It had arrived one afternoon. A well-packaged box addressed to Mrs. Kenneth Ford, in Shirley large printing. They had gone to pick it up from the post office when they opened it up on top was a letter.

Rilla

You are probably wondering what in the world I have sent you, but truthfully I don't have a name for it. Please don't be angry at Lillian, but I snuck a peek at your one letter and it got me thinking. Or wondering if one of these will help you. Élodie, my Petite Cochon( technically I call her piglet in English but Petite Porcelet does not quite have the same ring to it. So Little Pig is what I say in French.)

Anyway, in some of the trying days when Elodie was small. I realized we were missing some sort of vital seating for her. She doesn't always want to be in the cradle or bassinet. She would scream bloody murder some days until we held her and let her look around. Safe to say no one got much done those days. So the idea came to me, and with some sketches and some help in the welding shop I came up with this chair. There are a few similar things, but they are large and bulky and not practical. I couldn't ship it in one piece, but I have written down assembly. It's rather straight forward, I assume that Ken can put it together for you. I would have sent it out sooner, but Lillian wanted to make part of it as well for you, in something she knew you would enjoy.

I hope you and Ken are surviving, it's safe to say this whole parenting thing is never what you expect it to be. I truly don't understand how you looked after Jimmy when you were only 15. I love it of course, and Elodie is everything I imagined and more.

Enjoy the gift, and I hope you get some use out of it.

Your brother

Shirley.

Rilla set down the letter and looked at what Ken was pulling out of the box. It seemed to be bent steel rods, some padded cushion that was made of dark blue cotton. On the cushion was a triangular piece that was held down with large clips. Ones that had an adjustable belting on the one end. A small box held a box of nuts and bolts.

"What in the world?" Rilla said out loud as she took the page that held the instructions for assembly.

In fine pencil, outlined in pen Shirley had drawn out what he made, which appeared to be some sort of chair for Oliver. Ken looked over her shoulder already trying to figure out what to do first.

"Take part A and join to part B and C," Ken read off the first instruction. "Well, which part is which?" He asked looking at the painted white steel for some sort of label.

"Knowing Shirley he probably forgot, or thinks we'll magically just know" Rilla sighed. "I think it's these," she told him looking at the photo more closely.

Rilla watched Ken reading off, and passing him the next part. "I think we need to thread this through the next part?" She told him holding up the cushion that had a large casing around it. Ken looked up from where he was attaching the last bolt and sighed.

"Shirley needs to write better instructions." He muttered and loosed the one screw until it was fully out and pulled it from the connecter. He feeds the cushion through until it was apparent it was not going to work. It was then he realized he needed to take it fully apart and thread it through with each piece.

It took longer than it probably should have. Rilla had given up and sat with Oliver who was happily having his afternoon snack. Watching Ken put the finishing touches, and securing the chair. It was some strange contraption. It bounced slightly with enough pressure, but it was structurally sound and stable.

Of course, Shirley noted some concern about not using it past a certain point. Something about a 20-pound weight limit, or when Oliver could pull himself forward. Which seemed reasonable to both Ken and Rilla when they read it. So when and Oliver was cleaned up from his meal. It was then his parents decided it was time they should eat as well. It was then they nervously test out the chair by placing it in the middle of the kitchen table. It allowed Oliver to sit reclined facing them. While letting him look around his surrounding with interest. There was little way for him wriggle out of the seat. They watched him make sense of his new seat, and all that it did. Smiling at the look on his face as he bounced in excitement. It was a mix of shock and excitement as he kicked his legs hard enough that his body moved. Feeling the same motion once again. He let out a happy cry, or squeal of delight, he was just learning how to babble.

"I think we will need to send a telegram to say thank you," Rilla told Ken.

"I'll send one tomorrow before I go to work. But before I forget," Ken told her as he brandishes out an envelope from his pocket.

"What is this?" Rilla asked him, taking the envelope with her name neatly written down on it.

"Open it," Ken urged her as he turned scooped up Oliver out the seat and sat down with him in his lap. He had yet to get his welcome home cuddle.

Rilla opened the envelope with a hairpin and pulled out a cheque.

"Nine dollars?" She looked up at him, and back at the cheque that belonged to Ford Publishing.

"Three dollars a submission, a standard going rate for small stories, poems," Ken told her. "You didn't think I would not pay you for them?"

