Chapter 35:
Neil reluctantly consented to Julia and Adelaide's plans for a cabin to be built on a corner of their land for when Julia came to visit. He was shocked that Adelaide was taking all these plans in stride and even questioned her about it, but Addie told him that she would absolutely need the extra help with twins especially when they were babies and would prefer that her mother didn't stay at their cabin for weeks on end. Neil had to admit that this made the most sense to keep the peace between Addie and her mother going. He figured that Julia would stay no longer than a week at a time before headed back to the comforts of Asheville.
Simon continued push his limits with them. The Sunday after they found out about the twins was one of those times. Before Simon, Adelaide loved church. But once Simon came, she found it more and more stressful as he got older, especially since the Cove still honored the age old tradition of men and women sitting separately. When Simon was a babe, she simply nursed him when he got fussy, but now, she couldn't rely on that.
"De De" Simon flapped his arms, trying to squirm down. Adelaide told him to hush in his ear and plopped him on the seat between her and Ruby Mae, the latter who reached out to pat his back as she nursed her son.
"Down" Simon grunted and Adelaide scooped him back up before he made too much of a scene, but he was still squirming. She had no idea how the ladies kept their young ones quiet in church...Simon was usually pretty good, but he was in a mood this morning. He got it in his head that he wanted to get Uncle David's attention and nothing was going to thwart him from that goal.
"Down, mama. De De" Simon insisted and Adelaide whispered in his ear. "No down. Not now. You can see Uncle David after church. You need to be a good boy right now"
She looked at Neil, who frowned at her. She put him down again on the bench, this time between her and her mother and handed him his block, which he promptly threw.
Julia turned to her and shook her head. It was awful to have Simon misbehave not only in front of the whole cove, but worse her parents.
Opal gave her a sympathetic look and Adelaide was about to lose her mind as she could practically feel the weight of Neil's gaze on her, pressuring her to take him in hand.
"De De" David walked up and down the aisle and Simon caught his eye and in the split second he was down, hugging on to David's legs.
David chuckled and picked Simon up and handed him back to Adelaide and continued his sermon. Simon picked that moment to throw a tantrum and Adelaide picked him up and dragged him out.
"Good Lord, help me" Adelaide looked heavenward as she gave him a smack and then deposited Simon on the church steps. "Simon, that was very naughty"
Uncle Bogg, who was on the steps smoking his pipe, chuckled. "Take the young'un in hand, Mrs. Doc" he advised. "Otherwise he will be a terror in another year. He's awfully young to be startin that foolishness"
Adelaide sighed. "Thank you for the advice, Uncle Bogg" Simon squirmed down and began to play in the dirt.
"Adelaide" she jumped at the sound of Neil's voice.
"Uncle Bogg and I were just discussing Simon"
"I see" Neil said, "Why are you allowing him to play in the dirt?" He scooped him up.
"I'll just be goin back inside now" Uncle Bogg said, "Mrs. Doc, it's been a pleasure"
She nodded at him.
"Did you punish him yet?" Neil asked, evenly.
"I gave him a smack like we agreed, but he's a boy, Neil" Adelaide sighed. "He isn't even two yet. How can we expect him to sit still through church?"
"Every other young'un is squirming, but managing to keep controlled" Neil retorted. "that behavior is unacceptable"
"Understood" Adelaide said. "I handled it"
"Really?" he asked as Simon wrestled against him, "Settle down, lad" he told him, sternly and then continued his conversation with her, "because from where I am standing, you gave him a smack but then allowed him to play in the dirt"
"You know what's unfair about this whole situation?" Adelaide hoisted herself up, whispering to him. "You get out of trying to control him in church. So until you either convince the cove to allow families to sit together or decide to break tradition and have him sit with you, then I don't want to hear it, especially when I'm trying to juggle twins and Simon in church. Give him to me" She took him back. "Now, listen Simon, we are going to go back inside and you need to behave, understood? You cannot see Uncle David right now- he is busy. You need to be a good boy and try to sit next to mama on the bench. Understood?"
Simon rubbed his eyes and leaned against Addie. "Situation handled, Neil" Adelaide said.
"Good"
Adelaide went and squeezed back in between Julia and Ruby Mae, putting Simon next to her mother, who began to rub his back.
After church, Adelaide greeted David, who reached out to take Simon from her.
"Jesus always did have a heart for the children" David said, with a smile. "Don't worry over things. The boy just loves his uncle"
"The good book also says something about sparing the rod and spoiling the child" Uncle Bogg said from behind her.
"You are just full of good advice today, Uncle Bogg" Adelaide turned to him.
Opal quickly came up beside her before Addie could say more. "Excuse us, Uncle Bogg. Miz Addie would ye and the Doc like to have midday meal with us and the Spencers? We know your mama is here, but we would love for ye to sit with us for our picnic"
She turned to Neil who nodded. "Sounds perfect. Thank you Opal"
"We'll see you in a few minutes" Opal said, tickling Simon's side before heading off.
