Chapter 19
It was after supper when I arrived home. Mrs. Thatcher was helping Abigail wash dishes while Elizabeth was reading to little Jack. Sarah Katherine was in the cradle next to Elizabeth sleeping. I came in quietly so as not to wake the baby. I kissed Elizabeth and Jack on the forehead and snuck a peek at my little princess.
"How was your day? I hope you were able to get some rest since you had so much help here." I whispered to Elizabeth. She smiled, "Yes, I did. Mother and Abigail watched the children while I took a nap. I slept longer than I had intended, but I must admit it was nice. How was your day? I hope you weren't too busy." I reached for her hand, "No, it was quiet but I did get to meet your friend Lucas Bouchard while I was on rounds. He gave me this package. He said it was for the baby."
I handed the package to Elizabeth to unwrap. "This was so kind of him, but he certainly didn't have to buy us a gift," Elizabeth stated as she tore the wrappings and opened the box, inviting little Jack to help. She gasped, "Isn't this just beautiful!" She lifted a sterling silver baby rattle with the year inscribed on the side. "Oh, look, there is another one that she can play with. He also included a set of new blocks for little Jack. This was so sweet of him to think of us." "Yes, that was very nice of him. He thought of everything I believe," Abigail said, stand just over my shoulder behind the couch. "Lucas Bouchard, who is he exactly?" Mrs. Thatcher questioned. "Mother, he is the local saloon owner and the gentleman that helped me set up the library. He is a very nice man. I must write a Thank You note when I get a chance. Jack, don't you think this was very kind of him. He even included little Jack." I must admit he had thought of it all. "I agree it was very nice of him and he was so thoughtful to include little Jack." Elizabeth handed Jack his new blocks and he slid out of her lap onto the floor to play. "Jack, I have kept your supper warm. Let me set you a place so you can eat. You must be hungry after working all day." I was hungry and whatever Abigail had cooked, it smelled delicious.
Abigail set my place and poured me a cup of coffee. I sat down and what a dish she had made. There was roast beef with gravy, potatoes, corn and a roll. I began to eat, and it was more delicious than it looked or smelled.
Once I finished eating, Abigail washed my dishes and said her goodbyes. Mrs. Thatcher took Jack to bathe and ready him for bed. He was not very happy about leaving his new blocks behind. Sarah Katherine was still sleeping, so Elizabeth left her rocking chair and came to sit beside me. It was the first time we had been alone since the baby was born. She laid her head on my shoulder and let out a sigh. "Isn't it nice to have a moment together? We must make a point to spend time together since we will be even busier with Sarah Katherine here. How was your day? I hope everything worked out for Nathan while you have been out." I pulled her closer to me, "It is very nice having this quiet time together. It will be harder to find these times together but I am sure we will make it work. Nathan said it had been quiet. Not a lot to report and today was quite as well so I caught on some paperwork and stayed near the office mostly with the expectation of doing rounds. I didn't expect to meet Lucas today. I didn't know until today he was the one to help you with the library. That was very generous of him. I also ran into Lee. Rosemary and the baby were sleeping so he ran to town to pick up a package. I was asking about Lucas." Elizabeth sat up looking at me. "You were asking about Lucas? Why? Has he done something?" "Oh, no but I really didn't know how to take him when I met him so I asked Lee. Like you, Lee thinks he is a good guy and I just wanted to make sure I didn't need to worry about anything since all I really knew about him was the danger he put you in. It is my job to know the people in the community. I just wanted to get someone else's opinion."
Before Elizabeth could respond, little Jack came pouncing down the stairs with Mrs. Thatcher behind him. She was almost completely soaked. In response to seeing them, Elizabeth got up, "Oh mother, you are soaked! What happened?" A big smile covered Mrs. Thatcher's face, "Well if you remember correctly, I never gave you girls baths. The nanny always did that so I am not experienced in giving children baths and it looks as if I need more practice." We all gave a little laugh. Jack had laid back on the floor and began to play with his blocks by knocking them down with to toy train he had just received from his grandmother. Mrs. Thatcher excused herself to change into some dry clothes. Elizabeth and I just sat by the fire watching Jack play. At that moment, I gave thanks to God for all the beautiful blessings he had given me.
