Thank you all for the lovely comments, and well wishes for Ollie!
Thank you all my guest reviewers. Really just everyone who takes the time to review it really makes my day.
"Merry Christmas," Ken stooped down and kissed Rilla sweetly. Holding a tray of Christmas pancakes and breakfast sausage. It even came with a small cup of coffee that was diluted with cream.
"Is it already morning?" Rilla yawned as she dragged her body upwards on the bed. She still felt like she had been run over by something, like a wagon or a car. Looking around she found the room missing her the old bassinet. "Where is he?" Rilla looked up in a panic.
"He's with your mother," Ken told her placing the tray on her lap and caressed her cheek lovingly. "Don't worry, I fed him the leftovers we saved from the earlier morning. He's sleeping peacefully, for at least another hour. So breakfast, and a shower and I'll even braid your hair for you."
'Hmm I wonder what I did to get this sort of treatment," Rilla hummed. "Oh right, I gave you a son."
"Eat, while it's hot," Ken told her with a chuckle. "We still have presents after all." He grinned and leaned in and kissed her forehead. Sitting beside her in the chair that he had been sleeping in, not wanting to switch rooms.
They collected their son, from her mother who was playfully making faces at the newborn. Settling on the freshly made bed, as it seemed Anne or Susan as stripped the bed while Rilla was up. Leaving the sheets soaking in the laundry tub, until they could be boiled and washed.
They exchanged gifts, with little fanfare. As nothing would top what they already had. Still, Rilla had found a pair of cufflinks that were inset with a bright blue stone. What she didn't expect as she opened up her own gift was a pendant of the same stone. They both looked up at each other with a knowing look and both laughed.
"You do realize Lapis is the alternative birthstone for December?" Rilla him looking at the silver chain and filagree motif that had a smooth Lapis stone in the middle of it.
"Is it?" Ken looked at up with a goofy smile. "I suppose we both had a sixth sense when choosing presents this year." He took the necklace from her and did the clasp at the back of her neck.
"I suppose we did," Rilla nodded looking up as there was a knock on her door. Her mothers silvering hair giving her away. "Ready to learn all about breastfeeding?" Rilla could only nod and her mother came into the room. Nursing was something they decided to try when she woke up with heavy breasts. It was also time to get Oliver accustom to nursing for his meals. She spent an hour with her mother learning the basics, taking breaks when it became too much or when they noticed him struggling. By the end of it, the young family was laying on the bed exhausted as Gilbert knocked on the door. The long night catching up to them.
"Time for his daily check-up," Gilbert told them.
"I'll go, you rest," Ken told Rilla who was half asleep.
When Rilla woke up, she could hear the voices of her in-laws. Looking towards the bassinet, she found her son missing which made her heart race as she climbed out of the bed. She went through her routine and freshened herself up as fast as she could.
She was halfway down the stairs when she looked up and saw Owens smiling face looking up at her. She took his arm and let him help her down the stairs.
"Congratulations my dear," he said with a large smile.
"Thank you," she blushed while answering. "Have you gotten to hold him yet?" Rilla asked him.
"I'll have to pry him away from my wife first," Owen chuckled. "It's all good, I will have my moment. Though should you be up and about?"
"I'll be fine, walking is good for me," Rilla told him as they went into the living room.
"Oh, Rilla! He's absolutely precious," Leslie exclaimed as they entered the room. Owen Gave up his chair, near the fire and his wife to Rilla who sat down slowly.
"When did you arrive?" Rilla asked looking at the clock on the wall.
"About an hour or so ago, we told Ken to let you sleep," Leslie told her. "I told him I remember those days. How exhausting it can be with constant feedings and little sleep." Leslie told explained, not noticing the dark circles under own her son's eyes. How he got up every two hours with Rilla in the middle of the night, sometimes getting up without her to let her sleep.
"How was his checkup?" Rilla turned to look at her husband who came around to stand next to her.
"Your father thinks he's going to give us a run for our money one day," Ken grinned. "Had a bit of a rocky start, but he's doing extremely well despite his early arrival," Ken told his parents proudly.
