Chapter 34:
Another month passed and in June, Julia and William decided to come for a visit to see the grandchildren.
"Catherine is just so sweet, Christy" Adelaide said as she bounced her niece. Simon was sitting on the floor playing with the pots that Christy brought out for him. "She's getting so big" she gave her a snuggle. "You dress her in the most adorable clothes too...like a little doll"
"If your baby is a girl, I'm sure you will do the same thing" Christy said with a smile. "Maybe we could dress them in matching outfits together. Wouldn't that be cute?"
Adelaide grinned. "Adorable"
Julia smiled at her daughters. "I have to admit, I'm fond of having little girls around. Have you heard the heartbeat yet, Adelaide?"
She shook her head. "I'm going to ask Neil to try today. We'll see. I'm so hoping. I think it will make us both feel much better for him to actually hear it, though I must say this is an active baby...so much more so than Simon. It just hops around non-stop it seems. I can't imagine it wouldn't have a strong heartbeat"
"Are you two still worried about the delivery?" Christy asked, quietly.
"Why would you be worried about the delivery?" Julia asked. "Have you been having problems?"
"No, nothing like that" she assured her, "but we lost a patient in childbirth in April" Adelaide told her. "It brought up some memories for Neil and has made me nervous at times. We are trying not to think about it. October is still quite a while away"
"It would make me nervous too" Julia said, "but try not to worry, darling. Focus on being happy right now. It is an exciting time"
"It is indeed" Adelaide agreed. She looked at the clock. "I better go so Simon can still get a nap in this afternoon. He'll be horribly cranky otherwise"
"Not my grandson!" Julia teased and Adelaide laughed. "I think we are pushing up against his will these days. I can't imagine what the twos are going to be like with him and a newborn"
"You can handle it, Addie" Christy said.
"I hope" Addie replied as she bent down to talk to Simon. "Let's go Simon. Time to go home"
Simon looked up at her. "No"
Adelaide ignored him and reached to move the pots away, but Simon began to scream and push her hands away. "No, No, No!"
He began to throw a full out tantrum and Adelaide bent down and scooped him up as he flailed, trying to get out of her arms.
"You can't carry him home like that" Julia said, watching. "That's not good for the baby"
Adelaide frowned. "Well, what am I supposed to do?"
"Let him throw his tantrum" Julia suggested. "He'll get over it eventually"
"But then he will think he is getting his way" Adelaide paused, "Ouch...Simon!"
"Did he bite you?" Christy's eyes were wide. "Really?"
"Oh my Lord" Adelaide groaned as she plopped him down. "Simon, that's bad. No biting!" She smacked his leg for emphasis, causing Simon to continue his tantrum on the floor, until he realized that he was right next to the pots again and reached over to begin to bang them, hitching his breath but calming down.
Adelaide scooped down and took the pots away from him. "No way, little boy"
That announcement caused more hysteria and Adelaide sighed. "This is ridiculous. He can't get his way. I'm taking him home"
She picked him up again and in that moment the door to the mission opened.
"Oh thank God" Adelaide said as Neil came in. "You have perfect timing"
"What's going on?" Neil said as he saw Simon flailing and screaming in Addie's arms.
"He doesn't want to leave" Addie retorted. "I don't know if I can carry him home like this"
"You shouldn't with the babe on the way" Neil replied, firmly. "Give him here"
Addie gave Simon to Neil, which only made him angrier to be taken from Addie.
"See you later" Adelaide smiled at her mom and sister. "Enjoy Catherine while she is this sweet and compliant" she told Christy, with a laugh.
Christy laughed. "We'll see you at supper tomorrow"
"Bye darling" Julia smiled at her. "Keep us updated on things"
"I will"
She followed Neil who had taken Simon outside already.
"Simon, that's enough" Neil's voice was stern as he gave him a smack. He placed him down on the porch. "Get it out of you, lad, then it is time to go home"
He sat beside him a few minutes while Simon continued to protest before pulling himself against Neil's legs, trying to climb on his lap.
"All sorted?" Neil asked him, squarely, a pat on the back.
Simon began to hiccup and Neil reached to take him in his arms. He gave him a hug, rubbing his back, tenderly. "Let's go home, lad" He said and stood with him.
Simon rested his head against Neil's shoulder as they walked home.
"I didn't know you were going to come to the mission today" Adelaide commented.
