***All sexually active characters depicted herein are of age, 18 years old at least, and, all sexual activities performed are consensual. Enjoy!***
At the Cummings' castle, in the lounge, there are gathered and sitting: Domhnall, 65, and Gracie, 56; Ray, 62, and Gloria, 38; George, 48, and Lucy, 44; Pleasant, 25, and Frankie, 22; Craig, 21, and Tiffany, 22, with Joy; Domhnall's mother, Elise, 83, and Gloria's daughter, Gabby, 20; all gathered to celebrate Joy's arrival, now a month on from her birth.
The house waitstaff bring in drinks to everyone, and Carmichael, the Head of Household Operations, presents Pleasant with a glass of red wine; her usual favourite. Pleasant looks Carmichael in the eyes, and plainly tells him, "I'm sorry but I won't be drinking that today."
Carmichael enquires, "And, why not?"
Pleasant proudly replies, "Because I'm pregnant."
Carmichael looks around at the lack of surprise from everyone around, and surmises, "So, it seems like everyone knew that, but, didn't tell me," and forces a smile, saying, "Congratulations. So, you won't be drinking this?"
Pleasant says, "I'm being responsible for the health of the baby. It would be a shame to risk it's life before it is born."
Carmichael quips under his breath, "Someone should have told your mother that."
Pleasant asks, "What was that?"
Carmichael answers back, "Oh, nothing important, Mistress. I will get you another drink. What would be your choice?"
Pleasant replies, "I would like a green tea, please, Carmichael."
Carmichael responds, "Well, since you asked so nicely," and leaves, carrying the glass of red wine away.
Pleasant catches the conversation again, as Tiffany is telling everyone, "So, yeah, I haven't been sleeping too much, but, that's nothing new for me since I am used to working long hours, and, it makes me happy to be with Joy all the time. I love playing with her, and feeding her, and watching her sleep, and, changing her isn't the worst thing in the world. Although, it does get pretty bad," eliciting knowing laughs from the other parents in the room.
Craig admits, "It will be hard to leave them to return to work, but, I'm doing it for them, so, I am happy to."
Gracie says to Craig, "We will be delighted to have you back from paternity leave," and looks to Tiffany to say, "and, we await your return, too."
Tiffany considers, "I do wonder about returning to work; about taking on less?"
Gracie remembers, "You said pretty much the same thing when you came back before. Despite your best intentions, you were soon occupying your time with busier workloads, against our advice and concerns, but, credit to you, you have been coping very well. Be warned, however, don't let your work take you from your child too much. You will never get that time back."
Tiffany looks in turn between Gracie and Pleasant, promising, "I intend not to," looking down at Joy cradled in her arms, saying, "Believe me, that's the last thing I want is to become distanced from her."
Gracie calls, "Tiffany?," prompting her to look up at her, and she tells her, "I felt the same, but, my ambition got the better of me. I kept telling myself I was doing it for my daughters. Gloria shared an interest in being enterprising, but, Pleasant got the worst of it. Tiffany, you really remind me of me, and, I don't want your ambition to risk your relationship with Joy. Please, don't become the next me."
Tiffany thinks for a moment, and says, "I don't see being like you as a bad thing. I see it as an aspiration. Although I can look at you as a role model, I can learn from you, to not be exactly like you. I can learn from you and Domhnall, as well as from my own parents, and, also from Lucy and George. With your collective experience, I feel like I've got this, and, Joy and I have Craig to support us too. So, respectfully, Gracie, I'm not going to be the next you; I'm going to be better."
Gracie shoots a bright, and proud smile at Tiffany, saying, "I understand. Forgive me if my concern was misplaced, but, I see so much of you in me, I think of you as another daughter of mine."
Tiffany smiles back at Gracie, telling her in response, "Thank you so much. I don't mind you showing concern for me and my family. I actually like it, and appreciate it."
Lucy interjects to say of Gracie, "You do a lot for all of us. We all appreciate you."
Gracie remarks, "Kind of you to say, Lucy, however, one present may disagree?"
Pleasant looks around the room, and says, "No, I agree with Lucy. You do do a lot for everyone, and, it's something I do appreciate. We do feel like one big family. Mother, Father, I do see you both making a real effort to be inclusive about everything in your lives, working together, but, also taking time to get together outside of work. Your work is important, and keeps you busy, I understand that; that hasn't changed, but, what has, is... well, this. I don't ever remember anything like this growing up. We all have time for each other."
Elise mentions, "It is true. For many years, the castle was a lonely and isolated place; even with all the work parties, and the many house staff we employed over the years. The number of people here isn't as important as the connections between those people, and, I see everyone here today gathered as a family, with no other motive to be here, other than to be with family. It is rare, but is so good to see."
Domhnall says, "Hearing my daughter, and my mother, echo the same sentiments does bring me to realise what it means to be a family, more than I ever knew. This time truly is precious. I feel regret at not realising this importance sooner, but, do look forward to making time for more like this."