"What are you doing up?" Gilbert asked his daughter as he came into the room at the sound of her voice.
"You told me I can walk around the house if I'm feeling up to it," Rilla reminded him.
"So I did," Gilbert agreed remembering his own advice. Still, he found himself looking her over for any sort of complications that came along after childbirth. As if he was fighting the urge to feel her forehead as he passed behind her, so he could sit down his in his chair. She would tell him if she didn't feel well.
"Ken made us wait for you, before he would tell us his name," Leslie spoke up. She was beaming from the anticipation of knowing her grandson's name.
"You didn't tell her!" Rilla mouth hung open looking up at her husband.
"I wanted you to be around for it," Ken said shrugging but smiling broadly.
"His name is Oliver Gilbert Ford," Rilla filled in her in-laws, still shaking her head at her husband.
"Oliver, such a sweet name," Leslie cooed. "Oliver wasn't that your younger brother's name?" She looked at her husband.
"Oliver yes," Owen nodded his head. "Oliver got sick as a child," he explained quietly. "I used to tell stories about him to Ken when he was a child. He was always getting into scrapes."
"Did you?" Ken looked to his father. He couldn't place why he liked the name. Or even decided where he first heard it, besides Oliver Twist. After hearing his father talk, he could remember parts of the stories in the back of his mind, making a mental note to ask more about it at a later date. "You did." Ken corrected himself.
"So he's named after both families," Rilla stated, unfazed by the awkwardness. "That is lovely."
Soon plates of food were placed around the coffee table. Anne and Susan bustling around, tea and coffee passed around. The family happily talking about life and gushing over the small boy, who was beginning to fuss when he was passed to another grandparent. Rilla who watching him like a hawk as he was held by others watched anxiously. It only took his first squawk before she unapologetically gestured for her baby back.
"He's probably hungry, excuse me." She told him and made her way towards her father's study one of the only rooms with privacy. She was still a long way before she felt comfortable with such an act in front of anyone beside Ken or her mother. Maybe her sisters once she felt more confident with her abilities.
It took a few minutes of struggling, fighting to get him to respond to her prompting. Ready to call in her mother, but she gritted her teeth and tried again. Adjusting herself to lie down the couch in her father's study. Allowing him to tuck into her nightgown and rest against her skin. Finally, she had him settled at her breast and she smiled, at his tiny hand pressing into her flesh. She had been a slave to Jimmy when he had been young, but this was ten times different. Jimmy hadn't been attached to her in the same way, she could go out knowing that anyone could make him a bottle. Maybe she was just older?
"How are you doing?" Ken asked quietly poking his head in, suddenly aware of the tears that were falling down her face. "What is wrong?"
'Nothing, I was just thinking about the early days with Jimmy. How little babies are so dependant on us. It's such a different feeling this time around, unlike Jimmy. Ollie is really stuck to me, dependant on me in a whole other way, or maybe it's the same I don't know," Rilla blabbered
"How about we take a small nap after this? You'll feel a bit better when you get more rest." Ken asked as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "They'll be here for a while, they can seem tomorrow, the day after, every day if they wish."
Rilla only nodded. He waited until she finished and he escorted her up the stairs, holding their son. Before going back down to tell their family that it was nap time. While Leslie pouted, from not being able to see her grandson more, but Gilbert gave him an appreciated nod to keeping the visit short. There was plenty of time for visits, and Leslie and Owen hadn't been there in those harrowing moments. The safest place Oliver was tucked away with his mother. Allowing him to relish in the warmth of their ever-growing bond.
The rest of the end up being a quiet affair for Ingleside, despite the news of baby Ford entering the world. Gilbert stressed the fewer visitors at Ingleside the safer it was for the little boy. The little boy who was watched every minute of the day. The family got small peaks of him. Nan and Di were the first of the remaining stopped by dropping off gifts on boxing day. Leaving their spouses to converse with Ken and his parents.
"Merry Christmas," Nan said in the doorway of her sister's room.
"Merry Christmas to you as well," Rilla replied. "Come in," she told her sister.
