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

Ch. 73 (PG-13, D): Finding Families for Children

Margaret: "Prospective?  But I thought that he is ours? That is, if John agrees."  Margaret winces.

Hannah:  "The baby will be yours."  Hannah smiles reassuringly.  "But have you told John about the special family connection?"

Margaret:  Margaret lowers her head. "I have not.  I hope that John will fall so in love with the baby boy that he will agree to the condition."

Hannah: "Now now, it is not a condition, so much as it is a wish to keep the baby's family connections strong."

Margaret: "I know, I know."  Margaret nods in agreement. "It would be wonderful!"  She sighs.  Then Margaret nibbles on her lower lip with her fretting.  "But if John will not consent ...."  Margaret shakes her head worriedly.

Then John's voice intrudes upon the women's hushed conversation in the bedchamber hallway.

John: "Margaret?

Margaret: "Yes?"  Margaret startles as she looks up at her husband gazing at her quizzically. She wonders how much he might have over heard.

John: His voice softens. "Darling, I am sorry to have startled you.  I merely wanted to ascertain if you wished to see the baby before luncheon or after?" He asks hopefully. 

Though John Thornton is a man of strong will, determination, and inestimable patience, he is eager to see this one month old boy child whom they might welcome into their home as their son.  Margaret looks furtively at her mother-in-law Hannah.  Hannah smiles and nods calmly.

Hannah: "John, the baby is probably sleeping.  But we can peek in on him in the nursery without disturbing him."

Margaret: "Very well, let us see him." Margaret smiles hopefully as she gently takes John's offered arm. 

Little Audrey Grace and Gavin tag along behind the adults. 

All must be just right for Margaret to put her suggestion to her husband John such that he will accept it.  Or, she worries, that he will not accept it, and be in such a state of pique that he might not wish to adopt the baby boy either.

Hannah motions for Gavin's nanny to come forward.

Hannah: "Pims, please take the children into Gavin's bed chamber and wash their hands and faces and such in preparation for luncheon."   Then she adds for John's and Margaret's benefit.  "Lord Jamie and Lady Thistle and their children will be joining us for luncheon and then play time this afternoon." 

Margaret smiles hopefully--glad to have more family around--and family who have already adopted a child, their second son.

Pims:   The nanny curtsies.  "Yes, Milady."  Then she takes each child in hand.

Gavin: He pouts. "But Mama, I want to play with the other children."  Gavin is often found in the nursery playing with the other children.  He enjoys their company immensely.  "And Audrrrey Grrrace has na met them yet."  He lilts in a tiny person Scottish brogue.

Audrey Grace: "Children?" She is curious, because her Nana Hannah's and Grandpapa Cameron's orphanage has only blossomed in size recently.

Cameron: "We take in children to live with us who are looking for families.  Then when they find their families, they are adopted and they go home with them."

John and Margaret intently watch their daughter, Audrey Grace, thinking about what Grandpapa Cameron said.  If they adopt, when they adopt, John and Margaret know that it will be an adjustment for Audrey Grace not being the center of attention anymore.

Audrey Grace: "Ohhh!"   Audrey Grace sighs as if her almost four year old mind understands the concept of adoption. However, with her being too young to even think to ask where babies come from, she thinks it sounds nice.   And she wonders if her parents found her this way.