June 28th, 1894
Her plan was simple and she had spent the entire night pouring over it to make sure that it could not fail. She would never be sure until she tried it. Elizabeth was a variable that continued to change as the days went by.
"You were supposed to sleep," Robert said gently. She looked up from her notes and then towards the clock.
"I slept a little." she said, "But I wanted to make sure this was completed before Elizabeth woke up."
"How long did you stay up last night?" he asked.
"I don't recall," she said. She had stayed up hours past what she meant to. Once she had begun, she couldn't stop, "I made schedules for work and for Elizabeth. I didn't want to make any big decisions before you woke up." she said, "And I made a new shopping list."
"It's a long list." Robert picked it up and looked it over.
"I want to make sure we don't end up in this situation again," she explained. The list contained mostly things that could be saved in their pantry. They needed to make sure they stayed stocked on canned goods just in case they ever ran out of fresh food. "We'll shop for fruits and vegetables once a week." She said.
"We'll be cooking every day?" Robert asked.
"She needs to eat every day." Rosalind said, "I think we should as well."
"Of course." Robert nodded.
"Harper's will open in an hour." Rosalind said, "We'll need to get there as soon as possible."
"Mhmm." Robert nodded, "Elizabeth and I can do that."
"I'm coming as well," Rosalind said.
"You need to rest." Robert rolled his eyes and set the list down.
"I don't." She shook her head. This was no different than how she usually spent her nights before Elizabeth came.
"You look as if you'll pass out any second now," Robert said.
"I know but-"
"Just take a nap while I'm gone and then we'll discuss your schedules then." he said firmly, "You'll have to start taking care of yourself too. No more long nights."
"We can't both have long nights." Rosalind agreed, "But in our line of work, it will be necessary." If they have any more issues with the reactors, they would both be busy. They had barely made it through the winter and Rosalind had a feeling that they had only made it because Columbia had been flying towards the southern states. What would they do if they spent a few months up north? The reactors would freeze and the people might too.
"Rosalind," Robert cleared his throat, "Just take a nap today. Elizabeth will wake you when we're back."
"I will sleep once you leave," Rosalind said.
"Fine." Robert sighed, "What did you learn at the library?"
"Oh yes." she looked through the pile of papers for the notes she'd made the day before. The women there were more than eager to impart their wisdom on her. It hadn't even taken much, all she had done was approach a group of women and start talking. "They told me a lot about raising a child."
Rosalind found the notes and handed them to him.
"A nanny?" Robert wrinkled his nose as he read.
"Apparently most parents in Emporia have hired a nanny." Rosalind said, "Usually the nanny lives with them and takes care of the children." Rosalind had not had a nanny as a child so it didn't seem as if it were necessary. She had spent a lot of time working with her mother and her father had taught her to read and write.
"Unless you plan to purchase a new home, there can be no nanny," Robert said. They did not want anyone seeing the contraption and finding out how Comstock was actually getting his visions.
"It's something to consider." Rosalind shrugged. She was against the idea completely but it was the most common thing she had heard. "I don't think we need to."
"Is it normal for most people to leave their children with a nanny?" Robert put the kettle on the fire and sat down.
"For richer people, yes." Rosalind nodded.
"You spent your free time helping your mother raise children," Robert said, "And I spent my free time working with father."
"But Elizabeth won't really be able to help us with our work unless she takes a liking to it." Rosalind said, "And even then, she can't do anything until she's able to read and write." Rosalind did not want to force Elizabeth to work as her own mother had. Children needed time to stay children and Rosalind had not been given that chance.
"So, we won't be hiring a nanny then." Robert nodded, "Scheduled nap and bedtimes?" he read the next point.
"Yes, we usually put her to sleep whenever she gets sleepy. Apparently, we should choose a time and make her go to bed regardless of whether she seems sleepy or not."
"Why?"
"Because the reason you have such a hard time getting her to bed is that when children get too sleepy, they can't sleep. One woman told me the signs to watch out for." Rosalind had thought she knew a lot about raising children but the women had shown her that she didn't know a thing. She had barely scratched the surface. If she had known what she knew now, they wouldn't have had so many problems in the beginning.
"You didn't write them down." Robert pointed out.
"Because they only said things I already knew," Rosalind said, "Elizabeth rubs her eyes and usually comes to sit with us once she gets tired."
"I assumed she wanted to play when she did that…" Robert said thoughtfully.
"She's getting tired at that point." Rosalind explained, "It's easiest to put her to sleep at that point. Elizabeth usually falls asleep on her own if you hold her. You'd still be able to read or do whatever it is you're doing. If you play with her instead, she won't be able to sleep."
Rosalind still wasn't sure why she would fight sleeping when she was obviously tired but she couldn't complain.
She was willing to bet that Robert had so much trouble because they played until she grew fussy, then he would attempt to put her to sleep.
"So we need to let her wind down before bed," Robert said with a nod.
"That's why I created this schedule." Rosalind handed another paper to him, "She can wake whenever she wants but she should always have a nap at 11. She can have lunch when she wakes up. Then her bedtime will be 7 pm."
"Isn't that too early?"
"It isn't." Rosalind shook her head, "I think we've been letting her stay up too late." Elizabeth usually became fussy around 8 pm anyway.
Robert looked over the notes and the schedule before nodding, "I don't think you needed my input on this." he said.
"I wanted it anyway," Rosalind said. If he didn't agree with it, he wouldn't be able to implement it.
"I think it's great." Robert said, "I could help you more if this works. We could alternate and you won't have to put her to sleep every night."
That was the plan at least. The schedule was only the first step. The next would be her diet, playtime, and education. She did not want Elizabeth to end up spoiled but Robert was intent on spoiling her rotten.
"And we should move her to her own room."