"He's so tiny," Nan commented out of amazement as she snuck a peek at the bundle. "I almost thought Jem was pulling our leg when he told us."
"I did sorta ruin Christmas for everyone." Rilla frowned but kept a steady hand on her son as he relaxed against her chest as she placed the blanket back over him.
"Don't say that," Nan shook her head. "Everyone is just happy that you are both healthy." She chose her words carefully. Rilla knew she meant. Everyone was happy they were both alive.
"He has a lot of catch up to do," Rilla told Nan with a shake of her head. "He still struggles at times, mostly when I try and get him to nurse." She said shakily as if she was struggling not to cry at the thought of it.
"Sometimes the best thing to do is let it out," Nan offered a small piece of advice handing her a handkerchief. "So how long are you here for?"
"Until Dad lets me leave?" Rilla told her sister with a shrug of her white shoulder. "Ken will probably be going back and forth for a while or getting Keith to take over until I am home. Leslie and Owen are at the house of dreams. Mrs. Clarke is going to check on Artemis for us and make sure the mail is collected. She says she can't wait to see the young master."
"See everyone is happy and excited," Nan laughed softly. "How are you doing?"
"I just had a baby? I'm not sure how or what I'm doing honestly," Rilla admitted as her son scrunched up his nose as she shifted her position.
"Sounds about right," Nan smiled. "Is it all right if I hold him?"
It took a fair moment before Rilla allowed herself to nod her head.
"It's hard letting them go," Nan said quietly, eluding that she understand Rilla's hesitance. She deftly wrapped the babe in a swaddling blanket and cradled him. "You are tiny sir, and I thought your cousin had tiny diapers when she was born," she said to her nephew. "You and Deena will be fast friends, with your dark hair."
"Ken and I go back and forth about his hair, it's dark but I still see a dark red in it at times," Rilla explained to her sister.
"Time will only tell," Nan smiled, she beamed as she held her nephew, turning at the sound of the knock on the door.
"Can I come and join in?" Di asked.
"Of course," Rilla smiled. "So how was the honeymoon?" She asked with a sly smile.
"Well, once one manages to work around the whole missing half a leg thing and seeing some scars. It's fairly straight forward and fun," Di grinned knowing her twin would be squirm.
"Di!" Nan let her mouth hang open.
"Dear Nan, we are all married, two of you have children. I think we can all safely talk about sex for five minutes and not blush." Di chided her sister playfully.
"Still," Nan countered back as if she was still embarrassed about such things. "Would you like to meet your nephew Oliver?"
"Would I?" Di raised an eyebrow and bent towards her sister to steal a look at the infant. "Rilla's nose, Ken's hair, overall a smushed potato and old man look still. Looks like a baby to me."
Rilla snorted, holding her stomach as she laughed. She wasn't even offended, because Di had said what exactly she had thought. She loved him, she thought he was adorable, but he definitely looked like a little old man at times.
"Please do not make me laugh," Rilla tried to calm herself down. Di tilted her head at Rilla in a question of why.
"The same reason, we often feel like we have to cross our legs while we sneeze when we're on the rag?" Rilla told her deadpanned.
"The miracle of childbirth," Nan said with a shake of her head knowingly.
"You're really both truly selling it for me," Di told them amused by them.
"There is a lot of a good that comes out of it," Nan told her sister with a smile.
"Oh god, please don't tell me you're expecting again already." Di looked at her sister as if she was reading between the lines.
"Di! It's been six months, heavens no, " Nan expelled that notion from her sister's head.
"Don't look at me like that, Walter was pretty much a year younger than Jem, " Di said reminded them.
"Do you want to hold him?" Rilla asked Di, changing the subject while looking at the clock. Knowing it wouldn't be long before she needed to try and nurse.
She watched as Nan passed over the infant. "And besides the logistics of the honeymoon, did you have a good time?"
"The trip was wonderful, Banff is beautiful, the hot springs are amazing. Just a nice relaxing trip. We did a few trails on horseback since Jack can't go hiking as easily as others. We met a few other couples as well from all over Canada and the states as well." Di explained to them as she cuddled her nephew.
