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Extended Epilogue

If there was one thing Sophia wasn’t sure she could handle, that was Pall Mall. She wasn’t playing, of course—Michael would never allow her to in her current state—but the sight of it alone exhausted her. She wrapped her hands around her protruding stomach, taking a deep breath—she couldn’t get used to pregnancy no matter how hard she tried.

“What are you dwelling on this time?” Michael asked. He sat next to her on the tall grass, joining her, while the rest of the family continued their game of Pall Mall. He kissed her gently on the lips, allowing her a moment of peace.

“The fact that I can’t do anything while pregnant.” Her words sounded whiney, but she still held a smile on her face. “Apparently, I’m enough to scare Meredith away from marriage. Am I that pitiful?”

“Of course not, my love. We’re just teasing you here,” he said. “Well, not Meredith. She likely means it knowing her.”

Sophia sighed. Meredith’s coming out ball was approaching soon, and she had mentioned more times than anyone could count that marriage was something she absolutely dreaded and wished to avoid. Sophia understood her intentions, but Michael still needed some persuading.

A ball rolled up toward them, and Sophia stood up at once. She stretched—as much as her full stomach could allow—picking up the ball and throwing it back with such force. It didn’t go that far, naturally.

“I’ll get it!” Meredith yelled out. She ran toward it and toward Sophia. “Don’t strain yourself next time; you might get hurt.”

“I’m all right, Meredith; you already know this. Tell her, Michael.”

“Sorry, my love, I’ll have to agree with Meredith,” he said. “The doctor warned us that you shouldn’t move too much these weeks until the babe is here—I don’t want you hurt.”

Sophia groaned, feeling irritable. It was her odd swings of mood acting up again, but she was also tired of the pregnant life already—she couldn’t do anything. She walked a couple miles, and a parade of warnings came her way. Well, it would all be worth it in the end, as if she was certain of one thing, it was that she could not wait to see her child for the first time. She supposed that made all the fussiness worth it for now.

“I’m certain it’s far better than sitting all day. And besides, I—”

Sophia hesitated, holding her stomach tightly and groaning from the pain. Another cramp, this time much more intense.

“Sophia!” Michael ran her way, quickly. He held her steadily, and everything seemed all right once more.

“I think a moment of respite would do me some good after all,” she said. She sat down on the tall grass, feeling slightly better until yet another one hit. But the tighter Michael held her, the less pain she felt. She took a deep breath, wrapping her arm around him.

“Call the doctor,” Michael instructed. “Are you hurting? Is the baby coming?”

Sophia shook her head. “I’m all right. Sorry for worrying you.”

Michael continued to hold her close as if any movement she made would bring her closer to giving birth. She didn’t like being treated with such fragility, but she understood his worry—frankly, she was worried too. Her heart warmed at the realization of how much Michael truly cared about their well-being as a family and their unborn child.

“I like that you’re smiling so much, but it makes me wonder why,” Michael said.

“Nothing in particular,” she said, “I just realized how much I love you.”

***

A week later…

Michael and Sophia walked hand in hand to the estate Anthony had left her. His will stated that she would keep everything—from his wealth to his estate, to even his horses. It was far too overwhelming, of course, and she had come to a single decision: she would gift the orphans one of the largest houses to allow them the life they never had. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to accommodate all of them for a long time. And it was far better than the house they had back in the slums.

Both she and Michael were currently standing in front of it now. It was a two-floor building (similar to most of the royal estates around London) with an even larger garden, suitable for playing and running around. The orphans were currently inside due to the temperamental weather, and the estate was shrouded with an intense fog that slowly seemed to be subsiding.

“I used to hate rainy weather,” Michael said, as he clutched the umbrella tighter and Sophia closer to him,

“What changed then?” Sophia asked.

“You,” he quickly replied. “Well, I mean, the day we met. It was raining, and to this day, it reminds me of your stubbornness.”

Sophia grinned, kissing him on the cheek. They walked closer to the estate, not knowing if the orphans were awake or not. It was seven o’clock in the morning, so they had arrived quite early. They knocked on the wooden door, waiting for a response.

One of the workers, a young woman with distinct gray eyes, opened the door and welcomed them back. The inside was just as cozy—if not more so—than the outside, and a homely aroma lingered.

“Don’t wake them if they’re still asleep,” Sophia said.

