Abigail finished brewing the tea and set a steaming mug in front of Rosemary. The expectant mother had managed to calm herself enough to be able to speak clearly, though the tears were still flowing, "Thanks," Rosemary whispered softly.

Abigail sat down next to her friend and rubbed her back soothingly, "Okay, Rosie, take a deep breath and then start at the beginning."

The younger woman took an unsteady breath and said, "I don't know what's wrong with her," she stated honestly, "She barely says anything to me and Lee anymore and you know Lillian, talking is one of the things she does best. One of the many personality traits she inherited from me," Abigail chuckled, "She's been giving us attitude, talking back to us, acting up in class, neither one of us can figure out what's bothering her, not even Lee, and you know she has him wrapped around her little finger."

"How long has she been acting in this manner?" asked Abigail.

Rosemary took some time to think about it, "Well, it's been hit and miss ever since we told the kids I was pregnant, one minute she's excited about a new sibling, the next minute she hates the concept. She was talking about New York City earlier this week, but I'd have to say the last few weeks she's been slowly getting more and more difficult. I understand I'm more emotional and hormonal right now, but as a mother, it's still heartbreaking," Rosemary vented.

"Well, is there anything you've been doing differently the past few weeks?" asked Abigail.

Rosemary shook her head adamantly, "No, nothing. Lee gets up and goes to work, the kids go the school, I work at the dress shop Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and do house work Thursday and Friday. Everyone comes home, we eat dinner, and we have some family time before Lee and I put the kids to bed. That's it. I mean, it's been a little more hectic recently, with Lee working on the new house and we're really starting to discuss things that need to be done before the baby gets here, but still."

"Mmhm," Abigail listened carefully, "And your dinnertime conversations, what have they been about recently?"

What was Abigail getting at? Rosemary took a sip of tea and answered, "Um, well, normally we ask the kids about school and Lee talks about what's happening at the mill. The main focus recently has been preparations for the new baby. You know, like how the progress on the house is going, when the furniture is getting built, what supplies we do and don't need, how my pregnancy's going, stuff like that. But it's not like we don't let the kids share things too."

"But you'll admit you and Lee have been talking about the new baby a lot?" questioned Abigail.

Rosemary sighed and rubbed her baby bump gently, "It's a little hard for me to forget about it, now isn't it? Guess the way I deal with the anxiety is to try to prepare as best as I can."

"Rosie, I know you and Lee really wanted this baby and I know you both are over the moon. Goodness, everyone in town is thrilled for you both. But, I think in Lilly's eyes, that's all everyone has been talking about recently, especially you both."

Rosemary's eyes widened. How did Abigail find out this fact? She stumbled over her words, "How…how do you know?"

"Well, earlier this evening, Lilly came downstairs wanting to help me out in the kitchen and let's just say, she did a little venting of her own," said Abigail, "Her exact words were 'Mommy and Daddy only care about the baby'."

"Oh dear," exclaimed Rosemary worriedly, "She really feels that way? Why didn't she tell me?"

"Because she knows how excited you both are about the new baby," answered Abigail, "I know you're anxious about how your life will change after the baby is born and what your life will be like caring for two school-aged children and a newborn, especially because mothering doesn't come naturally to you, but I think Lilly misses her Mommy time. Real Mommy time. Where you focus on her and not the new baby."

Rosemary started to cry again, but this time, for a different reason, "Oh goodness. She's right. We've been so busy talking about the new house and the nursery and adjusting our routine after the baby gets here, we give the kids so little time to talk. Goodness, I don't have a clue what they want to do in New York this spring. She's acting out because she wants our attention. Elizabeth warned me this might happen. Oh no. Elizabeth…" Rosemary trailed off.

"What about Elizabeth?" asked Abigail in confusion.

"She came by after school today to discuss Lilly's outburst in class. She asked whether Lee and I were having problems and I completely flipped out on her," cried Rosemary, "She was just trying to help me get to the bottom of it and I completely overacted. Utterly screamed at her that she didn't have any right to question the strength of my marriage or how I parent compared to her. I probably just ruined that friendship too."

"Rosemary, you did not ruin your friendship with Elizabeth," said Abigail, taking her hand, "It probably wouldn't hurt to apologize and ask for forgiveness, but I think she realizes your emotions are running high and you have a lot on your mind right now. Plus, everyone in town understands that Lilly is…a challenging child."

Rosemary chuckled lightly and squeezed Abigail's hand, "What would I do without you, Abigail?"

Abigail squeezed back and stood, "I'll go get Lilly and Aaron for you."

Rosemary nodded and went to wait in the sitting area. Aaron came down a few moments later, "Hi Mommy!"

