(06-18-2018) Hey! Before you read this, go read "Fixing and Finding Our Way" by KailtinMGoodman. I'll wait...
Good? Caught up? Okay, GO!
About a month after Jack got his memory, I made my way down Main Street to get to school early. Jack had said he would bring Abby to Mrs. Mcafee's so I could leave. As I passed the shops, I saw that the light of the dress shop was on. I knew it was Rosemary because Dottie was away and I saw Clara walk into Abigail's with Jesse just a minute before.
I made my way up the wooden stairs to the dress shop, each footfall making a clicking sound with my boots. I entered the shop, welcomed by the chime of the bell above the door and shut it behind me. Rosemary stood behind the counter, lost in whatever she was doing and didn't seem to notice my presence. I walked up to the counter and she still hadn't seen me, so I cleared my throat, "Um, Rosemary?" I said worriedly.
She looked up at me, startled, "Oh, Elizabeth, I'm sorry, what can I help you with today?" she seemed off.
"Actually, I came to check on you," I said, "you haven't really seemed to be yourself lately."
"Well you know I had the flu," she responded defensively.
I gave her a questioning look, "Are you sure it was the flu?"
"Elizabeth Thornton, what are you getting at?" she insisted, seeming a bit irritated.
I looked her in the eye, "Rosemary, I just want you to know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk." I said to her softly.
Her expression relaxed a bit, "Thank you." She turned away from me and I touched her hand.
"Rosemary," I said, giving her a worried look. "I didn't mean to upset you by saying anything earlier, but I saw Lee that day, carrying you. I saw you were covered in blood," I continued, "And you've been isolating yourself from everyone and everything and that is just not like you." tears started to brim my eyes. I was so worried about her.
Rosemary looked at me then moved to the door, changing the "OPEN" sign to "CLOSED." she nodded toward the back room of the shop where she headed and I followed. Just as we sat down at the drawing table, she began, "Oh Elizabeth," was all she said as her body racked with sobs. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms tight around her in a hug and didn't let go until she pulled away first. After a bit moments she did just that and took a breath, "I lost the baby," Tears streamed down her cheeks and the look in her eyes broke my heart.
"Oh Rosemary, I'm so sorry." I took her hand and held it tight to show her I was going to be there for her no matter what.
"The worst part was I didn't even know," she looked so defeated and drained emotionally. "How could I be so heartbroken over losing something… someone, I didn't even know I had?" her voice broke at the last part.
I shook my head, "I can't imagine how you must be feeling. You have been talking about having children for quite some time now."
"I feel like such a disappointment," she lowered her gaze to the ground.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Lee really wanted this, maybe even more than me. Afterall, we did talk about children before we were married. I feel terrible because I only just started to want this too." she said. Yes, she was definitely emotionally drained.
"We can't control how or why things happen to us, Rosemary." I encouraged her to look up at me. "God has a plan for us, and to grow from the hard times we go through. We have to each other to lean on and to give each other hope." I reassured her, "I mean, why else would I name my daughter after you, Rosemary?" I gave her hand a squeeze, "You are so important to the people of Hope Valley. You brighten our days even when they feel like the darkest, and I never thought that the day I met you that you would be so important to me and my family. You are so loved by everyone, especially Abby Rose."
A smile tugged on her lips, "Well, I do have something to tell you Elizabeth…"
What could she possibly need to tell me? "What is it?"
SHe took another breath, "I know it sounds crazy but when I was in the infirmary, unconscious?" she paused, I died…"
I was shocked, "You… what?" I blinked a few times.
"Well, I went to this place… it… it was strange." she tried to collect her thoughts.
I thought for a moment, "Was it all white? And nothing around?" I asked.
She looked at me confused, "Yes...How did you-?"
"Remember when I wouldn't wake up, just after I had Abby?" I said, thinking back, "I went to a place just like that."
"Oh, my." She breathed, "Well all I remember before I went to the white place is trying to go down my stairs and then I was hit with this horrible pain." She shook her head, seeming like she was trying to forget, "When I got there, there was a little girl calling out to her mother but I was the only one there…"
"She was talking to you?" I asked.
