Part 1: Chapter 43: 1888: Winnipeg,
Spring is for Celebrations
Ophelia and Archie were allowed to sleep in the next morning. Neither of their children came to wake them up.
"Da ya think they created more of a mess than we thought?" Archie asked as he looked at the clock on the mantle. Normally, by this time one or both were in their room.
"Probably," Ophelia agreed.
They got up and ready for the day. They walked into the parlor for their rooms. Colleen and Nate weren't there, but they could hear voices in the hallway. Archie and Ophelia walked out into the hallway and saw Harris and James at the top of the stairs. Both looked sleep deprived.
"How were the children?" Ophelia asked as a greeting.
Harris looked down trying not to be forced into a lie, but not sure how to be polite about the answer.
Archie and Ophelia both laughed at his reaction.
"That good, huh?" Archie teased.
"Colleen was very energetic, and Nate was trying to stop her, but they ended up in a sibling blowout," James finally answered.
"What did they break?" Archie asked.
"Just made a big mess and a few vases, nothing that can't be replaced," James said as they walked into the dining room.
Edith was sitting with Nate and Colleen.
"Did you enjoy your night?" Colleen smiled sweetly.
"We did. Were you good for your aunt and uncle?" Ophelia asked.
Colleen looked down at her plate and shook her head.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow to give her a stern look.
"We broke…" Colleen started.
"I didn't break nothing," Nate glared at his sister.
Colleen sighed.
"I broke some vases," Colleen corrected.
"How?" Ophelia asked.
"I ran into them," Colleen answered.
"What are the rules about running?" Ophelia asked.
"To not run inside," Colleen repeated.
"Why?" Ophelia asked.
"Because we can break things," Colleen added.
"So, why were you running inside?" Ophelia asked.
"But, Mama! Their house is bigger than our entire yard," Colleen protested.
"And yet you broke fragile things," Ophelia countered.
"Sorry, Auntie Edith. Sorry, Uncle Norman," Colleen said with genuine guilt in her eyes.
Both smiled at her kindly.
"What's my punishment?" Colleen asked as she looked up at her parents.
"No sweets until the end of the month," Ophelia said.
Colleen's eyes went wide in horror.
"But, Mama, Nate's birthday is in a few days!" Colleen protested.
"I'm aware," Ophelia said calmly back.
"But…" Colleen protested.
"I can make it until after your birthday?" Ophelia said as she looked at her daughter.
"NO! The end of the month is fine," Colleen said.
"I thought so," Ophelia said firmly, "and Colleen, if I find that you've been secretly eating sweets before then, it will continue past your birthday."
Colleen nodded her understanding.
"What is everyone doing today, then?" Archie asked.
"Harris has violin lesson," Edith said.
All of the Grants looked at him in surprise.
"You play?" Colleen asked curiously.
Harris only nodded.
"A little. I'm not all that good, but I have a tutor when we are in the city," Harris said.
"Why didn't you play in Red Deer?" Colleen asked.
"Seemed like another thing I didn't want to carry around. Besides it's not like having it with me would have helped. I couldn't take lessons while there," Harris said.
"But Daddy can play," Colleen said looking at her father.
It was the Normandeaus turn to be surprised.
"Do you?" Edith asked.
"A wee bit. I had to sell mine a long time ago," Archie admitted.
"Are you any good?" Harris asked.
"Depends on who ya ask. But I enjoyed playing," Archie said.
"Will you play for us, Uncle Archie?" Harris asked.
"I guarantee that what I know how to play is not what yer tutor wants ya to focus on," Archie said.
"Please!" they all looked at him imploringly.
"Alright, we'll go to yer music room," Archie said finally. The family all stood and walked to Harris' music room where there was a grand piano, a harp, and a violin. Harris opened the violin case and handed the violin and its bow to Archie. Archie put it to his chin and started tuning it. Once it was tuned, Archie started playing Irish jigs and fiddle songs. He missed a few notes, but ended up being quite proficient in it. Colleen immediately started dancing around. Since Archie was playing the fiddle, she dragged Nate around the room, as both were singing the lyrics to the songs their father had taught them.
James, Edith, and Harris were all watching in astonishment.
"Where did you learn that?" Harris asked when Archie stopped.
