Chapter One

Screams erupted through the halls of Blackwater Manor during the dark night of June 23rd in 1914. The lights were flicked on, illuminating the path as Lady Caterina Shapiro ran down the staircase in search of the sound. She had been waiting for this moment; all of the staff had been anticipating this, on the edge for days wondering when it would occur.

Rushing to the phone she dialled it hastily, muttering to herself as she waited for the phone to be answered, "It's time!" she screamed excitedly, "I need you here now!"

Slamming the phone down she rushed down to the staircase to the servant's quarter where Tori was doubled over on the floor, panting heavily as she clutched on to her husband's hand.

"I called the doctor." She informed Beck who was attempting to lift her, "He will be here in five minutes. Now let's get her on to one of the guest beds."

Together with the help of the other servants, Tori was brought to the closest available room. Sir Robert passed his wife on the staircase as she rushed back down to get some towels and water.

"Is it happening?" he asked.

Cat gave him a fleeting nod, "Yes, If you want to stay away we will understand."

Caterina knew that her husband would not be able to handle being in the same room, it would bring back to many bad memories of his mother. He was already noticeably shaken by the screeches that were dominating the sound of the Manor.

"I'm going to go outside for a smoke." He informed her.

Caterina flicked her hand at him as she rushed through the atrium to return to the bedroom, she wanted to be involved with the birth of her best friend's first child, she didn't want to miss a moment... although the same could not be said for Tori, who was begging for it to end.

"I hate you!" she screeched at Beck, her brown hair sticking to the sweat that coated her face and neck, "This is so painful!" she complained, wailing as she slumped back on the pillow.

Beck took the aggression directed at him, not wincing once as Tori applied more pressure to his hand, he could not complain about the pain he was feeling. Tori would only use it as ammo to hurl more abuse. Tori could not think straight, her body was in flames, all she could feel was excruciating pain, it made her vision clouded, blackened with large dots.

"Tori I need you to stay with me." Doctor Carter ordered, "Caterina place the damp cloth on her head."

Suddenly Tori felt a cold water dribble down her face and it brought her back slightly, she still felt the pain but she no longer felt faint.

"Okay Tori give me one big push!" he demanded.

Tori scream was so loud she could have shattered all of the glass within a five-mile radius, she wanted this baby out of her. No she needed it out of her.

"I can't!" she wailed, "It's too hard."

"Come on Tori." Caterina begged, "Just one more big push."

Gritting her teeth, Tori pushed, ignoring Beck's scream of pain and Cat exclamation of, "I can see the head!"

She had one task at hand, this had to end. She was so tired, she wanted to sleep so badly. Then she heard a small cry, the wails of a newborn and she realised it was over, the pain was over. Laughing slightly with relief she forced herself to sit up to look at her baby.

Beck kissed his wife's hair, unable to take his eyes from his baby, "Well what is it?" he asked.

The doctor beamed, "By the looks of it, you are the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl."

Caterina squealed delightedly, "Tori! You're a mother!"

Tori smiled as the baby was placed in her caring grasp, she cooed at her baby and kissed its newly cleaned forehead, "Hi baby. You were a lot of hard work." She joked, "But you were definitely worth it."

Handing the baby over to Beck he cradled his daughter, bringing her over to the Lady Caterina he said, "Say hello to your Godmother."

Caterina smiled up at Beck, "Godmother?"

"I could not think of anyone better and I am sure Tori would agree if she wasn't asleep." Beck responded as his eyes flicked protectively over to his wife, "She is alright isn't she doctor?"

Doctor Carter smiled as he checked her heart rate with the stethoscope, "She is perfectly fine. It is just a case of exhaustion. But she will definitely need to rest tomorrow."

Caterina nodded, "That is no problem, she can remain her."

Beck smiled, "Lady Caterina that is very kind but I do not think you're mother would approve. I can move her to the cottage."

Caterina flicked her forefinger up to silence her butler, "I will not hear of it, I do not care what my mother has to say about it. I am the owner of Blackwater, not her."

Caterina led Dr. Carter back down to the entrance of the manor, thanking profusely for his assistance, "And you are certain she is safe because my husband's mother died of a complication and-"

"Lady Caterina." He interrupted, "I assure you, your maid will be fine."

Caterina flushed slightly, "I am sorry, I just over-react about these things."

As he opened the door, he smiled sympathetically at Lady Caterina, "that is perfectly natural. Madam I hope I do not sound to forward by asking if you are upset about the complication you had?"

