1900s: A Funeral, A Birth and A Cat

 

Back for his second term at uni, Frank tries to focus on his studies. It turns out it really is easier when James isn't there to distract him, and he even manages to find something that he truly enjoys. 

Considering he was planing on entering politics, that is actually quite fantastic news. However, as he is waiting for classes to begin, he receives a telegram informing him that his aunt in Brindleton Bay, Mary, has passed away.

Now Frank was never close to his aunt Mary, she was someone he met once in a while on birthdays and holidays, and someone who usually came when terrible things happened, like his mother dying or Abigail falling sick while she was pregnant with Alice, but he worries about his father and how he will take the news of her passing. It's frustrating, being away, not able to leave or do anything, when someone you care about might be hurt. But Frank has no choice, the only thing he can do is focus on his studies. In Willow Creek, however, the news strikes hard. They all knew Mary was getting on in years, but why didn't she tell them she was so frail? She could have been here, with them, instead of alone in a house in Brindleton Bay. Joseph takes the news hard.

But in all the grief, there are still practical matters to attend to. Mary's funeral, the sale of her house... there is no way to do either from Willow Creek, yet with the baby due any day now, there is no way to take the entire family to Brindleton Bay. After long and hard talks with Abigail and the reverend, Joseph makes the hard call that he will need to go to Brindleton Bay on his own. Abigail is needed by Emily's side until the baby is born, and the kids have school. There really isn't much to be done about that. 

Joseph leaves on the first train in the morning, arriving quite early in Brindleton Bay and setting off immediately for Mary's cottage. Sadness weighs heavily on him as he arrives, and the cottage does little to relieve his pain. Yes it's beautifully situated right on the beach, but it's small and cramped and does not even have an indoor toilet. She could have afforded one, but Mary was stubborn and never liked changes. Joseph spends the next while getting a light on in the fireplaces, so that the place can heat up. Seeing her bedroom, he now knows why she and her late husband never had any children. He's not very surprised.

As the cottage slowly heats, Joseph takes a walk on the beach, trying to clear his mind.

Later he heads into town, to arrange Mary's funeral with the reverend at the church. Reverend Roy back home promised to write the man and set up the meeting, but Joseph arrives early, and the church is empty. The realisation that this is what Mary's funeral will be, just himself, makes him cry.

As he pulls himself together, someone walks into the church. But it's not the reverend he's waiting for, but surprisingly, Nathaniel Preston. It's a welcome sight. He was unawares that Nathaniel was in Brindleton Bay. Apparently on business to make the final arrangements of his sister's long planned wedding. And yes, Joseph is aware of what he wants to ask, but this is not the place or time. "Come see me back home, and I will give you my answer."

Back in Willow Creek, Emily is having her baby!

Abigail, who has found out that she likes being away from her husband just about as much as she likes paying bills, is grateful to have something to do. "Is everything as it should be?" asks a nervous Emily. "Yes, quite fine," Abigail promises, as she feels her stomach. She stays with Emily, comforting her and keeping her company until it's time for the final push.

When all is said and done, Emily gives birth to a beautiful, healthy, baby boy. Abigail is almost jealous, though she quite quickly falls in love with her almost-grandson. Emily decides to name him John, and soon the entire family is crowding into the room to meet the new bundle of joy.

Joseph arrives back home the next morning, and with him he has a surprise. A stray cat he found and bonded with in Brindleton Bay. "He reminds me of Mary," he says. Josephine is delighted by the new addition to the family. Abigail is wondering if her husband has lost his mind. "We do not have big problems with mice! What do we want with a cat?" She is utterly unimpressed when the first thing Pickles do is jump onto her dining room table, and snatches up Josephine so that she won't get hurt. "How do we know it does not have any discases?"

Joseph, however, is already off, meeting his first grandson. He is delighted at what he sees.

He's not the only one, either. Emily's mother comes by to see the baby, gushing over him, while complaining about what children did to her figure.

In Britechester, news reaches Frank about the birth of his son on the day he has just joined the debate club.

He decides that warrants a trip to Pepper's Pub and some celebratory nectar. After all, it's not every day that you have a son!

On Thursday, Nathaniel returns to Willow Creek, and having settled his sister's wedding, he heads straight for the Whittaker residence. It's time for him to have his own wife. He is successful in his endeavour, as he was certain he would be, and is given Joseph permission to marry Ida.

He waits for her return from school to share the exciting news. And take the opportunity to give her an idea of what is to come once they're married, in a corner where no one will see, of course.

Meanwhile, Abigail is struggling with the new member of the family. No, not John, who is a delight, if a constantly hungry one, but with Pickels, who just seem to be unable to learn, or perhaps just defiant. He scratches the furniture, jumps on the tables and counters, and eats from any dish left unsupervised for more than a few minute. Abigail finds herself constantly scolding him, and in return he just hisses at her. Even more frustrating is that he seems to pay attention to everything Joseph tells him while completely ignoring her. Even at bedtime he refuses her, pretending he does not understand what a bed is, only to go to sleep on it the moment Abigail has left the room.

On Friday, it's finally time for Frank to return home to see his son for the first time. He rushes up to his and Emily's bedroom, eager both for his wife and his son. He is utterly proud of the little boy, but when he cries, Frank is left wondering what to do.

On Saturday, it's finally time for Ida to age up to a young adult. No more school! Focus on her pending marriage! She feels as if she's waited forever! "You're soooo lucky that you didn't have to finish school!" she tells her friend Martha. Martha just stares at her. At least Madeleine's unfortunate marriage allowed Mathias to graduate. While he will never be able to afford university, he has been employed by the same company his father worked for. It means they can keep the house. She hopes she'll have a better marriage than her sister.

The party mostly goes off without a hitch after that, and Ida finally gets to be an adult, just like she always wanted.

Her pristine reputation and (mostly) her notable and fortunate new engagement means she immediately gets attention as a notable newcomer. Ida likes the idea of being noticed.

As Ida delights in the attention, Emily takes the opportunity to introduce her father to his new grandson. 

And once everyone leaves and the party is over, Frank takes his time to enjoy his wife. "But the baby!" "He's sleeping. He'll be fine."

As Sunday brings him back to Britechester, Frank can't wait for his last term to end. In one week, he'll finally, finally, be able to create a home of their own for his wife and child. One more week, four more courses, and then life can start.