“Some are already awake, Your Grace. I can call them if you wish.”

Sophia nodded, thanking her. The woman disappeared up the stairs with rushed steps, calling after the orphans. Sophia hadn’t seen them for weeks now, but she promised she would check on them as frequently as possible (when she wasn’t busy being pampered by Michael and the others due to her pregnancy).

Tiny steps echoed throughout the home as Harriet’s little figure came into appearance. Her tiny frame jumped each step, giggling loudly as she raced with another boy next to her. She finally jumped the last stairs, standing frozen with her mouth open the moment she saw Sophia.

It took her a moment to react before she screamed, “Sophia!”

Sophia extended her arms, and Harriet ran up to her for a hug. Sophia couldn’t pick her up this time around, but she still held her as tightly as ever. The little boy, Jacob, walked slower, joining in on the hug himself.

“Have you grown taller, Jacob?” Sophia asked. “Oh, you too, Harriet! Look at you, you’re almost four feet.”

Harriet stood on her tiptoes, grinning proudly. “I’ll be five feet next year! And then even taller—I’ll be taller than Betsy too.”

“Where is Betsy?” asked Sophia.

“Asleep,” Jacob responded. “She was playing with Urania all day yesterday, so she’ll be asleep for a while. We can wake her up if you want—it shouldn’t be too hard if we tell her you’ve come.”

Sophia shook her head. “Oh, no, no, let her rest. I’ll come tomorrow too, so I’ll see her then.”

Michael, who had remained silent for a short while, cleared his throat and turned toward the children. He was teasing them. And they both turned in his direction, yelling, “Uncle Michael!”

“Glad to see you,” he replied. He embraced the two of them, then pulled away, walking to the back. He pulled out a bag of toys, handing it to them. “This is for you, make sure you share with the others,” he said.

The children held it in their hands, unwrapping the bag with excited faces. They pulled out cricket bats, wickets, and balls.

“Why don’t we go in the back so I can show you how to play?” Michael asked. “Sophia will help keep track of the score, right?”

“Yes, I will.”

“But it’s raining!” Harriet yelled out.

Michael stared out the window, realizing that the rain had already seized and the clouds slowly disappeared. “Not anymore. Come on, let’s go. Go, go, go!”

He held Sophia’s hand with one hand while helping the two children carry the items with the other. And together they went to the back garden, full of joy and happiness.

And Sophia knew this was the man she wanted a family with. This was the man she loved so much. And her life would only be perfect from now on. 

The End.

Extended Story

The countryside was far more welcoming than any place Lydia had ever visited. Not only did she find unsullied nature lovely and atmospheric, but the people here were also kinder and warmer compared to London and Wales. One thing she could never get over, no matter how much time had passed, was her abhorrence for the snobbish behavior of the ton. The same one that would vilify her during one moment and sympathize the next. But thankfully, she had left it all behind for now.

She could not believe their honeymoon was already coming to an end after so many weeks. She had never experienced so much fun in her life, and this place was magical. Each night, they would dine outside, watching the sunset, and during the day, they would walk along the fields and evergreen for exciting adventures.

Asher would be more timid and gentle with their lovemaking, considering she was so far along with her pregnancy. They would sleep late into the morning and do whatever they wished without paying any mind to responsibilities.

But alas, their holidays were reaching an end. It was cemented the moment they received a letter from the Magistrate about Jackson’s trial. He was apparently convicted for other crimes he had committed, such as theft and assault of other women who spoke out soon after. The Magistrate had asked Lydia to bear witness to the trial, and she decided she would do so. It would be part of her healing and recovery process, and it would finally allow her to receive closure from her traumatic past.

What Lydia anticipated the most, though, was their child. Asher and Lydia had their fair share of squabbles about the gender, the name, and the upbringing it would have. Each of them always ended in laughter.

Truly, it didn’t matter. It was arriving soon, and the both of them couldn’t be happier. They had decorated a whole room together, looked through potential governesses, discussed the type of future they wanted for the child—girl or boy—but most importantly, they felt as though they were finally prepared.

Yet, there still remained some inklings of uneasiness. Lydia’s mother said it was expected; that every mother felt this way. But it wasn’t enough to convince her. What if she didn’t do a good enough job? What if something went wrong?