David handed Simon back to Adelaide. "See you later, kid" he patted his head. "We'll play ball soon, okay?"
Simon waved bye to him and Neil reached for him. "I thought you were about to lay in to Uncle Bogg"
"I was about to" Adelaide confessed. "I'm glad Opal stopped me. That's not someone I need to offend"
"Opal is a good friend to you, woman" Neil said.
"She is indeed"
They settled down for their picnic lunch with the Spencers and McHones...the children playing with Simon as Adelaide leaned against Neil.
They ate in polite chatter, before Adelaide turned to Neil. "I don't think the Doc and I have told you all our news"
"We haven't now, have we?" Neil said, grinning.
"Opal will especially appreciate this" Adelaide looked at her friend. "Guess what?" she patted her belly.
Opal's eyes grew wide. "Ye don't say. Doc, what did ye do?"
"What am I missing?" Fairlight said, curious.
"Twins" Neil smile was wide. "Adelaide is expecting twins" he said, his smile wide.
"That be how ye do things, Doc" Jeb teased as he patted him on the shoulder.
"Making us all look bad" Tom said, poking his fun too. "And it being ye first young'un with Miz Addie"
Adelaide blushed and Opal reached out to give her a hug. "Congrats, Adelaide"
"That's wonderful news, Miz Addie" Fairlight patted her hand.
"Thank you" Adelaide said, softly. "We're..."
"Happy" Neil finished for her.
"Feelin a bit overwhelmed by it?" Fairlight asked, perceptively.
"After Simon's behavior today, maybe"
"Oh that be nothin, Miz Addie" Jeb said. "Ye should have seen some of our young'uns when we were just startin out with the parentin...we had to learns how to handle them"
"Thank you, Mr. Spencer. That's kind of you to say" Adelaide told him, smiling.
Jeb stood. "I promised my young'uns to play a game of chase with them"
"I'll come too" Tom said. "We'll play a big game with them. Doc, ye in?"
"Why not?" Neil planted a kiss on Adelaide's head before standing up. "Simon can play too"
Adelaide bit her lip but the men were off.
"Now don't ye worry" Fairlight said. "Doc won't let the young'uns get too rowdy with Simon"
"I guess he isn't really quite a little baby anymore" Adelaide said. She turned to Opal. "Did you see my mother's face when Simon threw his tantrum?"
"It be hard to miss, Miz Addie" Opal said.
"I'll be hearing about it later" Adelaide sighed.
Fairlight and Opal both chuckled and continued their light chatter.
But much to Adelaide's surprise, Julia didn't say anything about Simon's outburst, yet a week after she returned to Asheville, Adelaide received a package in the mail. When she pulled it out, she wasn't surprised to find two parenting books and a note from her mother that she thought she might find these helpful. Adelaide felt that she really should feel insulted, but instead she was actually grateful.
July came and with it high temperatures. Adelaide was miserable and wished they had aimed for a due date in winter like with Simon. She knew it would only get worse as the babies grew. She was trying to stay cool on the porch when Bird's Eye came for a visit. Simon was playing in the yard, making mud with the water Adelaide had gotten him to splash in pots. He was making a grand mess, but she was at the point she really didn't care as long as he stayed by the steps. Neil had been actively trying to intervene with Simon when he was home and Simon really seemed to respond to Neil- more so than with her. Neil had a presence about him. As for her, she read some of those books on parenting that Julia had sent her. They were pretty modern philosophies for today's standards but Adelaide was eager to try to put them to use.
"Doc gone?" Bird's Eye asked as he sat in the rocker next to her.
"Yep" Adelaide nodded. "Children are sick in Raven Gap. He left two days ago. I'm hoping he will be back this afternoon" She took another sip of water. "Do you want something to drink? It's so hot"
"I thank ye, but I'll get it. No need for ye to get up" Bird's Eye said, sideswiping her and taking her glass, coming out with her glass refilled for her.
"Thank you" Adelaide said and Bird's Eye nodded.
"Heard ye mama is buildin a cabin on ye land"
"With the twins coming, I'm going to need all the help I can get. And we don't really have a lot of room here for her to stay with us"
"I don't mean to intrude on ye, Miz Addie, but since you mentioned it, the Doc isn't thinkin straight these days"
She turned to him in surprise. "Why would you say that?"
"He should be makin arrangements to add on to your cabin" he told her.
"Hum" Adelaide fanned herself. "I can't deny that thought did cross my mind. A little extra space with three kids would be welcome, but plenty of families have bushels of children in one room. How can I ask him for more?"
"Well" Bird's Eye put his hand on his knees. "The Doc also has all of his medical things around. Ye are also askin for him"
"I don't like asking things of the Doc"
"I know that and I can't think why not" Bird's Eye told her, seriously.
"Has to do with Margaret, I suppose" Adelaide told him, honestly.
