"I do not wish to intimidate you over all this, Wyatt is a fine boy. You just have to tolerate in many ways he is a typical boy. Be fair with him and he will like you and obey...perhaps with an occasional grumbling."

"I see." Lucinda nodded, tucking everything Clara had told her away in her brain for future use in Wyatt's schooling and upbringing. "I do thank you for your advice, and believe I'll be coming back to you for more before all's said and done." 

The conversation then moved on to Clara and the upcoming arrival of her new baby.

"I believe Jacob wants a boy. Only makes sense really, carry on the family name, that sort of thing," Clara answered.

"Naturally," Lucinda said absentmindedly, nodding and smiling at the dishwater. Francis had wanted a boy, too. Men always wanted boys.

"Now me, I am fine with either. However, I pray that it be a healthy baby. One with a good chance of survival. My mother lost a baby and it was heartbreaking."

That got Lucinda's attention. She turned from the sink to stare at Clara, her face grave. "That is all we women can pray for, Clara." Not wanting to minimize the pain Clara's mother must have gone through by talking about her three lost children, she simply said, "I know how heartbreaking it is."

She inhaled and shook her head. "But don't fret. You're young, strong, and you have access to all this good food." She smiled as she spread one arm to gesture at the stove. "All of that will rub off on your baby. It'll be strong, just like you."

Clara shrugged, "While I will always be happy to give you any advice you wish to hear or answer any questions about my father, my brother - do not underrate yourself. You are a very intelligent person and you will do fine. Honestly, I well know I am the prickly one in the Redmond family when it comes to getting along and us two have gotten along just fine. Do you not agree?"

The talk moved on to the baby, whether Jacob and she wanted a boy or girl. While Clara was not completely certain, she was confident enough to state Jacob was hoping for a boy. It only made sense. She on the other hand would take what the Lord gave them, her only fervent hope was that it would be a healthy babe.

"That is all we women can pray for, Clara," Lucinda said, "I know how heartbreaking it is." 

ooc: I honestly cannot recall if Clara even knows about Lucinda's awful luck with pregnancies? Aurelian does if my memory serves me right?

"Yes, I guess I just have to count on God's mercy," Clara sighed. And that God would not punish an innocent child for her awful sin. She was of two minds about her actions that time. Yes, it was a grave sin. But if she had to do it all over again that day at the pond. Well, she would probably behave the same way.

"But don't fret. You're young, strong, and you have access to all this good food." Lucinda smiled as she spread one arm to gesture at the stove. "All of that will rub off on your baby. It'll be strong, just like you."

Clara had to smile, "I do know after some morning sickness for a bit, lately my appetite has been stronger than ever before. Eating for two I suppose."

OOC: I read through our last thread with them and Lucinda only said that she never had children, not why. But Aurelian does know.

"Thank you again. And I do agree. We do get along well, and I'm glad of it." Lucinda nodded her head fervently. It was a blessing she and Clara got along as well as they did. If she were a little more talkative or Clara a little more prickly, they might have butted heads. But as it was, she was able to keep quiet enough not to be irritating, and Clara was gracious enough to engage her in conversation in quiet moments like these.

"I do know after some morning sickness for a bit, lately my appetite has been stronger than ever before. Eating for two I suppose."

"Very good! That is wonderful." Lucinda took the opportunity to look Clara over. "You are looking well, I must say." She turned back to the dishes and sighed. "Well, I have kept you from your customers long enough, and my dishwater is losing all its suds."

"Very good! That is wonderful." Lucinda took the opportunity to look Clara over. "You are looking well, I must say."

"I hope I do, I would not wish to turn any customers' stomachs and spoil their appetites," Clara replied in a serious tone but was actually an attempt at humor.

Lucinda turned back to the dishes and sighed. "Well, I have kept you from your customers long enough, and my dishwater is losing all its suds."

"That is quite alright, I needed the break. But yes, we both have work to do. This diner does not run itself," Clara nodded.

Just then in the dining room, the small bell above the front door tinkled, signaling the arrival of yet some new customer or customers. It was back to work.

OOC:  Good place to end, maybe?