"I didn't write them with an intention to get paid," Rilla told him still rather shocked. "It didn't even cross my mind."

"I know, but I'm not going to not pay someone for their work," Ken told her.

Rilla nodded, it wouldn't be right to not pay someone for their work. "I'll go to the bank and deposit it tomorrow," she told him. "There's nothing I need right now." She explained before he could tell her to buy something.

"Very well," Ken said with a nod to his head. "Did we have a good day Ollie?" He asked his son.

"He ate, he napped and had a bath," Rilla told him about their day while he had been at work.

"A bath already? Whatever did you do?" Ken made a surprised face to Oliver, making him give a gummy smile.

"We had a bit of an explosion," Rilla told him. Ken made a face and looked at his son with a shake of his head. "How was your day?"

"It was good, things have been settling and turning around," Ken told her as he let Oliver lean against his stomach and chest. A firm hand held him upright, so his little legs could stretch out to the point that he was standing up.

"Thats good," Rilla said as she watched Oliver, slowly lift a leg and then back down again. "What are you doing?" She said in a sing-song voice. "Are you almost standing on your little feet?" She exclaimed. "You like when daddy comes home and plays with you don't you?"

"I still can't believe he slept for most of the night," Ken spoked still amazed.

"Shh, don't jinx it," Rilla shushed him. "Are you hungry? Mrs. Clarke left us some pot roast for hot sandwiches, or I can make up pot pie?" She asked him to think about dinner for the first time since he came home.

"Either one works," Ken told her. "We can't make the pie together quickly enough, we can put him in his new fancy chair and he can watch us," Ken told her. "I think he will enjoy it, being able to watch us for a change?"

"I'm sure he will, maybe if he sees me more often. He won't cling to me as he does some days," Rilla said out loud, but ultimately knew that would not be the case.

For the first time in weeks, things seemed normal and simple as they made dinner together. Oliver sitting in his chair allowing him to watch until he dozed off.

Spring brought many things to Kingsport. Warmer weather, flowers and a general sense of happiness. Rilla found herself feeling much more herself.

She thought it would be easy, venturing out with Oliver more. Instead, she found herself being stopped by the other mothers. Which led to explaining to other mothers how Oliver was a few weeks early. How he was still catching up when they commented on his appearance. Some would comment on how a few weeks made enough of a difference. As they were the ones who liked to compare growth and milestones with each other. Of course, most the women feigned some sort of sympathy, some even asked about the experience. To which Rilla avoided politely by replying she didn't remember much. She didn't want strangers to know her weakest moments.

She knew well enough that one day, these children would be friends of Oliver. One day when he went off to school, he would most likely be friends with these children. So she made an effort to tried to ensure the women enjoyed her company.

"Haven't we seen you with a young blonde boy around last summer? Is he your nephew?" One with a short woman who blonde hair. She had introduced herself as Ursula the previous day asked Rilla.

"Oh, possibly," Rilla flushed. "Jimmy is a family friend, you could call me his godmother?" Rilla told them. Using the word that Lillian had used before in the context of spiritual guardians.

"Oh! Are you Catholic?" A brunette spoke up, Rilla had never quite caught her name.

"No, no, but my sister in law is though," Rilla explained trying to show that she had no issues with Catholics. As Kingsport had a large community of them. "Jimmy's parents thought it be an easy explanation," Rilla tried to explain. "I took care of him during the war as an infant. I was fifteen at the time when his father came home. He had to go back to his real family, but given how much time we spent together. His stepmother realized that it be very hard on us. She left her family to come to Canada after the war, she was very accommodating towards my presence. So we see each other when I can manage it, lately, he comes for part of the summer."

"A war baby, how brave of you," Ursula murmured.

"Not really," Rilla said with the shrug.

"Of course it's brave, plus it must have given you some experience when it came time to have your own?" The brunette told her. "I would have never managed that when I was fifteen, all I wanted to do was find a boy to dance with."

"I have come to learn that Jimmy and Oliver are two vastly different infants. From that I have had two vastly different experiences," Rilla said carefully. "If I thought I was tired back then, and I still had a social life, " Rilla told them. Of course, her social life was only when it pertained to the junior reds and the war. "But yes, I know the basics, the fundamentals but it's true what the books say, every baby is different."

"That is true," One of the mothers said who had three children running around told Rilla. "No child is the same."

"You have twins?" Rilla asked looking out at the playground trying to decipher the ages.

