The sun peeked through the window and Lee opened his eyes, smiling to himself as he remembered what Rosemary had told him yesterday. The smile was quickly replaced by concern when he heard his wife heaving next to him. Normally, he would be running around like a lost sheep but given the fact that this was their third go-round, he knew exactly what to do at this point. He sat up and held her hair back, "It's okay sweetheart, you're okay," he said soothingly.
Rosemary groaned and handed Lee the bucket. She covered her face, "I really hate this part."
Lee smiled slightly, "I know," he kissed her forehead and handed her the crackers on the nightstand, "Why don't you nibble a few of these before you attempt to get out of bed again."
Rosemary took them gratefully and smiled, "You're so good to me."
Lee went to the bathroom and washed everything out before brushing his teeth and washing his face, "Daddy?"
Lee turned and Aaron was standing in the door frame, "Yeah, Buddy?"
"Is Mommy okay?" he asked worriedly.
"Mommy is just fine, I promise you," he assured him, "Now come brush your teeth and wash your face before Lilly and Mommy take over the bathroom," he joked.
"Daddy, it's not our fault that it takes us girls a long time to get ready! Girls just have more to do to look good!" said Lillian emphatically. Lee couldn't help but laugh at how often Lilly imitated Rosemary.
Rosemary came up behind Lillian and smirked, "Yeah, you heard her, Daddy. It's not our fault!" Lee rolled his eyes at his wife and then smiled. Aaron left the room to get dressed and Rosemary laid her hands on Lilly's shoulders, "Sweetheart, why don't you go get dressed for church and then I'll put a ribbon in your hair."
Lilly nodded and ran to her room. Rosemary started brushing her teeth and washing her face when Lee laid a hand on the small of her back, "Rosie, are you sure you feel well enough to go to church?"
Rosemary nodded, "I'll get through it," she smiled softly, "I really don't want to start feeding the rumor mill this early on in the pregnancy. We have to at least wait until we tell the kids so they hear it from us and not someone else." She wasn't quite sure how they were going to react. Aaron would be excited for sure, though he would probably need some explanations since he had been just shy of turning two when Elizabeth had Mary and Charlotte. Lilly, on the other hand, had only been nineteen months old when Aaron was born. She didn't really remember her life before he was born, but it had been just the four of them for so long. She didn't honestly know how Lillian would react to the concept of another addition to the Coulter family, "But I might skip fellowship afterwards. Just the thought of all of that coffee and food is making my stomach churn. Why don't you take the kids to Abigail's while I come home and wrap presents?"
Lee nodded. Both Rosemary and he had agreed to tell the children on Christmas morning after they had finished opening their presents. It would also give them time to ask any questions that they had. He kissed Rosemary's temple and said, "I'll send Lilly in."
Rosemary nodded and soon heard her daughter enter the bathroom, "Mommy, I'm never going to learn how to lace one of these things!"
Rosemary chuckled and helped Lilly lace her corset, "You'll learn Lilly Bug. It took me awhile to learn too."
Rosemary helped Lilly button the back of her dress and then began to put the ribbon in her hair, "Mommy, can I ask you a question?"
Rosemary furrowed her brow, "Of course. Anything baby girl."
"How come when Aaron and I were sick, you made us stay home, but you don't have to stay home even though you're sick?" asked Lilly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Rosemary chuckled, but then frowned a little. Maybe keeping her pregnancy a secret from the kids was going to be more of a challenge than she originally thought, even though Christmas was only four days away. She had Lilly turn around to face her and smiled, "Look Lilly Bug. Yesterday, I went to see Nurse Faith and I found out what's making me sick isn't what was making you and Aaron sick. It's also something that nobody can catch unlike what you and Aaron had, so that means that I can go out despite my tummy sometimes being upset."
Lillian stared at Rosemary and blinked a few times before she asked, "So, you can't make other people sick like Aaron and I could have?"
"No," Rosemary shook her head.
"So, I can't get sick from what you have?"
Rosemary chuckled, "No, at least, not at this point in your life."
Rosemary bit her lip, fearing Lillian would ask why but then Lilly smiled and hugged Rosemary, "Okay. I love you, Mommy!"
Rosemary smiled and embraced the young girl back; thankfully Lilly was only waist high when they were both standing, "I love you too, sweetheart. Now go downstairs and wait with your brother while Daddy and I get ready."
Lilly smiled and happily bounced down the stairs. Rosemary poked her head into the room where Lee was finishing buttoning his sweater vest and Rosemary hastily began to get dressed, whimpering as she laced her corset, "Sweetheart, if it doesn't fit…"
"I know, I know," she said frustratingly. She finished getting dressed and then turned to face her husband.
"Rosie, sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Rosemary sighed and wiped away a few tears. She hated dealing with the extra hormones during pregnancy, "Just nervous about how the kids will take the news about the baby. I mean, Aaron will probably be over the moon, but what's Lilly going to think?"
"She plays Mommy with her dolls all the time, Rosie," reminded Lee.
"And that's with dolls that aren't constantly crying or demanding Mommy's attention. She was barely walking and talking when Aaron was born. She doesn't remember being an only child but also doesn't recall all of the attention babies need…"
"Rosie, she'll be fine," said Lee. He kissed her and said, "Now let's get going or we're going to be late."
