Chapter 70: The old lionel
"Eddie..!"
"uhm...A-austin..?!"
"Looking good, I see my sister is treating you well."
Confused at his brother in-law being so very generous and bubbly, Edward stumbled a bit. Austin Lionel Cunningham not being a gritty brute, with a sardonic response for everything. Austin actually smiling...
How odd.
"Uh yes, ofcourse." He responded. "What brings you here?"
"Well, I have some great news to share. It certainly could not wait." Austin smiled at the thought of it.
"Share already?" Edward chuckled.
"My sister first!" Austin grinned not being able to contain his joy. His smile, not being able to be hidden beneath his once intimidating demeanor. Even though he was craving to blurt it out already. Who would have thought that he would one day be excited for a child of his own? Seeing William father Christian had gave him some sort of envy, he did not want to entertain the thoughts as he felt he would be betraying the old Austin who did not feel capable enough or deserving enough to be anyone's father. He was afraid, he would ruin it. His child would hate him. Afraid he would not be a good enough parent. His love and softness for Merrigold changed all that, how could he not be delighted that she was carrying his child... still guilty as charged, he planned on being better and making it up to her. It would be hard, it would be straining, yes she was probably going to throw more trays in his face and scream at him but he was willing to take it all in. He was tired of being angry, he was in his early thirties and wanted to make the most of his remaining years. Time had passed him by while he was being angry. While he was deceiving people and being indecisive. If he could... he would apologize to each and everyone of those people. The only forgiveness he needed was from Merrigold. Even he did not wanting think or re-live the damage he had done in the past. He wanted to put it all behind him. Austin knew Merrigold would never put it behind her. She was willing to die to get away from him.
"Lio...?" Bertha called, a bit sleepy as if she had just came from taking a nap. "I'm truly sorry, I've not had the opportunity to visit..." She felt horrible. How she had received his letter, went straight to attack Stella but did not have the courage to look her brother in the eye to ask for his forgiveness. She felt at fault for not taking her time as his twin to understand him and what was bothering him. She had quickly labeled him as a rebellion, a sadistic lost cause.
"Oh that, well I'm here now." Austin added.
"Well I will leave you two musketeers." Edward interrupted. Both Bertha and Austin nodded with a laugh. Reminded of his nickname for them. Putting a strand of her hair behind her ear, she turned to Austin and crossed her arms. "I confronted Stella!"
"Goodness...gracious Bertha! I'm not here to speak of what Spaniards would call Diablo." He huffed, running his fingers through his hair.
"You need to tell mother, otherwise I will. We need to sit down as a family and discuss this.."
"So that everyone can see how weak I am, Bertha? I'm not a man, do not make me me feel infirm. I'd be humiliated. It's apparently every man's dream to... be with a woman."
"You were a child, she took advantage of your naiveness."
"Oh please..." Austin said aggravated. "Where are your maternity clothes?"
"Henry did not believe—" Bertha stopped in her tracks. "Pardon?"
"Where are your maternity clothing, those hideous dresses of yours that I hated... hopefully you did not share them off."
"Who needs them?"
"Merri..."
"What?"
"Yes, Merrigold is expecting."
"That is wonderful, Thomas must be delighted."
Austin only groaned. "You're actually looking at the father."
"Pardon?"
"You're looking at the father of Merri's child. Where are your maternity clothing then? I have to return so I can take care of her."
Bertha let out a laugh.
"You think you're funny, Austin?"
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do." Bertha giggled hitting his shoulder lightly. Austin only stared at her seriously. Shaking his head at her dramatic act.
"...so...you're not making a banter then?"
"Precisely!" Austin added.
Bertha's smile dropped. "Oh...uh so how did that come about...? I thought you did not like her."
Austin looked around for a bottle of whiskey. It was always placed near the fire place but he could not find it. His eyes went back to his sister with his arms on his waist. Clenching his jaw, he gave her a firm nod.
"She is five months along, I saw it for the first time today... it looked bigger than five months but what do I know...?"
"You're serious?"
