Julie was in the living room running around with the children when she heard Elizabeth's voice and the word "twins."
She came in the kitchen squealing delightedly.
"Sister! So it's true? Two babies! I am so happy for you!"
Elizabeth felt anything but happy at the moment. Shocked and a little scared was more accurate.
"I knew this was a possibility, but it still feels strange. In July, we'll be the parents of five kids. Five. It's a lot to contend with."
The children had heard what was happening and ran into the kitchen excitedly.
"You're having two babies? I could have two brothers?" Jack said.
"Well, we won't know that until the babies are born, Jack. It could be a boy and a girl. Or two girls," Julie reminded him.
"Two sisters? No, not more sisters!" Jack declared.
"Jack, stop that. You know you love your sisters," Elizabeth told him.
Nathan had made stew and homemade bread for dinner. The adults settled in the living room for tea while Abbey played in the corner and Jack went upstairs to work on an art project for school that was due the next day.
"I don't understand why he's dawdling on this. He usually loves art class. If he doesn't turn it in by tomorrow he'll end up getting a lower grade," Elizabeth said.
"It must be hard sometimes. Being his mom and also his teacher," Julie said.
"Well, come September I may not need to worry about that since they're planning on hiring another teacher for the lower grades. I fought the town council tooth and nail but they insisted the town has grown so much they need another. They're very mysterious about who they're hiring but he or she will be teaching the lower grades."
Elizabeth then looked down at her ever expanding midsection. "That's if I'm even going to be ready to teach in the Fall. With two new babies and a three year old at home..."
"Sister, what is the matter? You don't seem excited about this at all. You are normally the most optimistic person I know. Why so subdued?" Julie asked.
"I don't know. I have a thousand crazy thoughts running around my head. We're going to need two of everything now. Two cribs, plus double the amount of diapers, bottles, clothes and everything else. It's a lot to think about."
"Elizabeth, how long have you lived in this town? You know how the people of Hope Valley are. And how they'll rally to help their teacher and Mountie," Nathan said.
Elizabeth looked at her husband and her sister. "You know what, you two are right. We have been doubly blessed and I should be grateful. In fact, let's call Allie at school and tell her before it gets too late."
Allie Grant was in the library studying when her roommate Rebecca answered the house telephone in the hall of their dormitory. The caller said he was Allie's dad, and if someone could find her he would greatly appreciate it.
None of Allies schoolmates had ever met Nathan, but they all gushed over the photo of the handsome Mountie on her desk in her dorm room. Rebecca agreed to fetch Allie while another girl kept Nathan on the line.
"So, did my dad sound upset?" Allie asked Rebecca as they walked back towards their dorm.
"No, not at all. I'm sure it's good news."
Allie ran down the hall and took the phone from her dorm mate. Nathan Grant did not not normally allow himself to get excited one way or the other but Allie could hear the elation in his voice.
The other girls were all hovering around Allie waiting for her to get off the phone so she could share her news with them.
So what is it?" Rebecca asked when she finally hung up the telephone."
"It's great news! My mom is having twins!"
Allie's fellow students cheered and squealed with delight right along with her.
Allie and Rebecca stayed up long after lights out lying in their beds talking. Allie had never had a sister around her own age and it was fun having someone similar to a sister to talk with late into the night.
"I forgot to tell you in all the excitement. There was a boy who came here looking for you a few days ago. Cameron someone or other. That fish face Mrs. Anderson told him it wasn't visiting hours and refused to call you downstairs."
"Cameron? Cameron Holt. What on earth was he doing in Edmonton? I wrote him a couple of letters, but I haven't seen him since Christmas."
"Rachel Carmody cornered him outside and he said he was looking for work here. He told her he'd been in the states for a while. In Seattle, Washington."
It figured Rachel would have been weaseling information out of him. Allie considered her the Florence Blakely of Edmonton College for Women.
Allie did some mental investigating. She wasn't Nathan Grant's daughter for nothing. There were a lot of Canadian men and boys illegally transporting liquor into the United States, which would explain why Cameron had been in Seattle. As a Mountie's daughter, she obviously wanted nothing to do with that.
" If he comes around, tell Mrs. Andersen I don't want to see him. He gave me an expensive gold bracelet for Christmas, you know. I never told my parents. They would have insisted I return it."
