Rosemary slowly recovered from her surgery and Hannah Rose was flourishing. Lee took on the role as father and caregiver like a pro. Life in the Coulter house had never been filled with so much joy as it had been these last two months. All fears that had inhabited Rosemary's mind diminished the moment she saw her daughter's face. Motherhood suited her.
Elizabeth had been kept busy. Between school, grading papers and the twins, she didn't have any free time. Jack even seemed to be getting busier taking care of Mountie business around town. Most evenings he was home by supper time but occasionally it was closer to bedtime before he dragged himself through the backdoor; only to grab a piece of bread and fall asleep before he could even finish eating it.
Weekends were their family time. Every Saturday, Jack and Elizabeth would sleep in and not get out of bed until one of the twins would call for them. The rest of the day was spent doing things together as a family. Sundays were reserved for church and lunch with their friends.
The last couple of weekends was spent at Rosemary's house. Lee would take Hannah and go hang out with Jack and the twins while Elizabeth, Rosemary and Abigail planned and prepared for the twins' birthday that was quickly approaching.
"One year old already," Abigail said as she tied a bow around a new toy. "It seems like only yesterday that they arrived into this big world."
"Some days it feels like that," Elizabeth added. "Some days it feels like years ago." The trio laughed in understanding.
"How have you been feeling, Rosemary?" Abigail asked.
"Very well. The incision healed quickly but Dr. Carson explained that muscle is cut during a cesarean that has to heal. That is taking a bit longer."
"Hannah seems to be doing great."
"Yes, she is perfect. She already sleeps most of the night; only waking up once to eat and quickly falls back to sleep."
"That's wonderful," Elizabeth exclaimed. "I think it was more like six months with the twins before they would let me sleep for more than a few hours at a time."
"Yes, I could imagine." Rosemary replied. "What are you guys doing for Christmas?"
"We are just staying home and enjoying some down time. Nothing too exciting. I'm glad to be on school break just to catch my breath so that's what we are going to do."
"I don't know how you do it, Elizabeth. Twins and teaching," Rosemary shook her head. "Hannah keeps me running all day and she isn't even mobile."
"You get used to it. It's important to set a routine and try to stick to it. That's how Jack and I do it."
"That is exactly right," Abigail added. "Getting into a routine is the best thing. Of course, things will happen outside that routine, but for the most part you'll be able to stick to it."
"We will have to try that." Rosemary replied.
"What are you guys planning?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are just staying home and having a dinner together." Rosemary answered. "I'm still a little sore and tire so easily so we don't want to do anything too exhausting."
"I understand that all too well." Elizabeth said, nodding her head.
"What about you and Henry?"
"Becky will be home for a couple weeks from school so it will be the four of us. We are doing a dinner together then we are going to drive around to the small farms around the outskirts of town and deliver meals and gifts to those families that need it."
"That sounds wonderful." Elizabeth said with excitement. "Maybe one of these years we'll be able to join you."
The ladies finished with their plans and most of the decorations before Abigail left to go home and fix supper for Henry. Bundled up in her winter coat, Elizabeth said goodbye and climbed onto Sergeant to get home to do the same for Jack.
Jack saw Elizabeth approaching through the kitchen window. He met her outside to take care of Sergeant and to allow her to get inside and warm up. The winter cold had moved in quickly and had frozen most of the valley already. Snow had not yet arrived, but it could be felt in the air and they knew it would be there before they knew it; leaving a thick white blanket across the fields and roads.
"Everything ready for the party?" Jack asked as he came back into the house.
"Yes, most of it," Elizabeth answered as she held Hannah before Lee left to go back home. "She is absolutely adorable, Lee. This hair!" Elizabeth brushed Hannah's hair back away from her face.
"I know. She definitely has Rosemary's hair." Lee replied, smiling proudly.
"Yes, she does."
Elizabeth handed Hannah back to Lee and they said their goodbyes.
…..
