Chapter 59 Big Changes in Hope Valley
Today is April 28th, 1919. It has been awhile since I wrote in my journal. Spring is finally here and so much has changed in Hope Valley. The last two months have been very busy for my loving husband. The King of Hearts hotel has been completed and Lucas has been spending his days there training his staff and his managers. Wesley Parkes has turned out to be a great asset for Lucas. I love how my husband isn't afraid to take a chance on people. The Grand Opening is next week. The Queen of Hearts will close for renovations in two weeks and is expected to be down for two weeks. Lucas, being the gentleman that he is, agreed to give his staff the two weeks off with pay so they could enjoy the warmer weather.
Katie Yost has returned to replace me at school while I am off. She said she wanted to come back to Hope Valley and we think she may stay once the new school is finished. The new school is well underway and will be up and ready to use for the next school year, come fall. The town has already been interviewing to fill the new teacher positions. There have been several promising candidates. Lucas drove me to Union City last week so I could get my certification to teach blind children. We should hear by next week if I passed the exam.
Julie's apartment has been completed just how she designed it. She was so excited. She is going to be offering private art lessons. The thought of being around here and still getting to pursue her art has thrilled her. She traveled to Baltimore a few times over the last couple of months to spend time with Carson. She says she doesn't know if it will go any further than friendship, but they enjoy spending time together. I am glad that she has someone besides us to spend time with.
The nursery has been all set up. Between Rosemary, Julie, Gladys, myself and my adorable husband we should have everything we need for the introduction of our children. I think my husband may have overdone it a bit, but he always likes to make a statement. It has been super adorable watching him and Jack in there putting together bassinets and organizing everything. We decided to paint it yellow since yellow is a neutral color. Lucas wants girls, but Jack wants boys. Jack is still somewhat confused by what is happening, but Lucas has been helping him to understand. Lucas had Mike make us a brand new rocking chair and a beautiful wooden changing table for the nursery. Mike does exceptional work. They are absolutely breathtaking. Julie has added her special touch by painting balloons and ribbons all over the room while Rosemary made the curtains. We have placed a birthing bed in there as well thinking it would be easier if we were as close together as possible. With the help of Faith and Gladys we should have all supplies and equipment on hand for the delivery of our children. Rosemary made us a whole supply of cloth diapers and rubber pants. I must say the thought of my husband changing diapers makes me laugh every time. Thank goodness for the invention of the somewhat modern washing machine that Lucas had special delivered from Germany.
Lucas converted the guest room into his own judo fitness center. I learned recently that he had one in the basement of the Queen of Hearts. I am always learning something new to learn about him. I always thought he was so fit from carrying crates of champagne bottles, he surprised me once again. He spends his evenings in there with Jack. Jack watches his every move and wants so much to be like him. Lucas has started teaching him to use a jump rope, but he is still struggling with the concept. They have been inseparable. When I asked Lucas about teaching Judo to our children, he told me it should be their choice. I like to watch him sometimes while he is practicing and he still lights that fire inside me. I don't think that fire will ever burn out.
I have reached my fifth month of pregnancy and already as big as I was with Jack and only slightly larger than Rosemary who is about three weeks further along. My back aches so much, my feet are swollen, and I have slept so much. Gladys advises me that it is important for me to sleep. She has me walking the stairs as exercise through the day. I love her. She is a very nice woman and is staying in the room next to the nursery. She takes very good care of me. My darling husband has been more than adorable in all of this, rubbing my feet and my back. I since he is also frustrated. The extent of our physical intimacy is bathing together and me lying between his legs at night with my head resting on his chest while he drapes his arms around me rubbing my stomach and placing sweet kisses on my neck, then massaging my shoulders. He is such a loving husband. Even though I miss our very intimate moments, I would not trade these moments for the world.
I received the first copy of my novel. I am so excited to be a published author. Lucas has set up a book signing in the local library for me to sell and autograph my books next week. He has been my biggest champion in all of this. The book tour is off for this year. Helen helped with that, but I am well into my second novel and have had lots of great ideas for it.
With the warmer weather, comes more outside time. I know Lucas and Jack are glad. Lucas has now been taking Jack with him to work and spending every moment with him. I think he wants to reassure him that he is always going to be special to us even after the babies arrive. They have been playing on the swing set outside. I have said it before. My husband really is a child at heart. He may be my King of Hearts, but he is definitely a Jack of all trades and I couldn't possibly love him anymore.