It has been a few days, and Mrs. Thatcher was preparing to head back to Hamilton. I was loading her bags into the car as she and Elizabeth said their goodbyes. "Mother, I do wish you would let Jack ride with you to the train station to ensure you arrived safely. I don't like the idea of you riding alone." Mrs. Thatcher shook her head, "There is no need for that besides you need him here with you. I will be fine and will notify you when I have arrived safely back at home. Your father is supposed to have someone pick me up at the station."
Elizabeth hugged her mother. Mrs. Thatcher knelt and hugged Jack tight. "Grandmother is going to miss you so much! You need to have mommy and daddy bring you to Hamilton to visit." She stood leaning in to kiss Sarah Katherine on her head, "Elizabeth, she is beautiful as you were as a baby." I stepped near helping her into the car. "It was so wonderful to have you, Mrs. Thatcher. You are welcomed at any time. Please make sure to remember to let Elizabeth know of your arrival back home." "Of course, I wouldn't want her to worry. Thank you for being so understating and welcoming with my unexpected visit. I simply couldn't wait to see my granddaughter. I wasn't there when Jack was born. I wanted to be sure I got to enjoy these moments with you both. Please take care and we will talk soon."
The car began driving off as we waved. Elizabeth let out a sigh, "I am going to miss her. That is the best visit she and I have had since I came to Hope Valley. She was a lot of help with the children and I enjoyed her company." I smiled and pulled her close. "I am glad you enjoyed your visit so much. I was worried she would be more of a hindrance than help but she surprised me." We were headed up the stair back in the house and Elizabeth suggested we go for a stroll through town. I agree it would be a great day for a stroll so we readied the children and began our walk.
As we were passing Rosemary and Lee's, they stepped out with their stroller. It seems as if we all had the same idea. Rosemary was excited to see Elizabeth, they usually see each other daily but since the babies were born, they hadn't had a chance. "Oh, Elizabeth being a mother, is more wonderful than you could have ever explained. I am so in love with Sophie Beth." She walked over peeking into our stroller, "She is such an angel, ever as beautiful as her mother." Elizabeth smiled as she peeked in on Sophie Beth. "Holding your baby for the first time is the only way to understand how wonderful it is to be a mother."
Lee and I shook hands and smiled, taking in the excitement of our wives. We stood a few minutes as they cooed over the babies until little Jack got restless. "Go, I want to go!" he kept saying. Lee scooped him up and placed little Jack on his shoulders as Jack let out a squeal. "Ladies, let's go on into town, and maybe I can get this young man a lollipop," Lee said. Little Jack clapped his hands in excitement. We chatted as we walked just enjoying the fresh air and a visit with our friends.
As we were passing, the infirmary Carson stepped out. "Look who it is, Hope Valley's news additions. How are you feeling, ladies? How are the little princesses doing?" "Wonderful, simply wonderful!" Rosemary said as she clapped her hands with her dramatic flair. "Carson, she is just perfect! It feels like a dream come true to be a mother." "That is what I like to hear, Rosemary. Everyone doing well." He turned to Elizabeth, "How about you and Sarah Katherine?" Elizabeth nodded, "We are doing well. She is eating well and I have been able to get some rest so we are doing great." "Perfect," Carson said. "Are you just out for a stroll?" he asked. "We needed some fresh air and little Jack was getting restless so we thought a stroll through town would be nice. We meet Lee and Rosemary heading out to do the same so we decided to go together." I stated. "Yes, Rosemary was ready to get out of the house and it's such a beautiful day we decided a stroll would be nice," Lee added. "Getting out is great, just don't overdo it. I don't want you ladies to get tired out before you get back home." Carson advised. "Well, I was headed to check on Henry. He bumped his head yesterday and didn't show up this morning for me to check on him. Enjoy your walk." Carson crossed the street and we continued down the sidewalk. As we made it to the mercantile, little Jack began bouncing on Lee's shoulders. "Lollipop, Uncle Wee. Lollipop." "I didn't forget. While I take little Jack in the mercantile why don't you continue on to Abigail's so you can rest a few minutes before we head back." Lee suggested. I had already begun thinking Elizabeth needed to rest so it was a perfect plane. "That sounds like a wonderful idea Lee. I will get the ladies to Abigail's and you get the lollipop" Lee nodded and we set out for the café.