"She was. She explained to me in every detail what happened to me and that she wasn't growing in the right place so God needed her to help look after Lee and me from heaven," she said
I put my hand over my heart, "Oh, Rosemary, that was your little girl."
"She was beautiful, Elizabeth." she sighed, "She looked just like Lee in every way, but she had my eyes. When Lee confirmed what I already knew when I came to, we decided that she should have a name even if God had other plans to take her from us."
I smiled, "That's beautiful, what did you decide on for a name?"
Rosemary took a breath, "Her name is Evelyn." she looked me in the eye, "Evelyn Elizabeth Coulter." She emphasized the middle name.
My eyes widened, "You gave her the name Elizabeth? … After me?" I could have cried.
Rosemary nodded and took my hand, "Yes. You have been so kind to me and after all, we have been through, you are like a sister to me and you will always be family." she smiled, "Lee and I adore you and had Evie been able to stay with us, you and Jack would be her godparents. I wouldn't trust anyone else to take care of my children."
She truly was my best friend, "You are some of the most important family I have, Rosemary. You and Lee. That means so much to me. It's truly an honor." tears formed in my eyes as I spoke.
Rosemary was about to say something when the door opened and Jack walked in with Abby. Being constable, he had keys to every business in town in case of an emergency.
"There you are," Jack said, looking relieved. "Rosemary," he nodded to our friend. He turned back to me,"Sweetheart, Mrs. Macafee is sick and can't watch the baby for the day."
This puts a spin on our day, but I'd rather her send the baby home than try to watch her while she's sick, "Oh dear, I hope she's alright,"
Jack continued, "She said it's just a cold, but she doesn't want to give anything to Abby."
I sighed, "I'm grateful for that. But who'll watch her?" this was going to be hard, "I have school and you have your rounds. I could stay home and ask Florence to teach today? I wasn't planning on too much for the day anyhow."
"Nonsense, I'll watch her," Rosemary spoke up.
"But you're here," I said to her.
"Clara will be back soon," she said. "And she's watched the store alone before. Please, Elizabeth, let me." she pleaded, I thought it would be good for her.
Jack still voiced some concern,"We don't want to cause you any trouble."
"I promise she will be fine. We won't have much business with Dottie out of town." She smiled bigger than I'd seen her do in a long time.
I nodded, "If you're sure. If she's any trouble at all, please come and get me." I knew how fussy she could get and didn't want to cause Rosemary any stress.
"Oh Elizabeth, we will be just fine!" she exclaimed and practically snatched Abby from Jack. "Okay you two, I do believe you have work to attend to! Abby, we are going to have lots of fun, aren't we?" she spoke to Abby who'd been quiet this whole time. She clapped her little hands and smiled at her Auntie Rosie.
"Say bye, bye to Mommy and Daddy!" Rosemary said.
"Bye, bye!" Abby giggled as she waved with both hands.
I was stunned, and a little hurt that Abby didn't want to stay with me, "Oh, geez, okay." I said, "Goodbye, my love." I went over and kissed her forehead, "Mama will see you later."
Jack talking in his baby voice said, "Be good for your Aunt Rosemary." He kissed her cheek and she giggled and moved away from her. He offered me his arms and I took it just before we walked out of the dress shop.
Arm-in-arm, we walked down the steps and at the bottom, I turned around to see Rosemary smiling from ear to ear talking to Abby.
I laughed to myself and smiled. "What is it?" Jack asked.
I shook my head, "Nothing," I was just glad to see that Rosemary was happy again. I looked at Jack, "Walk me to school?"
"You don't even have to ask," he smiled down at me, then leaned placed a soft kiss on my right cheek.
So, as you can see, if you read "Fixing and Finding Our Way" (Like, I've asked you to *smiley face*) you'll notice its just a repeat of that with the dialogue but uh... yeah.
ALSO if you haven't already, go follow my "When Calls the Heart" account _when_calls_the_heart_