AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I wasn’t asleep. I’d stayed up in case you needed someone to walk you back.”
A hot wash of emotion flooded Ella, making the air bottle in her lungs. “If I’d known, I would have texted you—”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you had a nice night with Cara.”
“Me, too.”
Chapter Six
Alec and Carawere seated in the lovely sunlit breakfast room when Ella walked up to the house the next morning. The aunts were there as well, but Uncle Frederick was having a lazy morning, and Mrs. Johnson had taken tea and toast to him in his room.
“I hope he’s feeling okay,” Ella said, grateful to see Mrs. Johnson with the coffee pot.
“He’s slowing down,” Emma said, “and likes his morning routine, but I think he’s otherwise quite well.”
Ella glanced at Alec and Cara who were seated next to each other. Cara was holding Alec’s hand and Ella knew from her sister’s expression that Alec had shared his news with her about the employee stealing funds. Cara wasn’t weepy, but her expression was somber.
Neither of the aunts mentioned anything about the calls they’d received or asked about London or Langley Investments. Breakfast proceeded as if everything was normal, except somewhat quieter with less frivolous chatter.
Baird arrived as the plates were being cleared. He’d gone for a run, taking Milo and Albert with him, and had showered and changed before joining them. Mrs. Johnson asked if she could make him some eggs, but he said he’d already had something at the cottage, but he wouldn’t turn down coffee.
With coffees refreshed, and sunlight shining through the tall windows, Cara looked at Alec and gave him a small smile. “What do you think about sharing our news?” she asked him. “I know we were going to wait until Christmas Eve, but it might be a good time now.”
“You don’t want to wait until Uncle Frederick is here?” Alec answered.
“You and I could go to his room after and share the news with him. It might make him feel special.”
Alec glanced toward Emma and Dorothy. “Although, I suspecttheysuspect something. What with all the carrying you up and down the stairs.”
Ella couldn’t hide her smile. “Cara’s ankle is healing nicely. While you were gone, Baird has been very conscientious about keeping her off her feet or at least as much as she will allow.”
“We think we know,” Dorothy said. “Emma and I have discussed it, but we didn’t want to get our hopes up.”
“Let’s hear what you think our news is,” Alec said, lifting Cara’s hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of her fingers.
Emma hesitated as she carefully replaced her cup in the saucer. “We are hoping that there will soon be a new generation of Sherbournes.” She looked at Alec and Cara. “That would be truly wonderful news.”
Cara blushed, her happiness evident. “You tell them, sweetheart. I think since you had to give them bad news two days ago, it should be you that gives them good news now.”
“We are expecting,” he said, voice pitched low. “With a May due date.”
Dorothy clapped her hands. “I knew it, I knew it. I’m so glad to hear this.”
“I don’t suppose you know what you’re having?” Emma asked. “Or have you found out? I’m not sure when you can find out.”
Cara shook her head. “We haven’t found out. But during one of the early ultrasounds, we had a surprise.” She paused for dramatic effect. “We’re not having just one baby. There are two.”
“Twins?” Dorothy gasped.
“Fraternal twins,” Alec clarified. “So, there could be two boys, two girls, one of each. We don’t know. But everything looks healthy. Cara just needs to not overexert herself, give the babies a chance to mature, and everything should be okay.”
“Were things not okay, Alec?” Dorothy asked.
“There were some challenges early on,” he answered. “There was a period of time where we were told she could lose one or both. Her doctor, a leading obstetrician, with a lot of experience with multiples, recommended Cara spend as much time off of her feet as possible. And she’s done that.” He looked at everyone gathered at the table. “Now we just have to keep her quietly entertained until the doctor gives the all clear.”
“With that in mind, Ella has promised to take care of some of my last-minute Christmas shopping,” Cara said.
“I have some things I’d like to buy, too, so this is perfect,” Ella answered, finishing her coffee and folding her napkin and placing it next to her plate.
