Time heals most things and as the days past. Rilla was beginning to feel more like herself. Taking her father's suggestion she found an old blank book and began to scribble a few minutes a day in it. Sometimes it was just about her plans for the day or next day, how she feeling that particular moment.

"He's just babbling to himself in the crib," Ken said as he came back into the bedroom as he slid off his robe. Rilla was sitting cross-legged on the bed she looked up and nodded to her husband. Things we better then what they were, but things were still far from perfect. After her parents, they were left to their own devices once more.

After her talk with her father and she had a quiet talk with her mother who was as mothers often are. Sympathetic and supportive about her babies dealing with things that never seemed fair. At one point she had seen her father talking to Ken changed the oil on the car in the driveway.

"I think I know what I want to do? Rilla speaks up as Ken picked up a few things from the floor.

"All right," He said cautiously as he sat down on the bed beside her.

"I think I can decipher what I want and after talking to my dad. I think I understand more that even if I didn't lose the baby, I could have been worse for me, you and the kids. I do want to try again. Not now, but maybe sometime this new year? Dad is right though, I need to put on more weight before we consider even having another one. I weigh less than I did before having Oliver. Not necessarily a lot, but enough to make a difference I suppose."

"I have noticed," Ken told her honestly. "You never seemed worried about it, and eat constantly so I assumed that you were fine."

"I am, but Mom thinks it might be easier to gain weight if fully wean Oliver and he is almost a year. Less than two months away from being a year," Rilla explained.

"What does that entitle?" Ken asked.

"Replacing afternoon nursing with an offering of milk or water to him instead?" Rilla told him. "Working down to either a morning or a night feed only until that fades as well."

"Won't that leave you uncomfortable?" Ken frowned.

"It might be, but it should just adjust itself to what he needs. It might be uncomfortable the first few days when I skip a feeding. He may not like it either. Actually I'm sure he won't, but even the book of Morgan once said that a child should be weaned by a year old," Rilla told him.

Ken merely nodded unsure of what to say.

"Of course, unless you don't want to," Rilla offered him a chance to voice his concerns or wants from the past month.

"I'm just worried," Ken sighed. "I do, I truly would like more but at what expense will it cost?"

"Well, I don't think I'll be travelling anywhere, next time around. This one will be born here at home. So we can at least not have another surprise happen like last time." Rilla told him with a wry smile. "I can learn from my past mistakes and if the second comes faster than the first. I don't think I would have time to wait for you to show up."

"I didn't know why I felt the need to catch that earlier train. Why I spent the night in Charlottetown but walking up to the house with all the lights on. Seeing your father pacing that morning and hearing you." Ken said thinking back to hearing her screams.

"I'm just glad you were there," Rilla said quietly reflecting. It was a vivid yet hazy memory at this point for her. She could remember being afraid but the memory of pain and all the moments of uncertainty were covered in a fog.

"I am glad I made it," Ken told her. "According to your father and Faith, you progressed much more quickly after I arrived." He told her truthfully.

"I'll have to take their word for it," Rilla told him. "I don't remember much of anything clearly, other than that moment when he was crowning. God, what did Faith call it, the ring of fire, I don't know if I said it? But I remember wanting to stop and go home."

Ken chuckled. "I don't recall that, though I am sure Faith would have just patted your leg and told you to push."

Rilla sighed as she put away her pencil and journal, leaning to rest against Ken. As she held his hand and twirled the gold ring on his finger that held his initials on it.

"We're okay?" Ken asked her wanting some sort of reassurance.

Rilla nodded and kissed the back of his hand.


The task of weaning her young son proved to be much harder than Rilla anticipated. Oliver fused and cried when Rilla offered him his silver cup that had a motif of safari animals on it the first time. She took a deep breath and let it before a few minuted before she would try again.

As she taught him slowly how to drink from the cup first. Placing it down in front of him, letting him reach for it. His tiny hands wrapping around the handle. It was a messy time as the water went everywhere. While his one of milk she held for him.

When he drank his fill, she would put him dry clothes. Often telling him no as he pulled at her blouse when he realized that he never got to nurse.

