The two sat before Saoirse’s ham dinner and discussed the coming year. What crops to plant, preparations for Imogen’s room, and what schooling she’d ultimately receive. Saoirse was sure to plead the importance of her full education before marriage, it was only proper.
As soon as evening fell, Declan surprised Saoirse with a bear sculpture he’d crafted himself.
“Oh, Declan! You shouldn’t have! I’m afraid I haven’t prepared anything for you...”
Declan laughed. “Saoirse, my love, I think Imogen is the most wondrous gift I’ve ever been given.”
The end of the Winter season was fast approaching, and the Keanes decided to keep Winterfest to themselves this year.
After Imogen was born and time passed, Saoirse found a new favorite spot for reading.
It was hard for Declan to brave the freezing temperatures, knowing he had a beautiful wife and new baby in the warm farmhouse. The bees helped!
On the first snow of Winter, little Imogen Keane was delivered into the world. Both mother and child are healthy, resting comfortably.
She must’ve fallen asleep in the warmth of their bedroom before dampening the fire, because as Saoirse woke she was greeted by blazing flames. A quick hero, Declan ran to his wife and swiftly extinguished the fire.
As her pregnancy advanced, Saoirse could no longer stoop to do the washing, but nothing said she couldn’t decorate her parlor for the upcoming winter season.
Haley Keane’s speculations appeared correct when young Saoirse’s belly began to swell. Of course, the budding family was overjoyed. Declan hardly left her side, but at Saoirse’s fervent request, he reluctantly got back to farmwork.
Declan’s favorite holiday, Harvestfest went off without a hitch. In attendance this year were his family, little sister Catherine, as well as Sean and Annabeth O’Brien, Saoirse’s relatives. Her parents spurned their invitation, but the loss would be theirs once Saoirse finished the Grand Turkey dinner.
Preparations for Harvestfest, apples for pie and concertos for entertainment, complete!
As Saoirse fell into the steady rhythm of routine, the burden of boredom blanketed her afternoons. To alleviate this, she called upon relatives, in the form of her mother-in-law and lovely sister-in-law. They would join her for tea, cards, and gossip, naturally.
Half-way through their third weekly meeting, Saoirse ran to be sick. Apologizing, she quietly cleaned up and sat with the worried women. Haley, her mother-in-law, eyed her midriff speculatively.
Declan could sense a slight sadness in Saoirse and heard the sorrowful melodies drifting from their parlour where she played. That evening he comforted her anxious mind.
“We’ve got more than time, m’dear. Things always happen when you least expect.”
Saoirse would be lying if she said she wasn’t hoping to be with child soon. As months passed and her monthlies came and went, she couldn’t hide her slight sorrow.
Saoirse’s piano serenades always had the same effect on Declan.
The rain in Windenburg let up just long enough for Saoirse to hang more washing. Declan appreciated the rain, as it certainly lightened the work needed on the farm.
Despite the cold, the team powered through...to bake and decorate oatmeal cookies. In other news, her baking skills are improving nicely.