"Miz Margaret. She was a looker for sure and for certain" Bird's Eye responded.
Adelaide frowned as she looked down at her belly and Bird's Eye eyed her curiously.
"Are ye jealous of Miz Margaret's memory, Miz Addie?" he asked, surprised. "The Doc sure is a whole lot happier with ye than he ever was with her"
"I know that" Adelaide said, quietly, "but she still manages to haunt our marriage at times"
"If ye allow her to" Bird's Eye countered. "It's ridiculous that ye can't talk to the Doc about things without fearin that he will think ye are like Miz Margaret. For one she wasn't nearly as sweet as ye are"
"Thank you" Adelaide said, "that is really kind"
"It's truthful" Bird's Eye said, "Lundy's mama was a mess...always wanted more from me that I could give...that's what caused her to finally run away. Ye aren't like that. This isn't an unreasonable thing to think on"
"How would we even go about it?" Addie asked.
"Why, ye hold a workin" Bird's Eye said. "It's as simple as that"
"But I wouldn't even know how to do the woman's part of a working" Adelaide said, frowning.
"Ask Opal to help ye. She would help ye organize the woman's part especially since ye are carryin the babes" Bird's Eye told her. "The whole Cove would come out. They love the Doc and ye somethin fierce"
"I think it is more about their love for Neil, not me" Adelaide said, softly.
"Nah, it's ye too, Miz Addie" Bird's Eye said.
"Hum" Adelaide thought for a few moments. "Neil has to come up with the idea on his own. He will soon enough with the three kids invading his space"
"No offense, ma'am, but that sounds like a disaster waitin to happen the minute the young'uns get into his things"
"That is so true" Adelaide said, "Speaking of the Doc, though, that sounds like him now, actually"
Neil put Charlie in the barn and made his way into the cabin. He leaned down to pat Simon. "You are a mess, lad" He stepped around him and on the porch. "Bird's Eye, Adelaide"
"Doc" Bird's Eye nodded.
"Hi Neil" Adelaide leaned up for a kiss. "Glad you are home"
"Me too" He looked at her flushed face. "You look miserable, Addie" he said, frankly.
"Just what every woman wants to hear from her man" Adelaide teased as she winked at Bird's Eye.
"The Doc surely does have a way with the words, Miz Addie" Bird's Eye retorted dryly and Neil rolled his eyes.
"Alright now, you look lovely, Adelaide, as usual" Neil said.
"Thank you. You are so sweet to me, Doctor MacNeill" Adelaide said demurely and then giggled.
"Let me put this down and I'll be right out" Neil told her, poking her playfully. "I'm bringing you more water. Poor dear"
He brought her more water and some for himself.
"You need to keep drinking, Adelaide, especially in this weather" he said.
"No worries, I have been, but maybe I should check to make sure Simon's cup is still full of water" Adelaide said. "Hum, it might be buried in the mud he made"
Neil frowned and stepped off the porch to retrieve Simon's sip cup. "I'll go wash this off and fill it up again"
"This summer is too hot" Adelaide said. "Do you think it will rain? We need some rain to cool off this afternoon. That's the only way I'm getting through the afternoons"
"Doesn't look like rain" Bird's Eye said.
"Don't tell me that!" Adelaide said, twisting her pony tail. She frowned. "I want to move to..." she stopped and thought, "Neil?"
"Yeah?" He came out and bent down to give Simon his cup. "Drink this lad" he patted his back.
"What's Scotland like?"
"Rainy and cool"
"Sounds perfect" Addie said with a smile. "Let's move there"
"I don't think so, lass" Neil chuckled. "For one, you can't travel this pregnant with the babes"
She sighed. "I suppose"
Bird's Eye rose. "Doc needs to show ye how we cool off around here, MIz Addie" he told them. "But it might be a bit much for your citified ways"
Neil laughed loudly. "Ye are right, Bird's Eye"
"Now, Mr. Taylor, are you teasing me?" Adelaide said, a hand on her hip.
"No ma'am" Bird's Eye grinned at her. "Ye see what ye think. It's really the only thing to do on a day like this."
"Well now you have gotten me curious" Adelaide said.
"I'll leave you to it" Bird's Eye said, "Bye Miz Addie"
"Good day, Mr. Taylor" she smiled.
"See ya Doc" Bird's Eye said. "By the way, when ye decide to get around to that workin, I'll be here"
"Now, I see what ye have been discussing with my wife" Neil said, wryly. He chuckled. "See ya later, Bird's Eye"
Bird's Eye nodded and walked off and Neil went and picked up Simon. "Time to get you cleaned off, wee one"
"Oh, let me do that, Neil" Adelaide said, putting her feet on the ground. "I let him make this mess"
"I have to say I was rather surprised" Neil told her. "Pots of water and dirt surely does make mud and you usually are all squirmy about the lad getting so messy"
"Desperation this afternoon" Adelaide admitted, fanning herself. "I'm so hot. Chasing him around the cabin was not an option"
"I'll clean him up and put him in for a nap and then we'll work on cooling you off" Neil told her. "Stay put"
A few minutes later, Neil came back with a naked Simon, who was wet but much cleaner.
