Chapter Fourteen: Picture Perfect

The following morning, Sarah and Michael were up early, along with Jim, who was also an early riser. He had knocked on their door softly around 7:00, and when Sarah gave a brisk response, he informed her that he would start breakfast in a half hour, then left them alone.

Emerging from the bathroom, tying his robe around his waist, Michael looked up at his tousle-headed wife and smiled, asking, "Was that Jim, sweetheart?"

Sighing and flopping down in the rocking chair in the corner, Sarah leaned back, nodding as she closed her eyes, small smile forming on her lips. "Yes, Michael. Breakfast is getting started in a half hour." She ran her hands through her hair, trying to neaten it somewhat.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" Sarah was hardly ever one that had to try to relax when she wanted it. She was often always able to just go limp and let her thoughts go.

In response, Sarah opened her eyes, then got up and went to Michael, putting her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. "I'm pregnant darling. It's a big change for me. If I look out of sorts, I most likely feel that way. But I could never be happier." She kissed him again, pulling close. "Never."

Michael took Sarah by the shoulders, then looking deep into her stunning blue eyes, told her firmly, "I love you, Sarah. I love you." He drew her into his arms, once again, and hugged her tightly. "And I simply cannot wait until the baby is born. I simply cannot wait."

"Your excitement means the world to me, Michael. As do you." She pulled away so she could look him in the eyes. She was smiling broadly as she whispered, "I hate to break the moment, but let's get dressed and go give Jim a hand."

"You've just given me another reason to voice why I love you so much, Sarah Louise. You're so thoughtful."

"Oh, not really." Sarah grinned. "I'm definitely hungry, and even though it isn't the wisest idea in the world to eat a full sized breakfast, I still want to eat a little. All in all, I'm just an exasperating wife, expectant mother that wants some food, and a good joker."

Michael sighed. "You really do beat all, Sarah. You really do."

"I know I do." Sarah was laughing as she pulled from his arms and grabbed her outfit from the bed and began to dress.

"Sarah, really, you don't have to." Michael walked into the kitchen ten minutes later to find Jim trying to pry a spatula from Sarah's hands.

"Jim, I want to help and I'm going to!" Sarah turned when she felt Michael's hands on her shoulders.

"Darling, sit down, please." His ice blue eyes pierced her deep blue ones.

Sarah sighed, knowing it was useless to continue arguing, and that Michael would most likely begin interrogating Jim now, a very opportune time to do so. She handed over the spatula and sat down at the oak table, waiting for Michael to begin.

Michael sat down next to her, taking her hand and giving her a reassuring smile. "Jim, Sarah and I are here on personal business that involves us moving as soon as we can. We were wondering if you know of any homes for sale in the surrounding area, with a school and hospital nearby."

Jim turned from the bacon that he was tending, thoughtful expression on his face. "I know of several places within fifty miles of here, but it really depends on what you're looking for. Besides it being close to any schools and hospitals, I mean."

Michael nodded. "We want a house that has at least three bedrooms and a comfortably sized kitchen. That's really our only crucial requirements, and it would be nice if it didn't need a large amount of repairs."

Jim nodded, then, checking the bacon to make sure it wouldn't burn, said quickly as he walked towards the swinging door, "The description sounds vaguely familiar, let me grab the latest newspapers."

Sarah snatched the opportunity and took his place at the stove, triumphant smile on her young face. She turned and looked at Michael, playfully sticking her tongue out at him. He only sighed and grinned back at her. "You never give up, do you?" She just turned back to the stove, snickering to herself.

Before Michael could say anything else to her, Jim came hurrying back in, several different newspapers in his arms. Seeing Sarah in front of the stove, he simply chuckled and sat down in her vacant seat, spreading the papers before him and Michael. "You certainly don't give up easily, do you, young lady?"

Prodding at the bacon, Sarah replied, "At least you're more polite and ask, much unlike my husband, who likes to accuse my to my face. He does it all the time." She slid the bacon onto a plate, taking it over to the table. "But I also love to tease him, and reprimand him, if I feel it necessary." She smiled warmly at Jim and dropped a kiss on Michael's head. "Like now."

"I can see that." Jim took Sarah's hand and patted it. "The relationship you two have is so remarkably strong."

Looking directly into Jim's eyes, Sarah simply said, "Thank you." There was no need for her to say anymore, Jim saw it all in her eyes. Her eyes reminded him so much of his own loving wife, who had passed only a year ago.

Sarah gently pulled her hand away and turned back towards the stove, catching sight of a bowl of beaten egg yolks. She silently poured the contents into a clean pan and listened to the men talking as they discussed the house adds in the papers. There had been a sense of longing and pain in Jim's eyes. It bothered Sarah, but she knew there wasn't much time for socializing. But one thing she knew; they'd have to keep in touch with Jim. He was a wonderful, kind man. He reminded her ultimately of her own grandfather, who had died when she was fifteen, only six years after her father's freak accident and death.

Sarah jerked back to the present when she heard her name. Lowering the heat on the stove, she stepped over to the table. Michael's eyes were lit up, dancing with excitement. "Look, honey." He pointed to a small advertisement in the for sale section of a paper from last week. It simply read:

Large country cottage for sale. Three bedrooms, master room bath, second full bath, and half bath. Two floors, spacious kitchen, dining, living, and family rooms. Located in Cedar Grove. Call for appointment.

Below was the number. Sarah looked up, first at Michael, then at Jim. Her question was directed at him. "What do you know of Cedar Grove?"

