Charles return

Dr. Grant wandered the ship, pondering all that had taken place in the last days.
Miriam... How long had he known her for?  She had been his head nurse for months... Was it years?
At the hospital he concluded that he hadn't known her for long, but with a clear head, and time to meditate, he realized that she had worked there for some time, not always as head nurse.  She had stayed low, intentionally or not, she hadn't moved into position as head nurse of the ward until the winter of last year.
How did she know all about the child?
No, that's not the question.  How would she not have known...
The real question is how come it never got out of the hospital and into the world.
Hmmm...
But more than that, what was going to become of his wife?  Would Charles fetch her?
Certainly a man of such secrecy and tact wouldn't allow any harm to befall his own sister.  What if it was Charles' implementation and strategy that had kept word of the child low?
It must have been.

And just what was he supposed to do, he considered.
He had vowed to the parents that he was in it with them, that he would ensure that child survives.
So that was it.  He had made a promise, and he had to make good on it.

"Thaddeus."  Charles greeted him from behind.
The doctor had barely had the chance to see his face when Charles saved him from the quay, he almost didn't know what to expect as he turned around.

The man looked young.  Much younger than he had to be.  His sister was in her 50's, and she wasn't much older than Charles, only by several years.  Yet he carried himself like a man in his early thirties, lithe, fit, and clearly active.  Only by looking into his eyes could you see the age of his soul.
"Charles," he began, but didn't know where to start, "What the blazes man, Angie never told me you had a boat!"
Charles looked upset, but realized his sister's husband was reverting back to his usual clowning around.
"Well, why would I tell her?  So I could have her come on and bang her pasty scottish lover all over my beautiful ship?"
It was Dr. Grant's turn to be surprised.  Charles had always been a ghost, and when he did show himself he was quiet, reserved, and somber.  Never had the doctor heard him joke, or even seen him smile!
After a perplexing moment they shared a good laugh, and embraced.
"Alright, Thaddeus," Charles demeanour slightly changed,
"I have news, and we have work to do."