"I think I'm just going to put a diaper on the poor boy, otherwise he'll never sleep in this heat"
"Good idea" Adelaide said and Neil went inside with Simon and came back out.
"Didn't even protest one bit" Neil said as he came out, carrying two towels.
"I know...whatever you are doing works" Adelaide said, with a nod. "He really responds to you"
"Consistent discipline, Addie" Neil responded.
"And a deep voice?" she asked.
"Perhaps" Neil nodded. "Children are not stupid"
"That is true"
"Now, Mrs. MacNeill" Neil eased her up. "I heard you were hot"
"I wonder what gave you that idea" Adelaide said, with a smile.
"Hum" Neil took her hand and pulled her in the direction of the creek.
"What are we doing, exactly?" Addie asked, curiously.
"Going swimming" Neil told her, winking at her. "It's going to be fun and you'll feel so much better"
"But..." Adelaide began to protest. "we can't go swimming. I don't have the proper clothes and..."
Neil laughed heartedly. "Oh, Adelaide, you and your citified ways...we are going swimming with no clothes on...well, if you really want you can keep your underclothes on but I would recommend none if you are that hot"
"Seriously?" Adelaide asked.
"I don't know how this would surprise you, sweet lass. We make love outside..."
"On occasion" Adelaide supplied. "Rare occasions..."
"Not as rare as you anticipated when we first married" Neil pointed out. "Come on...you are really flushed. Carrying our babes in the heat of summer is really taking a toll on you"
"But what if someone comes to visit?" Adelaide asked.
"You can duck under the water. All they'll see is your head" Neil laughed. "Come on, wife" He reached to unbutton his shirt. "Do you want help with your clothes?" he asked, with a mischievous grin as he shrugged off his shirt and began to undo his pants. "I do love undressing you, Mrs. MacNeill"
"I thought we were swimming, not being scandalous in the creek" Adelaide told him.
"We are doing both" Neil said, "as you are my wife and I'm allowed to take kisses from you if I want to" He grinned at her. "Come on...I can't be the only one undressed here" He began to undo her clothing for her, taking them off. "are you being modest or not?"
"Modest would be swimming with all my clothes on" Adelaide said. "But as I can't be, might as well go for the bold"
"Now that's my Addie" Neil said, approvingly as he helped her underclothes off and scooped her up.
Adelaide squealed. "I'm too heavy"
"Nah" Neil laughed as he gently eased her in the water.
"Oh it's colder than I thought it would be" Adelaide squealed again. "The babies are going to go crazy"
"Probably so" Neil told her, ducking his head under and coming back out. "Feels good doesn't it? Go under"
Adelaide got her head wet too and reached to twist up her wet pony tail. "It does feel good. So this is what people in the Cove do?"
"Aye, I can't believe we didn't do this last summer" Neil commented. "I didn't even think about it"
"I wasn't nearly as hot last summer" Adelaide told him.
"You looked downright miserable sitting on the porch" he said as he allowed her to float in his arms. "And you aren't even that far along yet"
"Thanks for the encouragement love" Adelaide said, groaning. "What am I going to do?"
"Go swimming a lot?" Neil suggested.
"Hum" Adelaide closed her eyes. "This is actually quite relaxing"
"So" Neil leaned down to kiss her neck. "What is this about scheduling a working for us?"
"It wasn't my idea" Adelaide said. "Bird's Eye mentioned that I might want to put the hint in your ear that an extra room to house your medical supplies might be in order"
"My medical supplies?" Neil chuckled.
"Or your children?" Adelaide giggled. "Or are those one and the same?"
"Sometimes" Neil poked her. "I have thought about it, but you hadn't mentioned it, so..."
"I didn't want to think I wasn't satisfied with our home and I know people in the Cove have tons of children in one room"
"Fair point" Neil said, "and I appreciate it, but if you are thinking something, you might as well just come out and tell me it, Adelaide. Bird's Eye is right- we need to schedule a workin"
"I'm surprised he said anything to me about it...didn't Christy run against people not wanting her to interfere in their business?"
"Well, yes, but Christy is an outsider...and there are certain things that one would never interfere with- finances and how ye discipline the young'uns and about our marriage, but I guess he feels pretty comfortable with you otherwise"
"High compliment I suppose" Adelaide straightened, putting her feet on the bottom of the creek and turned to Neil. "How is this working going to work with Bird's Eye and the Allens?"
"That, my dear, should be interesting" Neil said, honestly.
She frowned deeply, her forehead creasing in worry over it already.
"No, don't do that" Neil said as he splashed her.
"What?" Adelaide squeaked as he splashed more.
