Jennifer Hart sat in the kitchen of their house on Willow Pond Road looking over samples from the interior design store spread out in the table. They were for the guest room being made over into a nursery and she had just reached twenty weeks so she thought it was time to get started. They didn't know what their little bundle was so she was leaning toward a gender neutral green. She looked at her watch and just as she did she heard the front door open and a moment later Max entered the kitchen.
"Hey Mrs. H. made a decision yet?"
"No." She sighed, "And it shouldn't be this hard." She said, "Where's Riley?" She said referring to their foster daughter who had come to live with them after her grandmother had died
"She went upstairs, seemed real quiet on the ride home from school. I think she's got something on her mind."
"She didn't tell you what it was?" Jennifer asked getting up and stretching her back
"Nah, maybe it's one of those, you know, female things." Max said
Jennifer stifled a laugh, "Well, I'll go up and check on her." She said as she exited the kitchen
She reached Riley's room and gently knocked, "Riley."
"Come in."
Jennifer entered the room to find Riley on the bed reading a book. She sat down on the bed, "How was school? You usually have a lot to say when you get home."
"It was okay." She said
"Well, Max said you were really quiet on the way home. Is there something wrong?"
"If I tell you, you'll just get mad." She said
"Riley, you can tell me anything." Jennifer assured her, "It's alright."
Riley looked up at her, "What's gonna happen to me when the baby is born?"
"What do you mean?" Jennifer asked
"Well, you aren't gonna want me around when you have a real kid, are ya, Mrs. H?"
Jennifer looked her in the eye, "Riley, whatever gave you that idea?"
"Well, you're so busy getting ready for the baby and babies are a lot of work. You won't want to have to deal with me, too."
"Riley, that's not true, not true at all. We love you. If we didn't want you, you wouldn't be here."
"Yeah, but when you said you wanted me to live here you didn't know about the baby." Riley replied looking down
"Listen to me." Jennifer said in a gentle but firm tone, "There is enough love in this house for all of us. Riley, when families get bigger that just means more love. We love you, and don't you know? You've got an important job in this family."
Riley looked up at her, "I do?"
Jennifer smiled, "Absolutely, you're going to be a big sister to this little guy, or girl." Jennifer caressed her growing belly, "And that's a big responsibility."
"I guess you're right." She smiled slightly, "But what if I can't do it? I don't know much about babies."
Jennifer smiled again, "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't either."
Riley couldn't help but laugh, "So we'll learn together, Mrs. H?"
"You bet." Jennifer pulled her into a warm embrace, "Feel better?"
Riley pulled back and nodded, "Yeah."
"Good." Jennifer said, "Now, why don't you, as big sister, help me pick out some things for the nursery?"
"Really?" Riley looked surprised, "But shouldn't Mr. H be helping you?"
"Well, yes, but he usually leaves the decorating up to me." Jennifer replied, "He knows how to pick out clothes but when it comes to paint and wallpaper, forget it."
Riley laughed again, "Okay, I'd like to help."
Jennifer stood up, "Good, then let's go downstairs. The books are in the kitchen." Jennifer brought her hands to her belly, "Ooh."
"What's the matter, Mrs. H?"
Jennifer smiled, "Nothing, it just felt like peanut here did a back flip." She looked at Riley, "Would you like to feel it?"
"Ca-I mean may I?" She said remembering how Jennifer was a stickler for grammar
"Sure." She took her hand and placed it on her belly, "See, there it is again."
Riley's eyes widened, "Wow, doesn't it hurt?"
"No but it does feel a little like a soccer game is going on in there." Jennifer replied with a smile
/
After dinner Jennifer looked over Riley's homework then headed downstairs as Riley got ready for bed. She joined Jonathan on the couch, picking up the book she had been reading.
"Everything squared away upstairs?" He asked
"Yes, homework complete and she's taking her shower now and getting ready for bed." She replied turning her attention back to her book
"Isn't she finishing a little late tonight?" He asked, "I thought the rule was homework before dinner."
"Well, I had her helping me with a project so she got started late." She explained, "I though she needed to have a little girl time. She's never really had anyone for that." She again tried to turn her attention back to her book
He took her feet and placed them in his lap and began to massage them, "You are so good with her. Now, it's time to take care of mom."
She looked up from her book and smiled, "I can see I won't be doing any reading tonight. But you do have wonderful hands, Mr. Hart." She purred
"Among other things." He quipped as he reached over and caressed her belly
"So I've noticed." She said in a sultry voice, sitting up, swinging her legs in front of her, she leaned in for a kiss but they were interrupted by a familiar giggle. Looking to the foyer they saw Riley, in her robe and pajamas.