"I'm Irish. It's almost a law to, at the very least, to learn how to dance. Playing an instrument was just as important," Archie said simply with a teasing wink in his eye.
"What else is important to the Irish?" Harris asked.
"Well, we like to have a good time, hence the music and dancing and drinking. We're also good storytellers, like to talk," Archie said.
"With the exception of drinking, you're a walking Irish stereotype," James observed as he looked Archie in the eye. Archie laughed boisterously.
"I would say more proud of me culture. And we can says the same about you, James. Very stiff upper lip," Archie said, his blue eyes meeting James' grey ones in challenge.
"That's true," James allowed with a small smile back.
"Will you teach me?" Harris asked.
Archie agreed.
This led to the Grants teaching the Normandeaus Irish dances while Archie taught Harris how to fiddle. Harris took to fiddling much more quickly than playing the classical music his violin tutor had him practice.
"MAMA! DADDY! UNCLE JAMES! AUNTIE EDITH! HARRIS! AUNTIE REGINA! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! IT'S NATE'S BIRTHDAY!" Colleen shouted very early on Nate's birthday.
Archie groaned and pulled his arm over his eyes.
"I had thought with the size of this house that Colleen wouldn't be able to wake us up so early, but she managed it," Archie grumbled.
Ophelia chuckled.
"Take Nate while I get Colleen?" Ophelia said as she got out of their bed.
Archie mumbled his affirmative.
Ophelia then put a robe on and walked out to get her daughter.
"Colleen, the other members of this family aren't used to your early birthday wake-up calls," Ophelia said firmly as she met her daughter in the hallway.
"But Nate turns 5! It's a big deal," Colleen said as they saw a bleary eyed Harris and James stumbling sleepily towards them.
"Is everything all right?" James asked.
"Yes. Colleen just really likes birthdays. Say sorry to Edith and Regina for us," Ophelia explained.
"Mother was already awake. She wants to go downstairs," Harris rolled his eyes.
Ophelia also rolled hers.
"We'll meet you downstairs," Ophelia said as she grabbed her underdressed daughter and led her back into their rooms.
Archie was just finishing putting Nate in his clothes, all of which were too short in length, when Ophelia and Colleen entered again.
"Daddy's and Nate's hair are bad today," Colleen said.
Both were sticking straight up.
"I don't know about that. I thought we could match," Archie winked at his son.
Nate just smiled.
"Please don't," Colleen shook her head as she glared at both of them.
Ophelia nodded in agreement.
Once everyone was dressed and ready, they met the other members of the family in the parlor. Edith looked a little sleep deprived, but she also wouldn't be anywhere else.
"Happy birthday, Nate," he was greeted by several voices as he was put down on the ground.
"Wow, you've grown a lot," Edith commented when she saw the lengths of his sleeves and pants.
Ophelia just nodded sadly.
"I'm going to be in the kitchen making the rolls," Ophelia said.
"You know Rachel is more than happy to…" Edith started before she was cut off by Colleen's glare and effusive headshake.
"Mama's are the best! It has to be Mama!" Colleen stated firmly.
"She's right," Archie agreed.
"I like to bake, Edith," Ophelia reminded her.
Edith nodded.
"We'll keep these two entertained," Edith said as she looked at Colleen and Nate with affection.
"I think it's more accurate that they will keep us entertained," Regina added.
Ophelia nodded before walking to the kitchen where she would spend her morning baking cinnamon rolls and Nate's birthday cake. When breakfast was ready, the family got called into the dinning room and found several types of cinnamon rolls plated across the long table. Ophelia, Rachel, Sally, and Molly were already sitting down. Each member enjoyed their breakfast and the company. Regina couldn't have any, but she watched as Harris was a little less polite wolfing down his and enjoying it.
"So, how do you normally spend Nate's birthday?" Regina asked as they were all finishing up.
"Archie takes him fishing. Colleen and I make his cake," Ophelia answered.
"How are we doing his birthday, today? Colleen is right; 5 is a big deal," Edith said softly.
Archie and Ophelia looked at each other.
"The cake is already baking," Ophelia added.
Colleen gasped and glared at her.
"Because I figured you would want to spend time with your aunts," Ophelia said.
Colleen thought about it and nodded.
