#Gale 1900

[miraplayssims]

The bar owner had agreed to let the theatre group rent the room above his establishment for free, on the condition that they provided musical entertainment for his patrons every other night. Benjamin, who had learned to play the piano from Alice during his childhood, was quickly appointed as Kirsten’s accompanist.

Although Benjamin didn’t mind the work, it wasn’t what he had envisioned. Perhaps he had been naive. He’d dreamt of being on stage, performing as Inspector Javert or King Lear. But the reality of their situation was not lost on him. The group had to finance itself somehow, and playing music in a noisy bar was the price they paid for their passion. The scarce opportunities they had to perform real plays in front of an audience offered only meagre pay.

As Benjamin’s fingers danced across the keys, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was all there would ever be—a life spent in the shadows of a stage, supporting others while his own dreams remained just out of reach.

When Benjamin would arrive home in the wee hours of the night, everyone would already be fast asleep. He’d quickly eat the leftovers from dinner over the kitchen counter before quietly walking up the creaking stairs and slipping into bed.

One night, however, Theodora was still awake when she heard the front door open. She lay in bed, waiting for the familiar sound of the old wooden stairs groaning under his weight. But the minutes passed in silence, and finally she decided to go downstairs. When she entered the kitchen, she found Benjamin deep in thought, so absorbed that he didn’t notice her presence.

She tapped him lightly on the shoulder, causing him to start. “Oh, Theo. Forgive me, did I wake you?”

Theodora shook her head. “No, I was still awake. What are you doing down here? Did everything go well tonight?” She had a feeling something was troubling him.

“It went as it usually does,” he replied, lighting a cigarette. Seeing the worry in her eyes, he forced a smile and added, “It went great.”

“You’d tell me if you weren’t happy, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course, my love,” he said, his tone gentle but unconvincing. Theodora, still certain he was keeping something from her, decided not to press him further for now. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him, hoping that in due time he would tell her.

[miraplayssims]

Theodora had to go in to town to visit the shop. Magdalena, who had the day off, joined her.

“Will that be all for today, madam?” the man behind the counter asked, his gaze lingering a moment on her stomach.

Theodora smiled politely and shook her head. “Just the soap, thank you.” Money was tight, as it always was during winter. As much as she would like to buy new toys and clothes for the baby, she just couldn’t justify it. They already had all the necessities—perfectly usable hand me downs from the Gale children’s younger years. No, new toys and clothes would have to wait at least until summer, she thought.

The shopkeeper rang up the soap on the till, “That’ll be six pence please.”

She placed the pennies on the counter and thanked the man, tucking the soap into her purse, which she kept under her coat.

Hearing Theodora approaching, Magdalena turned around, her eyes sparkling, “Have you seen these, Theo?” she beamed, gesturing towards a couple prams.

“I have indeed,” Theodora replied. Hoping to change the subject, she then quickly added, “Shall we go?”

But Magdalena had already shifted her focus back to the prams. “Aren’t they lovely? You should get one!”

Theodora felt her face flush, acutely aware of the man behind the desk who occasionally glanced over at them. She didn’t feel like explaining to Magdalena that a pram was far too expensive—not here, and especially not in front of the shopkeeper who could hear their every word. Besides, why did Magdalena even bring it up? Had she already forgotten about life on the farm now that she had her own job and salary?

With a hushed voice that perhaps sounded a bit harsher than she’d intended, Theodora whispered, “Let’s just go.”

Magdalena, surprised by Theodora's sudden outburst, opened her mouth as if to protest, but seemingly changed her mind and instead nodded obediently.

Theodora walked along the familiar path back to the farm. Having managed to calmed down a bit, a feeling of guilt started to gnaw at her. Perhaps she had been too harsh, she knew Magdalena meant well.

As she reached the bridge that led to the house, she spotted Benjamin walking towards her. He waved enthusiastically, and she found herself smiling despite the lingering sense of guilt.

“Hello my love!” Benjamin called out as he got closer. He grabbed her hand while the other one affectionately stroked her stomach, "You know that mother could've gone instead. You should be getting rest."

"You're being dramatic, I'm perfectly fine," Theodora chuckled, rolling her eyes, "But thank you."

"How's Magda?" Benjamin asked as they walked the last stretch towards the farm together, hand in hand.

Theodora tensed up, "She's well," clearing her throat, she continued, "But I fear I might have acted unfairly towards her."

Benjamin's thumb stroked the back of Theodoras hand—his way of reassuring her that everything was all right. "She probably had it coming," he joked. But Theodora didn't laugh, so he tried again, "I wouldn't worry, dear. Now, let's get you inside, mother has prepared some wonderful bread."

