley giggling. Her favorite though, her absolute favorite was hanging in the master bedroom. It was one of Ainsley asleep on Elsie's lap, head cradled against Elsie's breasts. Her hair had been curled and Elsie's was half done, but Edith had captured the moment where Elsie had just closed her eyes while kissing the top of her daughter's forehead, and it had created the most beautiful picture ever. (Even her mama had teared up and requested a copy of it.)

Charles came out bearing two suitcases. He went back for Ainsley's case and then noticed Rosamund.

"Don't worry Charlie boy, I have already put my case in the car," Rosamund teased.

He grunted at her, but was really glad she was coming. She would share a room with Ainsley and would watch her on the night of the publisher's society gala in Atlanta, Georgia. Ainsley loved her Aunt Rosie, loved all her 'aunts'. They both turned at the sound of the lass chattering away to Isobel. Isobel stooped down to hug her, then stood to hug Elsie. As she said goodbye, Isobel patted Charles on the arm and warned Rosamund not to get into too much trouble.

"Well, are we all ready to go, then?" Elsie asked with a pointed look at Charles.

The others all chirped yes and they headed out to the car and started their voyage.

-/-/-

The flight had gone well enough, Ainsley slept through half of it, and then played go fish with Rosamund and played with her LeapPad. Charles had begun to read some history book that looked to be about a thousand pages thick, and she had read a new manuscript from Sarah O'Brien. It was a bit on the fantastical side, but Sarah had a significant readership that liked that sort of thing best. She had made her notes and would give it back for the woman to revise when they got back home.

They were getting ready for the play when Charles came up behind Elsie, who was still in her slip and wrapped his arms around her. Her eyes grew wide, when she heard his sharp intake of breath. She turned and smiled up at him.

"Well, I was going to tell you tonight after the show and dinner. Charles, I'm pregnant, about three months along. It must have happened when Ainsley was gone that long weekend and the power was out…" she trailed off, noticing he wasn't smiling.

He let her go and took a few steps away from her. Her lip quivered, "Charles, I thought you would be excited about this...We are going to have a baby." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Elsie, it's not that I'm not happy. I am. It's just a shock. I didn't think it would be this soon," Charles said hesitantly.

Elsie slid on her dress quickly, checked her make-up quickly, "We can talk about this later."

She brushed past him and knocked on the adjoining door to collect her daughter. The family went to the theatre and watched the show and went to eat. Elsie hadn't spoken two words to Charles the entire evening and after she had tucked Ainsley in, she had changed into her pajamas and settled into bed with another manuscript. He sighed and climbed into bed beside her.

"Els, I am happy about it…"

"Obviously not, Charles. Obviously not. You wanted a baby as much as I did. Now, it's happened and suddenly you have doubts!"

"Elsie, I am just afraid it is too soon. I mean, your nightmares just stopped…" he cringed knowing he said the wrong thing.

"So you donnae think I am capable of carrying a child? Is that it? You donnae think I am stable enough?" She whispered heatedly, not wanting her voice to carry.

"I never said that, I just...I don't know why I am so worried. I always worry about you, Elsie. I love you so much, and I would hate to put too much strain on you, or your body," he explained quietly, hesitantly.

She closed her eyes against the tears of relief. She had been afraid he didn't want a child. Afraid he had stopped loving her, had regretted this. She laid the manuscript on the side table and laid on her side pulling him to spoon her. She took his hand and placed it on her small baby bump. He kissed her neck and snuggled her close, and she cried out her tears, and soon they both fell into a peaceful slumber.

Let me know what you think!
Much Love,
Samantha