We made it to the café, and I got Elizabeth and Rosemary settled as Abigail prepared some tea. "I never knew how much a little stroll could take out of you. I am glad we decided to stop and rest." Rosemary said, almost out of breath. "I have to admit I am a little winded myself," Elizabeth added. The babies were asleep in their strollers so we let the rest. "I am so glad you decided to stop by. I have been busy and haven't had a chance to get out to check on you both. It looks as if things are going well. And Elizabeth didn't your mother leave this morning." Abigail said. "Reluctantly, she did. She was not ready to leave but Viola and Sir. Lionel are expected to visit from London soon and Mother wanted to be home to make proper preparations. I will miss her. We had a lovely visit but I understand why she needed to leave." Elizabeth replied. "Rosemary, how are you enjoying motherhood? It's more wonderful than you could have imagined, isn't it?" Abigail inquired. A smile spread over Rosemary's face, "Oh Abigail, I could have never have dreamt it was this wonder. I never knew I could love another person this much." The door opened, Lee and little Jack came in with a giant red lollipop. Little Jack was red and sticky to show his enjoyment of his treat. His little hands were also covered in the red stickiness. "Don't touch anything! Jack, get him a rag before he ruins Abigail's furniture." Elizabeth said. Before I could get to the rag, Abigail was already crossing the room with it in hand. "Don't you worry about this furniture if he is enjoying his candy that's all that matter. Nothing can get so dirty I can't clean it." She knelt down wiping little Jack's face and hand as he squirmed trying to escape." She stood, "There you go, all clean." We knew he would have to be cleaned up when he finished but at least the first layer of sticky was gone.
We sat and visited for a while. Abigail was getting the ladies caught up on the happenings of the town. Timmy had fallen and broken his arm. Florence had been out of town to visit a sister. Bill had several minor disputes to handle. Henry was going to start building a new house just east of town. Nothing too alarming, but it was nice to get caught up on things. Abigail sat up on the edge of her chair, "I have some exciting news as well. Pastor Frank is moving back to Hope Valley. His tenure at the Children's Hospital is done, and he has missed Hope Valley. Since we don't currently have a pastor, he decided to come back."
Elizabeth and I had been discussing who would christen Sarah Katherine. It will be wonderful to have Pastor Frank do it. "Abigail, that is wonderful news!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Jack, we can have Pastor Frank christen Sarah Katherine. Won't it be wonderful to have a pastor we know and not a traveling pastor!" Rosemary's eyes lit up, "That sounds like a wonderful idea, doesn't it, Lee!" "Yes, that does sound wonderful. I agree with Elizabeth; it will be special to have someone we know to do the christening." It will be wonderful to have him back. The town has missed him since he has been gone but we could respect his calling to serve at the children's hospital. It takes a special calling to minister to sick and dying children and their families. The room was all abuzz with the excitement of his return. Abigail had a big smile on her face; clearly, she was excited to have him back as well. "Frank and I have kept in touch since he has been away but it will be nice to have him back." It was clear she was remembering the days they had courted.
The café was busy, so Abigail kept excusing herself to help serve customers. It was getting late, so we decided it was time to head back home. It was almost time for the girls to eat again and it would be best done at home. Lee and I prepared to leave. I cleaned little Jack up one final time since he had finished his lollipop. Abigail came in from the dining room carrying dirty plates. "Are you leaving so soon? I was going to prepare some food to send home with so you didn't have to cook." Abigail inquired. There was a knock at the door. Abigail opened the door, there stood Pastor Frank. A smile covered Abigail's obviously pleased to see he had arrived early.