"We were thinking about opening his presents in the morning and letting him play with them before dinner and dessert," Ophelia added.
The others agreed. The family all went into the parlor where Nate was supposed to open his presents. Ophelia and Archie sat next to him as the staff started bringing out where they had hidden Nate's presents.
"Are they all for me?" Nate asked as the pile was continuing to grow.
The adults all nodded.
"Wow!" Nate said in amazement as he looked up at the pile.
"Well, I don't know about Auntie Edith and Uncle James, but Harris and I feel like we have five years of birthdays and Christmases to make up for," Regina said.
"One would've been fine, Auntie Gina," Nate said as his blue eyes met her grey ones.
Regina smiled affectionately back.
"I know, but I want to be able to spoil you at least once," Regina said back.
Nate walked around the pile to where Regina was sitting and climbed carefully into her lap.
"Thank you, Auntie Gina! I love you," Nate said as he hugged her across her stomach.
"I love you, too, little one," Regina whispered as her tears threatened to overcome her.
The others in the room all unconsciously decided that they wouldn't interrupt this moment. Nate finally pulled back and smiled up at her again. Then he walked back to his presents. Then he dug into the top boxes. He opened several new outfits with long hems from Regina and Harris. Ophelia had knitted him a matching forest green scarf and mittens, also big. Then he got down to the bigger presents.
"Wow! A rocking horse!" Nate exclaimed as say on it and started rocking back and forth.
The adults all laughed.
"What are you going to name him?" Colleen asked.
"This is Winston," Nate said.
"That's a horrible name for a horse," Colleen argued.
They glared at each other.
"But it's your horse," Colleen conceded.
Nate beamed and rocked back and forth for a bit.
Nate then went into opening the books Regina had James buy. Some were in the foreign languages Edith had taught him. One was Irish fairy tales in Irish. The others were a mixture of non-fiction and fiction titles that were popular and age appropriate.
"These won't fit in our house," Nate observed as he looked at his books.
"Uncle James and I will keep whichever ones you can't fit in our house," Edith said.
Nate smiled in thanks.
Nate then opened Archie's gift. Archie had made a tackle box for Nate to go with his fishing pole.
"Thanks, Daddy!" Nate said as he gave his father a hug.
"Yer welcome, me boy," Archie said as he enjoyed the hug.
Nate then opened Colleen's present which was a bag of carrots. Nate looked confused for a moment, then realized that they were meant to be shared with General. Nate smiled at her. Colleen looked like she knew something that he didn't.
"Thanks everyone, I like them lots," Nate said from his mother's lap once all the presents had been opened.
"We have one more for you, Nate. It's from Uncle James and I, but the size and shape is a bit obvious. We decided to give it to you last," Edith said.
James stood and walked to a closet before Ophelia covered Nate's eyes with her hands. He heard his uncle set down the heavy object and get it placed just right. Then he heard the people in the room rearrange themselves so that they could all see Nate's reaction to this present.
Finally, Ophelia pulled off her hands. Nate looked around to the beaming faces of his family and then looked down. The new item was a brand new, finely polished, children's saddle. In the soft brown leather the words Nathan Grant were etched into the back. He gently touched the soft leather around his name.
"Your father and I are giving you riding lessons," James said.
Nate's eyes went to his dad and then his aunt and uncle. All nodded. Nate threw himself into Edith's and James' laps and hugged them tightly around their waist.
"Thank you so much! This is the best birthday present!" Nate said with a lot of emotion. Nate was looking at the saddle in awe.
"I have to go tell General!" Nate realized as he grabbed the carrots and ran off to the barn where General was being cared for.
"I told you he would run off to General first," Colleen's voice trailed after him.
The adults all laughed.
Archie and James followed Nate to make sure he didn't hurt himself. They found him already inside General's stall.
"I got a saddle, General," Nate said as he stroked General's long nose. General looked very excited and more than pleased at this news.
"General is a bit too big for your height to start to learn how to ride, Nate," James said softly.
The glare General gave James was withering.
"Oi! Don't give me that look. There are grown men who can't ride you," James defended this decision.
Nate and General both looked at Archie.
"He's right ya know. You'll start your lessons on Galileo," Archie said as he pointed to James.
Both Nate and General pouted.
