Prudence received her confirmation the next day that she was indeed pregnant.  She decided that she needed to get out of the house and be distracted for a while, so she planned to take Arthur on his first library visit.

Prudence was excited to take Arthur out–even though his existence might set some tongues to wagging.  She was certain that he was one of the most adorable toddlers in Sunset Valley–maybe even the world.  She was entranced by his lovely large eyes and cute little mouth.

When Prudence arrived at the library, she noticed a familiar face.  She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she wondered what Leighton Sekemoto would think when he realized she was pregnant so soon after she’d had Arthur.

After briefly considering the option of simply going back home, she was about turn to leave when he noticed her and called her over.  Prudence took Arthur to the children’s section and chatted with Leighton for a while.  She didn’t say anything about her pregnancy, and hoped Leighton would think it was just residual baby weight.  She asked after his mother and they made small talk for a little while.  Finally, Prudence begged off to go in search of a computer.

Arthur was having a grand time while his mother was trying to keep the rumors down to a minimum.  He loved playing with the block set, and didn’t move away from that toy the entire time.

Prudence found the seat in front of one of the computers occupied by a man with a very strange skin condition. He wasn’t using the computer–he was just sitting there, reading a book.

“Excuse me, sir…would you mind terribly if I used the computer?” Prudence asked.

“What?  Oh! Sure…I’m sorry, I can find another seat.”  the man replied amiably.  Prudence struck up a conversation with him and found out that his name was Boyd Blue, and he had just moved to Sunset Valley.

Prudence sat down soon after ending her conversation with Boyd, and she was happy to get a few chapters out of the way.  A publisher she’d submitted the book to liked what she was doing, and paid her $18 for her submission.  Prudence was eager to get more written.  She decided that even though her novel was based on her bad experience with Xander, it was time to introduce a hero.  She modeled him on Clark’s characteristics, and primly refrained from writing the love scenes at the library.  She’d finish those up at home.

It was growing dark by the time Prudence left the library with a sleepy and hungry Arthur in her arms.  She scooted them into a cab and sat there humming quietly to Arthur as they drove home.  It had felt good to get some writing done, but she had no idea how she’d find the time once the new baby was born.

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