"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)

Ch. 33 (PG): Ankles and Feet, Heads and Hearts

John: "Ohhh."  John says deeply as understanding finally dawns upon him.  "Mrs. Watson, am I given to understand that you and your husband are expecting a child together?"  Images spring to John's mind that he wishes he could refuse admittance.  But he is a married man now--and he knows all.

Carlotta:  "Yes, Mr.Thornton, we are--in about seven months time."  Carlotta blushes, for that would be an accurate assessment from the date of their marriage, two months ago.  However, she was secretly two months pregnant with their child before the marriage.  So Carlotta and Margaret are about the same at four months along--though only Dr. Ogilvy knows that.

John:  He nods his head respectfully.  "My felicitations to you both, Mrs. Watson."  However the both part sticks in John's craw given his history with the underhanded Watson.  But it is the proper form for John to congratulate both the mother and the father.

Carlotta: "Thank you, Mr. Thornton.  We are pleased."  Carlotta smiles pleasantly. She has been doing more of that--smiling--since she and Mr. Watson were married, and her and her children's present and future were made secure.

Margaret: "Isn't it wonderful, John?  Carlotta and I can be pregnant together!"  Margaret beams.  "I don't have to go through it alone."

Carlotta pats Margaret's hand reassuringly as she smiles warmly at her [(6)right]. 

John: "But Margaret, you are not alone. I am here--as is Fanny, most weeks."  John refers to Fanny's rather more frequent London jaunts to visit the Shaws and see Baird.

Fanny:  "Well Baird is escorting me to London tomorrow afternoon for a two week long stay with the Shaw-Lennox's.  So it will be pleasant for Margaret to have some company in Carlotta and little Clementina now and again."

John looks back and forth between his wife and his sister.

John: "Again?  You're going to London again, Fanny?" John teases her, then winks at Margaret before becoming stony faced again.    "I have not heard of this scheme before now. You just returned?" John looks at his sister with a studiedly aghast shocked expression upon his face.  With Margaret as his wife, John has become accustomed to having his world turned upside down.  And he rather delights in mocking his formerly stodgy self.

Margaret: "Now John, that was two weeks ago when Fanny was in London, after we returned from Mother and Cameron's wedding."  She chides him with a wink--playing along with him.  "And besides, Carlotta will be here--and she has already had one baby and she can tell me what to expect."  Margaret looks at Carlotta hopefully.

Carlotta: "It will be my pleasure.  Though every baby is different and I do not remember my ankles being this swollen the last time."  She sighs.

Margaret: "And all of a sudden, my clothes do not fit--let alone my corset.  I have a round little bump where my tummy had been flat."    Margaret rubs her tummy--and Carlotta absentmindedly rubs her own tummy in acknowledgement, her forgetting that John is in the room.

Fanny: "Really?"  Fanny gazes down at her own flat and corseted torso, sliding her hands down the smooth fabric, wondering how big she might get when she and Baird have children after they are married.

However much of a good sport John has been with the ladies antics this morning, he will only go so far.  And John thinking that the picture of three scandalously unshod ladies has now been [alarmingly displaced--in John's mind--] by the three ladies remarking upon and caressing their stomachs, has John in almost ashen faced in renewed embarrassment [(7) right]. Baby steps with Margaret lightening John's demeanor.  John kneels down at Margaret's feet and solicitously offers.