"Yes, Angus and Angela," She pointed them out. "A surprise they were."

"I have twin sisters," Rilla replied with a smile. "They are fraternal as they can be. My parents were surprised as well. I can only hope that they don't truly run in the family."

"It's not easy, but they are delights when they behave, I'm Lucy Anders by the way. We live over on Evergreen Street."

"Rilla Ford, we're over Overdale Ave" Rilla smiled kindly. "It is funny when I came here alone I never noticed much of anyone. Soon as I come with a baby carriage, it's a whole other park."

"Motherhood changes a lot," Lucy agreed.

"That is true, I think I am going down to the boardwalk," Rilla said offering to see if anyone wished to join her. When they all excused themselves, Rilla nodded her head and went on her way. Sighing in relief as she preferred to be alone on her walks. She held Oliver in her arms, pointing out the large ocean to him.

"Whales and seals live out there. Sometimes you can even see seal sunbathing on the many rocks along the coast depending on where you are." She chattered to him. "I love the sea, I was born near the sea. We were both born near the sea." She corrected herself. "Shall we head home?" She asked him.

She waited for a response but got nothing but a stare back. "All right, five more minutes but I am not feeding you in the middle of the park," Rilla warned him, even though uncomfortable with the thought, she knew would if it came down to it.

It was a bright and sunny day as Rilla made her way down the streets. It was a twenty-minute walk to the Grants house, but it was pretty walking and Rilla didn't mind it. As it was always fun to see Gertrude and her family. The Grants were finally settled and Robert Grant was working for the new company that had hired him. Eventually, when Rilla would feel comfortable enough to leave Oliver for the afternoon. She would take Gertrude to the ladies at the Vets society. Until then she was happy to just visit her friend.

Sometimes they would sit out in the sunroom having iced tea, other days they sat inside having tea. Sometimes they bounced between the two spots. It all depended on the weather which bothered neither of them. Oliver often napped in his carriage or was cuddled by one of the women. That particular afternoon, he was dozing in Auntie Gertrude's arms. A name she chooses for herself. Much like her children had taken to call Rilla, Aunt Rilla.

"Gertie?" Rilla asked as she was handed a cup of tea by Gertrude Grant. "Can I ask you something ?" She asked. "Delicate?"

"Georgie, Theresa? Why don't you go put on your sweaters and go play in the backyard?" Gertrude told her children who were still playing in front of the bassinet.

"Okay, Mommy!" They chimed and went to gather their sweater. At ages six and four, they had dark hair from their mother and inherited blue eyes from their father.

Rilla looked at her old friend as the children ran out of the room. "They are so sweet," Rilla told her.

"Only because we have guests," Gertrude told her with a wry smile. She loved her children, but they could be a handful. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Well, it's a bit delicate as I said," Rilla blushed. "A bit private and I would ask one of my sisters, but Nan probably would clam up and Di only just got married." Rilla rambled on. "Anyway, we go way back from when you boarded at Ingleside."

"Just ask Rilla," Gertrude smiled looking down at the dark-haired child. Knowing exactly what Rilla wanted to know

"How long did you wait after having George," Rilla asked. "Too well you know, " she added a large amount of emphasis on you know."

"To resume passionately sharing a bed?" Gertrude said quietly. Her smile is a tad brighter from her friend's awkward embarrassment. "Did the doctor or anyone not give you a timeline."

"Well, Faith and ultimately Father cleared me before I came back home. But it was more of a 'nursing doesn't mean you won't get pregnant, it can happen despite what people believe. So be mindful, etc" Rilla sighed.

"Ken's not bugging you is he?" Gertrude asked plainly.

"Of course not," Rilla shook her head. "He's been dead on his feet just like I have been. It's me, it's like even though I'm tired most of the time. I just lay there and think about the last time, and considering I can count on one hand. The number of times it happened in the past year because I had a horrid time while pregnant,"

Gertrude chuckled and shifted Oliver who stretched out his limbs. His eyes darting for his mother, as small whimpers erupted from him.

"I love Oliver, I enjoy being his mother, but—?" Rilla started, as she reached for Oliver who happily was transferred to his mother.

