Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Grandmère, pease?” two-year-old Cassie said with a pout that Deborah Welton just couldn’t resist. Rebecca rolled her eyes affectionately at her daughter, inconspicuously winking at her mother. Deborah immediately pulled Cassie onto her lap and handed her a small wrapped package. 

“Cassandra Victoria Penelope Welton Lasso,” Rebecca’s voice lowered into stern mum territory, and Deborah bit back a laugh. Cassie’s green eyes swung up to meet her mother’s, and the little girl pursed her lip in a hilarious imitation of her auntie Keeley. The little girl knew she was nearing trouble when her parents whipped out her full name, and they only really used it when they needed her to pay attention, or she was being naughty.

Rebecca softened her voice. “Darling, you get one present now, early, because you asked so nicely. And then we have to wait for Daddy and the rest of the family for your party tomorrow, okay?”

Cassie nodded eagerly in anticipation and wasted no time in ripping off the paper, revealing a small porcelain doll wreathed in a tiny bit of green fabric, about the size of Rebecca’s thumb.

“Grandmère, dolly?” Cassie shoved the toy toward her grandmother, who shifted to balance the little girl more firmly on her lap.

“Mhmmmmm, little sausage,” Deborah said with a smirk as Rebecca groaned next to her on the sofa, rolling her eyes slightly. 

“That dolly is for you, darling, and maybe, just maybe, it will have a friend to join it soon,” Deborah winked at Rebecca, who already knew about the impending birthday gift. She felt it might be a bit too extravagant for a two-year-old, but the Rich Girl Welton™ plague was alive and well in Deborah, who seized every opportunity she could to spoil her only granddaughter.

“Baby, what are you going to name your new toy?” Rebecca asked gently, and Cassie’s little face screwed up in displeasure. 

“Not a baby, mama,” Cassie said definitively, causing Deborah to smother an unladylike snort into her granddaughter’s hair. Rebecca smirked, stroking a pudgy little arm and leaned into whisper to her beloved girlie.

“You’ll always be my baby, you know, love? Even when you’re my age, I promise,” Rebecca whispered lovingly, and she saw Deborah nodding out of the corner of her eye. Cassie’s gaze swiveled to her grandmother, betrayal flashing across her tiny face.

“It’s true, little sausage,” Deborah said, smoothing down Cassie’s flyaway hair. “Your mummy is all grown up, but she’s still every bit as much my baby now as when she was your age.” Deborah moved her other hand to grip Rebecca’s hand tightly. Cassie remained unconvinced, but her toddler attention circled back to the small doll she held in her hand, little fingers sweeping over the small face.

“What are you going to name it, my sweets?” Rebecca asked softly, winking at Deborah as they shared this moment, the three generations of Welton women.

Cassie considered for a moment, brow furrowed in a hilarious imitation of Ted.

“Ju-ju,” Cassie said as she clenched the doll in her tiny fist, and Rebecca chuckled softly.

“I think that’s an excellent choice, my love, and you’ll have to show Auntie Julie when she comes to visit next time,” Rebecca nodded in agreement. The trio spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa, both Deborah and Rebecca taking turns minding the wee one as Cassie played at their feet, using the coffee table for a stage, enacting some sort of theater with her new plaything. The door to the sitting room creaked open as Paul Welton entered, carrying a tea tray over to the women, who exchanged a look of surprise.

“Papa, what a pleasant surprise,” Rebecca said, grinning and cheekily winking at her father, looking out of place with a tea tray in hand and his standard “uniform” of a double-breasted suit.

“I didn’t make the tea, darling—Beard prepared this tray, and I’m just the delivery boy,” Paul said with a knowing chuckle.

Deborah snorted and patted Rebecca’s leg, amused by her husband’s antics. 

“Delivery boy Paul’s getting back to his roots then,” she said while trying to keep a straight face as Rebecca glanced at her parents in confusion.

Paul sat next to Rebecca on the sofa, gingerly sliding the tea tray in place on the table while Cassie played on the other side of Deborah.

“Darling, if you can believe it, your father used to be a newspaper delivery boy in his younger days,” Deborah said as if confiding a secret. Rebecca’s gaze swiveled to Paul for confirmation, shocked at the thought, and shocked by the fact that she spent all her life not knowing what seemed like a key detail of her father’s early life.

“It’s true, love. My father thought it would build character so he made me get a job, and I started delivering newspapers when I was…Phoebe’s age, I suppose. And then as I grew older, my father squandered away most of the family fortune so working became a necessity, and I got my proper start in newspapers through a friend of a friend,” Paul reminisced.

“In the early days of our marriage, your father would always come home with ink-stained hands, and I’d hustle him to the washroom before I’d even let him touch me,” Deborah said fondly.

Rebecca’s brows knitted together in confusion as she tried to put the pieces together of what led the Welton family to be in their currently well-off financial state.

“Then, how…” she trailed off, and Deborah picked up the thread.

“Your father was in the newspaper business actively until you were born, Rebecca, and then he went into banking and investments and things of that nature,” Deborah recollected, pursing her lips knowingly, as that time marked the beginning of difficulties in their marriage that persisted up until Rebecca moved to California three and a half years prior.

“Yes, I…wanted more steady working hours so I could be at home with the family, and then…well, you know how that worked out,” Paul grimaced apologetically. “My investments eventually reached a point where I no longer needed to work, as it were, and it’s been that way ever since. I mostly oversee all my different investments, and pop into the newspaper offices on Fleet Street every now and then. Now with business booming in America and the railroad expansion, things are ticking along quite nicely,” Paul said cautiously as if Rebecca was a skittish horse he was afraid of spooking.

Reflecting internally, Rebecca nodded tersely, continuously reframing her parents in her mind.

The trio tucked into some tea and biscuits, politely chit-chatting while watching Cassie play nearby. It was quiet for a while—not tense, though—until Paul cleared his throat nervously. 

“Rebecca, I—we,” he said, glancing at Deborah on the other side of Rebecca. The older woman gave him a supportive wink that Rebecca missed with her head turned toward her father.

“Well, your mother and I will be heading back to London shortly after Cassie’s birthday, and expect to arrive by the end of the month. If…if you and Ted can spare time away from the ranch, we’d love to host you and your family for a visit. Get to know Ted better and show your darling girl a bit of where you grew up. Now, you don’t have to decide right now, but we would be delighted by the visit, and we’d pay for your travel and other expenses. If Ted needed to hire another ranch hand in his absence, we could certainly pay for that, too,” Paul trailed off, wanting the dust to settle, as it were. 

Rebecca took a breath, preparing to say…something, she wasn’t sure what, but the sitting room door swung open to reveal a smiling Ted, freshly washed up from his work day.

“Daddy!” Cassie sprang up from the floor, doll abandoned, and catapulted herself at her father. Ted caught the giggling toddler around the waist and swung her around in a circle before planting her solidly on his hip. Earl Greyhound took this moment to move from his original spot by the fireplace to curl up around the little doll, resting his chin on the small toy.

“Cassie-fras!” Ted exclaimed as he snuggled her into his chest. “How was your day with mama and the grandparents? I hope you were good for them, baby."

Cassie screwed up her face in consternation, realizing she had forgotten her present in her haste to get to her dad. She pointed at Earl, and Rebecca swiftly rescued her wee doll, giving Earl a consolation pat, and crossed the room, brandishing the doll at Ted.

“Someone got an early birthday present from Grandmère,” Rebecca singsonged fondly, brushing a hand over the little girl’s golden hair, and Ted nodded in acknowledgment.

“Oh ho, little bean, you got an early present, so maybe you don’t want presents from me and Mama, right?” Ted teased, as Cassie vociferously expressed her displeasure in a carbon copy image of Rebecca when she was disagreeing with something.

Rebecca’s arm snaked around her daughter to rub nervously at the fabric on Ted’s back, and his hackles rose until Rebecca imperceptibly shook her head, pursing her lips slightly.

“Darling, my parents were just proposing—”

“Your parents were proposing? Gol-ly,” Ted said jokingly, wanting to alleviate the sudden…not exactly tension, but something in the room that he wasn’t privy to. Rebecca rolled her eyes fondly as Deborah stifled a laugh.

“Ted,” Rebecca said, a tinge of fond exasperation lacing her voice.

“Alright, alright,” Ted said placatingly as Cassie shifted in his arms slightly, reaching for her mother. “Oh, Frass, you wanna go to mama? We can share our little bean, can’t we?” Toddler transfer secure, Rebecca walked back over to the sofa, and sat opposite her parents, with a now-sleepy Cassie dozing in her arms—she had refused to nap that day—and Ted settling on the sofa next to her. 

“Ted, my parents want us to come for a visit, if we can manage it,” Rebecca said simply, watching her husband’s face carefully. He had never expressed any desire to travel abroad, and they had never really talked about it before so she was a bit unsure how he would react. Ted let out a low whistle.

“Lasso’s London Lark,” Ted swept his arm out theatrically, knowing it would make Rebecca giggle, and lo and behold, it did. He always got a kick out of making his girl laugh. He turned to his in-laws who were uncharacteristically quiet on the sofa.

“When would you like us to visit?” Ted asked simply, feeling Rebecca’s arched eyebrows next to him. She placed a hand on his arm and he turned to her slightly.

“Becca, why are you so…something’s off with you, and I can’t quite put my finger on it,” Ted said quietly. “You okay, darlin’?” 

Paul and Deborah busied themselves with another cup of tea to give the couple a moment. Rebecca huffed out a breath, exasperated at herself. She shrugged one shoulder slightly, forehead creasing, and Ted pulled her in closer, placing a soothing hand on the base of her spine, sweeping his thumb along her lower back.

“We’ll talk about it later, darling, I promise,” Rebecca whispered, mindful of their dozing toddler, and her parents sitting right across from them. Deborah started to speak and then cut herself off, glancing at Rebecca, who gave her a soft smile. Bolstered, Deborah continued.

“Well, Ted, we were hoping you could visit in about a month or so,” Deborah said blithely, as Ted and Rebecca exchanged a look at the fast-approaching maybe-trip. “London is beautiful in the springtime, and there’s a new exhibition opening on the first of May—the Queen and Prince Albert will be opening it, and from all accounts it sounds like an incredible feat. It’ll have all sorts of things on display, and if you’re worried about the ranch here, Paul and I would be more than happy to help provide some temporary help in your absence.”

Ted stroked his mustache, considering. Deborah seemed desperate for some more time with Rebecca and her grandbaby, and Paul was a bit more of an enigma, but seemed sincere in his efforts over the years to get to know his daughter’s new family and be present in their lives.

“Business is doing well, crops are actually flourishing if you can believe it. I sure thought this year was going to be touch and go, but we’re pulling through by a miracle,” Ted said, the hand that wasn’t holding his daughter was stroking his mustache in contemplation. “We’ll take a look at our books, but I’m sure we can afford to hire temporary help while the Lasso family is on their transatlantic extravaganza.” Cassie sleepily mumbled “ganza,” under her breath, tiny hands focused on a shiny button on Ted’s collar that was in danger of coming loose.

Paul chimed in. “Ted, it wouldn’t be…you’re family. Deborah and I would really love for you all to come visit, so the least we can do is make it easy for you to say yes—we’ll pay for temporary help, if you agree, and for your travel.”

Ted and Rebecca locked eyes over their sleeping toddler, who had lost the battle for sleep in the last minute or so, worn out by excitement.

“We’ll think about it, alright, Mum?” Rebecca said slowly, glancing over at her father, still cautious after years of rebuilding trust. “And we’ll let you know by the time you leave next week, and see if it’s even possible on our end. Springtime is usually pretty hectic around here.”

Deborah sighed happily, placing her teacup back on the tray. 

“That’s all we ask, darling, just consider the possibility of it is all,” she said almost wistfully. “It would be lovely to have you, and your precious family, home for a bit.”

“Jamie is invited as well, Rebecca, I hope you know that,” Paul said quickly, wanting to get the words out as soon as possible before he lost his nerve. Ted and Rebecca glanced at each other again, and Deborah reached over to pat Paul’s arm.

“Well of course he is—Jamie is their boy, too. We want all of the family! I know Beard and Roy and company can’t be spared, but we thought that perhaps Keeley would like to come back to London for a visit, and show Phoebe where she grew up. We know Theo might be a bit too wee for such a long journey, but it was just an idea,” Deborah said, trying to temper her excitement at the thought of a visit.

Cassie took that moment to stir against her mother’s breast, clutching sleepily at the fabric of her dress, and Rebecca chuckled at her sleepy baby.

“Someone needed a nap, didn’t they? Maybe they’ll listen to mummy in the future when she asks them to nap, hmmmm?” Rebecca said lovingly, glancing down at a grumpy Cassie, who had folded her little arms across her chest to indicate her displeasure.

“No naps, mummy, I big,” Cassie said, to the delight of her grandparents who genuinely chuckled out loud. Rebecca’s head whipped up in surprise to stare at her parents. Deborah had her hand over her mouth, trying to contain her laughter, and Paul wasn’t faring much better, but he managed to get ahold of himself.

“Cassie sounds just like you, Rebecca, when you were that age. Oooohh, you used to fight your mother and I on naps all the time. I remember people in our social circles being aghast that we didn’t just put you in the nursery and trot you downstairs to be presented to us during afternoon tea or something, but…we preferred to parent much differently than our set,” Paul said wistfully, lost in memories of a much younger Welton family.

Ted chimed in, dragging a hand over his little girl’s hair, twirling her baby fine golden curls around his broad fingers. 

“Becca, I’ve been telling you that Cassie is your spitting image, but it’s nice to have continual confirmation from your parents,” he chuckled at the look on his wife’s face and swooped in to kiss her on the cheek, whispering something in her ear that had a flush rise up Rebecca’s neck.

A knock at the sitting room door startled all of the adults, and they whipped toward the door in question. A beat later, Phoebe appeared, sporting a toothy grin—she had been steadily losing more of her baby teeth over the last year or so. 

“Butter bean,” Ted said jovially, extending a hand out to the little girl. Phoebe crossed the threshold and launched herself at her uncle Teddy, perching precariously on his knee while he wrapped his arm securely around her waist. Earl Greyhound saw his favorite human and bolted from his spot on the floor to come over for a sniff and a cuddle, settling at Ted’s feet at the end of the sofa.

“Mama told me to tell you and auntie and granny and grandpa that supper is ready—she didn’t cook today, though,” Phoebe said, eyes sparkling, anticipating their questions.

“Daddy and Dani made supper tonight, and Uncle Beard said to tell you that you and him are going to make Cassie’s birthday supper tomorrow,” Phoebe said dreamily, salivating at the thought of her uncles making the best smoked meat she’s ever had in her short life.

Rebecca passed a snoozy Cassie—who didn’t even perk up at the mention of her
B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y—to Ted once more and went to wash up for the evening meal. Being in California was quite different for Paul and Deborah, used to changing their clothes several times a day, and especially for supper. But the Lasso ranch didn’t hold with such customs—there was too much work to be done to worry about the massive amounts of laundry those actions would have produced. Everyone else slowly filtered out of the sitting room, with Earl Greyhound bringing up the rear, trotting alongside his beloved Phoebe.

Maybe if he was good, Phoebe would feed him some of her table scraps at supper. He will settle at her feet under the table and be so good for when he eventually gets treats.

Chapter Text

The morning of Cassie’s birthday dawned crisp and cool for mid-March. Rebecca heard some rustling and whispering, and rolled over to find Ted sprawled on his back, tendril flopping down his forehead, with their baby girl curled up snuggly on his chest. The little one had crawled into bed with them around midnight, little hands creeping up the bedspread, burrowing firmly in between her parents. 

Cassie had her face turned toward Rebecca and her little face lit up when she saw her mama awake. Reaching for her with small hands, she was delighted when Rebecca snuggled in close to Ted, sneaking a cheeky kiss from her husband and then smothering their girl with kisses.

“Happy birthday, baby,” Rebecca whispered, voice still crusted and gravely with sleep. Ted soothingly ran his hand up and down Cassie’s back, marveling at how big she’s already gotten, remembering when she could fit snugly on his chest as an infant. 

Rebecca wheezed out a breath as a flailing Cassie foot accidentally connected with her ribs, and Cassie mumbled a sleepy apology.

“Daddy?” Cassie yawned, eyes drooping, trying valiantly to stay awake in the early morning hours.

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“Birfday cuddle with mama?”

Ted hummed into her hair, causing the little one to giggle at the vibrations.

“Mhmmmm, birthday cuddles with mama, and maybe we can go back to sleep for a bit, here, whaddya think?” Cassie wrinkled her nose in distaste, and Rebecca chuckled at their cheeky child.

The little family snuggled and dozed off for a bit, content to let a bit more of the sun rise before officially starting their day. Ted had slipped out of bed first, dressing quickly for the day and heading outside to help the boys with morning chores only to discover that Beard and Roy had everything well in hand. The latter had growled at him to go inside and “fuckin’ be with your family on your gremlin’s birthday,” so inside he went, suitably chastened.

Cassie’s birthday festivities—the cake is what she was really looking forward to, obviously—wouldn’t officially kick off until that night when the whole clan gathered together. The Higginses would be arriving at 5pm, and Mae, Nora, and Sassy had planned to arrive around the same time. Cassie already had big plans for a blanket fort birthday sleepover with Nora and Phoebe in the sitting room and would tell them to anyone who asked—and some who didn’t, although everyone at the ranch would always be more than happy to hear the little one babble away.

The day passed quickly, with Rebecca constantly marveling at her growing girl. Ted had taken the afternoon to get a head start on Cassie’s birthday cake for later that evening. Rebecca and the birthday girl had a picnic with Deborah and Paul, and Rebecca never thought she’d see the day when her parents willingly sat on the (blanket-covered) ground. Their granddaughter had them wrapped around their fingers, though. The four of them spent a pleasant afternoon, lazing outside in the sunshine and delighting in Cassie babbling about the different shapes of cloud formations. Cassie “helped” Rebecca to pack up their picnic basket, while Paul rescued some crickets and snails from the little girl’s pockets, explaining that they had to stay outside with their mummies and daddies.

They wandered back to the house, Paul striding along the path carrying Cassie on his shoulders as she babbled away to her grandpa, as Rebecca and Deborah brought up the rear, chuckling at the mini-Rebecca’s antics.

Keeley was seated on the front porch, frantically scribbling away at her latest column, due into the post that weekend. Baby Theo was beside her on the porch swing, gurgling away on a blanket, propped up so he wouldn’t roll off the side. An impatient Cassie slammed her little heels into Paul’s shoulders, eliciting a grunt from the older man, who then carefully swung her down to the ground. The younger woman looked up and moved her papers just in time for Cassie to come toddling up to her, stopping right before she could tumble into Keeley’s lap face-first.

“Hello, you gorgeous thing! How is our birthday girl?” Keeley said while holding Cassie still on her lap to smother her with kisses.

“Hungry,” Cassie cheekily replied, and Rebecca huffed out a laugh at her girlie, gently picking up a fussing Theo and settling on the swing next to her friend and her daughter. Paul and Deborah sat in the adjacent chairs, forever delighting in the cozy, informal ranch atmosphere, so different from their London lifestyle.

“We just had luncheon, sweetheart,” Rebecca said to her girlie, the arm that wasn’t holding Theo reaching to brush something off Cassie’s face. “We’ll have a snack before supper, but I know Daddy and Uncle Beard have been preparing quite the birthday feast for tonight, and you wouldn’t want to be too full for supper!”

Newly-minted two-year-old Cassie had been bouncing off the walls ever since the afternoon picnic. Phoebe had returned home from school and she walked into the house, braids askew, clocked the atmosphere, and immediately hustled her smaller cousin into the barn for some play time, and a reprieve for the grateful adults.

Paul, Deborah, and Keeley settled into the sitting room—the latter attempting to finish her magazine column—and Rebecca took that opportunity to tidy up the kitchen, set the table for supper, and put the finishing touches on Cassie’s birthday gift. Ted had been working on them secretly for months, which had been a challenge to keep secret when their child was still sleeping in bed with them half the time.

With the dusk settling into the California countryside came the arrivals of all of the Lassos’ loved ones, eager to celebrate a birthday for the second-youngest in the clan—they would also be celebrating Theo’s birthday, and Ted had made him a special cupcake, but he was a bit too little to be too terribly excited about all of the hullabaloo. First, Mae arrived with Nora and Sassy, spilling into the house and lighting up the room with various banter (Sassy) and play (Nora). Sassy and Nora hustled a mysterious package into the back room, careful to keep Cassie from discovering her grandparents’ gift too early—Deborah had special-ordered it and it had arrived in San Francisco two days ago, cutting it close indeed.

Mae headed right into the kitchen to see if Ted and Beard needed any assistance, and they politely and firmly declined, so she decided to stay in the kitchen and keep them company, regaling them of tales from town. Sassy and Rebecca migrated into the sitting room, joining Deborah and Paul, and Nora headed out into the barn to round up Phoebe and Cassie so they could make themselves presentable before supper, much to Cassie’s chagrin, for she was having too much fun playing and chasing Phoebe around the hayloft in the most unfair game of tag (considering her tiny legs).

Soon after that, the Higgins family arrived, with the younger boys whooping and hollering for Phoebe to come play with them. Keeley had trapped the girl in their bedroom to wash up for supper, but had promised Phoebe that she could play with her friends after the evening meal was done, and presents had been exchanged.

Ted and Beard had spent most of the afternoon preparing supper for the whole Lasso clan, and when suppertime rolled around, there was hardly any food left to be had between the (feral) Higgins boys and the (equally feral) ranch hands. The meal seemed to drag on interminably for little Cassie, but really was done and dusted in under an hour.

They had decided to do Cassie’s cake and presents in the bigger kitchen rather than cramming everyone into the much smaller sitting room, and the little girl was bouncing with excitement on Rebecca’s lap to the delight of those sitting nearest to her.

“Mama, cake pease!” she shrieked, and Paul made a big show of putting his hands over his ears to muffle the noise, winking at his precious granddaughter, who giggled in delight at her silly “g’pa.” Ever since she had learned to speak, Cassie had traded off calling Rebecca “mummy” or “mama” depending on a lot of things—her mood, who she was around, sometimes the weather…Rebecca and Ted never quite pinned it down, but Ted was always delighted by the tiny British accent that would come out with “mummy.” And then the next second, Cassie would revert into the American flat “A” for “mama,” but this was on brand for the mischievous toddler who always kept her parents on their toes—little girls were mysterious and silly, after all.

Ted had, perhaps, gone a little overboard on his baby’s second birthday cake, and carefully carried out a massive four-tiered cake from the nearby pantry. Beard followed close behind with a platter of smaller cupcakes—one especially made for baby Theo, to celebrate his first birthday in the presence of all their various family and friends. Cassie’s eyes lit up, and she growled impatiently—unconsciously copying her uncle Roy—and lunged toward the sugary treat, only stopped by Rebecca’s arms firmly around her waist. 

“Hey, miss grabby hands,” Ted chuckled. “Uncle Beard is going to help me serve the cake, and you and Theo each get your own special cupcake to start, alright?” He quickly lit a match, lighting the two candles on the top layer of a cake. 

“Make a wish, baby,” Rebecca murmured as she softly kissed Cassie’s hair. Rebecca’s mini-me screwed her eyes up tightly, tiny brow furrowing in concentration as she gingerly blew out the candles to the sound of applause and cheers of “happy birthday!”

Everyone dug into the cake with gusto, and were delighted when baby Theo, seated on Roy’s lap, picked up his cupcake with both hands—after his initial hesitation wore off—and smashed it in his face. He then flailed his tiny hands and connected with Roy’s cheek, smearing frosting all over. Keeley was seated across the table from them, next to Phoebe, and they were both losing their minds at this visual. Beard the baby whisperer swiftly cleaned up the baby and then plucked Theo from Roy’s arms, allowing the older man to do the same. Ted threw his friend a cloth to place over his shoulder, and Beard cradled Theo to his body, allowing the happy, now-snoozy baby to gum all over the cloth-covered shoulder.

Dani and Colin took charge of the clean up, attempting to at least clear the table somewhat before presents were exchanged for little Miss Cassie. They roped in Isaac as well, but Jamie was in deep conversation with Paul over some chess strategy that they had bonded over, with Beard chiming in quietly every now and then, mindful of the baby in his arms.

Sassy, Julie, and Mae were at the other end of the table, chatting about how they were truly stuffed and catching up on the goings on of life as they hadn’t all been together in quite some time. Phoebe, the two youngest Higgins boys, and Nora had absconded to the sitting room momentarily in the chaos so they could play with Earl and see which of them the dog could drag across the floor with his rope toy—he was surprisingly strong, and it delighted the children to no end.

After about twenty minutes of this in-between period, Cassie started getting cranky and impatient, again. Ted and Rebecca exchanged a look over her head, with Rebecca arching a perfect eyebrow in response to Ted’s quirk of his lips.

“Alright, y’all,” Ted said, clapping his hands together once and making a big show of getting up from the table, watching as Cassie’s eyes lit up in anticipation. “Are we ready for presents, baby girl?” Cassie’s little wiggle of delight on Rebecca’s lap spoke volumes as the room erupted into laughter, and the children came back from the sitting room to join everyone at the table.

“Who wants to go first?” Ted asked the group, and Nora timidly raised her hand, with Sassy nodding next to her. 

“We’ll go, uncle Ted,” Nora said quietly, not sure if Cassie would like her gift—the older girl might be a little devastated if she didn’t. Nora got up from the table, scurrying to get the hastily-wrapped package she had left in the foyer, and returned momentarily, coming to the head of the table. Ted had moved slightly off center so gifts could be piled at the head of the table and everyone else could see and react appropriately to little tyrant Cassie’s need for applause and validation. It might be outrageous for a two-year-old’s birthday party, but the Lasso and Kent families had always gone all out for the kids’ birthdays since forever, since way back in Kansas, and that streak was sure to continue.

Nora placed the package in front of Cassie and stepped back a little, out of the line of fire.

“This is from my mama and me,” Nora explained gently. “Mae chipped in, too, and we hope you like it.”

Colin and Jamie were banging their fists on the table chanting “open it, open it,” and Cassie ripped the package open quick as a flash to a smattering of laughter from around the table.

Practically since birth, Cassie had always wanted to be like her older cousins, following Phoebe—and Nora, when she came to visit—around everywhere. Nora had curated a little school box selection for the toddler. She had her own slate, a primer, a blank notebook, some chalk and pencils, and a little canvas lunch pail that Mae had lovingly sewn, embroidering her long string of initials on the top. Sassy had also tailored some old outfits of Nora’s, and Cassie was less enthused about the new wardrobe selections, but Rebecca was delighted. The little girl was getting spoiled rotten on her birthday, but her parents just took it in with joy, soaking up the moment.

Cassie got a variety of candies and small games from Dani and Jamie, Colin and Isaac, and the Higgins boys. And her beloved Aunt Julie—and Leslie, but mostly Julie—gifted the little one some new clothes that had been hand stitched with love, and embroidered with a Kansas sunflower for Ted and a rose to represent Rebecca’s English heritage.

“G’pa?” Cassie mumbled as she noticed Paul rising from the table, momentarily distracting her from biting into another cupcake—it was her birthday, after all—and Paul turned back to the little girl to reassure her.

“I’m not going anywhere, little sausage,” the older man said fondly. “I’m just getting your next birthday present with your uncle Beard here. This one is from your Grandmère and I.”

Placated, Cassie turned her attention back to her cupcake, wolfing it down in record time, and Rebecca chuckled as she cleaned off the little girl’s hands and mouth with a wet rag that Jamie had brought from the kitchen. Jamie winked at Rebecca, well aware of Cassie’s playful antics, as the girl swatted at the air in an attempt to free herself from being cleaned up. Rebecca crooned softly to her, telling her that she needed to have clean hands for her next present. Cassie whimpered in frustration, turning her bright eyes to her beloved daddy who was sitting next to her, in the hopes that he would rescue her, but Rebecca was undeterred from her clean-up mission, and settled the child more firmly in her lap.

“All done, baby bean,” Ted singsonged to the grumpy little one, in an attempt to raise her spirits. Everyone said that Cassie had a lot of Ted’s mannerisms, but every time he looked at her, all he saw was the spitting image of Rebecca, grumpiness when things didn’t go her way and all.

“Alright, baby girl, are you ready for your next present from your grandparents?” Rebecca whispered into the little blonde wisps of hair that haloed around Cassie and made her look vaguely angelic.

Paul and Beard brought out a large brown-paper wrapped package—Deborah had tied a little bow onto the top—and Ted moved from his seat momentarily so they could slide it on the end of the table and put it in front of a wide-eyed Cassie, who was still perched on Rebecca’s lap. Paul, Beard, and Ted took their seats, as the whole table turned their attention to the little girl, who paused momentarily, eyes flitting up to her mother’s face. She turned around slightly and buried her head in Rebecca’s chest in an uncharacteristic moment of shyness.

“Darling, this is a present for you, from Grandmère and Grandpa,” Rebecca said cheerily, trying to coax her girl into (mentally) rejoining the party. “Do you want to see what’s inside?”

Cassie nodded, head still turned away, and then slowly turned around when Jamie made a cooing noise from across the table.

“C’mon, little duckling,” Jamie said soothingly. “Don’t ya wanna see what we’ll get to play with? I betcha I know what it is,” his voice lilted up at the end, and he grinned when he saw Cassie curl her little fists on the table.

“What, Jay?” Cassie pursed her lips in an uncanny impersonation of Rebecca, and those closest to her at the table held back giggles.

“Well I dunno, duckling, you’ll have to open it and see, won’t ya?” Jamie winked at the little girl who was as good as his sister. Next to Rebecca, Deborah placed a finger on Cassie’s little fist.

“Little sausage, do you want help opening your present from your grandfather and I?” Deborah said quietly, letting the little one decide for herself. Cassie thought about it for a second and shook her head.

“No, Grandmère, I do it!” Cassie said defiantly, and Ted snorted into his drink, hiding his open-mouthed grin behind his hand. 

Paul sighed at his seat across from Deborah—he had to be seated next to Jamie because they were always in the middle of an ongoing chess discussion with Beard—and winked at Deborah cheekily. Deborah’s hand came up to squeeze Rebecca’s arm, and the blonde rolled her eyes, knowing that her parents were about to make yet another toddler Rebecca comparison. To her surprise, they didn’t say anything, but the glint in her father’s eyes spoke volumes.

“Rip it, rip it, rip it,” the Higgins boys chanted, and the chant spread all around the table. Cassie looked around curiously at everyone and then her little hands attacked the brown paper wrapping with gusto. Ted helped a little bit at the top of the package that Cassie couldn’t quite reach, and then withdrew his hands when his daughter scowled at him in a dead ringer for Roy Kent, holding his hands in the air innocently as Roy smirked in the corner. The paper wrapping littered the floor, and Cassie’s eyes widened with glee. 

Sitting before her was an intricate three-story wooden dollhouse, immaculately decorated—by Sassy and Nora who had assisted when Deborah ordered it to be delivered to the Collins’ store—with miniature furnishings throughout. There was a small porcelain doll swathed in green fabric, propped up in what was meant to be the sitting room of the house, and Cassie zeroed in on her new plaything, grasping it roughly in her fist as she turned to her grandmother.

Deborah chuckled and took her hand from under the table, opening it to reveal the other small dolly the little girl had received the day before. Everyone at the table got up and formed a viewing queue, oohing and ahhing at all of the dollhouse features, and the intricate carvings on the outside of the house. Rebecca was astonished, and turned to her mother with questions.

“You commissioned a miniature of the London house for Cassie?” she asked, hand carefully running over the plush carpet in the second parlor that was perfectly matched with what she remembered from her childhood. Deborah grinned at her daughter, hand coming up to cup her cheek gently.

“That way, she can have a little piece of her mother’s heritage in California, darling,” Deborah said with a sniff. “Besides, it was quite fun to furnish, and your father even got quite into it,” she said, eyes glinting across the table at her husband. “Nora and Sassy did a brilliant job of decorating, don’t you think? I provided detailed instructions on where every furniture piece should go.”

Rebecca’s head swiveled down the table to Sassy and a beaming Nora. 

“It was such a fun thing to put together, Aunt Rebecca,” Nora said dreamily, remembering the tedious yet exciting process of individually unwrapping all of the various furnishings. The mother-daughter duo had placed all of the furnishings on the counter in the back of the store to be put into the miniature house once they had gotten everything unwrapped and saw what was what. 

“Is this really what your London house looks like?” Nora inquired, her eyes as big as dinner plates.

Rebecca nodded in confirmation, chuckling when Nora compared her book fairy godmother’s upbringing to a Jane Austen novel.

After the excitement of the dollhouse, and everyone at the party curiously crowding around the rather big toy, Colin and Isaac took that opportunity to finish clearing the table, bringing cups of tea to those who wanted one (Rebecca, Sassy, Keeley, and Julie). Rebecca downed hers immediately, needing the caffeine, feeling oddly exhausted by all of the excitement. There was a bit of a lull in the gathering, with different games being played by all of the various children.

Cassie, Phoebe, and Nora were taking part in an aggressive game of jacks, with Jamie and Dani cheering them on at the end of the table, when Ted got up from the table to retrieve Cassie’s presents from the pair of them. Ignoring a saucy wink from Keeley, Rebecca swiftly followed Ted down the hall, shutting the door behind her. She just needed a minute from all of the hustle and bustle—parties were never her favorite, even though at these parties, she was only surrounded by loved ones, thank goodness.

As soon as the door was closed, latch clicking into place, Rebecca found herself pushed gently but firmly back against the door, with one of Ted’s thighs securing her in place as his arms bracketed her head.

“Hi, baby doll,” Ted said with a smirk, and Rebecca’s breath caught sharply in her throat.

“Hi, Ted,” she managed, eyes unconsciously dropping to his lips as the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her bottom lip. His smirk widened and she just barely registered the mischievous glint in his eye when his mouth was on hers, hot and teasing, licking into her mouth like she was the best thing he’d ever tasted (she was).

Rebecca could feel the heat of Ted’s body soaking through the fabric of her dress, and nipped at his lip harder, causing him to shift his thigh upward in between her legs, and she ground down on him, chasing those sparks shooting up her spine. His mouth moved to her neck, teeth grazing the overheated skin, careful not to leave any visible marks, as his hands slid behind her neck, tangling in her hair as he shoved her more insistently against the door.

Lost in the feel and touch and intoxicating, all consuming bliss of them, Rebecca didn’t initially hear the quiet knock at the door until Keeley gave up all pretense of not drawing attention to herself and started banging on the door.

“Oi, you better not be shagging in there during your daughter’s birthday party!” Keeley cackled infectiously through the door, and Ted slumped against Rebecca and the door, putting his hands back where they were, bracketing his wife’s head again as they both sighed in frustration.

“Well?” Keeley asked. “Your little chaos gremlin is all hopped up on sugar and currently playing a game of tag with the boys, running around the kitchen table like mad. It’s proper cute, and you shouldn’t miss it. Also, please come save us, I beg of you,” Keeley whined at the end only a little bit.

Ted huffed a quiet laugh into Rebecca’s neck, making her shiver when he took that moment to lick a stripe up her neck, tongue probing and pressing behind her ear. She playfully and ineffectually swatted him away and he lowered his leg fully to the floor, giving her some breathing room.

“We’ll be out in a minute, Keeley, I promise,” Rebecca said, mirth sparkling in her eyes as Ted’s hands moved to span her waist once more, scratching at her hip bones. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and stepped back, allowing her access to the mirror in the corner so she could make herself presentable yet again, and not look that wrecked by their little interlude.

While Rebecca was freshening up, scowling in the mirror at Ted because she had to fix her hair yet again, Ted winked at her, and piled the presents for their daughter in the center of their bed. They might have gone a little overboard with the presents, but they had coordinated with the elder Weltons, after all.

Ted had whittled a miniature set of dolls to be used with the dollhouse that Cassie received from her grandparents—he ended up making all of the Lasso clan, including the ranch boys, and Rebecca had sewn little outfits out of the leftover material in the scrap bag. He and Roy had also built Cassie a toddler-sized rocking horse that Rebecca and Keeley had carefully decorated.

Rebecca and Keeley had worked on another present together, but Rebecca decided to save it until the Christmas holidays, not wanting to completely spoil their two-year-old princess. Keeley had hidden it in one of the storage rooms under some old horse blankets. Rebecca had taken her daughter’s birthday as an opportunity to make some more clothes for the growing toddler, and had a separate stack of brown-paper wrapped garments that wouldn’t elicit that much excitement from the little girl, but that were all sorely needed. 

As predicted, Cassie wasn’t too thrilled with the additions to her wardrobe, although Julie and Mae oohed and ahhed over the handiwork. Deborah made a quip about Rebecca hating slogging through her needlework and embroidery as a young girl, and how all of that practice paid off. Rebecca playfully scowled at her mother who smirked at her grown-up girl. On the other hand, Cassie was absolutely delighted with the addition to her growing doll family. The little one insisted that her grandpa and Uncle Beard carry the dollhouse carefully into the sitting room so that she could play with it during her sleepover with Nora and Phoebe later that night.

The festivities began to wind down, and everyone went their own separate ways. Keeley wouldn’t let Rebecca help clean up from the evening meal, telling her to sit down and enjoy her baby’s birthday, and she shoved baby Theo into a delighted Julie’s arms. Cassie, Nora, and Phoebe had ensconced themselves in the sitting room, marveling at the new gifts the smallest girl had received. Cassie was rocking back and forth merrily on her new rocking horse, babbling away and stroking the yarn mane that Keeley and Rebecca had carefully—and swearily—braided, and Phoebe was playing tug-of-war with a hilariously ferocious Earl Greyhound. 

Nora had taken this opportunity to scope out the other part of the Lasso library, and had curled up in an armchair with a stack of three of Rebecca’s new-to-her books. The youngest Higgins boys were playing a game of dominoes on the kitchen floor while the two eldest went out to the barn with Jamie, Dani, Isaac, and Colin to get the animals settled for the night and help with the nighttime chores. Beard, Roy, and Higgins had adjourned to the porch with a lantern to play an intense game of chess.

Keeley brought over a piping hot tea kettle to the kitchen table, placing it in front of Mae, who did the honors. Sassy, Mae, Rebecca, and Julie settled in with a nice cup of chamomile, with Keeley bringing over a plate of biscuits. She was met with a resounding groan from everyone involved, and Ted heard it when he happened to be entering the kitchen at that moment.

He made a beeline for the table, sitting next to Rebecca, and chuckled at his surroundings.

“Well gosh, ladies, what did these biscuits ever do to you?” His eyes crinkled with suppressed laughter, and Rebecca rolled her eyes fondly, patting him on the arm. 

“Darling, supper was wonderful, but we are all just…so full. Not to speak for all of us, but I think we’ll stick to our chamomile for now,” Rebecca said, cradling a cup of tea in her hands.” Having gone into their room to freshen up a bit, Deborah and Paul rejoined the party in the kitchen—the latter reached for the plate of biscuits right away to the delight of everyone seated at the table. 

Later on that night, everyone had turned in or gone home. The children were having a sleepover in the sitting room, Keeley and Roy had disappeared with Theo in tow, Deborah and Paul had left the festivities hours ago, and the ranch hands were all settled into the bunk house. The Higgins family had taken Sassy and Mae back to their place for the night as the magical powers of the Lasso ranch did not extend to finding two other sleeping arrangements in a house already stuffed full to the brim with life.

Rebecca was seated on the edge of the bed, methodically applying lotion to her hands, humming softly to herself when she heard the door creak open. Ted grinned lopsidedly at her from his place at the doorway, entering the room and latching the door closed.

“Hey darlin,” Ted drawled, delighting in the flush that crept up his wife’s neck every time his voice dropped dangerously like that, dripping like honey.

Rebecca shuddered slightly in an attempt to get ahold of herself, and swung her long legs into the bed, burrowing under the covers and throwing Ted’s side of the covers back so he could slide in.

“Hi baby,” Rebecca said simply, watching Ted’s nostrils flare at the sight of her leg inching onto “his” side of the bed teasingly. Her lips quirked up in challenge and Ted quickly shucked off his clothes, face still shiny wet from his hasty washing up routine, and climbed into bed. Rebecca lifted her shoulder slightly so Ted could sneak his arm behind her back, and shifted on her side, wrapping herself around her husband, who was lying on his back. 

He made sure she was situated and comfortable before covering them with the quilts piled high on the bed. Half of them would inevitably be kicked off to the floor by morning, but he knew his wife started out her sleep routine very cold and then her temperature rose rapidly throughout the night. By morning she would be covered by a thin blanket only and Ted would be either piled in blankets or completely freezing. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ted pressed a kiss into Rebecca’s hair as she snuggled closer, seeking his body heat. He would wait for her to open up after a long day—a long week—of hosting family and all of the birthday excitement. Rebecca draped an arm over Ted’s middle and Ted captured her hand in his, stroking the lotion-soft skin gently, tracing aimless patterns, waiting her out. He felt her sigh, a puff of warm breath hitting his sternum. Minutes passed and he could feel her jaw working, but no speech was forthcoming, and Ted decided to help pick at the scab a little, as it were.

“Darlin,” Ted said, voice gravely with exhaustion. “We gonna talk about your parents and our little London lark?” He felt her bury her head further into his side as she shook with giggles, sobering up abruptly. 

“What’s going through that pretty little head, baby doll? Y’know I ain’t a mind reader,” Ted joked softly, hoping to coax Rebecca out of a little shell that seemed to have been erected from nowhere. He felt her take a deep breath, and she propped her head up on his chest, rolling in between the cradle of his legs so she could look him in the eye.

Chewing her lip—a nervous tic Ted had observed from Deborah as well—Rebecca dug her chin into the top of his chest as he wrapped his broad hands around the small of her back, letting the warmth of his hands seep into her skin.

“I just,” Rebecca started, and then stopped, seeming annoyed with herself. “I…being with you, Ted. These last few years…I’ve realized I was never happy in London, not really. I was just kind of going through the motions, you know?” Ted nodded encouragingly, soothingly swiping his hands up and down her back, dipping in underneath the fabric of her nightgown to try and work out the tension knots he felt forming there.

“It sounds ridiculous, I know, but…I’m—I think I’m scared to go back, because what if it’s like all of this, our life together, what if it’s all been a dream, and I’ll go back to London and wake up in bed next to Rupert or…I don’t know,” Rebecca pursed her lips, scooted herself up on the bed slightly, dropped her head down to plant a lingering kiss on Ted’s collarbone. 

“It’s silly. I want Cassie to get to know where I came from, but I…I don’t know how I feel about this spur-of-the-moment trip. It doesn’t give me much time to mentally prepare, and then there are the logistics of everything, and we’ll need to get Jamie some new clothes if he comes with us because God knows my mother will want to hold a party and show us all off to all of society, and I’ll be damned if Jamie doesn’t look smart and handsome if he has to be put on show, because he’s our boy," she said, thumping her chest for emphasis.

“Those aristocratic wankers can fight me if they’re going to be vultures about him, and then we’ll have to hire help at the ranch for Roy and Beard, and what if the spring planting and all of it is an absolute shitshow because who knows if the hired help will actually, you know, help, and that is so much to put on Beard and Roy, and the boys,” a breathless Rebecca paused, sucking in air as she realized she’d been talking increasingly faster during this monologue of sorts. 

“Becca,” Ted said softly, clutching her to him, gently but firmly pulling her head down to rest in the crook of his neck. “Baby, take a breath.” 

