Chapter 19 – Adoption Day
Patrick wakes up to see Rosemary and Nanny sleeping on the settee in his room. He walks up to them, petting Nanny on her back. Nanny purrs, rolling over wanting more pets from Patrick. Rosemary slightly stirs, but her eyes stay closed. Patrick calls her name, "Mama? Why are you sleeping in my room?" He giggles when she slowly opens her eyes yawning.
"Good morning, bud." Nanny jumps off her lap, scampering out of the room. Rosemary scoots over to make room for Patrick. He climbs on her lap, getting comfortable, while she covers them both up with the blanket. Rosemary reveals, "When Papa is not here, I don't sleep well. So, I came in here to watch you, and I must have fallen asleep myself. Did I wake you up?"
"No, ma'am."
"Well, you fell asleep before I could read your bedtime story last night. You must have needed the extra sleep."
"Where is Papa?"
"He is still in Union City. His friend must have really needed him. I am sure he will be home sometime today. Don't worry." Rosemary turns her head away from Patrick, trying to stop the tears forming in her eyes. She didn't want to worry Patrick. "Are you hungry? What do you want for breakfast? I'll fix you anything you want."
Patrick immediately shouts, "I want blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, a piece of bacon, and some milk!"
"Sounds perfect. How about I add some fruit too," remarks Rosemary.
Patrick follows Rosemary downstairs. He lets Nanny outside and puts her food out for the morning. While Rosemary is making the pancakes, Patrick sets the table while talking about how excited he is to play all the carnival games. Rosemary asks, "Have you ever been to one, Patrick?"
Patrick thinks about it for a moment. "I think my brother took me to one after our parents passed away. It was a lot of fun." He sits down at the table as Rosemary pours some milk for him and coffee for her. Patrick inquires, "Do you think Papa will get back soon? I want all three of us to play games together."
"I thought you wanted to play with Vincent?" questions Rosemary.
"I do, but I also want to play with you and Papa."
"If that is what you want, then that is what you'll get. If Papa doesn't make it back in time, I promise, we can still play together if you want." Rosemary puts the platter of pancakes, warm syrup, and bacon on the table. Patrick says the prayer, and they dig into their food. Rosemary finds she doesn't have much of an appetite this morning. She is still worried about Lee. He always calls no matter what. Rosemary fiddles with her pancakes until Patrick is done.
"May I be excused?" asks Patrick.
"You may." Patrick wipes his face with a napkin and runs upstairs. Rosemary chuckles because Patrick actually remembers to use a napkin. Rosemary looks down at her full plate of food and sighs, willing herself to get up and clean the kitchen. She realizes that is the last thing she wants to do, so instead of cleaning, she goes upstairs to find Patrick. Rosemary finds him playing with his train set. She inquires, "May I join you?" Patrick smiles, handing her the engine.
Lee finally pulls in front of their house around 8:20 am, parking the car and saying a quick prayer, "Thank you, Lord, for getting me home safely and giving me a little bit of time to wash up before starting our long but important day." He grabs his stuff out of the car, cautiously opening the front door. Lee doesn't know what to expect, but he imagines Rosemary will be upset with him. Tip-toeing in, he realizes no one is downstairs. Lee notices the leftover pancakes and dirty dishes still sitting on the kitchen table. He immediately gets worried because she has never left dirty dishes on the kitchen table for as long as they have been married. Lee removes his muddy boots and socks at the front door. He climbs the stairs, calling out to Rosemary and Patrick. Lee hears sounds coming from Patrick's room, so he decides to check in there first. Lee peeks his head in, announcing, "I'm home!"
Both Patrick and Rosemary look up and see the usually well-put-together Lee, all disheveled and covered in mud. In a slightly higher-pitched voice, Rosemary questions, "Lee Coulter, what happened to you? Are you okay? Why are you so muddy?" She looks him up and down and then to the floor, where she sees pieces of dried-up mud that had fallen off of his clothes. Rosemary frowns at the mess, but before she gets too worked up, all the worry she's been feeling is lifted off her shoulders. All that was left was the emotions that were now overwhelming her. Rosemary didn't care how dirty Lee was. She just needed to be in his arms. Rosemary stands up, walks over to him, and embraces him as tightly as she possibly can. She's afraid he'll disappear if she dares let go.
Patrick joins them, hugging them both at the waist. "Papa, you made it. Mama and I have been worried." Rosemary pats Patrick's head, reluctantly stepping back from Lee with tears in her eyes.
Lee whispers, "Are you okay, honey?" Rosemary nods, leading him out of Patrick's room.
She stops him in the hallway. "Sorry, I don't know why I am so emotional. I guess I'm just so glad you are home." Rosemary wipes the mud off his face with his sleeve. She grabs his arms, his shoulders, his hands, making sure he is not hurt.
"It's a long story, sweetheart. I will tell you about it later. First, I need to get cleaned up so we can go into town."
She hugs him one more time, lightly patting his whiskered cheek. "I love you, Lee Coulter. But you can never do that to Patrick and me again. I…was…worried sick when we didn't hear from you. I thought something terrible happened." Rosemary reluctantly looks down at her clothes which are now smeared with dried-up mud.
"I am sorry for the mess, sweetheart. I will help you clean everything up after our busy day today."
