Some of the dialogue is from the sleepover episode in season 4. Please keep reviewing Hearties!
A few days later, Jack went back to the Northern Territories, which was difficult for both Elizabeth and Rosemary. Both women took comfort in the fact that in a few weeks he would be home permanently. Of course, both women had their hands full with work and child rearing as Elizabeth was watching Opal again since her parents had to go visit her grandmother and Rosemary of course had Lilly. Though Elizabeth was watching Opal, she was also more than willing to spend time with Lillian as well.
One day at school, Elizabeth had sent the students outside for recess and she was working on grading their math tests when she heard Opal shouting, "I AM NOT!"
Elizabeth jerked her head up and set her pencil down and ran outside, only to hear a few of the other girls singing, "Teacher's Pet! Teacher's Pet!"
"Girls, girls!" scolded Elizabeth, breaking up the teasing, "That is not a nice thing to call someone. Now apologize to Opal."
Laura, Emily, Hattie, and Anna looked at each other and then at Opal, "Sorry Opal," they all apologized.
"Now, play nice," said Elizabeth, going back inside the church. A few moments later, she noticed all the girls standing in front of her, "What is it girls?"
"Well…" started Anna, "With you taking care of Opal so much, the rest of us feel kind of…left out," she admitted.
"I know," soothed Elizabeth, "But it's just until her parents get back into town."
"We were wondering if we could all spend some more time together?" asked Anna hesitantly.
"Well, what did you have in mind?" asked Elizabeth, giving the girls her full attention.
"Can we have a sleepover at your house?" asked Emily hopefully.
"Um…I mean…" stuttered Elizabeth.
"Please, Ms. Thatcher? We know you feeling lonely with Mountie Jack away up north," pleaded Emily, "And we could ask our Moms if it's okay. We'll be good we promise."
"Well," said Elizabeth, "If it's okay with your mothers, then it's okay with me. How about this Friday night?"
The girls looked at each other excitedly, "Do you think Mrs. Coulter could bring the baby that way all of the Hope Valley girls are there?" asked Laura.
"Uh, I can ask her and see if she'll drop by, but I don't think Lilly is quite old enough for a sleepover," placated Elizabeth.
"My brothers say babies don't sleep through the night," said Emily.
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head, "No, they don't at first but they learn. Now recess is almost over, so why don't you go get the boys for me."
After the school day had finished, Elizabeth dropped off her things at her house and went next door to talk to Rosemary. Rosemary answered the door after a few moments and smiled, "Elizabeth, what a pleasant surprise!"
"Hi Rosemary," Elizabeth greeted, stepping into the house once Rosemary moved aside. She looked around the room before Rosemary said, "She's upstairs sleeping."
"You know me too well," said Elizabeth.
"What did you want to talk about? And if it's another offer to watch Lilly, then Lee and I do not need as much alone time as you're offering us," said Rosemary.
Elizabeth snickered and covered her mouth before she shook her head, "No, actually I was wondering if you could stop by my house on Friday?"
Rosemary raised her eyebrows, "Really? What for?"
Elizabeth sighed, "Since I've been watching Opal so much, the other girls have been feeling really left out. So, to make up for it, we're going to have a sleepover at my house on Friday. They wanted to know if you could stop by with Lilly."
"Oh," said Rosemary.
"You wouldn't have to stay long," assured Elizabeth.
"No, it sounds fun, just that Lilly is starting to become a little more aware of things and she really prefers me and Lee over other people," admitted Rosemary, "She's usually fine at church, but I don't know how she'd do with all of those other children," she shuttered.
"Rosemary," chuckled Elizabeth. Clearly Rosemary's disdain for children other than Lilly was still evident, "I'll make sure they behave."
"Okay," Rosemary sighed, visibly relieved, "Then we'll see you all Friday night."
Friday arrived and Elizabeth set up an area in her living room for the girls to sleep. Once they had all arrived at her house, she made sure she had plenty of activities planned so they would be entertained. They spent the night doing crafts, playing games, and singing songs. Elizabeth looked at the time and wondered what was taking Rosemary so long. It was getting close to the time she was hoping to put the girls to sleep and she still hadn't arrived. Elizabeth supposed the baby wasn't cooperating. The students asked to sing another song so Elizabeth sat down on the floor and sang with them, "Let's sing it again!" said Opal happily.
"Opal, we've just sung it three times. How about we do something else," said Elizabeth.
"I know what we can do," said Anna, grinning mischievously, "PILLOW FIGHT!" she shouted as the girls charged at Elizabeth with their pillows.
Finally, the door opened and in walked Rosemary, doing her best to balance Lilly and a cake at the same time, "SURPRISE!" she smiled happily.
"ROSEMARY!" they all shouted excitedly.
"Is that for us?" asked Emily.
"Indeed it is. I just couldn't help but overhear all of the fun you all were having so I decided to drop off one of my special desserts, chocolate cherry."
"Are we going to have chocolate cherry cake at your wedding to Mountie Jack?" asked Opal.
"OOOHHHHH!" all the girls responded.
Elizabeth blushed in embarrassment and Rosemary chuckled lightly, "I haven't decided yet. Emily, would you take the cake into the kitchen and get some plates?"
"Sure," said Emily, "Come on."
"Can we make hot chocolate too?" asked Anna.
