#*lisette schroeder

[lovecidik]

once katya became bedridden due to her illness, lydia was immediately called to her side. the worried mother wasted no time in rushing to her daughter, not bothering to change out of her travel frock before she tended to her.

after a thorough examination, lydia turned away and stared at her trembling hands, quiet sobs coming out of her mouth. lisette couldn't contain her worry any longer. "please, tell us the diagnosis, mrs. miotke", she asked with a quivering voice, holding back tears herself. lydia sighed deeply before speaking, as if her saying it out loud would make it true. "...it must be the epidemic going around", she finally said, her voice heavy with dread. "the symptoms are awfully similar." nathanael, also in the bedchamber, finally spoke up. "the spanish influenza...? are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"regrettably, i am quite certain, nathanael", lydia responded, her tone tinged with irritation as she fixed her gaze on her son-in-law. "based on most other cases, she will not have long." her words carried a piercing glare as she spoke. although nathanael couldn't know for sure, he couldn't help but guess what the concerned mother was asking him to do. he shuddered at the thought - seeing her, face to face - but knew it had to be done.

[lovecidik]

christmas arrived with joy and merriment at the crowley estate, but it brought a sense of unease for nathanael. despite his inner turmoil, the family embraced the festive spirit, reveling in the celebrations and commemorating the end of the war. however, amidst the cheerful atmosphere, katya found herself battling a cold, dampening her spirits.

[lovecidik]

little alice ophelia crowley was born in 1915 in the midst of the war, her birth being assisted by her aunt and grandmother. luckily, the birth went over smoothly and the child was a happy and healthy little girl.

[lovecidik]

with the days flowing by, it wasn't long before katya went into labour! nathanael was disturbed by the perils of childbirth and opted to stay out of the birthing room, leaving katya with only the support of lisette. fortunately her prior experience with midwifery ensured a safe delivery for her mistress.

after a long and arduous night of labour, katya brought two precious lives into the world. the little boy, born first, was named joseph jonathan crowley, after katya's beloved friend and the boy's grandfather. the little girl, on the other hand, was named lucretia lydia crowley, after her grandmother.

[lovecidik]

nathanael left off for war in germany in the early autumn of 1914, leaving his pregnant wife and three children home waiting for his return.

[lovecidik]

one cloudy morning, katya went into labour, this time a short one - after two hours of pushing with the help of lisette, she gave birth to a little girl! the child was named marian eleanor crowley, after her paternal grandmother.

[lovecidik]

life at the crowley estate was increasingly dull and lonely for katya as she spent most of her days alone. although she could visit town, she had no friends or connections there. as she fell pregnant, it was decided that hiring a lady's maid would be the best solution. katya was thrilled by this - having a new friend would be lovely.

the new maid hired to keep katya company was a miss lisette schroeder, whose cheerful disposition was a much needed ray of sunshine in the otherwise cold estate. from the moment they met, katya and lisette got along swimmingly, quickly forming a deep bond. her new companion was a breath of fresh air for katya, who had been sullen by shortcomings in her life time and time again.

[lovecidik]

more of these cuties <3