‘Mommy, mommy where are you?'

‘I'm over here Joshua!' Wendy
yelled from the courtyard. She'd just been placing flowers under the old Oak
and struggled to get up. Her huge stomach made it almost impossible to move
smoothly.

‘Mommy!' Joshua shouted and
wrapped his arms around his mother's legs.

‘Whew, Joshua dear. What did you
need me for.'

‘Daddy, granddad and uncle
Jonathan are going snake-hunting. Can I come?'

‘Snake-hunting? Are they insane?'
Wendy took the boy by his arm. ‘Where is your father anyway?'

‘He's over there, by the ugly
burned tree.' Wendy sighed and started walking towards the remains of the old
tree, taking large, angry steps. Joshua had to run to keep up with his pregnant
mother.

‘Justin King, can I have a word
with you?' Wendy said. Her hands were in her sides and she was stamping on the
ground. Justin looked up and saw an all too familiar sight.

‘Hey there love... for you, I've got
all the time in the world.' He said smiling.

‘Justin, don't tell me you told
Joshua that he was able to come snake-hunting with you.'

‘Well, I....' Justin stumbled.

‘So you did. Are you out of your
mind! What if he gets killed?'

‘He won't get killed.' Justin said
casually.

‘Well, that's because he's not
coming with you.'

‘Come on, Sweetness... The Brisby
kids are coming, too. I wanted to give you some rest, I mean, we both know Joshua
is pretty energetic.'

Wendy gave her husband a glance.
‘I'm aware of the qualities of my son, thank you.'

She took a deep breath. ‘Oh, but I
guess I could use a little break. It's just a few weeks before Robyn will be
born.'

‘Right.' Justin said. ‘Why don't
you let Nanny spoil you for an afternoon.'

Wendy took another deep breath.
‘Oh, alright. Just for this one time, okay? And if something happens to him,
I'll come after you.' Wendy said as she pointed her finger at Justin.

‘Don't worry, Sweetness. Nobody's
getting hurt. We're not taking risks. We've got five kids with us and a grumpy,
old, limping grandfather.'

Wendy looked at her father who was
smiling at her. She shook her head. ‘Don't come home too late, okay? Joshua
needs to be in bed by seven and he needs to eat and have a bath before that.'
Wendy said with a concerned look on her face.

‘Wendy, come on. Where's your
sense of adventure?'

‘I think my son took it away from
me while he was growing inside of me.' Wendy said.

‘Oh dear! So our daughter is going
to be a scaredy-cat!' Justin smiled as he gently patted Wendy's stomach.

‘Very funny, now go.' Wendy said.
‘And be careful!'

‘Goodbye mom!' Joshua shouted.

‘Goodbye sweetheart!' She said and
she started walking back to the Castle.

‘Men!' Wendy sighed as she entered
the Hallway.

‘You need some help, Wendy?' Nanny
shouted from the kitchen.

‘No dear, I'm fine. Do you happen
to know where I can find Caroline?' Wendy asked.

‘I saw her walking towards the
courtyard just a minute ago. You'd better keep an eye on her. She's due this
week.' Wendy nodded and smiled.

She found Caroline Brisby on a
bench in the courtyard.

‘Great weather isn't it?' She said
as she saw the young rat come in.

‘Yes, it is. Great snake-hunting
weather that is.... I cannot believe you let your husband take your children.'
Wendy said, but she was smiling.

‘I wondered about the same thing
when Jonathan said that Joshua was coming.'

‘He what?! I'm going to kill
Justin when he gets home.' Wendy said.

‘They've fooled us, didn't they.'
Caroline said laughing and she patted her big stomach.

‘I guess pregnant women are easily
fooled.' Wendy said and they both started laughing.

The End