"I thought I would stop by and see if you needed help getting the lad home" Neil replied. "It is a long way to carry him"
"I let him walk some on the way" Addie admitted. "but it's not too much as long as he isn't protesting like that"
"He's been doing more of that lately" Neil said, patting him on the back.
"What am I going to do with him throwing tantrums and a baby?" Adelaide asked, frowning. "If he is starting this young what's going to happen when he actually is two?"
"We need to talk about more consistent discipline for the lad" Neil turned to her. "Some tantrums are natural, of course, but..."
"Biting is unacceptable?" Adelaide titled her head.
"Did he bite you?" Neil asked. "Please tell me you punished him a little more than telling him no"
"I gave him a smack" Adelaide rolled her eyes. "I'm not a complete push over, Neil"
"I never said you were" he retorted. "Again, we just need to be consistent, especially if you are busy with the baby and I'm trying to deal with Simon's waywardness"
"Do you think it will get worse?" Adelaide asked.
"When the babe comes, probably" Neil told her. "he'll want attention. It's normal, but I won't have him out of control. We need to set guidelines now and not be permissive"
"Do you think I'm permissive?" Adelaide stopped walking.
"I think you could be more consistent" Neil replied, evenly. "You have a mama's heart and while I love that you are so tender with the babe, we are not going to have children who are hellions"
"I don't like the level of discipline that you are accustomed to though, Neil" Adelaide said, biting her lip.
"I'm not going to beat our children, Adelaide" Neil retorted. "I just think that some physical punishment is appropriate. You have to decide if you trust me or not"
"Of course I trust you" Addie responded, her hand on her belly. "I understand where you are coming from too. I just think it gets taken too far out here sometimes"
"Not just out here" Neil said. "You don't think parents take it too far in Asheville?"
She swallowed. She knew this was a touchy subject for Neil. He was born and raised out here and while school took him out of Cutter Gap, he still very much identified himself as a mountain man and such stereotypes he took personally.
"I wasn't implying that, love. I just think too much strictness can come off as harsh. I want our children to know that they are loved even when they are being bad"
"I concur" Neil said, "Did I not just pick the lad up and hold him? I would never turn my children away from comfort"
"I'm not talking about you per se, Neil" she responded, "I'm just saying in general, that's all..."
"Okay" Neil shook his head, "He's a wee lad now. I think a smack or two and time out will be appropriate"
"I agree" Adelaide nodded. "There we go. We aren't so far off"
"We'll discuss when they are older" he told her. "I want us to be on the same page about things, Addie"
"Of course" She agreed. "Will we compromise to get on the same page?"
"We'll see" Neil replied. "I don't want our children to be out of control"
"Of course not" Addie replied. "I wouldn't want that either, but I do think that sometimes understanding and grace is appropriate for certain situations"
"I'll be very understanding with our children" He took her hand. "I am with you, aren't I?"
"And just what are you implying, Doctor MacNeill?"
"I'm not implying anything. You are worse half the time than the lad. I don't see him climbing roofs...yet, but with you as his mama, it's surely going to be comin" he grinned at her teasingly and she laughed.
"Fair enough" she responded. "You aren't a saint either, but the way. The ladies have told me stories about you as a boy"
Neil chuckled. "We will have our hands full, lass, with Simon and this babe"
"Speaking of our baby" she squeezed his hand, "Would you like to listen for the heartbeat this afternoon? I know we couldn't hear it two weeks ago, but I'm now well over 20 weeks...can we try again?"
"Sure" Neil said, smiling at her. "Dan Scott is coming over in an hour for our lessons. We have some time, especially if the little one is going in for a nap"
"Good"
They arrived home and Neil went into the lab to sort through some papers to show Dan while Addie took Simon upstairs to put him to sleep. She came back down and sat on the bed in the lab, watching him. Neil stacked the papers and put his pen down. "Ready, love?"
She nodded. "I'm kind of nervous actually"
"Really?" Neil popped open his doctor's bag and pulled out his stethoscope before coming to sit next to her on the bed. "Why?"
"Not nervous like there is something wrong...more like excited nervous, you know?"
