Clover, who'd followed his father out of the room, poked his head back in with a small smile. He looked at Ma- his grin widened at the thought -and saw she was falling asleep, so he slipped back out of the room and told his Pa. His father nodded and bade him go sit down at the dinner table and the little boy did so, digging in hungrily to the bowl of soup he was offered and thanking his Pa for the food.

Frederic didn't think it was necessary to say Grace aloud tonight, so he muttered it to himself as Clover started eating and he poured a bowl for Karen. He slipped into her room quietly and placed the bowl, with a cloth covering it so it wouldn't get cold, on her bedside table. He smiled softly, adoringly, at her closed eyes and even breaths. She was beautiful always to him, but there was something special about seeing her asleep, it made his heart warm to know she was comfortable enough in his and Clover's presence to sleep with them in the same house. He brushed a lock of hair off her face and kissed her cheek, murmuring, "Sleep well, love," before stepping back and turning toward the bedroom door.

It would be three days before Karen was well enough to travel. She rested as much as possible in that time, finally having gotten enough sleep to feel up to leaving bed for more than just relieving herself and bathing. That morning that she finally felt better, she cooked breakfast before anyone else was awake and had it on the table. There was a small feast of bread and butter, eggs, and a small bit of ham that she had fried up. Added to that, she had packed a basket for travel just in case they were leaving that day, if Fred was agreeable that was.

Fred had sent Karen a letter that very morning on the third day of her recovery, having returned home at the end of the second day. In it, he swore his love to her again (and quite eloquently, for the matter) and said whenever she was ready, he would drive over his kind neighbor Lou's cab and horse to bring them to Gretna Green to sign the necessary papers. He also mentioned that he'd made two more rings for them to exchange (and that he hoped she liked them). Having a good feeling about the day, and knowing they'd likely need a witness other than the priest or whatnot, he helped Clover pick out a nicer outfit than usual and let the boy stay home for the day.

Karen sent a note for them to come for breakfast, keeping the food warm until then. And then they would be on their way to Gretna Green. While she waited for people to show up, she readied two baskets for the twins, lining them with cushions and blankets so they could safely be transported to Scotland. She then packed her sunday best for the trip North, not knowing how long the trip would be. Bottles were prepared and other such things. By the time she was done, she was tired, but it was all worth it.

Frederic got Karen's note and was glad he'd stuck to his gut feeling. When he told Clover, the little boy was ecstatic to be going on a trip outside of Whitby, the first in his memory. Frederic got them both their coats, was proud of Clover for lacing up his own boots, and then knocked on his neighbor's door. Lou Dendy poked his head out and chattered along happily like he always did as he harnessed up his horse Kip and his cab for Frederic to drive over to Karen's, and then to the train station. Lou had offered to let him take the cab and Kip all the way up to Scotland, but Frederic declined the offer, saying it was more than enough for Lou to lend him his profession's vehicle for a full morning, and the cheery fellow shook his hand repeatedly and sent him and Clover on their way. Clover seemed nervous around Kip at first, but when the horse nuzzled the top of his head with her nose, he grinned and laughed. Frederic lifted up his son into the cab and soon they were off. Karen's yellow house appeared over the hill and the clocksmith gave a smile at the familiar sight. They parked across the street beside an abandoned lot and Clover insisted on knocking on the door first, so he ran ahead and did so, his father a few steps behind.

Karen opened the door to the knocking and she said, "Silly boy, ye didn't have ta knock. Ye'll soon be here with me and yer pa." She hugged him to her and gave a fond kiss to his crown. Then she straightened and smiled wanly at Fred, "Hello, Fred." She gestured for them to come in and then showed Clover where to hang his coat if he could reach it, if not, she took it and hung it and offered to do the same for Fred. "Wash yer hands now, we have a busy mornin' and we need to fortify ourselves before we go."

Clover eagerly wrapped his arms around his Ma and grinned when she kissed the top of his head. "Good morning!" he chirped happily and thanked her when she helped him hang up his coat because he was a few inches too short. He nodded dutifully at her words and went to wash his hands, singing a nonsense song to himself along the way.

Frederic returned Karen's smile and hugged her once they were inside and the door was closed. He kissed the top of her head and hung up his coat as Clover scampered off to wash his hands. Once his son was out of the room, he drew Karen to him again and kissed her deeply. "I missed doing that," he said, half-teasing her and half-earnest, as he'd been careful not to kiss her on the lips while she was sick so he wouldn't catch her cold.

She kissed him back with a sigh. Lord, how she missed him even if it had been a brief interlude without him. Her hands lifted to his face and cradled it when she pulled back to look at him. "Are ye ready for today?" she asked, tracing her thumb along his cheek in a tender gesture. There was a knot in her stomach, she was nervous even if she had done it before. She knew people were going to talk, knew that there would be some disgust at what they were going to do. For a moment, she wondered if this was the right thing to do and anxiety briefly flitted through her gaze.