“What are you thinking about?” Asher asked.

She was standing against the field, her gaze lingering on the morning sky. They had slept in the pitches today, so the sight was more than beautiful. It gave her time to process life and its beauties.

“Our child,” she confessed. “You have no idea how anxious I am. What if we fail as parents?”

He wrapped his hands around her body, supporting his jaw on her shoulder. “Oh, you’re so dramatic. I am sure we’ll do just fine.”

***

Their arrival to London was well received. Everyone came to greet them, from Lydia’s parents to even Dorothy’s family. But they already knew their upcoming schedule would be terribly hectic.

Lydia had spent her days in and out of the courthouse, recollecting the horrors she experienced with Jack in front of the judges. As it turns out, there were more than five ladies who had experienced a very similar fate, and Lydia’s heart pained her to hear them.

Jack denied all of the allegations, but the evidence against him was far too overwhelming. A lot of these women had their family’s support who came up as witnesses themselves. The same was the case for her.

Her parents, Daphne and even Asher, took the stand, revealing everything they knew. The trial lasted for several days until they finally ruled Jackson guilty of all charges. He was to remain in gaol for years to come, and his reputation was tarnished for good. His continual smirk of complacency had disappeared, and that brought joy to Lydia’s eyes, more than anything else.

And now, they were finally home, free of all troubles. Asher was beside her, holding her arm to help her in. One of his arms held her ballooning stomach, relieving some of the tension she had been feeling.

A cramp rolled through her belly, causing her to wince.

“I felt that!” he said. “Was that the baby kicking?”

“Yes!” she said, sharing the same excitement with a tinge of pain. “Although it seems like they are more frequent.”

They continued their way inside the castle, all the way toward their bedroom. It felt nice to be back home. There was comfort and reassurance here, one she couldn’t find anywhere else.

“Maybe you should lie down,” Asher said.

She was about to protest until she felt an overwhelming pain flow through her body. She doubled over in pain, wincing and moaning. Asher quickly helped her up.

“I think it’s time,” she said in between deep breaths.

He picked her up, quickly laying her down on the soft bed, her head touching the pillows.

“It is time!” he shouted. “Tell everyone the baby is coming.”

He grasped her hand tightly, offering her comfort. It didn’t take long for the servants to run through the room, carrying freshly cleaned clothes, cold water, blankets, and kettles. Lydia seemed distracted by the movement until Minerva stepped into the room, followed by Daphne.

“Lydia!” Daphne called out. “I’m so glad I was able to make it in time. I heard you were back in London and I got here as soon as I could. Then I heard some screams, and oh, my goodness, you are to have a child!” Daphne sat down at the edge of the bed. “I am to be an aunt!”

“You won’t be an aunt if you keep up your blabbering,” Lydia said in between gasps.

Daphne remained quiet this time around, too distracted by the squeezing of her hand. Lydia was holding both Asher and Lydia’s hands in her own, grasping them for dear life as she sought relief from the pain.

“Your Grace,” Minerva said softly. “Take deep breaths.”

“Where were you when the first cramps started?” Lydia said.

Minerva seemed to take full responsibility, ensuring the servants were all ready in place for what to do. Thanks to her, the chaos from before had dissipated, and instead, was replaced by focused faces who were guided through every movement.

Lydia’s anxiety seemed to be gone as well. She had Asher, her sister, and Minerva alongside her. Asher and Daphne for mental support and Minerva for guidance, showing her and everyone else what to do.

Meeting her child rekindled inside of her a sense of excitement. She felt safe and protected alongside her family, and she was sure nothing would go wrong. She took deep breaths with each contraction, pushing harder.

***

After hours, it was finally over. Through the comforting sun, they had given birth to a baby daughter. An alluring baby girl with Asher’s brown eyes and Lydia’s button nose. She was beautiful, and she was theirs.

There were numerous times during the past few hours she felt as though she wasn’t going to make it, but with her husband by her side, she fought on and never gave up hope.

All Lydia wanted was to sleep now. She held her daughter against her chest, closing her eyes and allowing sleep to engulf her. Asher instructed everyone out of the room, leaving them to their privacy.

She awoke with the night, finding Asher still by her side and the lovely, tiny figure on her chest. She couldn’t believe it. She was a mother.

“You did well,” he said, holding her close.