"I see. I'm excited too" He patted her arm. "Lie down" He helped her lay back on the bed and fixed her clothes to see her belly. He rubbed it gently, before pressing around. "Let's take a listen"
She watched him as he listened intently, moving the stethoscope around, his face revealing nothing. She knew that she needed to be patient, that it could take a while to find, but she wasn't the most patient person so after several minutes, she asked,
"Neil, what's going on?"
"Hush" he moved it back to a spot he had previously listened to before and then up again. He continued to listen for what seemed liked ages before he put his stethoscope down and helped her up.
"What is it?" Addie asked. "Did you hear the heartbeat?"
"Aye" Neil nodded.
"Well, that's great" she said, trying to read his expression, "You are acting strange. Isn't the heartbeat strong?"
"Aye they are very strong" he traced her jaw line with his finger.
She stilled, but her mind started to spin, "they?"
"I hear two heartbeats, lass"
She looked at him quizzically and then realized that he must be teasing again. He had teased her endless about the possibility of twins and this would be the biggest joke ever. She couldn't believe she almost fell for it.
"Very funny, Neil" she rolled her eyes. "Stop teasing me"
"I'm not teasing you" he continued to rub her face lightly with his finger.
"Of course you are" Adelaide retorted. "You've joked about it since I told you I was expecting. It was cute to begin with but it's not even that funny anymore. It's getting a little tiresome"
"Adelaide" He looked at her evenly, "I think we are having twins" there was something in the way he was looking at her and the way he spoke that caused Adelaide to pause.
"What?" Adelaide asked, "Are you serious?"
"Aye" he nodded. "I heard two heartbeats"
"No way" Adelaide shook her head. "You heard wrong. Are you sure it wasn't my heartbeat you were hearing? I know it can be tricky...we've all been there before...perhaps you heard my heartbeat and thought it was a second one. I wouldn't blame you if you did. Maybe you should listen again"
"Come now, Adelaide" Neil fixed her with a stare. "Give me some credit. I'm not just right out of medical school"
"It's easy enough to do" she protested. "and you don't listen to baby's heartbeats all the time unless there is a problem"
"I've been practicing medicine since you were a wee lass still playing with dolls" he retorted. "I assure you I know the difference"
"Then, I'm sure you are just imagining things" Adelaide said, "because we have been teasing each other about it. There is no way I am actually pregnant with twins"
"Why is there no way?" Neil asked. "You are gaining more weight than with Simon even though for weeks you couldn't keep anything down...you told me the other day that the babe moves all over the place constantly much more than with Simon...the signs are there, Addie. And I did hear two heartbeats"
"I..." Adelaide chewed on her lip, trying to process what he was telling her. Finally, she leaned forward, gave him a kiss and hopped off the bed. "Okay, I'm going to go do some cooking"
He looked at her incredulously, but she left the room without another word. Dan Scott came for his lesson and stayed for supper. Adelaide was smiling and laughing like normal. Neil didn't know how she was so calm, he felt out of sorts and overwhelmed by the prospect of two at one time, but Addie seemed to be taking it in stride. Maybe she was in denial...
Dan Scott left, they put the babe to bed and Adelaide changed into her nightgown. She opened her bag and pulled out her stethoscope, handing it to Neil. "Try to listen with mine"
"Is that really necessary?" Neil asked, "It's not going to make a difference"
"Are you really going to argue with me right now?" Adelaide asked. "Take it"
"I am the doctor" he reminded her.
"And I'm your wife who is carrying your child or children or whatever it may be" Adelaide insisted. "Take another listen for me"
Neil sighed. "Okay, lay down" He pulled up her nightgown and listened again. After several minutes, he handed it back to her.
"How many?" Adelaide asked, quietly when he adjusted her nightgown back.
"Still two" he told her.
"And you are quite certain that you aren't hearing my heartbeat?" she stared at him, challengingly.
"Quite so" Neil said.
She kissed him again. "Let's go to bed"
The next morning, Adelaide found Simon's stethoscope in his old doctor bag. She tossed it to Neil. "Try with Simon's old one"
"Lass" Neil tried to conjure up his patience, but Adelaide stared him down.
"Neil, I need you to do this for me" she insisted.
He stared at her before sighing again. "Okay" he conceded.
"What's your diagnosis?" Adelaide asked, fiddling with the end of her braid.
"Twins"
"Okay. Thanks love" Adelaide patted her belly, gave him another kiss and went off to make breakfast.