"Sounds wonderful, it truly does" Rilla smiled sincerely. "How is settling into Avonlea?"
"Avonlea is sweet as usual, as you know Jack runs the hardware store. He's teaching me how to run the cash and about certain items. We spent Christmas at Lone Willow Farm before catching the train this morning, it was nice. Of course, I see Uncle Davy and Aunt Dora around as well which is nice." Di told her sisters. "Oh I think someone needs a new nappy," She looked up at Rilla.
Rilla sighed and carefully slide off the bed. Making sure she was presentable before she took her little boy.
"We'll take our leave, write us all the news and his milestones," Nan stood up from her spot on the bed
"Yes, and photo's when you can," Di included, following her twin's actions almost immediately. "I have a feeling the Ken has been taking quite a few of them?" She eyed the camera on the dresser.
"He already ran out of film, so yes." Rilla responded laugh and a nod of her head. Keeping her concentration on her son as she cleaned him up.
It was a bright and sunny afternoon when Rilla heard a knock on the door downstairs. She heard the muffled voices but couldn't quite place the voice. It wasn't long until she heard footsteps coming up the steps. With Susan mentioning something about bringing up tea.
"So I was in the area and coming to say hello and surprise you after since we haven't seen each other in years." Gertrude Grant, Nee Oliver said with her arms crossed with a wide grin on her face from her open doorway. "However you surprised me!"
"Gertrude Grant! You are the one that moved, too where was it? Vancouver?" Rilla smiled back. "It is so great to see you," Rilla got up awkwardly to hug her old friend. Still getting used to her new body and ever-larger chest.
"Well, you out and had a baby!" Gertrude countered back joyfully turning to look into the bassinet. "Oh he is precious Rilla," Gertrude gushed.
"Where are yours?" Rilla asked.
"I left them with Roberts Mother for this trip to Ingleside," Gertrude told her. "Good thing I did, as this little one is brand new. Oh, may I hold him?"
"Of course, he likes being cuddled, but please don't kiss him," Rilla told her, which prompted a laugh.
"Oh, I remember your rules Rilla Blythe," Gertrude told her teasingly. Carefully and skillfully pickup up the infant and looked him for a good long moment. "My goodness, he is tiny!"
"Rilla Ford," Rilla corrected her with a smile. "He's only five pounds, he was a few weeks early." Rilla flushed as if she was ashamed of herself for not being able to carry him to full term.
"What's his name? You have named him?" Gertrude asked her.
"His name is Oliver Gilbert," Rilla told her with a small smile. "Ken chose Oliver, but I was all too happy to comply. How long are you visiting for?"
"Oliver huh?" Gertrude gave her a look. "You know I had a strange dream a few weeks back before we decided to move back here. Little tree's sprouting and growing until they bloom these little white flowers. I had to go to the library and try and find the flower. The olive blooms were fairly close to what they looked like to me." Gertrude told her.
"What do you mean move back?" Rilla squeaked.
"Oh, that was supposed to be a surprise," Gertrude said sheepishly. "Robert wants the children to be closer to their grandmother in her older age. I can't say I mind as it is nice to be out here once more."
"Oh, how wonderful!" Rilla exclaimed. "Do you think you will settle in Charlottetown?"
"We are looking at Kingsport," Gertrude told her old pupil and friend with a sly smile.
"Were you going to tell me? Or just show up one day?" Rilla bounced, which she instantly regretted. Gertrude noticed and laughed lightly.
" I was going to let you know when we had more definite answers," she told Rilla as the little boy was making small noises. '"How old is he now?"
"He's a week old," Rilla smiled. "We're still learning and not that great at feedings. Doesn't help he likes to nurse pretty much in the buff," Rilla explained with a sigh. "That also included me being half-dressed as well."
"Babies can be peculiar, George refused one breast to the point I was lopsided," Gertrude told her. "Theresa, only like to be held one way for the longest time."
"Well, at least you won't be surprised at the nappy time." Gertrude pointed out.
"Do you remember the first time I changed Jimmy, and no one thought to warn me?" Rilla thought back to that memory. "I was so angry at everyone who laughed at me. How was I supposed to know that he would do that!"
