#midfordextended

[snarky-sims-witch]

As the due date approaches, Lady April spends more and more time resting in bed. She talks to her unborn child while Lord Edmund is at work to pass the time and stave off boredom.

APRIL: I can’t believe you’re almost here. Your father and I have waited so long for you. I... I know I’ve made some mistakes when it comes to our family... You might find out about those things one day when you’re older and be disappointed in me...

She blinks away the moisture in her eyes and clears her throat, rubbing her baby bump.

APRIL: It’s alright. I understand. I’m disappointed in me, too... But I want you to know how much your father and I love you in spite of anything that might have happened between us. And... I want you to know how much I love your father, too. He’s a good man and I know I don’t deserve him, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be someone he deserves. Someone you deserve.

She takes a deep breath and wipes her streaming eyes with her palms.

APRIL: I promise I’ll never do anything to jeopardize our family again. You both mean far too much to me and I’ve worked too hard to heal and mend what I’ve broken to risk it all again. I’ll do better for you. I’ll be better for you.

[snarky-sims-witch]

Lord Edmund Midford and Lady April Midford are overjoyed to announce that they are expecting a child.

The announcement comes following a particularly difficult period for Lord and Lady Midford. They ask that the public respect their privacy during this delicate time.

[snarky-sims-witch]

EDMUND: Do we have everything we need for the baby?

APRIL: [rummaging through the nursery] Diapers, baby powder, backup formula, wipes, onesies, bottles, pacifiers, toys, board books, my birthing bag is all packed... just about everything I can think of is here. What about the bouncer and play mat?

EDMUND: I just set them both up downstairs. Watcher... I can’t believe it’s almost time, already...

CORNELIUS: [rubs himself against their legs] Mreow!

APRIL: [giggles] Neither can Cornelius.

EDMUND: Are you looking forward to having a new sibling to play with, Cornelius?

CORNELIUS: [purrs]

[snarky-sims-witch]

EDMUND: [on the phone] Grace? It’s... Edmund.

GRACE: Edmund? You sound sad. Has something happened? Oh no... Lady April didn’t...?

EDMUND: No, no. April and the baby are just fine, thank the Watcher. It’s Bartholomew. He... [chokes up] He passed away this morning, Grace.

GRACE: Oh no! Poor old Bart...

EDMUND: I didn’t want April to worry herself so I buried him in the yard while she napped. Thankfully she’s taking it well, but...

GRACE: But you miss him.

EDMUND: He was part of Mother’s prized feline bloodline. One of the first. We grew up with him and Frida, Grace. I just feel guilty. What if I was so worried about April that I neglected him and that’s why--

GRACE: Oh Edmund, don’t start thinking like that. Bartholomew was quite old. I’m surprised he didn’t pass sooner. Even his son is living his last years. Rudolph hasn’t been getting around as easily as he used to. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

EDMUND: I suppose... Thank you, Grace. I really should call and visit more often.

GRACE: I understand why you don’t visit more, given... well... but do write or call, won’t you? I miss my brother.

EDMUND: And I miss my sister. I’ll try to stay in touch.

[snarky-sims-witch]

EDMUND: April, what are you doing on your feet? You should be resting.

APRIL: I have been. I just took a bubble bath and had a nap. Now I’m making soup for dinner. I am eating for two now, you know.

EDMUND: Honey, I’m a chef. I cook for a living. If you’re hungry, just tell me. I’ll make something for you.

April rolls her eyes but the amused smile tugging at her lips betrays her mock annoyance.

APRIL: Exactly. You cook for a living. All you do all day is cook food you can’t even eat. I’m sure the last thing you want to do when you get home is cook for me, too. I feel perfectly fine. Just hungry. [playfully swats him with her spoon] So let me make something to eat!

EDMUND: [chuckles and throws his hands up] Alright, alright. Perhaps I’m being a tad overprotective. Just... please sit down and ask me for help if you need it.

APRIL: I will. Now out of the kitchen!

[snarky-sims-witch]

tw: miscarriage, infertility

EDMUND: April... why would you bring me in here? You know I can’t look at this room--

He stops in his tracks and gazes around, agape. The empty nursery’s been refurnished, like its ready for a baby. He turns to his wife, mouth still open. April laughs and motions around the room.

APRIL: Surprise!

EDMUND: Wait... Does this mean...?

APRIL: [nods with a tearful smile] I’m pregnant.

His dumbfounded expression melts into an exuberant smile. He laughs and pulls her into his arms, spinning her into a spontaneous dip kiss.

EDMUND: Watcher, I want to run down the street screaming “I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER!!!” but I’m terrified of jinxing ourselves.

APRIL: I know what you mean. I thought the same thing when I was ordering the nursery set, but... I wanted to surprise you so badly.

EDMUND: It was the best surprise I’ve ever received. [places a hand lovingly against her cheek] I don’t want you lifting a finger until this baby’s born, alright? Just rest and relax. Leave anything strenuous for me to do. Promise me, April.

APRIL: [kisses him] I want things to be different this time, too, Edmund. I promise.

[snarky-sims-witch]

tw: miscarriage, infertility

APRIL: Edmund?

EDMUND: Hm?

APRIL: Would you... still want to start a family? Even after everything that’s happened?

He looks at her and brushes some hair from her face with a gentle smile.

EDMUND: I would. I want a fresh start with you. It’s just... It might be hard, love. We might lose another one. We might try and try and never conceive. We were trying before with no luck, remember? I just want to make sure you’re ready for that.

APRIL: I know. I am. Actually... I’ve been looking at fertility clinics. I think we need some help to have a baby, given our history.

Edmund pulls away from her to rub his chin in thought, giving it careful consideration. Finally, he nods.

EDMUND: I imagine it’ll be expensive, but work’s been going well lately. I think it’s a good idea. Give the clinic a call and book a consultation.

[snarky-sims-witch]

tw: infertility

Edmund picks up some extra shifts at work to cover the cost of the fertility treatments. Months pass with no results, leaving them disheartened and considering stopping the treatments. Adoption is brought up a few times over quiet dinners at home.

Just when they decide to make a call to the clinic to cancel their next appointment, April begins feeling sick to her stomach almost every day.

Could it be...?