Neil frowned, but ate breakfast and left to visit patients. When he came back in the afternoon, Simon was down for a nap upstairs and Adelaide was tearing apart the lab.
"What are you doing now?" Neil demanded. "You are making a mess of all my medical supplies. That was all organized"
"I'll organize it again" Adelaide told him as she continued to throw things aside. "Your organizational system could use re-doing anyway. It makes no sense, typical man..."
"You have never had a problem with it before" Neil told her, not quite believing the sight. "It looks like a storm has blown through here"
"I told you I'll redo it" she said, throwing a book aside, it nearly missing his head.
"Whoa lass" Neil's eyes grew wide. "Watch it"
"I was trying for the bed" she shrugged. "You know what terrible aim I have"
"You shouldn't be throwing my books anyway" Neil told her, sternly. "What has gotten into you? This is completely unlike you to be so careless with my things...especially my medical supplies"
She kept searching through things until Neil groaned.
"Adelaide MacNeill, stop that now" Neil strode in and reached for her arm. "What are you doing, exactly?"
"I know we have Simon's spare stethoscope somewhere. Where is it?" she asked, flustered.
"I gave it to Dan Scott to use" Neil told her, "Don't you remember?"
"We need it back" Adelaide retorted. "Go to him and ask if we can borrow it again"
"For the love of God, woman!" Neil thundered. "Because the three other stethoscopes we used before were somehow the reason why I heard two heartbeats and not one? Are you losing your mind? You tore apart my lab for that!"
"It's either the stethoscope or it's user error" Adelaide told him, flipping her head. "And since you assured me it's not the latter..."
"It's not..." he told her, adamantly.
"Then" she said quietly, "it must be the stethoscope. Please, Neil. Go to Dan. Let's take one more listen"
"Adelaide, woman, you are acting crazy" Neil told her, exasperated.
"You want crazy, Neil?" Adelaide asked him, "I told you that under no circumstances were you to get me pregnant with twins. One at a time. That was the assignment..."
"Assignment?" he looked at her, incredulously.
"Whatever you want to call it" She waved her hand. "Assignment, task, chore..."
"Chore? Be careful, Mrs. MacNeill" Neil told her, his voice low.
"You know what I mean" Adelaide said, wringing her hands. She held up one finger. "I said, one. There was no extra credit here for two" she poked her finger at him. "You were being an overachiever yet again. Overachievers are like know-it-alls, they do not prosper. It comes back to bite them..."
"Since when?" Neil began to laugh. "Actually, usually they do prosper...and this over-achievement as you so lovingly put it, is going to cause you to flourish quite a bit, dear wife"
Adelaide's eyes grew wide. "It's not funny!" she insisted. "Flourish? I'm going to get gigantic. Ridiculously enormous, Neil. And do you realize what twins are like? Not only am I going to look like a cow, I'm going to literally become one as I'm nursing your children day in and day out. I'm going to be up non-stop in the middle of the night. And do you know what that means, Doctor MacNeill...?"
"No, but I can't wait to hear" Neil continued to laugh at her.
"There will be no opportunity for you to possibly overachieve again" She put her hand on her hip. "They never win, love. When we haven't made love in two years because we are too exhausted to even get in the mood, then just remember this moment"
"I assure you it won't be that long before we make love even with the babes" he told her, inclining his head. "I have a way with you"
"You won't be the one changing diapers nonstop and feeding nonstop and rocking nonstop and Oh Lord...dealing with Simon on top of it" Adelaide exclaimed. "Don't be overconfident about your way with me"
"You wound me, lass" Neil said, chuckling. "I'm not overconfident, but I am confident"
"Even my desire for you can't withstand all those hindrances" She retorted. "And when that day comes, you can just remember that this was your doing- overachiever that you are!"
"Now, just wait a minute" he said as he went over to search through the books that Adelaide had disrupted. He picked up the one he was looking for and took her arm, leading her back to the bed. "Sit down"
He flipped open the page and handed the book to her, "A reminder for you, Nurse Addie. I see I need to teach you about the birds and the bees because you so conveniently forgot your role in all of this. If I am an overachiever, you are too, sweetheart." He pointed to the book, "Perhaps even more so"
Adelaide stared at the book and then turned to him. "You were the one who wanted to have sex all the time"
"It only takes one time, Addie. That fact is beside the point"
"You were the one who teased me about it endlessly. You practically wished this upon us..."
