"Well, I do have something to tell you Elizabeth…" I said.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, sounding concerned.

"I know it sounds crazy but when I was in the infirmary, unconscious, I died…" I hesitated….

"You… what?" Elizabeth said shocked, sounding like she didn't quite know what to say.

"Well, I went to this place..it..it was strange." I stumbled over my words.

"Was it all white? And nothing around?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes...How did you.."

"Remember when I wouldn't wake up, just after I had Abby? I went to a place just like that." she said, and I felt less mad.

"Oh my. Well all I remember before I went to the white place is trying to go down my stairs and then I was hit with this horrible pain. When I got there, there was a little girl calling out to her mother but I was the only one there…" I told her.

"She was talking to you?"

I nodded "She was. She explained to me in every detail what happened to me and that she wasn't growing in the right place so God needed her to help look after Lee and I from heaven."

Elizabeth put her hand over her heart, "Oh, Rosemary, that was your little girl."

"She was beautiful, Elizabeth," I sighed, "She looked just like Lee in every way, but she had my eyes," I could feel the lump forming in my throat, "When Lee confirmed what I already knew when I came to, we decided that she should have a name even if God had other plans to take her from us."

Elizabeth smiled, "That's beautiful, what did you decide on for a name?"

I took a deep breath, "Her name is Evelyn..Evelyn Elizabeth Coulter."

Her eye widened, "You gave her the name Elizabeth? … After me?"

I nodded and took her hand, "Yes. You have been so kind to me and after all we have been through, you are like a sister to me and you will always be family." I smiled, "Lee and I adore you and had Evie been able to stay with us, you and Jack would be her godparents. I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of my children." I said reassuringly.

"You are some of the most important family I have, Rosemary. You and Lee. That means so much to me. It's truly an honor." there was a tear forming in her eye as she spoke. Just then I heard the lock on the door click and Jack walked in with Abby. I realized that as constable, Jack had a key to every business to be able to unlock the doors in any situation. This one being seeing his wife and her best friend locked in the dress shop, he was obviously worried judging by the look on his face.

"There you are," Jack said, relieved, "Rosemary," he nodded. Turning back to Elizabeth he said,"Sweetheart, Mrs. Macafee is sick and can't watch the baby for the day."

"Oh dear, I hope she's alright," Elizabeth said worriedly.

Jack continued, "She said it's just a cold, but she doesn't want to give anything to Abby."

Elizabeth sighed, "I'm grateful for that. But who'll watch her? I have school and you have your rounds. I could stay home and ask Florence to teach today, I wasn't planning on too much for the day anyhow?"

"Nonsense, I'll watch her," I said.

"But you're here." Elizabeth sounded uncertain.

I reassured her,"Clara will be back soon and she's watched the store alone before. Please, Elizabeth, let me." I was practically begging to get out of there. Plus Abby made me feel closer to my Evie.

Jack still voiced some concern,"We don't want to cause you any trouble."

"I promise she will be fine. We won't have much business with Dottie out of town." Hopefully I sounded more reassuring. What I wouldn't give to have another child..I wanted to just cuddle up with Abby all day and play with her. Boy did I have plans for us!

Elizabeth finally agreed, "If you're sure. If she's any trouble at all, please come and get me."

Excitedly I exclaimed," Oh Elizabeth, we will be just fine!" Practically snatching Abby from Jack, I continued, "Okay you two, I do believe you have work to attend to! Abby, we are going to have lots of fun, aren't we?" I cooed.

Abby giggled and clapped her hands at me. Gosh she was so perfect. I couldn't wait to have my own.

"Say bye, bye to Mommy and Daddy!" I cooed.

"Bye, bye!" Abby giggled as she waved with both hands.

Elizabeth stood there shocked, "Oh, geez, okay. Goodbye, my love." She kissed Abby's forehead "Mama will see you later."

Jack talking in his baby voice said "Be good for your Aunt Rosemary." They both walk out the door arm in arm.

Me, continuing my baby talk, turning to Abby, "Hi beautiful! Can you say Aunt Rosie?"

Abby grinned a huge three tooth smile, "Wooosieeeeeeeee!" she said, giggling and pointing to me.

"Are you gonna help your favorite Auntie at work until Clara gets back?"

My heart burned as I heard Abby say my name. I enjoyed being able to spend time with her and could feel myself coming to accept the reality of dear Evie.

As I turned my attention back to Abby, I noticed she had grabbed some of my scrap fabrics and was playing with them. I couldn't help but notice how the lavender color complimented her hair and then there was this other one… this light blue, almost powder blue, and it made her beautiful greyish-blue eyes come to life even more. "Abby, would you like Auntie Rosie to make you a new bow? We will use the colors you have in your hand," I cooed.

Abby, still fascinated by the colors, giggled as she waved around the fabrics. "Booooowwwww!" she said with much excitement.