"It was funny at the time," Gertrude pointed out. "Though really it's not like they change over the years. Toilet training ends and they still can barely make it into the toilet."
"Well, at least I have Ken to help me with that one this time," Rilla sighed. Toilet training had been an experience and a half with Jimmy. It was the one time she went to her father for advice and not her dear Morgan book.
Mrs. Grant took her leave when the youngest charge of Ingleside signalled that he was hungry. There was only one more person who was expected to visit. One that Rilla had been expecting, waiting for since she arrived on the Island. One visit she didn't know how it would go? Would he be excited? She didn't want him to think that the baby would replace him. No, he always would have a special in her heart.
"You have another visitor," Ken said from the doorway the next day. Making sure Rilla was decent and ready for such a visit. She sat up in her bed, dressed in new pyjamas and she had even managed to arrange her hair into a neat knot. Of course, a few stray curls have escaped around her face, much to her dismay.
"Are you ready?" He turned around. All Rilla heard was a shuffled of slippered feet and small bounce and 'uh-huh'. He was supposed to see her at Christmas but given the circumstances. Ken had gone over to explain the circumstances to his parents. Ken had told her how Mrs. Anderson's hand had flown to her mouth at the news. How without prompting, she had found small gowns that her daughter Willow long gown out of. Giving them to Ken, saying one could never have too many nightgowns for little ones. Nor would they have been prepared for such an event. This had been true, but given the families' constant wave of grandchildren, there were plenty of little gowns for Oliver to wear for his stay at Ingleside. Even if they were too large for the small infant.
Jimmy had been told that, while Rilla wanted to see him, she needed sometime after not feeling well.
Rilla smiled as she took in her golden-haired boy, who was not much of a little boy anymore. He was nine and a half and seemed to have hit a growth spurt as he seemed to be taller than she had last seen him. He still was a boy, but in another few years, he would be.
"Hello Jimmy," She smiled at him and patted the sofa that was empty beside her. Jimmy grinned and dashed and jumped up. Yes, still a child at heart it seemed to her.
"Rilla!" Jimmy hugged her, making Ken instantly wince for his wife. Who took it in stride, despite her sharp intake of breath.
"Easy there, bud," Rilla told him gently as she "You remember when your mama had a baby right?"
"You had a baby?" Jimmy looked up and then around the room until his eyes landed on the basket. "I thought the stork brought babies?"
"Well, this stork put up quite a fight," Rilla told him on the top of her head. "You can take a peak."
She watched Jimmy slide off the bed and went over to the wicker bassinet. "What is it?" He asked looking at Rilla.
"A darling boy, much like the first boy who stole my heart," Rilla told him, as she dabbed her face as she felt tears fall down her face. With her free hand, she reached up and ruffled his hair.
"He's so small," Jimmy commented.
"He's probably smaller than your sister when she was born," Ken spoke and smiled he saw Jimmy's eyes go wide. Remember just how small his sister had been
"What's his name?" Jimmy asked looking at Rilla and he crawled back on to the bed.
"We've named him Oliver Gilbert,"
"Like Doctor Blythe?" Jimmy noted.
"Yes, for my father," Rilla agreed. "Oliver we both liked. He was born last week, a few days before Christmas on the 22nd. Which is why we had to push back your visit for a week," she also explained. "Do you want to hold him?"
Jimmy nodded enthusiastically holding up his clean hands and sparkling nails. "Doctor Blythe made me wash my hands extra well!"
Rilla laughed. Gilbert made everybody wash their hands before coming upstairs. You couldn't be too careful. She watched Ken who with a quick motion that was becoming more and more steady. Bending down and picking up his son he cradled him gently. Then grabbing the pillow Rilla used herself at times to give her arms a rest and placed it on the little boy's legs. Then finally he placed the swaddled newborn down. Still supporting his son, Jimmy carefully wrapped his arms around the infant.
"Hi Oliver," Jimmy said quietly. "I'm Jimmy." He introduced himself as the infant seemed to turn to the sound of the new voice with a scrunched up face. "I'm your?" Jimmy looked towards Rilla.