"I teased you after you were expecting...I don't think that magically caused another babe to appear in your womb"
"Well, you..." she stopped to think.
"Go on" Neil prompted, "What do you have for me or are you out of it?"
She grunted and Neil patted her leg. "Happens to the best of us, Addie-lass"
"Do not presume because I can't come up with something that you have the upper hand here" Adelaide said. "This is still all your fault!"
"Adelaide" Neil's voice was light. "Come now, love. That's enough of that"
"Can you please just go get the stethoscope and listen again?" she asked.
"No" Neil told her with finality. "I've humored you long enough with that. You have to either accept my diagnosis or not. We'll listen in another month to make sure the wee ones are doing fine, but I'm confident. There are two"
She turned to stare at him for a few minutes, him meeting her gaze evenly as they looked in each others eyes. Finally, she swallowed hard. "Twins? My God, Neil, I can't mother twins! Are you crazy? I can barely handle Simon. You saw him yesterday"
"Well, I don't think you have much of a choice right now" Neil told her, putting his arm around her waist, "be happy, Addie. Another blessing for us. It's our child in your belly. Both of them. How would you feel if something happened to one of them?"
She paused, "Devastated"
"Of course you would" Neil kissed her head. "All that other stuff is irrelevant"
"But I'm going to completely lose my figure" Adelaide told him. "You won't find me beautiful any longer"
"Seriously?" Neil reached to scoop her up on his lap. "Even if you do get a little rounder after the babes, you will still be beautiful to me. I fell in love with all of you including your beautiful spirit. That just doesn't change because you have a few post pregnancy pounds to lose"
"But having twins...it makes for a more complicated pregnancy" she sighed, "and what about the delivery? I was exhausted with Simon. I don't know if I can push two babies out"
"You can" Neil kissed her. "And if you have complications with the pregnancy we will deal with it. You happened to marry a doctor, who up until yesterday, you thought was a very good one"
"I still think you are" Adelaide said. "Sorry about that"
He chuckled. "I didn't take it personally. As for everything else, it's going to be hard, Addie. But I'll help...including changing my fair share of diapers"
"Really?" Adelaide asked.
"Of course" he nodded. "I change Simon's on occasion"
"That's true" she acknowledged, "but the typical..."
"I doubt anyone would call us the typical couple" Neil interrupted with a smile.
She buried her head in his chest. "Do I have enough love for three children?"
"You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, Adelaide MacNeill. Do not fear that, sweetheart, Now" He poked at her playfully, "if you have enough patience for that remains to be seen"
Adelaide laughed, "Thanks a lot"
"You always rise to the occasion, love" Neil told her. He slid her off his lap and stood her up, turning her to face him. He reached for her belly. "Two babes growing in there. Isn't it a wonder?" He kissed her belly twice and then straightened up to kiss her. "I love you, Mrs. MacNeill"
"I love you too" Adelaide said. They kissed for a few moments before Neil turned her around and swatted her playfully.
"Go clean up this mess, young lady" he ordered. "You are lucky that you aren't one of our babes. You were surely pushing your luck with that tantrum"
Adelaide laughed. "That is true. I kind of had a moment"
"You think?" Neil asked. "I want it all righted"
"It did need reorganizing" she said. "I can make it better"
"I'm sure you think so" he told her. He stood, "Tell me how and then I'll help you with it"
"Are you really open to changing things around?"
He nodded. Adelaide went on to explain how she would organize the lab and Neil told her to go ahead and they spent the next hour working on it together.
That night at the mission, they all gathered for supper. Neil had also brought Aunt Hattie for supper and Miss Alice was there as well. When they had finished eating, Neil cleared his throat. "Addie and I have something to say"
Simon started clanging on Adelaide's plate with her spoon and Neil took him out of Addie's arms.
"Thanks, lad, that's effective" Neil told him and everyone laughed.
"Is everything alright?" Julia asked, worried.
"Everything's fine" Adelaide replied, softly. "We just have some news"
"Beyond the babe?" Aunt Hattie asked.
"About the babe" Neil told them, "or babes as the case may be"
There was silence until finally William spoke, "Do you mean to say that you and Addie are having..."
"Twins" Adelaide supplied. "Yes, Daddy"
"Did you hear two heartbeats?" Christy asked Neil.
