Choices Imagines

Desire & Decorum Imagine

Setting: End of January 1824 at Ledford Park, mid-morning. You are heavily pregnant  with yours and Ernest's 2nd child.

A/N: let me know if any of you want a 2nd part to this 😉

You waddled down the stairs looking for your husband and friends as you were all at Ledford Park to celebrate the life of your beloved deer Bambino. She had been caught up in a fight a few days prior and sadly passed away. It was a sad time for everyone, but especially you and Sir Luke. You two were the ones to find and rescue her so you were both heavy with emotion. You drifted into one of the parlour rooms and took a seat by the window looking out at the last of the thawing snow as you cradled your stomach. "Hey." A quiet voice spoke from the doorway, you turned your head to see Sir Luke and smiled sadly "Sir Luke." You responded, he stood next to you and pointed to the seat "may I...?" He asked pointing to the seat "of course" you said and returned to staring out of the window. A few moments of silence passed before you let out a weary sigh, "I miss her so much" you said letting a tear roll down your face "...as do I my lady. She was a bundle of fun and full of life. She would love this" he said pointing out the window smiling a little "yes. She.. she would" you agreed. You both sat for talking a while longer before Annabelle joined you, "I thought I heard voices" she smiled and gave you a hug. "How are you doing?" She asked, "considering everything? I'm doing okay, thank you for asking" you replied "of course" Annabelle said. She sat at the pianoforte and danced her fingers gently across the keys. She played a couple of songs before Briar walked in with Prince Hamid, carrying a tray of pastries and tea. "I know it's not the most appropriate setting but before he left to run errands this morning Mr.Sinclaire asked we treat you carefully and with love" she said placing the tray on the coffee table near the far wall. You smiled at your friend as she brought you over one of your favourite pastries and a cup of tea, "thank you Briar" you said accepting the tea as she placed the pastry on the windowsill. You spent the rest of the day with your friends trying to take your mind off of Bambino's passing.

Later that evening you were in your room with Briar getting ready for dinner when there was a knock at the door. "Enter." Briar commanded as she place the final bobby pin in your hair, moving to pick up the brush to touch up your makeup. The door opened and Mr.Sinclaire entered, "Oh, I can... come back" he hesitated at the doorway "Come now Ernest. This is nothing you've not seen before" you said, looking in the mirror as Briar finished up. "Besides. I'm all done, I'll get out of your hair" Briar teased as she left the room. As he hung his hat on the coat and hat stand, Mr.Sinclaire turned to you "hello my love" he smiled, but you were still feeling sad. You moved past him to the door "Hello Ernest. I trust you had an interesting day." You spoke coldly. As he looked back at you he looked hurt by your tone "well yes.. it was-" he started to reply but you cut him off "save it for dinner. I'm sure our friends would be more invested" you hissed out and exited the room and headed to dinner alone. After he had changed his attire, Mr.Sinclaire joined the rest of you for dinner taking his seat next to you. Some kind of tensions apparent between the two of you.

As you waited for your main courses, you watched your friends talk between themselves and Mr.Sinclaire turned to you "what is it my dear? What's wrong?" He asked his brow creased with worry as he reached out to place a hand on your cheek, which you pushed away. Then just looked at him with a raised eyebrow. After a few tense moments his face changed as if it had finally clicked, "Oh my gosh, sweetheart I'm so sorry. I got held up on the way back from my final errand. A grocer had spilt his lemons all over the path. I stopped to help him pick them up and well he wouldn't let me go until I took some free produce. I swear" he explained as your expression never changed. "You promised we would spend the afternoon together Ernest." you spoke through gritted teeth. "I know honey, and I tried to get here on time. I really did... I- I'm sorry that I did not make it today. I know it's difficult for you right now" he said sorrowfully as he reached tentatively for your hand, lacing your fingers together when you don't flinch away. "I have tomorrow free. I shall make it up to you." He said as he kissed your knuckles delicately.

After dinner you all gathered in the main room and sat around the fireplace. It was dark outside and the wind howled as it blew violently. "I'm glad we're all staying here tonight" prince Hamid chuckled "yes. I'd hate to be travelling home in this weather" Sir Luke agreed as he took a seat next to Annabelle, offering her a small glass of wine. You sat in silence for a while staring at the fire burning, when suddenly Briar burst through the doorway more lively than ever "brighten up people! You all look like dead fish!" She exclaimed as she placed a box in the middle of the room. "What's this?" Mr.Sinclaire asked curiously. Briar smiled brightly "I'm glad you asked." She said and took the lid off. "As you all know I've been extremely... busy recently" she started "well, with our Countess of Edgewater due to give birth at any moment. I took the liberty of putting together this box of toys and supplies to take the stress off of the two of you" she smiled and unpacked some stuff then paused. "What is it Briar?" You asked sitting up, "well um.. I... I'm not sure..." she stuttered and you challenged her with the look you always gave her, until she caved. "Okay. I'll show you but I finished making this a couple of weeks ago. I did not know then, the tragedy that would occur" she whispered as she took out a handmade set of plush toys. It was you, Mr.Sinclaire, Percival, your first child, Bambino and a baby. It was a family. Your family. You delicately took the box with the plushies in from Briar and looked at them. A single tear trailed down your cheek and you sniffed as you wiped it away. "Briar..." you whispered as you looked back up at her "how many hours?" You asked "too many to recall" she replied choking back a sob, you smiled sadly at her then pulled her into a huge hug. "Thank you" you spoke delicately.

Later that night around 2:30am you were awake and pacing the room unable to sleep when you doubled over with a sudden pain and screamed waking Ernest. "What is it my love?" He said sleepily as he rubbed his eyes moving with as much urgency as he could to reach you at the dresser you were clutching onto. "The baby..." you breathed heavily "... it's coming!"