Chapter 49 Preparations

Lucas began to stir first as the morning sun peaked its way into their room. He gently placed his hands on Elizabeth's abdomen and began to softly rub circles on it. Then he slowly moved his head to place his cheek directly on her abdomen while pressing his ear against it. He lay there holding his breath listening calmly for all the sounds he could hear. Unfortunately all he heard was the beating of his own heart.

His gentle movements caused her to awaken, "Love, what are you doing?" She said while rubbing her fingers through his perfectly soft hair.

"I am listening for our children. All I can hear though is my own heart beat, but I love having my head here, it makes me feel so close to you. How do you feel this morning?"

"Hungry!" Her answer was short and sweet.

"Elizabeth, I know are lives are about to get hectic and I think it's time we talk about our plans and make the appropriate preparations. I feel it will go a long way in helping me to adjust to the fact that we are going to instantly be a family of six and help me to stop feeling overwhelmed. My parents are leaving today and yours are leaving in a few days. I have asked my parents to return in August to spend the holidays with us and see their new grandchildren. My parents were happy to come back. I thought you should invite yours back as well."

"That sounds wonderful, Lucas, I will do that." She responded now grabbing his hand to hold it.

"My next point, I know Julie wants to have her own life, but what if we ask Julie to stay with us until she decides she is ready to move on in her own time. She would be free to leave whenever she wants. We can decorate her room anyway she likes. I know she likes to travel. I thought we could set her up an art room and maybe she could do private art lessons. Then she would be here with us to help, but also free to live her own life." Lucas suggested while placing gentle kisses on her abdomen.

"Wow darling, you have had a lot on your mind. You have thought this through." She said while rubbing his hand with her fingers. "Okay, I don't know what she will say, but we can offer. I did mention to Faith about my care, she suggested we hire a midwife or private doctor since she will also have Rosemary to tend too as well. With all the babies coming she thought it would be too much for her alone."

"Okay we will start looking immediately. Did she have suggestions on where to start?" He asked now snuggling up to her gazing in her beautiful blue eyes.

"She did. If we want to stop in and see her today, she said she would have some options for us." Elizabeth advised him.

"Okay, we will definitely do that when my parents leave. What do you think about making the room across from ours the nursery? I think it will be better to have the babies close that way we will be able to hear them when they cry. When they get a little older we can separate them into their own rooms. I thought maybe you, Rosemary, and Julie would like to decorate it and maybe help Rosemary with hers as well. Of course I will do all the heavy lifting since Lee has a bad back." He offered as a thoughtful suggestion.

"Lucas! That sounds perfect. You are so thoughtful." She placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I just want to make this transition as smooth as possible for all of us, so there is more. I am going to hire four managers for the Queen of Hearts so I do not need to be there all the time. I will post a hiring sign immediately and begin teaching them everything I need them to know. That should cover weekends, weekdays, and illnesses. I thought I could just pop in after school every day and check in to make sure there are no emergencies. Having said that, what are your thoughts on teaching?" He asked concern in his voice.

"I think that is great that you have a solution for your time Lucas, but you are giving up so much. I don't know if teaching is going to be an option anymore. I thought about giving it up and just focusing on my writing." She said sadly.

"Elizabeth, teaching is your passion and you are mine. What if I was there to help you through the day? Almost like a teacher's aide, until you get to the point you need to stay home of course. I was also thinking about Landis and I agree we need a bigger school and more teachers. I thought we could call a town meeting and I would donate the funds to build the new school if the town could pay the teachers salaries. Also, I would help you to get your certification to teach Angela Canfield. Then after the babies are a little older and we've adjusted to life as a family of six you can go back to teaching part time or full time whatever you decide. We can add a staffed nursery if you like, so you could be close to the children and I can still help you with your teaching responsibilities?" He said. "What are your thoughts?"

"You have to be the most selfless man I have ever met. Just when I think I can't fall anymore in love with you, you prove me wrong. I think you have put a lot of thought into this and I can now see why you were feeling overwhelmed. I am on board with this." She said adoringly while kissing him again.

"The railroad pretty well runs itself, but I may need to travel on business here and there, but mostly I can take care of that from my home office. I don't think it is a good idea to do the book tour right now. I think you need to wait and maybe do a local celebration and we can setup book signings in the town library." He said with a thoughtful and compassionate look on his face.

"I think this all sounds wonderful. You truly are amazing Mr. Bouchard and I am glad you are mine." She wrapped her arms around him and they spent the next several hours enjoying each other in every possible way.