"Hey Bud," she smiled and gave him a one arm embrace. Lilly followed shortly thereafter and Rosemary pulled her aside, "You, young lady, are going to get a stern punishment from Daddy and I when we get home. Now say goodbye to Aunt Abigail."

They both said goodbye and Abigail pulled Rosemary aside, "Now remember, whatever you and Lee decide for the punishment, don't let Lilly's adorable eyes cause you both to cave."

"Oh we won't. You all know I can be very difficult when I want to be," said Rosemary.

Once the three Coulters arrived home, Rosemary sent Aaron upstairs to start getting ready for bed and pulled Lee aside, explaining what Lilly had been doing the last few weeks. The two parents stood in front of their daughter, who was sitting on the settee twiddling her thumbs. Lee stood with his hands on his hips and Rosemary had her arms crossed over her chest, "Lillian, do you want to explain what's been going on and why you've been acting in the manner you have been?" asked Lee firmly.

"All anyone in Hope Valley talks about is the baby. No one cares about me anymore. Even Aaron talks about the baby constantly," she cried emphatically.

"Lillian, that is not true," said Rosemary.

"It is true! The other day when Daddy came home from work, he couldn't stop talking about the baby long enough to look at a picture I made for him!" screamed Lilly.

Lee's heart broke a little at her confession, but he composed himself and maintained his stern face. Lilly couldn't win this battle with her usual tactics this time, "And I apologize for that, but that doesn't give you an excuse to yell at Mrs. Thornton, disrupt her class, or talk back to us."

"Everyone in town talks about the baby. Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Jack, Aunt Abigail, Pastor Frank, even Mrs. Ramsey, Mrs. Sullivan, and Mrs. Blakely! They don't ask about me anymore. Only the baby," vented Lillian.

"Lillian, we understand why you're feeling the way you're feeling. Preparing for a new baby is a lot of work and it will need a lot of attention once it's born," said Rosemary, "But you can't holler, scream, and act out just because you're jealous and your actions can't go unpunished. So for the next week, you'll eat dinner, but no dessert. And you will also not be able to play outside this week."

"At least I still have recess," Lillian muttered under her breath.

"Well then, I will let Mrs. Thornton know to keep you inside the entire week. You will also write a letter of apology for your behavior to her."

"But…but…" stuttered Lillian.

"No buts, Lillian," said Lee sternly, "Now go upstairs and start getting ready for bed," Lillian huffed and stomped up the stairs. Once Lilly was gone, Rosemary choked back a few tears and Lee embraced her, "Hey, come here," he soothed, "I know it's hard, but it's a necessary evil of parenting. She deserves to be punished. Once the punishment is over, we'll work together to make her feel better."

"I know," whispered Rosemary, "Still doesn't make it any easier," Rosemary took a deep breath, "Speaking of Elizabeth, I have to go next door and take care of something. Can you make sure that Lilly and Aaron have their teeth brushed and are dressed for bed?"

"Of course," nodded Lee, "Go."

Jack hesitantly opened the door when he heard a knock, "Rosie?"

"Hey, can I come in?" she asked quietly.

Jack moved aside to let her in and Rosemary looked around the room, "She's upstairs getting the kids ready for bed," he answered, a hint of hurt in his voice.

Rosemary turned to face Jack, "I guess she's upset?"

"Well, she's not happy," said Jack.

"And she has every right to be mad at me," said Rosemary, "Can you please get her for me?"

Jack nodded and called out to her, "Lizzie!"

"What?" Elizabeth called from upstairs.

"You have a visitor!" shouted Jack. Elizabeth came down the stairs and sighed when she saw Rosemary, "Well, I'll leave you ladies alone," said Jack and he disappeared.

"Hey," Rosemary smiled softly.

"Hey," answered Elizabeth back, arms crossed over her chest.

"Before you say anything, let me explain," pleaded Rosemary, "I was way out of line…"

"Yes, you were," said Elizabeth bitterly.

"But I am pregnant right now, so it's the hormones right?" asked Rosemary innocently.

"Oh you think that outburst was because you're pregnant?" stated Elizabeth walking towards her, "The hormones might be one factor, but there are other reasons."

"Elizabeth Thornton…" said Rosemary angrily.

