Chapter 25 : A Return to Roots

The coach rumbled through narrow country roads as Emily peered into the countryside dotted with golden wheat fields and weathered cottages. The fresh air, scented by wildflowers, smelled of simpler times; times before Adrian. Times she could almost forget.

The village of Foxhill sat at the bottom of gentle green hills, a scattering of stone houses and narrow lanes. In the heart lay a small, white-stone church with a bell tower, a place Emily had once visited weekly, where her mother still prayed. You could hear the bell at dawn, a steady call that stirred comfort in the villagers.

Behind her, Lady Callista sat upright in her fine travel cloak, eyes on the coach's driver, ensuring no one trailed them.

Emily closed her eyes for a moment. It had been months since she left home—months of running, of building a new life, of learning she carried the rarest gift under her heart. She wondered how her parents would react, how her little sister Maren would react to her strange glow, her quiet smiles, her early exhaustion.

....

Arrival

The coach slowed near a field of sunflowers. Maren, now thirteen and as curious as a sparrow, stood alongside their mother at the gate, staring in wide-eyed wonder.

Mother's heart pounded in Emily's chest. She had left to study under scholarship at the university six months earlier, leaving behind a bright-eyed girl and a modest home. Now she returned with a secret bigger than any gift she could bring.

The coach stopped. Emily took a breath, smoothing her skirts, stepping down. Maren dashed forward and flung her arms around her.

"Emmy!" she cried. "You look… different. But so beautiful."

Emily hugged her, chest tight. "Maren—how big you've grown."

Mother joined them, her eyes bright with tears and joy. She hugged Emily fiercely, burying her face in Emily's shoulder.

"Oh, my dear! You're so pale but… so graceful. How are you?"

Emily swallowed. "I've missed you. I've missed home."

.....

The First Night

Their cottage was small but cozy—stone walls warmed from years of use, a hearth with a steady fire. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling and handmade quilts covered the beds.

That evening, Mother put on a hearty supper: roast vegetables from their garden, fresh-baked bread, berry jamcakes.

As they ate, Emily felt Maren watch her, seeking explanations for everything: her tired eyes, her odd silences, her skipping dessert.

Finally, Maren whispered, "You look like you're going to cry."

Emily smiled. "Just happy to be home."

Later, as Mother washed dishes, Emily helped, feeling her body ache with exhaustion—not just from growth but from secrets.

She looked at her mother in the candlelight. "There's something I need to tell you. Something important."

Mother flinched slightly. "What is it, dear?"

Emily's voice trembled. "I—I'm pregnant."

Silence fell.

Maren gasped. "You're what?"

.....

Shock, Fear, Love

Mother's spoon clattered into the basin. She stared at Emily, mouth open as if the world had warped.

"Pregnant? But… you're still studying! Did you—how—?"

Maren gaped, the spoon falling from her hand onto the floor with a thud.

"Honey," Mother whispered, voice shaking. "Emily… what do you mean?"

Emily pressed a hand to her flat belly. She swallowed hard. "Twins. A boy and a girl."

Mother slid to her knees, cupping Emily's face. "Twins?" She blinked back tears. "Is… is that healthy? Are you well?"

Tears welled. "Yes. It's… it's early but everything seems fine. I wanted to tell you, and not hide it. I'll still finish my studies. I need your support."

Maren burst into tears. "I can't be an only sister anymore!"

Emily laughed through tears. "You'll be the best big sister in the world."

Mother stood slowly, her voice soft but serious. "Emily… what about the father? Does he know?"

Emily hesitated—her breath caught in her chest.

"I… I told him," she said carefully. "But he's gone now. He left the city, back to his own country. We weren't… we weren't together for long. It wasn't something I planned. It happened before I even understood what it meant to care for someone like that."

A lie, but not a cruel one. A soft one. One that wrapped around the truth like gauze around a wound.

Mother's face shifted from concern to sorrow. She reached out and held Emily's hands tightly. "So… you're doing this on your own?"

Emily nodded slowly. "Yes. But I'm not afraid. Not anymore."

Mother wrapped her arms around her again. "You're not alone, Emily. Not now, not ever."

Maren wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Does he have blue eyes or brown?"

Emily smiled faintly. "Brown. Like a quiet storm."

"Then maybe the boy will get them," Maren whispered, with a sniffle.

Emily laughed softly. "Maybe."

And for a moment, it felt like that soft lie—carried on tired breath and love—was enough to keep them whole.

...….

Morning Light

The next morning, Emily woke to the scent of pancakes and honey. Mother called her to breakfast.

They sat by the window where sunlight warmed the wooden table.

