New Growth (1.4)

As it turns out, I didn't need to go and visit my brother, as he had somehow heard of our place of residence (probably from our mother) and walked in, bold as brass, while I was trying to teach Elliott some more words with flashcards.

I only noticed he had entered the room when Elliott began to giggle 'Geen! Geen!' and point. I assure you, my jaw dropped when I saw my baby brother standing there.

"Hey, big sis. How's it going?" He grinned down at me.

"Orson! You never even told me you had moved here!" I scolded, as Elliott shakily stood up. He laughed.

"You seemed like you were having a lot of fun here, Jules! Anyway, let me introduce my girlfriend, Liberty." He held his hand out to the beautiful woman who had walked in with him.

"It's a pleasure!" she said, smiling at me, and I didn't miss how softly Orson's gaze rested upon her when he thought no one was looking.

"Hey, this must be little Elliott, right?" Orson said, crouching down so he could pick up his nephew. "Dang, you should have brought the kids to visit, Jules! Sophy must be about his age now, too, yeah?"

"Geen?" Elliott asked, and Orson laughed.

"Yeah, little man, I'm green like you. Green as the grass, man!" He booped his nose with one finger. "But man, I've never seen anyone in our family with hair like yours. Looks cute, though, don't you worry."

Elliott stared back at him with a blissful look of incomprehension.

"I'm your uncle, little man. I'm your Uncle Orson. You've got some other aunts and uncles, but I'm the coolest."

Liberty stifled a laugh, turning to me. "I think Elliott's in safe hands, Juliana. I've heard all about you, by the way. You're his bossy big sister, apparently."

She said it in a joking way, and then shook her head. "He calls me bossy, too. I think it's how he shows affection."

"That and dropping water balloons over the bannisters, as I recall." I smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, although I must admit, he hasn't told me anything about you, really."

"I thought as much. He gets embarrassed being romantic in public. I know he told your mother, though. We've talked on the phone. She's a lovely lady, isn't she?"

I decided then and there that Liberty, with her peaceful nature, was exactly the sort of girl who suited Orson down to the ground. I liked her immensely.

"Does he still kick his socks off in the living room?" I asked, in a whisper.

"Not if I can help it!" she whispered back, eyes sparkling.

We chatted while Orson and Elliott played about with the flashcards, until Liberty nibbled her lip, nervous.

"We've actually got some news for you, Juliana. Orson and I...well, I'm pregnant, and we wanted to let you know that you'll be an aunt." Her eyes met mine, apprehensively.

I let out a shriek of joy. "You're going to have a baby? Oh, Liberty, I'm so pleased for you! Oh, that's wonderful!"

She shyly placed my hand on her stomach. "I'm only four months in, only just, but the baby's starting to move."

I rested my hands gently there, and thought I felt a very faint something, but couldn't feel much more. Liberty flushed.

"The baby...they really only move a lot when it isn't the time for it, you know? Late at night, early in the morning, when I try to relax..."

"Oh, Elliott was quite a quiet baby, but he had his moments, I assure you. I think it's just in the nature of babies. But I'll see if I can find you some nice baby clothes, if that's alright?"

She smiled widely, as though I'd offered her a million dollars. "Of course! Thank you so much!"

"That'd be really great, sis." Orson stood up, and Liberty immediately switched places with him, carefully sitting on a chair so she could pay attention to Elliott.

"Oh? What would have been really great would have been letting me know where you were, Oz. I could have helped with the move, couldn't I?"

He hugged me tightly. "Oh, shut up, Jules. I missed you, you know?"

I laughed, and hugged him back just as tightly. "I missed you too, Oz, you stupid head."

They had to go soon after, of course - but not before I got their phone numbers, so me and Liberty have been texting back and forth for the past couple of days. We're starting to be really good friends! She's told me that for a girl, they've picked out Ceres, Lobelia, and Primrose, and for a boy, Orsino (of course), Alexander, or Toby. I can't wait!

And things are starting to get better with Bella, too, although she's too proud to tell us that she's met someone. Cassandra told me she's been dropped off home by the same guy ten times, and - here's the kicker - he's coming to stay for the weekend this week! So hopefully, that may improve things between Bella and Mortimer.

What can I say? Of course Bella deserves happiness, too.

Juliana