Jack helped Elizabeth prepare supper while Joseph and Lillian played with their blocks on the floor. All of a sudden, Jack heard Elizabeth yell his name and he jumped and spun around; not knowing what to expect to see.
Elizabeth had her arms stretched out in front of her and was slowly stepping backwards. Then from around the corner, Jack saw Lillian walking toward her mother; her chubby little legs waddling back and forth.
"She's walking!" Jack exclaimed, louder than he had meant to. The sound of his voice startled Lilly and she fell back onto her bottom.
Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Lilly looked up at Elizabeth wide eyed and surprised. When she saw her momma and daddy smiling, she began to giggle. Elizabeth picked her up and held her close as she spun her around; both she and Jack were rejoicing in their daughter's newest accomplishment.
Joseph was sitting on the floor staring at them, not knowing what to think, then joined in with the laughter. Jack picked up his son and spun him around too and the family danced and laughed together until they had to stop and finish supper.
…..
Christmas had come and gone and now it was the morning of the birthday party. Elizabeth had gotten up early to begin her preparations. When Jack had finally dragged himself out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen to get some coffee, Elizabeth had already baked two batches of cookies and was starting on breakfast.
Jack walked up behind Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing the back of her neck. "Good morning, beautiful."
Elizabeth reached up behind her and touched Jack's cheek. "Good morning, handsome." She turned in his arms to face him and kissed him softly on the lips. Jack tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer against him and responded to her kiss with a much deeper one.
"Do you have anything in the oven or on the stove?" He asked with a boyish grin.
"No, not at the moment." She answered with a questioning glance.
Jack scooped her up into his arms as she squealed and began to walk toward their bedroom.
"What about the twins?" She asked him, still giggling.
"They will still be asleep for at least another hour."
Once in the room, Jack slowly lowered Elizabeth to the floor. Keeping his arm around her, he quietly closed the bedroom door.
…..
After lunch, Elizabeth and Jack took turns carrying food, decorations and gifts out to the buggy where Rosie was patiently waiting, already hitched and ready. Once everything was loaded and everyone was bundled in their warmest clothes and extra blankets, the family of four began their drive to town.
It had snowed through the night, just enough to leave a white dusting across the countryside, tree branches and rooftops. It was a beautiful wintry scene laid out before them. They rode in silence, enjoying the beautiful landscape and the occasional grunt or giggle from one the twins.
They came to a stop in front of Abigail's and unloaded the buggy. Decorations were set, food was plated and the twins were crawling all over the dining room. Lillian was trying out her new ability to walk when Abigail walked in with a large plate of oatmeal cookies.
"She's walking?" She exclaimed excitedly.
Jack had his arms out toward his daughter waiting for her to reach him before grabbing her and tossing her into the air. Her infectious laugh filled the room and others joined her.
"Yes, she just started last week and she's very proud of herself over the fact." Elizabeth answered as she walked up next to Abigail.
"Those two are growing up so fast. I can't believe they're a year old already."
"Neither can I, Abigail. Neither can I."
Henry was playing with Joseph when the rest of the guests began to arrive. Jesse, Ned and Frank joined Henry and took turns holding Joey; who was reveling in all the extra attention, completely keeping his audience entertained.
The bell over the door chimed and Rosemary and Lee walked in with Hannah. Half the guests flocked around them to get a glimpse of the newest member of Hope Valley. Rosemary, being Rosemary, loved the attention but even she had the sense to turn the attention back to the twins.
"Now, where are my favorite little birthday twins?" Rosemary said, in her natural sing-songy voice, arms outreached in front of her to scoop up the first one she came to. Lee followed behind her, carrying Hannah, proud of his wife for not hogging all the attention as she once would have done.
Elizabeth came around the corner with Lillian walking along beside her, holding onto her mother's hand for balance. Her legs still would not quite go exactly where she meant for them to, stumbling along the way, tipping over now and again.
"She's walking?" Rosemary exclaimed loudly in her high-pitched voice; being heard over everyone in the café.
"Yes, just recently." Elizabeth answered as she and Lilly approached the crowd that had gathered to watch.
