Give Me Some Time

7

The road was bumpy, each time the carriage shake, I grip the cushion and the handle. The kids doesn't seem to notice, they were talking to Jack the whole time. On the other hand, Liam was holding his laugh by sitting at the other end of the cushion.

The surrounding was getting noisier. Liam had poked my shoulder and pointed to the window. I slowly went to his side and saw, there's a beach. So many people were there. The waves crashing into the sands and seagulls everywhere. I looked back at Liam who seemed had forcedly drowned in his seat to let me look at the view. He didn't smile, he was looking at the same view I'm looking. The kids too, were singing with Jack while looking at the other window. It's forest. I turned my body to look at the other side, but the coachman suddenly stopped the carriage. I almost skidded into Mary if Liam hadn't holds my abdomen.

"You okay?" he asked. I cleared my throat and sit back. The coachman opened the door and pulled a trolly to carry the bags.
I whispered "I'm sorry."

The kids walked out, followed by Liam and Jack, then me. I stretch my hands up.

"It's a long 45 minutes ride." Liam sarcastically said.

"That was my second time riding a carriage, of course I was scared." I said and walked to Jack. He had been looking at us for a long time. He walked ahead to the dock with me holding his hand.

"I think you're gonna do an excellent job. Its your third day and you got Liam talking to you." he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you notice? He didn't even spoke any words since we ride the carriage. His eyes were on you. I've thought of marrying you to Liam, but I believe in marriage for love. So I made you my wife instead. Only for the name. But if something sparks between you two, you have my blessing." Jack laughed and waved to Joseph who's standing on the ship.

"Nonsense, nothing is gonna spark between us. Don't get me wrong, everyone in your house are very nice to me except him, of course. And I'm older than him." I scold Jack. He laughed still.

"Dear, my wife was 3 years older than me. You don't have to worry about it now." Jack stopped our conversation as he pulled Joseph into a hug.

"May I present, Joseph. And his two twin brothers. What's their name?" Jack whispered that part.

"They're not here, so it doesn't matter. How are you, Madame?" Joseph pull my hand and peck a kiss on it.

"I'm good, how are you?" I asked, taking my hand into my back.
"You didn't tell me that he's younger than you." I whispered to Jack. He laughed and we talked for a long while, till the ship horns, signalling its time.

I kissed Jack on his cheeks and waved goodbye. The kids hugged him and they cried. I turn to Liam. In my hand were the basket of snacks I prepared.

"Hey, take this and share with Jack." I hold out the basket and he peeked inside.

"There's food in the ship." he said, still not taking it.

"Oh.. But, just take it. I made it." embarassedly I took his hand and put it into his grip. How can I be so dumb? It's a ship that travels, of course it have foods on it. I shake my head and Liam walked on to the ship. He mouthed thank you and disappeared further. I hold the kids hand and smiled at Jack.
Once the ship went further and further, the coachman came and asked for us to return home. As we ride in the carriage, I held both of their hands into my arms.

"Why are you crying? They're only gone for a week." I said.

"A week is a long time." Noah replied. Mary doesn't say anything. I rubbed both their back, trying to consoled them which soon led them to sleep on my laps.

Once we arrived home, the maids had lift both of them to their rooms, it's 10 am. Perhaps I should do something in the kitchen.

"Margaret? Do we have an oven?" I asked. She nodded and I knew just the thing I'd need to do.

"What are you doing? Let me cook it. Just tell me what you want to eat." she said and take the flour bag of my hand.

"I told you, cooking is my hobby. And if you want, you're free to help." I took the flour back. She sighed and nodded. I pulled a piece of paper and a pencil from the table, I wrote the ingredients in the exact measure. I told her to prepare it while I start working on the oven.

Another hour and a half passed by, I've made 5 types of cookies and a light cheesecake with Margaret's help.

"Aren't you gonna put them in the oven?" she asked.

"Only the cake for now, can I asked for a little more help?" I asked her.

"Oh dear, just tell me everything you need and consider it done. Don't ask if I can help or not." she tapped my shoulder and a dust of flours flew. Both of us sneezed in opposite direction and laughed at each other.

It's almost lunch and there's a few more books I want to read. I sit in the living room and took out 'the ways to handle a business.'.

After a few hours of reading, guilt filled my small heart. Noah and Mary are the brightest child I've ever met and they accepted me into this household without asking about me. Now I'm sitting in the living room alone, doing my own stuff, while they both are crying about missing their father. I put the book on the desk and climbed up to second floor, to their rooms.

I knocked and nobody answered. I swung the door open slowly and saw both of them laying on the bed, facing the ceiling without saying a word.

"Honey, it's lunch. Shall we go together?" I sat on the end of the bed. Noah had positioned himself into sitting so that we're face to face.

"Why did he marry you?" Mary asked, she's laying on her side, opposite of my direction.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I know mother left us when we were only 2 years old, but father have never once mentioned another women to be our new mother." she sobbed a little louder. Noah looked at the floor.

"Oh honey, look at me." I pulled Mary up, were now facing each other.

"Just because I married your father, doesn't mean I'm gonna try to throw the image of your mother away. But a certain situation had led us met, and to me, your father was a Knight." I looked at both of them before lifting the chins up.

"I was away from my family, I longed for my siblings that I don't even know if they're blood related. And Jack found me, brought me here. He had told me about your mother. Now I'm here to keep you guys company, not as a mother, but as family. I'm only a year older than Liam so don't be too awkward with me okay?" I held their hands tighter.

"Then, could we pretend you're like a big sister?" Noah asked. I nodded and hugged him. I looked at Mary and she turn her head. I pulled her closer and now both of them are under my arms once again.

"I know it's shocking that suddenly I'm here. But I'll do my best to take care of you, like a sister do. Now let's get lunch and if you're both free, can you help me?" I asked, they both nodded and we left the room to get to the dining room.