"This is, of course, only to learn how to ride by yourself. You can still ride with me," James looked at Nate. Nate nodded, understanding that General was a big horse.
"But General wouldn't hurt me," Nate protested, trying one last time. General nodded in agreement.
"Maybe not intentionally. But even I have fallen off of him, and I can say with absolute certainty, that it is a long and hard fall to the ground when you do. You need to be a bit older and your bones less fragile before you can ride General by yourself," James explained.
They eventually agreed. Nate gave General is usually carrots. Then they went back inside where the women had already set up the gear to take Nate fishing.
Nate beamed at being able to go. The men and boys trekked to the pond on the land, followed by Sirius. They spent the afternoon fishing and teaching Harris about the different types of casting. Archie was telling stories as they fished. Harris was actually the first one to catch a fish, which surprised everyone and none more so than Harris himself. Archie and James told him about releasing the fish if it was able to go back into the water if they didn't need it for dinner, which they didn't.
The males returned without any fish being brought back, but not for a lack of catching them. They were all happy at a gentle day spent out of doors. The females had all rested and spent a nice afternoon relaxing and decorating Nate's cake.
After their nice family meal, with all of Nate's favorites, Rachel brought out Nate's birthday cake and 5 candles. It was decorated in greens with a "Happy Birthday, Nate," spelled out on the top. They lit the candles, and Nate took in a deep breath to blow them out. They went out easily.
The family served up the cake and everyone ate happily.
The next morning the family all gathered in Regina's room for their normal morning greeting. The day before had been hard on her, and it showed.
"Happy New Year!" Colleen said happily once everyone was present.
"It's April," Harris said in confusion.
"It's our family new year," Colleen pointed out like everyone else was being slow for not realizing it. They all looked at each other and nodded at that.
"Does that mean we're going to celebrate New Year every April 19th at 1:05 p.m.?" Archie asked with a twinkle to his eye.
"I think life will get in the way with the 1:05 part," Ophelia pointed out.
"Doesn't mean we can't celebrate the day, though," Edith argued back. "All in favor of making April 19th an official Wainscott/Normandeau/Grant holiday, say ay."
Everyone agreed, no one was louder than Colleen.
"Alright so how do we celebrate this, then?" James asked.
"Any traditions in your family for New Years?" Ophelia asked back.
Regina and James made eye contact.
"Ummm…not child friendly ones," Regina said.
"No, definitely not," James agreed.
Archie gave a teasing glance at the two.
"I guess the stereotypes for higher circle parties are well earned?" Archie teased.
Regina and James both nodded.
"What about the two of you?" Edith asked.
"With the kids, we sleep through it," Archie said.
"What about before the kids?" James asked.
"Archie went out, while I slept through it," Ophelia admitted.
"That doesn't surprise any of us," Regina said.
Ophelia blushed as she looked down.
"I've never liked going out," Ophelia added.
"Still not surprising," Regina teased.
Ophelia just nodded.
"What about since you two have been married?" Archie directed his question at the Normandeau couple.
"Edith sleeps through it," James winked at his wife.
The others just started laughing.
"James is on duty," Edith added.
"I bet that keeps ya on yer toes," Archie said.
James nodded.
"So much fun," James said sarcastically.
"When we were young, my family had a thing with New Years. We would go around the breakfast table and say the three best and the three worst things that happened over the year, and what we were looking forward to the upcoming year. But it was also a bit of a challenge, because we couldn't repeat what anyone else had said," Ophelia said.
"I like that," Edith said.
The others agreed.
The family grabbed some scrap paper and went to making their own lists, but they all began to realize that all of their worst things led in some way to their best things, and their lists were very similar.
"Alright, I think we may have to bend the rules a bit this year," Edith said as the family congregated around Regina's bed.
"Who goes first?" Regina asked.
"Can I?" Colleen asked smiling sweetly.
They all agreed.
"The worst thing this year was getting sick. But the best thing was getting close to Uncle James and Auntie Edith," Colleen said. "I look forward to more time spent with them."
Everyone smiled at her.
Nate went next.
"My worst thing was being hurt. My best thing is getting my saddle. I look forward to riding General."
The adults all laughed at this response.
"The worst things for me was losing both of my parents. But that was offset by the saving of every other family member's life, so thank you," Ophelia said as she looked at Edith and James. "I look forward to a less stressful year."
