A Passenger Named Clement

Upon Wendy's confirmation, Mrs. Lucas beamed and could not stop smiling.

She held Wendy's hands in hers and asked, looking concerned, "How far along are you? Why didn't you tell me? Look at how pale you are. Your morning sickness must be quite severe."

Then, without giving Wendy a chance to respond, she reached out and slapped Michael on the arm, rebuking, "Why didn't you tell me that Wendy is expecting? If Leah had not mentioned the baby, were you planning to still keep me in the dark?"

"Well, no," Michael had indeed planned to keep it a secret until Leah unwittingly spilled the beans.

Smiling, he explained, "And that is the reason why we visited today. To inform you."

"Really?" His grandmother asked him, looking dubious.

Watching them, Wendy took a deep breath and reached out to hold onto Mrs. Lucas.

Speaking up for Michael, she said, "Yes, we had only just confirmed it ourselves.