"You can be whoever you want to be to him," Rilla sniffled. " A friend, a cousin, an uncle if you wanted to be?"
"Why are you crying?" Jimmy asked, slightly confused.
"I'm just happy," Rilla took a deep breath. "I just love you so much, that it makes me happy that you are here right now."
Jimmy wrinkled his nose. "Are all girls this sappy with babies around?" He asked Ken who ended up chuckling.
"You have no idea kiddo," Ken told him. "How about, you being Uncle Jimmy? You'll be a big part of his life. It might the easiest way to explain things one day if needed. Plus uncles always get to be fun. That way when you come to visit, as I think your mom and Rilla were talking about another summer visit. You can teach him all about the things you like to do?"
"I think I can do that," Jimmy said with a confidant nod of his golden head.
She made it down the stairs slowly on New Year's Eve, wrapped up in her pyjamas and robe, slippers on her feet. Had she ever been this nervous when Jimmy had been little? Trying to think back to all the times she had run up and down the stairs with Jimmy in her arms. It didn't help as she fought the urge to tighten her grip on her son. Who was snug as a bug being swaddled by his mother as she held him to her chest? With each step her other handheld the railing tightly. She knew Ken was right behind her, still, it was a sigh of relief when she made it down the stairs.
"How was your nap?" Anne looked up from her spot, looking at her daughter. As her son in law went to the kitchen for something.
"It was good," Rilla told her. Turning to Owen and Leslie who were over for the new year celebration. "Would you like to hold him, Owen?" She asked her father in law knowing he didn't stand a chance if the woman got to Oliver first.
"Of course," He confirmed and took the offered infant, making room at the same time for Rilla on the sofa to be near her son.
"I thought it being New Year's Eve, I would join civilization. I have a little bit before he will be hungry again." Rilla explained, even though it wasn't needed. "Plus being stuck up stair is getting a little dull."
"I could never stay abed as long as they wanted me to either," Anne told her, patting her hand. "I was up and about, as soon as I could manage it." Anne agreed with her daughter.
"Oh he's eyes are open, are you staying awake to hello to your grandfather?" Owen said cheekily to the infant.
"I keep trying to get a better look at them, makes me wonder what they will be?" Ken commented as he placed a mug of steaming cocoa on the table beside Rilla.
"Probably grey," Rilla told him. "They run in both families," she reminded him,
"Or maybe more greenish hazel?" Anne said told them.
"They could be blue," Owen spoke up. "Like your mother and Persis."
"I doubt that," Leslie told him. "I think the change of having a fair-haired child is slim, let alone some blue eyes."
"Time will only tell," Ken told them, wrapping around his arm around Rilla's shoulders from behind the sofa.
"Where is dad? Susan?" Rilla asked.
"He had a call, he should be home soon. Susan is visiting a friend for new years, we though simple and quiet would be best." Anne explained.
"I still feel like I disrupted the entire holiday for everyone. I mean I did see Gertrude, and even Jimmy got a small visit, but the no big crazy family dinner we usually have." Rilla explained her feelings.
"Your father thought it was best to limit the number of people coming and going from the house, and I agreed with him," Anne told her. "We have plenty of big family dinners, missing one won't hurt us. Oh, I think your father is back," Anne turned at the sound of the car pulling up.
"You gave us the best present a parent could wish for," Leslie told her gently squeezing her arm from her spot on the chair beside Rilla.
Little Oliver didn't quite understand the commotion of ringing in the new year, but he let out his own cry to join in. Then he continued to cry until his mother wrapped him up in a sling. One that Susan once used for Shirley all those years ago. Contented against his mother's heartbeat he sought out his second favourite thing. Rooting around until his mother adjusted him in a quiet corner away from the men. Talking to him quietly until he was happily situated, allowing her to enjoy her family.
I know it a lot of characters and meetings, but I think it all worked out. I tried to be realistic for short visits and Rilla only creeping around the house. Jimmy, was planned, but halfway through writing him, I realized he was actually almost 10 years old! Ten! I went in thinking that he was still like six!
Tina.