He rolled them so that they were on their sides, facing one another, and drew the blankets up securely once more. Ted paused, and then covered their heads with blankets, making a little fort—talking under the covers was strictly reserved for discussing difficult and emotional things, and it sounded like this was both for Rebecca.

“Talk to me, baby doll,” Ted said soothingly, and Rebecca closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath on her face. She opened them, making eye contact with her husband—they’d never been able to hide from each other, no matter how much they might have wished to.

“I want Cassie to know where I come from,” Rebecca said, thinking out loud, trying to banish her anxieties, stuff them in her trunk and throw away the key once more. “But I’m nervous about the trip. I don’t want my past to come back with a vengeance, and I don’t…I don’t want your—I don’t want you to think differently about me if I have to slip back into my London society self, because what…what if you don’t like what you see?” Rebecca said worriedly, eyes filling with tears against her will as she tried desperately to keep them at bay (crying in frustration would forever be obnoxious to Rebecca.)

“Honey,” Ted said firmly, hand coming up to hold her cheek, smoothing his thumb over her bottom lip and caressing her gently.

“There is nothing—nothing—you could do that would ever change my opinion of you, ya hear? Look at me, darlin’,” Ted said, waiting until he saw Rebecca’s eyes pop open warily. 

“I hear ya, okay,” he said, hand coming up to stroke her hair, fingers scratching at her scalp until she almost was purring in delight. “I do. And I am so proud of you for being open and honest with me, even when it’s not your favorite thing to do,” he said, almost teasingly, lips tipping up in a smile as he saw her roll her eyes in fond exasperation. 

“But I think…you might be being a little too hard on yourself, here. We’re just talking about the possibility of a trip, alright. And you’re in the driver’s seat here—we don’t have to do anything you don’t wanna do. Heck, even if we get to London, and you decide you don’t want to partake in any of them fancy society things, I’m sure your parents would understand, eventually. And if they don’t understand, you ain’t gotta deal with them, okay? I’ll handle it.” Rebecca’s perfect eyebrow raised in question, and Ted just grinned, leaning in to softly kiss her lips. 

“C’mon, they love me. And if they’re upset at me for some reason, I’ll just sic Cassie on them, and they’ll be pleased as punch,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. “You know she has them wrapped around her finger, they won’t even be mad about it.” They both dissolved into giggles thinking about it, and thinking about earlier in the evening when Cassie had insisted that Grandmère and G’pa sit on the floor with her to examine the fine detail of her birthday present. Rebecca startled momentarily, a random thought arising out of nowhere, and now it was Ted’s turn to look questioningly at her.

“Oh, my love, I forgot to tell you—apparently my mother commissioned a second doll house for their home in London, to go into the nursery, and she told me that if we do visit, we should bring Cassie’s little doll collection so she can play over there, as well,” Rebecca said, smirking a little at her mother’s presumption while also being not-so-secretly touched that she would go to great lengths to have playthings and the nursery set up for her granddaughter’s potential arrival.

Ted snuggled his wife close, breath ruffling her blonde hair, and he suppressed a groan as he felt slender fingers dance across his bare back, coming up to tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I am pretty pleased that your folks explicitly invited Jamie along, though—we’ll have to ask him how he feels about it. I dunno if he’d even be interested,” Ted said thoughtfully, trying to focus amidst being attacked by his wife’s wandering hands. “I bet Keeley’d be excited to go back home for a bit, maybe show Phoebe a bit of where she grew up, too.”

Rebecca hummed in response, snuggling even closer to Ted, the blankets pulled in tight around their bodies, creating a humid and warm bubble.

“So…” Rebecca said, palms smoothing over Ted’s chest, one hand coming up to grip his neck. “What do you think?”

“Baby doll, it’s up to you,” Ted said firmly. “I mean…I would love to see where ya grew up—what made you so uniquely and perfectly you, ya know? But I promise, I will not be disappointed either way. It’d be a real hoot though,” Ted said reflectively before stopping to consider.

“Becca?” 

The abrupt uncertainty in Ted’s voice had Rebecca’s head shooting up to meet his gaze head on. Now it was Ted’s turn to stumble through uncomfortable questions.

“You ain’t…I mean, you’re not ashamed of me, right?” Ted whispered that last part, and Rebecca felt her heart crack in her chest at the vulnerability in his eyes. She gripped his neck more firmly, tracing the shell of his ear with her fingertips.

“No, Ted, never,” she said, heat rising in her voice, and Ted blinked a few times before relaxing, blowing out a deep breath that caused the covers to rustle. Ted twisted his lips momentarily.

“I mean it, Becca,” he said, avoiding her gaze for a second. “I know I’m not what your parents had in mind for a son-in-law, sure didn’t have American cowboy on their bingo card, I’d wager. And I mean…if you…didn’t want to go to England, or wanted to go alone, I’d be okay with that, but I’d extra insist on Keeley comin’ with ya, and that ain’t me being overly cautious. I just would feel better if you had a friend along the way to help wrangle our rugrat.”

“Ted,” Rebecca said, voice dropping into her softer register that she knew made him melt. “Darling, we’re all going to London, or none of us are going. I wouldn’t go without you. I couldn’t even—the only thing that makes this trip less…intimidating, I suppose, is that you’ll be there with me.”

Ted did indeed melt into a metaphorical puddle at the combination of the fierce look in his wife’s eyes, and the way that her voice hit just so, lips quirking up like she knew the effect she had on him. They snuggled together under the blankets until in unison, as if they had planned it, each of them shot a foot out from under the covers and pulled them down slightly so they could relish in the cooler air of the bedroom. They drifted off to sleep, each dreaming of their potential travels with their darling girl.

Chapter Text

Deborah and Paul Welton journeyed to San Francisco the following week, accompanied by Ted, Rebecca, and an increasingly upset Cassie. Halfway through the ride to town, she had realized that her beloved grandparents would be leaving and expressed her displeasure through a mini-tantrum and lots of tears. She spent the remainder of the journey sulkily curled up in Deborah’s lap and quickly fell asleep, leaving Deborah and Rebecca to quietly chit chat in the back of the wagon while Ted and Paul made small talk about the ranch and various business investments. The Lassos had decided to stay overnight at the Richmond to maximize their time with the Weltons—who were departing the following day—which Rebecca hoped would placate their grumpy girl.

That night, they had Nora come over to the Richmond to watch a sleeping Cassie while the adults, plus Sassy, met up at Mae’s for supper. After they were finished with their meal, Sassy begged off dessert, saying she had to get back to the store to organize for the incoming shipment due in the next morning. Deborah and Paul were chatting quietly among themselves, with Paul playfully trying to steal the last bite of Deborah’s apple pie—Mae’s niece had made fresh pies that morning. 

Ted and Rebecca were quiet, the day having caught up with them, and Rebecca slowly sipped her tea, feeling the warmth spread throughout her body. Ted kept one arm slung over the back of the seat, thumb on the top of Rebecca’s spine, tracing patterns into the skin that made the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Rebecca put her cup down, squeezing Ted’s thigh with her other hand, and cleared her throat daintily.

“Mum, Papa,” Rebecca began cautiously, trying to get their attention. Ted smoothed his hand out, cradling the back of her head in his hand for a moment, before dropping his hand onto her opposite shoulder and sliding closer to her.

Paul blinked and looked up from his battle of wills with his wife. Deborah obviously took advantage of the distraction, swooping in to claim the last bite of pie, infectiously cackling all the while.

“Rebecca?” Paul cleared his throat uncomfortably. “What’s…what’s on your mind, dearest?” the older man stumbled over his words, uncomfortable even after all this time with showing affection after so many years of suppressing it. The epitome of a Victorian gentleman, for better or for worse.

She glanced at Ted wildly, all courage gone, color drained from her face. Ted tried not to grimace at the near-death grip his wife had on his thigh—golly she was strong—directing his attention back to his in-laws who were staring at him in an uncanny impersonation of Rebecca, although he supposed Rebecca was really the impersonator here.

“Well, we know we’re cutting it mighty fine here, but we wanted to let you know that Rebecca and I have decided to take you up on your offer to come visit next month—I’ll be hirin’ a couple of ranch hands to help out in my and Jamie’s absence, and Keeley is actually going to use this opportunity here to reach out to her editors in New York and London and talk some business. Her columns are doing real well, and they were talking about expanding, so, it seemed like the right time,” Ted shrugged his shoulders and felt Rebecca’s grip on his thigh loosen infinitesimally. 

Rebecca looked up to see her mother’s face wreathed in smiles, and a suspicious shine in her father’s eye that was no doubt caused by…dust, or something. She threw out a quick smile at her parents, who truly seemed like they were trying to contain their excitement, but to no avail.

Deborah clapped her hands in front of her, almost bouncing in her seat. 

“Oh Sausage, that’s..that’s wonderful—it’ll be so good to have you home for a bit,” Deborah said, sniffing slightly, clutching her teacup like a lifeline in a tempestuous sea. Paul passed her his handkerchief and shared a smirk with Rebecca, reluctant comrades-in-arms once more, ganging up against Deborah, as they had done all throughout Rebecca’s childhood. Rebecca narrowed her eyes slightly. She knew exactly what was running through her mother’s mind, and by Paul’s sigh, she knew they were, yet again, on the same page.

“Mother,” Rebecca said, sitting up even straighter, a flash of steel in her spine and in her voice.

“Yes, darling,” Deborah said calmly, placing her teacup down, attempting to match her daughter’s energy.

“We,” she said slowly, glancing at Ted, who winked at her in an attempt to bolster her spirits. “We are allowing you one society event in which to parade us—a ball, an opera, a play—whatever you wish. We will decide if we would like to participate in more events, but if we decide not to, you need to be content with the one event.” Rebecca sidestepped her mother’s questions, acquiescing to attending the opening day of The Crystal Palace Exhibition, in addition to a society event of Deborah’s choosing, as previously discussed.

“Sausage, I think you have some older dresses at the townhouse that should fit, but just bring whatever you have is best—I’ve made an appointment with Madame Patricia for the end of April, and already secured suitable dress attire for Ted and Jamie. We’ll just have to get them tailored because I was unsure of the exact sizing,” Deborah said off-hand, and then chuckled when the whole table stared at her in disbelief. She waved her hands in the air.

“Oh, please, ye of little faith. Your father might have had doubts but I knew you would decide to visit, and I simply wanted to be prepared for all eventualities,” she said serenely, picking up her teacup and draining it of the last drop.

Ted snorted quietly beside Rebecca, and she angled her body towards him in question.

“Becca, yet again, I gotta say, you and your mother are scarily-alike,” Ted said with a grin that Paul matched across the table. Rebecca just playfully scowled, pulling away from her husband in mock displeasure.

“And Cassie is the absolute spit of her mother—Ted, you better watch out,” Paul said jovially, winking at his flustered daughter who groaned quietly into her hands.

“Sausage, I believe your father and I have some old things of yours from childhood if you’d like to bring them back for your little one—you can leave room in your trunk, or we can ship them, whatever you prefer. We can go over to the Collins’ store with Cassie before your father and I leave and pick out some fabrics. You’ve always had such beautiful needlework—the garments you made for Cassie’s birthday were exquisite,” Deborah said, smirking. 

Rebecca scowled yet again, thinking back on her childhood and how much she hated needlework and how many times her mother had to cajole and bargain with her to finish whatever she was working on. She found that she didn’t really mind needlework now, not when it was for practical purposes, like clothing her growing family. All of her embroidery samplers could go hang, though—Rebecca hoped her mother had burned all of them, although knowing Deborah, she had probably framed the lot in Rebecca’s childhood bedroom or something as some kind of creepy shrine.

The discussion soon turned to logistics—Deborah and Paul were going to book first class passage for the Lasso family, and Keeley and Phoebe, to leave San Francisco in a month’s time. They would arrive in London at the end of April, just in time for the opening of the exhibition, and would stay for almost 3 weeks before returning to America. 

Deborah had a letter from Keeley for her mum—they both assumed it would be delivered faster if Deborah took the correspondence with her back to England and had it couriered over to her mother. Keeley’s mum, Amanda, was still poorly, although on the mend, and living with her sister’s family in southeast London, taking in laundry and darning to supplement her income. Deborah had a twinkle in her eye that Rebecca was wary of, but her mother promised not to meddle until Keeley and her mother were reunited, and they could go from there. But if Deborah had been a little lonely sometimes and in need of a companion, then that was her business.

Mae had come to their table by the time this conversation was wrapping up—it had gotten later than anyone had realized and the saloon was practically empty. Rebecca scooted toward Ted, making room for the older woman on the end of the bench.

Ted smoothed his mustache down in thought, wondering who he was going to hire in his and Jamie’s absence. The Lasso ranch had since expanded in size when an adjoining parcel of land had been available for purchase, and they were barely managing with Ted, Roy, Beard, and the four ranch hands. Mae must have been omniscient, because she saw Ted’s internal struggle taking place while Rebecca, Paul, and Deborah were conversing about various social activities that Cassie might take an interest in at her young age.

“Sorry to interrupt, folks, but Ted, are you going to take on any help for the ranch while you and Jamie are off on your adventure?” Mae asked, folding a stack of napkins in front of her. Ted grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Well, I dunno, Mae—I think we need to, I just don’t know who’d be available on such short notice, who I would trust, you know? Although, regardless of who it is, I’m confident that Beard and Roy can keep the train on the tracks until we return home,” Ted trailed off, lost in thought.

Mae smirked and tossed a napkin at the man she had come to think of as a son.

“Well, if you trust me,” Mae waited until she saw Ted nod in affirmation, winking at him while Rebecca chuckled in between them and clutched Ted’s arm in hers.

“I do know two young men looking for work—they’re about Jamie’s age if I had to hazard a guess. Will Kitman and Jan Maas. They arrived in town a coupla months ago, but don’t seem to be town folk, you know? I’ve had them helping me with the beer barrels and doing all sorts of odd jobs, since you don’t get up this way too much anymore,” Mae said teasingly.

“Will looks like he’s 12, he’s got a baby face for sure, but he’s a hard worker. Came in from Missouri or Tennessee, maybe,” she explained. “Jan Maas is from Holland, came here for the gold, but is looking for a steadier way of life, something like that. They’re both real good boys, and I bet they’d fit right in with your motley crew. They’re both going to swing by tomorrow—I think they’re boarding over at Shannon’s place, but you can meet them if you’re agreeable to it,” she said, letting Ted mull it over from there.

Paul chimed in with a reminder of how the Weltons would be covering the cost for any temporary workers. Ted didn’t altogether feel too pleased about that, because the Lassos could pay their own way, but that was not going to be the hill he chose to die on, as it were. He knew exactly where his wife got her Rich Girl Welton™ way of being from, and from the look on Deborah and Paul’s faces—the quiet, steely determination with an undertone of desperation—this was not a battle he was ever going to win.

The least Ted could do was settle up the bill for the evening meal with Mae at the bar—Mae always said his money was no good here, but he insisted, saying Mae had a business to run and bills to pay. The Lassos and the Weltons said their goodbyes to the saloon keeper, and quickly left the establishment, exhaustion catching up with all of them. They all headed back to the Richmond, bidding Ollie at the desk a good night, and went their separate ways, promising to have breakfast together the next day before Paul and Deborah boarded the ship that would take them back to New York, and then on to London.

Nora had been curled up by Cassie and reading (rereading) Jane Eyre, but fell asleep shortly before her charge’s parents had arrived. Rebecca sat on the edge of the bed, gently placing a hand on Nora’s cheek.

“Nora, darling,” Rebecca whispered, trying not to startle the younger girl. Nora fluttered her eyes open, momentarily confused by her surroundings, until she felt a toddler foot connect not-too-gently with her ribs and let out a sharp groan. Rebecca chuckled at her little wiggle worm, and that gave Nora a bit of time to properly wake up.

“Sorry I fell asleep, Aunt Rebecca,” Nora said, rubbing her eyes with her fists, and trying and failing to suppress a yawn.

“That’s quite alright, my love. How was our little gremlin tonight? Did she behave for her beloved cousin?” Rebecca inquired.

Nora smiled before launching into a quick story about Cassie’s antics. The little golden-haired girl had woken up soon after her parents had left, and wanted to play with the older girl. 

“Thanks for tiring her out for us, Nora, love,” Rebecca winked, standing up from her spot on the edge of the bed. Nora yawned, stretched, and rolled off the bed, barely managing to stay on her feet.

“Uncle Ted’s going to walk you home, alright, my love?” Rebecca said, pulling the gangly pre-teen into a quick hug, pressing a kiss into her hair. She could already tell that Nora was going to be quite tall when she grew up—Sassy’s late husband had been taller than Ted, apparently. The young girl smiled at her aunt, picked up her book, and crossed the room toward her uncle, ready to escort his young charge safely back to her mother.

While Ted was bringing Nora back to Sassy’s, Rebecca took that time to complete her abridged nighttime routine, snuggling firmly under the covers once she was finished. Even while sleeping, Cassie sensed her mother’s presence, rolling over and attaching to Rebecca like a koala. Rebecca smoothed her hand over her girl’s sleep-mussed curls, breathing in that unique baby/toddler scent. She drifted off in the dimly lit room, awakening only when a pajama-clad Ted slid into the other side of the bed, whispering softly to go back to sleep. 

Rebecca slept deeply, despite her wiggle worm daughter, and woke up with her back to Ted’s chest—Cassie had somehow moved in the night, and was now pressed to her mother’s front, little face smushed into Rebecca’s chest. She chuckled to herself, making a mental note to tell Keeley when they got home. Rebecca thought she would quite enjoy Keeley being jealous of a toddler, for the proximity to Rebecca’s “beautiful breasts,” as Keeley had once so delicately put it.

“What’s so funny, Becca?” Ted said, sleepily slurring his words, jaw cracking in a big yawn at the end of his sentence. Rebecca could feel the gust of breath on the back of her neck and shivered involuntarily. She smiled, snaking a hand behind her to hold his hand in hers.

“Don’t worry about it, darling,” she said quietly, mindful of the sleeping toddler nearby. “I’ll tell you later, promise.”

The Lasso family began to stir when the soft sunlight filtered through the drawn curtains, illuminating parts of the room and casting shadows elsewhere. Ted groaned, flipping on his back to stretch his arms above his head and flex his toes. Rebecca took that moment to rest her hand low on his belly, fingernails teasingly scratching at the hair visible from the fabric of his nightshirt having ridden up during the stretch.

She smirked, a ghost of a laugh crossing her lips, as she felt goose pimples erupt all over her husband’s stomach, hands trailing up and down gently. Rebecca quickly turned her upper body as best she could to place a hard kiss on Ted’s neck, teeth scraping at his pulse point. She was delighted when she heard Ted suck in a massive gulp of air, and heard, rather than saw, his hands flex on his thighs, scratching at the fabric there.

He let out a hard breath, glaring at her slightly, although there was no heat in it, just traces of amusement.

“Morning, my love,” Rebecca whispered, nuzzling into Ted at an awkward angle before she turned back around to a squirming Cassie, flipping onto her back, scooping her up and placing the toddler on her chest. Cassie’s chin dug into Rebecca’s chest before she used her little hands to hoist her body up further, resulting in a groan from Rebecca as little hands dug into her ribs.

“Hiya, baby bean,” Ted said, laying on his back next to Rebecca, and he saw a glint in Cassie’s eye and knew what was going to happen before Rebecca did. Rebecca let out another groan—this time in frustration and a little bit of discomfort—when the toddler pushed off of Rebecca’s chest with her hands and knees and launched herself at Ted, flinging herself at him. It was Ted’s turn to let out a groan (exaggerated) as toddler limbs sprawled out in many directions. He clasped her to his chest, relishing in the weight of his growing girl.

“Morning, daddy!” Cassie chirped, too cheerfully for six in the morning if his wife’s huff was any indication. Rebecca swiped her hands over her eyes, clearing the sleep away, getting mentally prepared for the day ahead. She slipped out of bed to see to her morning ablutions, leaving her husband and daughter snug and cozy for a little while longer. Cassie’s cheerful nature belied her absolute distaste of getting dressed in the morning—a phase that Rebecca was hoping wouldn’t last for too much longer.

In a staggering(ly quick for them) thirty minutes, the little Lasso clan was dressed, teeth brushed, and headed downstairs to meet Paul and Deborah in the lobby. Deborah had suggested stopping at the post office in the morning to get a daguerreotype taken of the five of them as a little memento to bring back to London—Rebecca suspected all of the pictures Deborah was amassing of the family would be taking pride of place above the mantle in her private sitting room in the London home. From there, they had a quick breakfast at Mae’s, and Mae had loaded up both Deborah and Paul with various foodstuffs to tide them over for the beginning of their journey. 

“I don’t know what kinda swill they’ll serve on that ship, but it’ll do my heart good to know you’ve both got some solid food in ya,” Mae said imperiously, swiping a rag ineffectually on the end of the bar while her niece was on the other end, disposing of some breakfast dishes from other patrons.

“And when you’re finished in town, I have some odds and ends for you, too, Ted,” Mae said, grinning at Cassie, who had been lifted up by her father and was slapping her tiny hands all over the bar. “I know this little girl in particular gets grumpy with no snacks.”

Ted smirked at Rebecca, swooping in to smack a kiss on her cheek.

“Takes after her mother, she does.”

He was unprepared for the ferocious glare and (light) punch on the arm that he received next.

Chapter Text

After an early breakfast at Mae’s, the Lasso and Welton clan walked over to the post office, with little Cassie swinging in between her grandparents, arm-in-arm. Ted and Rebecca followed behind, laughing at their child’s antics. They spent minimal time in the post office, but to Rebecca, it seemed endless. Deborah had opinions about how she wanted the family to pose for the photo. Rebecca was trying to be gracious about it, but she was just so tired, and she knew that they would have to have a repeat of this experience whilst in London. 

Their next stop was the Collins’ store, where Deborah—and Sassy—had even more opinions about fabrics for shiny new London clothes. Ted knew he should go and do battle, as it were, with his wife, but…he did not want to, so he decided to sit this one out in the name of self-preservation. Ted and Paul congregated on the front porch of the store, with a giggling Cassie swung up to sit on Paul’s shoulders, while Sassy kept bringing out fabric swatches from the back of the store for Rebecca and Deborah to peruse.

“G’pa, I’m so tall,” Cassie said, delighted. “Daddy, look at me!”

Ted smiled at the sight, beaming at his little girl who was chattering away as she pulled, not-too-gently, on Paul’s sideburns. Ted winced in sympathy and Paul chuckled, telling him that a toddler Rebecca had done much much worse to him, back in the day. After what seemed like an endless amount of time to the porch dwellers, Ted checked his watch to see that only 20 minutes had gone by. He motioned to Paul that he was going to duck inside, and Paul and Cassie remained on the porch—the little one was telling her G’pa a very important story, yanking his head back so she could look at his face, and Paul didn’t want to interrupt his determined granddaughter.

“Hey y’all, how are we doing in here?” Ted asked jovially, migrating to Rebecca’s side like a magnet. She was standing near one of the counters, with Deborah on the other side, as Sassy kept bringing out various fabrics from the back of the shop to place them on the counter in front of Rebecca. Rebecca winced slightly, pressing her palms on the wood as she glanced at Ted apologetically.

“Sorry, Ted, we got distracted catching up and are only just now getting to our fabric choices,” Rebecca said, and Ted nudged her playfully with his hip, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“No worries, baby doll,” Ted grinned, placing a light kiss on her cheek. “I ain’t trying to rush ya, but I know the ship’ll start boarding in a couple hours or so, and I thought Paul and Cassie-fras and I could mosey on back to the post office and see if those pictures are done. Meetcha back at the Richmond?”

Rebecca nodded affirmatively, and Ted headed outside to tell Paul and his gremlin child that they were needed on an errand. For whatever reason, wee Cassie was upset about not being in close proximity to Rebecca until Paul told her that they were going on an adventure for (her beloved) Grandmère, and that Grandmère and Mummy would join them soon. 

With a toddler tantrum averted, the trio strode off to collect their finished pictures and place them carefully in Deborah’s hand luggage. Cassie had reclaimed her spot on Paul’s shoulders, soaking up all the G’pa time that she could. 

Paul and Cassie settled in the library at the Richmond to pass some time while Ted went to collect Rebecca and Deborah at the store. He walked into the Collins establishment to absolute (organized) chaos. A veritable rainbow of color was practically dripping from the counter, and Deborah was holding up a fabric selection to Rebecca’s face, considering carefully.

“Darling, you know your wee girlie looks just like you—we’re very lucky you have the same coloring,” Deborah said airily. “Florence, what do you think?”

Ted shut the door behind him, heavy wood scraping across the floor, and was met with three pairs of startled eyes.

“Howdy, ladies,” Ted called out. “About done?”

Rebecca and Deborah had a wordless exchange, a mirror of perfectly arched eyebrows, and Deborah’s hand fell onto the counter, tapping out her choices. Sassy swiftly began cutting the correct amount—which, Ted had supposed, had been previously determined before he walked in, perhaps—of fabric, carefully folding it, and wrapping it in brown paper. Stacks of brown paper bundles were beside Rebecca on the counter, and Ted moseyed on over to stand behind Rebecca, pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her waist as her hands came up to clutch his arms. Rebecca hummed contentedly and Deborah and Sassy shared a look, stifling smiles as they glanced at the happy couple.

“Almost, I think,” Rebecca said slowly, shooting a questioning look at her mother and her friend, who nodded affirmatively.

“Of course we are, Ted—Florence, here, helped me pick out some lovely fabrics for your wife and daughter, and we also have a couple of options for you and Jamie for more casual wear whilst in our capital city,” Deborah said serenely, smoothing her hands over the wooden countertop. Sassy finished bundling up the different fabrics and Ted reluctantly released Rebecca so that they could pile all the various packages into his outstretched arms.

“Keeley and Julie are gonna have a field day with these,” Ted said, delighted on his wife’s behalf. “Becca, you gotta do some of your fancy embroidery on one of my shirts—I want the special Welton touch.” 

“Yeah, I’ll bet you do, Theodore,” Sassy chimed in, drawing out Ted’s name with a mischievous glint in her eye as she came out from around the counter to throw the packages at the man.

Rebecca bit back a giggle as she stared at her husband, standing in the store with his arms outstretched patiently, as Sassy kept adding more and more to the pile until it reached just under his chin. Ted’s eyes sparkled at her, mirth dancing in them.

“Thank you kindly for the chin rest, Sass,” Ted said as he dramatically clunked his chin down on the uppermost package, which did indeed fill his arms from waist to chin.

“Ready to go, ladies? Paul and a certain gremlin are waiting for us at The Richmond. I thought we could have a quick tea break before seeing y’all off—coffee for me, obviously, blech,” Ted’s nose wrinkled in distaste, and Rebecca’s head whipped around to face her mother as she heard Deborah snort laugh behind her. 

The older woman straightened up as Rebecca made eye contact, but the sparkle in her mother’s eye told Rebecca she was not done giggling about Ted’s antics. Rebecca lovingly bullied Ted into letting her hold some of the packages—“Theodore, you need to be able to see, for goodness sake!” —and she led the way down the street, arm in arm with Deborah, while Ted brought up the rear holding the rest of the brown paper wrapped fabric selections. The plan was to drop them off with Ollie for safekeeping while the Lasso family saw Deborah and Paul safely onto the ship that would take them back across the Atlantic.

Once Ted and Rebecca had been divested of their various packages, they strolled into the library of The Richmond, where their wee daughter was holding court with her beloved grandparents.

“Are you having fun with grandpa, my love?” Rebecca asked with a glint in her eye, relishing in the look of her father on the settee across the room—he looked slightly frazzled and worn out, although still very much enjoying his tiny granddaughter’s company. Cassie didn’t even look up, intent on fixing herself a sandwich, and Rebecca crossed the room to swiftly pour herself a steaming cup of tea, gulping it down greedily. The Lasso-Welton family passed a comfortable hour lounging in the library until Ollie came into the room to tell them that it was about time to head down to the docks.

Sensing a shift in the air, Cassie became belligerent and cranky, only to be consoled by her beloved grandpa, who promised the toddler one last ride on his shoulders, to the delight of her grandmother. Deborah whispered something to her son-in-law that made him grin broadly, but Rebecca couldn’t quite make out what was said. Paul scooped up his granddaughter and galloped around the room, his long strides making the little girl giggle uncontrollably.

“Again, G’pa! Again!” Cassie cried out once Paul had come to a complete stop, but they didn’t have any time to waste. Paul snuggled the little girl close to his chest, relishing in the baby smell that so reminded him of his daughter when she was small. He promised Cassie that they would gallivant around the Weltons’ garden when she and her parents journeyed to London later that spring. She grumpily acquiesced, placing her small hand in his and announcing to the room that “me and g’pa are ready.”

Ollie had arranged for the wagon to be brought from the nearby livery and had instructed the bellboys to carefully load their luggage in the back, with the Weltons’ luggage more easily accessible as they were departing shortly after. The family settled in the wagon, with Ted and Deborah in the front, and Rebecca and Paul on the bench seats in the back. Cassie had curled herself up on Paul’s lap, sullenly resigned to the fact that her beloved grandparents would be leaving her very soon. Rebecca chuckled at her mini-me, and shared a long look with her father who was barely suppressing his own amusement. 

Rebecca could hear her mother in the front seat, regaling Ted with stories of London and her recent explorations into tarot cards and seances of all things. Who knew their longtime seamstress, Madame Patricia, also had a hankering for the occult?

She let her concentration drift back to her father, sitting across from her, cradling his dozing grandchild in his lap—the little one had been lulled into dreamland by the slight rocking of the wagon. Ted had decided to take the long way to the docks, because they did have some time, so Rebecca and Paul got to enjoy their last few minutes together. 

Paul’s mouth twisted in a mirror image of Rebecca, and he opened his mouth to say something, and then seemed to think better of it. Rebecca’s eyebrow lifted in an uncanny impersonation of Deborah, and Paul huffed a laugh. Rebecca grinned at her father, throwing a cheeky wink in for good measure.

“Rebecca, I just want you to know that your mother and I are so pleased you’ll all be coming to visit,” Paul said, quietly and rather emotionally, speaking softly as to not disturb the slumbering toddler in his lap. “It’ll be good to have you home for a bit, our most darling girl.”

Rebecca squirmed slightly under her father’s intense gaze. She had what she always wanted; her parents—and her father specifically—expressing their love for her and giving her the affection she had craved all her life, but sometimes it still felt…odd? Unexpected? Like she wasn’t deserving of it? Like they weren’t deserving of her? 

Shaking her head slightly—putting a pin in those thoughts for now—Rebecca extended an arm out across the way to her father, scooting forward slightly so that their knees jostled together in the wagon. Twisting his head around briefly, Ted apologized for the bumpy ride but said they were almost there, and Rebecca nodded in understanding. Ted caught her eye and winked, and Rebecca felt a flush rise up her neck. 

She squeezed her father’s hand gently, and broke contact momentarily to caress her girl’s head, running her fingernails softly through the golden curls, scratching at the toddler’s scalp. Cassie shifted in Paul’s lap, caught in that liminal space between awake and dream world, and Rebecca watched as her daughter’s eyes fluttered open and she registered that she was warm and safe in her G’pa’s lap. Paul cooed to Cassie as the little girl stretched her toddler limbs out every which way. 

Deborah had settled her hand on the back of the seat to stabilize herself when she turned around to glance at her family, and smiled softly at the sight. Her grandbaby—the absolute spitting image of her own beloved daughter, Rebecca—and Paul having a moment together. That was all Deborah had ever wanted, and she sent up a mental note of thanks and gratitude to the powers that be for making this sweet moment happen.

Rebecca felt the wagon slow, wheels clattering onto the makeshift boardwalk that denoted the proximity to the docks of San Francisco, and sighed in anticipation and a fair amount of dread that her child would have a top-tier meltdown. 

“Papa?” she asked, gesturing at Cassie. “Do you want me to take her now?”

Cassie had heard her mother, and was decidedly not a fan of that course of action, as she clung onto Paul tighter, little arms wrapped around his neck as she stood on his thighs. Paul had wrapped his arms around her little body, with her head cradled in the crook of his neck, and was holding Cassie steady throughout all of the bumps and jolts of the wagon. Rebecca’s lips turned up in amusement, retracting her hands into her lap, sharing a grin with her father, both delighted by the toddler’s antics and her fierce refusal. Cassie could have a few more minutes to snuggle if that’s what would make her happy.

Soon enough, they had reached the docks, and Ted directed the horses as close to the departing ship as possible. There weren’t many people boarding the ship, as it was mostly to unload various cargo and foodstuffs that had made the journey from the East Coast. Deborah and Paul were meant to have a cabin that was next to the captain’s quarters, and they would be accompanied on the journey to New York by a young widow who was returning to the East Coast after the unexpected death of her husband. 

Ted tied up the horses to the hitching post, putting a block by one of the wagon wheels to prevent movement, and stepped to the other side to help Deborah down carefully. His mother-in-law seemed to be fond of him now—they had definitely developed a rapport over the years—but might not be as fond of him if he let her accidentally fall to the ground.

Paul handed a grumpy but resigned Cassie to Rebecca, smoothly managing to disembark from the back of the wagon that was loaded with the Weltons’ luggage. A porter assigned to the ship materialized to help Ted and Paul remove the luggage from the back of the wagon, stacking it carefully on a small cart that the porter then wheeled off with, bustling toward the ship. Paul had slipped him some cash and directed him to place it in their assigned cabins after showing their first class tickets to the man.

Ted made a silly face at Cassie in an attempt to get her to laugh, and smirked in satisfaction when he succeeded. The toddler’s face crinkled just like Rebecca’s did when she was trying not to show amusement, and Ted gestured to Rebecca to pass their girl to him so she could stretch her legs and carefully get out of the now-lightened wagon. He popped Cassie on his hip, arm securely around her, and used his other arm to help his wife out of the wagon, not releasing his hold until Rebecca was safely and steadily on the ground. She grinned up at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek, swiping her thumb over the stubble on his jaw.

“Ready to go, baby doll?” Ted whispered, knowing the myriad of feelings that were coursing through Rebecca in this moment. She clasped his hand and nodded affirmatively, punctuating with a gentle squeeze as she threaded their fingers together. He turned to Deborah and Paul, and, seeing her G’pa’s arms were empty, Cassie whined and thrust her little arms toward him, making all the adults chuckle. Paul deftly scooped up the toddler, placing her on his shoulders once more, which delighted the girl because then she could see all the hustle and bustle of the ships loading and unloading at the docks.

The little family walked toward the ship and stopped near the gangway, which had been safely moored to the nearby dock—one end was for the few passengers that were about to board and the other end was for the transfer of various cargo. Ted, Paul, and little Cassie stepped away for a moment to let Deborah and Rebecca say their goodbyes, and Cassie regaled her father and grandpa with a babbling commentary about their surroundings. Obviously, Ted and Paul intently listened, posing questions every now and again that would start the toddler off on another tangent.

Rebecca’s hands came up to clasp Deborah’s free hand—she had insisted on retaining possession of her reticule but agreed that the rest of the luggage should be sent on—and she felt her mother’s steady squeeze, could practically feel their joined heartbeats in their palms. Deborah’s eyes glistened, and Rebecca inhaled a sharp breath at the sight.

“Mum, no,” she said as sternly as she could manage it. “Don’t you dare. I already will have to drive back home with a crying child, and I do not want to be crying as well, so I am…I am begging you to keep it together.” Rebecca waited until Deborah raised her gaze from their clasped hands to stare at Rebecca’s face. The older woman disentangled their hands, raising her hand up to cup Rebecca’s cheek gently.

“Darling girl,” Deborah said shakily, and something in Rebecca’s face made her pause and collect herself. “I love you, you know,” Deborah continued. “You are, and have always been, the best thing in my life, and I can’t wait to see you in London very soon. I am…so proud of you, my girl, and seeing the life that you’ve made in California with Ted is just…everything I could have ever wished for you. Your father and I have only ever wanted you to be happy, Rebecca. I hope you know that,” Deborah said, trailing off, flicking her thumb over her daughter’s cheek to catch a stray tear that had fallen despite Rebecca’s best efforts at stoicism. Rebecca’s hand flew up to her mother’s wrist, and she nuzzled into the palm placed on her cheek.

They both giggled, a combination of sadness and overwhelming feeling. Paul had taken that moment to mosey on back to his girls, stopping abruptly at the sight of Rebecca’s tearstained face. He turned to Deborah, a look of consternation flitting across his face.

“What on earth did you say to our darling girl, Deborah?” Paul asked, striding toward Rebecca, pausing until he saw her nod, and then wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You owe me a shilling for making Rebecca cry, I knew this would happen! Now, if you would, please,” Paul made a shooing motion with his hand, and Deborah rolled her eyes at him, lips tipping up when it had the intended result of making Rebecca laugh. 

“I believe I get the last couple minutes with Sausage, and I think little Sausage over there would like a cuddle from her Grandmère before we depart,” Paul said, sniffing slightly as Deborah came over to give Rebecca one last hug, accidentally thumping Paul with her reticule in the process. 

“Alright, my loves. Rebecca, I will see you and your wonderful family in May for the exhibition—perhaps we can go to Kew, as well,” Deborah said contemplatively, trying to distract from her sadness by planning their upcoming reunion.

Rebecca smiled softly. “I’d love to go to Kew Gardens again, mum, I think Cassie would have so much fun there.” Deborah gave her daughter another squeeze, and reluctantly released her to wander over to Ted and Cassie. 

Out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca could see Deborah pass her reticule to Ted so she had both hands and could more easily snuggle her grandbaby, who enthusiastically climbed into her beloved grandmother’s arms, little arms wrapping around Deborah’s neck and pulling tight. Ted gave Rebecca a quick wink, a sign that he was on her side, was there for her , and then turned back around to watch Deborah cooing at her grandchild.

Rebecca heard another sniff next to her, and whipped around slightly to face her father. She was about to admonish him, to tell him to pull it together, that she couldn’t start crying again, when he just silently offered up a spare—monogrammed, of course—handkerchief. They both tried their hardest not to dissolve into a puddle, but it was a hard fought battle. Shifting around so that they were standing side by side, Rebecca and Paul focused on the hustle and bustle of the nearby docks as they tried to collect themselves.

“Now,” Paul sniffed, grasping for his British stiff upper lip. “I won’t say anything to make you cry, like apparently your mother did.” He playfully glared at Deborah, who winked at him.

“But we have loved visiting with your family, Rebecca,” Paul said, clearing his throat roughly. “And we are…so very proud of you, and of the life that you’ve created for yourself in California.”

Rebecca’s eyes glistened, but no tears spilled over—she would not allow that again. She huffed out a breath, glaring at her father who chuckled in response. Paul bumped his shoulder against hers with a smirk, arm snaking around his daughter’s shoulders to pull her in closer. Rebecca nestled into her father slightly—hugs were a welcome, yet still novel, experience for the Weltons, especially for Paul. He had spent so much of his life repressing his feelings, molding himself into the perfect Victorian gentleman, that he didn’t know quite exactly what to do with all of the feelings that came bursting out of him at the most inopportune moments. Fortunately for him, all that his daughter had craved her whole life was his love and affection, and would gladly accept it in any form. 

Paul smirked again, settling his hand on Rebecca’s opposite shoulder as she looped her arm around his back.

“Rebecca, I’ll tell you though—your daughter reminds me so much of you as a child, it really is uncanny. You and Ted better prepare yourself for all manner of shenanigans,” he said with a chuckle. “Remember that time you snuck away from your nanny and went out into the garden to dig a moat around your mother’s favorite flower bed? You came inside absolutely covered in mud up to your eyeballs, and I think your clothes couldn’t be saved—nanny deemed them fit only for the downstairs rag bag.”

“Papa, for goodness sake, that was almost thirty years ago,” Rebecca groaned, rolling her eyes in fond exasperation, cheeks coloring slightly at the memory. She had been so happy and content with her play, until she was found and dragged back inside to wash up. Her lips thinned at the recollection of what happened next—that irrevocable shift in her childhood years.

Her parents had been hosting a late afternoon gathering of society friends, and she had been unaware, so a 10-year-old Rebecca had burst into the drawing room, having run away (again) from her nanny, only to find a room full of well-dressed strangers who did not look kindly on the little mud-covered heiress. Her parents had been apoplectic with ill-concealed anger—at that time in Rebecca’s early childhood, Paul had managed to build back the Welton fortune and was hard at work with Deborah on gaining acceptance into the most exclusive society circles. They opened the doors of society for their only daughter by the greasing of palms and the insistence on maintaining strict decorum at all times.

Nanny had hustled her out of the drawing room and straight into the bath, where she had received a stern talking to from one of the most influential adults in her life. Rebecca had hid in the nursery for the rest of the day, deciding to make herself a blanket fort held together with quilts and books and her trusty rocking horse named Veronica. 

She was then brought down to the private family sitting room after the guests had departed, and was given an earful from an irate Paul. Deborah was fluttering around in the background, twisting a handkerchief in her hand nervously. Rebecca remembered that both of her parents didn’t yell—not exactly. But the disappointment and disgust was almost more than she could bear, and so Rebecca resolved that night to mold herself into the proper lady she thought her parents wanted her to be, whatever the cost. She stopped most of her childhood play, rationalizing that 10 years of age was much too old to be playing with dolls and things of that nature, regardless of their young queen’s fondness for them.

And her parents seemed to be pleased by her self-imposed restraint, although they ceased to have much time for her after that incident, always shuttling themselves to and from high society events and endless balls and operas and strolls in the park. Rebecca hadn’t realized how idyllic her early childhood had seemed, and how unique her upbringing was in a time when proper Victorian parents believed children should be seen and not heard.

Up until age 10, Rebecca was never hustled away into the nursery, only to be seen by her parents for an hour at teatime. Her parents spent a great deal of time with her, both of them sitting on the floor of the nursery as Rebecca constructed elaborate games that would have been much more fun had she had playmates her own age—but her beloved parents were a great substitute and never made her feel like she was a burden or unwanted, or something they felt like they had to do.

Deborah had confided in her daughter shortly before Rebecca’s wedding to Rupert that the elder Weltons had been constantly pressured by others in their set who were more dismissive of their own offspring. Haltingly, Deborah had apologized for all of it—the emotional neglect, the coldness that seemed to permeate their house overnight, and the countless times that the Weltons would be stepping into the carriage, heading to yet another party only to look back and see their daughter’s wee face peeking out of the curtains in the library, wishing she could have the parents of her early childhood back.

Paul opened his mouth briefly and then closed it as if he changed his mind, and Rebecca shot him a questioning look, arching her eyebrow in an uncanny likeness of Deborah. Paul huffed out a laugh, squeezing her hands which had somehow become clasped in his. 

“Rebecca, dearest. I…even though your mother and I would have preferred you to stay in London, nearer to us, I…to be honest, I’m actually relieved that you’ve moved so far away. For that little girl’s sake, as much as for yours,” Paul said gruffly, gesturing at Cassie, who was perched on Deborah’s hip and regaling her grandmother with made up stories about the various ships in the harbor. He squeezed her hand gently, and Rebecca could feel her father’s heartbeat as her thumb brushed his wrist.

She marveled at how old Paul suddenly seemed, as if rapid aging had happened out of nowhere. Her parents were in their mid-sixties, and in fine health, but she was suddenly overcome with a sort of anticipatory grief for the eventual end of their lives. Rebecca sent up a silent prayer that it wouldn’t happen any time soon, and that they would be safely returned to England. Paul continued, unaware of his daughter’s sudden inner turmoil.