"No, Oliver, now is not the time," she would tell him gently. Finally, she put him in his playpen. Letting his either cry it out and offering his cup to him to make sure he had gotten enough. Some afternoons they both sat and cried. Those first few days of waiting until seven in the evening before she allowed him to nurse were uncomfortable and emotional. Even for herself, but she had to stick to a schedule if she wanted him to learn.

By the end of the week, her body had adjusted and Oliver seemed to take to his cup and his newfound independence. He was almost cheeky about it at times. Making little faces that would make the family laugh around the table. He was a decent mix of his parents, his stronger features were from his fathers. His nose was still decidedly his mothers, albite a touch more boyish. His eyes were a light greenish-grey that stood out against his dark hair, they reminded her of Kens which she loved.

They were settled on the sofa one evening when Ken spoke up after Rilla had put Oliver to bed for the night. "I was thinking maybe this year we go to Toronto for Christmas?"

"Is that possible with the magazine?" Rilla asked him.

"The way Christmas and New Year falls this year. I can manage to give everyone two weeks vacation and allow them time with their families. Work from home if some of them wish it? Oliver will be old enough to travel with, and it will be nice for my family to see him. Persis is supposed to come home as well, it will be nice for them to officially meet Jimmy as well. Of course, it will be exciting for him to see the city?" Ken told her plan he had thought out and formulated.

"Plus I wouldn't be pregnant or ill?" Rilla raised an eyebrow at his thought process.

"It will good for us I think, we can even leave the kids with my parents and sister for a night. Go see a concert, a show of some sort. There is usually some travelling ballet in town around Christmas?"

"Then make the arrangements. I will let my parents know of our plans and perhaps they can come to celebrate before we leave. We can also have a small celebration for Olivers Birthday with them as well?" Rilla told him.

"Mother?" The adult both looked up at Jimmy in the archway of the living

"Everything all right dear?" Rilla asked from her spot on the sofa. "I thought you were getting ready for bed?"

"I feel strange," He said honestly to which Rilla frowned at. Ken accessed the boy and laid his tan hand over the boy's forehead. Rilla silently got up and went for the thermometer as they followed her to the bathroom.

She stuck it under his tongue and waited the allotted time before looking at it.

"Mild fever," Rilla said taking it out of the boy's mouth and looking at it. "You seemed fine earlier, anything else?"

"My back is scratchy, it's been getting worse and spreading," Jimmy told her, as Ken pulled gently at the collar of his nightshirt and looked down.

"Unbutton for me?" Ken asked the boy and waited patiently as Jimmy undid his buttons. Ken helped slide the shirt down to reveal the beginning of a familiar childhood rash of red little bumps.

"If I remember anything, that looks likes the chickenpox," Ken said with a sigh. "Are there any other areas?" He asked and the boy nodded, his cheeks tinged pink as he gripped his pyjama pants.

"It's a rather bothersome illness, but typical for children," Ken told him. "Any boys or girls recently miss some school?"

"Jacob was absent today," Jimmy nodded his head.

"Can I see the other spots? Ken asked as he sat against the tub. Jimmy looked up to Rilla who was intently watching.

"I'll go call my father," she said, having a feeling that Jimmy was embarrassed to strip down to his skivvies in front of her. Despite it felt like yesterday she had been toilet training him?

"Ingleside," She heard her mother's voice pick up.

"Mum, It's me Rilla," she spoke into the receiver.

"Oh! Hello! Did we have a call?" Anne said wondering.

"No, No I'm just calling because Jimmy has come down with the chickenpox and I'm wondering what we can do for him tonight. We'll take him to the doctor tomorrow, but until then the poor dear isn't feeling all that well."

"Has he been sick lately?" Anne asked, remember the time chickenpox had swept through the house.

"He's had a small cold about two weeks ago, but it seemed to clear up," Rilla told her. "He now has a rash and small red bumps. It was on his back stomach, and I can only assume his legs as well since Jimmy felt too awkward showing me." Rilla told her mother.

"Sounds like the Chickenpox, your father is out at the moment. Have him sit a tepid bath if the fever is that bothersome. Powdered oatmeal and calamine will help with the blister as they itch and heal. I would suggest either trying to keep Oliver away from Jimmy or pay attention to any signs of illness. It won't be dangerous for him, you had it his age when the lot of you had it."

"We all had it at the same time?" Rilla blanched.