Once the family arrived at the church, Frank had just stepped up to the podium. The Coulters sat in the pew behind the Thorntons and Lee looked over at his wife and children. His heart leapt with satisfaction, but also curiosity as to whether it would be boys or girls ruling the Coulter house soon. He and Rosie would be thrilled either way.
"Good morning everyone," greeted Frank, "Just a reminder that our Christmas Eve service begins at 7:00 PM this Wednesday followed by our Christmas Pageant. And maybe a surprise visitor will make an appearance." The adults chuckled; they all knew Shane Cantrell was set to dress up as Santa this year, "Let us pray. O creator God, Our world is pregnant with the anticipation of the birth of your Son. We are bursting in our preparedness, for the feast of Christmas will soon be here. Everything seems to be in order: the plans are agreed to, the tree is decorated, most of the gifts are wrapped, and we think we are ready. However, Lord, as we pause to offer this prayer, we realize that some things have been rushed, and, in the process, some important things have been forgotten. In this brief moment of quiet, help us to be at least thankful. Help us to appreciate the Word that comes to dwell with us. Help us to hope in the promise of His way, truth, and life. Help us to join with the angels who sing your praise. Grant us the lasting peace of this great season of joy. We pray in the name of our long-expected Lord. Amen."
"Amen," the congregation responded. Rosemary smiled and casually rubbed her abdomen, thinking about both births she would be anticipating this season. After the service, the residents exited the church and began to make their way over to Abigail's for fellowship, "Well, I'll see you a little later," said Lee, laying his hand on Rosemary's shoulder, "Take it easy."
"I'll be okay, Lee," she smiled warmly.
"Bye Mommy!" Aaron and Lilly hugged her.
"Bye my babies," she kissed them both.
The three Coulters headed towards the café while Elizabeth approached Rosemary, "You're not going over to Abigail's?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"No, I have to wrap Lee and the kids' presents," said Rosemary.
"Is that all?" asked Elizabeth knowingly.
"And the coffee and food might give the baby a reason to make my stomach revolt," answered Rosemary honestly.
"Ah, Rosie," said Elizabeth, hugging her excitedly, "I'm so happy for you!"
"After a year and a half, we never thought it was going to happen," Rosemary admitted, "But you were right. I guess God had other plans."
"Well, I'm thrilled for you, truly," said Elizabeth, "Have you told Lee and the kids yet?"
"Lee, yes. We're both telling the kids on Christmas morning," answered Rosemary, "Now, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone. Lee and I want to tell the kids before anyone else."
"My lips are sealed," confirmed Elizabeth, pretending to zip her lips.
"I mean it Elizabeth, not even Jack," warned Rosemary jokingly.
"Hey, you're the one who's been talking his ear off since you both were twelve, not me," smirked Elizabeth.
Rosemary narrowed her eyes at Elizabeth and pulled her closer, "Just a word of advice. I wouldn't mess with a severely hormonal pregnant woman," Elizabeth wasn't quite sure if Rosemary was joking or being serious, but then sighed when Rosemary grinned. Rosemary yawned and said, "Well, I've got to get home and get something done since I'll soon probably be out of commission for the next few weeks."
Elizabeth nodded sympathetically. Rosemary certainly loved her kids and was a good mother, but pretty much everyone in town knew being pregnant wasn't exactly amongst Rosemary's favorite experiences, "Well take it easy. Both you and the baby need it," she laid her hand on Rosie's shoulder.
"Thanks," Rosemary squeezed Elizabeth's hand before she headed for home and Elizabeth towards the café. Rosemary couldn't help but stop and observe the coach stop, letting her naturally curious personality take over for a moment. It seemed that Gowen and that mysterious man, Constable Stonewall, were getting on a coach. Rosemary didn't know why, but she had a bad feeling about that man. She yawned again and decided to go home before she fell asleep in the middle of Main Street. She would worry about investigating about Harry Stonewall later.
Elizabeth arrived at the café and smiled when she saw her husband sitting with Lee. She sat down next to him and he kissed her on the cheek, "I saved you a cup of coffee."
"Thank you," she nodded gratefully and took a sip.
"So how's Rosie doing?" asked Jack concerned.
"She's doing fine. She just wanted to go home because she doesn't think she's quite over whatever she had," informed Elizabeth, telling only half of the truth. She glanced over at Lee, who gave a small nod of appreciation. He had the feeling that Elizabeth knew about the baby given the fact that he had seen her leaving their house on Friday and suddenly Rosemary was willing to visit a doctor the next day. He guessed it was just one of those woman's intuition moments.
Abigail and Frank approached the group after they had made their greeting rounds, "Good morning everyone," smiled Frank.
"Morning Pastor," smiled Elizabeth.
"Mrs. Abigail, Pastor Frank, are you going to watch the Nativity play on Christmas Eve?" asked Aaron excitedly.
"We most certainly are, young man," Abigail replied.
