AN: A double update! I'm trying to make up for some lost time.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the OC's.
...
Wheatley watched as Eliza placed baby Doug in a bassinet. It was dark blue with a white lace trim. It looked brand new.
How did she afford to buy that?
He knew servants barley made enough for the basics, and sometimes not even that when you had a child, which Eliza did.
"That's a nice bassinet. Where did you get it?"
She looked at him. "I managed to make a deal with a merchant. Lucky thing too, because otherwise poor little Doug here wouldn't have had a place to sleep."
Wheatley wasn't sure if he believed her, but one thing he knew for sure she wasn't going to tell him right now.
...
The next morning, Wheatley awoke to the sound of chatter outside his room. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes. Pulling on his pants and shirt, he stepped outside the door. The voices seemed to be coming from the servants dining area. As he aproached the doorway, he started to notice the crowd of people.
"Oh, he's soooooo cute Eliza. How could someone abandon such a handsome little guy?"
That was Anna, the King's new personal servant.
"Chell, are you excited to be a big sister?"
Wheatley walked in just in time to see her shake her head and cross her arms.
Eliza chuckled softly. "She's not very happy right now. Doug kept her up most of the night, so she's a little cranky."
Anna made an sympathic look. "Aww poor girl. It'll take some getting used to, but I know you'll just grow to love him so much."
Chell didn't look like she agreed.
Daniel noticed Wheatley standing there. "Did you hear? Eliza found that little boy down past the market."
"Yeah, I heard him crying last night."
"Poor little man. He'll never know his real family. Although, I suppose it's better to be raised by Eliza rather then someone who never wanted you."
Wheatley had no argument on that. However, it was becoming obvious to him that everyone simply believed her.
Honestly, it's possible I could be wrong. I've been so wrapped up in that mysterious door latley that maybe I'm just being overly suspicous. Eliza is right after all. What's important is that he's ok now.
He decided to put it in the back of his mind...and he had to admit, Doug was a cute little thing. Little cubby cheeks, light blue eyes, and a small tuft of dark hair on the top of his head. People were passing him around and cooing at how adorable they thought he was. Anna walked up to Wheatley and handed Doug to him. The baby fit into the crook of his arm perfectly.
"Aww. Look at that. Looks like someone was ment to be a daddy!" Anna grinned at him.
Wheatley blushed. Eliza laughed.
"And what exactly is so important that none of you are doing your jobs?"
At the sound of GLaDOS's voice, the crowd grew silent and looked at her. One by one they started to dispurse and get back to work, leaving only Anna, Wheatley, Doug and Eliza. Anna was the only one brave (or foolish) enough to speak.
"Eliza has a new baby."
GLaDOS looked at the maid. "Well, I was unaware you were even pregnant."
Before anyone could stop her, Anna spoke again. "She found him. He was abandoned, isn't that sad?" It was obvious she wasn't familar with the kind of person GLaDOS's was.
The Queen raised and eyebrow and returned her gaze to Eliza.
"You found him? So you just thought you'd bring him here like some kind of charity case? What made you think you I'd allow you to keep him?"
Eliza stood up and walked up to GLaDOS.
"You don't even have to come in contact with him. This boy needs a home and I sure as hell will give him one. I don't give a damn who you are or if you "allow" me to keep him or not!"
With that, the maid turned, took Doug from Wheatley's arms and headed back to her room. Wheatley and Anna stood in shock, neither one saying a word. The Queen looked absolutley pissed. With a last glance at Eliza's door, she turned and left the servants quarters.
...
The next several days were extremely tense. Every was afraid of angering GLaDOS even more than she already was. Wheatley was honestly wondering if Eliza and the two kids would even be around much longer. He had noticed, though, the Queen had been giving the maid extra work. So much so that she looked positively drained at the end of the day. He helped out with the kids as much as he could. She seemed to appreciate the aid.
Today, Wheatley more or less had the day off. GLaDOS was meeting with some advisers about the kingdom and would be in chambers all day. (Although she didn't forget to assign Eliza's extra chores.) He spent the day taking care of Chell and Doug. The girl still wasn't exactly thrilled with the new addition to her family, but she did enjoy helping with him.
