Chapter Fifty-Six - Unexpected Turns

A week had passed since the drama with Lady Constance had come to a close. The household was slowly returning to normalcy. Alister, Amelia, and Ethan were seated around the breakfast table, the morning sun casting a warm glow through the windows.

"Can you pass the marmalade, Ethan?" Alister asked, reaching for the toast.

"Sure, Dad," Ethan replied, handing over the jar.

Amelia watched them with a smile, enjoying the rare moments of tranquility. The week had been uneventful, which was a welcome change after all the chaos. She took a bite of her eggs, savoring the quiet morning.

"Did you finish your assignment for Master Renault?" Amelia asked Ethan, her voice soft and caring.

"Yes, Mother," Ethan said, nodding. "He said I did a great job on it too."

"That's wonderful, Ethan. You're doing so well with your studies," she praised, her eyes full of pride.

Alister grinned at his son. "You'll be a scholar in no time, just like your old man."

Ethan laughed. "I don't know about that, but I'll try."

Amelia picked up her cup of tea, feeling a slight twinge of discomfort in her stomach. She ignored it, taking a sip and setting the cup back down. She listened as Alister and Ethan discussed the day's plans, their voices a comforting background hum.

"We should go for a ride later," Alister suggested. "The weather's perfect for it."

Ethan's face lit up. "Can we? That sounds great!"

Amelia smiled at their excitement. "That sounds like a lovely idea."

As she reached for her fork, another wave of nausea hit her, stronger this time. She froze, her hand trembling slightly.

"Amelia, are you alright?" Alister's voice was laced with concern.

She forced a smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired, I suppose."

Alister frowned, studying her face. "You don't look fine. Maybe you should rest today."

"I'll be alright," she insisted, though she felt far from it. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

Ethan looked at her with wide eyes. "Mother, are you sure? You look really pale."

"I'm fine, really," she assured them, though she could feel her stomach churning. She pushed her plate away, unable to take another bite.

Alister reached out and took her hand. "If you're not feeling well, you should rest. We can handle things for today."

Amelia nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Maybe you're right. I think I will lie down for a bit."

She stood up, but as she did, a sudden rush of dizziness overwhelmed her. She swayed, reaching out to steady herself on the table.

"Amelia!" Alister was on his feet in an instant, steadying her with his strong arms. "You need to rest."

"I'm fine, really," she insisted, though she knew she wasn't convincing anyone. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her head.

"Please, Mother, rest," Ethan pleaded, his young face filled with worry.

Amelia smiled weakly at him. "Alright, I'll rest. Don't worry, Ethan."

She tried to take a step forward, but the nausea surged again, this time more violently. Without thinking, she pushed the chair away and bolted from the room, barely making it to the bathroom before she was sick.

Alister and Ethan watched in shock as she ran out, the sound of the chair clattering to the floor echoing in the silent room.

"What's wrong with her, Dad?" Ethan asked, his voice small and scared.

Alister shook his head, worry etched into his features. "I don't know, son. But we'll find out."

Inside the bathroom, Amelia leaned over the sink, her hands gripping the edges tightly. She felt weak and disoriented, her mind racing with a hundred different thoughts.

"What's happening to me?" she whispered to herself, her reflection in the mirror looking just as confused and frightened as she felt.

The nausea slowly subsided, and she rinsed her mouth, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She needed to see a healer, she realized. This wasn't just a simple illness.

Gathering her strength, she made her way back to the dining room. Alister and Ethan were waiting, their faces filled with concern.

"Are you alright?" Alister asked, rushing to her side.

"I think I need to see the healer," Amelia admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Something's not right."

"We'll go right away," Alister said firmly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Ethan looked up at her with worried eyes. "Will you be okay, Mother?"

"I'll be fine, sweetheart," she assured him, though she wasn't sure she believed it herself. "I just need to find out what's going on."

They quickly made arrangements to visit the healer, Alister supporting Amelia as they walked. She felt a mixture of fear and uncertainty, wondering what could be causing her sudden illness.

"Don't worry, Amelia," Alister whispered, his voice soothing. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

Amelia nodded, leaning into him for support. She knew that whatever happened, they would face it together.

As they made their way to the healer's, Amelia's mind raced with possibilities. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her stomach, a sense that something was deeply wrong.

But with Alister by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope. They had faced so much together, and she knew they would get through this too.

When they arrived at the healer's, they were quickly ushered inside. The healer, an elderly woman with kind eyes, greeted them warmly.

"What seems to be the problem?" she asked, her gaze focused on Amelia.

Amelia explained her symptoms, her voice steady despite her fear. The healer listened carefully, nodding as she took notes.

"Let's have a look, shall we?" the healer said, leading Amelia to a comfortable chair.

Alister and Ethan watched anxiously as the healer examined Amelia, her hands gentle and reassuring. After a few moments, she looked up, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Well?" Alister asked, his voice tense with worry.

The healer smiled kindly. "It's nothing too serious, I assure you. But I believe congratulations are in order."

Amelia frowned, confused. "Congratulations?"

The healer nodded. "You're with child, my dear. You're going to have a baby."

Amelia's eyes widened in shock. "A baby?"

Alister's face broke into a wide grin. "A baby? Really?"

Ethan looked between them, his eyes bright with excitement. "I'm going to be a big brother?"

"Yes, you are," the healer confirmed, smiling at them all.

Amelia felt a rush of emotions – shock, joy, fear, and overwhelming happiness. She looked at Alister, her eyes filling with tears.

"A baby," she whispered, her hand resting on her stomach.

Alister wrapped her in a tight hug, his voice filled with emotion. "We're going to have a baby."

Ethan joined the hug, his small arms wrapping around both of them. "This is the best news ever!"