Cedric groaned. “Here we go…”
It was chaotic. It was loud and calamitous. But it was also a scene that brought Edward a little too much joy. For so long, he had lived alone, never thinking that he would be a part of such a large family. Never wanting to be, either. And yet, to see himself in the middle of one now, all of whom loved the other and would do anything for the others, brought him untold happiness.
“Supper will be ready shortly!” Edward had to raise his voice over the chatter. “If you will just…” He indicated toward the dining room. “Celestine, can you fetch Millicent and your sisters?”
Celestine said nothing. Once again, her stare was distant, the sense that she was not in the room at all.
“Celestine?” He took her hand and she started in surprise.
“Oh… did you say something?”
Concern flooded Edward, and he wanted so badly to ask her what was wrong. But now was not the time. “Your sisters, and Millicent. Might you fetch them? Supper will be ready shortly.”
“Yes, of course.” She shook her head and wandered from the foyer. Edward watched her go, worry stabbing his insides.
It was five minutes later when they were all gathered around the dining room table. Edward at its head, Celestine to his right,and Millicent to his left. From there sat Celestine’s mother, then Ariadne and Cedric, and finally Isolde and Marigold.
The evening began pleasantly… and yet again, loudly.
Isolde seemed determined to see what she could get away with, pulling faces at Millicent, using the wrong cutlery, trying to sneak extra glasses of wine. Marigold liked to make jokes, often inappropriate ones, which led to her mother chastising her down the table. Millicent thought it was hilarious, encouraging them both. While Ariadne was constantly distracted with thoughts of Emmet, forcing Cedric to keep her hand in his own, continuous words of ease to stop her from panicking.
And then there was Celestine.
She said little. She did not drink. And she hardly touched her food. Her stare was empty, always at her plate, and she hardly seemed to realize where she was.
“Celestine…” Edward was done waiting. He was too worried. Too stricken with nerves. Something was wrong, and he had to know what. “I am starting to worry about you.” He took her hand.
“Hhmm?” She looked up as if she did not even know he was there.
“What is the matter?” he asked firmly, done trying to play it cool. “And do not lie to me, please. Something so clearly is.”
Celestine bit into her lip as she looked down the table. Thankfully, nobody paid them any attention, giving her a chance to think.
“I… you’re right, Edward.” She exhaled deeply. “There is something on my mind. Something that I… I had hoped to speak about later. In fact, I should have told you days ago.”
“Oh…” His stomach knotted. “Is it… is something wrong?”
She considered. “No… well, I do not think so. Although, after tonight. This…” She indicated toward the chaos. “You might think differently.”
“What?” He frowned and leaned back. “What does that mean?”
“I suppose I might as well tell you. In fact…” Celestine looked across the table and cleared her throat. “Everyone, if I might say something?”
It took a few moments to force silence. Edward searched his wife desperately, no idea what she was going to say. It was just so unlike her, keeping secrets. In fact, after how their marriage had started, she was the one always telling Edward that secrets were something they ought to never have.
“What is it, Celestine?” her mother asked. “What is going on?”
“Are you sick?” Ariadne asked.
“It was the fish,” Marigold added. “I knew it smelled off.”
“I am not sick,” Celestine said with a shake of the head. “I just have some news, is all, and seeing as you are all here…” She shrugged. “Now is as good a time as any to give it.”
Edward’s pulse rose. His heart thundered. He looked to Millicent, who was just as confused as he.
“I was not sure until last week,” Celestine began. “Now, there can be no doubt. And while it might not come as such a shock to some of you, it did to me.” She laughed softly. “So, here it goes.” She took Edward’s hand. “Edward and I are pregnant.”
The news was met with a deafening silence.
