Pearl had just spent time finding the time to make a safe haven for her young sister-in-law in the parlor of their house. She set up a lovely and whimsical tablescape with a soft but worn table linen, wildflowers arranged artfully among copious treats and sandwiches, a fancy tea set with a few chips from hurried moving was set about, a frayed piece of cloth left from the things she had sold in order to start her new life.

She now dressed more like her new family, keeping a few of the older gowns for working, a nice gown for Sunday best, but now she was clad in simpler garments with simpler colors. Her hair was pinned up the way she had seen matrons wear, a high bun that sort of defied the pins so stray wisps of hair seemed to frame her face.

She had filled out some, her clothes had needed adjustment anyhow, letting out. Added to that, she had missed her menses again. She hadn't told Joe yet of it, but she was fairly certain she was expecting beyond doubt. She had spent hours on her masterpiece. 

There was no shortage of good cooking in the house as Pearl took delight in spending time with Lottie. In fact, Lottie might even find she had more time on her hands with Pearl taking up the helm on chores without needing instruction. She was in love with her whole family. Her chosen family.