"Oh come on, Rosie, everything you blamed me for earlier, for judging your marriage or your ability to be a mother, you turned around and did the exact same thing to me. And the thing is, you don't even realize it," said Elizabeth. Rosemary took a deep breath to suppress her growing rage, "Rosemary, I'll give it to you that out of all the town children, Lilly has the most difficult temperament. I know; I spend six hours a day, five days a week with her. But you act like you're the only woman in town who has stress inducing days with her kids! You act like you're the only one who doesn't know how to handle motherhood! Well, newsflash: no woman truly knows what she's doing, whether mothering comes easily to her or not. And if you think I have my kids trained like little Mounties, you couldn't be more wrong. They just know how to turn on the charm in front of others. I'll turn my back for thirty seconds and they'll be climbing all over the furniture like they're jungle gyms. They talk back, just like any other kid. There are nights where I will go to bed sobbing because I've had such a tough day with one of them. And be lucky you have a man like Lee in your life. You can guarantee he'll always be there for you. He's been here holding your hair back when you've been puking, he's been here to run to the mercantile or Abigail's café when you're craving pickles and ice cream or God knows what else, he's here to cook dinner or do the housework if you need to put your feet up and rest, he's here if your back is hurting you so badly that the only way you'll be able to sleep semi-comfortably is with a back massage and your husband's physical support. This July, he'll be right there by your side as you deliver your child, no 'possibly' or 'maybe' involved. And once that baby is born, he'll be there for both of you," Elizabeth pointed towards Rosemary's growing stomach, "He won't think twice about covering a late night feeding or diaper change because you're so tired, you can't see straight."

"Elizabeth…"

"No, let me finish," Elizabeth held up her hands, "And you should count your blessings and thank God that you don't have to worry about Lee going somewhere dangerous. You should thank God that you don't have to worry about becoming a single mother on a moment's notice. You should thank God that unless Heaven forbid some tragic accident happens at the mill, you don't have to be afraid of possibly having the conversation with your kids that Daddy's not coming home. Or worse: the thought of your child never knowing his or her father," Elizabeth cried.

Suddenly, it hit Rosemary like a ton of bricks. The time Elizabeth had to suddenly become a single Mom when Jack was in the Northern Territories. Rosemary had been two months away from giving birth to Aaron and although taking care of a toddler while pregnant certainly hadn't been easy, Lee had been by her side the entire time. And Elizabeth had always offered to take Lilly when Rosemary needed the rest or was busy with Aaron, even when she had had a stressful day teaching and taking care of William alone. And then Elizabeth had taken care of William by herself AGAIN, only the second time she had been pregnant. With TWINS! Again, no complaints, at least not on the surface. And here she was, complaining because Lilly was being just a somewhat typical child. Rosemary approached a tearful Elizabeth and laid a hand on her shoulder, "Elizabeth, what's going on?"

Elizabeth stayed silent for several moments, so Rosemary assumed she wasn't going to answer before she finally whispered, "Saskatchewan."

"What?" asked Rosemary softly.

"There are criminal gangs forming in northern Saskatchewan," explained Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, is Jack...?"

"That's just it. We don't know for sure. Right now the Mounties in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have it handled, but if it gets any worse, we were informed last night that they might call Mounties here in Alberta to join in the fight. We haven't told the kids; we don't want to worry them unless he actually has to leave. We don't want to tell anyone else in town in case he stays put. We'd just be worrying everyone for no reason," said Elizabeth.

Rosemary handed Elizabeth a tissue and Elizabeth wiped her eyes, "I'm so sorry Elizabeth, I had no idea."

"Well, that was kind of the point," Elizabeth chuckled lightly, "Besides me, you're the closest person to Jack in Hope Valley. And with the baby, especially since your pregnancy is considered a geriatric pregnancy, I didn't want to worry you."

Rosemary sighed, "Well, to be honest, I appreciate you telling me. I don't know, I feel more comfortable knowing of the possibility than it just coming up out of the blue. Elizabeth," Rosemary grabbed her hand, "If you need help with anything, you know I'm always here. And I promise I won't tell anyone about Jack."

Elizabeth squeezed Rosemary's hand, "Thank you. And you know that offer stands with me too."

Rosemary smiled and pushed herself to her feet. She was just about to leave, but stopped herself, "Oh Elizabeth?" Elizabeth looked at her friend, "Two things: one, could you keep Lilly inside for recess this week as part of her punishment for acting out?"

"Sure, no problem," Elizabeth confirmed.

"And…about Jack…I know you don't want me to tell anyone, but if I need to talk and you're not around, can Lee…?"

"Of course," Elizabeth answered.

Rosemary smiled, "Thanks."

Once Rosemary arrived back at home, it was quiet in the house so she went upstairs to check on the kids. They were both fast asleep, so she went to the master bedroom where Lee was dressed for bed and reading quietly. Rosemary changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed next to her husband. He smiled and rubbed her leg soothingly, "Did you take care of everything with Elizabeth?" Rosemary looked at him skeptically, "Hey, give me some credit. I know when you're upset."

"Yeah, I think we're good," she sighed uneasily.

Lee put the book down and outstretched his arms for Rosie, who happily leaned into his embrace. He ran a hand over her belly and asked, "Rosie, sweetheart, please tell me what's wrong."

Rosemary took a deep breath and grabbed his hand, "I'm just glad I have you."