"We think the Jem brought it home from school when he was eight or so," Anne explained. " If I remember correctly, he'll be home from school until his blisters heal. Usually, about a week or so, do call the school. I'm sure he won't be the only one with it though. Oh! Do not give him aspirin for his fever. Your father keeps muttering things to himself about recent studies. Not sure why, but he thinks it worth looking into?"

Rilla laughed lightly. "I wasn't going to, but good to know," She said. "Tell dad I called."

"I will, how are you doing?" Anne asked her daughter.

"We're doing fine," Rilla said after a short pause. "Good, actually," she added on. "I should go check on them."

"I'll let your father know, have a good night dearest," Anne said.

They hung up and Rilla walked back up the stairs. She went to Oliver who seemed to be finally sleeping. She adjusted his blankets as he clutched his stuffed monkey.

"Mom says the same thing, it sounds like chickenpox. I'll take you to the doctor to be sure tomorrow," Rilla told the two men who were still standing in the bathroom. "You'll have to ride out some of the symptoms sadly. Don't scratch it will only make it worse, and it can cause scarring. If it does itch will cover you in some calamine lotion on the spot to cool it off." She explained to Jimmy. "Also means you won't be in school next week, I'll call your school and get them to send some homework for you. Do you want to take a bath, or try to sleep?" Rilla asked the young boy.

"Maybe a bath?" Jimmy told them unsure. "If I caught this from school, is Oliver going to be all right?"

"We'll have to watch Oliver, he'll most likely get it. It will be no different or dangerous according to mom. I had it Oliver's age and I was fine." Rilla told him reassuring him. "It might be better to get now, then when he's older. That way we don't have to worry about him in school and whatnot," Rilla told as she caressed his blond curls. She grabbed the plug for the bath and pushed it into place and turned on the water. Testing it, until it was warm, but still cool enough to give him some comfort.

"One of us will check in on you," Rilla told him. "If you need anything just let us know, we'll be in our room."

Jimmy nodded and with that Rilla and Ken left the bathroom, shutting the door as they did to give him some privacy.

"Why does it feel like, it's a constant stream of what life can throw at us right now?" Ken sighed when they finally made it back into their room.

"You're not the only one," Rilla told him. "I'm still waiting to hear about a third death." She said as she ran a hand over Artemis who appeared out of thin air on their bed. "The rats and bunnies she leaves for us at the back door excluded," she said more to the cat then Ken.

"Death doesn't always come in threes," Ken wrapped his arms around her pulling her close.

"Sometimes it feels like it," Rilla mumbled against his chest. They tidied up the room as they waited for Jimmy, Ken checking in after 15 minutes to ensure the boy was doing all right. By ten o'clock Jimmy was tucked into his bed and lamp shut.

With a final closing of a door and before she could do anything, Ken grasped Rilla's waist and pulled her close to him.

"Come to bed with me?" Ken asked before clarifying what exactly he wanted. "I just want to hold you, feel you next to me. I feel like it's been too long since I had that."

"I'm beside you every night," Rilla reminded him with a small half-smile.

"Not mentally, not when we're at odds with each other," Ken said touching her forehand with his. "And by the way, it sounds we may only have tonight before things get turned upside down once more."

"You were the one who wanted children," Rilla poked in jest. "It's never a dull moment when there are children about."

"Fair enough," Ken laughed and then sighed.

"You know it's fine? We just have to be careful. I have to be more careful," Rilla corrected herself.

"We both have to be careful if it takes two of us, I have to take some responsibility it," Ken told her with a shake of his head.

"Then be careful," Rilla raised an eyebrow with her voice low. It had been longer than what the doctor had advised that morning.

The following week was filled with complaints and crying as Rilla dosed both of her boys in bright pink lotion. She had resorted too little mittens for Oliver so he wouldn't scratch himself raw. As the blisters popped and began to scab over his little body. While Jimmy mostly quietly wandered around in his undershirts and flannel pyjamas. Trying to fill the hours of the day when he couldn't be outside for that long. Because anything else made him itch when it rubbed against his skin. They were both were grumpy and she couldn't blame them.

It seemed half of the school had come down with the childhood illness. Mothers were all calling each other with remedies and ways to ease discomfort. Grinding oatmeal through a clean coffee grinder until it was powder-fine. It made the water milky white and opaque when added to the bathwater. Even Rilla got into the milky bath some nights. Resting Oliver on her torso or bent legs, letting the warm water soothe his skin as he snuggled into her.