“I know you’re much stronger than your mother or I ever were, and you would…you would never have society dictate how much time you would spend with your beloved child, but we do feel a sense of relief that wee Cassie will be afforded some more freedom in California as opposed to stultifying London. Out here, she’s a rancher’s daughter, but in London, she’s the granddaughter of influential—albeit untitled—society people,” Paul trailed off, lost in thought and mired in ever-present regret that waxed and waned. 

Rebecca chose to break the silence when she realized Paul wasn’t going to. She pulled his hands in closer, clasping them closer to her body.

“Papa, I know that…your only child unexpectedly setting down roots in California has brought up some complicated feelings for you and mother, but I…,” Rebecca was suddenly emotional, again, and would not allow herself to cry this time in the limited amount of time she had with her father before seeing him off on his journey back East. She soldiered on.

“I don’t want either of you to continue to torture yourself over the past. Do you hear me?” Rebecca said, a hint of steel sneaking into her voice, and Paul was suddenly struck by the ever-present resilience and determination of his daughter. 

“What’s done is done, and we need to move on however we can, just as we have for the past three years,” she said, softer, before purposely trying to get a rise out of her father. “Now, I know that when we visit, you won’t shut Cassie away in the nursery for the whole time, hmmmm?”

Paul nodded his head vehemently in opposition, outraged at the mere thought of metaphorically clipping his granddaughter’s wings and bundling her off to some distant corner of the house to only be trotted out on occasion.

“Society can go hang,” Paul said darkly, and Rebecca choked on a laugh, drawing attention from Deborah, Ted, and Cassie. The latter whipped her head around, realized her beloved mummy and g’pa were still there, and swung her little legs against Deborah’s hip, wanting to be let down immediately. Rebecca and Paul shared a look of amusement before swiftly crossing to the rest of the group as the toddler struggled in vain to free herself.

Ted swooped in and hastily grabbed a grumpy Cassie from Deborah’s arms. As soon as he did that, of course, the golden haired girl made her displeasure known and demanded to be handed back to her grandmother, who was chuckling quietly at the antics of her granddaughter.

“A mercurial one, isn’t she?” Paul said with a glint in his eye, and Rebecca was quite certain that he was about to compare Cassie and Rebecca yet again. She raised an eyebrow crisply, having reached her limit for, well, anything, if she was being honest, and Paul snapped his mouth shut as Deborah smirked at her daughter teasingly. 

Just then, a porter announced last call for boarding, leaving all of the adults to blink quizzically as Ted checked the time and confirmed it was about time to go already. They hadn’t heard any of the calls in all of the excitement, although obviously the ship wouldn’t be leaving without its first class passengers who paid a hefty sum for their accommodations. Cassie was busy playing with Deborah’s delicate necklace and muttering to herself, making up another toddler game. Deborah had one hand placed strategically on the jewelry so she could render assistance if Cassie accidentally broke the clasp in her enthusiasm. 

Ted crossed to Deborah, and coaxed his daughter out of her arms—both loathe to part, but reluctantly acquiesced. Deborah swiftly turned to Rebecca, wrapping her arms around her grown up girl. Still after all these years unused to receiving parental affection, Rebecca was startled briefly before she relaxed into the embrace, fiercely throwing her arms around her mother. Rebecca felt Paul at her side, as he clasped both of his beloved family members to him, and the original Welton clan stayed like that for a minute or so, nestled together amidst the hustle and bustle of the docks of San Francisco. 

Ted could only placate Cassie for so long, and soon enough, their little one wanted in on the group hug action. Ted sidled up alongside Rebecca’s other side, and Cassie clung onto her mother with her tiny arms, while her bottom half was still being held by Ted. Rebecca could feel the warmth of Ted’s body soaking through the fabric of her dress, and basked in the happiness and security that she felt at the moment, however brief she thought it might be. 

“Alright, Cassie-fras,” Ted singsonged. “How about we say goodbye for now to your grandparents and let them get this show on the road, yeah?”

Cassie’s nails dug into Rebecca’s arms just enough for her to suppress a wince, and Ted’s gaze flicked up to his wife before comprehension dawned on his face.

“Baby bean, ya gotta loosen those fingers up on mama, okay? That’s a real ouch, and you don’t want to hurt mama, do ya?” Ted said soothingly, holding Cassie with one hand while using the other to deftly loosen her tiny hands that had latched onto Rebecca.

“We have big feelings, don’t we, about grandma and grandpa saying bye for now, yeah?” Ted had managed to coax the toddler to him, and clutched her to his chest, smoothing his hand on her little back, which was heaving with sobs at this point.

“It’s okay to feel those big feelings, baby bean,” Ted cooed, raising an eyebrow at Rebecca over Cassie’s shoulder. “Big feelings just mean you got a lot of love in your lil body, alright?”

During Ted’s attempt to placate his tiny daughter, Deborah had crept closer to her upset granddaughter.

“Little Sausage,” Deborah whispered, placing a hand on one of Cassie’s arms. The frustrated toddler blinked back at her with tear-filled eyes that reminded Deborah so much of Rebecca when she was that age.

“Grandpa and I will miss you so much, but we are so looking forward to seeing you soon. Maybe,” she said, glancing at Ted and Rebecca inquisitively. “Maybe mummy and daddy can help you tally up how many days it will be until your trip, and you can count them down until you see us again. How’s that sound, poppet?”

Cassie sniffled and placed a tiny hand on Deborah’s face. Rebecca muffled an involuntary sound that came out of her mouth at the sight of it, and Deborah grinned at the little girl, turning her head to press kisses into Cassie’s palm. The toddler giggled in delight as Deborah exaggerated her movements and pretended to chomp on the tiny fingers. 

A porter came up to Paul, whispering in his ear before scurrying off to the nearby ship, and Paul motioned that it was time to go. He crossed to his wife and grandbaby, both of them giving Cassie one last snuggle, and whispered promises of all the fun things they would do in London when they next saw each other. The Weltons took this moment to give their beloved daughter a hug—it was like a dam had burst, and all the affection that they had been withholding for decades (mostly Paul) sought an outlet at last. Rebecca was continually shocked at how emotional she became in these moments, like it was healing a part of her inner child who had longed for any scrap of attention and love from her parents. 

Paul and Deborah clutched onto their grown up girl, hands smoothing down Rebecca’s back and resting her cheek in the palm of their hands as if they wanted to store up sunshine for a rainy day. 

“We love you, darling,” Deborah said emotionally, and again, Rebecca was shocked to see her mother’s eyes brimming with tears. Even after the tectonic shift in their relationship ever since Rebecca’s fateful journey to California three years prior, she was still surprised and delighted every time her parents finally let themselves feel everything they had suppressed for so long. A few inches taller than his child, Paul pressed a quick kiss into Rebecca’s brow, pulling her close to him for a moment. Deborah sniffled at the sight, and both father and daughter whipped out monogrammed handkerchiefs at the same time, causing Deborah to laugh wetly. 

Knowing they were running out of time, Rebecca sighed and reluctantly pulled away from her parents.

“Alright then, mama, papa, best get you on your ship then, okay?” Rebecca said, sniffling slightly as she tried to compose herself. Her parents smiled sadly at her, and Deborah chuckled again, rolling her eyes at herself.

“I don’t even know why we’re all being so glum, it’s not as if we won’t see you all in a month or so!” Deborah winked at Paul, who smirked in response. 

Ted chose that moment to cut in, stepping closer to them with a half-asleep Cassie curled up on his chest.

“Frassie wanted to say “see you later,” isn’t that right, sweet girl?” Ted said quietly as Cassie stirred slightly, eyes blinking blearily. Her lip wobbled slightly and then she stretched out her arms for one last grandparent hug. Ted carefully transferred her to Deborah’s arms, and he and Rebecca let the grandparents have another moment with their beloved grandbaby.

A horn blared suddenly, letting them know that it really was time, and Deborah passed Cassie back to Ted and stepped back to grab her reticule from the nearby hanging post. Paul offered his arm to Deborah, and she took it amidst many air kisses she was sending to her family. Ted, Rebecca, and a snoozy Cassie watched as Deborah and Paul boarded the ship, waving one last goodbye, and then watched it pull out of the harbor.

They stood there until the ship was out of sight. Rebecca was clasping Ted’s hand so tightly it almost reminded him of Cassie’s birth, and he tried not to think of that terrifying (yet magical, because they got their precious baby girl) time if at all possible. Then she sighed, and turned to him and their daughter.

“Let’s go home, Ted.”

Chapter Text

The month between the Weltons’ departure and the Lasso family departure flew by in a flurry of sewing, Cassie cuddles, and ranch duties. Will Kitman and Jan Maas had arrived shortly after Deborah and Paul set off for England, and Jamie immediately took them under his wing. He was quite serious in the desire to train up his and Ted’s temporary replacements properly, and Ted knew Jamie was feeling a mix of anxious and excited over the impending trip, and if he would belong with the family in London, so Ted allowed Jamie his area of focus.

Will and Jan integrated into the workings of the ranch nicely, and Roy privately told Ted that he was pleased with their progress and if things continued on an upward swing, they might want to hire the two on full time. Fixating on the chess board in the corner of the sitting room, Beard cleared his throat, dipping his head in agreement with Roy, and quickly went back to his game.

“We could probably afford it even without Paul’s contribution,” Roy said gruffly, flipping through their finances. “I’ll have Keeley take a look at the numbers after you get back, alright?” Ted nodded in confirmation, head swirling with all of the things that he had to accomplish before they left, and was jolted out of his mental spiral by Beard, who had silently moved to Ted’s other side on the sofa.

“Jeez-us, Beardo, God. Make a noise—you’re gonna give me heart failure or something, and I’m too young for that nonsense,” Ted said, clutching a hand to his chest. Roy softly snorted in amusement at Ted calling himself “young,” which was just rude in Ted’s opinion.

“Ted, we’re trying to tell you everything will be just fine. Relax. Go have a vacation with your beautiful wife and your chaos gremlin,” Beard said, lips tipping up in a smirk. Roy cut in.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously we’ll miss you and shit, and the house will be…so so quiet without Keeley and Phoebe, but yeah, Beard, Theo, and I can hold down the fort for ya, so don’t worry about it. Let us do the worryin’—not that we’ll have anything to worry about,” Roy rambled, stopped abruptly by a knock at the door. A frazzled Keeley strode in a few seconds later, with a grumbly baby Theo in hand, clearly looking for some relief. Without a word, Beard got up and strode toward the door, arms outstretched to take the baby, who became silent and snuggled up to his uncle Beard when he was placed in the man’s arms.

Keeley involuntarily yawned, and then gaped at the sight before her.

“How…you all saw this grumbly child when I walked in here, right?”

Ted and Roy quickly nodded, and Keeley deflated a little in relief, biting back another yawn and pressing her palms into her eyes briefly. She slumped on the sofa next to Roy, who slung an arm around her and kissed the side of her head. 

“I just feel like we have so much to do before we leave in a few days,” Keeley started, and Roy shut that down immediately with a (quiet) oi.

“The only thing for you to do, Keeley, is to go to England, see your mum, and have a wonderful time—and keep Phoebe from destroying Deborah and Paul’s house,” Roy snickered.

“Yeah, Keels, Becca was telling me that y’all have finished sewing up a storm so everyone has new fancy clothes and we’re almost all packed,” Ted said reassuringly. “What more do we have to worry about?” He made a funny face at Keeley, feeling vindicated by her soft giggles as she sighed and snuggled further into Roy’s chest.

“I hate it when you’re both right, you know I do,” Keeley said, voice muffled in Roy’s chest. Roy kissed his wife’s head and exchanged a brief smile with Ted.

Before anyone knew it, it was time for the family to head to San Francisco. They had elected to wake up in the early morning and drive into town, rather than arrive the night before and stay at the Richmond like they did when the Weltons departed. Julie had arrived the night before because she had lovingly bullied Roy into letting her watch Theo while Keeley was away.

“Roy William Kent, you know good and well that my children are old enough to fend for themselves, and you know that your wife will feel much better knowing that you aren’t trying to do ten thousand things at once with keeping the ranch going, and caring for an infant by yourself—not that Beard isn’t a fabulous help, but you both are going to need some sleep,” Julie said matter of factly at dinner with the Higgins family one Friday night before the big London adventure, and that was that.

Leslie smirked as a pouting Keeley and half the himbos slipped him dollar bills, much to the confusion of Jan Maas and Will. Beard just sipped his tea quietly—he was one of the few that didn’t bet against Julie because that would have been a fool’s errand.

Roy gaped at his wife, who chuckled and offered a finger to baby Theo to gnaw on while they finished their meal.

“Babes, I truly thought you were going to win this one, but Leslie, here, was adamant that Julie would prevail. I really should have never doubted her powers of persuasion, that’s on me,” Keeley sighed disgruntledly. Julie grinned from across the table.

“Oh please, I have five boys. Roy Kent doesn’t scare me,” Julie said cheerily, eyes glinting with merriment. She playfully winked at Roy as Keeley and Rebecca collapsed into giggles at the other end of the table.

“We appreciate the help, Julie, truly. A weight off our minds, isn’t it, Royo?” Keeley nudged Roy next to her, and he agreed, not-so-secretly feeling incredibly grateful. 

With that settled, Julie showed up bright and early on the day the Lassos were leaving, waving goodbye to a sleepy Higgins who helped her bring her bag inside before returning home to make sure the boys got off to school on time. The himbos had said their goodbyes at dinner the night before, and had assured Ted and Jamie that they wouldn’t burn the ranch down in their absence.

The ship that day was meant to leave at noon, sharp, so the family would have some time to stop at Mae’s for a quick bite before boarding. Ted triple checked their luggage, and with Beard’s help, started loading it into the back of the wagon. They were traveling “light,” or as light as they could, knowing that Deborah had already arranged for some new clothes for all of them to be fitted upon their arrival.

Jamie didn’t quite know what to bring, so he just had a battered shoulder bag with him, but Ted had made sure to pack extra if Jamie needed anything. Keeley and Phoebe were sharing a suitcase, and then Ted, Rebecca, and Cassie took one of Rebecca’s old steamer trunks to share. Thinking ahead, Rebecca had also packed each of them a spare change of clothes and anything else they might need on the ship right away in the event that they became separated from their luggage during the boarding process. After weeks of preparation, it was finally time to be off on their family adventure. 

Phoebe and Cassie were half-asleep on the porch swing, bundled up and waiting to be set in the wagon so they could properly sleep on the way to San Francisco. Beard handed Jamie a steaming cup of coffee and the younger man guzzled it as fast as he could without scalding his throat in an attempt to revitalize himself for the start of their journey. Ted and Rebecca were sipping their morning beverages in the chairs nearest to the porch swing, and keeping an eye on the sleeping girls, who were dangerously close to slipping off the edge of the swing.

In the middle of the porch, Keeley was swaying gently with baby Theo in her arms, not wanting to let go until the very last minute. Theo was unbothered, snuffling in his sleep against his mother’s chest. Roy came up to them, holding Keeley from behind, and tried to stop his wife from crying, reassuring her that Theo would be just fine while she was away.

“Keeley, babe, it’ll be alright,” Roy said gruffly, somewhat pained at having a feeling in the relative public of the gathered family and not just alone in their bedroom. “We couldn’t both have gone, and you said yourself, you didn’t want Theo traveling all that way when he’s so small. Besides,” he said, smirking down at his wife a little. “You know I don’t like travelin’ anyway, and would much rather stay home with our rugrat. You can gallivant around London with our other rugrat enough for the both of us, and we can’t wait to hear about it when you come back.”

“I know it was my idea,” Keeley sniffed despondently. “And it’s what’s best, and the logistics of traveling thousands of miles with our little guy did not seem like fun for anyone, and he has his routine here, but I’m going to miss this goofball so much—and you too, obviously, sweetheart,” Keeley said last minute, wrapping a hand around Roy’s wrist as he cuddled them to his chest.

“I am very glad Julie will be around, though, you know? I know you could have handled it on your own, darling, but now you don’t have to worry about being short staffed on the ranch and caring for our beloved munchkin,” Keeley said, tipping her head up for a kiss. Roy grumbled for a second, and then (obviously) met Keeley’s lips for a short kiss, upsetting Theo in the process who grumbled briefly before settling back down.

Ted clapped his hands on his denim-clad knees and exaggeratedly groaned as he rose from his chair. Winking at his wife who was rolling her eyes over his peak dad behavior, he checked his watch and went to deposit their coffee mugs in the kitchen before reemerging onto the front porch, small bundle in hand.

“Alright, gang,” Ted said jovially. “Let’s get this show on the road. Jamie, Beardo, everything all good to go with the wagon and luggage situation?” Getting nods from both of them, he crossed to the porch swing to wake up Gremlin #1 and Gremlin #2, who were not thrilled by the naptime interruption.

Phoebe was a little bit more amiable, knowing she’d be able to fall asleep once they were all settled in the wagon and en-route to San Francisco. Cassie, however, was another story, and was absolutely displeased and inconsolable about having her slumber disturbed for a second time that day.

Ted swung the toddler up on his hip, murmuring to her all the while.

“I know, grumpy gus, I know,” he said, trying to keep a smile off of his face. “Why don’t you go over and see mama and get your snuggle on, and you’ll get a nice long nap on our way to town, how’s that sound?”

Rebecca grinned and stretched out her arms for her grumpy girl, who clambered onto her like a koala. Keeley was holding onto baby Theo for as long as she could, but eventually handed her sweet son off to Roy, who cuddled him to his chest. Phoebe had already given Roy many, many sleepy hugs that morning, but gave him another one for good measure, dropping a soft kiss on the downy hair on her brother’s head.

“Behave for daddy and auntie Juju, Theo bean, okay?” Phoebe said sternly, taking her older sister duties very seriously. Theo just gurgled at her, swiping out a little hand to try and grab a piece of Phoebe’s hair that had fallen out of her braid, which the girl deftly dodged.

“Love you, daddy,” Phoebe said, cuddling into Roy’s other side. Roy wrapped an arm around his girl, giving her a long hug, whispering something inaudible to everyone else. Phoebe’s face was wreathed in smiles as she pulled back, and they did an abridged version of their “secret” handshake since Roy only had one arm free at the moment.

“Love you more because I’m older, my best girl,” Roy said teasingly, pulling Phoebe in for another quick hug. “Alright,” he said gruffly, clearing his throat once more. “Off you get, gremlin. Have fun, and behave for your mum, okay?”

Helped by uncle Beard who was driving them all to town, Phoebe scrambled up into the wagon, making a cozy nest for herself and Cassie from the blankets that had been placed at the back of the seat in front. Rebecca followed at a more sedate pace, chuckling at the little girl’s antics as she made a nest in the middle of the aisle. She took Beard’s hand, hiked up her voluminous travel skirt, and took her seat in the back, across from Jamie who had already been dozing with his head pressed against the back of the driving seat. 

Ted lifted Cassie up to Rebecca who cuddled the little girl close for a moment, breathing in the sweet scent of her newly-washed hair.

“Sweetheart,” Rebecca asked. “Do you want to sit on mama’s lap for the journey or would you like to be in the cozy nest with Phoebe?”

Cassie blearily opened an eye, pouting at the choices. She splayed her hands open and shut on Rebecca’s legs, and then shot out a hand in Phoebe’s direction. 

“Nest it is, baby, hang tight,” Rebecca said teasingly as she gently set the toddler down at Jamie’s feet on the other side of the cozy nest.

“Here ya go, duckling, this pillow is for you,” Jamie said quietly, pointing to an overstuffed pillow that he had propped up against his legs. Within seconds—an uncommon occurrence for the little one—Cassie was fast asleep, swaddled in a blanket with her three favorite people in the world nearby. The wagon dipped slightly as Keeley stepped up onto the back, making her way to sit beside Rebecca, opposite of the piles of luggage by Jamie.

“Ready to get this show on the road, gang?” Ted said quietly, but still cheerfully, as he and Beard closed the back of the wagon and made their way up to the front. The sun was just starting to appear, pink and orange tickling the sky, as the family set off for San Francisco on the first leg of their adventure.

Hours later, the sun was high in the sky as the wagon slowly made its way toward the town, visible in the distance. Ted checked his watch briefly, murmuring to Beard who was driving, before he turned around to chat with the wagon’s occupants. Rebecca gently nudged Keeley awake, the younger woman having fallen asleep nestled on Rebecca’s shoulder with her neck at a bit of an awkward angle.

“Darling,” Rebecca whispered quietly. “Ted asked if we feel up to making a stop at Mae’s before we head down to the docks.” Keeley yawned involuntarily and mumbled something about timing. Rebecca dipped her head in confirmation.

“Yes, we’ll have a bit of time before we have to leave. Up to you. Jamie, darling, what do you think?” Rebecca turned to the young man across from her, who had been sitting stock still for the better part of an hour when Cassie decided that Jamie’s arms would be a much better resting spot than his feet. He was holding the swaddled toddler in his lap, with her head nestled on his chest, and Rebecca’s throat grew tight at the sweet scene in front of her.

Jamie smiled and shrugged gently. Ted grinned softly at the man, and turned back around to ask Beard to head to Mae’s where they could stretch their legs, use the facilities, and freshen up before they boarded their ship.

Mae, obviously, was delighted to see the Lasso and Kent families, and pulled out some sweets for the children, and some coffee, tea, and other refreshments for the grateful adults.

“Gonna miss us, Mae?” Ted said jokingly, and Mae swatted him with her dish towel, looking affectionately on as Phoebe and Cassie were coloring at the bar.

“Course I will, you mustachioed fool,” Mae said with a sniff. “But don’t you worry about anything at home—Beard and I have been plotting, haven’t we, Beardo?” The man in question nodded in agreement and Ted furrowed his brow in question.

“Next week, I’m going to head out to the ranch with Sassy and Nora—I figure they’d like to get out of town for a bit, and Sassy’s other hand can run the store in their absence. We’ll stay for a bit, make sure we get a good meal into your men, no shade to Beard over here. Man can cook about as well as I can, if not better,” Mae said, matching Beard’s invisible hat tip with one of her own.

“And Keeley, you best believe I will be fighting Julie and Roy over who’s gonna get to hold this one’s namesake,” Mae said seriously, jabbing her thumb at Ted who grinned into his coffee. The woman in question teared up briefly at the thought of her baby boy, and Mae clucked soothingly, coming around the bar to wrap Keeley in her arms.

“Oh my love, your little lad is going to be right as rain while you’re off having a lovely time in your hometown, and you’ll get to see him so soon! I have no doubt both Roy and Julie are going to be meticulously adding to his baby book so you’ll get a full recap upon your return,” Mae said as she slid a pastry over to Keeley (her love language was feeding people.) On Keeley’s other side, Rebecca gently squeezed her friend’s arm as she sipped her tea, feeling more human and awake with every passing second as the caffeine dripped through her bloodstream.

Jamie was keeping an eye on the girls at the end of the bar, coloring with them and doing a quick doodle for Mae—an uncanny sketch of the outside of the saloon, down to the missing hinges in the door from too many (brief) bar fights. He presented it to her when they were ready to head for the docks, and she was so touched that she nearly cried. Mae proudly hung it next to the daguerreotype of Ted and Rebecca from their wedding as Jamie blushed and scuffed his boots on the uneven wooden floor. 

After their small party had eaten and drank their fill, and used the facilities, it was time for them to depart for the next leg of their journey. The kids piled in the back of the wagon, much more awake than last time, and Jamie ended up having to hold Cassie on his lap so she wouldn’t rattle around the back of the wagon in her excitement. 

The Weltons had booked Ted and Rebecca a stateroom with a smaller bed for Jamie, and an adjoining room for Keeley and Phoebe to share. They arrived at the docks, and the porters immediately came to deliver their luggage to the rooms as they were the only passengers boarding for this part of the journey. 

Once the family got settled in their rooms and freshened up somewhat, they trooped up to the deck to wave goodbye for now to California. Phoebe scrambled to the side of the ship, and Cassie was hot on her heels. An alarmed Rebecca went to call out after the kids, but Jamie quickly squeezed her hand and sped after the little ones, preventing them from toppling over the side, and most of the tension drained out of Rebecca’s shoulders. Jamie would keep an eye on the kids, she was sure of it.

Even so, she dragged a bemused Ted and Keeley to the side of the ship, and Ted picked Phoebe up to set her on his shoulders so she could see over the side of the ship. Jamie did the same with Cassie, carefully swinging her onto his shoulders and reminding her to hold on tight to his neck. There wasn’t much activity yet, with the crew members readying the ship to depart the San Francisco Bay and head out onto the ocean, but the ship had pulled away from the docks and was steadily making its way out to sea.

“Look,” Cassie shrieked, nearly deafening Jamie in the process. Jamie looked pained, and Rebecca mouthed a quick apology, internally snorting at the look on Jamie’s face paired with the exuberance of her child.

“What’s that, Cassie-fras?” Ted asked, shuffling closer to Jamie and Cassie, holding on tight to Phoebe in the process.

The toddler just shrieked again, and pointed excitedly. Phoebe stared quizzically in the direction that her cousin was fixated on, and then grinned once her eyes focused on who was causing all the excitement.

“It’s Uncle Beard! Guys, it’s Uncle Beard,” Phoebe shouted, although at a lower decibel than Cassie, a fact that Ted was extremely grateful for. Beard was parked near the docks, visible now that a handful of cargo ships had left ahead of the combined cargo/passenger ship and he was waving in the ship’s direction.

Yet again, Cassie shrieked, but this time Rebecca was prepared and cupped her hands over a grateful Jamie’s ears as she blinked at the sheer noise emanating from her wee girlie.

“Takes after her mother, doesn’t she?” Ted snorted as he readjusted his arms on Phoebe’s legs. She wasn’t as wiggly as Cassie, but still, Keeley would murder him if her gremlin went overboard, and Ted wasn’t too keen on being Rebecca’s second dead husband. Rebecca just stared at him, nonplussed.

“Loud in the—” Hastily taking a hand off of Jamie’s ear, Rebecca shoved it blindly toward her husband’s mouth, and he kissed her fingertips and waggled his eyebrows playfully.

“Oi, you,” Keeley interjected, rolling her eyes. “Stop flirting, and focus!”

By this point, both Phoebe and Cassie were shrieking in delight at the view of their uncle on shore and waving maniacally, trying to see who could be the loudest. Ears ringing slightly—Cassie was giving Phoebe a run for her money—Rebecca replaced her hands firmly on Jamie’s ears, attempting to block the shrieking out. It was the least she could do considering her youngest child was currently trying to deafen her older brother.

“I’ll wave for ya, Rebecca,” Keeley winked at her, and lifted up two arms in victory, flapping them in Beard’s direction, which made the children cackle with glee. Beard saluted the family, and stayed, waving all the while, at the docks until the ship had receded from view on its way out of the bay to the open ocean. The shoreline became hardly visible as the ship continued chugging along south to cut through to the Atlantic Ocean. 

As the only passengers on the ship—others would be joining at their brief stop in New York—the family had leave to essentially wander all around the ship. The captain had asked them to join him for the evening meal that night, but besides that, they had some free time. To the children’s (and Jamie’s) dismay, Rebecca insisted on returning to their cabin to properly unpack first, as they would be spending two whole weeks on board. To Jamie’s surprise, Keeley agreed, and the family trooped back to their rooms with Ted carrying a grumpy Cassie. Their girl was a creature of habit, and her usual routine had been upended so the toddler was struggling a bit.

The toddler perked up a little bit once they got back to their rooms and Rebecca started unpacking one of the luggage pieces—Rebecca had been very intentional about packing separately for their time on the ship, and their time in London, so they wouldn’t have to dig through all of the luggage to find things to wear on board.

“JAMIE!” Cassie squealed, pointing at the luggage in excitement, and Jamie took that opportunity to scoop the little one up, placing her on his hip as she looped one tiny arm around his neck. Every time Ted saw their kids together, his heart seemed to want to burst clear out of his chest, and Rebecca squeezed his hand gently, letting the emotion in his eyes go unremarked upon.

“Duckling,” Jamie said nonchalantly, a hint of a smile threatening to burst across his face. 

“Jamie, lookit!” Jamie followed the little girl’s wild pointing and looked confused. He glanced at Rebecca with a shrug.

“What am I supposed ta be lookin’ at, duck?”

Cassie’s arm tightened around Jamie’s neck in her excitement as she looked at him very seriously, and then to Rebecca.

“Mama, please?” 

Rebecca sighed, and acquiesced with minimal grumbling, opening the untouched piece of luggage carefully.

Cassie turned back to Jamie, poking at his face to make sure he was paying attention, and laid a little hand on his cheek.

“Jamie, mama and Auntie Kee made me a party dress. Wanna see it?”

Jamie glanced at Rebecca and saw her lips twitch slightly in barely suppressed amusement. He focused his attention back on the child in his arms.

“Don’t you want it to be a surprise for me and dad?”

Ted inhaled sharply behind Jamie, lightly squeezing his hand around Jamie’s arm.

Cassie stared at her big brother suspiciously, and her little lip started to wobble.

“You don’t wanna see it, Jamie?”

Jamie swiftly course-corrected, feeling inexplicably gripped by mild panic, and was saved by a smirking Rebecca who carefully lifted out a small pale blue dress adorned with lace around the wrists and an embroidered design around the collar. She turned around to display it to Cassie, Jamie, and Ted.

Jamie’s arm tightened around the little girl.

“Duck, you’re going to be the prettiest little girl there ever was, you know that?”

Just then, Phoebe barged in with Keeley hot on her heels. The gangly girl skidded up to Jamie’s side.

“What about me, Jamie? Auntie Becca and mum made me a blue dress, too! Cassie and I are gonna match!”

The young man hesitated for a split second, wincing as Cassie pulled the hair on the back of his neck.

“Well, Phoebs, I reckon you’re going to be the prettiest big girl there ever was, looking just like your mama,” Jamie said, winking at Keeley. Eyes sparkling, Phoebe flushed in pleasure, because being compared to her beloved Keeley was everything she ever wanted.

“Our mamas are the absolute prettiest, Cassie and I say so,” Phoebe said matter of factly, daring anyone to disagree.

“Well, I’d say you’re one hundred percent correct, sugarplum,” Ted drawled, smirking as he caught the flush creeping up Rebecca’s neck at his voice sounding like that. No one else noticed except for an eagle-eyed Keeley, if her muffled squeal and eyes glittering with amusement were anything to go by. 

To everyone’s relief, especially Jamie’s, the two-week-long journey to England went by in a flash. Poor lad spent most of the journey hugging the side of the ship or being soothed into a fitful sleep by Rebecca and Keeley taking turns laying cold compresses on his head and neck. He had never been on a ship before in his life, and would definitely not be doing any transatlantic travel any time soon. One round trip California-England was quite enough for him.

Rebecca was privately relieved that Cassie seemed to be doing well on the ship, and was not as seasick as her brother, although the first couple of days were dicey—all the little one wanted was to be held by Rebecca, even grumping when Ted tried to swoop in there to give Rebecca a break. 

One morning, a bell sounded in the cramped corridor outside their rooms, and their travel companions from New York knocked excitedly on their door. They could see London harbor in the distance. The family scrambled to finish dressing and head up on deck, Jamie and Rebecca following at a slower pace, Rebecca’s arm looped around Jamie’s waist for stability. He had gotten as used to sea life as he was going to get, but still wanted to get off the ship as soon as possible so his stomach would stop trying to kill him.

“Darling, just you wait until you get to our house,” Rebecca said, appraising her boy. “We have an incredible cook, Mrs. Elsie, and she’ll fatten you right up, I promise. You’ve lost too much weight on this journey, poor thing. We’ll see if she has any tips and tricks that you can use on our way back home so you won’t have to spend the whole journey in bed, alright?”

Rebecca used her other hand to comb through Jamie’s hair gently. Seeing him be so violently ill throughout their time on the ship had struck her right in the heart, and unlocked a new love for her grown up boy that she didn’t realize was possible. He nuzzled into her hand gently, and they continued their jaunt up to the top deck, both shading their eyes from the blinding light as they reached the top of the stairs.

“Mama, look, come see!” Cassie shrieked, held tightly on top of Ted’s shoulders, looping her hands firmly around her father’s head. Right next to Ted, Keeley was pointing out all of the various London skyline to Phoebe, who was almost vibrating with excitement about getting to see her mother’s hometown. Rebecca and Jamie joined their family up on deck as the ship navigated its way through the harbor to dock with the rest of the passenger ships. 

“Where are Granny and Grandpa?” Phoebe said, scanning the waterfront, and Rebecca’s heart clenched in her chest at the words. Her family.

“Oh, my love,” Rebecca said, nestling Phoebe into her Jamie-free side. “You’re such a sweetheart, but I don’t know if they’ve come to greet us today. But once we get the rest of our luggage sorted, we’ll be off, and get to see them so soon, alright?” 

Phoebe pouted but nodded in understanding, and Rebecca took that moment to slide her hand that was on Phoebe’s back over to Keeley, wanting to check in.

“How are you doing, darling?” Rebecca said quietly, mindful of Phoebe down below. Bless him, Jamie clocked this, and bent down to distract Phoebe. There was some negotiation, and then Jamie carefully lifted Phoebe up in his arms so she could see better, stepping away from Rebecca and Keeley slightly.

Keeley sniffed and then huffed a laugh, fingers tapping on the sides of the railing.

“I don’t even know why I’m crying, you know. California is my home now, Roy is my home. But it all just hit at once, you know? And I’m not even off this bloody ship yet…it’s going to be so odd to walk through these streets that I used to know like the back of my hand—well, maybe not where your posh parents live, I didn’t spend much time in Mayfair, you know.”

Rebecca snorted a laugh, nestling Keeley into her in a giant hug, pressing a kiss onto her head. 

“Have you told your mum you’re here? Or that you were coming?”

Keeley stilled in Rebecca’s arms, and shook her head. Rebecca hummed in her hair.

“Alright, darling, that’s okay! Of course we can absolutely go see her. She’s still living at your aunt’s, if I remember correctly? We can make a whole day of it, maybe bring the girls if my mother isn’t using them as her own personal dolls,” Rebecca grinned, and a watery-eyed Keeley tilted her head up to look at her tall, beautiful friend.

“There’s my girl,” Rebecca whispered with a soft smile.

“Oh, I love you,” Keeley exclaimed, sniffing slightly, tightening her arm around Rebecca’s waist.

“Love you too, princess,” Rebecca said, turning her attention slightly to Ted and Cassie on her other side. Ted winked at her and she blushed, which made his smirk deepen.

“Looks like we’re nearly there,” Ted said to the group, stuttering mid-sentence slightly when the ship jarred suddenly, crew hopping off to tie the ship securely to the landing. Rebecca scanned the waterfront again, grinning when she saw who she was looking for. She waved enthusiastically, and the person on the docks saluted her, matching her grin.

“Aunt Rebecca, who is that?” Phoebe asked, still being held high on Jamie’s hip so she could see over the railing better.

“My parents sent Oscar to collect us from the docks,” Rebecca explained. “He’s been with my family for years, ever since I was a child.”

Phoebe and Cassie started waving maniacally to their new friend, and Rebecca was now close enough to see the flicker of amusement on Oscar’s face, and the quick wink that he sent Rebecca’s way. Ted placed his free hand on Rebecca’s back, still holding tightly to their chaos gremlin with the other hand.

“How are you feeling, baby?” Ted murmured into her ear, relishing in the goosebumps that he saw break out on his wife’s neck as she shuddered slightly. She leaned into his touch, pulling away from Keeley who had joined Jamie and Phoebe and was chattering away.

“I’m alright, Ted. Happy to be back in London, with you, with our family. I still can’t believe I’m actually looking forward to seeing my parents, you know…what an odd mental shift for me,” Rebecca said, snorting quietly at herself. Ted smiled and kissed her cheek softly. The ship stopped moving, just bobbing slightly in the water as it was now secured to the landing and the crew had erected the gangway to disembark. 

“Does everyone have everything?” Rebecca asked sternly, inadvertently reminding the adults to pick up their belongings that they had let slip to the deck in their excitement. Ted took this moment to carefully remove Cassie from her perch on his shoulders, popping her on his hip instead.

“Alright, gang, let’s blow this popsicle stand,” Ted said jovially, making his way over to the gangway and carefully stepping down with Cassie in his arms. The family disembarked and gathered on the docks, and Rebecca scanned their surroundings carefully until a huge smile broke out on her face. Dropping her bag, she swiftly crossed over to Oscar, wrapping him in a giant hug. 

“Hello, Oscar.”

“Hello Miss Rebecca I’m-not-much-of-a-hugger Welton,” Oscar said cheekily. “Looks like your time in California has made you into a hugger, yeah? I suppose it's Rebecca Lasso now? Suits you better than Sir Shits A Lot.”

Rebecca burst out laughing at Oscar's last statement, remembering the cause of Rupert's untimely death.

“Oh, please, I hugged you before I left, as you well remember!”

“Do I remember that, though? A hug from Miss Rebecca, that’s a mighty big thing, and I don’t know if I do…” Oscar trailed off, winking at the woman before him and remembering the toddler she was when he first came to work at the Weltons as a young adult. 

Rebecca scoffed, playfully punching him in the arm and wrapping a hand around his arm to guide him over to the group.

“Come, meet my family, Oscar!”

“That little one is the absolute spit of you, Miss Rebecca, I’ll be damned,” Oscar said with a grin. 

“Everyone,” Rebecca said, pulling Oscar behind her. “This is Oscar, jack of all trades at the Welton house. Oscar, this is my family. We have my sister-in-law—Keeley startled and Rebecca tsked. “Well, you’re just as good as, Keeley!! And her daughter, Phoebe.”

“And then this is our adopted son, Jamie, and my husband, Ted with our little one, Cassandra,” Rebecca said, lips pursing in amusement as Oscar’s eyes lit up.

“Hello, Miss Cassandra,” Oscar said gently, bending in near the little girl who gripped Ted’s shirt tightly, unsure what to make of this new friend. “I’ve known your mum since she was your age, and you look just like her, you know that?” 

“Hi, I’m Cassie,” the toddler said plainly, and then hid her face in Ted’s shirt due to overwhelm.

Oscar pulled back, grinning, eyes sparkling at Rebecca who sighed in fond exasperation.

“Miss Rebecca, the coach is just over there—you and the family can settle in there if you’d like, it’ll be very cozy, I’m afraid. I’m going to find someone to help with your luggage, and we’ll be off and home very soon,” Oscar said, eyes scanning the docks to look for an available porter.

Sighing in relief, Rebecca nodded in agreement, picking up her abandoned bag and gesturing to her weary family to follow her to the coach nearby. They would be at the Welton’s London home in no time at all, and she couldn’t wait for the family to be reunited with their beloved grandparents.

Chapter Text

Rebecca woke up the next morning to the sound of a light rain ricocheting off the windows. Partially obscured by the rain clouds, the sun was just starting to rise, but her body clock was still on California time, and she felt a hint of nausea rise in her throat at the thought of being awake at what would be the middle of the night back home. Swallowing heavily and smoothing her hair back from her face, she snuggled into the pillows. Ted was facing her, hair flopped down over his eyes with one arm dangling off the edge of the bed. From the open door into what used to be Rebecca’s childhood bedroom, she could see Cassie fast asleep in bed, surrounded by the many (many) dolls and playthings that Deborah had bought for the arrival of her beloved granddaughter. 

Having a guest room that was connected to Rebecca’s old bedroom was quite convenient, and she sent up a silent prayer of thanks to her mother for putting them in this section of the house, and not sending Cassie and Phoebe up to the nursery on the third floor. Keeley and Phoebe were sharing a room directly across from Rebecca and Ted, with Jamie next to them in a room that was larger than the bunkhouse that he shared with the boys at home.

Closing her eyes and consciously slowing her breathing, Rebecca reflected on their arrival in London the previous day. Even though she had been away from her hometown for years, it really…almost felt like she never left. The sights and sounds of London settled like a mantle  around her shoulders, and she was immediately energized by the vitality of the city. Rebecca didn’t know how she would ultimately feel about being back, but never expected to be so…joyful, returning with her family in tow, unburdened of the mental baggage that had plagued her during her previous marriage. An unexpected, yet delightful turn of events. 

She slipped back into a light doze for what felt like minutes but was probably hours judging by the light filtering into the bedroom. The rain had stopped and birds were chirping in the square. Rebecca felt a tug on the blanket that covered her, and glanced down the bed to see, as expected, her golden-haired daughter blinking wearily at the end of the bed. Putting her finger to her lips and glancing at a fast asleep Ted, she extended an arm out of the side of the bed, flipping back her covers slightly. 

Overjoyed by the invitation, Cassie wasted no time at all in scampering over to Rebecca’s side of the bed, lifting her arms up for her mother to scoop her up and get some snuggle time in. Rebecca placed the toddler on her chest, putting the blanket back over them both. 

“Can you be quiet, baby? Daddy’s still sleeping,” Rebecca whispered quietly, smoothing Cassie’s sleep-snarled hair and mentally reminding herself to braid it back out of the little girl’s face later. Cassie nodded sleepily, throwing her chubby arms around Rebecca’s neck and settling in for a lil morning nap.

Two minutes later, however, the little one was tired of that, and without warning, she rolled off of Rebecca to settle in between her parents. Rebecca wheezed out a gasp, air leaving her lungs at the quick movement of her two-year-old, little legs unintentionally connecting with Rebecca’s stomach. Ted stirred beside them, winked at Rebecca quick as a flash, and moved on his back, pretending to be asleep. Cassie stayed on her stomach for a second, and then hauled herself up by her elbows to put her face right next to Ted. She started tracing his mustache with her little fingers as both Ted and Rebecca tried to stave off their amusement.

“Darling,” Rebecca chuckled. “I told you, Daddy’s still sleeping, okay? Be gentle with his face, alright?”

Just then, Ted’s eyes snapped open, and he grabbed the now-squealing little girl and lifted her up above their heads.

“Fly, Daddy!” Cassie yelled as she stiffened her body and stuck out her arms. Immediately after assuming the “fly” position, she bent one of her arms at the elbow, and announced to her parents that one of her wings got eaten by a lion, and she wouldn’t be able to fly anymore. Rebecca’s hands flew up to her face as she tried and failed to hide her giggles at the sight of Ted and their daughter. Ted gently swooped Cassie back down to “earth,” placing her between the two of them in bed.

“What do you think, baby bean? Should we get some more sleep or are you ready to go start the day in London town?” Ted asked quietly, holding one of Cassie’s hands in his.

Cassie curled up toward Ted, facing away from Rebecca, and stuck her thumb in her mouth briefly.

“Jay?” she said, both wired and sleepy at once. Ted nodded as if she had spat out a complete sentence.

“Sure, baby bean, we can see if Jamie is awake yet. It’s only—”

“It’s 9:15am, Ted,” Rebecca chimed in, checking the ornate clock on her bedside table. “If you hand me your pocket watch, I can adjust the time for you.”

Ted smiled gratefully, stretching across Cassie to give Rebecca a light kiss, passing her his watch and trying to keep the chain out of Cassie’s reach.

“Mother said we can take it easy today, get acclimated, rest from our travels. I expect her and Papa to be in the dining room for most of the morning if you’re hungry?”

“Hungryyyy,” Cassie whined piteously, and Ted and Rebecca had to avert their eyes from one another so they wouldn’t laugh out loud.