They all cheered at that.
"I'm not sure what exactly I can label as my personal worst, because so much of it would have been worst if it had happened on its own. But even with all of that, I am glad that we have family near enough to help," Archie said as he met their eyes. "I look forward to having these celebrations every year."
The others nodded in agreement.
"There is always a lot of bad in my years, with being a career soldier; I see horrible things almost every day. This year's bad seemed exponentially so. But we are a family and the time we spend together eases my soul," James said.
Edith nodded in agreement with that.
"My worst experience, was April 18th of 1887. I was lonely, depressed, stuck in a rut. Then on April 19th, was the beginning of the best year of my life, because, even though so many bad things were happening, Nate brought me companionship, perspective, and unconditional love, and he brought the rest of you. This was a learning experience for everyone. The lesson is that we aren't meant to be alone. We've been surviving, but you gave us the will to actually live. This is something that we can never repay you for," Edith said emotionally as she looked at the Grants.
"I'm pretty sure the saving our lives tally is on yer end," Archie said.
Ophelia nodded.
"You've given me hope," Edith said firmly.
Ophelia just stood up to hug her. Both were crying. When they finally separated, Harris and Regina took their turns.
"The worst thing for me is being diagnosed with this issue, but it brought about the best, which was meeting my father's family and being welcomed with open arms by everyone left who is worth knowing. Mother had warned me that I may have had to manage my expectations in meeting all of you. It has been better than I expected, though," Harris said.
"The worst thing for me was my realizing how much I let my fears of not being accepted by the Harris family or by either of you. The time we didn't get to spend together before now is what I regret. But I am grateful to all of you and how much you've done to accept us and love us," Regina added with a breathless wheeze at the end.
"What are you looking forward to?" Colleen asked.
"Celebrating James and Edith's wedding anniversary with them, since I wasn't at their wedding, and celebrating your birthday of course," Regina added with a soft look to Colleen.
"When's their anniversary?" Colleen asked.
"On May 1st," Edith answered.
Ophelia and Archie both looked at them in surprise.
"What do ya do?" Archie asked.
"I take a day off. We exchange gifts. Celebrate with each other," James said as he looked at his wife.
"So besides taking a day off, it is a normal day for ya," Archie said, his eyes twinkling.
"We make it special," Edith said.
"How?" Ophelia asked back. "Archie may be teasing you, but he's right. You both go out of your way to make everyday special for each other."
Edith and James looked at each other, but they both nodded at the observation.
"Seems like we owe ya a few good ones since ya missed last year's," Archie said.
"You don't need to do anything," Edith said.
Ophelia just glared at her to stay quiet.
So the Grants and Wainscotts went about planning an anniversary celebration for Edith and James. Since Edith couldn't go out, they planned for everything to happen inside the house.
On May 3rd, Edith and James were served a special breakfast prepared by Rachel and opened their anniversary cards made by the kids.
That afternoon, Edith got ready in Regina's room. Edith was much fussier and more meticulous about her wig and make-up.
Ophelia shook her head at her and the length of time it was taking.
"Mother always said that every lady has an ugly face until make-up is put on. And there is no hiding my level of ugly completely. It only makes it more bearable," Edith defended herself.
"The more I learn about your mothers, the more I don't like them," Ophelia said with crossed arms. "I don't think that you've ever been as ugly as you claim."
Regina and Edith shared a look, both knowing that their mothers had both been cruel in their own ways.
"We are more self-critical. But I imagine that our reasons for completing our daily dolling up, is similar to your reasons that you think you're plain," Regina had managed to hit a spot with Ophelia.
She nodded.
"It was when I was a teenager. The first dance I was allowed to go to. I had begged for this beautiful red dress. My mother kept saying 'no, we can't afford it.' Which I knew was true, but my father and Nathan worked extra hours and odd jobs to buy it for me. So, I got ready and we went to the dance. Nathan started mingling with his friends, and I stood awkwardly at the punch bowl. The three prettiest girls in class approached me and started saying things like 'it looks like Ophie is trying to fit in for once,' 'it won't work, Ophie, we know who you are, really awkward,'" Ophelia admitted with the voices from her past trauma.
She paused before continuing.
