Alice sat on a blanket on the beach, with a spread of cucumber and cheese sandwiches, a pitcher of squash, and some cheese and ham slices ready for when the children and Victor came back from the sea. She watched them splash each other, laughing with one another as they had their adventure.

It reminded her of when Jessica and she used to play and swim in the sea, under the guidance of their father. It was so much fun. She missed the days of her childhood, life was certainly simpler then and she didn’t have the worry of her own children, or a husband.

Not that she minded for as soon as Elisabeth was born, Alice embraced motherhood wholeheartedly and never looked back. Now she had three wonderful children, Elisabeth who was six, Henry and Matilda who were four. It was certainly a surprise when the twins came along, as it was very unexpected! Elisabeth doted on her two siblings, and as the eldest, told her parents that she was their guardian and she would look after them their whole life.

“And who will look after you?” Victor asked.

“You and Mama will, of course,” came Elisabeth’s reply, who was only four at the time.

Both Victor and Alice had laughed. But their daughter stayed true to her word. She helped Nanny in the nursery, looking over Nanny’s shoulder when she put the younger ones to sleep. Elisabeth would not sleep until her brother and sister were asleep. Nanny would laugh good naturedly, and then she would read her a story. Slowly, but surely, Elisabeth would fall asleep.

As Alice watched her elder daughter now, she saw Elisabeth was directing Henry to walk with her along the path of the water, as she held his hand. Henry, who looked up to his elder sister, followed her example, beaming from ear to ear that he was doing it properly.

Henry was a shy boy, who liked to stay in the house rather than go out to play. Alice wished he would become less bashful and intimidated by the other children. It was perhaps why he chose to stay close to his elder sister, who was his shield against unwanted attention. Matilda also followed Elisabeth’s example, until she turned three. She did not care for her sister’s interference, and did what she preferred. Matilda was not a disobedient child, but had her own mind. Even at the small age of three, she knew and understood what she wanted, and Alice and Victor came to realise this child was going to be very different from Elisabeth, perhaps stubborn also.

They viewed that whilst Elisabeth would be poised as a lady in the coming years and as society dictated, Matilda was a little rough and very adventurous compared to her sister. She liked to play in the mud and frolic in the sand, while Elisabeth decided she did not like to get her dress dirty. Matthew was a boy who didn’t like to disappoint any of his sisters, and played with them equally. Perhaps when they all grew older, he would be a peacemaker between the two sisters.

An exhausted father arrived with the children, and all sat down.

“First, you must clean your hands,” Alice reprimanded them all, including Victor when they began to take their sandwiches. “And then you can eat.” She gave them each a napkin.

“Mama, can we build sandcastles afterwards?” asked Matilda. “Jennifer told me she built a very big one when she came here last time.”

Jennifer was James and Ellen’s second child. They had three children too. Elisabeth, Matthew, and Matilda loved to go and play with the Rowan children, and as a result, Alice and Ellen spent a lot of time together. It was Ellen who gave company to Alice when Victor was away on business, since Clara was now married and lived in Scotland. The dowager was not very well and stayed in the house, and even went to her bedchambers early.

The children loved Grandmama, and Matthew had taken to her the most. When she was well, the dowager would sit in the armchair near the fireplace. She would tell them stories and sometimes sing to them. Matthew liked to climb onto her lap and sit lying against her bosom, as he sucked on his thumb. The girls would sit on the rug, enthralled by the stories she told. Alice was glad to see the bond between her children and her mother-in-law.

“Papa, when is Uncle Graeme and Auntie Victoria arriving?” asked Elisabeth.

“They will be here in two days,” said Victor. “I say I am also looking forward to Graeme’s visit. It has been a year since we saw them. I believe Peter has altered in height now.”

“He will be four, I believe,” said Alice. “Poor Victoria, she will be quite fatigued when she arrives. I must ensure their rooms are made up for their comfort.”

Victoria was a beautiful creature, and she loved Alice as her own sister, perhaps more as she had no siblings of her own. After their first child, Peter, was born, Victoria had become quite ill. Graeme was beside himself and nearly lost her, but with their prayers, she survived. Now, she was pregnant again, and almost at term. Alice wanted to look after her, and insisted she have her second child in Loxwood. Victor agreed wholeheartedly.

“After all, this is your home too,” he told James and Victoria. “And the children will all have each other to play with while Victoria recovers.”

After having their sandwiches, the children went to play in the sand. Matilda went to make a sandcastle immediately, and the other two watched. Alice leaned against her husband, feeling at ease and in a lot of love. Victor kissed her forehead.

“We are so fortunate for the health of our children,” Alice said in a whimsical manner. She sighed happily. “Just watching them grow and become the children they are, is quite comforting, is it not?”

“It is,” Victor agreed.

“Elisabeth came to see me yesterday, and she asked me if I could teach her to draw. Oh my dear, I was so joyful to see such passion in her eyes. And I simply cannot wait to give her her first lesson!”

“I am not surprised, my darling. It is because of your excellent work that inspires her, does it not? Your paintings still inspire me, and each time you paint or draw a new piece, you amaze me further. And now, you are known for your art all around the country!”

He turned her around to face him. “I love you so much, my dear. And I will continue to do so. Not only have you given me three beautiful children, but have made me even prouder of your achievements. My love for you and the children have no boundaries.”

“And I too love you for your kindness, your adoration, and for your whole being. I cannot imagine a life without you, my dearest. The paintings I do are not only for me, but for you too.”

It was true that Alice’s work had gained people’s respect and admiration. The ton talked about it, and it was mentioned in the papers. But Alice paid no heed to it all, she painted because she liked to, and not to gain worldly fame. They were taken by art galleries, and she was remunerated handsomely for it. Alice had even introduced Jessica’s artwork to them.

“My dearest, let us go home, for I have a rather exciting surprise to show you,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

“Now I am intrigued. What could it be?”

“I will not reveal it until we are home,” Alice said mysteriously.

They called the children to them, and made their way home. Matthew was fatigued and insisted on being carried to the horses they arrived on. Matilda skipped in front of them, with Elisabeth walking sensibly beside them. As soon as they were on the horses, Matthew fell asleep on Victor, who was careful to hold him tightly as they trotted home safely.

Victor took Matthew to his bed who curled up immediately. Matilda was also yawning by then, and decided she would like to sleep too.

“My little dears, the beach do tire them,” said Alice softly, caressing their cheeks.

“Mama, can I go to the art room and draw?” Elisabeth asked when they left the children in the nanny’s care.

“Of course,” said Alice. “I am delighted you share my passions, darling. I will have the governess to take you.”

“When is it my turn to be delighted?” Victor asked. “I recall you have a surprise for me?”

Alice smiled broadly, and took him by the hand, and led him to the second art room. There, she stood by an easel which was covered by a white cloth.

“Is this a new painting for a gallery?” he enquired, walking around the easel.

“No,” said Alice. “It is for you.”

She took off the cloth, and revealed a painting of Victor sitting with their three children. He had no words, but his eyes told he was certainly amazed.

“I… I do not recall sitting for a portrait with the children, when did you do it?”

“You did or the children did not sit for it,” Alice became bashful. “I sketched you individually, and then painted you all in one canvas.”

“Oh, my darling, how clever you are,” he said, pulling Alice to him. He bent his face towards hers, and kissed her deeply and passionately. Alice kissed him back, feeling much loved all over again.

The End