Rebecca slowly got out of bed, feeling a little wobbly, a fact that did not go unnoticed by her eagle-eyed husband. Ted’s brow furrowed slightly, and then his expression cleared suddenly as he listened to Cassie tell a story whilst clapping her hands on his puffed-up cheeks. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and it opened to reveal a lady’s maid, hands twisting nervously in her apron as she bobbed a quick curtsy.

Ted and Rebecca stared at each other, perplexed, wondering if the girl was in the wrong room.

“Begging your pardon, ma’am, but Mrs. Welton wanted me to check in on ya,” the redhead said in a lilting Irish drawl. “Would you like some help dressing today?”

Rebecca bit the inside of her cheek, internally sighing at her mother who was still under the impression that Rebecca required a lady’s maid. Even after Deborah had visited them multiple times in California and knew perfectly well Rebecca was quite capable of dressing herself. She didn’t want to make the girl feel bad, though, and she supposed she could use help even if she was quite independent after years out west.

“I…could use some help, actually—”

“Bridget,” the girl flushed into her hairline, turning as red as a tomato.

“Bridget,” Rebecca said gently, turning the girl over in her mind. She was obviously a new hire, although Rebecca was confused as to why Bridget had been hired in the first place. With only Paul and Deborah to care for, and considering the couple traveled quite a bit, the staff at the house had been reduced over the years into a skeleton crew—a cook, butler, housekeeper, housemaid, kitchen assistant, and hall boy who helped serve the meals.

“Thank you, Bridget,” Rebecca said kindly. “Let’s move into the dressing room, shall we?”

The two women went off into the smaller adjoining dressing room where the Lassos’ luggage had been placed, clothes neatly hung in the wardrobe. From the other room, Rebecca could hear her daughter’s squeal and the rustling of blankets as Ted got out of bed. As soon as he placed the toddler’s feet on the ground, she was off like a shot, running out the door across the hall to bang her little hands on Jamie’s bedroom door, shrieking at “Jay” to come play with her. 

Rebecca closed her eyes for a second, resting on the door frame slightly, before pulling her attention back to her wardrobe and the nervous girl next to her.

“Shall we?” Rebecca said, inclining her head to her wardrobe before crossing the room to get a good look at her options. Bridget nearly tripped over her feet in her haste to get to the wardrobe as well, and Rebecca bit back a laugh, not wanting to make the girl feel badly.

“How long have you been at the house, Bridget? I don’t think my mother’s ever mentioned you,” Rebecca said kindly, trying not to spook her.

The much shorter girl stared up at Rebecca, not meeting her eyes.

“I’ve been here for about a month, ma’am,” she said stammering, and Rebecca waved a hand in the air.

“Oh no, none of that,” she said firmly, a hint of a smile breaking out. “You can call me Rebecca, and I guarantee my husband will ask you to call him Ted.”

Bridget gasped, looking pained. “Oh, but I couldn’t, ma’am!”

Rebecca pursed her lips, thinking of a compromise that wouldn’t scare her off too badly. 

“How about calling me “Rebecca” when it’s just the two of us, like now, and “Miss Rebecca” for any other situation. Would that work for you?” Rebecca’s lips quirked up at her new companion.

Bridget looked like she could have been knocked down with a feather at the prospect of being given a choice but she nodded weakly, turning her attention back to Rebecca’s wardrobe. The pair made quick work of getting Rebecca ready for the day—she nixed the corset, opting to save it only for society events. She didn’t wear one at home, and had quite gotten used to the freedom it brought her. Rebecca and Keeley regularly sewed additional support into the waist of their dresses to approximate the shaping and support of a corset but without all of the heinous boning that restricted movement and breathing.

Fully dressed and ready for the day, Rebecca heard a knock at the door to their bedroom and left the dressing room, Bridget in tow, to see Jamie holding Cassie upside down, little pink shorts visible as she shrieked and wiggled around.

“Becca, I think I found something of yours?” Jamie said, grinning wildly. Rebecca heard a muffled laugh behind her, and was pleased to see Bridget loosening up just a bit.

“Oh no,” Rebecca said seriously. “I don’t think that’s mine at all, she doesn’t look like our beloved baby girl, now does she? Ted, what do you think?”

Mid-buttoning his shirt sleeves, Ted abandoned his task, and crossed the room to the dangling child in Jamie’s arms, crouching to get a closer look as an upside down Cassie spun around in Jamie’s arms to stare at Ted.

“Hi daddy,” Cassie said, giggling like mad, her face reddening with the force of being upside down. A smile bloomed across Ted’s face and Rebecca felt her heart clench in her chest at the sight. He threw a cheeky wink at Rebecca, who rolled her eyes at her husband.

“Well, I’ll be, Becca, I think this is our beloved baby girl, you know what? It looks like baby girl, and—” Ted poked Cassie’s side, lips tipping up at her giggles. “Oh, you know what, it feels like baby girl, too, a real wiggle worm. What do you think, Jamie?

Jamie pulled Cassie right-side up, smoothing her nightgown down as the little girl shook her head, blonde curls spilling everywhere. 

“Oh, what do you know? It’s a duckling!” Jamie said, the last bit muffled as Cassie slammed both of her little palms on Jamie’s mouth. He gently placed Cassie on the floor, and as soon as her feet touched the floor, she threw her arms around his leg, squeezing tightly.

“Duck, we gotta go get dressed and ready for the day, alright?” Jamie tried to reason with the toddler. Just then, the bedroom door swung open yet again to reveal a fully dressed Keeley and a yawning Phoebe, hair unbraided because to Keeley’s chagrin, her daughter preferred “auntie Becca’s” braids. Keeley gestured helplessly at Rebecca who winked at her smaller friend.

“Come sit, darling,” she said to Phoebe, pulling out a smaller chair from the nearby vanity. Phoebe happily flounced over, sitting quickly. Keeley huffed and rolled her eyes affectionately while pulling Cassie to the other room to finish getting dressed.

Just then, Deborah knocked on the doorframe of the open door, and grinned, eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Is there a party I wasn’t invited to? How disappointing,” she said wryly, staring at the full room of her beloved family plus Bridget fluttering around in the background.

“Ah,” Deborah noted. “I see you’ve met, Bridget, Rebecca.” 

Bridget nervously bobbed in Deborah’s direction and the older woman just waved it away.

“No, none of that, please,” Deborah said firmly, trying to put the girl at ease after a month of being at the Weltons had only just chipped away at the rigid formality. She was hoping the arrival of her family would help Bridget loosen up and adjust to the rhythms of the household more easily.

“Is anyone hungry? We have breakfast set up in the dining room, if anyone’s interested?”

As if on cue, Jamie’s stomach audibly growled, and Deborah chuckled, holding out an arm to the young man.

“You come with me, Jamie, we’ll get you fed right up before you waste away,” Deborah said, drawing him close. Cassie grabbed Keeley’s hand and pulled her—as much as the toddler could—toward the door, incensed at the idea of food. Phoebe had requested two french braids, and Rebecca made quick work of them before Rebecca, Ted, and Phoebe headed downstairs for breakfast. Bridget had additional duties besides being Rebecca’s maid, so she made her way to the kitchens to help Mrs. Elsie with anything else she needed.

Breakfast was a raucous affair, quite like at home in California, but nothing like a typical Welton morning meal with just Paul and Deborah in attendance. The butler had brought in a set of cushions for both of the younger children so Cassie and Phoebe could reach the table, but Cassie preferred to sit in Paul’s lap for the duration of the meal, with Jamie and Deborah breaking up little bits of egg and toast on her plate that she could happily snarf down.

Ted and Rebecca sat across from their children, nursing strong cups of coffee and tea, doing their best to fully wake up. Keeley was doing the same in between yawns, and the Weltons didn’t seem to mind the occasional silence from the adults as they dealt with the changing time zones. The kids didn’t seem to be too affected though, with Cassie and Phoebe chattering away to their very interested grandparents with Jamie mainlining coffee beside them.

The weather had cleared up during breakfast, the sun shining brightly in the garden, and Paul had decided to troop the whole family outside for some much needed letting off of steam. 

“I don’t know what I was thinking, Rebecca, putting the girls in white dresses, of all things. I didn’t even realize the gremlins had white dresses? Guess I must have been half asleep, still,” Keeley said through another jaw-cracking yawn. Rebecca just grinned at her friend, as Keeley shepherded the little ones back to their rooms to change into play clothes. 

“Sausage,” Deborah said, gently setting her teacup back on its matching saucer. Rebecca hummed in acknowledgment, taking another big swig of her hot beverage, feeling it warm her from the inside out, settling deep into her weary bones.

“Yes, mum,” Rebecca said, a tinge of fond exasperation leaching into her voice. Ted just chuckled and sipped his coffee, turning toward Jamie and Paul who were playing a mental chess game. Jamie was determined to keep up his skills when he was away from Beard—they played nightly in California, to various heckling from the boys, and Phoebe, of course.

“I’ve arranged for Madame Patricia to pop by in the afternoon for dress fittings for the both of us,” she said serenely, knowing that Rebecca was most likely grinding her teeth at the thought of “Madame Patricia.”

“She’s calling herself “madame,” now? That’s rich,” Rebecca said archly, pouring herself another cup of tea and pretending to be unbothered by it all. Ted tuned back in, placing a hand on her thigh under the table, squeezing gently.

“What’s this now?” Ted asked, genuinely curious about this mysterious Madame Patricia and why she got his wife so hot under the collar. Rebecca was sure her teeth were grinding to powder in this instance.

Deborah beamed at her son-in-law, turning slightly to face him head on. She placed an arm on the table, extending out to a bemused Ted who took her hand with some trepidation.

“Madame Patricia,” Deborah said over Rebecca’s loud cough as her daughter muttered “charlatan.” 

“Darling, are you quite finished?” Deborah said, glancing at Rebecca who flushed slightly and busied herself with her teacup.

“As I was saying, Ted,” Deborah said, patting his hand with her free hand. “Madame Patricia is a dear friend of the family. She began as a seamstress—very talented—and quickly expanded into matters of the occult.” Ted suppressed a shiver but felt Rebecca suppressing laughter next to him. He’d have to unpack that later.

“So, once a month, while this one was growing up,” Deborah said, raising an eyebrow in Rebecca’s direction. “Madame Patricia would come to the house, fit the both of us for new dresses and whatever else was needed for our social calendar, as well as do some tarot card readings, read our palms, give us her insights into the future, things like that.”

Ted didn’t know how to react to all that future mumbo jumbo, but nodded politely, trying to be supportive in deference to his mother-in-law whom he really adored. Rebecca snorted into her cup of tea beside him, and he turned to his wife slightly.

“Got something you wanna share with the class, boss,” Ted murmured, and he felt Deborah squeeze his hand in anticipation or warning or…something.

Rebecca sighed loudly, placing her teacup down so forcefully that a bit of tea sloshed over the side, and Jamie’s eyes sought her out questioningly. She waved his concern away, and got up from the table, Ted’s hand sliding off her thigh. She missed the warmth instantly.

“Right,” Rebecca said firmly, brooking no room for argument. She could tell that Ted was still confused, but she…just really didn’t want to get into it, not now. She narrowed her eyes at Deborah slightly, who placidly smiled at her as she put a teacup to her lips.

“I’m going to go check on Keeley and the children,” Rebecca said, wincing slightly, a headache ghosting at her temples. “Maybe I’ll go take some headache powder while I’m at it,” she said, waving away her husband’s concern and barely listening to Deborah tell her that Bridget had a cracker home remedy for headaches. She swiftly left the dining room, and stopped just outside the door, taking a deep breath. She slowly climbed the stairs to their bedrooms, feeling bone weary all of a sudden. Rebecca supposed it was just her older body adjusting to that much travel after years of not traveling, surely she would rally soon.

Chapter Text

Ted stared after his wife, a whisper of her perfume still lingering in the air. Deborah released his hand and poured him another cup of coffee.

“So, ah, Deb,” Ted started, grasping for words. His mother-in-law took pity on him, moving around the table into Rebecca’s empty chair.

“Rebecca isn’t at all fond of Patricia. Our girl thinks she’s a crook and a charlatan, out to fleece me of all of my money by telling me nonsense about the future. She does produce some very fine needlework, though,” Deborah said with a smirk, biting into a crunchy piece of toast with gleeful abandon.

Ted still felt like he was missing some key information here and gestured helplessly at Deborah to help him out. Deborah took pity on him, placing her mangled toast demurely back onto her plate, dabbing at her mouth with one of the most beautiful cloth napkins Ted had ever seen. Deborah caught him staring and smiled.

“Yes, yes, our napkins are entirely too fancy for the morning meal, but as it turns out, Bridget is an excellent embroiderer, so I had her do up our napkins—helps keep her busy, feel like she’s earning her keep, you know?” Deborah said with a shrug.

“Deb, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you hire her? It seems like you don’t need the extra help?” Ted trailed off, unsure if he had overstepped.

“Oh yes,” Deborah waved a hand at him. “Very true, we don’t need the help, I have to keep unmaking the beds just so she’ll have something to do, for goodness sake! On the plus side, the attic has never been cleaner, and I found some things I’d like you and Rebecca to take a look at,” she trailed off, reminiscing over whatever she had found in the attic before her attention snapped back. 

“Where was I? Oh yes—Paul and I began sponsoring a local girls’ school for foundlings who wanted to further their education but didn’t quite have the resources to manage it, you see? There’s a dormitory attached to the school as well, it’s all rather convenient.”

Ted gaped, not knowing what to say next, and an unbothered Deborah just continued on, not waiting for a response.

“So, Bridget, here, was about to age out of the school and the board—of which Paul and I are on—tries to place the young women in service jobs or apprenticeships to dressmakers and things of that nature, but there wasn’t the right place for the girl, and I could tell she was becoming rather dejected about it. So one day, I put on my gloves, walked into the school, asked to see the head matron, told the girl to come along with me, and strolled right out of there with a new maid in tow,” Deborah said nonchalantly. “I don’t think she’s quite cut out for a life of service, though, but she’ll be safe and comfortable here until she can figure out her next steps.”

“That’s mighty kind of ya, Deb,” Ted said, whistling softly. “Does Becca know about this?”

Deborah smiled mischievously, drumming her fingertips on the table.

“Not exactly, but…Patricia did ask me to pass on a message to Rebecca nearly three years ago now, that I do think was about Bridget, which is why our girl is rather cross, it seems. I didn’t think she would even remember my blathering nonsense,” she said slowly, lips tipping up in an infectious grin.

Ted’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head, and he cleared his throat a little.

“Uh, respectfully…what?”

Deborah winked at her son-in-law, quite enjoying his discomfort.

“Well, Patricia did say that soon Rebecca would meet an Irish girl who was in service in a far off land, who would become part of her family. Something about her son getting married? It didn’t make a lick of sense at the time, but now, you have Jamie, so…” she trailed off, seeing Ted’s eyes widen as he glanced over at Jamie, still engrossed in his chess match with Paul.

Ted…had no response to any of that, and just nodded along, placating his mother-in-law and deciding to not give it another thought (mostly.) Deborah’s head turned toward the door where they could hear the clattering and chatter of children as they came down the stairs.

Phoebe burst through the door, running to her uncle Ted and politely demanded to sit on his lap for a snuggle. He pulled the little girl onto his knee, situating themselves at the table, making sure to remark on her neatly braided hair as Phoebe gobbled up another slice of jammy toast.

“Auntie Becca does the best braids, but don’t tell mum, okay?” Phoebe said seriously, and Ted bit back a chuckle.

“Uh, butter bean, I think your mama already knows that little factoid,” Ted said quickly, seeing the girl’s face fall slightly. “But that don’t mean that your mama’s not good at other things that Aunt Becca isn’t so good at,” he said, floundering in the conversation and wildly glancing at Deborah for help. His mother-in-law winked at him, and leaned in closer.

“Phoebe, I daresay your mother has much nicer needlepoint skills than your aunt Rebecca, and she’s better in the kitchen, too,” Deborah said, eyes sparkling as Rebecca rounded the corner, holding Cassie in her arms. Rebecca’s eyes narrowing suspiciously at the tableau in front of her. Taking a seat on the other side of Ted, she hummed slightly.

“What did we miss, Phoebe, darling, hmmmm?”

Phoebe didn’t answer, shoving another bite of toast into her mouth, laughing mid-bite which caused crumbs to spray all over Ted’s lap.

“Some people’s kids, eh?” Ted said cheekily, winking at Keeley who had settled across the table from them, nursing another cup of tea. Keeley was relishing in having “proper” tea, and had already had conversations with Rebecca about how much tea they could fit in their luggage for the journey home.

Keeley snorted into her tea, told Phoebe she was doing an excellent job and that Ted would also really appreciate it if his trousers were covered in spilled tea. Seeing the glint in the girl’s eyes, Deborah quickly moved the tea and coffee out of Phoebe’s reach, tutting at Keeley who grinned over her teacup.

“Alright, my loves,” Deborah said placidly. “Let’s all adjourn into the sitting room, shall we? Paul?”

Paul hummed, still focused on his convoluted mental game of chess with Jamie.

“Darling?” Deborah raised her voice slightly, and Cassie decided to help her beloved grandmère.

“G’PA,” Cassie yelled, cupping her little hands around her mouth, and Rebecca startled slightly, adjusting the little girl on her lap.

Paul’s head snapped up with alarm before he realized who had been calling him. 

“Yes, little sausage?” he said, glancing at Cassie with a soft smile before realizing that his wife was trying to get his attention. Deborah winked at Paul, and Rebecca was delighted, fascinated, and a little grossed out to see her father blush.

“Do you want to take Jamie, Ted, and the children out to the garden? Maybe show Cassie and Phoebe their special present outside?” Deborah said, raising her teacup to her lips for a last sip before they would move into the sitting room.

Phoebe and Cassie’s faces brightened at the prospect of a present, and Rebecca and Keeley were curious as well. They all decided to troop out to the garden before the three women would relax in the sitting room before their appointment with Madame Patricia.

Like they were shot out of a cannon, the children were first out of the back door, running on the stone-covered path underneath the tunnel of greenery that led to the rest of the garden. They stopped short at the end of the path, causing the adults to run into each other, Keeley and Rebecca at the end of the chain, giggling at one another.

“Oh, mother,” Rebecca breathed, once she had gotten through the human traffic jam and the rest of the group had wandered into the garden, sunshine filtering through the leaves of the oak trees that ringed the inside of the garden walls. Rebecca wasn’t entirely sure the gap between the trees was there when she left London three years ago, but now was not the time to question it. Flush against the garden wall, nestled in between the trees, was a simple, child-sized little house about five feet high.

Ted wrapped his arms around Rebecca’s waist, resting his broad hands on her stomach, and tucked his chin into the crook of her shoulder as they watched the girls shriek in delight when they opened the door to the little house. Phoebe dragged her mother inside, and Cassie insisted Jamie enter their new play area as well. Keeley crouched slightly to be able to enter through the low door frame, but Jamie had to practically bend himself in half to fit. He swiftly plopped down on the wooden floor, resting his back against one of the walls as the children ran around, high on life and the promise of a new plaything. Keeley pulled up a low stool next to him and they watched the children explore all of the tiny house features.

Arm in arm, Paul and Deborah sidled up to Ted and Rebecca, grinning like mad. Rebecca rolled her eyes in fond exasperation.

“Really? This is…so much,” she sighed, lips turning up at the sight of the children playing. A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she straightened her back, jostling Ted a bit.

“Mother,” Rebecca said, a hint of warning in her tone.

“Yes, dear,” Deborah replied, as serene as ever, squeezing Paul’s hand that was looped over her arm.

“We’re only here for two weeks, might I remind you? No horses,” Rebecca said sternly, raising her eyebrow when Deborah went to say something. Her mother promptly shut her mouth, and Paul muttered something about how the eyebrow thing was scarier if you were on the receiving end of it, wasn’t it?

Deborah tutted affectionately, secretly quite proud of her daughter for the “scary eyebrow thing.”

“Oh Sausage, who do you think I am?”

Rebecca just stared incredulously, and Paul winked at his daughter, delighted by the verbal banter.

Deborah sniffed, examining her fingernails nonchalantly.

“We won’t even be going to the country house when you’re here, Sausage, I don’t know what you’re expecting, but your father and I have downsized and besides, there wouldn’t be room for the horses in London anyway. It would be preposterous! But…” Deborah trailed off, grinning slyly at Rebecca who held up a hand.

“Mother, don’t,” Rebecca said warily, and she felt Ted’s hands tighten around her waist, thumbs brushing her hips.

“Look, darling, all I am saying is if you insist on living in California, your children should have horses of their own, and that includes Phoebe. I believe her tenth birthday is approaching?” Deborah said, a lilting singsong in her voice that brought Rebecca right back to her childhood.

“Well, you’ll have to talk to Keeley and Roy about that, Mother,” Rebecca said, hand coming up to pinch the bridge of her nose in an attempt to alleviate a lingering headache.

Deborah just hummed in response, and they all turned to watch the children (and Keeley and Roy) have a pretend tea party. Deborah had stocked the house with some old, to-be-discarded china, but otherwise was content to let the girls raid the attic looking for furnishings.

Afternoon rolled around, and Rebecca and Keeley were relaxing in one of the family rooms that overlooked the garden. The window was open with a slight breeze gently swaying the curtains back and forth, and Rebecca could hear the shrieks and giggles of the children playing a rowdy game of tag with Jamie and Ted. Paul entered the room, holding something behind his back with a slightly guilty expression on his face.

“Papa?” Rebecca said warily. “What are you up to?”

Winking at his grown up girl, Paul grinned and placed a plate of jam-filled biscuit sandwiches on the low table in front of the sofa.

“I may have popped down to the kitchens to chat with Mrs. Elsie about some treats for the little ones, and thought I would bring some treats to the big girls, too,” Paul beamed, so pleased with himself that Rebecca didn’t have the heart to tell him they were still stuffed from their late breakfast. Keeley lunged forward immediately, grabbing a napkin and a biscuit sandwich and all but inhaling the baked good, moaning when the tart jam hit her tongue.

“Becca, you gotta try this,” Keeley mumbled, licking crumbs off her lips. Paul sat back in his chair opposite the women, munching happily on his own biscuit sandwich. Keeley offered Rebecca a bite, and Rebecca rolled her eyes, knowing her friend would not relent—not when it came to dessert-type things. She carefully took a bite, savoring the sweetness of the jam, biting back a moan.

“Papa, I forgot how good these were, oh my goodness,” Rebecca said once she had swallowed the treat. “Keels, maybe we can have Ted wander down to the kitchens, and if by chance, he learns how to make these, then oh no, that would be a shame, wouldn’t it?”

Keeley giggled next to her, crumbs flying off of the napkin on her lap.

Rebecca could hear her mother in the corridor, no doubt followed by Madame Patricia. She suppressed an eye roll, shoving her feelings about the woman down and to the back of her mind.

“Oh good, you’re both here,” Deborah said gleefully before spying the biscuit plate before Paul.

“Darling, you’ll ruin your tea,” she said, staring pointedly at her husband who averted his eyes. “Why don’t you go back into the garden with the young ones—we have some fittings to do!”

Sneaking one last biscuit, Paul kissed Deborah on the cheek and sauntered out of the fitting room, whistling tunelessly.

“Now,” Deborah said, once she had closed the door to the corridor. “Keeley, I’d like you to meet Madame Patricia, a dear friend of the family, and one of the finest seamstresses you’ll ever encounter.”

Madame Patricia extended a hand out to Keeley dramatically, and Rebecca crossed to the window, using the premise of watching the children play to be able to roll her eyes in peace. Judging by the abrupt clearing of her mother’s throat, Rebecca didn’t think she managed it in time.

“Alright, Patricia, look what I have for Rebecca and Keeley, and we’ll see what needs to be done here,” Deborah said definitively.

The next hour passed in a blur, the swishing of fabric ever present as both Rebecca, Keeley, and Deborah tried on countless garments. Toward the end of the first hour, Bridget quietly entered the room with a refreshment tray and in between fittings, Rebecca flashed her a grateful smile, beelining for a glass of water, a cup of tea, and a sandwich.

Patricia engaged the reticent housemaid in conversation, and Rebecca, focused on appeasing her grumbling stomach, missed the shine in Patricia’s (and Deborah’s) eye as she spoke with the girl. Rebecca ignored Patricia’s intense stare as Bridget left the room so they could get on with their fittings. 

Keeley was quite content to lounge on the sofa, sipping her tea slowly and listening to the ruckus in the garden below, but Rebecca felt antsy, and wanted to be done with the fittings— for goodness sake, how many more dresses were there? They would only be in London for two weeks!

“Rebecca, darling.”

Rebecca was jolted out of her reverie by Deborah softly calling for her. Pasting a smile on her face, she turned her head toward the center of the room where Patricia was busily pinning a dress on a makeshift mannequin, ensuring she had all the garments sufficiently measured before she left for the day, returning in a few days time with the finished products. 

She hummed in response, setting her cup of tea down on the table in front of her.

“I believe you’re the last fitting we have, right, Patricia?” Deborah said, turning to look at the bespectacled woman halfway through. Rebecca bit back a laugh as she saw the older woman almost choke on the pin cushion she had in her mouth. Head feeling stuffed with cotton wool, she wearily rose, taking a minute to get her bearings.

“Babe, you okay?” Keeley said as she leaned forward to place a hand on Rebecca’s back.

Rebecca smiled tightly, waving off the support, assuring her friend that she was just fine and had been sitting for too long, that’s all. She stepped toward the center of the room, rubbing her thumb along the final garment she was meant to try on.

“Mother,” she said with a laugh. “This is far too extravagant. Where am I meant to go in this?” 

Deborah just smiled serenely, assuring her beloved Sausage that she heard a rumor that the Queen would be attending a house party next week in the countryside.

“Best to be prepared, my girl,” she said matter of factly. Rebecca kind of hated how Keeley hung onto every word Deborah said, mesmerized by the older woman. She wrinkled her nose at Keeley, who stuck her tongue out in response. Rebecca rolled her eyes, crossing toward the partition that was set up, and quickly changed into the voluminous dress. Carefully gathering up the hem in her fist, Rebecca gingerly stepped on a low footstool in the center of the room, allowing the bottom of the dress to fall to the ground. She tugged at the bodice of the gown, trying to situate it as best she could but it was a tight fit and she was annoyed about it, forlornly staring at her soft and flowy morning dress that was hanging up behind her.

“Oh, Rebecca,” Keeley gasped reverently. “Just beautiful, Ted will lose his mind when he sees you in this.” Rebecca blushed faintly, wobbling on the stool slightly. Deborah came up to stand beside her, placing one of Rebecca’s hands on her shoulders.

“Sausage, here, lean on me for some stability. You’re looking a little peaky, darling, are you sure you’re okay?” Deborah said with concern.

Rebecca reassured her mother that she was fine, just still tired from the journey, but she could tell that Deborah—and Keeley—didn’t buy it.

“Now zen,” Patricia jolted Rebecca out of her thoughts, and her first thought after that was annoyance at Patricia’s fake French accent. She knew for a fact the woman was brought up in Whitechapel and had a shop in Mayfair before pivoting to the supernatural.

“Mizz Rebecca, did ve give Madame the incorrect measuremaants? Eet eez quite snug here,” Patricia blinked owlishly through her spectacles and stuck her whole hand in Rebecca’s cleavage as she tried to pull out the material. Rebecca tried to tamp down the manic laughter building in her gut.

“The what?” she said quizzically—Rebecca didn’t recall giving any measurements to Madame Patricia.

Deborah chuckled and then furrowed her brow, puzzled at something.

“Sausage, we took your measurements right before your father and I left California, didn’t we? Oh goodness, maybe we didn’t, after all, and I just made it all up,” she said ruefully. “My apologies, Madame.”

Patricia slowly circled Rebecca, loosening the bodice and jabbing pins in the extra material, muttering all the while. She crouched at Rebecca’s feet to adjust the hem before standing up straight and staring right at Rebecca, who was unsettled by the intense eye contact. The woman seemed to be trying to stare into Rebecca’s very soul and…she needed it to stop. Rebecca closed her eyes briefly and snapped them open suddenly at the following question from the seamstress.

“‘Ave you ever thought about ‘aving more cheeldren, Rebecca?” Patricia said, muffled again by the pin cushion in her mouth.

Rebecca jolted, jostling Deborah at her side, who wrapped an arm around her waist for extra stability. 

“I ‘ad a dream about you and your mustache cowboy, Rebecca—Deborah showed me a family photo last time we meet and your daughter looks just like you, mon cher. ‘E was on the floor laughing and ‘ad leetle girls were crawling all over him. Yes, I remember now, there were two leetle ones and a taller blonde child,” Patricia trailed off. “Eet feels…the spirits are telling me there eez a possibility of a new arrival for your family, Deborah, but zat eet will bring unexpected consequences and chaos in its wake.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes so far back in her head she feared they might stick there momentarily.

“Oh Jesus,” she mumbled, and Deborah shot her a look, pinching her side in disapproval.

“Language, darling,” Deborah said firmly, and Rebecca huffed. Keeley just cackled on the sofa, and Rebecca glared at her friend.

“Are we done here?” Rebecca said pointedly, shifting her weight on the footstool impatiently.

Madame Patricia nodded affirmatively, and Keeley leapt up to help Rebecca down—she’d take any excuse to be close to her beautiful best friend. Rebecca hustled over to the partition, ripping off the pinned fabric in haste, and slipping on her day dress once more.

Sighing in relief, she slung the fabric over her arm and emerged from her dressing area to see Keeley, Deborah, and Patricia in the midst of what looked like a very serious conversation. She internally groaned.

“What am I missing, hmmmm?” Rebecca asked, causing all three women to startle and spin around to face her. She bit back a smirk at the look on their faces.

“Oh, nothing, nothing at all, you glowing goddess, you,” Keeley said with a faint grin. “Here, let me take that dress for you, I can put it with Madame’s others.” Rebecca rolled her eyes at Keeley’s use of the honorific, and Keeley winked cheekily at her.

“Really, Sausage, we were just chatting, that’s all,” Deborah said placatingly, holding out one hand toward her daughter. Rebecca took it somewhat reluctantly, deciding to leave whatever it was alone. They’d tell her the gossip if they wished. 

Keeley returned to the sofa, curling her feet up like a little puppy, and making such eyes at Rebecca that the older woman had to go give her best friend a cuddle. Deborah sat on the other side of Rebecca and the trio watched Madame Patricia dismantle her mannequin and carefully refold all of the garments that needed to be altered.

The savvy seamstress assured Deborah she could finish the alterations swiftly, and would have them couriered over to the Weltons when completed. Paul was, apparently, paying extra for a rush job, although Rebecca would bet money on it that he had no idea what he was paying for. Deborah had a very healthy (separate) bank account that Paul topped up regularly, but all of the furnishings and floral arrangements and clothing was paid for by Paul, and Deborah’s account was for incidentals.

Rebecca rested her chin on Keeley’s head as the younger woman curled into her, attaching like a barnacle. Deborah smiled at the sight—she and Keeley had become fast friends quite quickly. Keeley was definitely more tolerant of Deborah’s shenanigans than Rebecca was, even egging her on in some instances, to Rebecca’s dismay.

Madame Patricia gathered her things and had her hand on the doorknob, preparing to, no doubt, rip the door off its hinges, Rebecca thought wryly as she swallowed a chuckle, when she dramatically turned around to face the trio, her carefully bundled up garments falling to the floor.

Her face was blank, her eyes unseeing, and Rebecca felt a chill run up her spine, shivering involuntarily and jostling Keeley in the process. Murmuring an apology to her friend, Rebecca glanced at Deborah to see if she had any idea about what the hell was happening here. Rebecca and Deborah locked eyes as Madame Patricia snapped out of whatever stupor she was in, grinning at Rebecca knowingly.

“Darling, the spirits vant to say hello to your leetle one,” Patricia said, and Rebecca was nonplussed, glancing wildly at her mother once more.

“Ooookay?” Rebecca answered, trying to be diplomatic instead of yelling at her to leave. People were simply exhausting at the best of times, and her patience for Patricia was wearing thin, a thread ready to snap at any moment, simply clipped by the Fates.

“I’ll tell Cassie that…the spirits say hello,” Rebecca said, placatingly, desperately trying not to laugh. Keeley had lost that battle and was quietly chuckling into a pillow, curling herself over the back of the sofa so as to not make eye contact with anyone and make her giggles even worse. Madame Patricia shook her head, becoming animated once more.

“Non, non, your leetle one who is coming soon,” Patricia said slowly, eyes unfocusing as she was communing with the spirits or whatever the fuck. “The end of the year is such a nice time to welcome new life into the world, I think, with a whole new year full of possibilities.”

Rebecca’s jaw dropped as both Deborah and Keeley stared at her, failing at hiding their absolute joy.

“I’m…sorry?” Rebecca was over it, and about to give Madame a piece of her mind when Deborah placed a hand on Rebecca’s arm, and directed her attention to the mystical seamstress.

“Patricia, did the spirits say anything else about Rebecca?” Deborah said enthusiastically, and not for the first time, Rebecca felt a wave of nausea wash over her. Fuck.

Patricia shook her head, and reiterated that the spirits were looking forward to meeting the new Lasso arrival, and had been watching over Cassie, enjoying her boisterous attitude. Rebecca’s eyes narrowed for…many reasons, and she felt slightly at sea, wondering how the fuck to extract herself from this situation. 

As if reading her mind, two things happened at the same time. Deborah got off the sofa, saying she would walk Madame Patricia out, and Ted cracked open the door to the sitting room, grin widening when his eyes landed on Rebecca.

“Hey, baby doll,” Ted drawled, relishing in his wife’s blush. “How was your fitting with Madame?” he said, dragging out the last word in an obnoxiously adorable way. Rebecca just stared at him, mind spinning, mouth agape. Ted’s expression instantly became more serious, a flash of panic flitting across his face. Keeley took that moment to quietly remove herself from the sofa, murmuring about going to check on the girls, and she closed the door behind her.

Ted took Keeley’s place next to Rebecca on the sofa, pulling her into his arms.

“What’s goin’ on, sweetheart,” Ted said, hand coming up to rub her shoulders, tracing an aimless pattern on her arm. Rebecca huffed a laugh, snorting quietly at herself, cursing the tears that sprang to her eyes.

She cleared her throat gently, the sound almost echoing in the otherwise silent room.

“Ted, I…I need you to hear me when I tell you that I wasn’t trying to keep this from you,” Rebecca said firmly, shifting in his arms to face him, tucking a flyaway piece of hair behind his ear.

“Okay,” Ted said slowly, searching her face for any kind of clue that would let him know what the heck she was talking about. She twisted her lips slightly, biting down on her bottom lip in the way that usually made Ted feel insane but was now causing a little bubble of anxiety to rise in his gut. “Wanna tell me about it, darlin’?”

“I think…I mean, I don’t know for sure, but…I think I might be pregnant.”

Chapter Text

Ted’s ears were ringing slightly as he tried to process, and he only snapped out of it when Rebecca’s voice filtered through at last.

“Ted? Darling, say something,” his wife said, sounding anxious, and well, Ted couldn’t have that. He moved slowly, cradling her face in his large hands, thumbs coming to rest on the top of her spine. A wide-eyed, joyous grin practically split his face open and he watched as he visibly saw some of the anxiety drain out of Rebecca’s entire being.

“Baby doll, are you—really?” Ted breathed, eyes scanning her face, searching for…something. Rebecca smiled softly in response.

“I haven’t gone to the doctor or anything like that, and you know how I’ve been feeling out of sorts,” she said, and he nodded in understanding. “But I just thought it was because of all of the travel prep and packing and unpacking and re-packing after your daughter decided to help us pack, and then all of the travel. I don’t know, I thought maybe once we were here and settled for a few days, my body would get its act together, you know?”

Ted slowly pulled Rebecca into his arms, and she shifted to slide her legs over his lap, cuddling up against him. He placed his hand on her stomach, and she felt the warmth seep through the fabric of her dress.

“Ready to do this again, then?” Ted smirked, kissing her lightly on the nose, and Rebecca huffed a laugh.

“Oh god,” she whined, nuzzling into his neck. “I don’t know. I mean, I know we talked about siblings for Cassie, but I’m so tired, Ted.”

“Well, you best get un-tired, now, darlin’, we’re about to have two kids under three years old,” Ted said. He couldn’t seem to stop his lips from tipping up into a grin, almost against his will—his joy was infectious. “You wanna wait until we get back to California, or you wanna see a doctor while we’re here?”

She hummed against his throat, lips grazing his pulse point, and he swallowed sharply, willing the spike of arousal to dissipate. Get ahold of yourself, Theodore.

“I think we should go to a doctor here,” Rebecca murmured. “My mother can make some discreet inquiries amongst her set for a Harley Street recommendation. I don’t…I refuse to go back to my old doctors here. They always listened to Rupert, never to me.”

Ted held Rebecca tighter, providing calm reassurance. 

“Sounds a-okay to me, sweetheart,” Ted said. “When did you wanna tell Debs?”

Rebecca chuckled, pulling away from him to sit up properly, but still wanting to have maximum contact, and settled one of her legs between his, flaring out her skirt on them both. 

“Ted, I think she and Keeley already know. They might have found out before you did, technically, and I am so sorry,” Rebecca said, grimacing slightly as she remembered the talk amongst the women. He looked confused so she elaborated further.

“Patricia might have mentioned it,” Rebecca sighed. “She had another one of her silly premonitions and communed with the spirits or whatever she does. Said the end of the year is a fine time to bring new life into the world, if you can believe that,” she mused. “And…Keeley said I was glowing, earlier.”

“I don’t disagree, baby,” Ted drawled, enjoying the way Rebecca’s flush went all the way from her hairline down past the neckline of her dress. “You’re always glowing, ya know? You’re always this ethereal and beautiful—I kinda can’t believe there’s a reason for it now. You’re growing our new baby bean,” his voice softened, arm shifting to pull her into his side more firmly.

They sat there for a while longer, just soaking in each other, when there was a knock at the door. Keeley poked her head in cautiously, and saw something in Rebecca’s face that made her step all the way inside and close the door.

Rebecca shrugged a shoulder and winked at Keeley who threw her hands over her face to muffle her screams of excitement.

“Okay, okay, I’m good—babe, are you good? I know you, and you seemed a bit poorly during the fitting,” Keeley said with concern, not missing the way Ted’s gaze narrowed on his wife. “I mean, you’re still as beautiful as ever, but you look a bit peaky. Why don’t you take it easy for the rest of the day, just relax, and Jamie and I will wrangle the gremlins, yeah?”

“Rebecca?” Ted said seriously, and the woman in question waved her hand in the air, brushing off his concerns.

“Love, I promise I am fit as a fiddle, just felt a bit unwell during the fitting for some reason, but…now that you both officially know—”

“Oi, I don’t officially know anything, excuse you! You haven’t said the words, Rebecca,” Keeley said teasingly.

Rebecca rolled her eyes, fondly exasperated by her best friend. She had really managed to perfect her eye rolls over the years having both Ted and Keeley in her life.

“Oh for—” Rebecca huffed at the younger woman. “Keeley, I think I’m pregnant, Phoebe is going to have another cousin, can we please continue?” Rebecca said shortly, closing her eyes briefly. She wasn’t really mad, just bloody exhausted out of nowhere.

“What’s this about feeling poorly, doll?” Ted asked, ignoring Rebecca’s glare as she huffed in annoyance.

“I’ve been feeling a little off, nothing to worry about, it’s the same as what happened last time. I’m honestly kicking myself for not realizing it sooner,” Rebecca said, turning her annoyance onto herself.

“Well, I’m sure Deborah knows loads of fancy doctors on Harley Street, we best get you into one of them to get looked over before we go home in a few weeks,” Keeley chimed in thoughtfully. “Although, babe, I have to say, I think your mum might already know.”

“What do I already know?” Deborah asked as she entered the room, Bridget in tow with another refreshment tray. Rebecca rolled her eyes and saw her mother smirk into her tea preparations. Rebecca waited until Bridget left, softly closing the door behind her, before she narrowed her gaze onto Deborah.

“Mother,” Rebecca started, then stopped suddenly at the glint in Deborah’s eyes.

“Yes, Sausage?” Deborah replied, busying herself with pouring Keeley a cuppa.

“You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

“I’m sure I don’t have the faintest idea, Sausage,” Deborah said as her lips tipped up in an ill-concealed grin, winking quickly at Ted who smothered a laugh building in his gut. 

“Mother!” Rebecca whined, drawing out the last syllable in frustration.

“Rebecca!” Deborah volleyed back with amusement. “Am I supposed to guess? Is this a new game of charades?”

“You’re being ridiculous,” Rebecca sniffed, trying to wrest back control of the room. Deborah winked in response.

“I know, darling,” Deborah said, stepping closer to Rebecca, holding out a hand. Rebecca took it cautiously, waiting her out, and was rewarded by a serious eye roll that rivaled Rebecca’s.

“Should I make an appointment with my physician? I just switched to these female physicians who went to America to get their medical degrees. They opened a new practice on Harley Street, and they’re very good. I must say, it’s a refreshing change to have a woman take my health care concerns seriously,” Deborah said blithely, squeezing Rebecca’s hand in hers.

“Are you going to make me say it?” Rebecca asked shortly, glaring at her husband when she heard him chuckle next to Keeley on the sofa. The younger woman turned her attention back to her tea, taking a long sip to busy herself so she wouldn’t give anything away. Deborah just stared at her, a hint of a challenge in her eye, and Rebecca rolled her eyes internally. Fuck.

“Mum,” Rebecca said hesitantly, although she wasn’t sure why she was so hesitant about saying words that she’d already said that day. She took a deep breath, feeling Deborah give her hand another squeeze. Ted trailed a hand up and down her back in a soothing gesture, grounding her with his presence.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered, her eyes overflowing with emotion, feeling increasingly discombobulated. She looked up from her lap to see Deborah’s face wreathed in a massive smile. The older woman reached into the pocket of her dress, pulled out a coin and thrust it at Keeley, who cackled gleefully. Rebecca huffed at Keeley in disbelief and the blonde winked and pocketed her winnings. How many bets was this family going to make on their lives, for goodness sake!

“Oh, Rebecca,” Deborah said emotionally, moving to cup her daughter’s face in the palm of her hand. “Darling, that’s wonderful. You know, I had a feeling this is what you were going to tell me. Also, Patricia had explicitly mentioned it last week when she came to drop off some materials for me to peruse. I decided to wait until you arrived to draw my own conclusions—and then Keeley cornered me the morning of your arrival with her own suspicions.”

“Mother, come on now,” Rebecca groaned in fond exasperation, shooting a sharp glance at an unrepentant Keeley. “Goddamn Patricia,” she muttered under her breath. Rebecca waited for a rebuke from her mother that never came because Deborah was just too delighted by the news to chastise her daughter for language.

“Congratulations to your husband are also in order, I think, Sausage,” Deborah said, with a cheeky wink at Keeley. 

Ted’s face flushed red from the tips of his ears to well below his shirt collar and he stammered for a response as Rebecca snatched her hand back from Deborah, tipping over to rest her head on her knees momentarily. 

“Well done, Ted.”

At this from Deborah, Rebecca’s head shot up as quick as she could manage, and she grabbed Ted’s hand in hers, pulling them both up off the sofa.

“Okay, we’re done here, you incorrigible people,” Rebecca said with a groan as she practically dragged Ted behind her. Keeley and Deborah collapsed against each other on the sofa, cackling merrily all the while.

The first few days of the Lassos in London sped by, filled with giggles, running around the Welton home, and copious amounts of tea. Before they knew it, it was Thursday, May 1—opening day of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. 

