Page 114 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Tilly giggled, then leapt from Laurence’s arms into Edith’s and buried her head in Edith’s shoulder. “A baby!” she squealed.
After a moment, she pulled back, a small frown forming on her face.
“What’s wrong?” Laurence asked.
“Babies take a lot of work, don’t they?” Tilly asked. “And they cry a lot?”
Edith nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“But…” Tilly shifted in her seat. “What if you’re so busy with the baby that you… forget about me?”
Edith and Laurence shared a look, their hearts breaking at her fear. They both pulled her into a hug.
“We could never forget about you, Tilly,” Edith promised softly.
“You’re our daughter, our special girl. We will love you and your sibling, and we will never forget about you,” Laurence said.
Tilly nodded, hugging them back. “Promise?” she whispered.
“We promise,” Edith and Laurence said in unison.
Tilly’s smile returned. “All right, thank you.”
“And do you know what happens to very special daughters?” Laurence asked, grinning.
Tilly looked curious and shook her head.
Edith could see Laurence’s eyes glinting with mischief.
“They get chased… by daddy monsters!” he growled, tickling Tilly.
The little girl squealed with glee, wriggled free of their embrace, and sprinted away from the picnic blanket. Laurence rose and gave chase as she ran around the trees and plants.
“Be careful!” Edith called after them, laughing at the sight.
She never thought that she would get to this stage with her family, watching them run and laugh. It was everything she had ever wanted.
She was struck by a sudden memory, one she had long forgotten, of her running through her family’s gardens and her father chasing her. She had been laughing and squealing like Tilly was doing now.
Her eyes filled with happy tears at the good memory, before seeing it repeat with Tilly and Laurence.
She wiped her eyes just as Laurence caught the little girl, taking her into his arms and spinning her around. Tilly laughed loudly. Laurence carried her back to the blanket.
“It looks like I won,” he teased as he sat down with her.
“Indeed, it does.” Edith chuckled.
“And do you know what daddy monsters do when they catch their little girls?” Laurence asked.
“No?” Tilly giggled.
“They eat them!” Laurence roared.
“Nooo!” Tilly squealed.
“I have heard daddy monsters can be given pie so they don’t eat little girls.” Edith grinned.
Tilly giggled and squirmed out of Laurence’s arms. She took a pie out of the basket and pushed it into his mouth.
