Hope Eternal Ch. 12

5

Chapter 12

Enjoying Life

By: Randi Elkins

The sun was coming up over the hill and the dew was still on the grass as I sat on the front porch rocking Jack Jr. I am enjoying the quite time with him as he rests. God blessed me by allowing me to be found and brought back to Hope Valley. I won't take a moment for granted. My mind wonders to the events of the last few days. Elizabeth and I are still processing the amazing generosity of our friends and family. We are excited to be in our home. We were so moved by the prayer nail the town gave us, there is nothing more special than to know a friend has prayed for you. It was nice seeing Tom, Julie and my new little niece. It was wonderful to see Pastor Frank also. I am glad I had a chance to sit and talk with him alone. I feel a weight lifted after our conversation. Everyone that came to visit was now gone but we enjoyed getting to visit them. Elizabeth's father bought furnishings for our new home before he left. We didn't have enough furniture for all the rooms in the house. I offered to pay him, but he wouldn't hear of it. Elizabeth got the feather bed she has always wanted. Everything was perfect. Sitting here rocking my son I give thanks to God for all he has provided.

Elizabeth was in the kitchen when Jack Jr. and I came into the house. She was cooking and it smell delicious. She heard me coming, "Good morning is everything alright? I saw you sitting on the porch but didn't want to disturb you." I brushed her cheek with my thumb and leaned in and kissed her. "Nothing could be better. I was just enjoying the sun rise while I rocked Jack. He woke up early so I took him to the porch, so we didn't disturb you. He dozed back off as soon as I started rocking. How did you rest?" "Wonderfully! I love our feather bed. Father was so generous to give us all our furnishings. As soon as I walked in, it felt like home. We could never repay everyone for all their hard work. I still can't believe they did all of this." She said down and began fixing a plate for Jack Jr. As soon as she sat his plate down, he started gobbling it up. We laughed, "Slow down, slow down we aren't going to take your plate" I told him, but he kept on gobbling it up. "He must be going through a growth spirt. I have never seen him eat like that." Elizabeth said as she watched him eat.

I was clearing the table as she cleaned up little Jack. He was fighting her with every wipe of his mouth, "No mommy, no!" "Just stay still and we will be finished." She let him go leaving a bit of jam on his little cheek. He ran to the parlor and began playing with his blocks. We sat back down to finish our tea. "Jack, I have some news." She said as she took my hand. The way she said it made me wonder if it were good news or bad news. "Ok what is it? Is something wrong?" I said as I looked at her as a smile spread across her face. "Jack I am pregnant. Carson said I am probably 3 months along." I jumped from my chair and scooped her up in my arms! I swung her in a circle! "YOU ARE PREGNANT! Oh, Elizabeth I can't believe it! We are going to have another baby!" "Jack, Jack don't twirl me. I am going to get sick." Elizabeth said. I immediately put her down. "I am sorry, I shouldn't have done that." I ran to the sink and got her a cool rag and a class of water. She smiled, "I am fine. You don't have to fuss over me. I just can't get twirled like that. My nausea hasn't been that bad until the last couple of days." She explained. "Here drink, this water." I said as I wiped her forehead with the damp cloth. "When is the baby due? I need to get the nursery ready. I need to tell Nathan I need to stay home with you and Jack. You don't need to be lifting him. I will have Abigail give me some recipes so I can cook for you. I will take care of Jack completely don't worry about him at all." She began to laugh, "Jack I can still do my daily tasks. I can still teach, cook, and care for little Jack. I'm not ill, just pregnant. You have to remember I have done this before." Immediately I felt guilty. I left her here all alone to go through her pregnancy with Jack Jr. alone. It must have been so difficult on her. She realized where my thoughts went, "Don't go their Jack. It does no one any good. It wasn't your fault and I had a lot of support from everyone. I missed you desperately, but you are here now. You are here and you will be by my side the entire time. Do not look back on what had happened. Look forward to the beautiful life we will built with our family." She always knows what to say and I can't let the past subdue the excitement I feel now. "I can't believe we are going to have another child. Elizabeth, I am going to be here no matter what. I am not leaving your side. We will walk this journey together." I smiled at her, "From chalk dust to eternity is the way I believe you phrased it." "Yes, that is exactly how I said it." She said. We walked into the parlor where Jack was playing. I picked him up, "How do you feel about being a big brother? Do you want to have a little brother or sister?" Elizabeth came in close, "You are going to be such a great big brother. You will have to help mommy and daddy take care of them." The phone rang, Elizabeth answered it. I couldn't hear what she was saying but she had an inquisitive look on her face. She hung up. "After we are dressed Rosemary wants us to meet her at Abigail's. She wouldn't tell me why."