"We tried that already." Rosalind reminded. Her sleeping arrangements were not the issue at the moment.
"We'll try again." Robert said, "I believe it's time. We should get her a normal bed too."
"Why?" Rosalind rolled her eyes, "So she can get out of bed and wander about while we're asleep?" Rosalind would never be able to rest with the knowledge that Elizabeth was messing around in the study. In her crib, she could not leave until one of them let her out. "She isn't old enough yet."
"How old should she be?"
"I didn't stop sleeping in Mother's room until I was almost 6," Rosalind said.
"We were poor." Robert stood again to move the kettle, "But that's to be discussed later."
"Elizabeth will wake soon." Rosalind yawned.
"And you should get to bed," Robert said
"I want to go shopping with you," Rosalind said. He always forgot things when he went alone. If he took Elizabeth then he would be distracted. He would forget the essentials and then she would end up going by herself later anyway.
"Then we'll go after your nap." Robert sighed, "We will not compromise any further."
"Fine." she nodded.
0.o.0.o.0
Robert looked over the schedule one final time before returning to the music room. It all seemed to be a solid plan but he wouldn't know until he tried. And he would try his hardest to make it work. "She went down without a fight." Rosalind was curled up on the couch.
She seemed to be satisfied with the day's events. No tantrums, no tears, and no stress. "Will it be this easy every day?" he asked.
"Not likely." Rosalind said, "But it's easier than not having a plan."
He sat on the opposite end of the couch, "You're able to this all so easily." Robert said.
"it's not easy for me." Rosalind said, "Truthfully, I don't know if it ever will be." He felt terrible when he thought about how reluctant she was. He knew that this was the last thing she wanted but she was doing it for him. Her feelings for Elizabeth might grow over time but right now they were still low.
"You're still much better than anyone she's lived with," Robert said. He found his mind traveling to Booker Dewitt again. Would he have adapted if Rosalind laid out a plan of action like this? Would he be able to stick to it? How unfair was it that they never gave him that chance?
"Hmm." Rosalind nodded, "Tomorrow we'll do this together again. Then the day after, it will be your turn."
"I could start tomorrow," he suggested
"There are still a few things I need to show you." Rosalind was falling asleep now. She had refused to rest all day and for some reason, she was still struggling to stay awake.
"Fine." he agreed. This next week would be a test to see if any of it worked or not. He would call it successful if Rosalind was able to relax just a little. "Why don't we go to bed.
"I'm not tired yet." she said, "I still need to look over the reports for the reactors and… um… prepare the notes for the meeting."
"I can do that." Robert had only been to a few meetings since his arrival in Columbia but Rosalind had sought his input on the notes from the beginning. Looking over reports had been all he was able to do in the beginning.
"Okay." she nodded, "You'll both be coming with me."'
"Both of us?"
"Well, I can't leave her here," Rosalind said.
"You don't think it's too soon?" Robert asked.
"I don't." Rosalind said, "Even if it was, I'd want you to come anyway." Despite how confident she seemed at the moment, he could tell that she was nervous about it. What if Elizabeth cried and they couldn't comfort her? What if people judged her for bringing her child to work?
"It'll be during her nap time," Robert said.
"Exactly," Rosalind nodded, "We'll let her sleep in my office." She stood up and looked over at him, "We can finalize the notes together after breakfast."
Robert nodded, "Goodnight." he stood and stopped her as she walked by.
"What?" she blinked up at him. It was strange to look upon his own face like this, "Robert?"
"You're doing great." he gave her a hug, "I know it's a lot but you're doing this better than I could ever hope to do."
"Don't be so dramatic." Rosalind sighed as she hugged him back.
"I'm not being dramatic." he said, "I'm just telling the truth." They finally released each other and he nudged her towards the door, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You make it seem as if I'm leaving." she yawned, "Goodnight, please don't stay up too late." He focused on the documents in front of him once he heard her door close. He was actually excited to get back into work. His thoughts had been occupied with Elizabeth and Rosalind so often that he was afraid he would forget what he'd gotten a degree in.
As he read over the reports he found himself relaxing. It was all so simple compared to Elizabeth. He knew exactly how everything should be running and he would notice immediately if something was off. It was understandable why Rosalind preferred to keep to academics instead of building relationships. She was only sticking to what she knew. It was likely that stepping outside of her comfort zone had only led to trouble.
He wondered if starting a family would be something she ever wanted to do. If she could step out of her comfort zone to raise Elizabeth, maybe she could accept an invitation from one of the many suitors that sent letters her way.
Robert chuckled and shook his head. Rosalind did not avoid relationships because they made her uncomfortable. She just didn't want one at all. He knew that she had been in a few relationships before they met. Whatever man she chose to be with would have to be really special to hold her interest. And any man she took interest in would have to accept the fact that she was a physicist. She would never be a housewife to anyone.
He finished looking over the first report and picked up another. He supposed he would have to start sending letters to potential partners. The idea did not sit well with him. Every date did not end well and he was far too awkward. He didn't know how to woo a woman and he had no real friends to ask about it.
Even in his own world, he had kept to himself. Maybe that was the issue. He didn't know how to speak to people besides Rosalind. How would that affect Elizabeth? He didn't want her to end up like him. While both he and Rosalind were very successful, they didn't have friends.
He shook his head and focused on the papers. He only had a few more reports to read and then he would be able to compile the notes and go to bed. He was wasting time by thinking of scenarios that were too far off to even worry about.
He finished and stretched as he stood. He was tired too now but his excitement was keeping him awake. He wondered if normal people were this excited to go to work. He wanted to show Rosalind the notes and then he wanted to sit among everyone as they discussed the plan for the entire week. He hadn't realized that he missed it so much.
He had a feeling that things would only get better as time went on.