"But the worst was the meanest girl in school. She came up to me and scoffed and said loud enough for everyone to hear, 'Ophelia Harris, you and that dress were made for each other, both are perfectly plain and boring. But you should do us all a favor and hang yourself with it!'"
Edith and Regina both gasped in horror.
"I managed to keep my tears at bay until Nathan got me a few streets down. Then he had to hold me up as we walked home," Ophelia added. "When we got home and Nathan had to explain why we were home so early and why I was crying so hard, my mother piped up that no amount of make-up and fancy dress will change how plain I am. That I needed to accept that being plain is all I will be, and there is nothing wrong with that."
Edith and Regina had their hands over their mouths.
"I cried myself to sleep. We sold the dress. Nathan gave mother the silent treatment for a long time, but I decided that if my own mother said it, it must be true, and I stopped trying to do anything that wasn't for a practical reason. I mean that was part of my nature anyway," Ophelia said.
"Ophelia, you must know that the girls involved were jealous of how pretty you can be without the excess of product," Regina said.
Ophelia shook her head.
"No, hear me out. Yes, your style is simple, but that doesn't mean you aren't pretty. I would have killed for your long thick hair. We know how good you look with your ruby brooch. Red is a good color on you. As a teenager, and as much as it pains me to admit this, I would have been that same girl because you had shown up looking more beautiful than me without the same effort," Regina said as she took Ophelia's hand.
"She's right," Edith added.
"I don't know why Wilma spouted that off, because she said the entire time they were here how pretty she always thought you were," Regina also added.
"She never said that to me," Ophelia said through her tears.
"Do you remember the first time you were told you were beautiful?" Regina asked.
Ophelia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Yes. Archie was the first, and I called him a liar," Ophelia said. "It was also the topic of our first fight."
Edith and Regina both shook their heads at that.
"Really?" Edith asked in surprise.
Ophelia only nodded.
"You aren't wrong often, but you are in this case," Edith said.
"The same can be said of you," Ophelia gave her a pointed look.
Edith shook her head.
"You both are. You both are also very lucky to be married to handsome men who are still completely in love with you," Regina reminded them both.
Edith and Ophelia both looked at her in shame for not thinking about how long she had been on her own.
"Your husbands know how beautiful you both are," Regina added.
"Was," Edith breathed.
"Edith, if James were that shallow, he NEVER would have married you in the first place. May I remind you that you weren't courting when you got hurt. But he rushed back when he thought he was going to lose you. He absolutely doesn't care about your physical marks," Regina gave Edith a reprimanding look.
Edith tried to argue, but found she couldn't.
"What the two of you have is special and unique, and I'm sorry it took so long to figure it out," Regina's voice cracked then.
"Oh Regina," Edith said as she grasped her other hand.
"So let's finish getting you ready, because I only have one chance to celebrate with everyone," Regina said as she gave her a small glare.
Edith nodded. She sat back at the table, and they finished her wig, make-up, and jewelry. She then got into a classic midnight blue evening dress with beading up and down the length that let it sparkle slightly.
Soon after Edith was ready, James knocked on Regina's door to pick up his wife. The women in the room got to see his reaction to seeing Edith. His eyes went wide in surprise, love, and then happiness before he bent over and pulled her into a kiss.
"I've missed being able to do that whenever I want," James whispered as they pulled apart.
"Well, if I'm being honest, it was something I missed as well," Edith looked up at him.
"Does this mean you are going without your veil?" James asked.
"I'm trying. Regina reminded me that you've never cared, and the Grants don't seem to mind dealing with it," Edith said with her eyes darting down.
James finally looked up at his sister and Ophelia Grant.
"I have been telling you this for years, and the Grants have been telling you that for a year, and it takes Regina saying something for it to get through to you?" James asked in astonishment and a little anger.
"I think it's because she didn't approve before," Edith admitted.
James just shook his head and then kissed the top of hers. He escorted her to Edith's parlor where Nate, Colleen, Archie, and Harris had been working on decorating the room for their dinner. They had made it look like a private society restaurant. Edith and James both chuckled at the place settings (a few pieces were in the wrong spots, but they just quietly moved them).
Archie came in wearing his dress shirt and pants carrying a wine bottle and wearing an apron. His eyes twinkled at the movement of the place settings.
