All The Little Things

Chapter 3

As soon as she spied the first hint of daylight, she threw the sheets off her body. There was no need to be in bed if sleep wasn't going to overtake her. The light footsteps of the house staff had been prowling the corridors already, draping a heavy robe across her night dress she left her room.

Firstly to review the day's menu with the kitchen and ensure Zachariah's room was ready for his arrival, and even went for a short walk along her gardens and upon an inspection of her white roses, she returned to the house.

The house was buzzing with activities to welcome the future Duke's arrival by the end of the day. Mrs. Keeps, the house keeper was at her side immediately giving her a run down of activities in place as well as the duties of everyone.

"All things seem to be ready for Zachariah then."

"Yes my lady, the carriage will be sent for the station after breakfast."

"And the Duke?"

"He left the study this morning to freshen up for breakfast your Grace."

"He was in there all night?"

"It would seem so." Was the reply.

"Oh, well. I too should freshen up before I look in on the children."

"Of course." With a curtsy, Nancy replaced her leading the way to her private chambers all the while suggesting the attires she'd laid out for the day, but Maybelle slipped through at the curve of the staircase, her nerves trembling a bit.

He'd confined himself to his study all night. A part of her wanted to take the blame, another part strictly chided herself not to take the blame. Why did he have to be so, so... Barely stifling the groan, she slapped her cheeks and quickly slipped to the nursery.

Her last born child, MarcAnthony James Fitzpatrick Hamilton, was gently prodded awake by his nanny.

"Let me." She said instead and the nanny stepped aside.

"Mama?" Marc uttered as his mother dropped a kiss on his forehead, eyes drowsy from sleep as he tried to get up.

"Yes sweetheart it's me."

"You have returned?"

"How are you my darling?" He was now fully awake, his arms flung around her neck in a hug, she leaned in to give him another kiss, but instead he avoided it and stood on his feet to greet her.

"I'm good mama, umm- mother, and you?"

"Oh." A bit marveled at his response, she asked. "It's mother now?"

He shifted a bit on his feet before replying. "Irene says that mama makes me sound like a baby, and I'm a boy now."

"You are, aren't you?

"B-but, I still prefer mama..." His chubby cheeks couldn't seem anymore cuter Maybelle decided, lifting his off the bed in a tight hug of her own to smooch his face.

"How about we use mama when it's just us, okay?" His grin widened as he nodded, squeezing her just as tight as he could.

"Come along sweetheart, it's time to get ready for breakfast."

**********

The entire family assembled into the breakfast room and took their seats chattering across the table. The twins insisted on being waited upon by their little brother to teach him table manners, Irene had said which held no fault by her father, who busied himself compiling a plate for his wife. He set it infront of her, but almost immediately she turned to address his other daughter, stealthily avoiding him. With a grimace he sat back down to await his breakfast.