Victorian Snapshots Chapter 5
“Mummy,” Ashley called bursting into the room.
Helen was startled by the sudden intrusion as she tried to feed her newest child, Charles. At four months old he still needed breast fed. Most people in her class station would have hired a wet nurse but Helen always defied convention. “Ashley, how many times have I told you not to rush about like that?” she asked. “I am in the middle of something quite private here.”
That was when Ashley noticed the state her mother was in. “What are you doing that’s private?” she demanded. “It just looks like you’re hugging Charles. And you do that in front of everyone. But your dress is all funny.”
Helen sighed. There was no good way to explain this to her four year old. “Ashley, go and play with your siblings,” she instructed in a stern tone.
“But I wanted to show you something,” the girl insisted.
“Ashley, you will do as I tell you or I will report your disobedience to your father and allow him to choose your punishment, is that clear?” Helen knew she was pulling out a trump card. John may have adored Ashley but he would not tolerate her disobeying her mother. Ashley knew the consequences of getting him angry like that.
Before Ashley could mumble out her apology the nanny came to the door. “My apologies miss,” she said averting her eyes. “I didn’t realize the situation. I was just coming to find Miss Ashley here.”
“If you’ll please take my daughter back to her playroom with her siblings,” Helen told her firmly. “And please keep and eye on her this time.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Miss Carmichael nodded. “I promise I will.”
Helen sighed as the woman took her daughter away. It was stress making her speak in such tones, she knew it. Once she was done with Charles, she would make herself a cup of tea and then apologize to her daughter and the nanny. She wished John were home now. But then she would probably snap at him as well. “Oh, my dear, no one ever did tell me that raising a family would be easy,” she said to her son. “But then they never told me it would be quite this difficult either.” Charles only gurgled.
Helen was glad when she heard the tell tale sounds of her husband’s footsteps hours later. It had been a dizzying sort of day but John’s steps heralded an end to it. It meant that he would go in, spend an hour or two with the children, tell them to sleep well and come join her for the rest of the night. Helen could spend some time in her husband’s arms. It would make her feel better. She smiled as she felt his lips brush her cheek. “Good evening, John,” she greeted.
“My dearest, you look exhausted,” he said. “Are you feeling well?”
“Just rather tired today John,” she told him. “It’s been…eventful.”
John tugged her to a chair and knelt beside her. “Tell me,” he insisted in a gentle voice. Helen smiled. Her John always knew the right things to say.
“Oh just the normal things I suppose,” she sighed. “Ashley had something she wanted to show me but I was just so busy. I knew raising a family would be hard. I just somehow keep forgetting how hard it really is.” She lowered her eyes. “And I must confess I miss my work as well.” Helen knew the feeling was beneath her, that woman’s highest calling was motherhood, but it didn’t change how she felt.
John kissed her hand. “I would be worried if you didn’t,” he smiled. Helen turned to him. “My Helen, you have never followed convention in any form. I would not expect you to do so now. I know you love our children and your work with equal passion. We must simply find a way to help you balance both worlds.”
Helen leaned over to kiss him. “How is it you know the solution to everyone of my problems?” she asked.
“Oh if I knew that I would know the answers to the mysteries of the universe,” he informed her. “I suppose this is partly my fault. I could be home more helping with the children. I’ll see what I can do to make that happen.”
“John I don’t know what I would do without you,” she stated. John stood and pulled her into his arms. “I’d be so lost.”
“You’d find your way,” John assured her. “You always do.” He kissed the crown of her hair. “Come now, darling, let us go look in on the children together.” He looped an arm around the shoulders and they went to the nursery. “Hello there children,” he greeted.
“Daddy,” several voices called. Ashley was the first to get to them as always.
John knelt down to hug her. “Hello, little angel,” he smiled. “Did you have a good day today?”
She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “I learned something new today,” she told him. “But it’s a secret.” Her eyes flicked to her nanny.
“Then we’ll have to wait until later,” he promised her. He kissed her cheek. “Now go give your mother a hug as well.” As she moved off, Gregory came up. “There’s my little scientist,” John smiled. “How was your day?”
Gregory frowned. “Mummy and Ashley were loud,” he stated.
John kissed his temple. “I heard about that,” he agreed. “But it’s not loud now is it?” he pointed out.
“No,” Gregory said. He frowned as he struggled with the words he didn’t yet know. John took pity on him.
“Were you listening to a story?” John asked him. Gregory nodded. “I promise I’ll read to you before bedtime. How does that sound?” His son gave him a bright smile. John passed him off and went to his one year old who reached out her hands. “My little princess,” he greeted.
“Dada,” she called.
John had been a father enough times to realize that she was just making sounds. She didn’t really understand what she was saying just yet. That didn’t stop him feeling warmth at the words. “Very good,” he smiled. He kissed her hair. “Such a smart little girl. Just like your mother.” He held her for a few moments and whispered to her before setting her down. “Now where’s my brilliant boy?” he asked.
“Charles is right over here,” Miss Carmichael said.
The baby was sleeping right now so John just leaned over to kiss his forehead. “Sleep well,” he whispered. He turned to where Helen was playing with Gregory. John smiled at how at ease she currently looked. His wife was such a marvelous woman. She could move in any circle that was asked of her and do it with skill and grace. That such an angel would agree to become his wife both amazed and thrilled him everyday. She looked over her shoulder to catch his eye. John smiled at her. Helen settled her son before heading back to her husband. John looked to his eldest daughter. “Come along Ashley,” he called.
The girl got to her feet and dusted off her dress. “Will you pick me up daddy?” she asked, raising her arms to him.
“If you add one more word to that sentence,” he agreed.
Ashley paused in thought. “Please,” she added brightly. With a smile, John lifted her into his arms.
The three of them went to the study. John set Ashley on the carpet. “Now, there was something you wanted to show your mother and I, correct?” he asked.
“There was,” she grinned. She pushed on their legs until they backed up to the desk. “You stay there,” Ashley instructed. She then hurried out the door.
“What is going on?” Helen wondered.
“No idea,” John murmured.
Before they could speak further there was a flash of pink light and Ashley stood before them. She had that prideful smile that only small children could get on her face. “Look what I can do,” she crowed delightedly. “I’m just like daddy now!”
Both parents were shocked into silence for a few moments. John was the first to recover his wits. “Aren’t you the brilliant one,” he smiled as he scooped his daughter into his arms. “Did you learn how to do it all by yourself?”
Ashley bobbed her head several times. “I’ve been watching you and taught myself from that,” she explained.
“Well, I think that might make you the cleverest girl in all England,” John declared.
“I believe I must agree,” Helen said as she joined them. She leaned over to kiss Ashley’s temple. “Very brilliant, just like your father.”
“I believe it comes more from your mother,” John smiled. “But either way you are very clever and we are both very proud of you.” He kissed her hair. “However it is also time for you to be back with your siblings. And no using your new gift either. Walk back like a good little girl.” He set her back on her feet.
Ashley hugged both parents around the legs. “Love you,” she smiled before hurrying off.
Helen leaned against her husband. “Do you remember James’ theory about how you wouldn’t be able to jump with a certain type of electrical field up?” she asked.
“I do,” John agreed. “Why?”
Helen looked up at him with a mixture of amusement and worry. “John, we have a four year old who can teleport. If we don’t find a way to control it, we’ll never be able to keep her in this house.”