There was an excitement in the air and Rebecca could feel it from the very moment she stepped into the back garden with the children to have them blow off some steam before their outing. London was coming alive, and spirits were buoyed by the opening of the Great Exhibition. The brainchild of Prince Albert, the Great Exhibition had thousands of miles of exhibitors who were displaying technological wonders from around the world—hydraulic presses, new kitchen appliances, surgical equipment, electric telegraphs, and even the latest false teeth.

Deborah had been buzzing with anticipation leading up to it—this was a massive society event, and she had heard via the housekeeper that the Queen was definitely attending opening day, so she wanted her clan spit-shined, dressed, and ready to go. She could have never predicted what happened next.

“Sausage!”

Rebecca whipped her head around wildly, staring at the garden door as if her mother would appear there. She could hear Deborah but not see her, and she didn’t see her in any of the ground floor windows overlooking the garden, nor in the actual garden itself.

“Sausage, up here!”

Rebecca craned her neck, still trying to keep an eye on the children (currently terrorizing Jamie in the playhouse) while figuring out where on earth Deborah was. She scanned the upper windows of the house, setting her sights on Deborah at last. Her mother’s upper body was hanging precariously out of the window as she tried to get Rebecca’s attention, and having achieved her goal, Deborah settled back firmly on the floor.

“Mother!” Rebecca cupped a hand around her mouth, speaking louder than she normally would have. 

“Sausage, I can’t hear you!”

Rebecca rolled her eyes so far back into her head it was a wonder they didn’t stick there, and motioned for Deborah to come down so they could chat properly. She raised her voice slightly, practically yelling up at the window as she moved to stand underneath as if that would help with the volume.

“Yes, mum?” Rebecca drawled, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“Darling, we have to leave for Hyde Park in a quarter of an hour—are you and the children all ready to go?”

Rebecca just stared up at her, exasperated by the micromanaging, not liking how stressed Deborah seemed to be by this outing.

“Mum, of course not—you know we’ve been playing in the garden this morning, but we’ll be ready to—”

Deborah cut Rebecca off, and from this distance, Rebecca could see a manic glint in her mother’s eye.

“Rebecca Cassandra Welton Lasso, everything has to be perfect for this outing, okay?”

Deborah sounded stressed with a hint of something in her voice that Rebecca couldn’t name. She decided to placate her high-strung mother, reassuring her that everyone—men included—would indeed be ready to head to the Exhibition whenever they were told to do so.

“Sausage, we need to be on our best behavior! You might meet the bloomin’ Queen—you know she’ll be there with Prince Albert,” Deborah said, and Rebecca could see her mother’s hands flex on the windowsill. She bit back a giggle at her mother’s language, yet again having another out of body experience whilst in her birth city.

“Where did you learn that word?” Rebecca said with a smirk, and Deborah rolled her eyes in amusement before gripping the windowsill tightly once more.

“Keeley introduced me to it—I quite like the word! She said it’s another way to say “bloody,” and I must say, it feels quite salacious and bold to be using a swear!” Deborah said gleefully. Rebecca…didn’t even know where to begin with that, so she decided to let it go. Keeley took that moment to emerge into the garden, fully dressed for the day in a new violet dress with lace trim. Something about the other woman’s movements seemed off to Rebecca—Keeley usually didn’t move with such caution.

“Are you wearing a corset?” Rebecca murmured, and Keeley grimaced slightly, nodding affirmatively. 

“It’s been so long since I’ve worn one that I quite forgot how uncomfortable they are. I made Bridget tie it very loosely, so it’s better than it was this morning, that’s for sure,” Keeley said beaming at Rebecca. “Deborah’s so worried about this event, that it seemed to be the least I could do, making myself presentable so no one knows she’s bringing a street urchin to a society event,” Keeley chuckled at herself, unbothered as ever.

Rebecca hummed, humoring her friend, and then something occurred to her, and she turned to face the younger woman with a frown.

“Keeley, why on earth did you teach my mother the word “bloomin’?”

“Oh my god, did she use it properly in a sentence and I missed it?” Keeley cackled infectiously. “I’m so proud!”

Ted was hustling down the corridor to the Fine Arts part of the exhibition, eyes darting wildly, searchingly, as he went along. The family had divided and conquered—Jamie and Rebecca to the Raw Materials section, Keeley and Phoebe (holding very tightly to her mother’s hand) to the Manufacturers section, and Paul and Deborah to the Machinery area.

Cassie was missing, swept up in all of the excitement, and Ted was at his wit’s end. He entered the main hall portion of the Fine Arts exhibit and began scanning the room, pulling aside exhibitors to ask if they had seen a small blonde girl in a bright pink dress. With every nodding head, he became more and more frantic. 

Ted took a lap around the glass-covered room, stopping in a section full of exotic plants where there was a refreshment table set up, and that’s where he heard it. He jolted to attention, hoping to hear it again. There! He heard a distinctive giggle again, and ran toward the sound, only to be stopped by two men in black coats. He didn’t hear what they were saying, but he managed to eke out something about his missing child. He must have sounded desperate enough because the men simply looked at each other, and let Ted through. He burst through the other side of the plants, nearly crying in relief when he saw Cassie’s golden curls.

“Cassie, darlin’,” Ted sank to his knees in front of his clearly unfazed child. “Honey, you can’t run off like that—you scared your mama and me half to death!”

The toddler pushed out of his hug slightly, perturbed at being interrupted from her conversation with a petite woman—Ted had assumed his daughter was interacting with another child, but realized that he had in fact rushed up to the Queen Victoria. The woman smiled at Ted, and he was jolted out of his thoughts rather quickly. Ted stumbled to apologize on Cassie’s behalf, and say a proper hello to the Queen, a thing he never thought he would ever do, obviously. Still rattled by his daughter’s short-lived disappearance, Ted was spinning slightly, and Cassie squirmed in his grip, reaching for the shiny fabric of her new friend’s dress.

Ted saw a flash of amusement in Victoria’s eyes and she quirked up a brow in challenge, and patted the seat next to her. Ted gulped, sitting beside her with Cassie on his lap, firmly holding the toddler to him as she struggled to continue playing.

“Cassandra Victoria Penelope Welton Lasso,” Ted said, with a hint of steel in his voice. He usually wasn’t the stern parent, so when he was, Cassie was more apt to listen immediately.

“Did you hear me? You need to apologize to your mama when she finds us, and to me, for running off and scaring everyone like that. This is a very busy place, and everyone’s been looking for you,” Ted said, wincing as he tried to think of how he could get word to the family that their gremlin had been found.

Victoria saw his apparent distress and motioned to one of her men in black coats to come forward.

“Mr. Lasso, I presume? I have a daughter about this one’s age, they’re slippery creatures at the best of times,”  Victoria said calmly, motioning to Cassie. “Stevens, here, can assist you with whatever you need.”

Stevens quickly found three young boys who were employed as runners at the Exhibition, and paid them a shilling each to go find the Weltons, Jamie and Rebecca, and Keeley and Phoebe. Ted gave the boys a rough description of each pair, and they were off like a shot, weaving and ducking out of the crowd in their haste to complete their missions. 

“Now, then,” Victoria said firmly, and Ted had to stop his jaw from dropping slightly at the sheer absurdity of his surroundings. In London with his wife and child, sure. Having a casual conversation with the literal queen of England? His brain was slower to adjust. 

“Tea?”

Ted inwardly winced, but it must have not been as inward as he thought. In case he was successful at hiding his revulsion, the cherub cheeked child on his lap declared that her daddy hated tea and thought it was garbage water. He felt his whole face flush in embarrassment as their companion chuckled merrily, her feet swinging off the ground.

“Just like you, my husband, Albert, hates tea,” Victoria said with a grin. “Ah well. Unfortunately, you are American, and he is German, after all. It’s not in your bloodstream like the Brits.”

Ted did a double take at that—he thought that the Queen was also German, or half, he supposed, but he wasn’t brave enough to say anything about it. As he was formulating a response, Cassie took his distraction as an opportunity to lean over to her new friend, splaying out her hands in frustration. 

Ted clutched Cassie tighter, willing her to stop squirming, but the child was relentless. Victoria took pity on Ted, and swiftly plucked the child from his lap—it was all he could do to close his mouth and keep his feelings of awe on the inside. Cassie settled on Victoria’s lap, and they began playing some sort of game together. Ted felt like he was in an alternate dimension or something, like he’d slipped through a time portal or maybe just gotten a bad knock on the head and was lucid dreaming.

A cart swiftly appeared with refreshment, and Cassie was momentarily distracted by the cake-laden cart. Ted winced, motioning to Cassie, who sweetly grinned at him.

“Miss, ma’am, uh—”

“‘Your majesty’ will do,” Victoria said with a grin, enjoying her companion’s palpable discomfort.

Ted gulped. He was definitely not in Kansas—or California—any longer.

“Your majesty,” Ted stopped, glancing at the smaller woman beside him. She nodded encouragingly, and the sparkle of amusement in her eyes reminded him of Rebecca—it settled his nerves somewhat.

“Lemme take her,” Ted said faintly, gesturing to his daughter. “You don’t wanna have that one in your lap when you’re having your afternoon tea. Don’t want to get cake all over that fancy dress of yours.”

Victoria went to argue, and thought better of it, passing the toddler back to her father. 

“Cassandra,” Ted said firmly, and Cassie looked up at him with green eyes that were so much like her mother’s that his heart stuttered in his chest briefly. Cassie put a little hand on his cheek, using her other hand to smooth down his mustache—Ted could feel Victoria’s palpable amusement at the scene. 

“Sweetheart, best behavior, okay? Do you know who this is?” he said, gesturing at Victoria, spinning Cassie around on his lap so she was facing out, toward Victoria. Cassie’s little brow furrowed and she nodded, glancing at Ted for an explanation.

“This is the Queen of England, honey,” Ted said, feeling absolutely insane for that sentence to come out of his mouth. “You know how mama, and grandmère and grandpa are from England? The head of state in England is a monarch. But at home in California we have a president, instead.”

“Why?” The toddler said in confusion, momentarily distracted by a loose thread on the hem of her dress, and Ted quickly clasped her hands in his larger ones, not wanting her to start unraveling her new garment. Rebecca would have his head on a platter, for sure. He huffed, chewing on his lip for a moment before figuring that probably wasn’t polite behavior in the company he was in. 

“Well, baby, you’ll learn about it in school in a coupla years, but remember how Phoebe had to do that project for Miss Bowen at the beginning of the year,” Ted waited for her to nod in confirmation. “Well, our country used to be a lot smaller and we didn’t like being a part of the British Empire for a lotta reasons, so we decided to strike out on our own, and now we don’t have a king or queen anymore, we gotta a whole nother system.”

Ted was about to explain more to the clearly-bored toddler when they heard a clattering of footsteps approaching. Slightly out of breath, the three runners had returned, and relayed to Ted that his family was on their way to the Fine Arts section of the exhibition. 

Victoria turned to them slightly, smiling at the toddler on Ted’s lap.

“Shall we have some cake, then, sweet?”

Cassie nodded eagerly, and a lady-in-waiting came forward to serve the cake, pouring a cup of tea and coffee for Victoria and Ted, respectively.

And that was how Rebecca and company found Ted—chatting with Queen Victoria over cake and nursing a cup of coffee. Cassie was fast asleep on his lap, little breaths puffing her flyaway hairs in all directions. He heard her before he saw her, and braced for impact.

Rebecca came practically flying down the corridor, Jamie hot on her heels, frantically following the little boy who had come to tell them where the rest of their family was.

“Cassandra!” Rebecca almost yelled when she saw the golden curls of her daughter, and Cassie sleepily stirred, whipping around to reach for her mama. Rebecca scooped her off Ted’s lap and held her close, willing her blood pressure and heart rate to go back to normal. She gulped in breaths, feeling Cassie’s little hands splay over her shoulders. Rebecca pulled her daughter back so they could look each other in the eyes, settling the girl on her hip.

“Darling, you can not run off like that. Not ever, okay? Do you hear me, Cassandra Victoria Penelope Welton Lasso?” Cassie’s full name was getting thrown around quite a bit that day, but Rebecca’s heart was still in her throat, so she stood by her full name decision. The little girl nodded meekly, and apologized to her mother for running “‘way.” Rebecca let out a deep breath, willing the tension away from her jaw and shoulders. 

Cassie snuggled into her mama, hooking her chin on Rebecca’s shoulder. The new vantage point meant that Jamie was now in her eyesight, and the toddler’s eyes widened, happiness emanating from her small frame. 

“Jam!” Cassie squealed, all tiredness melted away in only the way that toddlers could seem to manage. A wan-looking Jamie managed a small smile, and winked at his baby sister—he had seen her with his own two eyeballs after her little escapade, and was currently dealing with the adrenaline crash that came with that. 

Jamie saw Rebecca’s back straighten slowly as her tunnel vision receded and she cottoned onto who her husband was sitting next to. He didn’t know why Rebecca was acting the way she was, but he decided to double back down the corridor to update a frantic Keeley and the Weltons—maybe distract Phoebe for a bit while the adults all gathered their wits.

Rebecca barely registered Jamie coming up behind her to affectionately ruffle Cassie’s hair before he set off to intercept the rest of the family. She was too busy staring at the woman in front of her, and dimly heard her mother’s voice echoing in her head, a reminder of the etiquette lessons of her childhood that she had so detested. 

Gathering herself as best she could, gripping Cassie with one hand, Rebecca grabbed a fistful of her dress with the other hand and sunk into a picture-perfect—if slightly off balance—curtsy. Deborah would have been proud. Ted, on the other hand, was staring at Rebecca, nonplussed, and she could practically see him wondering if he should be bowing alongside her. 

Victoria swept out a hand, motioning to Rebecca to be at ease, and a valet moved a chair nearer to Rebecca. She gratefully collapsed into the chair, pulling Cassie onto her lap more firmly as she flexed the hand and arm that had been doing the work for the last few minutes. Rebecca saw Ted staring, mesmerized as always, and winked at him quickly. His mouth snapped shut and a flush rose up his neck. She inwardly smirked, but her head was absolutely spinning with what the fuck to say to the Queen, for heaven’s sake. She didn’t have that on her London bingo card. The valet came forward again with a tea cart, and Ted leapt up.

“Here, baby doll, why don’t I take the little runaway and you can make yourself a nice sugary cuppa dirty leaf water,” he grinned at her, before remembering they weren’t alone and perhaps the informality would be frowned upon. Their companion chuckled merrily—it was a refreshing change to be around normal people who weren’t constantly bowing and scraping and sucking up to get into the Queen’s good graces. Toddler transfer done—Cassie had fallen asleep immediately, and Rebecca hoped the little one would get a quick nap in—she focused on her next task. Fortifying cup of tea made, Rebecca sipped it slowly, closing her eyes in pleasure.

Victoria helped herself to another cup of tea, and the three of them just sat there for a second, enjoying the quiet amidst the hectic atmosphere of the exhibition. Ted broke the silence hesitantly, not quite sure of the protocol of this situation, but he figured he’d take one for the team.

“So, uh,” he cleared his throat, eyes flitting between the woman to his right, and his wife who was sitting across from him. 

“Meetin’ a queen sure wasn’t in any of your London how-to’s, there, Becca,” Ted said, relying on his folksy American charm to help him in this situation. Victoria had seemed to find him, well, not completely irritating, so he decided to roll with it. He winked at Rebecca, gratified when her shoulders visibly loosened a bit.

“Yes, well,” Rebecca said distractedly, tapping the pads of her fingers on the teacup in her lap. “It didn’t come up, but I’ll be sure to think of all outlandish scenarios for our next visit.”

“Darlin’, ain’t that outlandish, but next time we’ll know what to do,” Ted chuckled before turning to the woman seated to his right. Victoria had been watching the banter with ill-concealed interest, eyes sparkling merrily.

“Your Majesty, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Rebecca Welton Lasso,” Ted said slowly, the surreal nature of the encounter having kicked in in full force. “Rebecca, darlin’, this is Her Majesty, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain.”

Pleasantries aside, both Ted and Rebecca waited for their companion to take the lead, and bless her, she did. Regaling them with the story of how she literally bumped into Cassie—the little one had gotten tangled under the Queen’s voluminous skirts. They realized the child was lost, and Victoria resolved to sit quietly and keep her entertained while her people worked out what to do. Her man Stevens was just about to call in reinforcements when a wild-eyed Ted had appeared in this section of the exhibition.

“I know what it’s like to have an intrepid, explorer-minded child—heavens, I’ve even managed to lose my children in Buckingham Palace if you can believe that,” Victoria chuckled as Ted let out a low whistle.

“We drove past it a few days ago, didn’t we, Rebecca? Whew, it sure is a massive home you've got there,” Ted asked, seeking confirmation. “Rebecca was born and raised in London, but it’s my first time in this lovely city of yours, and she is determined to give me the highlights tour, if you will.”

“Ma’am?”

Bowing reverently, Stevens approached Victoria and whispered in her ear as Ted and Rebecca (more Rebecca) tried to act normal.

“Ah,” Victoria said, finishing her cup of tea once Stevens had disappeared into the background. “It appears I am needed elsewhere in the exhibition—I suppose I’ll go track down my husband and children around here somewhere.”

Ted and Rebecca went to stand, bowing and bobbing slightly, and Victoria bade them to sit quietly and have some more refreshments before continuing their time at the exhibition. She disappeared in a cloud of perfume, and the Lassos felt like they had dreamed the entire encounter. Cassie stirred in Ted’s arms, her little hands coming up to rub at her eyes. She looked over and saw that her friend was gone, and Rebecca averted the waterworks by leaning in and explaining that Grandmère would be coming to play with them soon.

As if she had manifested it, Jamie appeared with the Weltons, Keeley, and Phoebe in tow. Rebecca blew out a breath, glancing at Ted, and they both burst into nervous giggles together, laughter ratcheting up until both of them could barely catch their breath. Rebecca was clutching her side, cramping from laughing so hard, and Deborah approached, eyebrow raised in question.

“Mother, you’ll never believe this,” Rebecca cackled, trying and failing to suck in enough oxygen. Ted took the reins, grinning at Deborah as Jamie came to sit beside Ted—of course Cassie immediately wanted to sit with her older brother, who cooed over his lost and found “duck.”

“Well, Debs, looks like your daughter and I just met the Queen,” Ted said, amusement evident in his eyes. 

After a long day of touring the various displays at the Exhibition, plus Cassie’s little runaway scare, Rebecca was well and truly exhausted, and sick of people. She assumed the first day of the Exhibition would be crowded, but it truly had surpassed her wildest dreams. She couldn’t wait to get home and have a little peace and quiet—and be assured that her daughter would be effectively trapped within four walls (and the garden). Ted and Jamie had taken charge of the children when Rebecca heard someone say her name over the din of the crowd. Deborah and Paul were feeling the effects of an exciting albeit long day, and were already waiting in the carriage with Oscar, so Rebecca had no idea who could be calling her name when Keeley was silent beside her.

Rebecca turned around wearily, pasting a smile on her face, and her smile faltered when she saw who had called her name. Robert Mannion—her dead husband’s younger brother—was making his way toward the women, hat in hand. Keeley’s grip on her arm tightened in confusion, clocking the waves of anxiety rolling off her best friend, and Rebecca shook her head minutely. She would explain later.

“Rebecca, darling, how are you?” Robert held out his hand, brushing a kiss on Rebecca’s knuckles. Her skin crawled, although that was more to do with the ghost of Rupert hanging about in her mind, rather than the presence of his brother and all of their history. She managed a tight smile.

“Hello, Robert,” Rebecca said politely, mind spinning with what to do next. She hadn’t exactly kept in contact with her former in-laws, and hadn’t the closest relationship with them to begin with, after everything. 

“I’m surprised to see you here, Bex,” Rupert said with an overly-familiar grin, and Rebecca could feel Keeley’s fingernails pierce the fabric of her dress.

“Robert,” she said with a laugh, just a hint of steel biting through that he would recognize it. “I’ve told you, it’s Rebecca. Rebecca Welton Lasso, actually.”

Robert’s infectious smile took up his whole face, and this time, it seemed genuine.

“Apologies, Rebecca—you’ve married again? How wonderful. Will I get to meet the chap? Have you a place in London still?” Robert was tripping over his words, and Rebecca could sense some desperation in his voice. Odd.

Rebecca smiled politely, trying to suss out her former brother-in-law’s motivations. He was almost the polar opposite of Rupert in every way, although he tended to be easily influenced when his brother was around. Their last meeting before Rupert had left for California was unpleasant, and she had ignored his card of apology he had sent before she left London. He must have noticed her fake smile—the pair of them were masters at society facades—and his own dimmed slightly.

“Can we…can I buy you—and your friend,” he stammered. “Might you ladies allow me to buy you a cup of lemonade at the refreshment table?”

Rebecca sighed internally, trying to figure out how to get out of this awkward yet harmless encounter.

“Robert, as lovely as it is to see you,” Rebecca said, a hint of warmth leaching through her voice. She knew he had caught it, when his eyes flicked to meet hers, and he grinned boyishly at her. “I’m afraid my friend and I must be going—we’ve been at the Exhibition all morning and are expected home for afternoon tea.”

“Might I drop by, Rebecca? I’d truly love to catch up with you, and your parents, and meet your new husband,” Robert said sincerely, and Rebecca didn’t have the heart to tell him no, even though she was…conflicted about it. She didn’t love being reminded of her past, and the soulless decade she had spent with Rupert before her life began anew in California.

She smiled tightly, squeezing Keeley’s hand for emphasis. 

“Of course, Robert,” she replied. “We’re open to callers tomorrow morning—before noon, if you can manage.” She chuckled, knowing that the Robert she once knew detested mornings, often arising mid-afternoon and working until the wee hours of the morning. He would occasionally accompany Rupert to their gentlemen’s club to keep a watchful eye on his older brother, even though he never explicitly told Rebecca that’s what he was doing when he would slip into her private sitting room the next day for a chat.

Robert chuckled, donning his hat once more before saying his goodbyes and departing, leaving Rebecca to stare after him in a daze.

“Oi,” Keeley said quietly, hand coming up to rub Rebecca’s back soothingly. “Who was that twat waffle?”

Rebecca huffed a laugh, eyes flashing to her friend in amusement and a little reproach.

“That is Robert Mannion—my late husband’s younger brother. We were…” Rebecca trailed off, unsure of where to start, and Keeley hummed sympathetically. 

“We had a bit of an understanding of sorts years ago, before my marriage to Rupert,” Rebecca reminisced, painfully aware of the direction her life could have gone if not for her choosing Rupert all those years ago. Keeley sucked in a shocked breath, pulling Rebecca to the side of the exhibition so they weren't in the way of the foot traffic.

“Mhmmmm,” Rebecca said wryly, clocking the look on her friend’s face. “Isn’t life something? At any rate, once Rupert, the bachelor older brother, learned how serious Robert was about me—a thing Robert hadn’t even told me, mind you—well…Rupert just couldn’t have that. Anyway, Robert didn't fight for me like he had promised he would, and I suppose I got swept up in the courtship and the flattery from this grown up man who was about a decade older than Robert and I. There was a bit of pressure, as practically everyone in our circle made it clear they thought Rupert was the more respectable choice, the older brother who would inherit the family fortune—as if I needed his money,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“So…you married Rupert, instead? What happened to Robert?” Keeley asked gently, continuously reframing her best friend in her mind. Another layer of the Rebecca onion.

“Oh, well, he was upset at first, but then Rupert gifted him a trip to the Continent, and he was still in Greece by the time Rupert and I left for our honeymoon,” Rebecca said, blowing out a slow breath.

“Robert didn’t come to your wedding, then? I would have thought…” Keeley’s brow wrinkled in confusion and Rebecca chuckled dryly.

“Oh, no, darling, Rupert wouldn’t have that—didn’t want the barest possibility of Robert interrupting the wedding, so with the Mannions’ blessing, Rupert packed his brother off to Europe. He returned home from his travels and was engaged and married off in six months, I think? Apparently it was a love match, or it turned into one. I was always faintly jealous, although I would have never admitted that to myself or anyone else back then. When I was living in London, Robert and his bride spent most of their time on their country estate,” she explained, twisting her hands together slightly. “I didn’t realize he’d be back in the city whilst we were here.”

Keeley’s hand came up to gently grasp Rebecca’s wrist, tethering her to the Earth. She grinned cheekily at Rebecca, getting the older woman to crack a smile.

“Alright, so, if Robert comes calling tomorrow and you decide you don’t want to see him, I am quite sure that between Deborah and myself, we can manage some interference for you. And if you’re really not up to it, I know for a fact that we can sic Ted on him and voila, you’ll barely be needed to talk. We have you, darling,” Keeley reassured, twining her fingers through Rebecca’s.

Rebecca’s throat was unexpectedly tight as she thought about what she had gained by moving to California, and she shook her head slightly. It wouldn’t do to get emotional in a public space.

“Come on, love,” Rebecca said, inhaling a cleansing, calming breath, grounding herself. “Let’s go home with our family. Maybe we can have a romp in the garden with the children and Jamie, or continue our attic explorations.”

The women began winding their way through the now-crowded exhibition, reaching the exit in no time. Scanning the side of the road, they quickly found their carriage and bundled themselves inside. It was a tight squeeze with six adults and two children, but they made it work—Phoebe was on Jamie’s lap, and Deborah was next to him, holding Cassie so the girls could play a game while they waited. 

Rebecca could feel both Paul and Ted’s gaze on her, and she shoved her swirling mass of feelings down for a more acceptable time. Smiling blandly, she took a seat next to Ted while Keeley sat opposite Paul. As if sensing a shift in the air, Deborah swiveled her head to Rebecca.

“Alright, darling?”

Rebecca mustered up another smile, her social graces fading by the second.

“Course, mum,” Rebecca reassured, but the glint in her mother’s eye told Rebecca that Deborah wasn’t fooled for a minute. “Just ran into an old friend on our way out,” she explained, and she practically felt her mother’s eyebrows hit her hairline.

Deborah hummed in response, but shot a look at Rebecca that all but guaranteed a private chat when they arrived home. Ted wrapped an arm around Rebecca and she snuggled into his embrace, quickly lulled to sleep by the rocking of the carriage.

Chapter Text

Rebecca startled awake when the carriage came to a halt in the carriage house. Panic flooded her body temporarily until she registered the security of Ted’s arm around her, holding her fast to him. She melted into him, just wanting to sit quietly for a while longer.

“Hiya, sleepy,” Ted murmured, chuckling as Rebecca blinked, shaking her head slightly in an attempt to revive herself. “You feeling okay?”

Disoriented, Rebecca fully opened her eyes, confused by the empty carriage, and Ted snorted softly, trailing a finger down her cheek.

“Don’t worry, baby, we’ve only been here for about 10 minutes or so, but Debs wanted to let you sleep a bit, so they’ve hustled the gremlins into the back garden for some play time. Oscar said he’d unhitch the horses and we could just leave the carriage out in the middle here for now,” Ted said slowly, aware that his wife was a deep sleeper at times.

“Wanna tell me about it? What’s gotten you all spooked like a kitty cat in a room full of rocking chairs?”

Rebecca snorted softly, pulling away from his embrace to swipe at her sleep-crusted eyes.

“Keeley and I ran into Robert on our way out of the exhibition,” Rebecca said, turning the encounter over in her mind. “It was…fine, but he would like to come calling—I think he wants to meet you, for some reason.”

Ted hummed in acknowledgment, giving her time to process and tell him whatever she wished. Rebecca was filled with a bone-deep sense of relief that she had told Ted about Robert fairly early on in their relationship. They had many conversations like this, while nestled in the safety of their blanket forts that had become a mainstay of their marriage, as silly as it seemed sometimes.

Rebecca trailed off, deep in thought, and Ted wanted to make the stressful divots in her forehead disappear for however long he could manage. He stretched his arm around the width of her back, dropping his other arm down to the back of her knees, and gently pulled her so she was sitting crossways on his lap, those long legs that he so loved dangling over the side of his lap.

“Ted!" Rebecca huffed out a laugh, squawking in amusement.

“Just wanted to make you laugh, baby,” Ted said, craning his neck so that their heads touched. He tightened his arm around her back, holding her securely on his lap.

“How are you feeling about the Robert of it all, darlin’? I’m sure it was a bit of a shock to run into him today, hmmmm?” Ted pulled back a little, looking intently at her face.

Rebecca took stock of her emotions, carefully parsing through all that was swirling in her brain and sighed dramatically, causing Ted’s mustache to tremble in barely hidden hilarity as he pressed his lips together in an attempt to not laugh. She loved when she made that happen.

She cuddled into him further, feeling the heat of his body and relishing in how his arm tightened around her back with his other arm coming up to her waist, resting a hand on her stomach. She wouldn’t start to properly show for weeks yet—just a little swell, if you knew what to look for—but she loved how tactile her husband was with their little bean.

“I don’t know, Ted,” Rebecca said, blowing out a breath. “I think it would be nice to see him, after all of this time, but I also…I don’t like thinking about how completely different my life would be right now, not when I’m so incredibly happy with you and our family and what we’ve built.”

Ted nodded slightly, another hum of acknowledgment, and Rebecca could feel the palm of her hand vibrate on his chest.

“Fate’s a tricky bitch, innit?” Ted said seriously, and both of them were shocked by the strangled laughter that punched its way out of Rebecca’s throat. She stared at him incredulously, and he winked at her. 

“Just trying to channel a bit of Keeley for you in this situation—I gotta ask her if I did it right,” Ted said chuckling, and Rebecca broke out into another fit of uncontrollable giggles.

“What the hell is it with Keeley teaching members of our family different slang words and phrases?” Rebecca said through a jaw-cracking yawn. 

“Alright, honey,” Ted said, putting a hand on his knee, motioning to get up. “Wanna change into something more comfy? Maybe go inside and take a nice bath or something?”

Rebecca sighed, nuzzling into Ted sleepily, spent from a hectic and stressful morning, adrenaline rush from Cassie’s shenanigans having faded completely. 

“Sounds lovely, darling,” Rebecca said tiredly, and Ted’s eyes crinkled with mirth in response. 

“And maybe a nap, Mrs. Lasso?”

Rebecca’s eyes flashed in amusement as she stared at her husband.

“A nap or…a nap?”

Ted chuckled, reaching out a hand to unlatch the carriage door. 

“Whatever you want, baby doll, promise. You are looking a lil peaky, so maybe an afternoon nap before dinner would be your best bet for not falling asleep in your soup tonight,” Ted mused while shuffling the two of them toward the door. 

They managed to get out of the carriage without incident, Rebecca drawing up her numerous skirts and carefully holding Ted’s hand to drop safely to the ground. The couple made their way quietly up the stairs to get some rest. Not wanting to bother Bridget for hot water, they decided to forgo the bath, but they had passed her on their way upstairs and asked to not be disturbed for a few hours or so. Bridget had said that she would come rouse them for dinner, and would tell the family that they were not to be disturbed. 

He thanked the jittery maid, and escorted Rebecca into their room, only just managing to prevent her from immediately collapsing onto their bed so they could both change before their midday siesta. Ted helped Rebecca unlace her (already very loosely tied) corset, and they both changed into comfier clothes for a little nap. Rebecca was fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, body relaxing bonelessly onto the mattress. Ted held her close, resting his hands on her stomach until she inevitably got too hot and made them shift positions. 

Ted wasn’t tired, but he dozed anyway, his nose full of the lavender scent that Rebecca favored for her hair wash. It felt like home. She felt like home. And his eyes prickled with emotion, thinking about how far they’d come in the last three years and how both of their lives had completely changed, unrecognizable from the before times. Ted wasn’t too religious, but he said a silent prayer to the powers that be, asking God if She could protect his family and see to it that their new little one was safely delivered into the world when the time came.

Ted had been eyeing the clock on the bedside table occasionally, and after about 40 minutes, Rebecca started to sleepily stir, flexing her legs and feet, and rolling onto her back for a big stretch. Ted stayed on his side, one arm stretched out to cradle Rebecca’s head, and one arm slung around her waist as she nuzzled into him.

“You have a nice nap, sweetheart?” Ted said quietly, scanning Rebecca’s features, pleased to see that the exhaustion on her face was less present than earlier in the day.

Rebecca murmured in response, nestling into Ted, placing an open mouthed kiss on the side of his neck, scraping slightly with her teeth. He felt her smirk when he shuddered involuntarily, and when she saw the goose pimples break out on his skin. He lowered his head down, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Too gentle, if Rebecca had anything to say about it, because he felt teeth graze his lip as Rebecca kissed him fiercely, grappling for dominance. He allowed it for a minute, and then to her dismay, he gentled the kiss, pulling back with a pop, soothing her lips with his own.

His hand slowly snaked down under the light blanket covering them, and he bit back a chuckle when Rebecca startled slightly at the feel of his hand on her bare thigh, her loose gown around her waist. She relaxed into his touch for a second until she surged up to meet him in a needy kiss as he traced aimless patterns on her thigh with his fingertips, reaching higher and higher with each pass.

“Ted, I want—” Rebecca whimpered in anticipation, and Ted shushed her gently, his hand moving to her other thigh, up and up, drifting in a teasing pattern that he knew drove her insane.

“Baby doll, why don’t you just relax, alright?” He whispered into her cheek as he placed open mouth kisses on her hairline, moving down to ghost lightly along her collarbone, ending with a firm kiss below her ear. Sharply inhaling, Rebecca’s mouth dropped open, and she shivered with all of the sensations barreling into her slowly and then all at once. She felt like she was burning up, like she would die if he didn’t touch her the way she needed him to.

“Let me take care of you, darlin’.”

Ted punctuated his words with a light swipe to her clit, and Rebecca’s hips jolted off the mattress, nerves already fraying, a live wire ready to snap. 

“I wanna make you feel good, okay, baby? You’ve been such a trooper, traveling all this way; doing all these activities that I know you maybe didn’t want to; growing our bean,” he groaned into her ear, softly biting at her jaw line as his fingers parted her lips, gathering the growing wetness there, taking his time as her breath puffed out all at once in a rush.

He took that opportunity to slip a finger inside her, then another, working her open slowly but surely. Relishing in the slick heat of her, his thumb came up to press lightly on her clit and Rebecca moaned loudly, unable to hold back, clenching on his fingers like a vice. 

“God, Ted, I—oh please,” Rebecca keened. “Please, please, god, keep going, don’t—don’t you dare stop,” she gulped in air, words rushing out of her as her hands scrambled for purchase on the bed, already frantic. She shivered at the sensations sweeping her body, and wanted to keep chasing the feeling. She knew that Ted would get her there, but that her husband was evil. He liked to play with her, teasing until she was begging for mercy, almost past the point of overstimulation, and then she could finally let go.

Ted smirked down at her, mouthing at her hairline, nipping not-so-gently. He just wanted to make her feel good, to alleviate some of the constant stress and anxiety she had been carrying for the entirety of their trip thus far. His pleasure had always come second, in his mind, and that was how he preferred it. He wanted to treat his wife as she should have been treated all along, and any pleasure for him was an added benefit, but…it was all for her. He loved her so fiercely and so deeply that he would do anything to see that look on her face as she tumbled over the cliff, as she reached her peak. 

She had spent so long going without that he’d be damned if he didn’t treat her like the queen she was, and make her pleasure the center of everything. He knew that she would have some dissenting opinions, insisting that turnabout was fair play—Rebecca wanted to take care of him, too. But on some occasions, Ted just wanted to bask in the glory that was his wife, and he wanted to watch her fully unravel. It happened to be one of his favorite sights in the world, and she knew it. 

Ted moved his thumb away from her clit, stilling his fingers inside while holding her open, and Rebecca’s eyes snapped to his, fiercely glaring up at him, throat working but no sound emerging.

“Ted,” Rebecca whimpered desperately, circling her hips to no avail. “ P-please.”

“Becca,” Ted murmured against her jaw, moving up to plant a soft kiss on her mouth in an attempt to muffle any noises. “You gotta be quiet now, ya hear? We’re supposed to be resting, don’t want anyone to hear us and wonder what we’re up to,” he said, placing his thumb back on her clit, slowly moving in a circular motion, and he grinned when he felt her clench, shuddering around his fingers. 

“Do you think you can take one more?” Ted asked as he brought another finger to her center, tracing her lips teasingly but not entering yet. He loved to make her wild for it, loved to get her so out of her mind with need that she begged for it.

Rebecca all but shoved her hips forward to meet his hand, and her eyes flashed with warning and an insatiable hunger as she pressed her lips together in an attempt to stay quiet.

“Alright, baby, I hear ya,” Ted said slowly, scissoring his fingers, feeling her walls contract once more. He slipped a third finger inside, leaning down to sweetly kiss her nose.

“Relax, Rebecca,” Ted said with a grin. “Let me take care of you. This is all for you, now, baby doll,” he said as he rutted up against her side, making sure she could feel how much he was enjoying her unabashed pleasure. 

“You make me feel insane, woman, you know that, huh, Rebecca?” 

He traced the edge of her jaw with a fingertip, ghosting it gently across her lips. Rebecca greedily sucked on his finger, teeth grazing his finger pad, as his other hand continued the work of building her up slowly, teasing all the while.

He slotted his lips against hers and he could taste her desperation—her need for release was palpable as the coil wound tighter and tighter. Small, short breaths puffed out of Rebecca’s nose, and she gasped for air, breaking away from the sloppy kiss as she tried to suck some much-needed air into her lungs. Sweat trickled from her hairline down to her neck and Rebecca’s hips circled involuntarily as she chased the building feeling, feeling oh-so-close to finally getting what she wanted.

Shutting out everything else except for the woman in his arms, Ted sped up his motions—he wanted to see his wife fall apart. He was focused on cataloging every reaction from her, seeing how far he could push, but then he heard an intake of breath and knew she was almost there, her hips swiveling against her will. Rebecca bent her knee further, wildly gripping the sheet in her hand, then throwing her arm out to grip the edge of the mattress. 

Ted took the opportunity to press more firmly, lowering his neck to place bruising kisses on her collarbone, sucking at her nipple through the thin cotton fabric, trailing kisses down her sternum before starting the whole cycle once more. Her hand jerkily came up to swipe at her mouth as she tried to bite back a broken, guttural moan; the sensations were exquisite and her whole body was aflame with need. 

He felt her whole body tense, inner walls rhythmically contracting, and she surged to meet his thrust one last time. 

“Ted, please,” she whimpered, sucking in a shaky breath. “Oh god oh god please ,” Rebecca cried, tossing her head to the side in desperation, ready to fall off the cliff at full speed.

Rebecca felt so full she could almost cry, but somehow it wasn’t enough, and she needed… more. She dropped a hand to her breast, plucking at her sensitive nipple, luxuriating in the sharp pull she felt in her clit. The combination of rough kisses along her collarbone and Ted’s searching fingers soon pushed her over the edge, and she shattered, soaring into the sensation, limbs twitching uncontrollably.

Ted kept up a steady stroke inside her throughout her orgasm, and he could feel her walls fluttering with aftershocks. She finally had enough, stretching out her leg and shivering as she came down from the high. Ted pulled out gently, wiping his hand on the edge of the sheet before gathering Rebecca in his arms. He placed a featherlight kiss on her brow, and she rolled on her side, snuggling up to him, tucking her head on his chest and sighed deeply.

“I could use another nap, now,” Rebecca almost slurred, and Ted shook with silent laughter, nestling them further in the blankets and tucking them in for a little cat nap. He was glad he told Bridget they’d be napping for the rest of the afternoon so they weren’t expected to socialize until the evening meal. Keeley, Jamie, and the Weltons were keeping the children occupied, so Ted was free to fall asleep properly this time, with his wife nestled in his arms. They could rest until dinner, and then rejoin their rambunctious family.

Rebecca roused slowly, laying on Ted’s chest, her hair spread out every which way, rising and falling with his chest. She wrapped her arms around him, snaking around his back, pulling him toward her.

“Hiya, sweetheart,” Ted rumbled, and Rebecca luxuriated in the safety and security of him, while still feeling…on edge, for some reason. Her skin was thrumming with need, and she tried to tamp it down, listening to the small voice in her head that told her arousal was an unbecoming feature in a woman. Ted noticed, though. He always did. Every time she tried to make herself smaller in their relationship—not that it happened very often—he would always gently but firmly call her out on it, and more often than not, they would have a cathartic conversation that inevitably drew the two of them closer together.

Ted cracked open an eye, smoothing his hands up and down her bare back. During their little nap. Rebecca has gotten overheated with all of the hormones surging through her body, and sleepily shucked off her nightgown. He could feel the goosebumps rise over her spine, and he increased the pressure slightly. He glanced at the clock—they still had plenty of time before they had to make themselves presentable for supper. Plenty of time for a lazy make out session.

Rebecca had other ideas though, as she came to, draped across Ted’s chest, hands idly swiping down his bare arms. 

“Baby, please,” Rebecca whined, pulling at his underclothes. Bemused, Ted swiftly shucked them off, hands roaming across Rebecca’s torso and sides, delighting in the goosebumps that sprang up in the wake of his fingers. Rebecca took matters into her own hands, though, raising up on her forearms slightly, holding herself there for a moment, bellies flush together.

Ted reached between them, adjusting slightly to line them up together, and Rebecca was impatient because before he had even removed his hand, she had sunk down onto him, impaling herself. She sighed deeply, delighting in the stretch, and feeling of fullness, and the sparks skittering down her spine, ramping up her pleasure. Rebecca’s head dropped down to nip at his collarbone, chasing the sweat away with her tongue.

He could feel her walls contract around him, and he stayed still, letting her set the pace and take what she needed from him. She was still sensitive from their earlier activities and it didn’t take much for him to get her where she needed to be again.

After, Rebecca hummed happily, draped over Ted’s chest, legs tangled together. He sighed contentedly, smoothing her hair back from her face, twisting her golden locks in his hand. 

Rebecca dug her chin into his chest, smirking, relishing in the slight pull at her scalp as Ted continued to play with her hair. 

“Are you going to help me get all these tangles out of my hair before dinner, Theodore?” Rebecca asked firmly, arching an eyebrow at him fondly. 

A momentary ache bloomed in his chest—Ted just loved his wife so goddamn much. Everything about her made him so blissfully happy and he couldn’t imagine his life without her. As much as he had loved Michelle, and their life in Kansas, his feelings for Rebecca were on another level entirely. He was glad ole Rupe had essentially forced Rebecca to move to California, and then kicked the bucket, because otherwise, they might not have ever met. 

He coulda done without all of the Jimmy Tartt nonsense of course, but overall, his life was changed for the better the moment he clapped eyes on Rebecca on that dusty San Francisco street. Grinning up at Rebecca, Ted shook himself out of his thoughts, considering the state of her hair and how best to make her look presentable for the evening meal.

“You can’t be much worse than your wiggle worm daughter, there. At least you will mostly stay still if I try and wrangle your hair, sweetheart,” he winked at her, eyes sparkling with amusement. He glanced at the clock on their bedside table, sighing resignedly, and Rebecca hid her face in his chest with a groan.

“Five more minutes?”

“Baby doll, you want Deborah and Keeley to burst through those doors? Cause I guarantee ya right now that Paul and Jamie and the kiddos are only so much of a distraction, but eventually those two are gonna come to drag us on out of here,” he said with a chuckle, thinking about his formidable, wonderful mother-in-law.