"Aye"
"And are you sure?" Julia pressed. "Should you listen again just to make sure?"
Adelaide giggled and poked Neil. "I'm just like my mama, aren't I, Doctor?"
Julia smiled at the two of them. "I take it you already asked him to listen again, Adelaide"
"You could say that" she said.
"How many times did thee ask thy husband to listen, Adelaide?" Miss Alice chuckled.
"Oh, about...four" Adelaide crossed her arms. "He only would listen the three times though"
"That's two times more than he would humor anybody else" Miss Alice said, with a smile.
"Very true" Adelaide nodded. "He finally put his foot down"
"Do be fair, Adelaide" Neil titled his head. "That was after you all about destroyed my lab looking for yet another stethoscope"
"You didn't" Christy exclaimed, aghast. "That must have caused quite the stir"
"Well..." Adelaide smiled sheepishly, "I cleaned it up afterwards"
"I should say so" William laughed. "I would have loved to have seen that. Congratulations" he stood and shook Neil's hand and then went and gave Adelaide a kiss. "That is exciting news"
"Twins" Aunt Hattie grinned. "Double blessing on ye"
"Twins" Christy's eyes were wide as she bounced Catherine. "Two at a time"
"Oh Lord, Christy, don't scare me more than I am already scared" Adelaide told her, patting her belly.
"Twins" David leaned over and patted Neil on the shoulder. "Way to go, Doc"
"David" Christy elbowed him. "Not in front of my parents..."
"Oh, no, that's alright" Addie said as she turned to Neil. "I told you this was your fault. David agrees with me. Overachiever"
"Addie, lass" Neil elbowed her, jokingly. "Not in front of your parents..."
"Yes, Adelaide, do try to be appropriate" Julia chided, her voice gentle.
"What?" Adelaide protested. "If David can imply it and he is a preacher then surely I can say something too"
"You and I tend to be the troublemakers of the family. They are just too polite to call me out on it" David laughed. "I take it you already gave the Doc an earful about it, Adelaide?"
"You have no idea, man" Neil told him with a shake of his head. "You know how they get"
David nodded. "Oh, believe me, I do" he agreed, solemnly.
"Hush, you two" Christy told them. "and by they, I hope I'm not included in that" she turned and fixed her husband with a stare.
Adelaide giggled. "Of course you are, sissy. I take it as a compliment. It takes a strong woman to stand up to those two"
"Isn't that the truth?" Christy replied.
"Now, now, ladies" David turned to them. "We have no idea what you are talking about, right, Doc?"
"Can't imagine" Neil shrugged.
"I, for one, am just glad that you aren't trying to one up each other still" Adelaide said, teasingly. "Remember those days, sissy?"
Christy blushed. "Yes, unfortunately..."
"We still might be a little competitive" David turned to Christy and whispered in her ear, causing her blush to increase tenfold.
Adelaide looked at Neil and giggled. "I think he is aiming for triplets for Christy's next pregnancy"
"Adelaide!" Julia was aghast. "Darling, really, if you can't say anything appropriate, especially in front of Aunt Hattie and Miss Alice, maybe you might want to cease saying anything at all"
Adelaide paused and Neil reached to squeeze her shoulder.
"I did warn ye to behave, lass" Neil told her. "Now ye got your mama all upset"
"Oh, she's not really upset" Adelaide said, smiling at her mother. "I'm sorry, mother, but" she turned to David, "tell me that is not what you just told Christy" she demanded.
He laughed. "You have my number, Adelaide. I won't deny it"
They all laughed. Simon began to fuss and tried to get down, tired of sitting.
"The lad needs to run, Addie" Neil told her. "I'll take him outside for a bit. It's a nice night"
"I'll come too" David said. "Want to come with Daddy too, Catherine?"
Christy handed Catherine to David.
"I'll join you as well" William said.
Christy stood, "I'll clean up"
"I can help" Addie said.
"No, you should definitely rest while you can, Addie" Christy said, wryly.
"Thanks" Adelaide bumped her playfully. "Maybe you should the way your husband has been talking"
Christy giggled and Julia put her hand on her hip. "I'm about to put you in time out, Adelaide Huddleston MacNeill"
"Good luck to you" Neil said. "When she gets this way, nothing really works"
"I can think of one thing that does" Adelaide strode past him, whispering in his ear.
