Uh Oh

Lonnie awoke the next morning in John's arms. She sat up, careful not to wake him, and held the blanket against her bare chest. John stirred beside Lonnie. She caressed his cheek and he opened his eyes.

"Hi," he said, leaning towards her.

"Hello," she said. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Aye, Fair Lady, I did."

Lonnie smiled.

John wrapped his arms around Lonnie and pulled her to him.

Suddenly, wailing could be heard from across the top floor of Ashmonie's castle.

John and Lonnie picked themselves out of bed and quickly got dressed. When they entered Robin's nursery, they both almost melted.

Sydney had been crying but had stopped once Robin hugged him.

"They're adorable," Lonnie whispered, her heart wrenching at the sight.

Why would anyone want to give up children? Lonnie thought bitterly.

John, seeing how his love looked at the children, quickly encompassed her in his embrace. He knew she couldn't bear children. He knew that the fact hadn't really affected Lonnie until now. Because now she realized that she wanted children. Children of her own.

"They are ours," John whispered.

Lonnie nodded.

Around midday, Lonnie finished her packing and began to set a carriage for her departure. John, who knew nothing of where she was going, continued to persist.

"Please, please, please!" he pleaded. "Let me come, Lonnie! Please!"

Lonnie sighed and patted his cheek.

"No," she said with a smile.

John sighed in exasperation. "I didn't want to have to do this… but I will."

John got down on his knees and cupped Lonnie's hands in his.

"Please, Lonnie!" he begged.

"As cute as you are when you beg," Lonnie said, "no."

John stuck out his lower lip. "Please?"

Lonnie pulled him up to stand next to her. "I'm getting your birthday present."

"Why? I don't need anything! And I have everything I want right here!"

Lonnie blushed. "It doesn't matter. I want to get you something. And I can't if you keep clinging to

me."

John folded his arms across his chest. "How dare you. I am not clingy."

Lonnie gave him a look.

"Fine," John said. "But you better be back by Sixth Day."

"That's in three days!" Lonnie burst.

"Well, then, better get a move on," he said, shrugging.

Lonnie shook her head, sighing.

"John, I…" she looked away, blushing.

"What?"

"I… I…" she struggled for words. Or, just how to say the right ones. Finally, she gave up and settled on something different. "I believe in you. It's only three days."

"Three days my arse. You better be back here before that. Do you know how awkward it is going to be to ask someone to milk Syd?"

Lonnie laughed and cupped his face. "You can do it."

"Well, I'm glad you believe that," John said, sliding his arms around her waist.

"You believe it, too," Lonnie said, leaning closer.

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"Well, I can't 'says' no to you, so… I guess I believe it too!"

She smiled, pressing her lips against his.

A short while later, John called goodbye to Lonnie with both babies in his arms. Lonnie waved from her carriage window until she rounded a corner in the road and was out of sight.

"Well," John said to the children, "who wants chocolate?"

The babies cooed, perplexed by the strange words.

Meanwhile, Lonnie was trying hard not to burst into tears. Her maternal instincts had awoken with the children and it was taking everything not to run out and back to them.

To take her mind off everything, her two ladies (Penellope and Hestia) started talking. Local gossip and such.

Lonnie droned them out, thinking about Sydney and Robin. And John.

"Woah!" Hestia and Penelope yelled.

The carriage shook. Lonnie looked out the window and saw an extremely elegant carriage was stopping them. Lonnie got out, her ladies following behind her.

"What's the problem?" Lonnie asked the coachmen.

"Well, ladies," a voice said from behind, "I apologize. My carriage has broken a wheel."

Lonnie turned around to see Malcolm. Malcolm was the second wealthiest man in Ashmonie. Lonnie hated him.

"In the middle of the road?" Lonnie burst. "Right now? Before we cross it? That's convenient."

"Appears it is," Malcolm said, striding up to her.

Shorter than the Duke, he had black hair and dark eyes, a stockier build, and a pompous attitude.

He happened to be the same age as Lonnie, too.

"Can I help you, milord?" Lonnie spat.

"Well, I'd like to propose, Lady," he said snake-like.

"Propose what?" Lonnie said apprehensively

"Propose to you, of course."

Lonnie's expression darkened and she took a step forward.

"I decline," she said.

"Oh, but you can't," Malcolm smiled. "You see, I've already talked to your mother-"

"What?" Lonnie's blood turned to ice.

"Yes, and she said she'd be delighted for her daughter to marry me."

"I don't care what she said… I said no."

"Well, it seems you don't have a choice."

"I can't bear children, don't you need an heir?" Lonnie said, her voice rising, the feeling of panic swirling inside of her.

"I've talked it over with my father and he said I could take a mistress if I wanted."

Lonnie, horrified, took several steps back. "No. I will not marry you."

Malcolm smiled greasily.

"Well, if you won't come by choice…"