"Oh, Lilly. Come see me." Rosemary reached down and picked up the happy little girl and hugged her until Lilly squirmed to get back down. After carefully lowering her to the floor, she sought out Joey for another birthday child hug.
Once all the guests had arrived, Abigail came out carrying a large, brightly colored, birthday cake with two candles; one on either half. Each half was a different color to represent each of the twins. After everyone sang the birthday song, Jack and Elizabeth helped the twins blow out their respective candles.
After a long afternoon of celebrating, visiting and playing games, the guests slowly began to depart until only the Coulters and Gowans remained with the Thorntons. The twins played with some of their new toys on the floor while the adults visited. Hannah was fast asleep in Rosemary's arms.
"You look wonderful holding a baby," Elizabeth said.
"Thank you. I was so worried about being a mom and not knowing what to do until I saw her for the first time and that all went away. I still don't know what I'm doing, but we figure it out together." She smiled at Lee.
"That we do, Dear." Lee replied, patting his wife on the arm.
The group visited for another hour before Abigail noticed the time. It's almost supper time; would you guys all like to just eat here?
"Oh, no, Abigail." Elizabeth answered. "You've already done so much today."
"Elizabeth, you know that is not a problem. I have some roast beef I can slice up and we can have sandwiches and potatoes and gravy. I'll have it all ready in no time."
With that, and not waiting for any refusals, Abigail stood and began to pull out pots and bowls to begin supper. Shortly after, Henry joined her and began helping. Jack gave Lee a sideways glance and raised his eyebrows in surprise at the change in the man that was now wearing an apron and peeling a potato.
After a wonderful dinner, The Thorntons loaded into their buggy and the Coulters loaded in their car. The sun was beginning to set and the air was getting even cooler. It had begun to develop a bite that caused an ache when it touched the skin. Elizabeth pulled the blankets tighter around the twins to keep it from reaching their faces.
Once home and the exhausted one-year olds were settled and sound asleep, Jack started a fire in the wood stove then sat on the couch with his arms wrapped around Elizabeth. Her head was resting on his shoulder as she traced circles on his arm with her finger.
"I think Joey and Lilly had a good time." Jack finally said, breaking the silence.
"Oh, yes. They did. They are loving their new toys. Especially the rocking horse from Lee and Rosemary. They will be fighting over that one."
"Yes, I'm afraid they will. I might have to make a second one just to be safe."
"That is probably a great idea." Elizabeth said as she turned on the couch to face Jack. "Thank you." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, a bit more passionate than just a quick peck.
"For what?" Jack asked with complete confusion in his hazel eyes, his brow furrowed in question.
"You have given me my perfect life. I'm a wife, a mother, a teacher; everything I've ever wanted. You support me with whatever I chose to do, you've given me two beautiful children and you are truly the love of my life."
Jack took her hands and pulled her toward him, turning her so that she could sit across his lap. He took her face in his hand and kissed her, feeling every ounce of love in his body stirring for this woman in front of him.
He pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes. "Elizabeth, you have made me the happiest that I have ever been in my life. Happier than I ever thought I could be. I never knew this was what I wanted until I met you and then I couldn't see my life going any other direction than this. You don't need to thank me for anything. I need to thank you. Thank you for showing me what life I really wanted, needed. Thank you for waiting for me to realize it. Thank you for making me a husband and a father. I love you so much."
He kissed her again, this time a short one. He awkwardly tried to stand while picking her up but all he accomplished was to knock her off his lap and onto the floor. In the midst of the laughter from them both, he pulled her to stand in front of him then took her hand, leading her into the bedroom. He led her to the edge of the bed and continued his shortened kiss, prolonging it this time. They took turns removing articles of clothing from one another, giving much attention to each other in forms of kisses and warm touches as they went. Elizabeth pulled the quilt back and climbed onto the bed, followed by Jack.
They spent the remainder of the evening in bed, exploring new facets of their love, until sleep took them both over sometime through the night.