"You need a good changing don't you little guy."
Wheatley began to clean up the baby. Suddenly, to his displeasure, he found himself being soaked as Doug chose that moment to pee. Chell made a face that suggested giggling. He looked at her.
"Oh, so you find this amusing do you?"
This caused the girl to double over in silent laughter. Shaking his head, but smiling nonetheless, he finished cleaning up both Doug and himself. Chell had the displeasure of taking the wet clothes to the laundry.
...
Soon nightfall came, and both kids were in bed. Wheatley looked around the room. It was a mess. Figuring Eliza had enough to do with all the work the Queen was giving her, he thought it would help her alot to clean up for her. He began to pick up Chell's toys. Carefully, he placed them in her wooden crate she used as a toybox. Looking over at the sleeping girl, he smiled a small smile. It was good she was managing to get some sleep. He knew it wouldn't be too long before her brother woke her up.
Wheatley then collected the dishes, returning them to the kitchen. Last thing left was a few bits of trash. Picking them all up, he threw them into the waste basket. Satisfied with his work, he walked up to the small couch and sat down. He looked around the room one last time just to make sure he didn't miss anything. At first he didn't see it, but the moonlight caught it just the right way from where he was sitting. A gold coin poking out from under Eliza's mattress. Curious, he got up and walked over to the bed. Looking at the door to make sure the maid wasn't coming, he lifted the mattress slightly. Wheatley's mouth dropped. Under there, he saw dozens if not hundreds of gold coins.
What the hell? Where did she get this kind of money?
He lowered the mattress, without disturbing anything. First the baby, then the money. What was going on? Had she robbed someone for money to provide for Doug? If so, was that the "deal" she made with some trader? or Did someone give her money to keep the baby? At this point, he didn't know what to think.
Eliza returned to the room a little while later. She looked absolutely miserable. As she walked in, she noticed the clean room. Smiling a weak smile, she turned to Wheatley.
"You cleaned up for me?"
He nodded. "I figured you could use a bit of help."
"Thank you. I really appreciate all your doing for me. I swear the Queen is going to work me to death."
Wheatley looked at her. "Why did you lash back at the Queen anyway?"
Eliza's eyes narrowed slightly. "Because it needed to be done. Would you rather have had me abandond Doug too?"
He shook his head. "No, no, no. I didn't mean it that way."
She just looked at him and sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just so tired. As a matter of fact, I'm going to try to get some sleep before Doug wakes up."
He nodded. "Ok. If you need any help, I'm right next door."
She nodded. "Thank you."
He waved a farewell and left the room.
Unable to sleep, Wheatley went for a stroll around the castle again. He couldn't help but ponder about Eliza, the baby, and the money. As he reached the third floor, he almost missed it, but there it was. The light was back on. His thoughts suddenly shifting, Wheatley scurried to hide in a nearby storage room. Luck for him, the door wasn't locked. Cracking the door a bit, he could look right at the light. If anyone came out of there, he'd see them. Sitting in the floor, and adrenaline pumping through his veins, he waited.
The world was building itself again. Wheatley could see the woman. She was wearing a white travel cloak with the hood up. He couldn't see her face, as her back was to him. He quickened his pace. He had to reach her. Suddenly, the man in the dark hood appeared. Wheatley tried to run even faster.
"RUN! HE'S GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The woman didn't seem to hear him. Before he could reach her, the hooded man put a knife into her chest. Wheatley screamed in horror as the woman fell to the ground and the man disappeared. If he could reach her, maybe he could save her. All he had to do was make it up that hill...
Wheatley woke up to find himself in the floor of a storage room. It took him a few minutes to remember why he was there. Gasping, he looked toward the hidden door. Nothing. The light was gone.
...
Hmmmm. Just where did all that money come from?
The dream is back. As well as that hidden door. Too bad Wheatley fell asleep before seeing the person leave the room.
In upcoming chapters, we're going to meet a new person, learn something big about Chell, and even see a ghost. ;)
I can't say for sure how soon each will show up. It really depends on how things flow.
Reviews are always welcome.