"Well, Sarah, it's much like Wayside Creek. They have more people, but it's a terribly friendly community, and there's a college and several high schools just outside of it's boundaries. It's about twenty miles south of here." He paused, looking at both of their faces, serious expression on his face. "I myself have seen this cottage, and almost bought it last year. It's a beautiful place, with plenty of pasture and yard area. I think you both would love it." His smile returned. "And it's a wonderful place for a child to grow up." Right away he knew that he'd said the right thing. There was an unconquerable sparkle in Sarah's eyes, and Michael seemed as if he wanted to go see it right that moment.

"Would you mind if I used your phone to call this number right now, while Sarah finishes cooking?" Michael's excitement was infectious, and Sarah just seemed to glow with joy.

"Not at all, my boy!" Getting up, Jim showed Michael where the phone was. "It's right over this way."

Sarah finished scrambling the eggs, smile gently creeping onto her face. Michael was more excited then he was letting on, and it touched her. And it was also ironic that she had made most of this meal and wouldn't get to eat very much of it. She knew Michael would help with that, in his eagerness to get a move on. Sarah quickly flipped all of the eggs onto a large platter, adding salt and pepper for the final touch. She took it over to the table and set it in the center. Then she grabbed a plate and dished herself a small serving, adding two rinds of bacon and a cup of tea to the lot.

Sitting down, she slowly began to eat her breakfast, taking it in cautious, small bites. It was delicious. Jim must have his own chickens and pig. At that moment, Jim came back in, whistling happily. He dished himself a generous serving of Sarah's scrambled eggs and several rinds of bacon to go with his coffee.

"Your husband is as happy as pie- he got an answer at the number."

Looking over at Jim, Sarah laughed and smiled. "You seem to have a knack with words, Jim. Michael's been terribly excited for our baby ever since I told him two weeks ago, but I've yet to see him practically dancing the way he is now." She paused, thinking to herself, then out loud. "This whole change will be good for him. And for me, I daresay."

"When did you two marry, if you don't mind me asking?"

Michael's voice joined the conversation as he walked back in. "Last July, finally." He too sat down and helped himself to the eggs, bacon, and coffee, immediately digging in. "Goodness Sarah, delicious, as always."

"Michael, slow down." Sarah's eyebrows were knit together as she watched her husband devour his breakfast. Wanting something far more interesting to look at for the moment, she turned to Jim and asked, "Do you keep your own chickens and pig? There's a high quality about this food that I haven't tasted in a long time." She finished off the last bite of her eggs and took a sip of her tea.

"Yes, Sarah, I do. I keep them out back. I have my own little poultry farm of sorts out there." He winked at her. He glanced over at Michael, and was about to say something, but Sarah beat him to it. It was probably better that way, anyways.

"Michael, you aren't making me feel much better about not being able to eat to my heart's desire." The young woman placed her hand on his, and he looked at her sheepishly. He slowed down considerably, this time enough so that they could talk as the meal went on.

"I'm sorry, darling. Your cooking is tops though."

Sarah giggled as she got up to take some dishes to the sink and start washing them, at which Jim said, "Don't even think about it, Sarah. Those are my dishes and I'll take care of them myself."

Sarah just shot Jim a glare as she went to take Michael's plate, leaning down to give him a kiss as she did so. "It's perfectly alright, sweetheart. I love you."

As Sarah began rinsing down everything, Jim questioned Michael, "When did you two have to go see the cottage?"

Michael jerked and looked at his watch. "Good Lord, I didn't realize how late it was. We've got to have at least forty minutes to get there, with all the snow and the possibility of getting lost. We have to leave now- Sarah, let Jim do his job, go get your coat." Michael got up, wiping his mouth and draining the remainder of his coffee. "We'll be back later, Jim. We will probably just head home tomorrow morning."

Jim smiled and said warmly as he went to go detach Sarah from his sink, "I'll be expecting you. Sometime after lunch." He caught Michael's questioning look. "Oh, just a hunch. Don't rush to get back, enjoy yourselves. I have things to keep occupied with." He put his hands on Sarah's shoulders and rubbed them kindly. "I know you want to do every lick of work around here, but you've got to go. The country roads can be a mess in the winter." He steered her into the main dining room, and helped her into the coat Michael held out. "Besides, you can't win every time," at which Sarah turned and smiled at him.

"Thanks, Jim." She gave him her sweet, perfect, charming smile, then linked her arm in Michael's, and they headed out into the cold, mid-morning air.

As they settled into the car and drove off down the road, they both waved to Jim, who was standing inside his door. He smiled back and lifted his hand in a temporary farewell, calling, "Good luck!"

With a quick glance at his wife, Michael announced to the realtor, "We'll take it."

One hurried, excited tour throughout the spacious cottage was all Michael had needed; Sarah had fallen in love with it as soon as she laid her eyes on the old-fashioned building. It was remotely similar to the English cottage they had stayed in, except that it had a second story. The bedrooms were extremely large and inviting; the living room was cozy and familiar; the kitchen was perfect; the dining room was quite elegant; the family room had a certain charm about it and would be wonderful for spending time together in.

The realtor looked absolutely astonished. "You're sure? You've not even been here thirty minutes, and you've yet to see the yard."

Sarah jumped in, "We'd love to see the yard. But we are buying this house. It's perfect. Just what we had in mind."

The man looked at them both, making sure he'd heard them correctly. "Very well, then! I'll take you through the property quickly, then I think it would be appropriate to come to the office in the city and get the paperwork taken care of."

Michael shook his hand, smiling. "Thank you, we appreciate it."