"Goodness sake Bertha, you're going to be an aunt. I'm not making this up."
"...wow...congratulations..."
"Thank you."
"But you said—"
"That is all in the past my dear beloved beautiful sister. That is all in the past!" Austin gave her a pat on the head as if she were a dog, he loved to tease her for being shorter than him.
"Quit it!" Bertha pushed him back. He laughed at her scowling face.
"What happened to... I hate children, I love other people's children but never my own. Austin, since when did you... oh goodness, Merrigold was such a virgin Mary, afraid of the thought of even seeing a man bare or hearing of my intimate deeds with my husband she'd always facepalm."
"Surprisingly, she is quite the freak in-between the sheets." Austin bit on his lip.
"Oh please..." Bertha cringed.
"...mother broke a double yorked egg... the other day... she thinks it's twins.."
"I know... she came accusing me." Bertha stood on her tippy goes to pinch Austin's cheeks. He hated it. "You're having twins bud, buckle up."
"I do not believe in superstitions, absolutely nonsense if you ask me." Austin huffed throwing himself on their couch putting his shoes on the table. Bertha immediately gave him a warning glare. "...sorry..." he mumbled sitting up straight.
"Are you happy?" Bertha asked taking a seat next to him.
"I'm not sure, but it sounds good for now."
"Sounds good for now? Austin, this is a child. You can not return the poor kid when they're here. Sounds good for now is not what you will be telling me when you haven't had any sleep for days ongoing. You hated changing your nieces diaper once, how will you handle this. I'm sorry for ruining your fun... this isn't simply sounds good for now. How does Merrigold feel about this? When did you two start this...? Is Thomas alright? Austin—"
"I hate how much of an anxious over thinker you're." Austin interrupted putting his right leg on top of the other. His eyes still glazed around looking for alcohol. Anything to simmer his thoughts for a bit, his mother had put him on alcohol arrest. He hated not being able to find his cigars or whiskey... wine would never quench his thirsty for the rush of bubbling liquor sloshing down his throat. "Seek help, Bertha. You will die of early age from a stroke if you keep this up." Austin stood up.
"...where's your bourbon...?" He nervously asked scratching the back of his head.
"We have orange juice."
"Don't be selfish Beth, my beautiful sister."
"You're striking me as an alcoholic."
"...it has been a rough week. Like you said I'm about to have a rough life ahead, with my baby with Merrigold." Austin stopped for a second. My baby with Merrigold, that sounded so right. "Yes, my baby with Merrigold."
Bertha laughed at his expressions. "Are you well...?"
"As well as can be. I need a smoke. Mother has been strict on me."
"No."
"But—"
"You have to start changing now for your baby with Merrigold." She mimicked.
"My throat is a little itchy that's all."
"Austin, you're unbearable."
"Unbearable? Me? No, I'm very bearable. I'm offended that you treat your visitors so harshly."
"Are you a visitor if you know exactly where the bourbon is usually?"
"I consider myself a visitor!"
Bertha laugher Shaking her head lightly. "Help me look through the boxes in the basement. I'm sure I put my Maternity wear somewhere there.."
"You're scared of the dark that is all." Austin pushed past her.
"This is why you're unbearable!" She yelled amused.
"You're such a dud..." Austin yelled back.
"I will lock you in the basement and pretend you do not exist. I will tell your kids you died. If you do not take that back..."
While on the stairs Austin turned to look up. Bertha closed the door shut. Grinning as if she had made an accomplishment. "I hope your husband see's how childish you're. It's very disappointing." Austin yelled on the other side of the door. Edward then came in with a news paper, he found his wife grinning against the basement door. "It's just like the old days..." she told him with teary eyes.
"Before he changed..." Edward asked, knowing very well, they had this conversation countless times before.
Bertha nodded, Edward opened his arms wide for her. She didn't hesitate. He rubbed circles on her back and whispered affirming words. She was simply so happy. Lionel was back, playful Lionel.
"...I take it back...my beautiful stunning sister whom I shared the womb with."
Bertha and Edward giggled at the desperation in his voice.