"You are becoming pensive on me" Neil said, "This is supposed to be fun, wife"
Adelaide splashed him back. "Okay, fun" she giggled as they started a water fight with each other, before Adelaide called surrender and threw her arms around his neck and began to kiss him earnestly. They kissed, their passion growing, before Adelaide pulled away. "I'm getting overheated again"
Neil chuckled and ducked her under the water. "There, is that better?"
Adelaide sputtered up water and smacked him. "You're crazy"
"Just kiss me again, lass" Neil said, pulling her closer to him.
They spent a while in the water before Neil scooped her up and out of the water and gently easing her on the creek bank.
"I'm going to get hot again if we make love" Adelaide groaned, but Neil shushed her.
"I'll take you back in the water afterwards"
"This is all sort of scandalous" Adelaide said. "It's broad daylight- what someone comes by?"
Neil grunted and threw a towel around her and then himself. "Let's go to our bedroom. I'll bring water in for a bath afterwards if you get overheated"
"That's considerate" Adelaide said, "you must really be wanting this"
"You have no idea" Neil replied as he scooped her up and carried her inside.
Opal helped Adelaide organize the woman for food preparation while the men were busy adding on to the cabin. It was a chaotic day, but with the preparation that Neil and Bird's Eye did before, they were hoping it could be finished in the day.
Adelaide asked Christy to watch Simon, so she didn't have to worry about him, but with the other kids running around, she also knew one of the old kids would keep their eyes on him. There was the tense moment when Bird's Eye and Lundy arrived, catching the eye of all the Allens who came out to help, but Adelaide saw him from inside.
"Excuse me ladies" she patted Mary Allen on the arm and stepped out on the porch, her hand on her stomach.
"Good day, Mr. Taylor, Lundy" Adelaide smiled at them. "Thank you so much for coming"
"Miz Addie" Bird's Eye nodded evenly. "It be my pleasure to help ye and the Doc and those young'uns to come"
"That's really kind of you" she responded. "Doc is over there. He can tell you what's going on. Let me know if you need anything"
"Bird's Eye" Neil stepped to where they were standing, holding a hammer. "Here you go, man. If you don't mind, ye can work on that side with Jeb"
"No problems, Doc" Bird's Eye and Lundy left her.
Neil leaned over to her. "Nicely done, Mrs. MacNeill" he winked at her. "I see all that training for hosting tea parties have come in handy today" he told her, his voice playful and eyes twinkling.
"Go on with you" Adelaide laughed. She went back inside the cabin.
Fairlight put her arm around her. "Miz Addie, ye handled that well"
"Thank you, Fairlight" Adelaide turned to her and whispered, "I was worried. I know the feuding is real on this mountain"
She shook her head. "They'll be polite knowing that ye and the Doc don't take sides. Doc has to doctor everyone"
"That's true" Adelaide nodded. "It's so hot in here" she said as she put her hand to her forehead.
"Are ye feeling the heat somethin awful?" Lizzie asked.
"I am" Adelaide nodded. "We were thankful for somewhat of a cooler day for the working, but it's still...with this" she rubbed her belly, "I think I'm ready for snow"
Opal chuckled. "Ye have a while yet"
Adelaide groaned. "Please don't remind me."
Fairlight handed her some water. "Ye need to sit for a bit, Miz Addie"
"Absolutely" Mary came beside her. "Ye are lookin faint. I know what it is like carryin the babes. So much harder than just one"
Miss Alice arrived. "Adelaide, Christy needs thee outside. Young Simon is in need of some motherly intervention"
"Say no more" Adelaide eased herself up. "Excuse me again, ladies"
"We got things handled" Opal told her. Adelaide turned to her. "When we get a few moments, I would like to talk to you about him" she told her. "He's giving us a hard time of late"
"Sure, Miz Addie" Opal nodded. "It's hard adjustment for a babe when ye add new ones"
"Not to mention this age is just tough" Fairlight said, patting her arm. "We've all been there, Miz Addie"
"Thank you"
Adelaide went out into the yard to Simon throwing a fit and Christy trying to talk to him.
"Simon" Adelaide not very gracefully knelt beside him. "You need to stop now. Papa and Mama are really busy and I know you don't understand it, but we need you to be a good boy right now and listen to Aunt Christy"
"Wanna ball" Simon hiccuped.
"Iris wanted a turn with the ball" Christy explained. "It didn't go over well. He is young"
She nodded. "Not quite understanding the concept of sharing" she sighed as Simon continued to cry. She plopped him up in her lap. "I'm sorry, Simon, but Iris needs a turn too"
"No!" He continued to cry louder and flail his arms.
"So not the time for a tantrum" Adelaide said as she picked him up and swatted his bottom. "Stop that"
He continued to wail and Creed ran up to them. "What's wrong with Simon, Mrs. Doc?"
