Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Twenty-Four

The next morning, Gilbert and I wake to Albert crying. The sun is shining through the curtains and the sky is a clear blue. I had gotten up during the early hours of the morning to feed Albert, and it seemed he was hungry again. "Stay in bed, darling, I'll fetch him," I tell Gilbert. He rubbed his eyes and moved to lay on his back. I walk over to the crib and pick Albert up, rocking him gently. "Hush, Albert, shhh," I whisper gently. I sit on the end of the bed and begin feeding him. I have gotten used to feeding him now; it no longer feels strange having a baby latch onto my nipple to feed. Gilbert got up from his side of the bed and came to sit beside me as Albert was feeding. Gilbert stroked my hair tenderly. "You really are amazing, Molly," He whispered, as he kissed my cheek. I look up at him and smile. "Do you want a cuddle after he's done feeding?" I ask Gilbert. He nodded and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "About last night..." Gilbert trailed off. I look at him and wait. He looked seriously at me. "I meant what I said, Molly. I want children with you because I love you. If you're ready to have more children, then great, I'm definitely ready. But I want you to be absolutely sure that you're ready. We don't have to rush things. I know I said its not too soon, and I still believe that its not too soon, but I just want to make sure that you're ready," Gilbert told me. I nod in understanding. "I do want more children, but honestly, I think we should wait a bit first. I know I said that I wanted more children as soon as possible, but now that I'm really thinking about it, I think Albert is enough work for now," I laugh quietly. I finish feeding Albert just as there is a knock at our door. Gilbert opened the door and Mary entered the room. I pass Albert to her and she began to change his clothes. Once finished, Mary handed Albert to Gilbert, curtsied, and left the room. "So, just so we're on the same page, do we want to wait to have more children or do we want to start trying again?" Gilbert asked. "I think we should wait. What do you think?" I ask. Gilbert nodded in agreement. "I think waiting is a good idea. At least until Albert is a year old," I nod as Gilbert spoke. "I don't want to go crazy and have a massive family, but I would like to have another child at least. Two or three children, what do you think?" I ask "I think two would be perfect. That way no one gets left out, and they'll have each other," Gilbert said and smiled. I rest my head on his shoulder. "I hope the next one will be a girl. I should very much like to have a girl," I tell Gilbert. He grinned at me. "And should it be a girl, will you still name her Nancy or Sophia?" He asked. "Well actually, I know I said I liked those names, and I still do, but what about the name Catherine?" I giggle. "I'm changing my mind a lot, aren't I?" I ask. Gilbert shook his head. "Molly, you can change your mind as much as you want. I just want us to have the fairytale ending we always dreamed of," Gilbert whispered tenderly. "If you want to name her Catherine, then name her that. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters," "I know, but-" "No, no but's," Gilbert interrupted me. "Come on, why don't we leave Albert with Mary and go for a walk in the gardens?" Gilbert stood and held out a hand to me. I take his hand and we grab our clothes and get dressed. Once dressed, we head downstairs and after making sure Mary will take good care of Albert, Gilbert and I head outside. "Rosefield is very beautiful, but quite honestly, I miss Woodland," Gilbert told me. "I know what you mean. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that we get to live at Rosefield, its absolutely beautiful. But I do miss Woodland too. It has so many memories, especially from that night we danced by the lake," I say dreamily. Gilbert laughed. "You know my parents wouldn't mind moving into Rosefield, right?" Gilbert said. "Gilbert, we can't do that to them! We have Rosefield. We could just go and visit Woodland," I protest. "Molly, they wouldn't mind. My mother has been wanting a change of scenery for a while now. Why do you think my parents and the girls have stayed so long with us? They're tired of Woodland," Gilbert insisted. "I don't know..." I say unsure. "Look, I'll ask my mother and father if they would like to stay at Rosefield, and you will see. They need a change of scenery, and we can go back to dancing around the lake. And plus, you would be with Laura again," Gilbert told me. "Well, I DO miss Laura," I say, still a little unsure. We're quiet for a moment. "Alright, but you have to ask your parents, Gilbert," I say sternly. Gilbert laughed. I lay down on the grass and Gilbert moved to lay beside me. We were in the shade of the trees Lillian and Charlotte had read their books under. "I'm just going to say, though, this will be the last move. I don't want it to be back and forth. Luckily Woodland is big enough for all of us, but I really don't want to have to move again unless its for a change of scenery, Gilbert," I tell him. He nodded in understanding. "Of course, my darling. I feel the exact same way, so don't worry you're pretty little head about it for another minute," Gilbert told me, and pressed his lips to mine.