Rebecca grumbled into his chest, burrowing her side deeper into the pillows, momentarily before flipping onto her back for a languid stretch. Ted moved onto his side to face her, and dipped his head down, smoothing his hand over her stomach. He brushed his lips over her torso, trailed a hand down her sternum, and settled it on her stomach, where the faintest swell was visible.

“What do you think, baby bean? Should Mama and I get up and continue with our day? Are you gonna behave for us?”

Rebecca snorted at her silly husband and stretched her hand down to tangle in his hair, scratching lightly at his scalp. Ted kissed his way back up her chest, flopping on his back next to her. He took her hand in his, bringing it up to his lips for a smacking, obnoxious kiss that he knew would make her laugh. The resulting giggle was worth it. 

Chapter Text

The following morning, Paul had led everyone out into the garden, carrying Cassie on his shoulders, and Deborah, Keeley, and Rebecca set up in the front sitting room with their books, magazines, and various needlepoints. 

They weren’t expecting any callers—Rebecca still wasn't entirely convinced that Robert would seek her out again—but they settled in the sun-dappled front room anyway. The beginning of the morning passed slowly, and Rebecca was struggling to keep her eyes open on the settee. Just when she had almost dropped off into a light doze, a light knock sounded at the door. The butler cracked the door open, and Rebecca could hear low voices in the hallway. Showtime.

She plastered a smile on her face, as Keeley set her book down and gave Rebecca a thumbs up. Good to know she didn’t have any drool on her face or anything like that. The women stood up to greet their guests, and the newcomers entered the room. The butler announced their callers, and quietly slipped out of the room, closing the door for privacy.

“Mrs. Welton,” the gentleman called out, and Deborah moved forward to offer her hand.

“Robert Mannion,” Deborah said placidly, eyes darting at Rebecca briefly. “How lovely to see you again. It’s been too long.”

Robert made the introductions all around, introducing his wife, Evelyn, who murmured in response. She seemed nervous for some reason, and Rebecca offered a reassuring smile—she could afford to be gracious to her unwanted guest. 

They were interrupted by Bridget and the clang of a tea tray as she pushed the cart over the door frame. Deborah waved away the girl’s apologies, and motioned to everyone to sit down. Keeley moved to sit next to Rebecca on the settee, and the Mannions perched on the loveseat opposite with Deborah in an armchair in the middle—a better position to hold court, as it were.

They made small talk for a while, with Keeley valiantly engaging a withdrawn Evelyn in conversation. The other woman admitted that she felt much more at home in the country, and Keeley—and Rebecca—softened toward the woman. Deborah was catching Robert up on London gossip, and Robert’s eyes twinkled at Rebecca as he otherwise paid attention to his almost-mother-in-law. Rebecca was left to busy herself with another cup of tea, passing a refill over to a grateful Keeley. 

“So, Robert,” Deborah said shrewdly. “What brings you to London?”

Robert glanced at Rebecca swiftly, squeezing his wife’s hand on the loveseat. 

“I had business with my father’s solicitors, here, but we won’t be in town long. Ev detests town,” Robert grinned, looking adoringly at his wife who colored slightly. 

“Can you blame me? I much prefer our home in the country,” Evelyn said, as animated as any of them had seen her in the last twenty minutes. “There are just too many people in town, and not enough green space for my liking.”

Rebecca nodded in commiseration, and sipped her tea as Robert began to list all of the things they hated about town. This visit wasn’t as…awkward as she had thought it might have been, but still, she would be glad to see the couple leave. Robert was still talking, and Rebecca tuned back in.

“And then I ran into Rebecca here, at the Exhibition yesterday—I didn’t realize you were back in London—and I thought I might re-introduce you to Evelyn properly while we’re still in town. A bit of a ‘different worlds colliding’ situation,” he said chuckling infectiously. 

A knock at the door startled the group out of their conversation, and the door opened slowly to reveal Ted holding a limp Cassie in his arms. Their girl could fall asleep anywhere, anytime, and she most loved to nap while being held by her parents.

“Hey darlin’,” Ted said quietly, gesturing at the golden-haired toddler. “Someone was a little grumpy for her mid-morning nap, and insisted she wouldn’t sleep unless she was held by a certain someone.”

Rebecca grinned, her face brightening up automatically at the sight. Keeley jumped up from her spot at Rebecca’s side, crossing behind the settee to settle on the other side.

“Daddy’s not good enough today?” Rebecca teased, stretching her arms out. Ted passed their snoozy daughter over, and Cassie curled up on Rebecca’s lap, tiny hands splaying out to wrap around Rebecca’s neck. Rebecca smoothed her hands over the little girl’s back, lulling her back into sleep.

“Hello,” Ted said jovially, belatedly realizing that his family had company. “I’m Ted Lasso, Rebecca’s husband.” Ted extended an arm to Robert for a handshake, and Rebecca jolted out of her reverie. Right. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

“Ted, this is Robert Mannion and his wife, Evelyn,” Rebecca trailed off, unsure what to say next. Luckily for her, Ted could always break the ice and soon had drawn Robert and Deborah into a conversation about farming techniques that Robert used on his estate. Keeley and Evelyn had bonded over the fact that Evelyn was actually quite the avid reader of Keeley’s UK columns about California and life in the American West. And Rebecca could just sit back, snuggling her little girl, while conversations happened around her. 

She tuned back into the conversation to see Ted gesturing animatedly at Cassie, regaling their audience with a tale of Cassie shenanigans, in which Keeley piped up gleefully. Evelyn stared wistfully at the toddler, and Rebecca knew that look intimately, having spent years of her life consumed with that longing. 

Cassie began to stir on Rebecca’s shoulder, and Rebecca swiftly spun the toddler around before she could have a meltdown—Cassie liked to be able to look at people, and her hand shot out to grab hold of Keeley, wrapping a little hand around her aunt’s fingers.

“Hi baby bean,” Keeley said in a singsong voice. “Did you have a nice nap with Mummy, sweetheart?”

Just then, the little girl realized there were strangers in the room and her eyes went wide as she tipped her head back to stare reproachfully at her mother. Rebecca tried to smother a chuckle, but she knew from the glint in Ted’s eye that she wasn’t too successful.

“Darling, why don’t you meet some of Mummy’s friends? Can you say hi to Robert and Evelyn, my love?” Rebecca asked gently, pointing at the loveseat across from the little girl. Cassie gave a dubious little wave, both of her hands scrunching in the general direction, and then was scooped up by Keeley.

“If it’s alright with you, Rebecca, your little girlie and I are going to go see what Phoebe and Jamie are up to, aren’t we, lovely?” Keeley’s voice went up at the end, and she stood up, adjusting Cassie on her hip.

“Have fun with Auntie Keeley, sweetheart,” Rebecca called out after them, reminding Cassie to behave and play nicely with her cousin and brother. Keeley closed the door behind her, and they heard the pattering of toddler feet as Cassie was placed onto the floor and ran off to find her playmates. Ted slid a steaming cup of tea her way, and Rebecca took it gratefully as she relaxed back onto the settee as best she could while still having to entertain her company.

Evelyn shifted in her seat, clearing her throat, eyes darting at Rebecca. Deborah, Ted, and Robert were discussing some kind of newfangled thing called a telefax machine, so Rebecca shifted her full attention onto the woman opposite. She waited for her to speak while sipping her tea and relishing in the warmth that the beverage provided. Evelyn seemed to have gathered her courage but waited to satiate her burning curiosity until Rebecca had lowered her tea cup.

“I must admit, I was apprehensive about meeting you again, Rebecca,” Evelyn said quietly as she angled her body away from her husband and inched forward onto the love seat. Rebecca did the same, trying to give them privacy to discuss whatever it was that Evelyn was about to say. 

She fell silent, but Rebecca waited her out, determined to let the woman lead. Something in her seemed to call out to Rebecca as a kind of kindred spirit, and no one was more surprised by this than Rebecca. She couldn’t help but think of all of the what if’s in life, and how, if she had married Robert—if she had stayed married to Rupert—how she would have needed a friend in the Mannion family orbit. Rebecca had gotten used to her lonely existence, finding out exactly how little the Mannion family thought of her, and she was sure that Evelyn must have had the same experience. 

It was no wonder that Robert seemed to spend the bulk of his time in the country, wanting to protect his wife from his vile and vindictive family, which unfortunately for a time, included Rebecca. She had been tainted by the association, and she had felt former friends drift away from her slowly but surely in her decade in the family. Pulled from her musings by a cough, Rebecca focused on the woman in front of her.

“Sorry, what was that?”

Evelyn flushed, and repeated her question hesitantly.

“Your daughter is just lovely, Rebecca—she looks just like you at that age,” Evelyn said wistfully, and Rebecca was slightly taken aback. The confusion must have shown on her face because her companion elaborated.

“Shortly after you had left for California, Robert and I came to call on your parents. He felt they might need some friendly faces about, and your mother spent the better part of an afternoon showing me the family portraits,” Evelyn trailed off, unsure if she should be apologizing or not. Deborah winked at Rebecca from across the room, and went back to her spirited conversation.

“Is Cassie’s brother older or younger?”

“Pardon?” Rebecca flushed with slight embarrassment—she needed to focus on her conversation partner and not come across as rude.

Evelyn repeated the question, and Rebecca relaxed, grinning at the thought of her family.

“He’s quite a bit older than Cassandra,” Rebecca said wryly, chuckling when she saw Evelyn’s face fall. No doubt she was trying to work out the math if Cassie was two and Rebecca had only been in California for almost three years. Rebecca decided to save Evelyn from herself, and her new friend’s intake of breath conveyed her gratitude.

“Jamie is twenty-one; he’s our adopted son. He’s such a sweet, good lad, and Cassie adores him to pieces,” Rebecca said fondly, and Evelyn’s eyes flashed with something Rebecca couldn’t quite name. “Not sure if you’ll meet him today, I think he’s gallivanting around the back garden with my father and the little ones. Keeley’s brought her 9-year-old, Phoebe, along as well.”

Evelyn hummed in response, obviously turning something around in her mind, and Rebecca was loath to interrupt her. 

She swiftly poured another cup of tea for them both, sliding a biscuit onto Evelyn’s saucer and pushing the plate over to her. The two women just sat there in a peaceful silence while the other group wound down their conversation on…steamships? Sailboats? Rebecca didn’t know how they ended up there, and she didn’t particularly want to ask.

Robert and Evelyn soon said their goodbyes, and Evelyn asked Rebecca privately if she might come call again soon before they returned to California. Rebecca surprised herself by accepting, and they arranged to meet for afternoon tea at Brown’s Hotel in two days' time. 

She was curious what her former sister-in-law wanted to discuss in such a public place, but Rebecca  found she was actually looking forward to it. If nothing else, Brown’s was said to put on an excellent tea and she wanted to soak up all of the creature comforts of her childhood as she could before heading back to California.

After the Mannions left, Deborah slinked out of the sitting room to pop into the garden and see what shenanigans her husband and grandchildren were getting into. Ted grabbed some of the remaining biscuits, piling them precariously on his saucer, before thrusting the whole thing at Rebecca.

“Go on, baby,” Ted coaxed. “Gotta get some more food in your system, I know you barely touched breakfast.” Rebecca needed no further encouragement, snarfing the biscuits hungrily.

“How ya doing, darlin’,” he asked, settling a hand on her knee, pretending to ignore the shiver that wracked through her body at his touch.

Rebecca hummed around a mouthful of biscuit, washing it down with a sip of tea, and considered the question, doing a mental and physical inventory of her whole being.

“Eh,” Rebecca said, tipping her hand back and forth. “Fine, I suppose. It was…weird, wasn’t it? Thank you for engaging with Robert and generally making everything better, my love. I appreciate you so much, truly,” she said as she snuggled into her husband’s side.

“I did quite enjoy my chat with Evelyn though, and I was rather surprised to see her here. We’ve barely interacted ever since I’ve known of her. I think we’ve met perhaps twice before, and only for a brief moment,” Rebecca said, ruminating on her complicated past with the younger Mannion and his wife.

Ted murmured in acknowledgement, kissing her hair as he situated them on the settee, sinking into the plush pillows.

“My former in-laws have…some rather intense feelings on the subject of adoption, and I think Evelyn was quite surprised and intrigued to hear that we’ve adopted Jamie,” Rebecca mused out loud. 

“If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say that both Mannion sons are unable to have children, but why admit that when the family can cast judgment and blame onto their wives,” Rebecca said bitterly, and Ted’s arm tightened around her as he encouraged her to curl her legs up on the settee.

“I thought Rupert never wanted children?” Ted said hesitantly, wishing fleetingly for the security of their emotional blanket fort. Rebecca scoffed.

“Oh, correct, he never wanted children. His parents, on the other hand, took every opportunity they had to dig their knives in, berating Rupert for not providing them with a proper heir, berating me for shirking my wifely duties,” Rebecca laughed mirthlessly, twisting her wedding ring on her finger, comforted by the band. She snuggled into Ted, turning her head into his chest to breathe in his unique scent that acted as a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

“I imagine…” Rebecca gulped, pushing aside the more painful memories of her past. “I imagine that the elder Mannions have heaped the same derision onto Evelyn, for all these years, and I’ll be interested to hear whatever she has to say at tea in a few days. I wonder if she and Robert have talked about adopting.”

“Well, darlin’, I’m glad for Evelyn that she can count on you as a resource, but I want you to tell me if it gets to be too much, okay?” Ted said seriously, tipping her chin up to look her in the eyes. “You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, baby doll, but that doesn’t mean you gotta be everything to everyone all the time, ya hear me?”

Rebecca sighed happily, relaxing into Ted’s arms even further.

“I know, Ted. And I love you so much for saying that, I needed the reminder, I think,” Rebecca replied, mind spinning with potential conversations. They sat quietly for some time, just enjoying each other’s company and relishing in the silence that had been hard to come by on their travels. Soon, the door creaked open, Keeley’s face appearing at the door frame.

“Hi babes,” Keeley said hesitantly, and Rebecca’s back stiffened at the sight of her friend obviously struggling with something. She untangled herself from Ted who made his excuses and left the sitting room to give the women a moment alone.

“Darling, what’s going through that pretty head of yours? Talk to me,” Rebecca said, patting the cushion next to her. An uncharacteristically silent Keeley slumped onto the settee, arms wrapping around a nearby throw pillow as she played with the tassels and avoided her friend’s knowing gaze.

“Sweet girl, I promise your mother is going to be so thrilled to see you—what makes you think you have any reason to believe otherwise?” Rebecca said gently, eyes crinkling slightly when Keeley’s head snapped up to stare at her friend. Gotcha.

“Oh darling,” Rebecca said, pulling Keeley into a tight hug, hand coming up to cradle the back of her head as the younger woman sank bonelessly into her. “Nerves are totally understandable, but I do rather think they’re unnecessary.”

Keeley pulled back, chewing vigorously on her bottom lip, and Rebecca inwardly winced in sympathy. She cleared her throat, staring at Rebecca sightlessly before blinking and seeming to center herself once more.

“I—” Keeley cleared her throat, grabbed Rebecca’s hand in hers, and continued, gathering her courage. 

“I dunno, babe, I’m not nervous about seeing my mum, not exactly. More…nervous about the extended family of it all, I think. I haven’t talked to my aunt and all of them in years, and…what if—I mean, I’m the only one of the family who has ever left London, and what if they think I’m too good for them now, and then they take it out on my mum who will be miserable but too polite to say anything, and then it’ll just be that way until she dies?” Keeley rambled on, a big rush of breath as the words tumbled out of her mouth all at once. Rebecca tried not to laugh at her smaller friend, but she also wanted to stop this spiral in its tracks. 

“Keeley, babe,” Rebecca said fondly, snuggling the woman closer. “Do you feel better having gotten all of that out, sweetheart?”

Keeley nodded mutely, curling up into Rebecca’s chest. Rebecca stroked Keeley’s hair, trying to provide some comfort.

“Why don’t we just take it one step at a time, hmmmm?” Rebecca said gently, smoothing her hand down Keeley’s back. “I’ll be right there with you, okay? I’ll run interference if you need, and Jamie and Phoebe will be there as distractions as well. I doubt your extended family would say anything truly outrageous in front of your daughter. Okay, love?”

Keeley mumbled, and all but shoved her face into Rebecca’s chest. Rebecca bit back a wry smile and a comment about this situation being Keeley’s dream. She’d mentally bookmark it for later.

Oscar pulled up the carriage at the end of a shabby lane, hitched the horse to a nearby post, and opened the door for its occupants. Rebecca heard Keeley inhale a great big breath, and she winked at the younger woman, gripping her hand tightly. Jamie and Phoebe were chattering away as Jamie helped the little girl climb down from the carriage, and Oscar extended a hand to help Keeley safely to the ground.

Rebecca saw Keeley’s shoulders tighten imperceptibly and she took her hand, swinging their arms in an attempt to make Keeley laugh.

“Shall we be off, then?” Rebecca said brightly, a little falsely, but no one remarked upon it. Keeley led the way down the lane, stopping abruptly at a faded blue door about halfway down the cramped lane. Jamie and Phoebe were right behind, hands clasped tightly. Phoebe could feel her mother’s unease, and clutched onto Jamie for reassurance.

After some time waiting for Keeley to make a move—only thirty seconds, but it felt endless—Rebecca knocked on the door firmly, squeezing Keeley’s hand, hoping to provide some solace. The door swung open and Amanda Jones flung herself at Keeley with a cry, attaching to her daughter like a human barnacle.

“For God’s sake, Amanda, love, let the girl come inside, will you?” a voice sounded from the hallway, and the older woman reluctantly detached, grabbing Keeley’s hand as if it was a lifeline, and all but pulling her across the threshold. Rebecca grinned at Jamie and Phoebe, ushering them inside, and tipping an imaginary hat at Oscar who was waiting at the end of the lane.

Rebecca stepped into the cramped, dimly lit foyer, looking around curiously. She followed Keeley into the dingy yet clean front parlor, and settled with Phoebe and Jamie on a threadbare sofa. Amanda hadn’t taken her eyes off of Keeley, hands coming up to cup her daughter’s cheek, and Rebecca couldn’t even imagine Cassie living thousands of miles away one day. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought.

“Hi, mummy,” Keeley said, voice breaking slightly. Amanda sniffed and tugged Keeley into her arms again, wrapping around her daughter’s shoulders like she might never let go. Rebecca made eye contact with Amanda, who had hooked her chin over her daughter’s shoulder during their embrace, and she smiled warmly at her best friend’s mother. The resemblance was uncanny.

“Oh goodness,” Amanda sniffed, producing two identical handkerchiefs from her shirtsleeve, shoving one in her daughter’s direction. “I’m so sorry, how rude of me. Keeley, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Hasty introductions were made, and Phoebe crossed the room to plop herself on Keeley’s lap, securing herself the best vantage point to meet her grandmother for the very first time. Rebecca and Jamie made themselves scarce, quietly talking amongst themselves, and giving Keeley some time alone with her mother and her daughter. Amanda immediately told Phoebe that she must call her “Granny,” and produced a sweetie from her pocket, which delighted Phoebe to no end.

Rebecca glanced around the room, and grinned when she spotted a familiar face on the mantel. She nudged Jamie, directing his attention to the framed image resting proudly on the center of the mantel. Keeley had apparently sent one of their last family portraits to her mother, and it had thankfully arrived undamaged. 

They both got off the sofa and crossed the room to get a closer look. Rebecca had remembered this image being taken. The girls had been fractious that day, restless and unable to be placated, so the result was a family photo with two scowling little girls as their mothers tried in vain to get them to smile for the camera.

Rebecca was holding a flushed Cassie, with Ted and Beard standing behind her. Jamie was to her right, and then next to him was Keeley holding baby Theo, and Roy with his hands on Phoebe’s shoulders. 

Suddenly, she felt an acute longing for home—for California. She wanted to wake up in her own bed, watch the sunrise over the mountains, hear the children shriek with laughter as they played in the barn or on the rope swing in the front yard. Rebecca remained lost in thought, staring at the image in front of her, until she was broken out of her reverie by Keeley’s small hand slipping into hers and giving her a hearty squeeze.

“Hi, babe,” Keeley said quietly, coming to stand next to Rebecca, her hand coming up to touch the ledge of the mantel as she looked at the family photograph before her.

“Darling,” Rebecca said, pulling her in for a quick hug and a kiss on the head. Jamie had melted away, back to the sofa to help himself to a cup of tea and a biscuit. Phoebe settled on the sofa next to him, munching away at her own biscuit. Rebecca hummed for a minute, glancing at the emotion shining in Keeley’s eyes.

“I told you, you know,” Rebecca sing-songed as Keeley rolled her eyes at her taller friend, hiding a grin at Rebecca’s antics. Keeley didn’t want to admit that Rebecca was right, so she pulled her to the other sofa, to have a proper visit with Amanda.

“Mum, you’ve officially met, but this is my best friend, Rebecca,” Keeley said, settling in between the two women.

“Lovely to meet you, Rebecca,” Amanda said, extending her hand for a handshake. “Have you been living in America as long as my girlie has? I do not understand why you children have to move so far away,” she playfully whined, wrinkling up her nose at Keeley who chuckled at her antics. Rebecca quite liked the older woman’s forthrightness, and, fascinated, was cataloging the many similarities between Keeley and her mother. Rebecca cleared her throat slightly, and took a sip of her tea.

“Ah, no, Amanda, I have not been in America for as long as Keeley, here,” Rebecca said as she playfully bumped her friend’s shoulder. “I’ve been living in California for about three years, known this one about that long, too,” Rebecca smiled at Keeley, whose face lit up with the happiness of having most of her loved ones in the same space for a moment. 

They spent the afternoon catching up and getting to know one another, and both Keeley and Amanda looked like they were floating, they were so happy to be together. All of that came to a crashing halt when Rebecca heard thundering footsteps in the hallway. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt a sense of foreboding—of unease—that came out of nowhere. 

Rebecca hustled Phoebe and Jamie into the corner, making up some sort of game that the younger girl easily followed along with. Jamie was less convinced, and deftly swapped positions with Rebecca so that he was shielding Rebecca and Phoebe from view of the doorway. Rebecca felt her heart swell with emotion—her darling, protective, sweet boy.

Rebecca and Jamie both felt on high alert while distracting Phoebe, who thankfully played along and seemed to be unaware of what was going on. Rebecca saw Keeley glance at them, worry etched on her face, and she stepped into the corridor, shutting the door firmly behind her. They heard raised voices outside the room, a front door slam, and a shout of some kind from Keeley. 

Jamie locked eyes with Rebecca as he swiftly moved toward the parlor door, slipping quietly into the corridor. Whoever it was had been kicked out of the house by Keeley and her aunt Rachel, and Amanda glanced at the closed door with alarm. Phoebe crossed the room to her grandmother, and plopped on the sofa next to her, little legs swinging off the seat, just out of reach of the floor.

“Granny,” Phoebe began hesitantly, and Rebecca moved to sit on the opposite side of the girl. She wasn’t sure what was happening outside, but she wanted to be between her niece and the door, just in case. Rebecca smoothed Phoebe’s hair, smacking a kiss on the girl’s head that made her giggle with glee. Amanda chuckled as she turned her attention to her new granddaughter.

“What can I do ya for, Phoebe?” Amanda replied, glancing at Rebecca, mirth flitting across her face. Phoebe’s little face scrunched up as she reached for something in her pocket. Rebecca heard a crinkling sound that soon made sense when the little girl’s hand emerged into view. Phoebe tried to smooth the crumpled letter out on her knee before shoving it at Amanda with a slight smile.

“What’s this then, lovely?” Amanda said gently, fiddling with the corner of the paper, trying to catch Phoebe’s eye. An uncharacteristically shy Phoebe raised her chin bravely, pursing her lips slightly before telling Amanda that her dad had written a letter to his mother-in-law to properly introduce himself after all these years.

Rebecca blinked back an unexpected—and annoying—rush of tears. Goddammit. Of course Roy had to go and write Amanda a probably soppy and heartfelt letter, getting his daughter to hand deliver it to her grandmother in London, of all things.

“Oh my,” the older woman replied, stroking the paper gently before she pulled a pair of spectacles from her pocket. “Should I read it now, do you think, Miss Phoebe?”

Phoebe nodded vigorously, craning her neck to see what the letter said. 

“Daddy wouldn’t let me read it,” the little girl said, pouting. “But he said it was very important that I give it to you, because…well, I can’t ‘member, but he said it was his way of formerly meeting you.”

Rebecca and Amanda shared a grin, and Rebecca piped up from her spot on the sofa.

“I think your dad meant “formally,” darling girl,” Rebecca said, running a hand over Phoebe’s head. “Bless his heart, it’s not like he and Keeley haven’t been married for years—doesn’t your dad write a note in the letters that you and your mum send to Granny all the time?”

Phoebe screwed up her face in concentration, tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth.

“He said it wasn’t the same, that he had stuff he wanted to tell Granny about him and us separately, and he wanted mum to not badger him about it later,” Phoebe said, sinking her teeth into another biscuit. 

The women shared another look, and bit back a cackle at the dramatic and sensitive enigma that was Roy Kent. Rebecca put a hand up to her chest at the pang of longing she felt for home, for Roy and baby Theo and Beard and her sweet ranch lads.

The door to the front parlor creaked open, and a withdrawn Keeley entered the room with a visibly fuming Jamie right behind. Keeley saw Phoebe peering over at her, and cracked a small smile.

“Darling, have I missed anything fun with Granny and Aunt Rebecca?” Keeley said faux cheerily, and Rebecca narrowed her eyes at the younger woman. Rebecca moved to sit next to Jamie on the sofa, cradling his clenched hands in her own, attempting to soothe the lad. Whatever it was, she would find out soon enough.

Phoebe was easily distracted, telling her mother all about the letter that she had smuggled across the sea, and how her daddy had given her a task that she had successfully completed, and wouldn’t he be proud of her? Keeley assured Phoebe that Roy would indeed be very proud. Keeley then tried to steal the letter from her mother, who told her off in no uncertain terms, and informed her daughter that she would be reading it in the comfort of her own room where she could cry if she wanted to.

“Knock, knock,” a voice called, and the door swung open to reveal Amanda’s sister, Rachel, with a tea tray in hand. Phoebe’s eyes lit up when she saw more biscuits, and Keeley chuckled, teasing the girl that she was as much of a biscuit hound as her Aunt Rebecca.

“Hello darlings, I just thought you all might want a top up—Phoebe, love, these biscuits just came out of the oven, so be careful, doll,” Rachel said quickly, talking a mile a minute, much like Amanda and Keeley. Rachel moved to sit on Rebecca’s other side, offering her a much-needed tea refill, and Rebecca sat back against the cushions, soaking in all of the laughter and family time. 

As the late afternoon progressed, Rebecca watched as Keeley’s shoulders relaxed minutely as she was drawn in by the shenanigans of her mother and daughter. It came time to leave, and there were endless rounds of hugs, and comforting an upset Phoebe. In an attempt to salvage the joy of the day, Rebecca opened her mouth and unexpectedly ended up inviting Amanda and Rachel for the evening meal the following night.

She knew she had made the right call when Keeley’s whole face lit up, and she clapped her hands together in glee. Phoebe was equally as delighted, and it made the parting with her Granny much less sad. Rebecca said that she would arrange for Oscar to come pick Amanda and Rachel up the following evening, and they all said their millionth goodbye before the little Lasso-Kent clan spilled out onto the street. 

Oscar was waiting for them at the end of the lane, got them settled into the carriage, and they were off and on their way home in a flash. With everyone feeling the effects of a long and social day, silence settled in the carriage. Then, Phoebe piped up from her spot near the window.

“Mummy, who was that man today?”

Startled, Keeley paused in stroking Phoebe’s hair, eyes swinging wildly to Rebecca who smiled in a show of support and reassurance.

“What man, darling?” Keeley said lightly, but Rebecca could see her other hand was clenched into a fist in her lap.

“Well, I dunno, I thought I heard a man’s voice, and then you and Jamie left Aunt Rebecca and I with Granny, and then you came back all sad and Jamie looked like he wanted to hit something. Who did you want to hit, Jamie?” Phoebe asked slowly, looking puzzled. Keeley laughed nervously, pulling Phoebe into her as she kissed the top of her head.

“Oh, that—no one for you to worry about, my love. An old friend found out I was back in London and wanted to say hello. Your cousin, Jamie, was very sweet to accompany me and say hello, too,” Keeley reassured, but there was a bite to her voice that Rebecca didn’t love. Catching her friend’s eye, her hackles rose further when Keeley mouthed “later.” Rebecca could see Jamie’s jaw twitching slightly and placed a hand on his lap, which he took gratefully, needing the distraction from his thoughts.

The carriage pulled up to the Welton’s and Oscar came around the side to help everyone disembark. Phoebe’s face brightened as she could see Cassie waving maniacally in the front window, almost taking Ted’s eye out in the process. Rebecca could see the little girl attempting to get down from her father’s arms, and Ted saluted through the window and disappeared from view. 

Phoebe flew up the stairs and all but crashed through the door. Rebecca could hear maniacal giggling as the girls ran through the house—Cassie and her little legs trailing the older girl—to disappear into the back garden for playtime. The weather had been surprisingly warm for springtime in London, and Rebecca was privately relieved that the children wouldn’t be cooped up in the house like they would have been if the weather was dreadful.

Ted emerged from the downstairs sitting room with Deborah, and greeted their returning family, before they both followed the shrieks of laughter into the garden. Rebecca led Keeley and Jamie into the sitting room to take a moment and to learn what on earth had been so upsetting at the Jones’ house.

Rebecca pulled Keeley down to sit on the sofa next to her, handing her friend a throw pillow for a little cuddle. A pent-up Jamie paced by the fireplace, no doubt wearing a hole in the carpet at the rate he was going. Before they could dive in, Bridget softly knocked on the door and entered the room bearing a heavy tray of sandwiches, tea, and other refreshments. 

Jamie almost tripped over his own feet in his haste to help the woman, and Rebecca bit the inside of her cheek, glancing sideways at Keeley who was staring at the interaction with ill-concealed glee. Rebecca put a hand on Keeley’s knee and shook her head slightly, mouthing “later,” at her friend who grumbled but acquiesced. There seemed to be a lot of "later" conversations to be had that day.

He set the tray down on the table with a thump, and Bridget just twisted her hands in her apron, mumbling something about helping see to the kitchen prep, and all but bolted from the room. Jamie stared after her for a second before shaking his head and piling some sandwiches on his plate. He glanced up to see both women smirking at him slightly, and flushed, walking back to the fireplace with his sandwiches to continue his path on the carpet.

Rebecca sighed, deciding to just rip off the plaster, as it were.

“Keels, what the hell happened this afternoon? You and Jamie disappeared for a while, and then you came back looking like you’d seen a ghost and Jamie looked murderous, so whatever it was…” Rebecca trailed off, unsure where to go from there, and Keeley pursed her lips slightly before turning to Rebecca.

“Before I was…when I was still at the factory but before me mum took ill, I was friendly with this neighborhood boy, Anthony. Now it wasn’t like that at all, but I think he assumed we would get married or something, I don’t know. We were friendly for a long time, practically grew up together. He lived two doors down and I was good mates with his sister, so you know, around a lot. Anyway, before I left for New York, he thought we had an understanding but we did not, I promise,” Keeley said emphatically, and Rebecca rubbed her leg soothingly.

“Of course, darling, we know,” Rebecca said reassuringly, and Keeley exhaled heavily. 

“Tony was…real mad about me going to New York, and my uncle had to have a…chat with him and his parents because he was talking about following me there, you know? Haven’t heard from him in years, haven’t been home, it’s all been fine. But I guess one of the neighbors got to chatting and he found out I would be coming to visit today. He…wants me “back,” Keeley said despairingly, and Rebecca pulled her into a tight hug.

“And I’m mad that I’m so upset about this, but he was…he scared me today, and thank god for Jamie being there—Jamie, I love you so much for that,” Keeley sniffled, swiveling her head to look at a still-pacing Jamie, who grimaced, running a hand over his face.

“What? Told Roy I’d keep an eye on ya, didn’t I?” Jamie said, shuffling his feet on the carpet slightly, wishing that he wasn’t the center of attention. “Didn’t think that’d mean menacing any British twats, but it was fun for me, I did enjoy it. Don’t think he’ll be messing with ya anymore, Keels.”

Jamie hesitated and then continued, struggling with how to express his feelings. 

“Saw enough of that shit when I was a kid, with my dad and…anyway, now that I’m a grown adult and able to do something about it, I won’t stand for men mistreating the women in their lives. Tony better stay the fuck away from my family if he knows what’s good for him. And if he doesn’t, I’m certain Ted would be delighted by the opportunity to fuck this guy up with me. He’s scrappy and mean when he wants to be,” Jamie said, turning the idea over in his mind.

Rebecca and Keeley just stared at the man, open-mouthed, not sure how to follow that statement up.

“It’s true—now we trained Earl to help us wrangle the cattle, but when we didn’t have Phoebe’s dog, Ted would get surprisingly aggressive as we corralled the cattle and got where we needed to go. Beasts didn’t stand a chance, with bizarro!Ted and then with Dani whooping and hollering and prattling on. My Spanish is getting pretty decent though, because of it, so that’s a plus, yeah?”

The women just dissolved into laughter, melting into each other on the sofa, tension draining out of their bodies at the sheer hilarity and the day that they had. Oh Jamie.

Chapter Text

Before they knew it, the Lasso-Kent clan had been in London for a week and a half, and time felt like it was continuing to speed up to their departure at the end of May. Deborah had indeed gotten the name of a trustworthy female physician on Harley Street, and Rebecca’s pregnancy had been officially confirmed. An expected due date of mid-December had Deborah already planning a return trip to California, badgering Paul about spending another holiday season in America. Not that Paul needed much convincing, though—he was not-so-secretly delighted by the idea of an extended visit, and more time to spend with their grandchildren.

Rebecca and Keeley settled themselves in the garden, armed with books, writing supplies, and an endless amount of tea, while the girls rearranged their playhouse furniture for the millionth time. The morning after the visit with Keeley’s mum, Paul, Ted, and Jamie had accompanied the girls up to the attic and carried down whatever they wished to play with. An overenthusiastic Ted had only slightly injured his back from all of the strenuous activity, and had to spend the rest of the day in his room, moving as little as possible.

Rebecca and Keeley had come home from an early morning walk in Hyde Park and entered the Weltons’ to see Ted laying on the floor, hands clasped on his stomach, and Cassie skipping around his body merrily, absolutely unbothered by the fact that her father could barely move.

“Ted, darling?” Rebecca said with some alarm, rushing over to his side and carefully lowering herself to the floor. “What happened here, my love, hmmmm?”

Ted chuckled, wincing as the movement seemed to pull something somewhere.

“Hiya, sweetheart. How was your walk?” Ted said nonchalantly as if he laid on the floor every day. Rebecca frowned at him, eyebrow raising slightly, and Ted unconsciously gulped, feeling his face redden.

“Now, Becca, it’s not a big deal, but Jamie and I were carrying some things down from the attic and I may have just tweaked my back a little, but I’m right as rain, don’t you worry about me!”

Rebecca snorted in disbelief. This man. She closed her eyes for a second, taking an opportunity to grab Cassie when she tried to skip by. She breathed in the scent of her girl’s hair, which was harder than usual because Cassie was living up to her wiggle worm nickname.

“Alright, Ted,” she said, opening her eyes to stare down at her infuriating husband. “If you’re so right as rain, get up off the floor and walk up to bed. Go on, now.”

Ted paused for a minute, thinking, before he made a half-hearted attempt to get up, wincing when he realized it was going to be much harder than he thought.

“That’s what I thought,” Rebecca said coolly, internally rolling her eyes. Phoebe had come to collect Cassie for more playtime, and Keeley had returned with Jamie and Oscar in tow in an attempt to get Ted off the floor.

Rebecca had gone ahead to pull back the duvet and tried to make the surroundings as comfortable as possible, and the two men carried a grumbling but thankful Ted upstairs. Bridget arrived shortly after with some hot towels, a jug of warm water, and a small bottle of laudanum if needed. Rebecca quietly thanked the girl and she was off, leaving Ted and Rebecca alone.

“How are you doing, my love?” Rebecca asked cautiously, and Ted groaned in response. Rebecca pursed her lips in sympathy but also in an attempt to keep her laughter on the inside. He cracked open an eye, staring at her accusingly.

“You can laugh, you know? I know you wanna, and I’d be laughing too—I must be a sorry sight right now,” Ted said mournfully, causing a cackle to burst from Rebecca’s throat before she hurriedly pressed her palm to her lips, hiding her smile.

“Yes, well—what can I do for you, my love? Do you want to try some of those hot towels that Bridget brought up, see if the heat alleviates some of the muscle strain. Or, if you think you can manage it, if you turn over onto your stomach, I can massage your back for you,” Rebecca asked, waiting for a response. After a grimace, Ted rolled over awkwardly onto his stomach, settling his hands by his sides with his head turned, cheek flat against the pillow. 

Rebecca got up from the side of the bed and took a small bottle of lavender oil from her bedside table.

“Now, darling, just relax, okay? Let me know if it hurts too much and I can stop, alright? Just going to warm this oil up for you a bit,” Rebecca said, taking the stopper out of the bottle and pouring a bit of oil between her hands before rubbing them together slowly. Thanking her past self for taking off her overskirt before she put the oil on her hands, Rebecca carefully straddled Ted’s legs, her shift riding up high on her thighs, and sat back to get to work. 

She started with light, easy, careful passes on his back, hands reaching higher and higher, swirling the oil all over his back. Her hands smoothed over the top of his back, thumbs gently digging under his shoulder blades, tracing down his spine, and settling in the small of his back. 

The worst of the pain seemed to be in his lower back, so Rebecca kept her hands as gentle as could be, settling both of them on his back, swiping her thumbs over his skin and hoping that the heat of her hands would sink in and unknot some of the muscles there. She could feel his body rise and fall with each slow breath as he allowed himself to relax and sink into the mattress, allowing himself to be taken care of for once.

Rebecca could feel his muscles rippling underneath her hands as he tried to stay as still as possible. Once she had decided Ted was as relaxed as he was going to get, she slowly moved her hands around his hips and lower back, applying gentle yet firm pressure. Ted’s breathing evened out even further, and she could see his eyes flutter shut as he focused on keeping relaxed, letting her hands work out all the kinks on his overextended muscles.

He groaned into the pillow as Rebecca hit a particularly painful spot with her thumbs, digging into the tight muscle in an attempt to work out at least some of the knot.

“Sorry, baby,” Rebecca said, wincing in apology, and Ted just murmured something unintelligible back, closing his eyes once more. She continued sweeping her hands up and down his back, kneading her thumbs down from the top of his spine to the base, and around to his hip bones again. 

“Is this helping any? How do you feel, my love?”

“Feels good. Don’t stop,” Ted replied, slurring his words slightly, and Rebecca grinned in response even though she knew he couldn’t see her. It wasn’t very often that Ted would allow Rebecca to care for him in this way, so she would take every opportunity she was given to show him that he deserved to be taken care of, too.

Rebecca dripped some more lavender oil into her hands, and stoppered the bottle, letting it slide out of her grip onto the bed. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but she was content to do this for the rest of the morning if he would let her.

A light snore rang out in the room, and Rebecca chuckled to herself. Grabbing a hand towel and wiping the oil off of her fingers, she gently wiped the remaining oil off Ted's back before carefully climbing off of him, re-adjusting to having two feet on the floor. 

Her center of gravity wasn’t as off as it would be as her pregnancy progressed, but still, she wanted to be extra careful she didn’t accidentally wipe out on the floor. Placing two hot towels on Ted’s lower back, Rebecca quietly left the room, closing the door behind her, and headed downstairs to the sitting room. 

She entered the room, and barely remained upright, catching her back on the door frame as Cassie barreled into her legs. 

“Hi, darling,” Rebecca said, sinking a hand into her little girl’s hair. “What have you been up to, today, besides torturing Daddy, hmmmm?”

“Jamie helped Phoebe and I build a pillow fort this morning!” Cassie exclaimed proudly before wrinkling her nose up at her mother. 

“Mama, you smell,” Cassie said matter of factly, and Keeley snorted into her tea, glancing at Deborah who wasn’t doing much better. Paul’s face was hidden behind his newspaper, but the paper itself was shaking as Paul was trying to conceal his laughter.

“Oh, do I?” Rebecca’s eyes glinted, and Cassie knew what was coming but couldn’t run away fast enough. Rebecca grabbed her girl, pulling her onto her hip, and wrapped her arms tightly around the toddler, smushing their cheeks together.

“Muuuuuummmmmyyyyyy,” Cassie whined piteously. She was usually a cuddle bug, but she had things to do with her cousin and brother, and would not be deterred from shenanigans.

“Hi baby bean,” Rebecca whispered, and Cassie’s little hand came up to hold Rebecca’s cheek. 

“Hi mama,” Cassie replied seriously, before swiveling her body to glance over at Phoebe and Jamie who were also trying not to laugh at the little one’s antics. 

“Alright, darling, thanks for the snuggles. Off you pop, go on now,” Rebecca laughed as she set Cassie down gently.

Rebecca slid gracefully onto the sofa, and Keeley waited all of five minutes—truly admirable, on her part—before scooting over, throwing her legs over Rebecca’s lap, pulling Rebecca closer with the arm she had slung around the taller woman’s shoulders. Rebecca scoffed in amusement.

“Darling, how on earth are you even comfortable, all contorted like that?” Rebecca said in disbelief. Keeley winked at Rebecca, waggling her eyebrows in an attempt to make her laugh.

“Unlike your husband, I possess the vitality of youth, thank you very much,” Keeley said with a cackle, and Rebecca stared at her, knowing full well that Keeley was only five years younger than Ted. The younger woman ruined her intended effect by sticking her tongue out at Rebecca, giggling all the while.

“Silly goose,” Rebecca muttered, snuggling into Keeley who had settled in her lap, careful to avoid pressing her midsection too much. The women snuggled for some time, sipping their tea slowly and chatting about anything and everything. 

Keeley was massively excited about her mum and aunt coming to dinner that night, and wanted everything to be perfect, knowing that her family didn’t have many opportunities to come to a house as fancy as the Welton’s. Deborah and Rebecca helped calm down the excitable younger woman, both reassuring her that all her mother probably wanted to do was to spend time with her, and it would all go as smoothly as could be.

Keeley thought out loud, wondering if perhaps they could have Amanda come visit them in California. Keeley would have had her mother come visit America sooner, but the trip was expensive and it had just never happened before to Keeley’s dismay. Rebecca assured her friend that they could probably make that happen, winking to Deborah.

“Don’t you worry, darling,” Rebecca said soothingly. “Maybe your mother would like to come visit for the holidays? She could travel with my parents, if that’s what you’re worried about?”

Keeley’s gaze swung to Deborah as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. Deborah chuckled and leaned forward to grasp Keeley’s hand in her own. 

“Oh of course, darling, Paul and I would be more than happy to accompany Amanda to California—the more the merrier! We’ll all talk about it tonight, don’t you worry,” Deborah said, her motherly presence and steady friendship soothing Keeley’s sudden nerves.

Just then, the slightest ripple appeared through the fabric of Rebecca’s dress, pulled taut by Keeley sitting on Rebecca’s lap.

“Oh,” Keeley breathed, and Rebecca stilled in shock, not expecting it to happen so soon. 

“Babes, was that—”

They had gotten Paul and Deborah’s attention, and the Weltons moved closer to the sofa in concern. Deborah was alarmed by the sudden tears welling up in Rebecca’s eyes, but relaxed as her daughter laughed wetly.