"Wanna ball" Simon sniffled. "Ball"
"Apparently he wants the ball" Adelaide said, smiling at Creed. "He'll be fine in a few moments"
"Wanna come run, Simon?" Creed asked and Simon looked at him, rubbing his eyes. "Can I take him? He just needs to run"
"Please watch him carefully though and not let him get too close to the creek or the well" Adelaide said. "But yes, if you can make him happy, please"
"I'll be right here with Iris and Catherine if you need me, Creed" Christy said.
"Thank you, Creed" Adelaide said as Creed ran off with Simon, who had began to giggle at the attention. "Are you okay, Christy?" she asked.
"Fine, go ahead and go back" Christy said.
Adelaide went back into the cabin.
"Mary, your son is saving me from loads of embarrassment right now" Adelaide told her.
Mary chuckled. "Creed is a good boy, Miz Addie" she said, proudly.
"No need to be embarrassed either" Lizzie said.
"Mrs. Holcombe is right, Mrs. MacNeill. Thee and the Doc have a fine son in Simon" Miss Alice told her, patting her arm.
"But how come your young ones don't throw fits?" Adelaide asked, frowning.
"Well, they do" Fairlight offered. "Just not when we are out"
"He'll learn" Lizzie said. "Set the Doc on him. The young'uns always respond to John"
"Neil does have a way with Simon" Adelaide said.
"We can tell he is good with the young'un" Opal said.
"He loves him something fierce" Aunt Hattie said. "And Neil should be able to relate. He was quite the rascal when he was younger. He was always getting in trouble"
"Neil always says that Simon's temperament is not the one we need to worry about" Adelaide laughed. "It's these ones"
The women chuckled.
"That may be true, Miz Addie" Opal smiled at her.
The women continued to work on the meal for the men, making small talk as they did. The men broke for lunch and Adelaide and the woman served them.
"Thank you" Neil said as he took the plate from her. He looked at her flushed face and frowned. "Drink more water when you get a chance, lass. We are going to pay for this day tonight"
She nodded. "I'm fine though. Can't have the others thinking I'm a prissy citified gal, now can we?"
Neil chuckled. "No, I'm not sure anybody would think that. You are as hard a worker as any of them. Is the lad okay? I heard him screaming from all the way across the yard"
Adelaide rolled her eyes. "Thank the good Lord for Creed Allen. He was making quite the scene"
"I noticed" Neil said, dryly.
"I was pretty embarrassed" Addie confessed.
"Nah" Neil shook his head. "No need for that. Now, if he is 6 and doing that, we will have a problem"
"Let's not think about that" Adelaide retorted. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Got to go. Lots of work to do"
It took all day but the men managed to raise the addition.
"Two new rooms seems kind of frivolous now" Adelaide said, quietly as they sat on the porch- Simon playing on his horsey beside them.
Neil shrugged. "Made sense just to do a big one if we were doing one at all. Bird's Eye suggested it, so I can make a proper room for doctoring. I really feel with the young'uns doing surgeries on our kitchen table probably isn't the best thing for wee impressionable eyes"
"They will reach a certain age when they'll sneak in anyway" Adelaide said, with a grin. "I sure would have if my daddy was a doctor"
"That is a given, Addie, with us as parents" Neil said. "But it won't be tolerated. Certain things they don't need to see until they are older"
"Neil" Adelaide wiggled, trying to get comfortable, "If our daughter wants to become a doctor..."
"I'll fully support her dreams" he assured her. "No worries on that regard. Now, if she wants to run off and marry some boy at the age of 16, I'll lock her in her room until she is twenty five"
Adelaide giggled. "And I'll fully support you on that one" She looked to Simon and then to Neil.
"Is it bedtime for the lad?" Neil asked as Adelaide stood up.
She nodded and bent down. "Seriously, Neil, one day soon, I'm going to do this and not be able to get back up"
Neil laughed. "I'll help you off the floor if you need it, Addie"
"And not laugh at me?" she asked, looking at him.
"Don't push ye luck"
She laughed. "Simon, love, it's time for night nights" Adelaide told him as she rubbed his head. "You are a sleepy boy"
"No"
"Yes. Time for bed" Addie responded, cheerfully. "In the morning, you can play with your horsey again"
"No" Simon pushed her hands away.
"Yes" Adelaide told him seriously.
"NO! Mama, Nooo!"
"Stop reasoning with him and pick him up already" Neil told her.
"The books say to make sure they understand the expectation and to try to get them to do it on their own without spanking them first" Adelaide told him.
"He shouldn't be allowed to tell you no, Addie"
"He's just stating his want" Adelaide retorted. "He should feel comfortable expressing his emotions"
"Oh for the love of God, woman" Neil scooped Simon up and swatted him. "Don't tell mama no, Simon" He told him, firmly and then turned around to her, "I'm burning whatever rubbish you are reading and we are starting over" he said as he took him inside.