[miraplayssims]

A few weeks after the new year, Benjamin decided to go visit the cramped little room above the pub where his old theatre group held rehearsals. He could hear familiar voices from inside before even opening the door. When he did, he saw Martin and Kirsten conversing on the make shift stage where he´d spent many an hour practising lines for plays that they usually never got to preform in front of people.

The father and daughter hadn´t noticed Benjamin entering, and for a moment his courage wavered. But before he could even consider quietly slinking away and with that forever giving up on his acting dreams, Kirsten looked up and saw his pitiful figure standing in the doorway.

Her eyes lit up and suddenly he was sixteen again. A boy with sweaty palms and a broken voice, wanting to impress the beautiful actress in front of him.

Martin was the first to speak, "please, come in lad!" he said, rising from the wooden crate he had been sitting on, "let me look at you."

"It's been quite some time, it's good to see you again," Kirsten smiled. She looked much the same, Benjamin noted, a bit older perhaps, but again so did he.

Hours went by, but the trio in the little cramped room above the pub barely noticed. They were far too busy reminiscing about old memories and telling eachother everything that had happened since the last time they saw eachother.

"Now tell me lad, why did you come today?" Martin finally asked.

Benjamin smiled timidly, now was his chance.

Meanwhile on the farm, Theodora had been restlessly awaiting Benjamin's return. Anxiously she paced back and forth in front of the couch where Alice sat knitting.

"You'll wear out your shoes if you don't stop that soon, dear," Alice chuckled, giving her daughter in law a knowing look, "what´s on your mind?"

Theodora sank down on the couch next to Alice, "I haven't bled for six weeks."

Alice put down her knitting needles. She studied the young woman's face, "are you happy?"

Theodora nodded. The two women embraced, nothing more needed to be said.

Everyone had already gone to bed when Benjamin came home that night, everyone except for Theodora. "I'm sorry for coming home so late," he said, casting apologetic glances at her through the mirror.

Theodora chuckled and closed the book she was reading, "you've already apologised four times, and I've already forgiven you as many times. Now come here, I have to tell you something."

Benjamin walked over to the bed, "should I be nervous?" he asked, half joking, half serious.

"Probably," at least I am, Theodora mused, "Ben, we're having a child."

"That's-" he began, but was suddenly rendered speechless. He swallowed a few times, trying to think of the right words to say. Finally he gave up and simply kissed his wife, his best friend and childhood companion, "that's wonderful."

[miraplayssims]

A few days after the visit to Magdalena, Theodora was stood in the kitchen doing the dishes, listening to Marion and Adriana raving about the upcoming christmas celebration, when Benjamin walked in.

"Hello girls," he said to the trio. His little sisters lit up, happy to have yet another person to share their excitment with. Benjamin chuckled as they told him about all the toys and dresses they were wishing for, "well, if you´ve been good this year, I bet Father Christmas will bring you both something really special! Now, if you ladies would excuse us, I´d very much like to speak with Theo."

The girls groaned, "all right, but you have to play with us later," said Adriana. Benjamin promised and the girls, satisfied with his answer, hurried away.

He and Theodora exchanged amused looks, "oh to be a child on christmas," she laughed.

"Nothing beats it," Benjamin said, "speaking of, I got you something! Well, two things actually. Papa and I made a bigger bed that we´d both fit comfortably in. And if you´d like, we could move it in to the room right now."

"Really?" she smiled, "if you´re certain, then yes, of course! But what´s the other thing you got me?"

"That´s a surprise!"

"What do you think?" Benjamin asked when they finally were done moving in the new bed.

"I think we did a marvellous job," Theodora said, out of breath from the heavy lifting.

"So do I," he nodded, "now then, time for the surprise! Sit down on the bed and close your eyes, please."

Theodora sat down and covered her eyes. She could hear Benjamin quietly opening the door to fetch something right outside. After fiddling with something for a while, he finally told her to look.

"Voilá!" he said, a painting hanging on the wall behind him. When Theodora didn´t say anyhting he nervously continued, "I remember you told me that we should hang some paintings in here. You see, I couldn´t afford a new one, but mama said I could take one from downstairs. I hope you like it."

Theodora stood up and placed a reassuring hand on Benjamin´s arm, "I do," she said, her eyes watering, "I´m sorry, I don´t know why I´m becoming emotional," and without thinking, she kissed him.

Benjamin kissed her back and before they knew it, they laid intertwined on the new bed.

[miraplayssims]

Winter had come and with it less work at the farm. Finally, Benjamin and Theodora had the time to go visit Magdalena in Henford.