Caterina smiled slightly, brushing off his question, "Not at all, that was not meant to be. Goodnight Dr. Carter."

He tipped his hat politely, "Goodnight Milady."

Caterina sighed as she travelled back up the staircase into her bedroom, switching off the light she crawled back into the bed that Sir. Robert was curled up in. He turned to face her as she got under the covers and held her close, "Is she alright?"

She murmured quietly, "She had a girl."

Sir. Robert kissed her forehead, "Don't be disheartened Cat. We will be next."

Caterina curled closer into him, uncertain how to reply. Instead she closed her eyes and pretending to sleep. But her thoughts where plagued by the events of the past year. How she had spontaneously married Sir. Shapiro after he declared his love for her, narrowly escaping losing her estate. She was blissfully happy, there was no denying that. The pair complimented each other perfectly, everyone they met always commented on that, they seemed so opposite that they were perfect for each other.

Caterina had taken over her mother's role as head of the house along with Sir. Robert, which basically meant that she could do as she pleased, which she enjoyed greatly. She spent countless hours outside, riding her horse, drawing and painting. The house was now filled with her designs, much to her mother's disapproval. But Robert had insisted that they were displayed, so they had been placed in various spots, mainly they could be found in the servant's bedroom to make them seem more homely.

A few months ago Caterina and her husband had received tremendous news: Caterina was with child. Sir. Robert was so pleased, before Caterina he had imagined that the Shapiro name would die out because he would never have an heir. Now he could not think of anything grander than a child to call his son or daughter. Caterina was ecstatic to be pregnant along with her best friend, they had joked about how the two could grow up together and become life-long friends.

But that was not meant to be.

Caterina remembered the event so vividly the event could have only happened yesterday, She was sitting out on the terrace, sipping tea and painting a portrait of the landscape when she had felt the most tremendous pain in her side. The china cup slipped out of her hand and shattered into pieces as Caterina fell to the ground, fainting from the pain.

She had woken up an hour later, her husband sitting beside her, holding her hand faithfully as she lay on the hospital bed. He looked upset. Caterina did not need to ask what had happened, she knew she lost her baby.

That was why she was so involved in Tori's pregnancy after that moment, she had to ensure that neither mother or child would be in danger. At least she had succeeded in that part.

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Sir Robert was surprised by how much he had grown to love the countryside, being married to someone like Cat had that effect on him. She forced him to go on long walks, join in on the hunt and she even showed him her favorite part of the woods, the small clearing with the single willow tree. They would spend afternoon together in this secluded area, under the covers of the large, drooping leaves until nightfall. Where just for a while they could get away from the pressures of society and the wailings of Caterina's suffocating mother. Just enjoying each others company.

He was right about Caterina, she was not like other women. He never got tired of listening to her talk and while she had not lost herself, she became more comfortable in her social role. With Sir. Robert by her side she felt more confident at parties, she was still the envy of most girls.

She was the lucky one who got to keep him after all.

Sir. Robert was sad to leave London once he had packed up his father's house. His funeral had been difficult, one moment he went from being on a high from eloping with Lady Caterina, to horribly upset from burying his father. Caterina had been supportive, making the journey with him and saying kind words about a man she never knew when Robbie got too choked up to say anything. She gripped his hand tightly as his father was lowered into his grave, where he would remain forever. Side-by-side with his wife.

Many had been surprised when she introduced herself as Lady Caterina Shapiro and soon enough the gossip spread like a wildfire, that Lord. Shapiro had married a simple girl from the countryside. Not that he cared at all, he was proud to have a wife like Cat and he didn't care who knew that Sir. Robert had finally stopped his wicked adulterous lifestyle for monogamy.

But that is the curious thing about life, monogamy... it seemed to screamed dull and dreariness. Nothing like the life that Robert once had. But the world has a funny way of never being simple, there is constant turns and twists that no one could see coming.

That's what made life bearable, the possibility that anything can happen.

And while Sir. Robert and Lady Caterina were pleasantly happy with settling down to a quiet life in the countryside, it seemed like the world had other plans.

Beginning with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his pregnant wife.

So you know what I am like! I can barely rest when I have an idea... In fact I do not rest!

Serious Problem!

Need to also think of/ make a cover photo for this..

Anyone want to help me out? :P

ALSO Titles are HARD... Ideas would be helpful!

So there we go Tori had a baby and Cat didn't... Happy and sad at the same time :/

Let me all know what you think so far!

This story is definitely going to require me doing some research ;)

and i will write the prequel maybe even alongside this one :D

Lots of Love

:D xoxoxoxo