“Baby bean moved, I think,” Rebecca said emotionally, cradling her small bump with one hand as Keeley crammed her hand in between them to stroke her stomach as well. 

“Must have heard her auntie Keeley’s voice and wanted to say hello,” Rebecca sniffed, and was startled when Paul waved a handkerchief under her nose. She took it gratefully, chuckling and dabbing at her eyes in an attempt to get it together. Deborah clutched Rebecca’s free hand, squeezing gently.

“No, Mother, do not, you’ll set me off again, I swear!” Rebecca moaned in annoyance as she watched Deborah’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. Her mother just laughed and shook her head as if to swipe away all that pesky emotion.

“Can’t help it, Sausage,” Deborah chuckled, pulling back from Rebecca to hug Paul slightly. Rebecca’s eyes misted over once again as she saw her parents clutch onto each other, Paul ghosting his lips along Deborah’s hair.

“Right,” Rebecca said matter of factly. “That’s enough of that. Keels, I adore you, but please get off me—you’re right on my bladder.” 

Keeley hopped up in a flash as Deborah chuckled and extended a hand to Rebecca to help steady her as she got off the sofa.

“I’m going to go check on Ted, see how he’s feeling. Poor thing was fast asleep with a hot towel on his back when I came downstairs,” Rebecca said, squeezing Deborah’s hand in thanks. 

As Rebecca left the sitting room, she heard giggles and screams from the backyard where a raucous game of tag was happening, apparently. God bless Jamie, the poor thing must be exhausted by the children’s energy levels. Hand gliding along the mahogany stair banister as she climbed the stairs back to her bedroom, she passed Bridget in the hall who bobbed awkwardly. 

“Oh, Miss—Rebecca,” Bridget stuttered, seeing Rebecca’s facial expression at the honorific.

“Hello, Bridget,” Rebecca replied, continually trying to put the girl at ease however she could.

“I—”

Rebecca waited patiently for Bridget to get her thoughts together, and was privately concerned that she, of all people, seemed to be the only one in the family who elicited this response from the girl. It seemed like Bridget had an easier rapport with Keeley and Jamie, and even Paul, for heaven’s sake. She smiled encouragingly at Bridget, and that seemed to unlock her brain just enough to spit the words out before the girl got too up in her head again.

“Well, I—” Bridget gulped, eyes swinging wildly, landing anywhere but Rebecca, and Rebecca internally sighed, calling on her patience usually reserved for her toddler.

“I mean, I just went to check on M—Ted, and he’s still sleeping soundly. I just replaced the hot towel on his back, and hopefully the heat continues to help his sore muscles,” Bridget stuttered, face flaming as red as her hair. Rebecca bit her lip, trying not to chuckle out loud, and quietly thanked the girl profusely, pleased to see that finally, Bridget’s shoulders came down from her ears as some of the tension went away.

“Let me know if you need anything, though,” Bridget said earnestly. “I have a couple of other home remedies we could try, also, if the heat doesn’t work well enough.”

Rebecca thanked Bridget again, inwardly smiling as a giant grin bloomed on the girl’s face, transforming it completely. The difference in Bridget even in the last week had been remarkable, as she was in a safer place, feeling more settled, and finally allowing herself to breathe for a moment. 

Bridget skipped off down the stairs and down to the garden. A few days prior, Deborah had finally gotten tired of making up unnecessary jobs for Bridget to do, and told the girl that she was enlisting her to help Jamie keep the children occupied. 

Bridget had divulged to the older woman that she had younger siblings, but that they took ill during the last cholera outbreak, the same one that claimed her parents’ lives. They hung on for a few months before quietly slipping away and leaving Bridget the sole remaining member of her family. They were buried next to her parents, in the graveyard designated for paupers, and then Bridget found herself whisked away to the foundling home at age 15 where she had been ever since. 

Suffice it to say, Bridget was thrilled to entertain Cassie and Phoebe, and give Jamie a bit of a break from child-minding. Not that Jamie minded at all, but instead of spending all day tearing through the house and garden chasing after little ones, he had set up camp in either the garden or the sunroom, depending on the day, and diligently worked on filling his new sketchbook with doodles and renderings of their time in London—he couldn’t wait to show Roy and Beard when they got home.

Rebecca slipped quietly into their bedroom, closing and locking the door behind her. She had drawn the curtains before she left, but some light was still filtering into the room, casting a soft glow. 

Ted had flipped gingerly onto his back at some point in his nap, sleepily moving a bundle of hot towels so they rested at the small of his back, and he had propped himself up in the pillows for extra support. He cracked an eye open as he heard Rebecca’s footsteps nearing the bed. She sat down gently on the edge, raising a hand to caress his stubbled jaw.

“Hello, my love,” Rebecca said quietly, eyes tracking his face intently. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

Ted grunted as he took stock of the various aches and pains.

“Mkay, I think, baby doll,” Ted said, grimacing slightly, and Rebecca raised an eyebrow at him, causing Ted’s mouth to snap shut.

“Oh, really, Ted?” Rebecca smirked, an undercurrent of concern etched on her face.

“Scout’s honor, darlin’,” Ted said seriously. “Moving doesn’t hurt as much. Between that glorious back massage earlier, and the hot towels—remind me to thank Bridget, will ya?—I think most of the kinks have been worked out alright. Probably still be tender for a few days. Gonna have to have Jamie on Cassie-duty,” he snorted at the thought of Cassie using Jamie as a human jungle gym. 

Rebecca ran her thumb over Ted’s bottom lip, eyes fluttering closed momentarily as Ted nipped at her thumb, pulling it into his mouth to graze with his teeth a little. Rebecca shook her head, chuckling ruefully.

“Despite what it might look like now, I did not come to check on you with any ulterior motive. I don’t have any designs on your virtue, darling,” Rebecca said, and Ted chuckled in spite of himself.

“My virtue?” Ted’s eyebrows waggled, and Rebecca pressed her lips tight in an attempt to conceal her laughter. 

“Theodore, we can’t do anything right now, look at the state of you!” Rebecca said firmly, but the glint in her eye told Ted something was coming (and it was probably going to be him.)

“We can’t do anything, darling, but I, on the other hand, am perfectly well and able to assist,” Rebecca smirked as her hand snaked down under the blanket to grasp Ted firmly in hand. His hips jerked up involuntarily and her hand disappeared, nails lightly trailing down his length, releasing him from her grasp.

Ted groaned, tossing his head back against the pillow, toes already curling in anticipation.

“Ted,” Rebecca said sternly, and his eyes flashed open, taking a second to focus on her. “If you move a muscle, I’ll stop. Okay?”

Ted’s eyes snapped shut as he tried to get his breath under control. She’d barely touched him, and he was already almost gone.

“What?” Ted said, a strangled noise all but punched out of his throat. Rebecca came up onto the bed further, her face coming into view over his head.

“Darling, you cannot move. We don’t want you hurting your back any further, but I do think we should be more…creative about getting you to relax, yes? Then we can just laze in here until dinner tonight. Sound good to you?”

Ted grunted softly. The anticipation might be killing him, but what a way to go.

“I hear ya, boss—no moving, got it.” 

Rebecca lowered her head, placing a soft kiss on Ted’s forehead before peppering kisses on his hairline, down his jawline, landing on his chin, and finally captured his lips in a searing kiss. She pulled back too soon for Ted’s liking, and his head lifted off the pillow as he tried to follow her, lips searching for hers. She glared at him sternly, and he immediately put his head back on the pillow, eyes tracking her every movement.

“Sorry, okay, I—you do whatever you wanna do, and I’ll just be right here, laying here quiet as can be,” Ted said, flexing his hands once before bringing them to rest clasped on his stomach.

Rebecca threw back the light blanket that was covering his bottom half, smirking and salivating when she saw his cock leaking against his stomach.

This was going to be fun—she did so enjoy taking Ted apart bit by bit. She flashed him a slow and sultry grin, and Ted felt the heat pool in his face as his mouth went bone dry. He gulped, trying not to move a muscle, twisting his fingers together in an attempt to hold still. 

He had closed his eyes at this point, working on controlling his breathing, relaxing into the mattress, so Ted was startled by nails gently scraping down his thighs, followed by a trail of kisses up and down his legs. Throwing a hand over his eyes, he relished in the sensory deprivation of sorts, and waited for Rebecca’s next move.

Ted didn’t have to wait long, as he felt her shift on the end of the bed, lightly kissing each hip bone, hands coming up to press at his hips, alleviating some tension in his lower back. They both liked to play with one another—like a vindictive cat with a very (un)lucky mouse—so Ted knew that Rebecca was going to take her sweet time, building him up and up and up until he could hardly stand it. 

His eyes fluttered open as he felt a warm mouth on him, sliding around the tip and holding there for a moment. Needing something to ground him, Ted threw his arm over his head and clutched frantically at the edge of the headboard, impatient for more.

As if she could read his mind, he felt Rebecca relax her jaw to take in more of him, swirling her tongue on his length in the way that she knew made him dizzy with desire. He felt sparks shoot down his spine, curling his toes even more as her hand came up to cup his balls, and his eyes focused on the mind bending visual of her blonde head bobbing up and down on his cock, her plump lips taking him in deeper and deeper as her cheeks hollowed out. Her eyelashes fluttered as she stared right at him, making the hottest eye contact he had ever seen in his life. Sweet Jesus.

Ted’s spine felt liquid-y, his mind fuzzy, focusing on the pleasure building in his core as he tried to keep as still as possible. He felt her hands roaming, slowly, sensually, tracing a loop on his pelvis, grazing his balls, then digging her fingernails into his thighs as his cock hit the back of her throat. 

His hips jolted involuntarily, and she hummed around his shaft, swirling her tongue on his tip, gathering pre-cum on her tongue before popping off with a pleased sigh. Ted bit into the meat of his palm in an attempt to muffle his groans.

“Ted,” Rebecca said slowly, but Ted needed a minute to collect himself, hearing her voice as if they were both underwater.

“You keep moving quite a bit, darling. Do you not want to continue?” Rebecca said playfully, hands stroking up his thighs, reaching up to his pelvis and grazing his cock before sliding away. Mean . 

“Maybe this is too much for you, hmmmm? I’d hate for you to hurt your back even more, you know? We could just stop here, take a nap, perhaps put another hot towel on your lower back?” Rebecca said expectantly, corners of her mouth twitching at the slack-jawed look on Ted’s face as he cycled through multiple emotions before swallowing heavily. 

“Sweetheart, I—” Ted groaned out loud, wanting to move but also not wanting to move so that his wife would continue her slow torture. He shut his eyes, his senses narrowing to the feel of her hands brushing his calves, tickling the back of his knees, swirling over his thighs. Goosebumps arose in the wake of the warm hands, and he suppressed a shiver.

“Yes, dear?” 

He could practically see the glint in her eyes as the playful tone of voice washed over him. He felt Rebecca remove her hands entirely from his body and clenched his jaw—he needed to remain perfectly still. Fuck. 

“Rebecca, please darling, please, god,” Ted whined, words muffled by his palm that had come up to stifle the involuntary noises spilling out of his mouth at the ebb and flow of pleasure pooling at the base of his spine. He flexed his fingers, splaying them on his stomach, mouthing at his hand that covered his face. 

His eyes shot open at the sharp, pinching sensation of a hand on his knee, swirling patterns into his skin after she had gotten his full attention. He groaned into his hand, and he felt Rebecca shake with silent laughter as she dipped her head to kiss the top of his knee, biting at the flesh there and soothing the angry skin with her tongue.

“Baby,” she smiled, winking at him, reaching up to grab the hand that was on his stomach, and she placed it on the back of her head as she drew closer to him again, licking her lips slowly. 

“Let go, Ted, I’ve got you, my love,” Rebecca said, tangling their hands in her hair, tugging slightly. She flushed, squirming a little as their hands pulled at her hair together, placing an open-mouthed kiss on the inside of Ted’s thigh, biting down gently. Ted’s hands were soft—tentative—in her hair, and she couldn’t have that, could she?

“Ted,” she repeated, nuzzling his other thigh as his hands played idly with strands of blonde. “You know you can pull my hair, don’t you, darling. You know I like it. C’mon, baby.”

“Now, Theodore. Be good for me, and stay still, won’t you?” She said, voice dripping with honey as she winked at him, tongue darting out slowly to smooth over where she had bitten, tongue flat and rough on his skin.

Rebecca lowered her head once more, getting to work, and relished in hearing Ted’s sharp intake of breath as her lips sunk down onto his shaft. She set a punishing pace, and Ted felt like he was on fire—sweat beaded at his hairline, and he was struggling to keep his eyes open, wanting to lose himself in the pleasure of it all. 

Rebecca let loose a high pitched whine around his cock as Ted wrapped a length of blonde locks around his hand and pulled gently at first. His grip in her hair tightened as she increased the pace, mouth and hands working in tandem as one of her hands came up to hold his pelvis firmly onto the bed. Ted’s eyes flew open, and he tapped the back of her head gently because oh god , he was gonna—

Rebecca redoubled her efforts, bringing the hand on his pelvis up to tangle with his hand in her hair, and he let loose a strangled moan at the suction and the slide of her lips, the tease of her tongue, the feel of her hand on his cock, and then—hips jerking every which way, unconcerned about his lingering back pain, Ted finally let go, barreling into the sensations at full speed. 

He came back into his body as Rebecca was kissing up and down his legs, warm hands rubbing at his hips, grinning at him as she swallowed exaggeratedly, licking her lips with relish. Her eyes sparkled in amusement as she slithered up his body, placing a light kiss on his chest, before snuggling up to his side and drawing a blanket over them both. Worn out for completely different reasons, they were both asleep within minutes.

A light knock at the door jolted Rebecca out of the doze she’d been in for the last few minutes as she began to edge toward consciousness. Opening her eyes, she realized she was draped over Ted, with her blonde hair thrown every which way. Groaning slightly, Rebecca flopped onto her back, stretching her arms over her head. The knock sounded again, a little more firm against the door.

Glancing over at Ted, still fast asleep, she made sure blankets were covering them and then called out to whoever was at the door. The door opened, and Keeley popped her head in the room, face wrinkling in disappointment at the lack of skin showing. Rebecca huffed a laugh, rolling her eyes at her friend.

“Hiya, babe,” Keeley said quietly, tiptoeing over to Rebecca’s side of the bed after the older woman gestured for her to come inside. 

“How is poor Ted? Did the heat help his back at all?” Keeley asked, concern evident in her voice, and the blonde flushed at the memory of the…heat. Keeley smirked at Rebecca, waggling her eyebrows saucily, and Rebecca could tell that Keeley was barely restraining herself from asking for specifics. 

“Bridget is running around like mad, helping with dinner preparations and all, so I told her I’d come get your lazybones outta bed,” Keeley said with a chuckle. “I’ll just be downstairs if you or Ted need anything, babe. Phoebe helped pick out Cassie’s dinner outfit, and your gremlin is quite excited about meeting my mum. It’s sweet, actually.”

Rebecca hummed in response, lounging against the pillows as she and Keeley quietly debriefed on the events of the day, and Keeley filled Rebecca in on the children and Jamie’s antics. Ted began to stir slowly, and Keeley lifted her hand in a slow salute and exited the bedroom, winking at Rebecca as she closed the door behind her.

Suddenly, an arm shot out, snaking around Rebecca’s waist and she gently turned onto her side as Ted pressed his chest to her back, bringing his hands to rest on her stomach. Rebecca felt him nuzzle into her, hooking his chin over her shoulder.

“Hi, darlin’,” Ted said sleepily, nestling into her with a sigh. Rebecca grinned, gliding a hand up and down his arm, tangling their hands together as she brought them to her lips for a quick kiss. She murmured in response, wiggling her ass into his front, smirking when she heard his intake of breath.

“Now, Becca,” Ted said seriously, a hint of playfulness shining through as he leaned forward and traced a line up her neck. Rebecca shuddered in anticipation, grip tightening on his hands. “Don’t wanna start something we can’t finish, do we, baby doll?”

Quick as a flash, Rebecca turned over on her other side to face Ted, bringing a hand up to his face, tracing his lips with her fingers. She shuddered as his teeth grazed her thumb, and her belly clenched with longing. She closed her eyes momentarily before opening them and leaning in for a lazy, searching kiss. 

“Who says we can’t finish it, my love? We do have time before dinner—you’ll have to help me dress, though,” she said teasingly. His eyes glinted dangerously.

“Aw dang, what do you mean?” Ted moaned playfully. “I gotta put more clothes on you? That just ain’t fair, boss, and you know it.”

Rebecca pulled back from Ted’s neck where she was lightly licking with her tongue, careful not to leave any visible marks.

“Oh well,” she responded, mirth dancing in her green eyes. “I suppose you’ll just have to wait until after dinner to undress me, then.” She smirked at him, and he hauled her closer, arm wrapping around her waist for a tongue-filled kiss that left them both gasping for breath. Ted waited a moment before quickly shimmying down the bed, hearing Rebecca squawk and laugh above him.

“Teddddd,” Rebecca giggled infectiously. “What are you doing, you silly man? You’re the one with an injured back here!”

He rested his head on her lower stomach, hands roaming over her thighs, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“My back is feeling fine and dandy, now, thanks to your expert care,” Ted said primly, grinning when he heard his wife snort out loud. “Now. Let’s see how quick and quiet you can be, alright?” 

The giggles quickly dissolved into stifled moans as Ted spent some time thanking Rebecca for caring for him.

Fully dressed and presentable, Rebecca and Ted slowly made their way downstairs. Ted was moving gingerly, not wanting to aggravate his on-the-mend back muscles, and Cassie flew across the foyer about to tumble into Ted, only to pivot at the last moment and crash full force into Rebecca’s legs. 

Jamie, god bless him, had seen this coming from a mile away and had hastened his footsteps down the corridor to steady Rebecca, a hand on her shoulder and one on the small of her back as Cassie cackled with glee. Rebecca just shook her head ruefully at the toddler, who was off and zooming down the hall to where her auntie Keeley was.

“Thanks, Jamie, love,” Rebecca said softly, bringing a hand up to caress his cheek. 

Jamie flushed, nuzzling into her touch. They’d all found out just how touch-starved Jamie had been over the years, and now that he finally had parents who loved him for the first time in a long time (RIP Georgie Tartt), the younger man simply relished in the gentle care and affection he was given. He had blossomed with it, and both Ted and Rebecca were sure to remind Jamie frequently that he was an integral part of their family and that they couldn’t imagine life without him. 

Jamie shuffled his feet, mumbling about how it wasn’t really a big deal, he just didn’t want her to get hurt or anything, and Rebecca quickly shut him up with her scary eyebrow raise. 

“Darling, would you be a doll and help your dad into the dining room,” Rebecca said, her tone brooking no room for argument. 

“I’ll go round up the children and Keeley, and see if our guests have arrived yet.” 

She could see Jamie’s throat working soundlessly and replayed the last thirty seconds in her head, frowning slightly—oh. She had referred to Ted as Jamie’s dad—not for the first time—and that simple word just hit them all in their hearts unexpectedly. She glanced at Ted who had suspiciously bright eyes, and chuckled a little.

“Oh, please, the pair of you,” she teased, just enough lilt in her voice to snap them out of their daze. “Jamie, you know we love you, darling boy. You’re ours, just as much as Cassie and this little one to come,” she said, cradling her barely visible bump. Making a little shooing motion with her hands, ignoring Jamie’s eye roll followed by a huge grin, Rebecca set off down the corridor in search of the rest of her family.

Family dinner was a smashing success, and Rebecca was floating on air a bit with how joyful and boisterous and so perfectly her that Keeley was acting. Not like she wasn’t like that most of the time, but Keeley was just so incredibly happy to have most of the people that she loved under one roof. 

Deborah had sat Keeley and Amanda next to each other, with Rachel and Rebecca across from them, and the rest of the family had filled in from there. Phoebe was next to Amanda, and Jamie was between the little girl and Paul at the end of the table. Deborah was at the other end with Ted and Cassie—the little girl was thrilled to be sat between her mother and grandmother, but directed her attention to her beloved Grandmère and father, leaving Rebecca to be free to focus on Keeley and Amanda. 

The table was quite intimate for their party of ten, and conversation flowed and layered on top of each other much like the rowdy family meals back at the Lasso ranch. Turns out that Keeley’s aunt Rachel was a vicious and knowledgeable chess player, so she played a spirited mental game of chess with Paul and Jamie cycling out, with a promise to play a game in Paul’s study after the meal was done. 

Paul winked at Deborah at the other end of the table, and Rebecca pretended to ignore the flush that rose on her mother’s face. Ted waggled his eyebrows at her from across the table, and Rebecca rolled her eyes in an imitation that would have made Keeley so proud had she seen it.

Rebecca tuned back into the conversation, sliding her half-eaten dessert over to Phoebe, who dug into it with relish.

“The man who picked your aunt and I up tonight, darling—who was that?” Amanda said with a sigh, and Rebecca did a double take, lips pursing in laughter at the disgruntled look that flashed on Keeley’s face. 

Rebecca smoothly replied to the older woman, taking the heat off Keeley—now that she’d had a second to process, Rebecca could see the wheels in Keeley’s head turning, and she smirked at Rebecca, shrugging a shoulder in response.

“Oh, that’s Oscar. He’s been with the family for years, ever since I was a child,” Rebecca explained, raising her eyebrows slightly at Amanda’s flushed cheeks as she sipped her wine slowly.

“Mum,” Keeley said playfully, and Amanda groaned quietly, flapping her hand at her daughter. 

“No,” Amanda said sternly, lips quirked up in a barely-concealed grin. “I am asking for no reason, forget I said anything about it.”

Keeley shook her head, smirking slightly, drumming her fingertips on the lace tablecloth.

“Sorry, mum, no can do,” Keeley said, as she turned to Deborah, mouthing something that Rebecca couldn’t quite catch. She had no doubt the two holy terrors were about to embark on a matchmaking scheme between Amanda and Oscar, and Rebecca only hoped to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Deborah cleared her throat, directing them all to adjourn to the parlor for after-dinner drinks and coffee. Phoebe grabbed Amanda’s hand and all but pulled her along to the adjacent room—she probably felt like her new grandmother’s attention had been monopolized enough and wanted to wiggle in some time for herself.

Not wanting to be parted from the cozy family, Paul had relocated a hand carved chess set from his study. He beckoned Jamie and Rachel to set up shop, as it were, at a side table near the fireplace with room enough for three chairs. They quickly became engrossed in the match, and Paul remarked that Rachel was a formidable opponent. The woman just grinned at him cheekily, swiping another one of Paul’s pieces that made the older man grumble good naturedly. 

Rachel took this as a learning opportunity for Jamie, asking him what moves he would make, and then gently explained why he was wrong and how to make a better move. Jamie was a sponge for knowledge, and couldn’t wait to get home and dominate Beard and Higgins in their weekly chess matches. Rachel had won the match in another four moves, showing off a tricky technical display that had Paul sputtering but then immediately asking her how she accomplished the feat.

Amanda and Phoebe, followed by Ted and Cassie, had migrated to a nearby sofa, and were chatting while Phoebe was telling her grandmother about her England school project from the year before. Cassie was sitting bleary-eyed on Ted’s lap as Phoebe held the little one’s hand. 

Meanwhile, Rebecca, Keeley, and Deborah were on a sofa on the other side of the room, conspiring and trying not to look too suspicious. Well, Rebecca wasn’t conspiring, but she played along and listened to the other women’s mutterings, sipping her chamomile tea with a sigh. She really was quite tired.

“Keeley,” Deborah said delicately, as if she wasn’t quite sure how to broach the subject. Rebecca zoned back into the conversation, suddenly almost painfully aware of what Deborah was going to say, and not altogether sure if her mother should say it.

“Yeah, Debs?” Keeley replied cheerily, turning her body on the sofa to better face Deborah.

“Forgive me for prying, but I wanted to talk to you first before going to your mother,” Deborah trailed off, uncertain, and Rebecca jumped in, placing a soothing hand on Keeley’s back. 

“Darling, I think what my mother means to ask is, do you think your mother is looking for a change in her living situation?”

Keeley’s mouth dropped open as her eyes swung back from Rebecca to stare at Deborah.

“What?” Keeley said faintly, and Deborah grinned a little, emboldened at the response that was not emphatically a “no.”

“Well, dear, I’ve been…looking for a companion, I suppose you could say, to just be there for me and do the sorts of things around town that Paul has no interest in—going to the theater and museums and things like that,” Deborah said animatedly, waving her hands for emphasis. “I’d thought about offering Bridget a place perhaps, but it seems she might already be spoken for—”

“Mother!” Rebecca rolled her eyes in disbelief. “Really?”

Keeley’s head swiveled back to Rebecca, and she patted the taller woman’s knee comfortingly.

“Babe, you said you were going to tell me later, yeah? How about now? Please? I’m bursting to know!” Keeley cajoled, bringing a small smile to Rebecca’s face in spite of herself. Rebecca quickly filled Keeley in on Madame Patricia’s Bridget prediction from three years prior, and she did enjoy watching Keeley’s mouth drop open in shock. 

“Three years ago, you didn’t have a son, Rebecca!” Keeley whispered excitedly, turning around to smack Deborah lightly on the leg as the two women exchanged grins that could have powered all the gas lamps in London.

“I am very aware, Keeley,” Rebecca said dryly before raising a hand to cut Keeley off at the pass. Nope. She did not want to talk about these crackpot theories, thank you very much.

“I think Jamie likes her,” Keeley said smugly, leaning into Deborah’s shoulder. Deborah wrapped an arm around the smaller woman and hummed her agreement. Rebecca looked at them both in disbelief. 

“You’re mad,” Rebecca said, agitated. “You’re both bloody mad! You’re going to concoct this whole thing because of one crackpot prediction years ago?”

“Oi!” Keeley said passionately. “Don’t slag off Madame Patricia—she was right about you and the new baby bean, wasn’t she?”

Rebecca rolled her eyes, crossing her legs in annoyance which only rose as she heard her mother whisper something to Keeley that made the younger woman gasp out loud and stomp her feet on the plush rug in her excitement. 

Brushing a hand over her face in exasperation, Rebecca’s eyes landed on Ted, holding court across the room with Amanda and Phoebe. He smiled warmly, winking at her, while cradling their sleeping daughter, and Rebecca felt her heart grow three sizes. 

“Whatever it is, you absolute heathens, I do not want to know,” Rebecca said through a yawn, forcing her eyes open. Keeley hesitated for a second, placing a hand on Rebecca’s knee.

“Babe, I think you do, actually,” Keeley said seriously, and Rebecca’s eyes flicked over to meet hers. She sighed heavily and threw up her hands. 

“Alright, fine, what does Madame Patricia have to say this time?”

Keeley and Deborah both looked at each other nervously, and then back to Rebecca.

“Well?” Rebecca said sharply, stroking the fabric on the throw pillow that Keeley had plopped into her lap moments ago. She used the fabric to ground herself and remind herself that no matter what the long ago prediction, it will most likely have no actual impact on her life. 

“Sausage, well…shortly before you left for California, I went to Patricia’s for a tarot reading—she’s quite good, you know—and we were chatting and she…might have said something about Ted,” Deborah trailed off, waiting for her daughter’s reaction.

Rebecca felt maniacal laughter bubbling up in her chest and tried her best to tamp it down. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and took another breath. Once she had schooled her face, she opened her eyes again to the worried—and secretly delighted—faces of her mother and her best friend.

“Excuse me?” Rebecca said brusquely, mind reeling with all of the implications. 

“Now, darling, I know what you must be thinking, but this just proves that you and Ted were meant to be, don’t you see?” Deborah said, trying to reassure her daughter. 

“Patricia had gone into one of her trances, and spoke of a mustachioed cowboy, and…might have implied Rupert’s untimely death,” she said in a rush, glancing sympathetically at Rebecca who remained motionless, head tilted slightly toward her mother.

Rebecca blew a heavy breath out, absentmindedly placing a palm on her stomach, feeling her belly contract with her measured breathing.

“Oh,” Rebecca said quietly, but that was all for a moment. Then—

“Wait, this is why you’re so sure of Jamie and Bridget?” Rebecca said, careful to keep her voice down. “Unbelievable,” she whispered, forehead scrunching in annoyance.

“Anyway,” Deborah said brightly, as if she hadn’t slightly rocked her daughter’s world. “So what do we think? Is it worth asking your mother to move in, Keeley? Goodness knows we have the space—just Paul and I rattling around this old house.”

Rebecca couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled from her chest at the thought of Amanda Jones possibly moving in with Deborah Welton—the mums would be unstoppable.

Chapter Text

Deborah’s intel about the Queen attending a house party in the countryside turned out to be correct, and the house was all aflutter with preparations, as if the Queen was coming to the Weltons instead. Deborah’s slightly manic energy permeated the rest of the house, staff, and family, and everyone felt a little jittery. 

Rebecca and Ted seemed to be the only members of the household who had a modicum of calm about them—after all, they had already met the Queen and were no worse for the wear. 

Both of them privately resolved to treat the woman with all due deference, but also as a regular human being. Ted was sure she would appreciate it and Rebecca was inclined to agree with him, after hearing the full story of Cassie and Ted’s run-in with the diminutive monarch.

It was decided that Deborah and Paul would be accompanied by Rebecca and Ted, and Keeley and Jamie were to attend as well, sparking a flurry of activity to clothe the last two members of the party properly. Bridget was on childminding duty, and was already thinking of ways to keep the children occupied for the 12-hour stretch. 

The aforementioned party was due to start at 8pm and it would last until the wee hours of the morning. Oscar was taking special care with the horse tack and the carriage, making sure that both were immaculate and gleaming, wanting to put their best foot forward. Rebecca assumed they would be back in London by 9am the next day at the latest, but she was very, very wrong.

“Darling, stop fidgeting, you’ll crumple your dress,” Rebecca said lightly, smirking at her friend’s palpable anxiety. Reaching across the carriage, she took Keeley’s hand in hers, hoping to convey some calm and reassurance.

“Sweetheart, I promise you have nothing to worry about, alright? You and Jamie can stick together, and you don’t even have to be sociable if you don’t wish to,” Rebecca said, inwardly jealous of the pair. “You might retire with some drinks to the library or the study—I’ll handle the bulk of the socializing, and send Ted off your way if it gets to be too much.”

Rebecca, on the other hand, would have to plaster a smile to her face and face the derision, scorn, and curiosity of her former social set who had no doubt heard through the grapevine of the death of Rupert and her remarriage to an American cowboy. She squeezed Ted’s hand, and he lightly nudged her with his shoulder. 

Deborah tilted forward on her seat slightly to beckon Jamie forward, and she adjusted his tie, smoothing down his suit lapels until she was satisfied with the result.

“There,” Deborah breathed, pleased with herself. “Jamie, you look lovely. Don’t want a grandchild of mine to look like a ragamuffin, do we?”

Rebecca and Jamie both gaped at Deborah who seemed entirely unbothered. 

“Oh, please, the both of you,” Deborah said, settling back in her seat and looping her arm around Paul’s. “Jamie, in case it wasn’t clear, you are as much our grandchild as Cassie is, hmmm? When we get back to London we can discuss the individual trusts we hope to settle on the children, yes, Rebecca?”

“The what?” Rebecca replied faintly, her hand tightening on Ted’s thigh. Keeley watched this all play out, eyes flicking back and forth like she was watching a tennis match. Deborah turned her attention over to Keeley, with Paul flattening himself in his seat somewhat, hoping to stay out of the line of fire.

“Keeley, just so you know, when Paul and I refer to ‘the children,’ we also mean Phoebe and Theo,” Deborah said, smirking slightly as Keeley’s jaw dropped. She sometimes forgot just how wealthy the Weltons were when Rebecca never really acted like the blue blooded heiress that she was.

“Oh, look,” Deborah said, clapping her hands together slightly. “We’re here!”

Oscar brought the carriage to a halt at the far side of the drive. The stately country house seemed to glow from the inside out with various lanterns, candles and torches to light the way of the guests. The grand front doors were swung wide open and Rebecca could see glimpses of the finery within. She took a deep, cleansing breath, eyeing her family who were in varying states of (mental) disarray. 

“Jamie, darling?” Rebecca said quietly, and Jamie swiveled his head toward his mum questioningly.  

“Just like we practiced, alright, my love?”

Jamie took a deep breath, shaking out his hands, before opening the door and hopping out, offering his arm to Deborah. Jamie had been apprehensive about the whole fancy party of it all, so Rebecca had spent a few afternoons teaching him the most basic of dances, and he didn’t want to disappoint her.

The family had piled out of the carriage and did some last minute checks to make sure they were all presentable (Deborah), and the Weltons took the lead, confidently striding up the marble staircase to the gilded front doors, following the faint sound of violins playing a lively melody.

Beside her, Rebecca felt Ted take a deep breath, and she squeezed his arm in sympathy. After the family had gotten through the throngs of people queuing at the entrance and paid their respects to their hosts—the Duke and Duchess of something Ted couldn’t quite catch—Rebecca guided the group to a nearby alcove for a quick respite.

“We made it this far,” Rebecca said, giggling slightly, almost giddy with overstimulation. “Good job, team!”

Deborah chuckled at her daughter’s exuberance, affectionately pulling Paul close to her.

“Alright, we’ll let you catch your breath here, while your father and I take a turn about the room, and then we can switch on and off,” Deborah said cheerily. “Rebecca, love, good job in finding this space for us all to congregate!”

“Please, Mother,” Rebecca said, rolling her eyes fondly. “This is not my first society event, and I wanted us all to have a little space that was out of the way. Keeley and Jamie, you can set up here and people-watch, if you would like—I’m sure the staff could bring some chairs over here.”

Deborah and Paul set off on their turnabout of the room as soon as the violin started up again, Rebecca’s eyes shone with admiration for the musicians and the flurry of dancers in the ballroom. 

She did love to dance, and Ted had confessed to her quite early on in their relationship that Elizabeth Lasso had once made Ted take ballroom dancing lessons. They had only ever danced under the moonlight, or at home on the ranch, never at a fancy society event like this one.

The group was startled by silent footmen draped in festive livery who must have heard Rebecca somehow over the din of the party, and brought chairs for them all. Thanking them profusely, the four of them settled back in their seats for a moment, content to gaze at all of the finery surrounding them. 

Rebecca chuckled when she looked over at Jamie and found his eyes practically as large as dinner plates as he gawked at his surroundings. Keeley could relate, but was a little more discreet with her feelings. 

“We’re certainly not in California anymore, yeah?” Keeley murmured to Jamie and Ted, who were equally overwhelmed. 

Rebecca and Ted had taken a moment off the dance floor when Rebecca all but felt a chill settle over the room, although she could swear it was just her who felt it. Nonplussed, she turned back to Ted, grasping his hand, and led him to the refreshment table for some more lemonade when she felt Ted’s hand tighten in hers briefly as he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“Darlin’, I don’t mean to alarm ya, but there’s some people staring at us from over there. They look upset, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say I see a slight resemblance to your ex-almost fiancé,” Ted attempted to joke, although it fell flat in the moment. 

Rebecca heard her name called from behind, and glanced behind her curiously. Deborah and Paul were making their way toward Rebecca and Ted, and Deborah had a look in her eye like she was spoiling for a fight. Thank god.

Rebecca did not want to have to deal with her ex-in laws alone, or even with Ted—she didn’t want to subject him to them—but now she would have back up in the form of her beloved parents.

“Sausage,” Deborah murmured to Rebecca, hand coming out to grasp her daughter’s wrist reassuringly. 

Rebecca felt such a wave of relief upon hearing her mother’s voice that her knees almost buckled. Normally, she wouldn’t have heard her childhood nickname in a public setting, but Deborah had said it so quietly that only the intended recipient could have heard. It oddly settled Rebecca, and made her feel so loved and at ease, no matter what nonsense was about to happen next.

Paul sighed quietly, leaning into Rebecca’s space slightly, offering whatever reassurance he could. 

“Well, my love,” Paul said, a hint of mirth dancing in his eyes. “Your mother and I are here to accompany you into battle, as it were. I didn’t realize they’d be here, but I suppose I’m not surprised, with the possibility of the Queen attending.”

Rebecca straightened her spine slowly, girding herself for an unpleasant encounter, grateful that her emerald green dress had enough flounces and extra fabric draped around to hide the slight swell of her stomach. Deborah winked at her, and looped an arm around hers to lead the way. 

The women stepped around the edge of the floor, skirting around the various dancers, and Ted and Paul followed sedately behind. Ted flexed his hand slightly, shaking out the tension, and Paul grimly nodded at his son-in-law, clapping him on the back. 

In no time at all, the family made it over to the Mannions and Deborah took charge of the introductions, papering over the cracks as any good society matron would do. Ada and James Mannion stiffly said their hellos—James seemed to be the warmer of the two, which was an incredibly low bar already. 

Their daughter, Ruth, approached with a glass of lemonade and then stopped short when she realized who her parents were interacting with. The woman sniffed, and said nothing to Rebecca, and Deborah had to lead the introductions once more with an unwilling party. 

Rebecca could feel a trickle of sweat work its way down the back of her dress, pooling at her lower spine, and sincerely wished to be anywhere but there. She wasn’t surprised by Ruth essentially ignoring her—the woman had been poisoned by her mother and Rupert for years, and even before that, the relationship between Rebecca and Ruth had always been cold and strained. Rebecca had wanted a sister dearly, but found out quite quickly that Ruth was not interested, and whatever she confided in Ruth would be reported back to Rupert.

Ted, god bless him, had even tried his best to interact with the Mannions and politely draw them out of their shell, to no avail. Rebecca was counting down the seconds until they could just pack this whole thing in and go back to enjoying themselves. Her concentration waned momentarily as her eyes swept the ballroom to see Keeley and Jamie floating over the dance floor in a lovely waltz. At least someone was having fun.

Deborah glanced at Rebecca, clearly at the end of her rope, and the women nodded minutely at each other, preparing to say their goodbyes and go literally anywhere else, getting as far away as they could from these odious people. 

Just as Rebecca was about to open her mouth to say something polite—and untrue—about how it was a pleasure, the whole ballroom fell silent as dancers swept off the floor in a rush. Somehow, Keeley and Jamie had found them in the crowd, and Rebecca didn’t have it in her to introduce them to her former in-laws, but luckily for her she didn’t have to as a whisper flew through the crowd. 

The formerly closed ballroom doors suddenly opened and gasps rang out as the partygoers realized who had graced them with their presence.

“Her Majesty, Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and his Royal Highness, Prince Albert,” a red-faced servant called out, sweat beading at his hairline at the unexpected honor. He swiftly departed, no doubt to relay his accomplishment to the other staff and be given a stiff drink by the butler.

Victoria’s eyes swept the room, and she inclined her head regally, preparing to circle the room with her hosts, the Duke and Duchess, who would introduce her to anyone worth knowing. There wasn’t really any time to comfortably excuse themselves from the Mannions’ presence, so Rebecca gritted her teeth and prepared to flee the second the Queen had made a turn about the room. 

The hush permeated the crowd, who seemed almost scared to move or speak or breathe in the presence of royalty, so of course, Victoria’s greeting and delight rang out in the hushed room.

“Oh hello again, Lasso clan,” Victoria grinned widely before schooling her face into something more befitting her station. 

“It’s lovely to see you again, your Majesty,” Rebecca said firmly, dipping into a curtsy that no doubt made her mother so proud. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ruth’s mouth had dropped open slightly before she got ahold of herself, and Rebecca was grimly pleased by the fact.

The Duke hastily made proper introductions to the rest of Rebecca’s set, which unfortunately for the moment included the Mannions. Rebecca was, however, feeling a not-insignificant amount of joy at the thunderous expression on Ada’s face when she realized that Rebecca and the Queen had somehow met before and had clearly developed a rapport.

Victoria asked after Cassie, referring to the toddler with a fond note in her voice, and Ted assured her that their daughter was doing well.

“Still a lil chaos gremlin, but she’s always been a spirited one, just like her mama,” Ted said teasingly, his American accent exaggerated for comedic effect. 

Rebecca flushed, barely stopping herself from rolling her eyes at her husband. Victoria huffed a laugh, and grinned up at Albert, who so far had remained silent.

“Albert, their daughter reminds me quite a lot of our Louise—we should never let the girls meet. The sheer chaos would be madness,” Victoria said with an amused lilt to her voice, and Ted and Rebecca chuckled along, feeling like they were both having an out-of-body experience. 

Rebecca inwardly smirked at the look of pure fury that flitted across Ada’s face, and was delighted that her ex-mother-in-law couldn’t even do anything about her rage in the presence of the Queen.

“We must be on our way to give our regards to the other attendees, but it was wonderful to see a familiar face at an event like this. You must be so proud of your daughter and son-in-law, and their sweet child,” Victoria said cheerfully, directing her last sentence at Deborah who smiled gratefully, bobbing in a slight curtsy. 

The group remained frozen in a half-curtsy and bow situation until the royals were clearly out of eyesight, having been swallowed up by the crowd. Rebecca sighed heavily, slowly straightening her spine while rolling the tension out of her shoulders. 

Deborah stepped in, thankfully, giving her (tepid) regards to the Mannions and not letting them get a word in edgewise. She would not allow them to disparage her daughter and their family in front of her ever again. 

Rebecca could feel the support of her parents and her husband beside her, and it grounded her, made her more at ease. She was loved, she was cherished, she had a real family, not just for society appearances—whatever nonsense the Mannions might have thought of her, they couldn’t touch that.

Rebecca felt herself being whisked away, Ted’s hand placed gently on her back, and Deborah looping an arm around hers, and she was so grateful she wanted to cry. Blinking rapidly as the group migrated through the ballroom back to their cozy little alcove, she managed to get ahold of herself by the time they were seated, although to Rebecca’s chagrin, she didn’t think she had managed to fool anyone.

They sat quietly, listening to the music and the chatter in the ballroom, letting the sounds wash over them. Everyone was feeling the tiredness of the day as a bit of the adrenaline of preparing for the party and then being at the party had worn off slightly.

Rebecca turned to Jamie and quietly asked him to take a turn about the room with her. She had noticed his leg was a little bit restless and figured he might want to burn off some more energy. Keeley and Ted were more than happy to sit quietly in the corner and regain some equilibrium, so Jamie politely offered Rebecca his arm and the pair headed for a slow loop around the dance floor—Rebecca felt a wave of pride wash over her at her sweet, attentive boy. 

“Have you and Keeley been having a good time, darling?” Rebecca murmured softly, nodding politely as they passed a larger group of people. Jamie chuckled in response, lips quirking up in a cheeky grin. 

“Sure has been interesting, I’ll tell ya that,” Jamie replied thoughtfully. 

“Never ever thought I’d end up at one of these fancy shindigs, and Keeley was feeling the same, so we mostly just stuck together,” Jamie said with a sigh of relief. 

“Food is swell, though, and we did enjoy the dancing. Keels told me she felt like a fairy princess, swooping over the dance floor like we were. Plus, we got to meet the Queen? I’m not even from here, but that felt like a real pinch me moment.”

Rebecca chuckled softly, a hint of hysteria bubbling up. She was starting to feel the tiredness of the day seep into her bones, and swiftly changed track, pulling Jamie along to the refreshments table for a snack and some more lemonade.

“You and me both, kid,” she smiled as she squeezed his arm. “Unbelievable, truly, and she remembered meeting your chaotic little sister. God bless her, I’m glad Cassie didn’t scare her off, I suppose.”

“Rebecca?”