I laughed. "I'll take that as a yes, then." I picked her up and brought her over to the sewing machine. Dottie was finally able to get one so it would be easier to transfer our designs.

I sat Abby on my lap then guided our hands in the loops of the bow. I held her left hand over the loop as I guided our right hands to sew them together and the bow came into form. We finished and moved on to the other side, and the bow was done in no time. "Look, Abby, we did it!" I said enthusiastically. "You were the best helper Auntie Rosie has ever had!"

"Yay, Auntie Wooosiee!" She giggled and clapped her hands. She reached up for me to pick her back up.

I scooped her up and put the bow in her hair. Gosh, she looked so beautiful. All of her features were dramatically enhanced with this one little bow. " Abby, my darling, you look beautiful." I said as I hugged her.

"Dank ooo," she looked up at me with those beautiful eyes and put her little hands on my cheeks and said "I wooove ooo Wooossieeee."

Oh my word. This child was exactly what I needed today. My heart swelled with joy as i was overcome by peace and love in this very moment, everything seemed to be perfect. "I love you too, darling." At about that time, Clara came back in from her breakfast with Jesse. "Good morning, Clara! How was breakfast?"

"It was wonderful. You would think I would be used to it by now, but I'm still in such awe at how wonderful Abigail is at cooking!" She exclaimed." Hello little one!" she said to Abby.

Abby giggled and waved.

"Where's Elizabeth?" Clara asked.

"She's at the school. got sick and she was going to take off school but I offered to watch her… I hope you don't mind. I knew that with Dottie out of town we wouldn't have many orders. Do you think you could manage if I take her home?"

"Of course!" Clara reassured me. "You go take care of her and have fun! Oohhhh, what a lovely bow!"

"We just made it," I said. "Abby helped, didn't you?"

"Uhhh-huuhhhh!" she smiled.

" Thank you so much, Clara," I really couldn't thank her enough for this.

"Rosemary, you are more than welcome. You need this day to yourself. I can tell something has been on your mind lately."

"Thank you, again, Clara," I said walking out the door with Abby on my hip.

We walked Abigail's to see her and she was...preoccupied. As when we walked in they practically sprang apart.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said turning away and making sure Abby faced away too, "I'll come back later,"

"No Rosemary, it's alright," She straightened out the skirts of her dress and tucked stray hair behind her ear, "What can I do for you?"

"I uhh," I couldn't seem to form the words.

"I'll go," Henry went over and pecked Abigail on the cheek, "I'll see you later," he said. "Goodbye, Rosemary. Goodbye Miss Abby," He shook the baby's hand and she giggled while watching him leave.

I turned to Abigail, wide eyed, "Do you realize it's almost the middle of the day?" making her look down, "You need to tell me every detail." Just this short time with Abby, I already felt a little more like myself.

"Rosemary, how can I help you today?" Abigail said.

She's lucky I've got a busy mind right now! "I was thinking about taking Lee some roast for lunch at work today. Abby misses her Uncle Lee!"

"Alright," Abigail said, "Did you want to give him any dessert?"

"Oatmeal raisin cookies and a slice of apple pie, please!" I told her.

"Um, isn't Lee allergic to those cookies?"

"Well, he called me 'Squidget'..." I said defensively.

"SO YOU WANT TO KILL HIM?" She asked, baffled.

"No, it's a joke! The pie is his real dessert." I reassured her. Taking the basket from her hands as she held it out, giving me a stern look of disapproval of my joke. I smiled, "Thank you."

As I made my way to the mill, Abby's face lit up because she recognized where we were going and started clapping her hands and chanting "Unkie Wee! Unkie Wee!"

I opened the door and he and Hickam acted as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn't be…talking in hushed tones.

Hickam cleared his throat "Good afternoon, ."

"Hello Hickam!" I greeted. "Lee what are you up to?"

"Oh nothing, Darling, I just an order for some lumber and Hickam was helping with the numbers." He replied sheepishly.

Something's up and I'm going to find out what it is. "Oh Lee," I said giving a look that even Hickam interpreted as it was his time to leave. As Hickam left, I turned to Lee."What was that about?" I questioned.

"Sweetheart, don't worry about it, I promise everything is fine." He said holding up his hands.

"Only because I have my mind preoccupied, I will let this slide," I teased.

"Hello there, Miss Abby Rose!" Lee cooed.

"Unkie Weeeeeee!" She said and she practically leapt out of my arms and straight to his.

"I missed you so much," he said in his baby voice."Thank you for bringing me lunch. Darling," he said turning to me. "Say, when was the last time Jack and Elizabeth were alone? Like…..alone alone?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at, Lee…" I paused. Ohhhh…..alooone…"I'm not sure." I said

"Why don't you see if we could keep Abby overnight tonight and let them reconnect. Also, I have seen how much she changes your whole mood and I think it would do us both some good to spend time with her."

"I think that's a wonderful idea! I'll run it by Elizabeth this afternoon when she comes to pick Abby up."