Marian looks out of their kitchen window. Felix should be coming home soon. He is always busy with his fieldwork. But it was her own fault marrying a traveling doctor. Especially one renowned for his unmatched skills. Sometimes he would not return for months which was happening quite a lot recently. Marian squeezes her eyes in pain and places a hand upon her rotund belly. 

 "Don't get worried little one. Papa will be here soon." 

 "Ma, is he kicking?" In comes little Tessaline, the five-year-old copy of herself. She has her mother's white hair, bright silver button-eyes, and cherry-blushed lips. 

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 "Yes," her mother giggles, trying to seem less worried than she is. "Come see." 

 Tessaline dashes across the wood-paneled floor. She places a cold hand on Marian's belly. Marian takes her hand and moves it to the area of commotion. Tessaline bursts with laughter and squeals. It wasn't fair that she hardly knew much about her father. Hopefully, this would be the week Felix finally spent time with his daughter who was becoming more independent every day. Maybe he'd even start thinking about his baby that was soon to be. 

 But Marian knew it was all wishful thinking really. And she couldn't shake the foreboding that there was more going on with Felix than he let on.