After a brisk walk they arrived at the building where Magdalena worked.

Magdalena, laughing heartily at something her colleague had just said, didn't notice as the couple entered the office.

Benjamin cleared his throat, "knock, knock!"

Magdalena started, "my goodness," she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair to embrace her brother and friend, "what a wonderful surprise! Come, let me introduce you to my colleague, Ruth Gabriel."

Benjamin shook Ruth´s hand, "pleased to meet you, Ms. Gabriel."

"Ruth, this is my brother Benjamin," Magdalena beamed, nudging Theodora in front of her, "and this is my friend and sister in law, Theodora."

"Very good to meet both of you," Ruth said, "Magda´s told me a lot about you."

"Only good things, I hope?" Theodora smiled, eliciting laughter from the others.

"Naturally," Magdalena chuckled.

While Ruth gave Theodora a tour of the office, the siblings stepped outside to smoke.

"How´s everything at home?" Magdalena asked, shivering slightly from the cold breeze.

Benjamin took a long drag of his cigarette, "the girls are doing very well. Mother and father are too, but you know how papa gets when there´s not much to do."

"Yes, he can become quite neurotic," she mused, "but how about you? And Theo?"

"Well-," Benjamin exhaled deeply, "in earnest, it´s strange. A while back Theo proposed we´d share the bed for the night."

Magdalena raised an eyebrow, but Benjamin waved dismissively, "no, not like that. She merely wanted us to sleep together."

"And you don´t wish to do so?"

"I don´t know," he sighed, "perhaps I do. That´s not the only thing weighing on my mind though. You see, I´d like to start acting again. I already know mother and father wouldn´t like it, but perhaps if I showed them that one can actually make money from it, they´d approve."

Benjamin paused to light up another cigarette, "but I also have to think of Theo and our future. If I succed in convincing mother and father, I´m still not sure what she´d think."

"Ben," said Magdalena softly, grabbing her brother´s hand, "has Theo not been nothing but supportive of your thespian dreams in the past?"

"Yes, but-,"

"So tell her, don´t go around and torture yourself by wondering," she squeezed his hand, "now let´s go inside."

During the walk back home, Theodora chatted merrily away about the visit.

"What a sight, two women working behind desks! It´s really quite exciting, is it not?" she exclaimed, "Magda´s truly in her element there, and what a delight Ms. Gabriel was!"

Benjamin, deep in thought, merely hummed in response.

Theodora stopped and tugged at Benjamin´s sleeve, "is something the matter, Ben?"

"Oh sorry, Theo," he said, "it´s nothing really."

Theodora furrowed her brows, closely scanning her husband´s face, "tell me."

"All right," he nodded, "I´d like to start acting again. I´m not worried about mother and father, I already know they won´t approve. It´s wether or not you´ll approv."

Theodora smiled softly, "Benjamin," she gently lifted his chin, "of course I approve. You have a talent and it´d be a shame, nay, an outrage, to let that go to waste." They both laughed at her dramatic choice of words.

"Thank you, Theo, truly," Benjamin sighed in relief, suddenly feeling ten tonnes lighter.

[miraplayssims]

"Oh, sorry," Benjamin mumbled when he opened the door and saw Theodora standing by the dresser about to do her toilet, "shall I come back later when you’re finished?"

She looked back at him and smiled, "no, no, you can come in. I mean, what´s the harm, we’re bound the see eachother sooner or later."

Benjamin closed the door behind him and walked over to his bed. He realised that Theodora was right, but he still made sure to keep his eyes on the ground, not wanting to impose on her privacy. He slowly began undressing, feeling embarrissingly and painfully self counscious of how he did so. Suddenly he was startled back to reality by Theodora’s voice, “I’ve been thinking. Our room is a bit... uninspired."

"How so?" Benjamin hummed, keeping his eyes fixed on his sleeve cuffs.

Theodora shrugged, "I don’t know," she put down her hairpins on the dresser and turned around, "I think it’d be nice with some paintings in here. Don’t you?"

Benjamin finally looked up at his wife who was, much to his relief, still fully dressed, "I do, you’re right," he smiled.

Later, they were sat on Theodora’s bed talking.

“How are you feeling now that Magda’s gone?” Theodora asked, looking at a little beetle slowly making its way across the floor, finally finding a crack in the floorboards and crawling inside. See you again in spring, she thought and smiled to herself.

Benjamin shrugged, “I’m not sure… it’s a bit strange of course, but I’m glad for her. How are you feeling?”

“About Magda?” Theodora turned to look at Benjamin.

“No, no- no, I mean about everything? Us, this whole situation we’re in.”