He came back a few minutes later and sat down on the steps with her, "You are making this a lot harder than it has to be"
"Simon is different for you than he is with me" Adelaide protested, rubbing her back. "And I'm supposed to be the nurturing one"
"You are the nurturing one, sweetheart" Neil told her, "you also have to be strict with him too. State your expectation, make sure he understands, but expect him to obey. What are you going to be doing when you are nursing the twins if Simon doesn't understand when you tell him to do something, you mean it?"
"Oh, I don't know" Addie sighed. "This doesn't come naturally for me"
"Now that's just foolishness" Neil said as he turned her so he could get access to her back and began rubbing it for her. "And an excuse. You were raised to be a wife and a mother and you are a good one if you would stop overthinking things"
"I was raised to throw teas and parties, Neil and have a nanny raise my children. Do you think I have any idea?"
He paused, "Did you have a nanny growing up?"
She nodded. "Of course. All my friends did. My parents aren't as rich as a lot in society, but they could hire a cook, housekeeper and nanny especially when we were little. I think we had one until I started school and then mother took over. I'm not sure why. I never asked"
"I forget what a step down all of this is for you" Neil continued to massage her back.
"It's not a step down" Adelaide protested. "I'm happy to raise our children. I'm just saying it's not as natural as you would think"
"That's fair" Neil patted her side. "Better?" he asked.
"I'm supposed to be doing this for you. You built a piece of our house today"
"Aye, but you are growing a piece of our family inside of you" Neil said kissing her head.
Adelaide reached for his hand. "By the way, Doctor MacNeill, I never realized how attractive you are when you are building things"
"Really now?" Neil was delighted.
"Oh yes" Addie said, squeezing his hand.
"Does that put you in a mood?"
"It does" Adelaide laughed, "but unfortunately, I'm having trouble moving"
"Me too actually" Neil said, poking her. "Let's go to bed, lass, and get some sleep" He stood up. "Need help?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.
"Yes" Adelaide frowned as he helped her up off the steps. "I think we will both sleep well"
"Aye" Neil put his arm around her waist, "Me too"
"Opal, can I ask you a really private question?" Adelaide asked as they picked herbs on the mountain.
"Sure, let's sit a spell and let Iris and Simon run" Opal said as that sat on a grassy spot. "What's on your mind, Addie?"
"Neil and I..." Adelaide frowned, "have different parenting styles"
Opal chuckled. "You don't say..."
"Oh, you noticed that?" Adelaide laughed.
"Maybe" Opal said as she picked up a blade of grass. "The Doc is a mountain man, Adelaide. He's going to discipline the young'uns the way he was raised"
Adelaide bit her lip. "When Simon is this young, a swat or two makes sense, but when he gets older...I hate to think..." Adelaide shook her head.
"Now listen here" Opal told her, firmly. "Sometimes the young'uns need a firm hand. The Doc won't get out of control with it"
She sighed. "I know that. He thinks I'm too permissive"
"Are ye?" Opal asked.
"Sometimes" Adelaide admitted. "I know I married a good man and that he treats all of us right. But these are my babies"
"Who a good spanking every now and then won't hurt them" Opal assured her. "Doc is reasonable- you either trust him as their papa or not"
"Of course I do" Adelaide said, quietly.
"Sometimes after Tom disciplines the young'uns, he comes in and I can just tell...he gets right torn up about it. That's the heart of a mountain man. Tough but underneath, there is a gentleness there. It comes out with the young'uns. They know their papa loves them, even if he does give them a good spankin now and then"
Adelaide nodded. "That's probably true" she sighed. "I feel so lacking in this whole mothering thing"
"Now, just ease your mind right now, Miz Addie" Opal said, "Simon is a dear boy and these babes will be sweet ones too. Children should be a bit spirited at times"
"You're right" Adelaide nodded and rubbed her belly.
"How do ye feel?" Opal looked to her. "Ye looked awfully peaked the day of the workin"
"Good days and bad days" Adelaide said. "I'm slowing down a lot. I'm not sure how much more my body can accommodate these little ones"
Opal nodded, seriously and picked up an herb. "We'll make a paste out of this to rub on your belly. Soothe the marks"
Adelaide nodded. "I'm so mortified by them"
"Doc doesn't point them out, does he?" Opal asked.
"Of course not" Adelaide told her. "Doc might be blunt, but he isn't foolish. He takes my temper seriously these days"
"Ye have a temper?" Opal teased.
"Doc says I get crazy with expecting" Adelaide said, wryly. "The truth of the matter is that he might not be that far off"
They both laughed heartedly at that.
"Opal, I was thinking on something" Adelaide said after a few minutes of silence.
"What's that, Miz Addie?"
"When the babies come, will you come and be with me during my laboring?" she asked, quietly. "Miss Alice promised to midwife, but I would like you to be there too if you don't mind. I'm asking my mother and Christy to watch Simon and I know I will need the support"
"Are ye worried about birthin the two?" Opal asked.
