33
Megan had just bathed Edward and was gently tucking him into his cot.
‘Night, night, darling,’ she said softly as he gurgled away, kicking his legs. The moment she put his dummy in, his eyes became heavy and he slowly closed his eyelids. Within minutes he was sleeping, with his tiny chest steadily rising up and down. She stared, besotted at her beautiful bundle of joy. Creeping slowly backwards, so as not to wake him, she quietly opened the nursery door and closed it silently behind her.
Tobias was in their drawing room, pouring himself a brandy. He’d had a long day, meeting with his project manager to discuss the various works his building company was undergoing, which included now the restoration of Keeper’s Cottage. He was keen to include Daniel and had arranged to see him in a few days’ time.
‘Fancy a drink?’ he called over his shoulder.
‘Just a tonic water thanks.’ Megan sat down, glad to finally have a rest. She couldn’t believe how tiring it was looking after a baby, but she was resolute in not having a nanny as Tobias had suggested.
‘There you go.’ He sat down next to her on the chesterfield and put an arm round her shoulders.
‘Everything OK?’ Megan asked, knowing there was something on her husband’s mind.
‘Just thinking about Sebastian.’
Megan wrapped her arm round his middle and hugged him hard. ‘I know,’ she sighed. Megan had been initially shocked when Tobias had told her about Sebastian’s illness and had cursed herself for not seeing it. So how must Tobias be feeling? ‘Thank God he’s got Jamie, as well as us.’
‘Yes, Jamie’s good for him,’ agreed Tobias. Then, changing the subject completely, he told her, ‘Marcus is staying with us the night before the wedding.’
‘Really?’ Megan asked surprised, assuming he would be staying at The Templar.
‘Well he can’t stay with the bride the night before and I thought it would be good to have the three of us together.’
‘Yes, it would.’ Megan pictured the eve of her wedding day with Finula and her mum back in Gran’s cottage. It all seemed so long ago now, although it really wasn’t. Having Edward had taken so much out of her, it was hard to imagine what life was like before him. Each day she could see him growing more and more like his daddy, with his dark, tufty hair and green twinkly eyes, speckled with amber flecks. She chuckled to herself. Was there any of her in their son?
Tobias smiled. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘Just how like you Edward is.’
‘Maybe our daughter will look as pretty as you,’ he replied.
Megan turned her head sharply. ‘You don’t want another so soon, do you?’
‘Well… there’s no harm in practising…’ He bent his head down to kiss her. Megan responded, instantly folding her arms round his neck. Then a cry came from the nursery. They stopped and waited to see if he would stop. He didn’t. ‘I’ll go to him,’ said Tobias sighing, leaving Megan grinning to herself. Another baby could wait.
