Joe looked upon Phillipa with a certain sort of heroism that took her breath away.
Perhaps because of this, he had taken to trailing her footsteps, taking care of her, picking things up for her, doing whatever she needed, as if it was an eternal thank you for ridding the world of that man.
She was delighted to have done that for him. She was delighted to have done it for the world. And she was so glad that Joe liked her. It was so important, the fact that he did.
She was also very happy to shower the boy with care and attention and as much love as he would let her give him. He deserved it so very, very much.
Every day, she set out to make Joe feel included and important to her.
She understood that she was now a new part of the relationship between Joe and her husband. And she wanted them all to get on, and get on they did.
So, when the time came and her belly began to swell with her and Anthony’s first child, she realized that Joe might feel a trifle out of sorts.
Cognizant of this, she took Joe aside in the long formal garden and she said, “You know, I am so grateful that my child shall have you to grow up with. I can only hope, boy or girl, that they will become as wonderful a person as you are.”
Joe looked at her from under his scruffy brows, looked at the book he’d been carrying, but then gently took her hand like a small boy with his mother. “I shall take care of the baby most happily. But I understand if you'd prefer if I went away.”
“Joe!” she said softly, squeezing his hand, then pulling him gently into her arms.
He was tall enough that she did not have to kneel down. She angled herself slightly and locked gazes with him. She wanted him to know how important he was. How safe he was with her. “I shouldn't like it one bit,” she assured. “And if you ever say such a thing again, well, we will have to talk about it further to understand why you feel thus. Do you understand?”
His eyes widened with surprise. He held onto her tightly. Then he nodded.
“You are special to Anthony,” she continued. “And you are special to me. He was so heartbroken when he feared you lost forever. And he has positively bloomed with happiness since you've been back. He loves the long walks you take together. And I know that you are the most fortunate thing to happen to us.”
Joe cocked his head to the side. “Do you truly think so?”
She beamed at him, then ran her hand along his unruly hair, wishing to give him all the love that he had missed. “Indeed I do.”
“I'm glad, Phillipa,” Joe said firmly, using her given name as she had requested when they first met. “I like you quite a lot. I'm sure a baby between you and Anthony will be wonderful. But it does make me feel a bit. . .”
“What?” she asked gently.
Joe looked askance. “As if, perhaps, I'll be in the way.”
“Never, Joe,” she replied carefully, wanting him to see how earnest she was. “You could never be in the way. The fact that you are alive and well has given Anthony new hope and new life. And you are our family, so we shall just be a bigger one now. Are you amenable to that?”
He smiled up at her, his fear slipping away, and then he settled next to her, his shoulders more at ease. “I suppose I will be. And I shall make the baby eggs when it's time, and take the baby for walks, and read to the baby, and tell the baby to never join the Navy!”
She laughed and pulled Joe closer to hug him tight. “Never join the Navy indeed, Joe. That's very good advice. Now, will you help me find Anthony?”
“Of course,” he said. “I already know where he is! He is over by the lake. He's been doing a great deal of walking as of late.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Joe. I think cook has made a cake and if you run, and tell her I sent you, you shall have some. And then you must spend the afternoon at play.”
Joe let out a cry of delight for their cook did make particularly fine cake.
He gave her a quick wink, then ran down the pebbled way without looking back.
She hoped he would play.
Playing was something she was glad that Joe had learned to do in the last months. It had been difficult for him at first to understand that he had no formal duties that he had to carry out if he did not wish to. But he had adjusted and was enjoying it now.
She was so very glad she had spoken with Joe. His happiness mattered so much.
Drawing in a breath, she turned down the path towards where Anthony spent so much time these days when he wished to go for his walks.
When she came upon Anthony who was standing and contemplating the waves lapping the shoreline, she slipped her fingers into his wordlessly.
They stared at the rippling waters together.
It had been a most eventful year for both of them, though far more so for Anthony.
There was no question that it had also been an incredibly painful one too for both of them, though in very different ways. A difficult one. One full of events which most people would never experience in the entirety of their lives.
She lifted her chin and found herself asking the question she’d been so certain she would not. “Are you pleased?”
“Pleased?” he queried, his brow furrowing.
“Yes,”