"I'm going to be the best angel this town has ever seen!" said Lilly, happily clapping her hands together. All of the adults couldn't help but laugh. Lillian Coulter was Rosemary's mini-me through and through. So much that Jack figured as soon as Lilly hit her teenage years, he would be taken back to his childhood in Ottawa with Rosie vicariously through her daughter.
"Oh Lee, could you let Rosemary know that our dress rehearsal is at 2:00 on Tuesday afternoon and warm-ups begin at 6:30 on Wednesday?" asked Elizabeth.
"Of course," he nodded in affirmation.
"Thanks," smiled Elizabeth. After another half-hour or so, everyone decided to head home, so Jack, Elizabeth, Lee, and the kids headed home together. Jack and Elizabeth took their children inside while Lee went into the house with Lilly and Aaron. They went inside and Rosemary wasn't in sight, so Lee said, "Lilly, Aaron, why don't you go play one of the games at the table while I go check on Mommy?"
"Okay," they said, grabbing one of the checker boards and setting up the pieces. Lee went upstairs and found his bedroom door closed. He knocked softly, though there was no response so he quietly opened the door to find a half-finished mug of tea on the desk along with some scissors and tape and scraps of wrapping paper on the floor. He glanced over to find Rosemary fast asleep, so he quietly picked up the wrapping paper scraps and threw them in the wastebasket. Rosemary stirred at the noise and slowly opened her eyes, "Rosie, sweetheart, go back to sleep," Lee rubbed her back.
Rosemary nodded and closed her eyes, but then darted them open when she realized the voice belonged to her husband, "LEE!" she sat up quickly and then looked around the room, "Oh dear. How long have I been asleep?"
"It doesn't matter, we just got back from Abigail's," said Lee soothingly, lying down next to her, "Are the presents wrapped or do you need me to help you?"
"They're wrapped," whispered Rosemary tiredly, "They're all in the closet," she pointed, clearly fighting sleep, "I meant to do some dusting too but after I wrapped the gifts, I was so exhausted and also a little nauseous so I made some tea and then went to rest my eyes for a few minutes. Guess it's been longer than a few minutes," she explained embarrassingly.
Lee kissed her temple, "That's okay, sweetheart. I'm sure you need the rest. Why don't you get some more sleep? I can entertain the kids and make dinner tonight."
Rosemary smirked, "You mean pick up dinner from Abigail's?"
"Rosie…" Lee warned jokingly, "I can cook."
"Leland Coulter, we've been married for eight years and I've seen you cook in three ways. They are scrambling eggs, frying chicken fried steak, and picking up dinner from Abigail's," she listed.
"Okay, maybe that was my plan," he admitted sheepishly, "What did you want?"
"Chocolate cake," she smiled hopefully. Lee raised his eyebrows, "And maybe some chicken soup so we don't have to explain to the kids why Mommy can have chocolate cake for dinner and they can't?"
Lee chuckled, "That's my girl," he kissed her temple and went to leave the room, "Now get some sleep, Mrs. Coulter. I mean it."
Rosemary smiled and closed her eyes again, one of the few times she was more than happy to comply with Lee's orders.
Later that night, Jack and Elizabeth tucked their children into bed before going downstairs into the living room to relax. Elizabeth glanced over at Jack and asked, "So, have you found out any more information on Constable Stonewall?"
Jack shook his head, "All I know is that he served under Father for twenty years. He retired just a few years ago. He's originally from Toronto evidently. I still have no idea who he was here to see."
"I think I might have an idea," informed Elizabeth as she set down her book on the coffee table. Jack looked at her, indicating for her to continue, "Henry Gowen."
Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Gowen? How do you know?"
"Last Saturday at the café, when you and Lee left to go help Bill decorate, Rosemary, Abigail, and I were wondering about him. Well, when Gowen walked in, they clearly knew each other. I don't know how, but they do. Doesn't seem they're on amicable terms though. I'm honestly surprised Rosemary hasn't obtained his entire back story."
Jack chuckled and laid his hand on Elizabeth's knee, "Well, I wouldn't encourage Rosie to look too much into that right now. With the holiday, the kids, and the new baby on the way, I'm sure she'll have her hands full."
Elizabeth went to say something until she realized what her husband said, "Wait a minute, I never told you…"
"I know you didn't, but the kids are no longer sick and she still is, she missed fellowship this morning, and in all of the years I've known her, the only times she hasn't been bouncing around me like a three year old on a sugar rush has been when she's been expecting," said Jack, "Plus Lilly and Aaron told me the chocolate ice cream and carrots story on Friday while you were 'talking to her'," Jack emphasized in quotes while doing his best impression of Elizabeth.
"Oh," Elizabeth blushed, "I didn't know you were that observant."
"It's my job to be vigilant," said Jack, "I promise, I won't tell them that I know. I'll act surprised when they tell everyone."
"Good," Elizabeth said lightly.
Jack kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and looked at the time, "Well, I'm going to go to bed. You coming soon too?"
Elizabeth yawned, "Yeah, I have a meeting with Rosemary and Dottie tomorrow about last minute costume changes and props."
Jack grabbed Elizabeth's hand to help her stand and kissed it, "After you, my sweet Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled at her husband and said, "You're so good to me."