" Allie, there's nothing wrong with accepting jewelry. It's part of the pursuit."
Allie laughed at her roommate. "You sound like my Aunt Rosemary. Good night, Becca. I have an early class tomorrow."
Allie felt more homesick that night than she had for a long time. She closed her eyes and pictured home. Their was a roaring fire going. Jack ran around the house playing cowboy. Abbey was in the corner with her dolls. Nathan and Elizabeth sat together reading or talking quietly.
She had loved her time in the city. Staying with Rebecca's family on weekends and attending theatre and concerts. She had learned more from her professors than she ever expected to learn. She'd made friends like Rebecca whom she hoped would become her friends for life.
But it was time to go home.
Elizabeth lie in bed beside Nathan, his hand resting on her stomach.
"We've got two active little ones in there," Nathan said to her.
"So, I finally got Jack to admit why he wasn't keen on his art project. Apparently Eric told him art was for sissies. I explained that his father was also good at painting and drawing and no one in their right mind would ever call him that. His family portrait was wonderful and I finally convinced him to enter it in the art fair."
"Why does he listen to Eric?" Nathan asked her.
"I don't know. Can I just say thank you?" Elizabeth asked.
"For what?"
"Helping me raise such kind, beautiful children. I was reading "The Velveteen Rabbit" to Abbey and she asked me if she could give Floppy to the twins when they're born. I explained that Floppy belonged to her and he helped her get better when she was sick. That Floppy would be sad if she gave him away."
Nathan leaned over and kissed her. "You are an amazing mother. You have a knack for always knowing how to handle every single situation."
"Nathan, can I tell you something? When I had Jack I was terrified. I loved him more than I ever imagined I would. But there were nights after he was born when he would not sleep. I tried singing to him and playing his music box. He would cry and I would cry and I was a blubbering mess. I don't know how Lee and Rosemary next door managed to sleep through all this. When Jack finally cried himself out I would go to bed and cry some more. I felt devastated that Jack wasn't beside me to help me comfort our son."
"You know you don't have to worry about that now, Elizabeth. I'll always be here for you."
Elizabeth heard the whistle of the tea kettle downstairs in the kitchen. Julie was apparently up and unable to sleep again.
"Elizabeth, you know I love your sister and she is a joy to be around. But why is she still here?"
"I'm not sure and I will find out. Just not tonight. I literally cannot move my body from this bed."
Friday was the day of the school art fair. Elizabeth took Abbey to school with her so that Ella, her nanny could have a well deserved day off. She walked to the school with Julie, Jack and Abbey.
Lemonade and cookies were for sale outside and the children were busy jumping rope and playing baseball. Elizabeth had suspended regular classes due to the art fair.
"I wanna go to school," Abbey said
"In a few more years, sweetie," Elizabeth said.
"It isn't usually this fun," Jack said.
"Jack!" Elizabeth admonished.
Then she saw Laura walking toward them. Laura was no longer the girl Elizabeth had hired to become her nanny. She'd grown into a lovely young woman.
Jack began running toward Laura, running into her arms and nearly knocking her over.
"Laura!" he shouted at her.
"Oh my gosh, Laura it is so good to see you! I'm so glad you could come home for the art fair," Elizabeth said.
"Well, actually I'm home for good. I left art school and enrolled in teacher training in Union City. I'll be your assistant teacher in the fall."
For the first time since she'd been approached about the idea of a second teacher, Elizabeth was happy about the idea.
" Well, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have here helping me teach. And as you can see, I'm going to be needing all the help I can get."
It was a wonderful day. A few of Elizabeth's other former students showed up as well. Robert and Anna were now a couple and Robert told Elizabeth he'd finally made his decision and would be going to the Mountie Academy.
"I think you're making a great decision, Robert. But please always try to be safe," Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth recused herself from judging the artwork and allowed Robert and Anna to do it. Jack's portrait of a Mountie, a teacher, a teenage girl, a blonde boy on a horse and a little girl in a sailor dress holding a stuffed rabbit won first place in his age group.
Despite his reluctance to enter the art fair, Jack walked home with a blue ribbon proudly pinned to his chest.
Hope you all enjoy! I enjoy writing even with a painful shoulder!