"Why not," answered Elizabeth. Rosemary handed the cake to Anna and everyone left Elizabeth and Rosemary alone.
"That's so sweet of you to bring the cake," said Elizabeth, "But why didn't you have Lee help you bring stuff over?"
Rosemary rolled her eyes playfully, "He's at the saloon with Jesse, Hickam, and Bill. A guy's poker night."
"Got you," said Elizabeth,
"I hope we're in time for make-up and manicures," said Rosemary cheerily.
"I was actually hoping for bedtime story and light's out," responded Elizabeth.
"Understandable," said Rosemary, smiling at Lilly, "But it's good to see you having a good time."
"Oh did I tell you that Opal's parents should be home in a few days. Her grandmother's doing much better," informed Elizabeth.
"That's wonderful news," said Rosemary.
"But to be honest, I'm really going to miss having little Opal around here. It's really helped to take my mind off of things."
"Elizabeth," said Rosemary lightly, "You and I both know that Jack wouldn't want you to sit around pining away. You're allowed to have a little fun."
"I know," said Elizabeth, "Listen, Rosemary, I know you've scaled back your time at the dress shop for obvious reasons, but there is one thing that I really want you to do. I really want you to design my wedding gown."
"Thank you, that means a lot. You're going to make an absolutely beautiful bride," Rosemary held back a few tears.
"Thanks," acknowledged Elizabeth, "I just can't think about it right now. Not until I know Jack's safe and on his way home."
Rosemary nodded understandingly, "Elizabeth, you've been by my side throughout all of last year. I'm here if you need me. For anything. If it's one thing I've learned from this whole postpartum experience, it's that you can't bottle up your feelings."
Elizabeth sighed, "That means everything."
Rosemary smiled, "Now, let's have some cake. AND hot chocolate."
Elizabeth chuckled and the group of three joined the other girls in the kitchen. Elizabeth cut the cake and made hot chocolate for everyone. After they had finished and washed the dishes, Laura looked up at Rosemary, "Can I hold Lilly?" she asked sweetly.
Rosemary smiled and nodded, "Just wash your hands first, then go sit down on the couch and I'll show you how to hold her," Laura nodded and all the girls went back into the living room, "Now, you always have to support her head and neck," Rosemary demonstrated, "It's best if you rest her head just inside the crook of your arm."
Laura nodded her understanding and Rosemary carefully slid the baby into Laura's arms. Laura gazed at Lillian and looked up at Rosemary, "Lilly has your eyes, Mrs. Coulter."
"Yeah, she looks just like me when I was a baby," said Rosemary.
Hattie stroked Lillian's head softly and then glanced at Rosemary, "I'm glad you're feeling better, Mrs. Coulter. My mother and I have been praying for you."
Rosemary held back a few tears, "Thank you, Hattie. That means a lot." Elizabeth hadn't given too many details about Rosemary's condition; she had just said that Mrs. Coulter had something that made her feel sad a lot but she was seeing someone to make her feel better. The children knew that meant their teacher wasn't going to give a lot of information and they respected Rosemary's privacy.
"Are you and Mountie Jack going to have babies, Ms. Thatcher?" asked Opal.
"I don't know, Opal. Mountie Jack and I want to have a baby but we'll see what God has in store for us," admitted Elizabeth. Rosemary barely held in a laugh. She knew how much Elizabeth wanted a baby based on her interactions with Lillian.
Lillian started to cry and Laura gained a worried look, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No sweetheart. You didn't do anything wrong. She just needs to eat and then it's her bedtime," said Rosemary, cradling Lilly in her arms, "I better take her home. I think she's received enough attention for the night."
"Speaking of bedtime, I think it would be a good thing if you all got settled for the night," said Elizabeth.
"Alright," they sighed, "Bye Rosemary!" they all waved.
"Say 'Bye everyone'," Rosemary tried to make Lilly wave, but Lilly went from soft crying to loud screaming, "I better take her home."
Elizabeth kissed the top of Lilly's head, "Go, I think she did pretty well for tonight. She deserves some Mommy time," she smiled.
Rosemary nodded and rushed home as quickly as she could. She could hear Lee was home and in their room, so Rosemary went to the nursery, quickly settling Lilly into her arms, "Okay, baby girl, let's let you eat so Mommy can get you ready for bed," she said quietly.
Lee came in and walked over to Rosemary. He kissed the top of her head and touched Lilly's foot, "How'd she do? I know she prefers you, me, Jack, or Elizabeth."
"She did well," sighed Rosemary with relief, "In fact, I think she might have even enjoyed the attention a little," she smirked.
"Oh no, Hope Valley's in trouble," joked Lee.
"Leland Coulter, what is that supposed to mean?" grinned Rosemary.
"Just saying, maybe she's more like her Mommy than we originally thought," he whispered and then quickly left the room.
"Lee!" she squealed amusingly though he was long gone. Once Lilly was finished, Rosemary placed her on the changing table and changed her diaper. She dressed Lilly in her sleeper and began to rock her to sleep, "You know, baby girl, your Daddy is very silly. And he usually regrets it when he insults Mommy," she said in a soothing baby voice. Lilly's eyes began to get heavier and heavier until she was fast asleep. Rosemary kissed her forehead and put her in her crib, "But that's okay. I love your Daddy very much. He gave me you."