Chapter 5

John and Anna gathered all of the children and took them to the hospital for a visit with Dr. Clarkson. With them living in the orphanage and not knowing much about their lives before then, John and Anna wanted to make sure that the children were healthy and if there were any issues that they could catch them early.

When they entered the room, Freddie, Joshua, and Liam all clung to Anna's skirts. They dipped their heads against her and held onto her tightly, looking up every once in a while at the new man before them.

Dr. Clarkson bent down to their level and gave them a gentle smile.

"Good morning," he brightly said to them. The boys only dug their hands deeper into the fabric.

"You can start with Nora," John suggested. He held the baby girl within his arms. Anna still couldn't get over how wonderful of a sight it was to see. Her worries that John couldn't love a child that wasn't biologically theirs had been unwarranted. He already loved all of these children. They were now theirs.

Dr. Clarkson took the baby and gave her a simple examination. While he did so, both Anna and John showed the young boys what he was doing and how there was nothing to be afraid of. Natalie stood away in the corner, her arms wrapped firmly across her chest, almost defiantly. Anna worried that she would be their toughest when it came time for her to see the doctor. However, she actually offered to go second for the boys to see that it wasn't scary.

"See," she told them, climbing up onto the table. Natalie went on to explain what all was happening and the boys watched with great curiosity. Anna smiled. Natalie was a great big sister. But then Anna's lips fell slightly. This was likely because Natalie had always had to take care of her siblings and was more of a parent to them than a sister. Anna and John would have to make sure that she got to be a child.

After Dr. Clarkson checked over all the children, he sent them to play in a small area and had John and Anna come to his office. It made Anna nervous leaving the children alone. They were still learning their personalities and didn't know how they would be by themselves, though she knew that Natalie would make sure they were all alright.

"They all are healthy, a little underweight, but I know that after they spend a while with you two they will be right where they need to be," Dr. Clarkson began. "The oldest boy…."

"Joshua?"

"Yes, he needs glasses. We can get those ordered today. And the girl…"

"Natalie?" John asked, he shifted Nora in his arms.

"I assume she'll be starting school, soon?"

"Yes," Anna answered. "I thought we'd give her a couple weeks to adjust and then start her at the local school."

"I might not wait too long," Dr. Clarkson replied. "Children adjust better than we expect them to."

"Is there anything else?"

"No," Dr. Clarkson said. "We'll order Joshua's glasses and they will be here in a few weeks. These children are lucky to have you."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

As per Dr. Clarkson's suggestion, Anna and John decided to start Natalie in school the following Monday. Anna combed and plaited Natalie's hair, before tying matching bows at the ends of each plait.

"You look beautiful," Anna gushed. The little girl inhaled sharply and clutched the small lunch bag in her hands.

"Do I have to go?"

"Oh, you are going to have so much fun!" Anna encouraged. Sadly, John was at work, so it was up to Anna to send Natalie off to school. John wanted to be here, but he had already taken so many days off when they first got the children. It was now time for them to get into their everyday routine. "Mr. Tom and Sybbie will be here soon. You'll be able to walk with Sybbie every morning."

Natalie sighed. "What if she's mean?"

"She's not," Anna promised. "But if anyone is mean to you, please tell me or John."

Natalie didn't answer and then there was a knock at the door.

Anna glanced around the room to make sure the younger children were alright and then walked Natalie over to the front door. There stood Tom with a bright smile and Sybbie with an even brighter one.

"Hello!" Sybbie greeted. "Dad told me you are my new friend." She grinned.

Natalie inched closer to Anna and gave a small nod.

"Thank you," Anna said to Tom, "for taking Natalie to school today. I would love to, but I would have to carry the other five children."

Tom shook his head, "It's no problem, right Sybbie?"

"And every day after today, I'll walk with you Natalie," Sybbie went on to add. "My dad even said you could come over to play sometimes after school, if you'd like."

"Oh that's nice, isn't it?" Anna asked down to Natalie. She nodded again and stepped forward.

"You want to play with me?"

"Of course!"

"Ah," Tom broke in, "Already best of friends. Come on Natalie, tell your mum goodbye."

Anna's breath hitched in her throat at being called Natalie's mum. She couldn't wait for the day that all of the children began to call her and John mum and papa. But she would be patient.

"Bye," Natalie quietly said. She stepped forward and took Sybbie's outstretched hand. Then Anna watched happily, as she saw the two of them making their way to school. Yes, this would be good for her.

Anna then turned and opened the door to find Liam on the floor in a pile of flour. Her jaw dropped. He laughed, grabbing a large handful and throwing it up in the air. Both Freddie and Johnny stood nearby, curious.

"Wait!" Anna called out, rushing forward. She quickly lifted up Johnny and pulled Freddie back from the mess. She turned to find Joshua just sitting on the settee shrugging his shoulders. Anna sighed. Today was going to be a long day.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

By the time Tom and Sybbie were bringing Natalie back home from school, Anna was exhausted. She had caught Liam in the middle of multiple situations throughout the day, with the two youngest trying to join in. Even when she tried to watch him carefully, it somehow happened. She would turn around for just one moment and when she was turned back, there would be a new mess around Liam.

All of the children were sitting at the table when she walked outside to meet them. Natalie was smiling and she gave Sybbie a hug before saying goodbye and heading into the house.

"Thank you," Anna breathed, hoping to get back inside quickly. Tom eyed her worriedly.

"Is everything alright?"

"I….well, it seems I don't have as good a handle on this parenting as I thought. Liam is getting into everything." Tom chuckled.

"Ah, they are comfortable with you now."

"What?"

"At first, they didn't know anything about you or your husband, so they had to be careful about how they acted – they didn't want to be sent away again. But now, they know they are safe with you. It's a good thing, Anna." Tom winked. "We best be off."

Sybbie walked up to Anna and tugged at her hand.

"Yes?"

"May Natalie come and play tomorrow after school?"

"Sure."

"Thanks! See you tomorrow!"

Anna laughed as the two of them walked away. Then she panicked, remembering that the children had been left alone. But thankfully, when she entered the cottage, all of the children were still at the table eating.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

That night, after the children were in bed, Anna climbed into her shared bed with John. He was still at work and she missed him all the more. But she was tired and she fell asleep within a minute or laying her head on the pillow.

When John slid into the bed hours later, she woke and turned to him. He kissed the top of her head.

"Go back to sleep, my darling."

"I think it's time," Anna sleepily said to him.

"Time for what?"

"To find our hotel," she answered. "I miss you too much during the day. The children miss you, too."

John's hand came up to brush against her cheek and he smiled, "I'd been thinking so, as well. Let's begin our search."

Anna contently sighed and John kissed her cheek, "But for now, go to sleep, my darling. Tomorrow will be another long day."

To be continued...