𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝙼𝙸𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 || Original Story

8 - cut

I soon found myself up at Whitemarsh Hall again a week or so later to check up on Maddilyn. She was looking more and more exhausted each time I saw her and was usually found hobbling around despite Thomas's protests.

"Doctor," he said to me pleadingly when I entered the living room with my bag in hand. "Will you please tell Maddie to rest? I'm worried about her and she's refusing to sit down."

"I'm sat down now, aren't I?" Maddilyn replied with a scowl.

I smiled softly. "I understand you're concerned, Thomas, but it's fine for your wife to get exercise. Just not too much exercise."

"Oh, Tommy," she whined before he had chance to retort. "All I'm doing is walking up and down the stairs, around the garden, and helping your mother with the washing. It's not as if I'm sprinting around the town."

"I know, darling," he said. "But Liesel can help Mother- have you seen her, Doctor?"

"No, I haven't," I answered.

"Well, I should find her. I'm sure she'll be pleased to see you."

Thomas gave Maddilyn a warning, yet sympathetic glance before heading out of the room. Once his footsteps faded away, Maddilyn let out a heavy sigh.

"He's such a worrier," she uttered as she gestured for me to sit down with her. As I did so, I set my bag on the floor and she continued: "will you speak to him for me? He'll listen to you, Doctor."

"I have a funny feeling he won't," I chuckled. "People usually listen to us medical professionals, but it seems Thomas heads on up the warpath if anyone tells him otherwise."

Maddilyn sighed again, tapping her nimble ringed fingers against her swollen stomach. "It won't be long before this little one will be giving Thomas the runaround."

"He'll certainly have his hands full."

"Hmm. Good. It'll keep him busy... Say, Doctor, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"I mean it's more hypothetical, really, but... if anything were to happen to me, would you help to look after our baby?"

Maddilyn's dark gaze was hopeful and there was a faint smile across her lips. Bewildered and silent, I stared back for a long moment and my surprise was evident as she then added softly, "I know it's a lot to ask. Especially since you've got enough on your plate and since you've only just moved here... But I trust you. I trust Doctor Musgrave... I'm always so fearful of what the future holds and I want as many kind, friendly faces around my baby as possible because my family practically live on the opposite end of the country and Thomas's family aren't around anymore."

"Of course," I then said at last. "I understand."

Maddilyn then laughed. "Thomas barely knows how to take care of the plants in the garden let alone a child. And Florence will be the most wonderful grandmother, I'm certain, but she's not exactly young anymore and it wouldn't be fair. I know Liesel would help, of course, but she's not responsible for her own niece or nephew and she has her own things to do."

I smiled at her attempt to humour me. I noticed she looked awfully tired and washed out; her pregnancy was taking its toll on her and I could only hope that the baby would come sooner rather than later.

"Your words are kind, Maddilyn," I uttered, to which she smiled warmly. "And I very much appreciate them. It's nice to know I've made a good impression on you and your family, so yes... I'd be honoured to help take care of your baby, whether something bad happens- which it won't- or not."