A voice rang out from the side of the room, and Rebecca inwardly groaned. She was not in the mood to be social any longer, and if she was honest, ever since her interaction with the Mannions, she had been counting down the minutes until they could politely leave. 

Jamie looked at her questioningly, and she patted his arm, murmuring slightly, as they pivoted, stepping off to the side of the ballroom. There were a cluster of tables, chairs, and a selection of plush sofas, and Rebecca desperately wanted to sit and get off her feet for a moment. She turned toward the semi-familiar voice, not knowing who to expect, and stopped in her tracks, jostling Jamie alongside her. 

“Oh my goodness, Sophie Gilbert!” Rebecca exclaimed, genuine pleasure infused into her voice, and she felt Jamie relax beside her as he clocked it and dropped his guard a little. 

“Rebecca Welton!” the woman replied cheerily, and then she paused for a moment. “Well, I’m unsure actually, darling, I heard you were married again?”

Rebecca swiftly put her new-old friend at ease, and the trio sank into a long sofa, with Rebecca in the middle. Sophie hesitated briefly, and then placed a hand over Rebecca’s, squeezing gently. 

“Rebecca, I have to say, it is so good to see you again,” Sophie said warmly before tilting her head at Jamie. “And a pleasure to meet your—” 

“Oh my, Soph, so sorry—this is my son, Jamie,” Rebecca flushed in embarrassment, grasping Jamie’s hand with her opposite arm. “Jamie, this is one of my oldest friends, Sophie Gilbert—we went to grammar school together, all the way up until finishing school, was it, Soph?”

Sophie’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at Jamie quizzically, although still radiating the warmth that Jamie had come to expect from friends of his mother’s. Rebecca huffed in understanding. 

“I see you trying to do the mental maths, Sophie girl, so let me spare you the misery—Jamie is my adopted son. My new husband—Ted—and I adopted him a few years ago, and recently decided to make a family trip to London, show them my hometown, all of that. His younger sister—”

“A right terror,” Jamie said wryly, and Sophie cackled before she raised a hand up to her mouth to stifle it. Rebecca smiled fondly at Jamie, eyes crinkling in amusement. 

“His younger sister stayed behind in London—we’re visiting my parents for a few weeks before we go back home to California,” Rebecca explained succinctly, and she saw Sophie’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline, so she elaborated further. 

“My relationship with my parents is…quite different now, Soph, I promise,” Rebecca said quietly, locking eyes with Sophie to reassure her further. Sophie had been there through it all—all of the late nights of Rebecca wishing her parents had a shred of attention for her, all of the sleepovers at Sophie’s house, surrounded by her friend’s loving and tight-knit family, as Rebecca longed for one of her own. 

Sophie had held her hand as Rebecca cried herself to sleep almost every time she would sleep over—she would watch Mr. Gilbert interact with his family during afternoon playtime, and wanted that for herself so much she couldn’t bear it. Come rain or shine, the parents and all the children, including Rebecca, would troop out into the garden for shenanigans, building forts or playing games of tag.

It inadvertently reminded Rebecca of what she would never have in a father, and it had hurt deeply. It was a festering wound that Rebecca dealt with on her own for far too many years until the first of many vulnerable and emotional conversations with both of her parents helped to heal that relationship for the better. 

Sophie didn’t know any of this—any of the reconciliation—so of course her old friend was hesitant about Rebecca’s casual admission that they had been staying with her parents. Rebecca felt Sophie eye her carefully, sizing her up, trying to decide if she was telling the truth or not, and Rebecca’s throat tightened in gratitude. 

Sophie had been one of the friends that Rebecca had distanced herself from in the years of her relationship with Rupert, and she had been one of the few that had called Rebecca out on it, and explicitly spoke about Rupert’s manipulative behavior. At the time, Rebecca hadn’t appreciated the candor, but she had come to see that Sophie was brave to verbalize something that no one else in her life would.

“Have you been enjoying London, Jamie?” Sophie asked politely, and Jamie could instantly tell why Sophie and Rebecca got on so well—birds of a feather, the pair of them. Rebecca squeezed his hand supportively, and his attention snapped back to the two women beside him. 

“Apologies,” Jamie said, reddening slightly. “It’s been a long day, as you can imagine, but London is certainly…very different from ranch life, I’ll say that.” 

Sophie’s face brightened with curiosity as she directed her attention onto her long-lost friend. 

“That’s right, I had heard gossip, although you know me, I never pay that swill much mind, but I had heard that you were living on a ranch in California, now, Rebecca?” Sophie asked, becoming much more hesitant as the words tumbled out of her mouth, and Rebecca went to reassure her immediately. 

“Well you know, the London rumor mill occasionally has to be correct about some things, restores balance to the universe and all that,” she said with a laugh. 

“But yes, you know I went to California to follow Rupert only to arrive to be greeted with news of his untimely death,” Rebecca lifted up her hand, stopping Sophie’s perfunctory condolences in their tracks. 

“And then, long story short, I met and married an American cowboy named Ted Lasso, and have been building a life with him in California ever since. I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, quite frankly, certainly happier than I was in London,” Rebecca trailed off thoughtfully, and Sophie grinned at her friend, eyes shining slightly. 

“Happiness suits you, Rebecca,” Sophie said simply, considering the woman before her. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you like this.”

Rebecca grinned through tears that threatened to fall, and Jamie promptly produced a handkerchief out of nowhere, thrusting it at his mother. He didn’t like seeing her cry if he could help it. 

“Thank you, my love,” Rebecca said gratefully, dabbing at her eyes gently before noticing the delicate embroidery on the edges of the otherwise plain, white cloth. Her eyes widened, and she glanced at Jamie furtively, noticing his deepening blush. Right. They would have a nice little chat about this later, Rebecca resolved, and she patted his leg reassuringly. Sophie broke the pair of them out of their thoughts a moment later. 

“I’d love to say hello to your parents then, and to your new husband, if I can,” Sophie said, extending a sort of olive branch, and Rebecca clasped her hand in gratitude, smiling at her friend. 

“Of course, darling, we can mosey on that way after this song is over, yes?”

Sophie barked out a laugh at Rebecca’s turn of phrase, and Rebecca played the last 30 seconds over again in her head before flushing and shaking her head in amusement. 

“It’s the cowboy in me, that California influence, I suppose,” Rebecca said wryly, and Sophie choked on air as she waggled her eyebrows saucily at Rebecca. Rebecca heard Jamie’s groan of distaste next to her, and patted his leg in apology. 

“Oh god, maybe I shouldn’t bring you over, Soph,” Rebecca said with ill-suppressed glee. “You and my friend Keeley would get on like a house afire, and I don’t know if I can take the two of you at once considering that Keeley and my mother alone are quite chaotic.”

The women laughed with abandon, unwilling to censor themselves when they were together, even at a party such as this. Leaning into each other, Rebecca heard Sophie’s breath catch, and swiveled her head toward her friend, brows knitted in question. 

Sophie cleared her throat gently, shaking her head as if to shake away the lingering sadness. 

“I just—I meant to say something earlier, but…you smell exactly the same, you know? Every time I have smelled a hint of lavender in the last fifteen years, I’ve thought of you, Rebecca,” Sophie said emotionally, pressing her lips together tightly.

“I’ve missed you too, Soph,” Rebecca said simply, squeezing Sophie’s hand in hers. “You must give me your new address—I’d love to write to you when we get back home.”

Sophie replied that she actually didn’t live far from the party, as her husband detested town, and that the Lasso-Welton family was welcome to come for a visit if they were able. The woman then fell silent, eyes fixated on something across the ballroom before she turned to voice her thoughts to Rebecca.

“Not to alarm you, but there’s been a mustachioed man staring at us from the corner,” Sophie murmured softly, and Rebecca felt a giggle rise from her throat. 

“Oh darling, that’s my Ted,” Rebecca said fondly, standing from the couch as she turned her head to wink at her considerately concerned husband. “I told them all that Jamie and I were going to do a turn about the room. I’m not sure how long we’ve been gone, but it might have been longer than I realized.”

Rebecca grinned at Ted, motioning for him to come on over, and he swerved through various groups of people and dancers before he reached them. Ted produced a cup of lemonade from behind him, presenting it to Rebecca with an over-dramatic flourish that had Rebecca giggling. Jamie rolled his eyes fondly, and Sophie leaned in close to the younger man. 

“Are they always like this?” Sophie asked curiously, having never seen this side of Rebecca—while she was in a relationship, that is. Jamie scrunched his nose in disgust and sighed, resigned. 

“Yeah,” he said shortly, trying to keep the amusement from his voice. “They’re always like this.”

“Like what?” Ted asked as he pulled Rebecca close, arms around her waist as he swayed them to the music and she tried her best to keep her new beverage from spilling. Jamie stretched out his arm and took the cup from a grateful Rebecca, playfully slurping at the drink as she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Cheeky lad,” Rebecca chuckled teasingly, before halting Ted’s movement and swinging him back around to face Sophie and Jamie.

“Ted, I’d like you to meet one of my oldest friends, Sophie Gilbert,” Rebecca said, almost nervous to see how her favorite person would react to her former favorite person. “Soph, this is my Ted.”

Introductions properly made, Rebecca felt like she could relax a little, and she was delighted at how quickly Ted and Sophie got on. She laughed a little to herself, and Ted’s gaze caught her questioningly as he squeezed her waist.

“Something you wanna share with the class, sweet pea?” Ted drawled, delighting in the flush that traveled down Rebecca’s creamy neck. 

He couldn’t wait to unwrap all of Rebecca’s fancy layers later—he’d have to make a mental note to lock the connecting door to Cassie’s room. Maybe he’d give Keeley a heads up, see if she wanted to have a slumber party with the girls in exchange for his undying love and affection. He’d workshop it later.

Rebecca turned into Ted’s chest slightly, hand reaching out to smooth down his lapels. 

“Just chuffed that you and Sophie are getting on so well,” Rebecca said happily. “It’s nice when all of my favorite people can be friendly together.”

Rebecca stilled as she felt the baby flutter beneath her loosely-tied corset. She tightened her grip on Ted’s hand as his thumb soothingly swept over the back of her hand.

Sophie narrowed her eyes in contemplation, eyes dropping discretely to Rebecca’s midsection. A smile unfurled on her face at Rebecca’s slight nod, and Rebecca resolved to pull her old friend aside privately and have a long overdue chat. 

“Well, Sophie, do you want to come meet the rest of the family?” Ted asked jovially, hand running up and down Rebecca’s back in an uncharacteristic display of affection for the London social scene. 

Jamie stood up and gallantly offered Sophie his arm, and the pair of them led the way over to the cozy alcove where Keeley was resting her sore feet. Deborah and Paul greeted Sophie with smiles and clear affection, although Paul was a bit more reserved. 

One of the ever-present footmen soon arrived with another chair, and the group settled down to chat and observe the glittering ballroom, now partially depleted of guests who had decided to take their leave after the Queen had departed.

It was getting to be quite late, and Rebecca was more than ready to head back to London, creep into her sleeping girl’s room and give her a snuggle before dropping off to sleep herself. She sighed internally, thinking about the journey back to London—only barely an hour by carriage, but it would be much worse jockeying with all of the other partygoers returning to the city.

Just then, the music stopped and another hush fell over the room as the dancers swept to the sides of the dance floor. The Duke stepped forward and apologized on behalf of the…weather? Rebecca couldn’t really make out what he was saying, but she thought she got the gist. 

Judging by the look on Deborah’s face, Rebecca was sadly correct—unexpected weather and a road closure from a massive fallen tree meant that getting back to London that night would be nigh on impossible. The hosts would be putting up as many people who wished to stay, and their staff was making arrangements for the unexpected guests to have everything they needed during their stay.

The party split in two after the announcement—those who were exhausted from socializing and just wanted to sleep, and those who simply wanted to continue dancing. The wine and champagne continued to flow heavily, and servers swept the room with last-minute appetizers that were swiftly gobbled up by a voracious crowd.

Rebecca sighed heavily, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. Deborah and Paul were debating what they would all do, with Keeley and Jamie interjecting here and there, when Sophie cleared her throat decisively and everyone’s gaze swung to her. 

“Pardon me if you do really want to bunk here for the night, but I don’t live too far from here, and I’d be more than happy to host you all until you can get back to London tomorrow,” Sophie said calmly as a crack of thunder lit the sky, the sound reverberating in the half-filled ballroom.

Ted turned to Rebecca with a slight grin on his face. 

“Well whaddya think, boss? Ya up for a sleepover?”

Rebecca snorted at Ted, smacking his side slightly. Obnoxious, ridiculous, amazing man.

After the decision was made to go to Sophie’s for the night, things seemed to move quickly. Deborah alerted a footman who relayed a message to Oscar and to Sophie’s coachman, Charlie, and the group was quickly on their way. 

Fortunately, Sophie lived only a mile or so down the road, but even so, Oscar and Charlie were sure to be drenched by the driving rain before they managed to make it out of the elements. 

Rebecca remembered the carriage ride to Sophie’s as a bit of a blur—the excitement of the day, and the bone-deep tiredness meant that she wasn’t fit company at the moment, and she spent the carriage ride sitting snug in between Keeley and Ted. She rested her head on Ted’s shoulder and was lulled into a light doze. 

Mud and debris had piled up on the sides of the road, so the coaches had to tread cautiously for a time, but they did all eventually make it safely to Sophie’s. Oscar followed Sophie’s coach right into the coach house and it was connected to a part of the main house—a later addition put in by Sophie’s husband—so they didn’t have to brave the rain to reach the house.

The coach came to a standstill, and Rebecca felt Ted’s hand smoothing up and down her leg, under her cloak. 

“Hi baby doll,” Ted said in a low whisper. “We’re here. Did you have a nice nap, darlin’?”

Rebecca stretched out her neck slightly, shaking off the wisps of sleep that clouded her mind. She yawned, reaching a hand up to cover her mouth. 

“Ready to put my feet up and get into a real bed,” Rebecca mumbled, and Deborah nodded her agreement. 

“Can you tell Oscar that he is to get himself into some dry clothes very soon? I don’t want him getting sick because of this dreadful weather,” Rebecca said, almost slurred. Ted pulled her tighter, nodding against her head. 

“Don’t you worry about that, darlin,’” Ted said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “We’ll let him know.”

With Jamie’s steady hand to lean on, they all got out of the carriage and met Sophie in the enclosed corridor between the carriage house and the main house. 

“Everyone alright?” Sophie asked cheerily, and Ted went to open his mouth before he paused in thought, eyes narrowing slightly. 

The American had learned throughout the past couple years of being in the orbit of one Miss Keeley Kent, and his lovely wife, the Brits didn’t always need a five sentence paragraph on how they were really doing when asked “you alright,” that it was more of a greeting-type thing.

“Just fine, darling,” Rebecca replied, forcing herself to sound chipper, and Sophie just narrowed her eyes at the blonde.

“Follow Mrs. Green and I, we’ll show you to your rooms so you can wash up and get comfortable. I don’t suppose you want to meet downstairs for a late supper?” Sophie asked as the housekeeper materialized from another section of the house, stack of fresh linens in hand.

“Mrs. Green, would you just—” Sophie said, and the housekeeper zipped past the group to a dripping Oscar and Charlie in the carriage house. The stable boys had made quick work of settling the horses, and Mrs. Green passed dry towels to the grateful coachmen. 

“Alright, darlings, follow me,” Sophie said merrily, and the group slowly plodded along behind their cheerful host, who was making small talk about the house and not expecting a response from any of them, thank goodness. 

They trooped up the grand staircase to the second floor of the stately home, and Sophie quickly ushered them into their respective rooms, directing them to let the housekeeper know if they needed anything. 

“We’ll get a hearty breakfast into you all before you set off for London tomorrow, yeah?” Sophie directed, and Rebecca felt moved to wrap her old friend up in a crushing, decades-overdue hug. The others had migrated into their rooms, thrilled by a cozy bed nearby, and Ted decided to give the women a moment, slipping into the room designated for him and Rebecca. 

He left the door ajar, and puttered into the adjoining washroom to get ready for sleep. Delighted by the kind soul who had put a hot water bottle in between the sheets, he slipped under the covers, folding back the other side for his woman. 

Moments later, the woman in question creeped into the darkened room, closing the door behind her. Ted turned up the oil lamp, brightening the room momentarily.

“Hiya darling,” Ted said in a gravelly voice, and he spotted Rebecca pause her washing up briefly as she shivered at the sound. 

Undressing quickly, she left her clothes piled haphazardly on a nearby chair, and crawled into bed, sinking into the plush mattress. She put a hand on Ted’s chest, idly swirling her fingers over his chest hair, feeling goosebumps trail in the wake of her hand. 

“Hello, my love,” Rebecca whispered, snuggling herself into him further. “Did you have a good time at the party?”

Ted chuckled against her hair, and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. 

“I sure did, darlin’. Was a real hoot to meet the Queen again, and I suppose it was nice to get all gussied up for a spell. I think you mighta been the prettiest woman in the room tonight—no offense to Deb, Keels, and Sophie. That green dress really made your eyes pop, you know?” Ted waxed eloquently, peppering kisses on Rebecca’s hairline in between every word as she melted into his arms, steadying her breathing after a long day and night.

“I wonder what the children are up to, right now?” Rebecca said suddenly, the barest hint of anxiety in her voice. 

“Well, sweetheart, they’re probably both passed out right about now,” Ted chuckled. “I think I heard talk of a sleepover in a pillow fort. I mighta given Bridget the idea to make a cozy cave out of one of the guest rooms.”

An amused Rebecca snorted against his chest. 

“Oh, the one room with the giant four poster bed? Soph and I used to stretch blankets over the top of them and block out all the light and snuggle and dream about our futures and all sorts of things,” she reminisced fondly.

“Well, I’m not sure if our gremlin is at that particular “future” stage, baby doll,” Ted grimaced, wanting time to slow down. “I just hope she’s not terrorizing Phoebe and Bridget too much.”

“Mkay, shush now, cowboy,” Rebecca said as she patted Ted’s chest and yawned uncontrollably. As she drifted off to sleep, she could feel Ted chuckling underneath her as he pulled her closer to him, tucking the blankets securely around their bodies.

Late the next morning, the Welton-Lasso clan stumbled into the dining room in varying degrees of disarray, all still wearing their clothes from the previous day. Sophie greeted them enthusiastically, and nudged her husband, Jack, to put down his morning paper and greet their guests. 

“Jack, it’s been too long,” Rebecca said with genuine affection. Jack moved to get up from the table and cross to Rebecca’s side, but she cackled out loud, raising an eyebrow in the man’s direction. 

“Absolutely not, Jack Gilbert, stay over there,” Rebecca said, voice tinged with fond amusement. “I’m simply unprepared to deal with you this morning.”

“What’s happening?” Ted whispered to Sophie who cracked a smile, rolling her eyes in exasperation at her husband and childhood friend. 

“In his younger years, Jack had a habit of…he was…” Sophie trailed off, trying to find a polite way to put it, and Rebecca scoffed, chuckling slightly. 

“Jack is an absolute bloody menace is what he is,” Rebecca retorted, jokingly glaring at the man. “Remember that time in grammar school when you tied Sophie’s shoes together, and dipped the ends of my braids in your inkwell?”

She was still glaring as she rounded the table, sitting on Jack’s left, across from Sophie. Rebecca had pulled Ted alongside her, with Keeley and Jamie settling next to Sophie—the latter two were eyeing Jack with unbridled curiosity, no doubt hoping to wheedle some embarrassing Rebecca stories out of him.

“Please, Becca, how many times do you want me to apologize for my childhood shenanigans?” Jack volleyed back. Deborah snorted in amusement as she stayed out of the line of fire, settling at the far end of the table with Paul.

“Ted—Jack, Rebecca, and Sophie all attended the same progressive grammar school together. It was quite a novel experiment back then, even more so than it is now,” Deborah chimed in placidly, not looking up from the toast she was buttering. 

“What Rebecca means to say is that she and Jack have a very much love-hate relationship based on a multitude of sins committed during their childhood years when both of them—yes, I said both—were absolute menaces, running circles around both sets of parents.”

Ted grinned wide, glancing conspiratorially at Keeley, who was equally delighted and flummoxed. 

“Okay wait, hold up, lemme see the way y’all drifted here—Sophie and Jack and Rebecca were childhood best friends, and then Sophie up and married Rebecca’s childhood arch-nemesis, is that right?” Ted chuckled with glee, imagining a feistier, smaller version of his wife. She probably gave as good as she got, and he couldn’t wait to pull more childhood stories out of her and Jack.

“Rebecca Cassandra Welton Lasso, darlin’, you neglected to tell me Sophie married your version of lil Ronnie Fouch—you know he’s why I always check every chair I sit in, just to make sure I ain’t sittin’ on a nettle or a nail or something,” Ted expounded, feeling Rebecca roll her eyes from across the table.

“Wait, I mean, he don’t torture Rebecca now, does he?” Ted asked the room, directing his question to Deborah, who was in the middle of passing Paul a breakfast-laden plate.

“He does not, but you know, they always get like this every time they’re together, like a pack of wild puppies,” a long-suffering Deborah said, winking at Rebecca and Jack. The people in question looked at each other sheepishly as their mouths dropped at the same time.

“Shall we call a truce, then, old pal of mine,” Rebecca said, examining her fingernails carefully, before glancing at Jack next to her. She chuckled at his faux look of outrage.

“Excuse you, missy,” Jack retorted, and Sophie just sighed, directed her attention to Ted across from her, and asked if he wanted any coffee. 

Ted was having trouble focusing on the coffee—yes please—because he was fascinated by Rebecca and Jack’s playful yet barbed banter, and wanted more backstory on their long standing friendship.

“Who are you calling old? You’re four months older than I am, I’ll have everyone else know,” Jack spat, eyes darting to everyone around the table. 

The moment was broken when Rebecca burst out laughing, the big, real, genuine laughs that she only used when she was completely comfortable in her surroundings. 

Alright, Ted thought curiously. Jack and Sophie get a point for that. He did love hearing Rebecca’s real laugh—always made him feel all warm and fuzzy.

“You are absolutely ridiculous, Jack-o-Lantern,” Rebecca said, pointing a butter knife at Jack, who threw up his hands pleadingly, busting out his best puppy dog eyes in Rebecca’s direction. 

“Takes one to know one, Bec,” Jack said as he poured Rebecca a fresh cup of tea. She snorted in amusement, and placed her hand on top of his, resting on the gleaming table top. 

“I missed you, Rebecca,” Jack said quietly, and Sophie again glanced at the pair of them and quickly engaged Ted in conversation to let them have a moment. 

“I missed you too, Jack,” Rebecca said, squeezing his hand gently before she let go in order to pile her plate with some fresh fruit and toast and various breakfast meats.

“Don’t leave it so long, again, yeah?” Jack said seriously, head cocked, looking intently at Rebecca. “I’ll have you know there’s this marvelous invention called “the post,” and you can write words on paper, and send them into the world, and they will magically reach the recipient.”

Rebecca huffed in annoyance, taking a sip of her tea as she grumbled in her seat.

“You know why, Jack,” she said quietly, and he did, his gaze softening slightly. They had been friends for decades, and Jack and Sophie had front row seats to Rebecca’s first marriage, until Rupert had managed to successfully convince Rebecca to distance herself from even them.

Jack and Sophie were the first people to see Rupert for who he truly was. They both had various talks with their friend together, and separately, during the courtship and engagement period, trying to get an infatuated Rebecca to see that she had other options than just settling for the first man who said some nice things to her.

Rebecca had confided in Ted a few years prior that she had some dear friends in London but that she hadn’t spoken to them in years and she wasn’t sure if they’d ever wanted to hear from her again. Ted had provided a supportive, non-judgmental space and a listening ear, and had encouraged Rebecca to reach out if she felt like it was still weighing on her after all these years.

“How was the party, darling?” Jack said to Sophie, reaching out to hold her hand. 

Ted grinned at the sight—it looked like Jack and Sophie had different dominant hands, so they could hold hands while doing other things, much like he and Rebecca. 

He’d have to swap war stories with Sophie later and ask her if school ever tried to make her learn how to write with her right hand and not her left hand. His school did try once, but Elizabeth Lasso had raised such a fuss—and the schoolmaster was slightly scared of her—that the matter was immediately forgotten.

“Oh, the party was lovely, dear,” Sophie said, eyes glittering in amusement. “I danced, I played cards in the lounge—and won, so never you mind!—and then I picked up some strays on my way home,” she said, gesturing to the table. 

“Very glad you found our elusive Rebecca at the party, darling,” Jack said, before raising his coffee cup toward Paul and Deborah at the end of the table. “Delightful to see the Weltons’ again, as well.”

“Now, darling,” Jack said, his head turning toward Ted as his eyes narrowed, directing his next words to his wife. “What about the new husband? Do we like him? Anything is an improvement on old milquetoast Mannion, but do you think he is good enough for our girl?”

Rebecca squeezed Ted’s leg from under the table as she giggled, and Deborah piped up.

“Oh, love, Ted is perfect,” Deborah said approvingly. “Not a thing in common with Rupert, and he makes Rebecca very happy. He’s a good egg, we promise.”

Jack murmured to Sophie, squeezing their hands together, and Rebecca saw Sophie’s eyes light up with mischief. She groaned internally and braced herself for whatever was about to happen.

“So,” Jack said enthusiastically, jutting his chin in Rebecca’s direction with a wink. “Ted, would you like to see the Rebecca archives?”

Rebecca spluttered into her teacup as Ted, Keeley, and Jamie all reacted at the same time, a chorus of “What?” ringing throughout the room. Paul and Deborah continued serenely eating their breakfast as they shared sections of the morning newspaper.

She was about to be quite cross before she saw Jack wink at Sophie from across the table. Sophie rolled her eyes at her husband’s antics, looking apologetically at Rebecca, and Rebecca threw her napkin down onto the table. 

“Oh, you absolute scamp, Jack Gilbert!” Rebecca exclaimed, placing her palms flat on the table like she was hoping to vault over it. “I bet I can still throttle you, you know, just like I did when we were 12. Would you like to test my theory and find out?” she said, her voice dripping with honey in a dangerous (and hot) way.

Ted, Keeley, and Jamie were mesmerized, their eyes flicking back and forth from Jack and Rebecca like they were watching a particularly engaging tennis match.

“Oi!”

Jack and Rebecca’s attention focused on Sophie, who had pushed her chair back slightly, an amused grin on her face as she raised a finger in admonishment. 

“None of that, you menaces,” Sophie said sternly, eyes glittering with glee. “Jack, stop winding Rebecca—our guest—up. And Rebecca, as much as I do believe you would have the upper hand in any brawl—sorry, Jack, darling—perhaps you shouldn’t be doing that in your condition.”

“I agree,” Jamie piped up, only to receive a glare from his mother. He shrugged it off, winking at her. 

“Mama, no, absolutely not,” Jamie said firmly, his mouth set determinedly. 

His scarred eyebrow quirked up at Rebecca in an uncanny imitation of her, and her jaw snapped shut at the sight. Ted and Keeley were snickering in the background watching this battle royale play out.

Rebecca pouted slightly, and Deborah passed her another steaming cup of tea, placing two lumps of sugar in it. 

“Here, sausage, have another cuppa before we get on the road,” Deborah said, the tone in her voice brooking no room for argument. 

“Bec, you should also try these amazing pastries—our cook makes them fresh every morning, and hand to God they’re some of the best I’ve ever had,” Sophie said, sliding the plate toward her friend. 

“You better get in there before someone eats them all,” Sophie sighed as her eyes slid over to her husband, who looked suitably chastened. 

He huffed out a breath, glancing at Rebecca from his seat, and extended a hand across the table. Rebecca took it, squeezing his hand slightly, not needing any words to express what the pair of old friends felt at the moment.

“So, old pal of mine,” Jack started, and Rebecca playfully reached over to smack his shoulder, rolling her eyes at the absolute cheek.

“Tell me all about California,” he said. “Sophie reads these columns from a Londoner who lives out there, and it sounds very rustic but like quite an adventure. Those columns are quite good, actually.”

The table erupted in giggles (Rebecca, Jamie, Keeley, Deborah) while Jack and Sophie were nonplussed, looking at Rebecca to explain the sudden hilarity. 

Who’d have thought that Rebecca’s childhood friends would be avid readers of Keeley’s California columns?

Shortly after returning to London from the country, it was time for the Lasso-Kent clan to board their ship back to California. The Weltons’ cook had armed Jamie with some tonics and various ginger baked goods and candies to help prevent the nausea that had so plagued him on the journey to England.

Cassie and Phoebe were inconsolable about leaving, and it took the combined efforts of Deborah, Paul, Amanda Jones, and cajoling from their favorite person, Jamie, to calm the children down enough to leave. Amanda had since moved in with the Welton’s—set up in a lovely suite on the second floor—and was thrilled to spend even more of the limited time with her daughter and granddaughter and their new family.

“Little Sausage, you know that Grandpa and I, and Granny Amanda (she insisted all the children call her that, even Jamie) will be coming to visit for Thanksgiving and we’ll stay until the New Year, darling so we will all be together sooner than you think!”

Cassie was eventually placated, but only allowed Jamie or Paul to pick her up for a cuddle, feeling a deep sense of betrayal by everyone else in the family. Phoebe was only marginally better about it. Jamie even ended up carrying Cassie piggyback-style onto the ship when it was time to depart.

The journey back felt endless to all involved, but they were back in California two weeks later, met by Beard and Roy and baby Theo who had all trooped into town to collect their family. 

Keeley practically flew at her baby son, jumping off the gangway as soon as she was able, and startling the baby from a light doze. He started to fuss and then his eyes widened as he realized who exactly was holding him. Theo threw his chubby little hands around his mother’s neck, squealing with glee, as Roy wrapped Phoebe up in the biggest hug.

“Uncle Beard!” Cassie shrieked, nearly shattering Jamie’s eardrum in the process as she demanded to be let down immediately. 

Jamie held onto the struggling toddler until they stepped onto dry land, and then unleashed the child onto her beloved uncle. Beard scooped Cassie up easily enough, and the pair promptly turned and headed to the wagon, whispering excitedly to each other on the way. 

Ted looped his arm around Rebecca’s waist, steadying her as she stepped onto the ground—finally. They both took a deep breath, grinning wildly at each other. It was good to be home.

By late fall, Rebecca was so ready to welcome her new child into the world, and she hoped it would come sooner rather than later, although she still had at least another month to go. 

Phoebe was at school with the Higgins lads, and Julie had stolen Cassie for the day under the guise of needing the toddler’s help for a project. Rebecca knew she was being lied to, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Keeley had gone into town with the wagon, with Theo strapped to her chest, something about posting her column herself and visiting with Nora and Sass. Rebecca had waved her away, just wanting a nice and quiet house for a few hours.

She settled into the sitting room, with an unending amount of tea—Beard had left a piping pot of tea within range—and an almost overwhelming mending and sewing pile she had promised herself she would finish today. Rebecca squeezed her eyes shut as she rolled out the kinks in her neck and pressed her fingertips firmly into her lower back, trying to alleviate the ever present aches and pains that came from being very far into her pregnancy.

Arching her back into the couch and repositioning some pillows for greater comfort, Rebecca was startled out of her musings when she heard a knock at the door. Earl Greyhound was dozing at her feet, and clearly wasn’t going to move from his bed, so Rebecca wearily got up from the couch and moved toward the front door. 

She opened the door to find Keeley with a cooing, front facing Theo, and she glanced at her friend quizzically. 

“I—sweetheart, you do know this is your house, too, right? Why on earth are you knocking?”

Keeley’s eyes darted to the side before flickering back to Rebecca as she put out her hands placatingly. 

“Now darling, don’t be mad,” Keeley said seriously, and Rebecca chuckled, not comprehending a world in which she could be mad at her best friend.

“But I picked up some things while I was in town, and well—”

Deborah Welton appeared to Keeley’s left, tugging Paul into view, and Rebecca’s jaw dropped.

“Mum?” Rebecca said, confused, slightly dazed. “But…I thought you and Papa weren’t arriving until next week?”

“Surprise, Sausage,” Deborah said with a wink, and Keeley slid out of the way so that Deborah could wrap Rebecca up in a long overdue hug. Rebecca’s arms weakly wrapped around her mother, and she extended a hand to Paul who was standing behind Deborah with a smirk. 

Paul gripped her hand tightly, emotion welling in his eyes, and Earl Greyhound picked that moment to come sauntering around the corner, springing to attention as soon as he saw new people near his people! His puppy nerves were calmed as soon as he clapped eyes on Keeley, running over for some scritches.

While ensconced in her mother’s arms, Rebecca noticed the other people gathered on the porch—Amanda, Bridget, and a woman she would have known anywhere. Her son was the spitting image, and her heart clenched in her chest, mentally calculating when Ted would be back from his work in the far barn.

She glared at Keeley playfully, as her mother drew back from the hug, waiting for Rebecca’s nod before Deborah gently placed her hands on Rebecca’s belly. Deborah was immediately met with a solid kick that made Rebecca startle slightly as she smoothed her hand down her side.

“Keeley, is this why you’ve been in such a flurry this week, preparing the guest room, and emptying out the storage rooms?”

Keeley looked a bit shamefaced, and went to reassure her beloved friend that she really did want to surprise her, insisting that only Beard knew. Rebecca supposed that made sense—Beard was a vault, and if he had been preparing extra food for Friday family dinner, he hadn’t said a word to anyone about it.

Rebecca ushered everyone in, and Beard took that moment to materialize from the barn, freshly scrubbed and ready for hosting duty. Rebecca’s eyes narrowed on her friend, and Beard shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

They settled the Weltons in one guest room, Amanda and Elizabeth Lasso in another, and Bridget would undoubtedly have a sleepover with the little girls who would be thrilled to see her again.

Family dinner that night was raucous and haphazard, with the little girls running around the room in excitement—they were hopped up on the secret sugar provided to them by their grandmothers. Ted could have been knocked over with a feather when he walked into the house to find his wife seated at the kitchen table next to his mother who was showing her how to finish a particular stitch with minimum hassle. He could barely form words, and mother and son exchanged a tight and emotional embrace, both overjoyed at their reunion.

Thanksgiving 1851 had so many things to be thankful for. The Higgins had brought a folding table along, and with some creative maneuvering, they were able to seat everyone in the 23-person party in the kitchen/dining room area. Rebecca felt her heart overflow with joy at the sight of Ted reuniting with his beloved mother, and Elizabeth being introduced to Cassie for the first time. 

She sat back in her armchair, content to laze amongst the pillows, holding a sleeping baby Theo so Keeley could get a chance to eat. This was her messy, lovable, wonderful family, and she was grateful every day.

Feeling sluggish and achy since she had woken up that morning, Rebecca decided to set up shop in the sitting room, surrounded by all of the moms and her tea and biscuits. Christmas was less than a week away and Rebecca was feverishly trying to finish the last of Cassie’s presents before she lost the motivation to do so. 

Ted and Jamie had made Cassie a miniature bunk bed set for her dolls, and they were going to give it to her for her birthday earlier that year. Rebecca had decided to hold off, as the toddler was already getting ridiculously spoiled with the last minute addition of the dollhouse from the Weltons.

The morning passed swiftly, the day bleeding into the late afternoon. Elizabeth Lasso was knitting on the loveseat next to Amanda Jones who was reading the latest of her daughter’s columns while rocking a snoozy baby Theo’s cradle with her foot. Amanda had been determined to read all of them, so Keeley had dutifully set out all the various back issues before she left for the morning with the little girls who had wanted to pay a visit to “Aunt Juju.” 

Rebecca heard the pattering of little feet in the hallway, and shifted in her seat, hoping to alleviate the throbbing in her hips. She slowly stood up, preparing to go into the kitchen, have a snack with the children, and hear all about their day, when it happened. Resigned, she looked down slowly—fuck. 

Closing her eyes and humming slightly, Rebecca swung out her hand to grip the side of the couch and to her surprise, connected with Deborah, who had moved closer, offering an arm to lean on. Amanda picked up the baby, who snuffled slightly before settling on his grandmother’s shoulder, and quietly slipped out of the living room in search of Jamie.

“Now then, Sausage,” Deborah said calmly. “How long have you been having contractions?”

Rebecca’s eyes snapped open to gaze at her mother, and Deborah smirked, tossing Rebecca a cheeky wink.

“Please, darling, I was not born yesterday,” she drawled, pausing as Rebecca’s grip on her arm tightened as she breathed out a long and slow breath. “Elizabeth and I have been eyeing you all afternoon, I’ll have you know.”

Rebecca shook her head ruefully—she had no idea how she thought she could sneak anything past her mother. She admitted it had been most of the day, and the moms snapped into action. Deborah and Elizabeth each took hold of Rebecca’s arms and walked her carefully out of the sitting room and toward the bedroom.

They were slowly making their way through the house when a jittery Jamie came flying in the front door. Elizabeth moved around to support her back for a moment, and Rebecca smiled at her wild-eyed eldest.

“Hello, darling,” she said calmly, snaking one arm around him in a half-hug. “Nothing to worry about, alright? I just need you to go collect Sharon, if you would, and go find your father. I think he’s in the far barn with Roy.”

Jamie went to move away slowly but stopped as soon as Rebecca gripped the back of Jamie’s shirt. She huffed out a breath and closed her eyes for a moment. Humming softly, she released her death grip on Jamie’s shirt, smoothing the fabric over his back. 

“I’ll be just fine, love, don’t you worry, okay?” Rebecca said reassuringly as Jamie still looked a little spooked. Can you do what I asked, sweetheart? Find your father and pick up Sharon, yes?”

Jamie quietly left the house, and Rebecca chuckled as she heard the front door slam and saw her eldest flat-out running toward the barn. Oh sweet Jamie. Rebecca put a hand on her stomach as she felt the baby move.

“Yes, alright there, we’re on our way, baby bean,” Rebecca muttered, not believing the cheek of her newest child. Rebecca felt what seemed to be a small foot jab the palm of her hand and chuckled.

Amanda had retreated with baby Theo into the kitchen and must have told Keeley and the girls the news. They all trooped into the foyer, plus Paul and Beard who had been sitting quietly with their coffee in the kitchen.

“Hi mama,” Cassie said, unusually subdued, and Rebecca simply wouldn’t have that, not if she could help it.

“How’s my darling girl? Did you and Phoebe have fun with Aunt Keeley, sweetheart?” Rebecca injected a false cheeriness into her voice so as to not alarm the little one, and Keeley’s eyes narrowed. Rebecca shook her head slightly, and Keeley seemed to drop the subject—for now.

“Is the baby comin’ now, mama?” Cassie almost whispered, tip-toeing toward Rebecca. 

The woman reached out an arm and gathered Cassie into her, steadied by the joint efforts of Elizabeth, Deborah, and now Paul who was supporting her back. Rebecca smoothed back the golden flyaway curls from Cassie’s forehead as the child glanced up at her curiously. 

“Sure is, sweetheart,” Rebecca replied with a grin. “You’ll have a new baby sibling very soon, my love.” She sucked in a quick breath, smoothing out her facial features as she glanced at Keeley.

Keeley lifted Cassie up on her hip for one last kiss from Rebecca and had the little girls say their goodbyes before they set off with the rest of the family to sit vigil at the Higgins’.

“Bye, baby,” Cassie patted Rebecca’s stomach, smacking a big kiss on the baby bump. “I can’t wait to play with you later.”

A little worry line split the toddler’s forehead and Rebecca stifled a laugh. 

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Mummy, I won’t have to share my dollies with the baby, will I? The ones that Grandmère and G’pa got me in London? They’re mine,” Cassie pouted briefly, and Rebecca did let loose a quiet chuckle as she ran her fingers through Cassie’s hair.

“No, my love,” Rebecca said with amusement, locking eyes with a smirking Deborah. “It would be nice if you shared with your new sibling, though, but you don’t have to decide right now, sweetheart.”

Amanda and Keeley coaxed the little girl away, setting off for the Higgins, and was greeted at the front door by Sharon, with Jamie on her heels. Jamie soon joined Beard in the kitchen, puttering around and making himself useful. Ted practically flew in the door shortly thereafter, and Rebecca bit back a chuckle at her husband’s frantic look that eased as soon as he clapped eyes on her.

“Ready to go again, darling?”

Deborah, Paul, and Elizabeth were trying to relax in the tea cup-littered sitting room when they heard the squall of a newborn. Paul sighed in relief, squeezing Deborah’s hand before raising it up to his lips to brush a kiss across the back of her hand. 

The mothers had agreed amongst themselves that they didn’t want to go to the Higgins’ to be with the rest of the family. Beard had stayed behind as well, holding down the fort, and the expressive yet taciturn man had walloped Paul in so many games of chess that Deborah had to enact a temporary moratorium. She hadn’t allowed Jamie to play either.

The sitting room door creaked open, and a flushed Ted stood with a bundle in his arms, looking a mix of overjoyed and overwhelmed.

He crept toward them carefully, a wild-eyed look on his face, that softened as he gazed down at his child.

“Baby girl, I’d like you to meet your grandparents,” Ted whispered, pulling the blanket back so they could see her face. 

Deborah started crying immediately, and Elizabeth soon joined her—Paul wasn’t doing too well himself, but kept it together a little better (barely). 

“Oh Ted,” Elizabeth gasped, mindful of the snoozing baby in front of her. “She’s perfect.”

Ted grinned tiredly, swaying slightly on his feet, rocking the baby soothingly. 

“We’re still deciding on a name, hence “baby girl” for now,” Ted said quietly as a jerky baby fist lurched at him suddenly. Small blue eyes popped open and the baby yawned, smacking her lips slightly. 

“Who wants to hold her first?”

Ted carefully passed the baby to Paul, who had sat down in a nearby armchair. The older man gasped when he looked at the baby’s face, his eyes shining. 

“My lord,” Paul said emotionally. “She looks just like Rebecca did as a wee thing—maybe even more the spit of our girl than Cassie is. Deborah, come and look.”

After much debate, Elizabeth Lasso’s middle name was incorporated into Baby Girl Lasso’s name. In keeping with the Greek mythology themed names, the baby girl was christened Helen Deborah Lasso at a small family gathering and both grandmothers were overcome with emotion when the name was finally revealed. Copies of a daguerreotype of the entire family retained pride of place over the Lasso mantel, the Welton mantel, and was added to the collection of various memorabilia behind Mae’s bar.

Predictably, Cassie was obsessed with the newest family member, and Rebecca enlisted Phoebe’s help to make sure that Cassie wasn’t overzealous with her love of the new baby—at least until Helen was a little older and able to do things like hold her head up.

As much as Rebecca tried to slow time, time seemed to have the opposite idea, speeding up incrementally, and before she knew it, it was springtime. Cassie was skipping around the yard in excitement for her impending birthday—Rebecca couldn’t believe her first baby was going to be three. 

The whole extended family would be descending upon the ranch, and Rebecca was most interested to see Jamie’s reaction to Bridget’s arrival. The nascent couple hadn’t announced anything yet, but mothers always knew. Patricia’s fucking prediction aside, Rebecca had spotted the potential from the beginning and was prepared to wait them out. Her mother had said that Bridget had expressed interest in perhaps starting her life over in California, so she knew it was only a matter of time.

Rebecca slowed the porch rocking chair, shushing baby Helen and repositioning her so the baby was lulled back to sleep, if only for a little while longer. She heard footsteps on the wide porch planks and tilted her head toward the source of the noise. Her face lit up, always pleased to see her favorite person. 

“Hi, darling.”