Chapter 28
Growing Pains
In the meantime, the sight that Reverend Elcott witnessed almost froze him and turned him into a statue. His sweet daughter looked very sick and pale, and on top of that she was all alone in a room with one of the Pontipee brothers. What on earth was happening right now? His eyes were so wide from shock that Frank thought they'd turn into dinner plates soon. Alice's father automatically pressed his one hand on his heart, just to make sure that he wasn't about to have a heart attack. Frank on the other hand, opened his mouth to speak, but Alice threw in immediately. "Pa, it's not what it looks like!"
"W-what's happening here?" Reverend Elcott managed to blurt out finally.
"I can explain!" Frank announced, running his hand into his auburn hair uncomfortably. "Your daughter was feeling sick, and Milly ran out to get a doctor."
The dumbfounded father stared back at his daughter, who in turn fixed her skirts in order to hide blood that was dripping down to her ankles. Alice was trembling with fear, shock, mostly pain, and hurt. She had lost her baby! It was over! Alice quickly wiped her tears away, so that her Pa wouldn't suspect anything. Frank's heart went out to her, she was being so brave in that moment.
"I'm alright, now. I'm alright." The young blonde spoke reassuringly, trying to convince her father that all was well with her. She kept fighting back her tears. Frank bent down to her and whispered. "No, you aren't." Poor girl! He felt so bad for her. He couldn't remember the last time he was this sad for someone. His heart was shattering into pieces. And it was weird, because the only person who usually made his heart ache was Sarah. But surprisingly things were different. It was painful to watch a young girl loose her baby...who also happened to be his brother's child. Frank shut his eyes tight, he was about to tear up and that's the last thing he wanted.
"My dear, what happened to you?" Reverend Elcott asked, walking over to his daughter and pulling her into a hug.
"I was bit sick, that's all." Alice waved her hand and pleaded Frank with her eyes to keep his mouth shut. Luckily, the second youngest Pontipee got the message and decided to respect the girl's wishes. The worried father brushed his daughter's cheek and kissed her forehead. "We must get you a doctor." He spoke gently, and Alice shook her head in panic. "No! No! I'm fine really!"
"Yeah, she's okay now." Frank agreed, trying to aid Alice with everything he could. Even if it meant lying to the Reverend. "Besides, Milly will be coming any minute."
Alice's father nodded his head at his daughter in understanding. "As you wish, my girl." He stared up at the Pontipee standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?"
"I was released this morning."
The door flew open again, and Milly rushed in together with a local midwife. When she saw Reverend Elcott in the room, she became downright shocked. "What's going on here?" Milly asked in surprise and nervousness.
"Milly, something's wrong with my daughter." The worried father spoke up.
"No! I told you, I'm fine!" Alice exclaimed irritated.
"I think it'll be better if I leave." Frank announced, after sensing the tension in the room.
"Wait, Frank." Milly stopped him suddenly. "When will I see you again? We need to talk."
"Don't worry, Milly. I'll be around." Frank confirmed with a small smile. "But I reckon Alice needs help right now."
"I understand." Milly nodded and licked her lips. "Don't do anything foolish, alright?" She warned as his big sister.
"I won't. I promise."
Before departing, Frank gazed back at the blonde girl lying on the bed. "Take care, Alice. You're a brave girl."
With that, the second youngest Pontipee left their presence.
"Why was he here? And why did you bring a midwife?" Questioned surprised Reverend Elcott.
"I uh,..." Milly struggled with words. This was an awful situation. She kept wondering if Alice's baby was alright, but at the same time, she knew that the father standing before her wasn't suppose to know anything.
"Papa, I told you I don't need a doctor!" Alice cried out once again. "Let alone a midwife!"
"Oh, she's a midwife?" Milly chuckled nervously. She turned around to face the lady standing in front of her. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Morris...I thought you were a nurse that had nothing to do with babies...or pregnancies. Because no one! And I mean no one, is expecting a child here." It was obvious that Milly was losing her nerves.
Before anyone could open their mouths, Mrs. Elcott arrived together with Doctor Hamilton, in order to look at baby Hannah, who had been crying and wailing all morning. Surprisingly though, she had fallen asleep despite the ongoing drama that was happening in the house.
"I brought Doctor Hamilton himself!" She announced proudly, but after noticing that something was wrong with her family members, she frowned. "Why, what's happening here?"
Robert awoke from his unconsciousness, only to find himself gazing at his sister's pretty green eyes. His hand immediately flew on the back of his head. "Ahh...curse this! It hurts!" He growled annoyed, sitting himself up from the couch. Liza passed him a glass of water. "You'll be fine." She assured softly.
"What happened? How did I end up here?" He asked desperately. "Someone smashed something on my head, I guarantee you."
"You must've seen dreams while you were unconscious." Liza spoke confidently and shrugged.
"What?"
"Well, you fell down just like that! You scared me all right!" She continued innocently. "I guess you couldn't stand the heat no more."
"Wait, but I remember that someone attacked me from behind." Robert spoke in shock, looking around the living-room in astonishment.
"Don't be silly...there was no one!" His sister crossed her arms and shook her head. "Rest a little, I sent Nanny Em to bring you fresh potatoes from the market place."