Abigail's was empty except for the parlor. As we walk back there, we could hear Rosemary. "Where are Jack and Elizabeth? They should be here by now." "We are here," I said as we entered the parlor. Rosemary clapped her hands, "Great now we can get started." The parlor was full of our friends. Why would she need all of us here? "Lee, come here and stand beside me." she said. Lee walked up smiling from ear to ear. She grabbed his arm. "Lee and I wanted to let everyone know that I am pregnant." The room exploded with excitement. Everyone was congratulating them giving hugs and handshakes. I am so excited for them, but I want to tell them about Elizabeth. "Well we have some news too." I said. Elizabeth's eyes grew big and she slightly shook her head. Why doesn't she want me to tell everyone, but it was her wishes, so I fumbled words, "Tom and Julie have left if anyone is wondering." Everyone looked confused. Elizabeth spoke up, "They send their love and hope to visit again soon." They shook their heads and went back to talking to Rosemary and Lee. Abigail walked up next to Elizabeth and in a whisper, "For some reason I don't think that is what Jack was going to say." "I am not sure. He has just been so excited about the house and getting to see Tom and Julie." I am completely lost as to why I couldn't tell everyone about Elizabeth's pregnancy. Elizabeth and I congratulated Lee and Rosemary after everyone had started to leave.

We stayed at the café visiting for a while after Rosemary and Lee left. It is wonderful seeing Lee and Rosemary so happy. After everyone had left and it was just us and Abigail, she questioned us again on what I was going to say before. She still didn't believe what we had said. "Ok, you two, what is going on? I know Jack wasn't going to give Tom and Julie's regards." Abigail knew us too well sometimes. Elizabeth and I looked at each other. I wasn't going to say a word because I wasn't sure why Elizabeth stopped me before. Elizabeth smiled and turned toward Abigail. "You have to promise not to say a word. I don't want to take away from Lee and Rosemary's excitement." Abigail nodded in agreement, "Of course." "I am pregnant. I am about 3 months along. It was just confirmed yesterday when I went to see Carson." Abigail leaped from her seat, "Elizabeth that is wonderful! That is so exciting! Jack Jr. is going to be a big brother. Jack you must be ecstatic!" We stood and she pulled us into a group hug. "Can someone tell me why it was so important I not say anything? I feel like there is some detail missing." "Since you have been gone Rosemary has had 2 miscarriages. She was about 3 months along with both losses. She and Lee were devastated. For a while Rosemary lost her outgoing, bright, big and beautiful personality. We have been very concerned about her. She has slowly returned to her former self, but I didn't want to overshadow their excitement with our news. We have time to tell everyone but that was their moment." Elizabeth explained. Poor Rosie and Lee, how awful that must have been. "I am so glad you stopped me from saying a word. I can agree now, that was their moment." "You did the right thing by not announcing it but once you decide to announce it everyone will be so excited especially since Jack is home this time. I know Rosemary and Lee will be excited for you as well. Your babies will get to grow up together. Won't that be so lovely that the babies will be close." "Elizabeth? Are you pregnant?" Rosemary said from the entry of the dining room.