Emily carved cold potatoes into her pancakes, stirring them thoughtfully.

Mother placed a gentle hand atop hers. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself."

Emily nodded. "I will."

Maren leaned in. "Is it okay to call them… Jack and Jane?"

Emily giggled, surprised. "Yes—yes, if you want."

.....

A Walk Through Memory Lane

After breakfast, Mother and Emily walked to the sunflower field. Maren trailed behind, skipping with excitement, pointing at bees and butterflies.

Emily smelled the fresh earth and felt roots reconnecting. Her heart ached with nostalgia—her first days of childhood, chasing chickens, helping harvest, hearing the church bell at dawn.

"And to think," Mother said, wiping a tear, "you'll have two babies raised here, maybe. With stories of their university mother."

Emily smiled warmly. "Yes, maybe one day."

Maren twirled. "They'll have a big sister and a hometown!"

...….

Sharing the Burden

Back at the cottage, Emily filled a glass with water and nearly dropped it from sudden dizziness. Maren gasped.

Mother rushed over. "Emily?"

She shook it off. "Just… everything moving too fast."

Mother pressed a sympathetic hand to her belly. "My girl… when I was expecting you, I got this—like the world was spinning."

Emily nodded. "Yes, exactly."

Mother led her to the bench. "You should rest. You don't have to do everything right now."

Emily sank gratefully.

Maren curled next to her, small and warm.

"It's okay to rest," Mother whispered gently to Emily's back.

.....

Afternoon Confessions

In the afternoon sun, Emily helped Mother in the garden before sitting together on a stone bench.

"I don't know how I'm going to manage," Emily confided. "Scholarship, classes, exams…I can't fail."

Mother touched hers. "You won't. You've always been disciplined. You'll adjust."

"Emily closed her eyes. 'But there's still so much to think about.'"

Her mother's hands were warm on her shoulders as she knelt beside her.

"We didn't ask for these things, darling. But two new lives… that's not something you face alone," she said softly. "And you won't."

Emily exhaled shakily. "I need to go back soon."

Mother's lips pressed into a thin line, then she gave a gentle nod. "You'll return to your studies—and then to Callista's home, yes?"

Emily nodded again. She tried to steady her voice, but it trembled. "I wanted to stay longer… I did. But I have to finish the courses. If I lose the scholarship…"

"You won't," Mother said firmly. "You're strong. I've always known that. Finish what you started. And then, when the time is right… we'll be here, waiting to meet your children."

Just then, Maren leapt up from the chair she'd been curled into. "I'll teach them tree climbing!"

Emily turned toward her with a choked laugh. "You barely got down last time without getting stuck."

"Exactly!" Maren puffed out her chest. "That's what makes me an expert now."

Mother chuckled and kissed the top of Maren's head. "Let's just hope they don't both take after you."

Emily's hand instinctively moved to her belly, and this time, she smiled. Not because everything was certain—but because, for once, it didn't have to be.

...…

Evening Reflection

That night, Emily lay in her childhood bed. Moonlight spilled through lace curtains. Maren lay in the bunk below, fast asleep.

Emily hugged her pillow, thoughts racing.

She pictured Callista, waiting back in the manor, preparing to help her through pregnancy.

She pictured Adrian, mining through old letters in his library, missing name she once had.

She pictured her parents—shocked, loving, supportive but unaware of the depths of her secret.

She pictured Jack and Jane inside her—two separate souls yet joined with her heart.

Her chest ached with fear and love.

She prayed for strength.

.....

Morning Farewell

At dawn, she rose early to bake scones with her mother while Maren dressed in her school uniform.

The kitchen smelled of fresh bread and tea.

Later, Mother and Maren escorted Emily to the coach stop.

Maren tugged at her skirt. "Tell them I love them already."

Emily knelt to kiss her sister's forehead. "I will."

Mother wiped her eyes. "Go ready. Finish your studies. Come back when you can."

Emily hugged them both, fighting tears.

"Thank you—for believing in me."

Callista arrived in her carriage, waiting.

Emily waved.

"I'll be back," Emily promised over her shoulder.

Mother passed her a small loaf of bread. "For when you're hungry."

Emily hugged the gift and looked up at the hills.

"Love you," she whispered.

As the carriage rattled off, Emily stared at the rolling fields behind her.

Her heart felt strangely light… yet weighed with purpose.

...…

Return Journey

On the coach, Emily closed her eyes and breathed slowly.

Callista watched her in the opposite seat—compassion in her gaze.

Emily touched the small loaf hidden in her lap.

Two lives waiting to be born.

One secret.

One path forward.

She exhaled.

"I'm ready," she whispered, voice steady.