"You carried me here, all by yourself?" Robert raised his eyebrows in surprise, ignoring her words.
Liza shrugged again innocently. "And why not? Just because I'm little doesn't mean that I can't be strong. I gotta admit though, you are quite heavy."
"So you carried me here?!" He asked once again, obviously not falling for her stories.
"No, I dragged you here!" Liza corrected and stood up from the couch. "Drink more water, I'll be back in a minute."
She needed fresh air desperately! She wanted to be alone after everything that had happened. Liza quickly picked up her skirts and rushed outside of her house. Her eyes were becoming all watery, as she kept walking away. Her mind went back to Ephraim, who had lovingly proposed to her. She had turned him down flat. Eloping was never her plan! Liza wanted to be married in front of her parents, in the church, with her family and friends. Running away in backwoods to secretly wed her beloved didn't sound like a good idea to her. She just wasn't wired that way. Liza didn't want to hide from the world when she'd marry her true love. She was proud and happy, everyone needed to know that neither she or Ephraim was hiding. If anything, they were ready to show off their love. Why would he suggest something like that? What was he thinking? This definitely wouldn't help his brothers! Or anyone for that matter! If anything, the hurriedly flight and marriage would cause much more backlash! Liza on the other hand, wanted to make her caring family understand that Ephraim was a perfect man for her. This secretive act would ruin everything! She had to turn him down!
Liza's stomach almost dropped from sadness when she remembered how heartbroken, upset, and shattered her sweetheart was, when she decided not to elope with him. However, Liza did explain to Ephraim all of the reasons as to why she thought that his plan wasn't such a good idea. Still, part of her wished to tell him that she'd think about it. But no! Blunt refusal came out of her mouth! Liza hoped that she wouldn't regret her decision because in some way, she chose to save Ephraim's life. LORD knows what her overly-protective father would do if the word got out about the secret marriage. Liza didn't mean to break her beloved's heart like this! But she simply had no other choice!
She stopped and smiled when she remembered that Ephraim, even after the refusal, had helped her with carrying unconscious Robert inside the house.
She was so caught up in her thoughts, that Liza didn't even notice how far away she had marched out of her residence, as she decided to turn back, the dark haired girl spotted a familiar figure wondering in the streets.
"Frank!?" She cried out. "Is that you?!" She waved her hand in excitement to catch his attention.
The sixth born of Pontipee brothers wasn't exactly sure what was going on in the Elcott household. He knew one thing though, poor Alice was pregnant with Gideon's child, and now she had lost the baby. His heart shattered whenever he thought back on the girl's terrible state. He didn't realize this would effect him so much, and yet it did. Besides, on top of that, Sarah had stabbed him with a dagger. She was marrying Carl?! She loved Carl!? Could things get any worse?! Life was becoming so chaotic and confusing. Frank didn't believe her! He knew that Sarah was hiding something. But what?!
The second youngest Pontipee was cut off from his thoughts when he heard a familiar voice. "Liza?" He asked, walking over towards the girl, who was running to him quite excitingly.
"I don't need a doctor!" Alice yelled frantically at her parents and Milly. "Just leave me alone!"
"Alice, what's happening to you?!" Mrs. Elcott exclaimed in shock, as she rushed over at her daughter's side, who in turn kept pushing her away.
Sensing the fear and despair in the younger girl's eyes, Milly led Doctor Hamilton and the midwife aside, Reverend Elcott followed after them. "I'm so sorry for disturbing you, but looks like we're no longer in need of a doctor." Milly spoke gracefully.
"That's alright, important thing is that you're all fine." Assured Doctor Hamilton, and the midwife nodded in agreement. "By the way, Benjamin Pontipee's surgery was a success." He added in relief. "Let's hope for the best now."
"Oh, that's such a wonderful news!" Milly cried happily, automatically embracing the Reverend standing beside her.
Their was a rapid knock on the door and when they opened it, a young boy entered. "Reverend Elcott, I was sent by the Mayor. He's expecting you and your wife for a meeting."
The minister facepalmed in embarrassment. "How could I forget!" He exclaimed and sighed. "Oh, Deborah! We must get going! The Mayor is waiting for us!"
Mrs. Elcott descended the stairs as quickly as possible and fixed her hair. "Milly, we must really get going! Please, take care of Alice. She worries me!"
"Don't worry! She'll be alright." Assured Milly as she led the whole party including, Doctor Hamilton, the midwife Lola Morris, the young messenger boy, and Mr. and Mrs. Elcott outside and closed the door after them. As soon as they had gone out, the yellow haired woman raced upstairs to see how Alice was fairing. The poor girl was sobbing bitterly!
"Oh, Alice darling!" She cried out in shock. "What happened?"
"I lost my baby, Milly. I lost my baby!" Replied the blonde girl in agony. Milly pressed her one hand on her mouth in shock and went up to pull Alice in a tender embrace. "I'm so sorry, dear! I'm so sorry!" She gently stroked her hair and held her close. "Don't be sad. You're young, you and Gideon will have lots of children." Milly comforted the weeping girl, as tears rolled down her own cheeks as well.
They were strong! They'd survive this!
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