Mother and Son

Gareth stepped out of the bathroom, and padded quietly over to his bed. Autumn was sleeping already. She looked exhausted, trying hard to keep up a cheery front earlier at the party. Gareth climbed into bed gently and snuggled close to her. She shifted towards him. He wrapped his right arm around her waist.


"Mon cher?", she said softly, without opening her eyes.
"Sh.. Sleep chéri.", Gareth said gently. She snuggled closer, her breathing even almost immediately.


Gareth looked at her and watch as she slept. It had been a long three weeks, moving from property to property in Scotland. Scotland was vast and beautiful. He had thought to bring Autumn there someday. The ancestral home would be a good place to start. Gareth smiled to himself at the thought of it.


Autumn shifted in her sleep.


"Chloe.", she mumbled in her sleep. Gareth looked at her in surprise and smiled.


Chloe. He always loved that name, and had always thought to name his first daughter Chloe and Autumn had seem to have taken to that name quite well. Autumn shifted again and gently put her hand to her tummy. Gareth looked and frowned a little, as Autumn was smiling as he hand touched her tummy.


'Was she? It can't be, can it?', Gareth thought to himself. He watched her again, and mentally shrugged. He settled in, cuddled Autumn and soon fell asleep.


The next morning, Gareth awoke to someone rushing to get out of bed. He opened one eye and shielded his eye from the morning sun shining in. Autumn had gotten out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. He heard her puking in the bathroom. Gareth practically jumped of bed immediately and rushed into the bathroom.


"Chéri? Are you ok?", Gareth asked as he stood by the bathroom door. Gareth saw Autumn bent over the toiletbowl. Autumn was trying to vomit, and Gareth could only watch.



Autumn got up, flushed the toilet and washed up. Gareth looked at her worried. Autumn only smiled and returned to bed. Gareth watched as she climbed in. He returned and sat at the edge of the bed and looked at Autumn as she snuggled back into the sheets.


"Are you feeling ok chéri?", Gareth asked Autumn seriously.
"I'm feeling fine.", she said innocently.
"Very very sure?", Gareth tried again. She only nodded.
"Ok then.", Gareth said and climbed in to cuddle with her.


'She will tell me when she's ready.', Gareth thought to himself. He will not force her and be patient with her. Patience, one of the little lessons he had learnt while he was in Scotland.


Gareth looked at Autumn and gently leaned in to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his closer.

"Chéri.", Gareth growled, and she laughed.

~~~
Autumn had fallen asleep soon after their love making. Their legs tangled under the sheets with Autumn cuddled close to Gareth. It felt right for him. Gareth watched as she slept on. It was then he heard a knock on his door. The door opened and his mum peeked in. Gareth signalled for her to enter as he sat up.


"I see you found her.", Monique said softly with a smile.
"Mum, you know better than to do what you did last night.", Gareth gently chided his Mum, as he indicated for her to sit on a chair by the bed.
"Oh come on darling. You planned the first dance with Vincent.", Monique teased him.
"But it worked out perfect. She was surprised.", he said with a grin. Monique watched as Autumn slept.

"How is she?", Monique asked Gareth.
"Exhausted.", Gareth said simple and Monique nodded.
"Gareth, take good care of her. You are very fortunate to have her in your life. Having spent more time with her, I've come to like her. She brings out the best in you.", Monique said as she held Gareth's hand and smiled up at him.
"I know Mum, I know.", Gareth said gently and looked lovingly at Autumn.


"Oh~~ My son is in love.", Monique teased.
"Mum--", Gareth groaned, embarrassed. Monique laughed gently.

"I heard what happened last night with Justina and Phillip. Don't let it get to you. It was Phillip's choice and everyone has to live with the choices they make in life. Forgive Phillip if he has said or done anything to upset you. He does love her.", Monique said gently. Gareth only nodded.
"I still cannot understand what he sees in her, but love is blind. He will have to work it out on his own.", Monique continued. Gareth only sighed.

"I know you worry for your brother, despite what had happened between the three of you. But you have alot on your hands now, with your inheritance and new title. There is going to be a huge buzz. Are you ready for it? Are you ready to protect the ones you love from this frenzy?", Monique asked Gareth.


"I am, Mum. I've learnt so much in the three weeks I was in Scotland. Uncle David was a wonderful man. I've learnt so much in his legacy.", Gareth said as he smiled up to his mother. Monique nodded.

"Good, good. I'm so proud of you my dear. So is your father. He does not say much, but he's not stopped talking about you ever since you came back.", Monique laughed and Gareth gently laughed along.
"Thank you, Mum", Gareth said and gently squeezed her hand.


Silence.


"Mum, there's something I need to ask you.", Gareth began slowly, breaking the silence.
"What is it?", Monique asked, still holding her son's hand.

"What are the early signs of pregnancy?", Gareth almost choked on his question. Monique laughed.

"Ah.. You've noticed?", Monique aske Gareth.
"Noticed? Noticed what?", Gareth looked at her in surprise. Monique smiled.
"Was Autumn leaning over the toilet this morning?", Monique asked, still smiling. Gareth looked up and nodded.

"One of the signs or early pregnancy. I thought so myself.", Monique said gently.
"So there is a good chance that Autumn might be pregnant?", Gareth asked, somewhat excited.
"There could be a chance. But why not wait till she is ready to tell you?", Monique asked Gareth.


"Patience my dear boy.", Monique said as she got up.
"She will tell you when she is ready.", she added. Gareth nodded.
"Thanks mum.", Gareth said.
"No need to thanks me love. Well then, I will get Mary to bring breakfast for you two. Let her sleep a little longer. If she were pregnant, she will need the extra rest.", Monique said and left the room, closing the door behind her.


Gareth looked at Autumn as she slept on. If she really was pregnant, everything would be perfect.