Hi everyone, thanks to those who have said they can view all the chapters, I'm unsure why someone is having an issue with it being unavailable. I've checked online and all of the chapters show on the google / safari version. Hope that helps :) xx
Rose held the new baby in her arms as her daughter held on to mother's finger in her fist. She took a deep breathe as she heard her bedroom door open.
"Another girl?" Cal looked at Rose. She nodded weakly, frightened of what was to come "would you like to hold her?" She asked, holding out the baby for him "not particularly" he said firmly, causing her to sigh. "I'm sorry darling, I know you wanted a son… I did too" she said "no one wanted a son more than me Rose!" He snapped "your job was to deliver me a son, and you failed to do that!" "I can't control the gender of our baby Cal, surely you know that?" Cal just rolled his eyes "we'll discuss this further in the morning" "OK…" she sighed, watching as he walked towards the door "Cal? What about her name? We need to choose her name…" "name her what you want Rose, I couldn't care less" he said, leaving and slamming the door behind him.
Rose sighed to herself and wiped the tears that were threatening to spill over her new daughter's head. "What should we call you, hey?" The baby did a huge yawn, looking up at Rose, causing her laugh a little "you look just like your sister" she stroked her cheek "how about Sophia, hmm?" She asked her daughter, as though she was going to answer, but instead the baby just squeezed her grip on Rose's finger, causing her to laugh a little "Sophia it is then…" she nodded.
Sophia Isobel Hockley, born April 2nd 1920.
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A light knock at her bedroom door woke Rose up the following morning, she'd only had a few hours sleep between being woken up by Sophia and spending some time with her right after she was born. "Come in" Rose said quietly "good morning Miss… how are you feeling?" Elizabeth smiled "morning Elizabeth… I feel OK, just tired" Rose nodded "is Matilda awake do you know?" She asked and Elizabeth nodded "Anna is just getting her ready now. Would you like me to go and fetch her so she can meet the baby… does she have a name yet?" Elizabeth asked "no, it's OK, I'll go through and tell her before she meets her, soften the shock a little" Rose chuckled and winced a little, still in pain "her name is Sophia" Rose nodded "beautiful name… would you like me to help you get ready?" She asked but Rose shook her head "no thank you, I think I'll spend today in bed recovering" she chuckled and stood up "please could you pass me my night gown?" She asked and Elizabeth obliged "thank you" Rose forced a weak smile, wrapping it around her. She checked on Sophia, who was still sleeping in the crib beside her bed before going in to Tilly's room.
"Mummy!" Matilda grinned and ran over, noticing that Rose didn't pick her up as she normally would "hello baby!" Rose smiled "you may go now, Anna. Thank you for waking Matilda up and getting her ready, I appreciate it" Rose gave a genuine smile "you're welcome Miss, I will see you both later… and congratulations" she said quietly to Rose to which Rose just gave a kind smile back.
"Guess what?" Rose said as she lead Matilda over to the young girls bed "what?" She looked up at her Mother curiously. "I had the baby last night" Rose smiled. Tilly gasped "really?! Is it a boy or a girl? What's its name? Does it have red hair like you?" Tilly fired 20 questions at Rose, causing her to laugh "I had a little girl, her name is Sophia, and no, she has dark hair like your Father" Rose kissed the top of her head "where is she?" Tilly asked "she's in my bedroom, would you like to go and meet her?" "Yes please!" Tilly nodded enthusiastically with a grin. Rose stood from the bed and took Tilly's hand and lead her in to her bedroom.
—
It was later that day and Rose was yet to see or hear from Cal. She was sat on her bed holding Sophia in one arm whilst feeding her, with her other arm around Tilly as she read her book, just as Cal walked in. Rose felt Tilly stiffen in her arms and squeezed her gently to reassure her that she was there.
"Why is she in here?" He asked sternly, referring to Matilda "Because I'm reading her a story" Rose replied as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "and why are you feeding her?" he glanced at Sophia "why aren't you dressed?" He spat questions at Rose who looked at Tilly "Matilda, why don't you go and play in your bedroom for a while, I'll be in later to check on you… OK?" She forced a smile. Tilly nodded and climbed off the bed and walked out the room, walking as far away from Cal as possible as Rose placed a new sleeping Sophia in her crib.
"So, I ask again, why are you feeding her? Why aren't you dressed?" He snapped "I'm feeding her because she's hungry, and I'm not dressed because I gave birth 12 hours ago darling, so forgive me for not feeling my normal self" Rose said, biting her tongue "I hire nannies to take care of the children - that includes feeding them a bottle, it does not require you to feed them, and for goodness sake Rose, women give birthday every single day, they don't all spend the day in bed" he huffed "please come back to me when you find a woman who is up, about and dressed 12 hours after giving birth and I shall comply" she said firmly, standing up for herself, not getting a reply immediately, she continued "look darling, I know you're disappointed that I didn't have a boy, I know you want an heir, but it's not my fault that I didn't birth a son. We can try again, for a boy… I promise… but please, just look at Matilda and Sophia, and see how wonderful they are… be their Dad. Be the Dad I know you're capable of being!" She pleaded, but got a slap across the face in response "don't tell me who I should and should not be! Do you understand?!" Cal barked "I'm-" Rose went to speak but was met by a punch in the face "Father, stop!" Matilda cried, having seen everything from out the door. Rose gasped hearing her daughter "Matilda…" "you were told to go to your room!" Cal shouted at the young girl, causing her to cowar. Rose stood up to face Cal "stop shouting at her!" Rose shouted at him, pulling him away from Tilly, but he just shoved her back, causing her to fall on the nightstand "now, go to your room!" He shouted again at Matilda "go to your bedroom darling, I'm OK" Rose nodded at Matilda, forcing a smile and holding back tears. Still crying, Matilda left for her bedroom. Cal took a deep breath "I leave for my business trip this evening, I will be back in 10 days, we will then begin to try again for a son" he nodded calmly. '10 days?!' Rose thought to herself, thinking how mad Cal was. There was no way they would be trying for another baby in 10 days time, but there was no use in arguing, he'd just shoved and hit her in front of their daughter, she wasn't about to risk any more thumps today. Anyway, if she had her way, she and the girls would be out of the house by the time Cal returned from his business trip.