Hi everyone, I hope you enjoy the new story. I'll probably be uploading 2 chapters at a time just because I'm so far ahead so keep an eye out :) x

Hockley Mansion,

April 1st, 1920

Rose sat in the large gardens watching on as her daughter played hopscotch. She was startled as Cal came up behind her "why are you out here?" He asked "I'm watching Matilda…" Rose replied nervously, knowing he didn't approve of Rose spending too much time with their daughter. "That's her nannies job, Rose. I don't pay her an extortionate wage to not be here" he frowned "I sent her home for the day. I wanted to spend some time with Matilda by myself" "for goodness sake, she needs to stop relying on you so much. You're carrying my son, that is your main focus right now" he hissed. Rose silently rolled her eyes "she turned 5, 3 days ago Cal… of course she relies on her Mother… and as I keep saying, we don't know that I'm having a boy… trust me, no one wants me to have a boy more than myself, but it may not happen" truly, no one wanted a boy more than Rose. She wanted a son even more than Cal, if that was possible. She couldn't deal with the lectures or beatings from Cal if she did have another girl. "No, you will give me a son, Rose" he replied harshly. Rose didn't see the point in arguing, she knew she wouldn't get through to him. "Well we should know within the next week or so, I'm due any day now" she shrugged "and I look forward to meeting him" she went to reply but was interrupted by Matilda "Mummy! Mummy look! I drew one all by myself!" she grinned at her Mother proudly "wow! Well done baby!" Rose smiled before being interrupted by Cal "drew what?" He frowned "hopscotch" she replied bluntly "oh, congratulations, your daughter can draw a few squares, quick, I'll get the banners out" he rolled his eyes "she's your daughter too, Cal" Rose sighed "all she wants is your approval and love, yet you give give her neither" causing Cal to roll his eyes, again. "Seen as you've sent Miss Jones home for the day, you can spend the rest of the day with Matilda, since there is no one else to watch her, but things get back to normal tomorrow, understand?" Cal said firmly before walking off.

'Gee, allowing me to spend time with my own child? How very generous of you, Mr Hockley' Rose thought to herself "Mummy? do you want to play with me?" Matilda looked at Rose, innocence in her eyes "I'd love too" Rose nodded and smiled, walking over to her daughter. She couldn't do the jumping part of the hopscotch, due to her massively pregnant stomach, so she just joined in with the singing of the song, watching her daughter.

Later on that evening, Rose and Matilda joined Cal and her Mother in the dining room "Good evening Father. Good evening Grandmother" Matilda smiled nervously, yet politely "good evening Matilda" Ruth replied but Cal gave no response.

Rose helped Matilda on to her chair before looking at Cal "yes, you may begin" he said, gesturing to the food. Of course, Rose let Cal and Ruth take their servings first, once she was sure they were finished, she went to lift up the bowl of potatoes "would you like some potatoes, Tilly?" Immediately cursing herself, she knew Cal hated it when Rose called her Tilly "her name is Matilda, Rose" Cal said harshly, Ruth just tutted at her daughter and rolled her eyes. "Sorry darling" Rose said nervously "yes please" Tilly said quietly in response.

Once they had finished dinner, Rose took Tilly up to her bedroom. Once changed, she helped her young daughter in to bed "Mummy?" "Yes baby?" Rose said, moving some hair from Tilly's face. Tilly was a mix of both her parents, but her hair resembled neither, it was light mousy brown and always in plats. Tilly preferred it half up, half down, but Cal wouldn't allow that.

"Why doesn't Father like you calling me Tilly?" She asked confused "well, because… Matilda is more formal, Tilly is a nickname, and your Father doesn't really like nicknames" Rose forced a smile "but… his name is Caledon?" Tilly said confused "yes darling…" Rose replied "but people call him Cal… isn't that a nickname?" She continued, making Rose laugh. Tilly may have only just turned 5, but she sure was smart "well, yes, I suppose it is darling… but Father can just be a little strict… that's all" she smiled gently "now, would you like me to read you a story?" Rose asked, trying to change the subject, but Matilda ignored her "when will the baby be here?" she asked "very soon, darling" Rose nodded "I'm excited" Tilly smiled "me too…" Rose forced a smile. Really, she was far from excited… she knew what the consequences would be if this baby was a girl, and she knew that her baby would taken from her and cared for by nannies from the moment he or she was born, just as Matilda had been- aside from the rare occasions there would be of watching Matilda and the new baby together, there wasn't much to look forward too. "Now, that story?" Rose asked again. "Oh, yes please… Peter Pan please" Tilly smiled and Rose lifted the book from her bookshelf, climbing in beside her, she read as Matilda fell asleep against her. She put the book down and turned off the oil lamp, kissing her head and saying goodnight quietly before creeping out of her sleeping daughters bedroom.

Once she got to her own bedroom she lay on her bed and began to cry, remembering the month…