"I'm really worried" Adelaide said, honestly. "And my mother and I are becoming closer, but I need to be able to not have to worry about minding my tongue. I know you and Miss Alice don't care what I say. Christy needs to be with Catherine and she loves watching Simon. But honestly, besides her own labor with Catherine, she hasn't attended a birthing and..."
"Ye aren't sure ye want your birthin with the twins to be the first one she witnesses?" Opal asked.
"I don't want to scare her off from having any more children" she responded. "You can say no, but..."
"Well, I'd be honored Miz Addie" Opal said, honestly. "And don't ye be worryin about the birthin. We'll get you through it fine"
"I pray so" Adelaide said, but Opal noticed her forlorn expression.
Two weeks later, Adelaide stood at her dresser as she was getting ready for bed. The babies were playing or fighting or something. Her whole stomach was shifting back and forth, back and forth. Neil and she spent a lot of time moving things around to use the back room for his new lab. When Neil was gone, she started getting visits from the ladies of the Cove- it seemed like one came every other day. And she started noticing that the children of the Cove, who were on term break, came often and played with Simon for a good chunk of the day. Miss Alice was right- it seemed like the whole Cove was gathering around them to support them in this venture. She would learn much later that during a quilting that she had missed soon after their working, the ladies were talking over how poorly she looked and made the suggestion for visits and sending the children to distract Simon, especially when they knew the Doc was away.
At 30 weeks, she was already enormous. She looked down at her stomach and frowned at the marks all over her belly. Tears formed in her eyes. She knew she was being silly and vain, but still...she was still so uncomfortable already. She couldn't sleep at night- she couldn't really lift Simon much anymore, her stomach was too cumbersome. She reached for the paste that Opal helped her make to rub it on her stomach, before pulling on her nightgown. She wished she was brave enough to sleep without it, she was so hot at night. Part of her felt silly because she went swimming with know clothes on, but at least the water provided a shield for her sense of propriety. She wasn't ready to pitch it entirely.
"Ready for bed, love?" Neil asked as he watched her from the bed.
She didn't quite trust her voice so she nodded and eased into bed, while Neil turned off the lamp. He fell asleep almost instantly, but Adelaide laid awake as the babies continued to wrestle inside her. She finally sighed and reached for the lantern to go downstairs to the couch and pull out her book.
Neil came down an hour later. "What are you doing, Adelaide?" he asked.
"Did I wake you?"
"Of course not" he said, "but I reached for you and noticed that you weren't there"
Adelaide's whole stomach jumped.
"Agh, the children were finally asleep" she said, sighing, "they love your voice." She began to cry, burying her head in her legs.
"Hey now" Neil eased her legs off the couch so he could sit next to her. "It's good the babes like their papa's voice"
"Not at night when their mama wants some sleep" Adelaide twisted her braid. "Don't mind me, I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself tonight" she rubbed her hands over her face. "Go back to bed"
Neil reached to squeeze the back of her neck. "Are you dismissing me, Mrs. MacNeill?"
She sighed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I wouldn't come right out and tell you to go away if that is what you are asking"
"Okay" Neil chuckled as he put his arm around her shoulders and she buried her head in his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"I can't be selfish" Adelaide said. "I'll be fine"
"But you can be honest with me" Neil retorted, "It's not like I am going to take you to task for it. I wouldn't blame you if you were feeling a bit frustrated with growing the babes. You have looked miserable for weeks with the heat and your back hurting and I know you aren't sleeping at night"
"And I'm facing two more months of this and I want them in here for that long so they can be a good size and weight" Adelaide said, softly, "but I'm being vain. I know I look terrible these days. I just feel like my body is never going to be the same again"
Neil kissed her head. "That's not entirely unjustified, Addie"
Adelaide frowned, "Way to make me feel better, Doctor"
"I'm sorry, lass" Neil said, "That sounded worse than it did in my head"
"It's true" Adelaide agreed. "You are nothing but blunt and truthful"
"Medically speaking, carrying the twins will mostly likely have an effect on your body. You are making a sacrifice to carry our children. And I will forever be grateful to you for it"
Adelaide's lip trembled. "I just want you to look at me the same way that you did when we were first married"
"I do" Neil said. "You are even more beautiful to me now than you were then. I told you when we found out about the twins that I didn't care if you got rounder or whatever you are worried about. I'm just sorry you feel so uncomfortable. You are doing everything and what am I doing?"
"You are doing more than you would ever know. You are being so patient and understanding. Thank you" Adelaide told him softly. "Let's go back to bed. I am tired"
"Sounds good" Neil told her. "I'll rub your back for you when we get in bed. And then I'll give the babes a stern talking to make sure they go to bed. How does that sound?"
"Perfect" Adelaide replied as Neil put his arm around her. And for the first night in a while, Adelaide slept well, the babies seemingly taking their Papa's words to heart.