"Colleen and Nate both insisted, but Nate put them out like he does at our house, and Colleen followed behind, to correct what she knew, but I knew she missed some," Archie whispered.
"The dears," Edith's face lit up with love for her niece and nephew.
"Rachel has instructed the kitchen staff to make some dishes that my Irish tongue can't pronounce, and Harris is providing ya with yer dining entertainment," Archie said softly.
James laughed.
Archie poured their drinks expertly.
"I feel like you've done this before," Edith said.
"Many times," Archie confirmed with a wink, and then left them to drink while he went to check on their dinner.
Harris knocked and entered with his violin and sheet music.
He set himself in a corner to be out of their way, and started playing softly. Archie brought their first course and served them, and then retreated back.
They ate the first few bites and enjoyed the excellent food.
"This is a nice gift," Edith said as she looked around. "It's been awhile since I have even pretended to be in a restaurant."
James flushed.
"I'm sorry for not thinking of it. It would be fairly easy to do," James said as he looked around.
"That wasn't a criticism or a hint. You do a lot every day to make me feel loved and cherished. For a soldier you're a very passionate man," Edith said.
"Only for those I care about," James said with a blush.
"You love deeply, though," Edith insisted.
James just nodded at the observation.
"What exactly did Regina say about us that made you go veil less tonight?" James asked.
It was Edith's turn to become uncomfortable.
"We were discussing Ophelia's and my self-consciousness about our appearance. She reminded us that both you and Archie were obviously still in love with us, and we should be thankful for that. She also said that you both know how beautiful we are, and I made a comment of 'was,'" Edith explained to her salad plate.
She looked up hesitantly. James was annoyed with her comment like normal.
"Regina then went into a lecture about how if you had cared about my physical looks we wouldn't have ever been married in the first place," Edith added.
"She's right, though," James said as he gave her a long look.
"I know that. But in thinking about everything you've done for me, and everything you still do to make sure I'm comfortable and able to survive, you've given up a lot," Edith choked.
"What exactly have I given up?" James asked in surprise.
"A normal wife who can attend your outside celebrations, and…and…and children. You've always been good with them, and seeing you with Nate and Colleen has to have made you aware of what we don't have. Do you ever regret choosing me?" Edith asked with tears in her eyes.
James looked at her in offense. He dismissed Harris and waited for him to leave before responding.
"Edith, look at me and listen to my words. I am only saying this once! You're assuming that I could have fallen in love with someone else. But I have been in love with you for so long, and I didn't realize it when it started. I am not the type of man who would have married for anything less. If I hadn't had the courage to go back and check on you, I'm quite certain that I wouldn't have gotten married at all. And yes, it hurts sometimes to have to give up Nate and Colleen when they go home, but I can also see that not being a mother hurts you just as much. But I also knew that this would be a struggle before I asked you to marry me," James said with his piercing grey eyes.
"What do you mean?" Edith asked.
"I knew that it was going to take you time to recover, and you would never recover completely. I knew that we would struggle. I had been through all of our potential problems at the time and knew that even with everything we were going to face and our battles in getting you healthy, I knew before I proposed that you were the only woman I wanted by my side, and you were the only one I could picture as the mother of my children. I chose us because I didn't want anyone else, Edith," James said with passion.
Edith had tears in her eyes.
"You've always encouraged me to be a mother, especially in the beginning," Edith whispered. "I had no idea that you thought it was a problem."
James grabbed her hands and kissed them.
"Not an insurmountable one. I've always said that it is your choice. I stand by that," James said in his soft but firm manner.
Edith smiled at him.
"James?" Edith said as she looked at her husband.
"Yes?" James replied.
"When things are a bit less topsy turvey and everyone is a bit more settled, I think….I think…I want to adopt children," Edith said.
There were things they would need to discuss in more length before the adoption search could even begin, but James' wide smile and glistening eyes were all Edith needed to see that night.
The next day, Edith had asked Ophelia to talk with her. The women went into the kitchen to prep for Colleen's birthday (this was, of course, more Ophelia prepping and Edith sitting in a chair across from her).
"James and I decided we're adopting," Edith said.
Ophelia stopped what she was doing and gave her a long look.
"Meaning that you've finally decided and told him," Ophelia commented.