She thought for a while, “well, it’s not optimal, of course. But-“ she said and placed her cool hand on Benjamin’s cheek, “I’m quite all right with it. You’re very dear to me, and your family is very kind.”

Benjamin gave her a relieved smile. They sat in content silence for a moment, their hands interlaced.

“I believe it’s time for bed,” he said after a while and stood up, but she didn’t let go of his hand. He crouched down, Theodora cupped his face.

“Perhaps we could both fit in my bed tonight?” she said tentatively.

Benjamin grabbed her hands, bringing them down, “Theo-“ he mumbled, “I think we should wait a little while longer.”

Theodora nodded, the rejection stung but she gave him a quick smile.

“Good night, Theo, sleep well,” Benjamin mumbled and gave his wife a hug.

[miraplayssims]

Magdalena’s work days were getting longer and longer. The long hours didn’t bother her, however she knew her parents weren’t all that happy about it. Most days she’d have to run all the way from town to get home in time for supper.

"I´m home!" Magdalena exclaimed when she all but fell through the door.

Eugene threw a quick glance at his winded daughter before getting back to scraping his plate clean, "how gracious of you to finally join us," he teased.

"Yes, yes, very amusing," she said, kissing her parents hello before sitting down at the table, "so, what have I missed?"

After supper when Alice, Magdalena and Theodora finally were done with the dishes, Magdalena cleared her throat.

"I have something to tell you," she said, "I didn´t bring it up at dinner because, well, I don´t know how Marion will react."

Alice studied her daughter´s face, trying to figure out wether the news were good or bad "out with it then, lassie."

"I know I haven´t been home much these last couple months becuase of work, even though I promised you and papa I´d be able to help out just as much as before," Magdalena began, "I feel like that isn´t fair to any of you, especially know that you´re here Theo. What I´m trying to say is, Ms. Billingsley has offered me to move in with her. I think it´s a good idea, it´s one less mouth to feed, and it would give the girl´s more space in our room."

Theodora hugged her friend, "how exciting, Magda!"

Magdalena gave her an appreciative smile, "thank you. What do you think, mama?"

"I´m very happy for you, dear" Alice said, "I´ll speak with your father, don´t worry, I´m certain he´ll be just as pleased."

A week or so later, the day finally came for Magdalena to move out. And although everyone was happy for her, they were all sad to see her go, especially Marion.

"I´ll miss you terribly," the girl frowned, burrying her face in Magdalena´s neck.

"Now, now, it´s only a short walk from town. I´ll come visit all the time, and you can visit me as well!" Magdalena reassured her sister.

"I´ll hold you to that," Alice said when it was her turn to say good bye, "farewell for now my dear girl. I´m so very proud of you. It turns out your father was right all along, that typeweriter was a very smart investment indeed."

[miraplayssims]

Benjamin and Theodora´s wedding portrait.

[miraplayssims]

The day of Benjamin and Theodora´s wedding had come. The bethroded hadn´t talked or even seen to eachother since their parents told them about their planned marriage and Benjamin felt it was high time to do so.

Leaving his parents and future in-laws talking outside, Benjamin walked in to the church where his sisters were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

He walked up to his Magdalena and cleared his throat, "Magda, do you know where Theo is?"

“I believe she´s getting ready in the sacristy," she said, giving him a sympathetic look, "how are you feeling, brother?"

"I´m fine," he sighed, "thank you."

Benjamin knocked on the door and heard a quiet "come in" from inside. When he entered and saw his childhood friend dressed in all white, silently sobbing with her face buried in her hands, his heart sank. My dear, dear friend, he thought, how I wish you wouldn´t be crying on your wedding day.

Benjamin kneeled down in front of the crying girl, "Oh Theo," he mumbled, "it´ll be all right."

Theodora looked up at him, wiping the tears from her cheeks, "yes," she nodded softly, "I´m being dramatic."

He grabbed her cold hands and squessed them thight, "no, you´re not. Cry if you want to, God knows I have," he whispered, "listen Theo, I swear to you I´ll try my best to make you happy, as a friend or as a husband. We don´t ever even have to share a bed, if that´s what you wish. We decide how this will work, no one else."

Theodora had stopped sobbing, but tears still trickled down her face, "I know you´ll be good to me, that´s not my worry. It´s just-," her voice thickened, "well, it´s just that I wish to have children some day. But as you said, perhaps we´ll never share the marital bed."

"If you wish to have children, we´ll have children," he reassured her.

Theodora stood up, smiling bleakly, "thank you," she whispered and embraced him, "you´re my dearest friend."

They stood there for a while in a silent embrace before Benjamin finally broke away, "come now, I think it´s time."