"Just ma, and my busom friend, Rose... Ma was very kind about it even though this was very sudden and Rose and I seem to have gotten closer... She is scared too, but I don't think it has anything to do with a child." While she paused, ut was short lived. "And Da... Well, he has been kind too. I know I have never felt as though my own family loved me... And they love you dearly, darling husband." She smoothed at his shirt, smiling a little.

"We have weathered worse," she said softly. "We will do what we must, Joe, and strive to be good people. You already do so much good..." She paused to sneeze again and gave a groan...

"If I wasn't ailing, I would kiss you. Perhaps we should discuss that money further with your parents, that would go a long way to making da proud, I'd think. After all, I would be helping them too. But I would like to rest for now. I wonder if Ma has made soup today. I can smell a little and it smells like the kitchen back at the manor. I sat with the servants for company, much to my mother's disdain."

"And... I am going to have to face my father. I know it might seem ill advised, but I want him to find out from me, not the world."