Hi Hearties! Here is another quick story that came to me a couple of days ago. Our cat just had kittens and I feel like it's been a long time since we have seen any of the Hope Valley residents with a pet. So I decided to expand the Grant family a little more ;)
Hope you all enjoy it!
Allie burst through the front door.
"Mom!… Dad!" She exclaimed excitedly between breaths.
Nathan was finishing up the last of the lunch dishes as Elizabeth was buttoning up Jack's new shirt. They both looked at her with slight concern.
"Allie?" Elizabeth said.
"Is everything alright?" Nathan added in question.
Allie was still breathing heavily. "Everything is fine…" She walked over to the couch next to her mother and slumped down. Nathan and Elizabeth watched her in anticipation. "Robert's cat had kittens!" She continued with a smile.
"And that's why you nearly gave us both heart attacks?" Nathan asked Allie joshingly as he walked over to where they were sitting.
Elizabeth looked from Nathan over to Allie and raised her eyebrows in question.
Noticing the look on her parent's faces, Allie proceeded, "Well… He asked if I wanted to take one home and I said I would ask you." Allie's eyes darted between Elizabeth's face and Nathan's.
"I had a suspicion," Nathan said with a smirk. Elizabeth smiled and looked up at Nathan who was standing next to her. They exchanged knowing glances.
"I would take care of it myself. You would barely have to do anything. It would teach me to be responsible..." Allie continued, trying to convince her parents. Not that they needed much convincing.
"We know you are responsible Allie." Elizabeth said, suppressing a smile.
"Tell you what..." Nathan began, "If it's okay with Elizabeth, and you promise to take care of it. It's okay with me." He said with a smile.
"Oh, thank you, Dad!" Allie jumped up and hugged Nathan tightly around his waist.
Nathan laughed and laid a hand gently on his daughters' back. "Okay. I have to go, do my rounds and talk to Judge Avery. I'll be home in time for dinner." Nathan said as he watched Allie go over to Elizabeth and hug her as well. Walking behind the couch, Nathan stopped, leaned over and gave his wife a kiss before heading out the door.
"Bye!" He said with a quick wave and a grin at Elizabeth.
"Bye," Elizabeth responded.
"Bye Dad!" Allie said with a big smile.
Later, Elizabeth, Jack and Allie walked down the dusty road towards the Wolf's homestead.
"Hi!" Robert exclaimed at the sight of the trio. He was crouching near a basket by the front door.
"Hi!" Allie responded as she skipped towards Robert.
"Hi, Mrs. Grant! Hey, Jack!" Robert said as Elizabeth walked over with little Jack.
"Hi, Robert! I hear you have some kittens for us to look at." Elizabeth said with a smile.
"Sure do!" Robert responded proudly.
He crouched down near the basket where Allie was 'awwing' over the kittens. He picked up a little calico kitten with black, white and orange markings and held it out to Elizabeth. Elizabeth took the little kitten in her hands and held it gently towards her chest. She couldn't help but smile at the delicate little fur ball near her heart. Animals have such a calming presence. Elizabeth thought as she stroked the kitten in her hands. She held the kitten out so that Jack could take a look at it as well. Its tiny meows drew Allie's attention as well.
"Oh, that one is so precious!" Allie exclaimed as she crouched down next to her mother.
Elizabeth noticed Jack getting excited. "Careful Jack..." Elizabeth warned. "Why don't you give it a little kiss?" She suggested.
Jack toddled closer and gave the kitten a gentle little kiss on the top of its head. No one in the vicinity was without a smile on their face.
"Good boy!" Elizabeth said with a big smile and a laugh.
"Looks like this is the one!" Allie said happily.
She grinned from ear to ear and looked up at Elizabeth for confirmation. Elizabeth smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek. Allie blushed, looked down at the floor and then looked up at Robert who shot a genuine smile in her direction.
"I guess she is the one," Elizabeth concluded with a smile, looking up at Robert.
Robert ran into the house and brought out a small box with a blanket to put the kitten in. Mr. Wolf agreed to drive Elizabeth and the kids and the kitten back home on his way into town.
Arriving at the rowhouse, Elizabeth thanked Mr. Wolf for the kitten and for giving her and the kids a ride. Allie did likewise and took the little kitten inside. Elizabeth had prepared a small area for the kitten in the corner of the living room near the stove. That way, the kitten would have a warm place to call home before it is old enough to go outside. Setting the kitten down in the corner, Allie left it in its box and sat down next to it with her legs crossed.
"What should we name her?" Allie asked, not taking her eye off the kitten's little face.
"I don't know. Do you have any ideas?" Elizabeth asked, studying Allie's profile.
A small smile tugged at Allie's mouth as she gently stroked the kitten, feeling the soft fur under her fingertips. "I think we should call her Daisy," Allie said.
"Daisy is a lovely name," Elizabeth reassured calmly with a gentle smile.
Allie looked up at her mother, smiled and gazed back at the kitten. Jack toddled over and crouched down next to the basket. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at the sight. Who knew a little kitten could cause such happiness.
Elizabeth was busy finishing dinner while Allie set the table. Jack was playing with his toys. Daisy, the kitten, was sleeping in the little bed Allie had made for her. The sound of footsteps ascending the stairs at the front door caught Allie and Elizabeth's attention.
"Oh, that must be Dad," Allie said with a big smile.
She ran towards the door in a hurry as Nathan stepped in and hung his stetson on its usual hook by the door.
"Hi, Dad!" Allie exclaimed, hugging her father.
"Hi, sweetheart," Nathan said as he squeezed her tightly.
Elizabeth dried her hands and went over to welcome her husband. She ran to him with outstretched arms and gave him a tight hug around the neck. Allie's smile broadened as she ran to the box in the corner. Elizabeth kissed Nathan on the lips as he squeezed her in a tighter hug.
"We have a new family member," Elizabeth said as she fiddled with Nathan's unbuttoned collar.
"I head. One of the feline variety." He said with a smirk.
"How did you know?" Elizabeth asked jokingly.
Nathan laughed, "I ran into Mr. Wolf in town. And a certain someone may have mentioned it before I left for work." He responded.
Elizabeth laughed. She and Nathan walked over to where Allie and Jack were now playing with little Daisy. Allie picked Daisy up and gently gave her to Nathan. The little ball of fur nearly disappeared in his large hands.
"Hi, little guy..." Nathan looked at Daisy's little face and tried his best to suppress a smile. He lowered his hands so that Jack could see as well.
"Can you say kitten?" Nathan asked, looking at Jack's curious face.
"Kitten.." Jack repeated cautiously.
"That's right!" Nathan said, taking his free hand and caressing Jack's little head.
Elizabeth smiled at her growing little family. She watched as her husband and children sat next to the box with little Daisy meowing inside. A couple of years ago, she never could have imagined what blessings were waiting in her future.