Clover beamed at his Ma and teared up, unable to reply for a moment. As she started cutting the ham on her plate again, he exclaimed, "I love you, too, Ma!" and would have gotten up to hug her had they not been in the middle of eating breakfast.

Frederic choked up at his son telling Karen he loved her and gave her a watery smile. They would, indeed, be a family, and he was elated it would be so. He and Clover were both so lucky to have Karen and her children in their lives, and he loved his family with all his heart.

As soon as food was eaten, Karen said to Fred, "Would ye mind puttin' the twins in their baskets while I wash these dishes?" And she would start collecting dishes. She was done in just a few moments, having had the kettle on the fire to boil while they ate. Then, when it was time to go, she helped Clover get ready before pulling on her own coat and placing a jaunty hat upon her head.

"Of course," replied Frederic and he smiled at Karen. He swallowed one last bite of food and stood, heading into the room with the bassinets. "Hello, darlings," he murmured at her babies, who looked up at him with wide eyes. Niamh burbled and grabbed her foot and Harold Jr. giggled. Frederic beamed at both and sang to them as he swaddled the babes and placed them in the baskets Karen had mentioned. He joined his fiance and son at the door, carrying the baskets and still humming the tune he'd been singing to the babies, his worries fading for the time being.

Clover hopped up and offered to help Ma with the dishes, and if she agreed, he helped her out, but if not, he sat patiently at the table until it was time to get ready to go. He appreciated the help she gave in getting his coat on, but he buttoned it up himself and showed her proudly how he could lace up his own shoes now, something he'd only figured out this morning. He hugged her as his Pa came about and then he ran to look in the baskets. He grinned at the babies and announced, "I love you!" to them cheerfully.

She let him help her with the dishes and smiled as she heard Fred talking to the little ones. They made short work of the dishes and getting coats on too. Karen hugged Clover back and patted his back. When he scuttled on over to the babies and declare his love for them, Karen's smile grew and her eyes danced in amusement of his adorable nature. As they walked, she listened to his humming. She joined in, providing harmony to his melody. And as the cab started North, she would continue to hum with him if he did.

Frederic smiled softly as Karen joined in his humming. Her voice entwined with his and his heart filled with love for her like it did so often. He paused his humming as he helped her, his son, and Karen's babies into the carriage, but resumed as he flicked the reigns and the well-trained horse got moving. Her pleasant clip-clop added a beat to the tune and he wrapped his arm around Karen and his son, making sure every few minutes Niamh and Harold Jr. weren't getting cold although they had about five blankets wrapped around them by then. What a merry little family they were, Frederic thought gladly, and soon they would be one officially.

Karen soon fell asleep during the ride, still easily worn out by things even though she felt much better than she had. She rested her head on his shoulder. The journey would be a longer one but it would be worth it. Karen slept like that for a while until one of the babies or both fussed and she tended to them.

They arrived at the train station in good time and Frederic gently woke Karen, kissing her on the cheek. He then helped her, Clover, and the babies down from the carriage. The train was right on time and he quickly bought their tickets, then led his family to the small compartment he'd bought for them. Sure, he'd splurged a little, but they were worth it to him. Clover sat on one side of the compartment and Frederic sat across from him and played rock-paper-scissors with him as the train started moving. He glanced to see if Karen was settling in well and smiled softly at her. "And we're on our way," he announced.

By the time they got onto the train, she was starting to feel her nerves again but remained silent about it this time so as not to upset Fred. She did her best to calm her nerves by telling stories to Clover or singing to the babies. Sometimes she would sit in silence and rest her head on Fred's shoulder, whispering words of love to him because they were true. And then she would sleep some more.