"Good morning, darling," Winter said. "How are you feeling today?"
"Mm," Autumn said. She was glowing this morning. Her hair had gotten thicker and longer. He loved the longer hair on her. Though, he loved everything about her. Everything about her.
She was her usual stoic self this morning and both were trying not to think about the baby's birth date. Of course, it would be her wretched father's. As his brother-in-law, Reece, had pointed out: their father wouldn't be happy as the day was no longer all about him.
"That good?"
Autumn chuckled. "Yes, my sweet."
"Well, are you ready to head to work?"
"Sure."
"Thankfully, Marjorie has managed to keep her wits about her."
"For now."
"She's just excited to be an aunt."
"True. Her family..."
"Do you know the Van Goulds?"
"Socially. Not very nice people. From what I hear."
"Poor Marjorie. How do you think they'll be knowing they missed her wedding?"
"Not happy. It isn't really socially acceptable."
"What?"
"Not being at your daughter's wedding."
"Well, it was last minute. Last second, really."
"I know. The Van Goulds won't see it that way though."
Autumn gathered her things up as Winter did.
"Behave Cadaver."
There was a quiet, somehow sarcastic "Meow" deeper in the house and Autumn chuckled. "That's my boy."
Winter smiled as they closed the front door and headed to the car.
"Good morning, Winter," Marjorie said. "Hello, Autumn. How you both today?"
"Wonderful," Winter replied. "Marvelous. Happy as a clam."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Now?"
He chuckled. "I love my job. I love my job."
Marjorie laughed. "Winter, my love, you just got here!"
"Well, you asked! I'm just being honest."
"I love that about you, Winter."
Winter finished signing in and headed off to the toddler room. It was where he was assigned for today. He couldn't wait for "Wake Up, Shake up." It not only helped the children first thing in the morning get ready for the day, but it helped him as well.
"And you, Autumn? How are you?"
"Just fine," Autumn replied, sardonically. "Thank you for asking. How are you? How are you adjusting to married life?"
"Not much different than just living with your brother, but I'm much happier."
"I'm glad, Marjorie."
"How is the baby?"
"Just fine."
"How are you with the delivery date?"
"Reece told you?"
"Of course."
"Not happy about it, but a little better after realizing that my father will not be happy about it."
"Well, babies rarely come on their due dates, right? So, maybe he or she will come early by a few days."
"One can only hope. How is your family with the surprise wedding?"
"Well..."
"Marjorie, you have told them, haven't you?"
"Yes. Yes. I have."
"Not happy?"
"Thrilled that I finally landed a man. Thrilled that it's a Knight."
Autumn raised an eyebrow.
"My mother."
"Oh."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. What is on the agenda for today? Anything?"
"No."
"That's good. A decent day."
"One can only hope."
"Ready, my love?" Winter asked, walking into the office.
"Just another few minutes," Autumn replied. "I have to wait for Marjorie to get back."
"Janice been trying to gate keep the phone again?"
"Yes."
"Good golly. You'd think after that parent got on with her she would have learned her lesson."
"She will never learn her lesson."
"One day, my love, she will."
"We'll see, my sweet."
"Thank you, Autumn," Marjorie said, entering in a rush. "That is all taken care of. Hiya, Winter! You all right?"
"Yes, Marjorie. Is there anything to be done?"
"Not yet. We're working on it."
"Great. See you tomorrow?"
"Yes, my loves. See you both later."
They waved and left.
Cadaver met them at the front door and waited for acknowledgement from Autumn. He hadn't liked Winter, at first, but he was warming up to him. Kind of. A lot. Actually.
"Hello, Cadaver," Autumn said. "Have a good day?"
The cat nodded and turned tail.
Figured.
"How was your day?" Winter asked.
"Fine. Trying to get this takeover going is proving most difficult at the moment."
"Siobhan won't help?"
Autumn sighed. "We keep trying to reach out via phone and text, but she won't answer."
"What about when she's at the nursery to pick up Jamie?"
"I'll talk to Marjorie. We're trying to keep things quiet."
"Janice?"
"Yes."
"I can try passing her a note."
"That would be most helpful. The nursery needs to be out from underneath my father and Janice."
"Yes."
"I'm glad we agree, my sweet."
"As am I, my love. As am I."