"Mom? Rilla?" Jimmy called out after knocking on the door. Still sometimes calling her Rilla out of habit or awkwardness.

"Yes?" She called out, pulling the curtain around her and the tub so just her head was exposed as she heard the door open.

"I just need my toothbrush, I can brush downstairs though," he told her.

"It's all right, grab what you need," Rilla told him scooped up more water and pushed it up Olivers back.

"Is he okay?" Jimmy asked as he held his toothbrush. He couldn't see the baby who was almost asleep but seeing the little one spotty didn't lighten Jimmy's conscience.

"Just about sleeping," Rilla told him.

"Did you ever?" Jimmy began before stopping unsure if he wanted to know or not.

"Occasionally yes when no one was home, or when it was cold. So the answer to your question is yes, you would share my bath," Rilla laughed and smiled. "You were just a baby, after all, now go brush your teeth and send Ken up will you?"

Jimmy nodded and skipped out of the time, his face tinging pink from being shy. Not two minutes later she heard Ken's footsteps and knock out the door.

"Ready to get out?" He asked her as he grabbed the fluffy towel that belonged to Oliver.

Rilla nodded and gently handed him Oliver who was promptly wrapped up. Rilla sat up and pulled the plug from the drain and carefully stood and stepped out of the tub. Shivering as she wrapped her towel around her. She quickly cleaned out the tub and wrapped her robe around herself before following to the nursery for a goodnight lullaby.


As fast as they came, the chickenpox was on its way out and as they went the first sprinkles of snow fell for the first time. It was a chilly Sunday morning after church as they settled in the living room to warm up by the fireplace. Artemis looked up from her spot at the hearth and as soon as she saw the little boy. She promptly decided for a change a scenery and quickly pranced away with her tail up. She was never was aggressive with Oliver, but if she had a choice. Napping in peace always won out, then dealing with Olivers in inquisitive nature. Even if Rilla made sure Oliver was always gentle.

Rilla sat on the floor was Oliver who was playing with his toys and crawling around to reach others. Rilla leaned back on her arms and watched Oliver. While Jimmy sat in one of wing back chairs with the small camera that Ken allowed him to use.

"What are you doing young sir?" Rilla said amused as she watched Oliver. Who gripped the coffee table with his little hands and pull himself up. It was not a new trick and one that Rilla has seen him do before. Even taking awkwardly calculated steps around the furniture he could hold onto. Sometimes he would even let out large squeals of glee as he bounced on his tiny feet.

"Da!" He called out to which Ken chuckled behind his Sunday edition of the paper. "What is it, Oliver?" He asked flipping down the edge of the paper and letting his son see his face.

"Da!" Oliver shrieked once more as he turned his body and looked around finding his mother.

"Ollie," Rilla called out to him, holding up her hands to him. Jimmy quickly leaned forward with his camera. As tiny hands left the table and took one strategic yet clumsy step, he was standing on his own. Jimmy quickly made his way across the room next to Ken who was watching with a gigantic smile. Even Jimmy found himself cheering? He wasn't sure if he had seen Willow's first steps.

"Come to Mommy Ollie," Rilla encourage him to take another step. Wobbling slightly as he lifted his other leg and took another step. Obviously proud of himself self he clapped his hands together gleefully. Bouncing until he fell backwards onto his bottom.

"Oh Ollie," Rilla she quickly scrambled towards him before she heard Ken tell her to wait. Oliver looked at her once more and with as much grace as he could muster. He found himself back upon his two unsteady legs with a look of determination on his face.


Oh, look its the cat I keep forgetting about haha! Poor Artemis, but she well looked after in the background of the story.

Thank you for all the comments, follows and favourites from the past week!

Fun Fact, I had the chickenpox twice as a child. Once when I was about Oliver's age, and then again when I was 8 years old in grade 2! I spent a week at my mother's ( a rare thing given the custody arrangments of my parent's divorce) and I watched Sailor Moon three times a day! It was amazing haha!

Either way, treatment for such childhood illnesses, or I suppose we do have a vaccine for it now. Hadn't changed much over the course of time.

Next chapter, I get to go back to lovely Toronto!

Tina.