It had been a long while since Daff had felt such bone-deep exhaustion, but definitely the first time it was for this reason. Her sleep problems had not been all that prevalent in the months since the wedding that she nearly forgot what it was like to be this tired. She was used to it though; had been able to keep this secret held fast until she could make sure. Her suspicion was going on a couple of weeks now, confirmed by Amaryllis yesterday afternoon during tea. The signs were subtle, the fatigue, a little nausea in the mornings (though nothing too terrible, thank goodness!) the aches in places she did not normally have them; another month gone without her normally very regular, very timely visitor. Hopefully she’d done a good job of keeping the symptoms to herself. Elias was almost too good at noticing any changes in her mood or activity and she didn’t want to worry him. Daff had learned her lesson there; she had promised to tell him about the good, the bad and the in between, and she was going to, she had just needed to make sure she was right before getting his hopes up. Because, nervous as she was, this was such good news.

She’d left the shop a little early yesterday, so that she could stop on the way home and pick up the present she’d gotten for Elias’ birthday. Daff hadn’t known what to get, but after careful consideration, had wound up purchasing a new pocket watch with a delicate daffodil engraved into the wooden back; a gorgeous inlay of tulip wood. She had to hope it wasn’t too expected and that, accompanied with knowledge that he would be a father by early next year would be enough. She had also brought home some carnations and the cake that Quin had made, along with some other treats, too and hidden them for later. Dinner was taken care of, just a quiet night in, just the two of them, and they could visit with family in the coming days.

She’d had every intention of getting up early, getting out all of the presents and ensuring breakfast was ready, but had slept through, later than normal. Her first clue was noticing Elias was not still in bed with her when she reached over. She managed to rouse herself enough to see the clock and consequently jumped out of bed and pulled on a dressing gown. She hadn’t bothered to tie it, or her hair back, as she went whipping down the stairs to the kitchen. ”I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to sleep so late!” She huffed, disappointed with herself. Four months in and she hadn’t even gotten the first birthday right!