"Go on with you, lass" Neil told her, laughing. "And do try to mind your tongue"
Neil, David and William took Simon outside while they ladies sat in the living room.
Julia looked to Addie who settled on the sofa next to Aunt Hattie.
"Are you doing well, Adelaide?" she asked, softly. "You seem in good spirits"
"I feel okay" She nodded. "believe me, I had my moment earlier today. It's just...overwhelming to think of at times"
"The good Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle, Addie" Hattie told her, clasping her hand.
"Miss Hattie is right" Alice spoke up. "Thee and Neil will do a fine job raising these children"
"I hope" Adelaide said. "I would lie to say that I am not scared out of my mind about it"
"I'll come and help when the babies are born" Julia told her. "I'll help you get settled"
"Really?"
Julia nodded and Aunt Hattie spoke, "I'll come and rock the little ones too, Addie. I can do that"
"Thee does have help" Alice said, "I think the whole Cove will come out and support thee and Doctor MacNeill"
"He's gone a lot" Adelaide said, bleakly.
"But Dan Scott and I are both here" Alice said, her voice soothingly. "Doctor MacNeill isn't entirely alone"
Adelaide nodded. "I'm excited of course. I just hope everything goes well"
"Have faith, Mrs. MacNeill" Alice told her. "Miss Hattie is right. God's hand is in this"
"I just didn't expect this" Adelaide said, "at all"
"Sometimes" Julia said, softly, "life is unexpected, my darling girl. But you and Neil are going to do a wonderful job raising your children...all three of them now. I have no doubt in my mind"
"That means the world to me. Thank you so much for the encouragement, mother...and Miss Alice" Adelaide said, tearing up as she reached to squeeze Aunt Hattie's hand, "and Aunt Hattie. It truly does. Our babies are blessed to have such wonderful people surrounding them"
"I told thee once before Adelaide not to let thy fear drive thee" Alice said, softly. "Remember that"
"I will" she nodded. "Remind me though"
"We all will" Julia said. "Of course now you know what this means, don't you?"
"I can't imagine" Adelaide looked at her mother, quizzically.
"With you and Christy both here with my four grandchildren, I am going to have to lobby your father to have a place built out here for us, so I can spend as much time here as I want without intruding completely on your homes"
Adelaide turned to her, her mouth open. "In Cutter Gap?"
"Yes, darling" Julia retorted. "Unless you and Neil are moving to Asheville, which would thrill me beyond belief"
"No" Adelaide said, "I don't think so"
"Then a cabin out here is a must" Julia said, "some place small will do. I wonder if there is any land to stake"
"To stake?" Adelaide rubbed her belly. "I don't think so, mother. All the land is pretty much staked up and I don't know any families moving out either"
"We'll figure something out"
"Our land is pretty extensive...if your mind is set on it, then perhaps I could talk to Neil for you" Adelaide offered.
"Talk to me about what?" Neil came in with Simon, who was throwing a fit. "This one is overly tired. Aunt Hattie, David said he would walk you home if that would be okay with you"
"That sounds fine" Hattie said as she reached out to squeeze Neil's hand and Adelaide went over to give her a hug. She then went to give Miss Alice a hug and finally Julia.
"You talk to Daddy and I'll work on Neil" she told her mother.
"I'm not sure I like the sound of that" Neil told them as he tried to wrestle with Simon. "Let's go home. I need to talk with the lad"
"Sounds like it" Adelaide said, with a sigh.
They said their goodbyes and once outside, Neil took them to the gazebo to give them a few minutes alone with Simon, who was still throwing a tantrum. After a few minutes, Neil carried a much more subdued Simon home- the smack and scolding seemed to be quite effective.
"So, what do you need to work on me with?" Neil asked, Simon falling asleep on his shoulder.
"Well" Adelaide snaked her hand around his arm. "Mother wants to build a cabin in Cutter Gap and I said I would talk to her about using some of our land"
"Whoa" Neil paused, "What? Tell me you are joking, please"
Adelaide giggled. "Apparently, the thought of me caring for twins and Simon all on my lonesome with you doctoring the entire Cove for hours on end has left my mother wanting to play a more active part in our life. See, what was I telling you about overachievers, Doctor?"
"I am beginning to see what you mean" Neil said, grumbling.
"I thought you might" Adelaide patted his arm, affectionately.
A/N: Would love your thoughts...please!