"You miss the connection you had with your husband, and not feeling like a dairy farm?" Gertrude finished for her as Rilla settled Oliver down. "I'm no doctor, and I only have my personal experience of course. After George, it took us three months to get back our intimacy. It didn't feel much different than before, honestly. However much like while you're expecting you adjust to your needs. I often kept some sort of brassiere on. Just in case any sort of reaction caused me to let down and Robert kept away from the area until George was weaned. When Tessi was born, I suppose it was about the same time frame? We had suddenly a free afternoon, Robert's mother was visiting and all. We just looked at each other and well the rest was history."

"So in other words don't rush it?" Rilla concluded. She watched Oliver for a moment before adjusting her gowns modesty.

"Never rush dear," Gertrude laughed. "However there is nothing wrong with getting his attention. If things work out, they work out. If not you just try again when you're ready to. Though your father is right, you can still end up pregnant even if you are nursing. Nothing is foolproof."

"I don't think we have to worry so much about that," Rilla told her honestly.

"Just because it took three years one time, doesn't mean it will be the same the next time around," Gertrude told her.

"We waited two of those years on purpose," Rilla told her truthfully. "Still it took seven months for it to happen, it felt all so unfair."

"The world can often feel unfair, but sometimes it's just making sure you are ready for such an event. I see you with Oliver and it makes me smile, brings me back to the days with Little Jims was still little. What is he now, almost ten?"

"This July," Rilla nodded her head. She pulled one of the photographs she had from her purse. Ones that she had placed in her pocketbook and passed it over to Gertrude. "This was our last visit before I returned home, he came to Ingleside a few times when I was there."

"He's grown up so much since I have left, looks like he still has his curls," Gertrude stated.

"He does," Rilla confirmed. "Never did outgrow them," She said rather proudly.

When Rilla came out of the bath, dressed in one of finer nightgowns. One old enough that it wouldn't look like she didn't care if it got ruined, but much nicer then her ones of late. It was one that made Ken turn his head to watch her sit down at her vanity. Oliver was snuggling into his shoulder in his own sleeping attire. He could see the curves of her body through the light of the lamp, he tilted his head down and kissed Oliver's head. Whispering, just how beautiful his mother was and that he should know that.

"What was that?" Rilla turned.

"Nothing, just telling Oliver that his mother is beautiful," Ken told her with a grin as he hulled himself up from the rocking chair and went to lay Oliver in his bassinet. "I think he's out for the next little while."

"He ate a ton before my bath," Rilla told him joined him next to the bassinet. Wrapping her arms around Ken and resting her chin on her shoulder. She stood slightly on her tippy toes so she could press a kiss into his neck.

"What are you doing?" Ken mumbled as he felt her trace down his stomach.

"What does it look like?" Rilla smirked as she ran her finger over his belt.

"Is this allowed?" Ken gulped, turning around to face her to get a better look at her mood.

"It's been three months, and it's been a long year," Rilla told him. "I know I don't like before," she said quietly quickly beginning to think that she was the reason lack of interest.

"It's never you," Ken tilted her chin with his hand. "Can I do one thing though before we continue down this road?"

"Depends on what you're going to do?" Rilla retorted saucily.

"I don't think I can well, continue with Oliver in the room. I know he's asleep and has no idea, and the fact that well, we made love while you were pregnant with him." Ken rambled on, his ears turning red.

"We can put him in his room, he'll be fine in his bassinet," Rilla reassured him with a teasing smile. Ken nodded and carefully detached the wicker basket from the stand and carried him over into the nursery. When he returned, he found Rilla already in bed, her nightgown around her legs as she sat on the coverlet. She wiggled her finger beckoning to come over as he worked on his belt and trousers.

"Two, brassiere stays on," Rilla told him. "Second, we approach this like our wedding night, until I know exactly how it's all going to work," Rilla informed him.

"Understandable," Ken bent and kissed her forehead, but still had a look a giddy schoolboy in his eyes. "We're covered?" Rilla only nodded.

"Just kiss me already, you know before he cries or I fall asleep on you," Rilla instructed him in a low voice.

Thank you to my mom friends for some much-needed advice on subjects that I know nothing about haha! And to Claire for reminding me that Shirley is an Engineer!

It was nice to see a bit of Shirley and hear of Elodie. If anyone hasn't read the last chapter of Interludes, there is an entire story dedicated to them!

Fun fact, I browsed through a 600page Eatons Catalogue from 1920-1921 to understand what exactly they had for baby seats/beds/carriages/toys for this chapter!

Hope everyone is doing well and surviving!

Tina.