"Sorry." She blushed walking over to them, "I just wanted to say good night." It certainly wasn't the first time she had found her new parents like that in the six months she had lived with them
"That was quick. Did you get your clothes ready for tomorrow?" Jennifer asked
"Yes Ma'am, all ready." She replied, giving Jennifer a peck on the cheek, "Good night, Mrs. H."
"Good night, Riley." Jennifer said kissing her on the cheek as well
"Hey, do I get one of those, too?" Jonathan teased
Riley rolled her eyes, "Of course you do, Mr. H." She leaned in and gave him a peck as well, "G'night."
They watched as Riley headed out of the room and up the staircase, grinning the whole time.
"You would think we'd remember she's in the house by now." Jonathan said, "Now, where were we?" He leaned in to kiss her again
She pulled back, "Darling, there's something I want to talk to you about."
He could tell she was serious, "What is it?"
"Well, I had a talk with Riley this afternoon and she was very worried about what would happen after the baby is born. I think she thought we would send her away."
His brow furrowed, "Why on earth would she think something like that?"
"She isn't used to stability, Darling. You know what that's like. Her mother dies, her father leaves, then Monty is killed and Constance passes away. She needs assurance she won't be left again."
Jonathan nodded, "Well, I hope you were able to do that."
"Yes, I was but I think when she has spring break in a couple of weeks we should go away somewhere, really give her some one on one attention before the baby." Jennifer explained
"I think that's a good idea." He agreed, "We could go to the ranch. She could ride and get some fresh air. We could go fishing."
"Or we could go to my father's." Jennifer suggested, "He would love to see her and she could ride there too."
He smiled, "Why don't you call him tomorrow and make the arrangements?"
She nodded in agreement,"So, now that we have that settled, can you show me where you were again, Mr. Hart?"
He leaned in to kiss her, "With pleasure. Mrs. Hart."
/
They arrived in Maryland around dinner time and Stephen greeted them excitedly as they got out of the car. Walter came out and began getting their luggage.
Looking at Jennifer he fairly beamed, "My darling, you look radiant." He drew her into a hug
"Well, thank you, kind sir." Jennifer quipped then pulled back
"Jonathan, I take it you've been taking good care of my daughter and my grandchild." Stephen said
"Of course." Jonathan replied shaking his hand, "You look wonderful, Stephen."
"Well, I just had a dose of my favorite tonic." He winked at Jennifer
Riley had been standing back, it was still a bit overwhelming to be a part of a new family, "Hello, Mr. Edwards."
"Dear Girl." He said trying to sound stern, "What is this Mr. Edwards business? It's Pa, to you, young lady."
Riley laughed, "Okay, Pa."
"Now, I have Sugarfoot all ready for you to ride." He explained
Her face lit up, "That's great!" She replied, "Will you ride with me, Mrs. H.?" She and Jennifer had made a connection through their mutual love of horses
"No sweetie, I'm sorry. It's not a good idea for me to ride while I'm pregnant."
"I tell you what, why don't we get settled inside and then you and I can take a ride." Jonathan suggested, "That'll give those two a little time to talk." He said gesturing to Jennifer and Stephen
"Okay." Riley agreed
After getting settled Jonathan and Riley saddled up and Jennifer and Stephen chatted in his study.
"Darling, tell me, how are things going with Riley?" He asked
"They're getting better, Pa." She said, "She had a hard time at first. I can't imagine going through what she's been through and she's just a child."
"Any regrets?" he asked knowing that, for whatever reason, Jennifer worried about what kind of mother she would be
She smiled, "None."
"She still calls you Mr. and Mrs. H?"
"I think that's comfortable for her. She's always heard Max call us that. We're trying not to press her."
Stephen nodded his agreement, "That's probably very wise. She's a feisty one, though. Reminds me of someone else I know." He gave her a wink
"I'm certain I don't know what you are talking about." She replied stifling a laugh
He gave her a mischievous grin then changed subjects "And my favorite fetus?"
Jennifer rested her hand on her abdomen, "Everything is fine, starting to kick up a storm."
"I'm so happy for you." He reached out and took her hand, "You will…are a wonderful mother."
Just as she started to respond they were interrupted by a breathless Jonathan and Riley entering the study.
"What on earth?" Jennifer asked
"Sugarfoot." Jonathan managed, "He collapsed."
Jennifer could see Riley was terribly upset and went to her, hugging her close, "It's alright. It's alright."
TBC