“All I remember is holding this tiny girl in my arms,” Lydia confessed.

Asher brushed his finger against their daughter’s cheek, smiling. “What shall her name be? We might have discussed it, but I want your opinion.”

“Sarah. We’ll name her Sarah, after your mother,” she said. “It is a beautiful name, and it’ll honor your family. I love it.”

Asher smiled, his eyes glued on their daughter.

“Sarah seems to suit her, you know. I can already imagine it, ‘Lady Sarah’.”

“I’m sure you can,” Lydia giggled.

Their daughter lay soundly asleep on her chest, her soft snores filling the room with innocence.

“Come on, it’s time for you to rest. You seem exhausted already,” he said. “There will be far too many tomorrow.”

She nodded, closing her eyes and allowing sleep to take over.

***

She was awakened at precisely eight o’clock. She knew visitors would arrive, but she never expected them so early. All she wanted was to spend at least five minutes longer in bed, but it would be improper to keep everyone waiting.

Her family would be there, and all of her friends who were more than looking forward to seeing her baby girl. It must have been exciting news for everyone, and it would no doubt be the news of London for the next few weeks.

Her recovery was swift, just as the doctor had assured her. Her pregnancy was a healthy one, so there were little to no complications. She simply needed to avoid vigorous activities, but that was no issue.

With the help of Minerva, she dressed up in a comfortable, loose dress of a turquoise shade. She held her daughter close to her chest as she made her way down the stairs.

Asher was waiting alongside their friends and relatives, who all seemed so nervous to meet Sarah. Daphne hadn’t eaten any of the breakfast they were served, Dorothy was clenching Gregory’s hand tighter than ever while William—who had long returned from Greece—and Philip clasped their hands together, unsure of what to expect.

Then, there were her parents. They were the only ones who knew what to do. They had a proud smile stapled on their faces as she sat down across them, next to Asher.

They all had so many questions, practically bursting in curiosity.

“Her name is Sarah,” Lydia said.

Daphne was the first to stand up, asking permission to hold Sarah, which Lydia gladly allowed. She held her close, cooing her.

“I am your aunt,” Daphne said. “A-u-n-t. Aunt Daphne.”

Lydia giggled at her sister’s behavior, glad to see her happy.

“Oh, Lydia, she’s so lovely and adorable. I want to eat her alive!” Daphne exclaimed, resisting the urge to push her cheeks together.

“That means your appetite has returned, a good sign,” Lydia teased.

Daphne handed Sarah back to Lydia.

“It’s my turn to hold her now!” Dorothy uttered. She was a mother herself now. Dorothy had given birth to a baby boy only a month prior and she was already looking like a caring mother already.

“No, me, me!” Philip said as he held his nephew in his arms.

Lydia scoffed. Her parents were the ones who should hold her first, but they seemed so patient.

“Mama, papa,” Lydia said, walking toward them. “Your granddaughter.”

Mama was the first to reach out, holding the babe close to her chest. A warm feeling flowed through Lydia. Papa was as sweet and gentle, holding Sarah’s tiny hand with such caution as if any movement he made would break her.

“She’s stunning,” mama said. “She looks just like you.”

They handed her the baby back, and Lydia held her close with no hesitation. She was still so tiny, and Lydia was unsure what to do. After a few seconds, cries echoed through the room, alarming Lydia.

“That means she’s hungry,” Asher commented. “Sorry everyone, we must retire to our chambers.”

A chant of disappointment spread among the guests, but they accepted it quickly enough.

Asher and Lydia returned to their chambers, and Minerva helped teach her how to feed Sarah, as she had no idea how to herself. Luckily, Sarah’s cries ceased, and the silence returned. She fell asleep soon after, her face serene.

“Motherhood looks beautiful on you,” Asher said.

“And you’re like a protective father already. You’re a natural at this,” she said.

He chuckled, sitting down beside her on their bed.

“See? Maybe we’re better than we thought. I think we’ll do fine.”

“I think so too.”

Looking down at Sarah, Lydia already wished for more children. Perhaps another daughter or a baby boy. But at this moment, she was content. She had a healthy daughter and a husband who she loved more than anything in the world. There was so much in her life to look forward to.

Every day with Asher was a new adventure she couldn’t wait to explore. At this very moment, she felt pure unadulterated happiness.

The End