Alone Again (Naturally)

Mother Love

Pregnancy soon flashed by for Penelope, the pain and aches had been almost unbearable but she knew it would be worth it in the end; there were only a few weeks to more go. David had been a bundle of nerves for the last two weeks, making sure that everything would go smoothly.

The brunette took everything in her stride; even though everyone was freaking out she remained calm and collected, she wondered how her mother had dealt with her birth. Like most babies of the 1940's Penny was born at home, in the care of her brothers nanny and mother.

She had always known that she'd been privileged, never having to worry about finances, food or so forth. Whereas most of her friends of that time did, they grew up in the estates of Muswell Hill and Fortis Green; she'd grown up in a big posh house in an expensive and desirable area.

Penny's child would eventually learn of the rich history of so called " Aubinet Ladies". The Aubinet's were her mothers side of the family, supposedly one of the most prestigious families in the Province Region. Rich in wealth, history, DNA and in many other aspects. She knew that when her mother married her father that the French genetics were broken and now Penny had decreased them further, her children would only be a quarter of the so called " Aristocratic history".

But if they were happy, healthy and well loved then she couldn't of cared less of their DNA.

Recently she'd had a few memories of her mother flow back into her abyss of a mind, ones of happiness and love; each one brought tears to the girl's eyes.

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Penelope sat on her mother's stool as she watched her brush her long dark hair whilst she fussed around with her earrings.

" You're very pretty Maman." She spoke, her voice trembling from the sentence, after all she was young.

" I am?" Rosanna laughed, looking down at her her daughter.

" Very." Penny nodded,

" Well look at you." She began, lifting up her daughter to look in the mirror.

" I see me." The mini-Rosanna shrugged,

" That's true." Her mother agreed, " But look, I see a beautiful girl... One that will grow and one day she'll be all grown up looking in this mirror thinking, 'Maman was right all along, I'm special."

" I'm like everybody else." Penny giggled.

" Right now you are but one day you'll realise how much potential you really have. That you're not like everybody else." Rosanna smiled,

" Mum?" Ernest called, entering the room; " Dad asked if you're ready."

" I am Ernie, is Auntie Emily here?" She asked,

" Yes, she's with Theo downstairs." He nodded.

" Dave and Ray!" Penny smiled before running out of the room,

" She loves those boys." Rosanna laughed,

" She does." Ernest agreed.

" I think she'll be one of them one day." She smiled,

" They're children Mum." Ernest cringed.

" I know sweetheart, but just you wait." She began, " And so are you my little boy."

" I'm ten mum..." He drawled.

" Just you wait." Rosanna smiled, " I see great things in the future..."

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.

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" Maman..." Penny breathed, looking into the mirror. " Are you proud?"

" Pens?" Called a voice as they knocked on the door.

" Come in!" She replied, wiping a stray tear from her eye. " Ray!"

" Hey you." He smiled, hugging her; " How've you been?"

" I'm fine, just getting to the excited point now." The girl laughed,

" Stupid tells me it's any day now." Ray spoke.

" I reckon a few weeks yet." She shrugged,

" He don't half exaggerate." He sighed as he rolled his eyes,

" That's David for you." Penny chuckled, " Where is he?"

" He's down the shops." He began, " Anyways what you doing up here all by yourself?"

" Thinking." She sighed, " About Maman."

" She would of been so proud Pens..." The eldest whispered as he made his way over to the mirror next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

" I hope." The brunette spoke, leaning her head onto his arm. " What was she like?"

" Like what?" He asked,

" In general, you got four more years with her..." Penny explained.

" Well..." Ray started, " She was the best really; she had a sense of humour that just brought the room alive, always stood up for what she thought was right and she never, ever gave up."

" The Aubinet trait?" Penny smiled,

" Yeah, and you've definitely got it." He agreed. " It's funny isn't it?"

" What?"

" That you; a prestigious, educated, high class, stunning lady is best friends with me, the complete opposite and you're dating me brother." He furthered.

" Don't be stupid." The girl laughed as he cheeks flushed, " I've never fit in with that crowd."

" You do a good job of convincing me."

" What I mean is, I've always saw poverty and I know that not everyone can afford to live how I've grown up. Maman taught me that" She pointed out.

" I adore you, ya' know that?" He confessed,

" And I adore you." Penny returned.

" I just wish I'd paid more attention when we were younger..." Ray breathed, " Maybe we cou-"

" Shit!" Penny shrieked, doubling over in pain.

" Pens?" He stuttered catching her, surveying the situation; liquid dripping down her legs.

" I may not be any expert, but it looks like you might be a Maman sooner than you expected Penelope Rosanna Murphy..."