Vastra and Jenny have taken over the dining room table reading all the insurance documents, accounts, newspaper clippings, survivor reports including reports from Canada, United States, Southampton and the British Navy. Jenny would keep notes as Vastra reads out loud all the information.
After the going, through all the paperwork Vastra would check-out a box at Fiona's desk, starting with box number one. Together Vastra and Jenny would work through matching insurance claims with the inventory and cataloged information. Any discrepancies would be noted.
Alaya and Fiona inventoried each box. Fiona would type as Alaya described each item. The boxes contained documentation, worker contracts, passenger lists, claim forms, copies of death records, family documentation and even photos. After a box inventoried, it would be moved to the other side of the foyer.
The task of inventory and cataloging is a daunting one. It would take over an hour for each box even with Fiona being most efficient in her typing.
It is a relief to when they take a breaks. Fiona and Alaya have two breaks a day: afternoon tea and the therapy session with Louisa.
Every day, everyone would stop around four-forty-five at night. Jenny and Alaya would attend to dinner while Vastra went over the documents notes with Fiona. Fiona would take shorthand and typed the brief before the days is through. It was the final family business task before a hot supper.
After supper the suitors will cuddle up in the drawing-room taking turns to read a piece of literature.
It is has been ten, ten long days that Alaya and Fiona worked close together.
Alaya appreciates having Fiona's scent nearby, it was good to have her close.
All this work in close quarters Fiona feels like a member of the team, even importantly she started to believe that Alaya were their own team.
Alaya starts to feel Fiona glances in her direction. At first only a brief looks. Soon Fiona would allow herself to linger and watch Alaya carefully open each box and take gentle care of the contents. Alaya's heart skip a beat and wanted to look back. Alaya instantly doused the thought reminding herself to let Fiona be in control, at least for the time being.
Day eleven Alaya opens box number fifty-eight and describes the content, "It is a family portrait of The Goodwin family. From left to right: William, Frederick, Charles, Lillian, Augusta, Jessie."
Alaya places it aside waiting for Fiona to finish typing. "Picture Sidney Goodwin, circa 1911."
Alaya looks at Fiona as she types the information.
Fiona finishes typing and looks up to Alaya.
Alaya smiles with concern in her eyes, Fiona smiles back with watering eyes.
Alaya starts to move towards Fiona to comfort her, but Fiona hold up a hand to stop.
Fiona gets up and comes to Alaya and falls into her chest and cries. Alaya holds her tight and lets her feel the sadness. It lasts for about twenty minutes. Vastra and Jenny peek around the corner and Alaya immediately uses a shoo motion and the mothers retreat back into the dining room.
Fiona pulls back softly. "Thank you. I am better," she grabs Alaya's hand tight and goes back in for a hug. Fiona returns to her desk, looks up to Alaya wiping her eyes "What is next?" and offers a genuine smile.
Alaya smiles back.
The next therapy session Fiona shared what transpired.
"How do you feel how you handled the situation?"
"I believe at least for the time being, I do not feel like a disembodied spirit."
"That makes sense."
"I miss her you know. She has been cheated. I have that guilt hanging over my head."
"Who cheated who?"
Fiona whispers, "Alaya has been cheated out of a normal courtship and relationship. I had plans."
"That is your own opinion. If you have not been paying attention nothing with your life or Alaya's life is remotely conventional. Do you honestly believe that Alaya could offer a normal life."
Fiona smiles, "I guess not."
"From the moment I met Jenny and Vastra normalcy ceased to exist. When Vastra and Jenny made an appointment for prenatal care ... Flora and I we were permanently changed. Can you imagine Flora and I as we oversee assisting a birth to half-human, half-Silurian baby. We didn't know what to expect. We surmised and readied both Jenny and Vastra for fear of Jenny dying after giving birth. We had no idea. It was new territory. We have grown to love the Flint family with all our hearts." She shakes her head looking gleefully into Fiona's eyes, "No, dear, normal isn't synonymous with the Flint family."
Fiona smiles at the thought of baby Alaya.
"As far as making plans, that too goes with life. There are ups and downs. Do not take it personal. How you handle changes and failed plans is very personal. There are no wrong or right in life, there are always consequences. Remember, you have to live with your reactions longer than the consequence themselves."
"You have seen her tongue?"
"Human babies grab with their hands. The face Flora made when Alaya's tiny tongue curled around her thumb. Vastra was absolutely beaming with pride while we were concerned of the tongue's toxins ... wait you have not?"
"No, she is not ready to show her tongue to this short Scottish woman. Alaya has a fear I will reject her and her tongue."
"How does that affect your confidence in the relationship?"
"It doesn't. When she is ready, she will show me. She has been patient with me, why would I not offer the same respect?"
"Agreed," as she taps Fiona's curling hair with pad of paper, 'That is a wonderful reaction and the consequence is mutual respect. Are you pleased with yourself? Do you agree Samson-girl?"
Fiona nods and therapy continues.
Both Fiona and Louisa ignore the blushing Alaya sitting in the club chair near the door.