Edith nodded.
Ophelia gave her a smug look.
"Not right away, but I voiced that I want to adopt," Edith added.
Ophelia stopped again and raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?" Ophelia asked.
"I feel like we need to deal with Regina and Harris first. Our lives have enough problems as it is, I don't want to add more to it," Edith admitted.
Ophelia took a moment to process her answer.
"Edith, in my experience life will never be problem free, and there is always some excuse not to do something. Don't limit your timeline just because you think you need to be at your best," Ophelia said.
"I just don't want to hurt any potential child because it was too soon," Edith admitted.
"That's reasonable, but Nate was thrust onto a few times and you did just fine," Ophelia said with a smile.
"We always knew that Nate was coming from and being returned to a loving home. Somehow, I think that the orphans we will be looking at will be a little more rough," Edith said.
"Also, fair," Ophelia nodded as she went back to mixing Colleen's cinnamon rolls.
"MAMA! DADDY! UNCLE JAMES! AUNTIE EDITH! AUNTIE REGINA! HARRIS! WAKE-UP! WAKE-UP!" Colleen yelled early on her birthday.
"It's your birthday!" James said scooping her up into his arms. Knowing that this was a thing, the rest of the family had been more prepared.
"Yup!" Colleen beamed happily in his arms.
He could hear the other Grants slowly moving about in their rooms, when he returned Colleen to her family to get dressed.
"Sor'y," Archie mumbled as he grabbed Colleen and gave her a look.
"No need to be. We're prepared for today. And as it is a princess's birthday, she should be able to mostly do what she wants," James smiled at Colleen.
Colleen beamed at him and followed her father into their rooms to get ready for breakfast.
The family regrouped at the breakfast table where they scarfed down Ophelia's cinnamon rolls, and then went into the parlor to open Colleen's massive pile of presents.
Colleen was eagerly bouncing between the different adults in the room. Her smile never left her face.
"Can I open them now?" Colleen asked not one second after her family had taken their seats.
"I think it might actually do some damage if we said 'no,'" Archie stage whispered as he teased his daughter.
"She does seem quite bouncy," James added.
"Go ahead," Ophelia said, and before she had finished the last sound of that sentence Colleen had torn into her presents.
She was opening pretty dresses in just a size above hers so that she would grow into it. She then opened some books as well, and smiled at their titles. Ophelia's gift were school and playing clothes. Archie had made her a wooden jewelry box. Then she got to the large presents underneath a large blanket. Colleen circled both before picking the first and pulled off the blanket to her doll house. The house was made to look exactly like the house they were in. She opened the front and saw the dolls inside. Each one had a matching dress to one of her own. Colleen gasped in awe as she took in her new dolls and the doll house.
"Thank you, Auntie Regina," Colleen said as she looked through the house. Regina smiled and nodded.
Colleen then opened her last present, which revealed itself to be an easel with every art tool a child could grow with.
"Auntie Edith, are you going to teach me?" Colleen asked.
"I thought I already had been?" Edith teased.
Colleen nodded.
"But yes, we felt you need your own tools," Edith said.
Colleen beamed.
"This has been the best birthday! And not just because of the presents. We're family!" Colleen said excitedly as she went to hug everyone who was there.
The family all agreed, and they spent the afternoon having a tea party.
The cake for dessert was decorated in purple with pink lettering saying, "Happy Birthday, Colleen!" with seven lit candles.
Colleen blew them out easily.
The Grants followed Regina into her bedroom that night to say goodnight.
Nate and Colleen were both sitting on either side of her, and looking happily up at her with love and thanks.
"Thanks for the presents, Auntie Regina," Colleen said.
"Sleep well, Auntie Gina," Nate said.
Both went in for a hug. Regina wrapped both of her arms around them, kissing the tops of their heads.
"You're both so special. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise," Regina whispered as she cried. Both nodded in her arms. "I love you both so much."
"We love you too, Auntie Gina," Nate said softly.
Colleen nodded. Then Archie took them away to be put to bed.
"Daddy, why is everyone crying?" Colleen asked in a whisper as they went to their side of the house.
"Sometimes, people need to cry," Archie said.
Sorry for how long it took to update this chapter, but I dreaded finishing it with what is happening next. Thanks for the positive feedback!