Rosemary chuckles, "You most certainly will. Now, hurry. Go get cleaned up so we can tell our son the exciting news." Lee kisses her quickly on the lips, running into the bedroom to grab his stuff. While Lee is getting ready, Rosemary checks on Patrick to make sure he didn't get too dirty. Luckily, he is fine, so she focuses on herself, washing her face, changing her clothes, and doing her hair and makeup. Then Rosemary lays Lee and Patrick's matching outfits on the edge of the bed. The outfits she made specifically for today's special occasion. She is incredibly proud of the white long sleeve shirt, navy plaid pants, matching vest, and bowtie. Rosemary giggles with excitement.
When Lee sits down at the foot of the bed to put his socks on, Rosemary calls Patrick into their bedroom. Patrick jumps in between them. Lee kisses him on the top of the head. "Mama and I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" questions Patrick.
Rosemary reveals, "Your adoption decree finally came in. We are going to sign the paperwork this morning. You will officially and legally be Patrick Coulter from now on."
Patrick looks a little confused. He questions, "What does that mean? I thought I was already your forever son?"
Lee chimes in, "You are. You have always been our forever son, both in our minds and in our hearts. However, some paperwork needed to be signed by certain people who live far away in Hamilton. Those people make sure orphans like you are being adopted by respectable families. Then we have to get a judge to sign the paperwork as well."
"Do you mean, Judge Avery?"
Rosemary replies, "Yes, you are correct. In a little bit, we will go see Judge Avery and sign all the paperwork. Once we take care of everything, you will legally and forever be known as Patrick Michael Coulter."
Patrick inquires, "What does legally mean?"
Lee responds, "It means from now on, you can write your name, Patrick Coulter. Would you like that?"
Patrick replies, "I would like that very much."
Rosemary giggles, "I have something to show the two of you." She holds up the matching outfits for Patrick and Lee to see. "I made these for both of you for this special day. Would you be so kind as to put them on for me?" Lee and Patrick hesitantly acknowledge. "Good, now go get changed. We don't have much time."
Patrick peeks into Lee and Rosemary's room five minutes later. He questions, "Do I have to wear this, Mama?"
"What is wrong with the outfit? I think it looks perfect on you. It brings out your beautiful blue eyes."
Patrick whines, "Well, do I have to wear the bowtie? I look like I am a little boy."
Rosemary chuckles, "Patrick, you are a little boy."
Patrick responds, "I am not that little. I look like a baby with the bowtie."
Lee tries to stop himself from laughing. He rubs Rosemary's back, suggesting, "I think it is okay if he doesn't wear the bowtie. Right, Rosemary?" She forces a half-smile. Lee then tells Patrick to go downstairs and wait for them. Lee turns to Rosemary, asking, "Why is it so important for him to wear the bowtie?"
"I just wanted you two to match," responds Rosemary.
"How about we have him put the tie on for the pictures? Would that make you happy?" Rosemary meekly grins, kissing him on the cheek before running out of the room. Lee rolls his eyes and joins Patrick and Rosemary downstairs. "I was hoping we could drive into town on the motorcycle, but I don't want to get our new outfits dirty. How about we go on a ride later?"
"You mean it, Papa?" Both Rosemary and Lee shake their heads yes. Patrick runs and hugs them both.
The three Coulters, plus Elizabeth, Nathan, Allie, and Jack, all walk into town. Patrick yells in excitement for all the games he sees set up on Main street, "When can we play all the games?"
Elizabeth replies, "In a couple of hours." Patrick, Allie, and Jack cheer in unison.
The seven of them enter Bill's office to find it has been decorated with balloons and streamers. There on the wall are two big signs. One reads, "Hooray for the Coulters!" The other reads, "We love you, Patrick Coulter!" Rosemary looks at Lee and then Elizabeth. Elizabeth tries hard not to smile, but she can't. She admits, "Allie and I decorated in here last night after the rehearsal." Rosemary hugs Elizabeth and then Allie. She can't stop the tears from flowing. Rosemary laughs before wiping the embarrassing tears away.
Patrick inquires, "Papa, why is Mama crying?"
Lee answers, "She is just happy this day is finally here." Patrick nods in understanding.
Bill clears his throat, getting everyone's attention. "Are we going to start, or not? I don't have all day." He grins, chuckling to himself. "Why don't you all come over to my desk?
Rosemary asks Elizabeth, "Can you take pictures of us?"
"I would love to."
"Thanks, Elizabeth." Rosemary walks up to Patrick, asking, "Can you please wear your bowtie for this part? Afterward, you can take it off."
Patrick reluctantly replies, "Yes, ma'am."
Rosemary helps him put it on. "Don't you look so handsome?" She straightens the bowtie one more time and moves his long curly hair behind his ear.
Patrick moves his hair back. "Awe, Mama. Do you have to do that now?" Rosemary and Elizabeth try not to laugh. Bill clears his throat again.
"Sorry, Bill. We are ready," announces Rosemary.
Bill instructs Patrick to sit in the chair next to his desk. He begins, "As part of the adoption process, child welfare and a sitting judge must be involved. It is of utmost importance children are adopted by a loving and deserving family such as yourself. Lee and Rosemary, I have seen firsthand how much you love and adore Patrick like your own. He means the world to you, and I know you two will always do your best to provide anything and everything Patrick could possibly need in his life." Bill kneels down next to Patrick, continuing, "Patrick, I know how much you love Lee and Rosemary as your forever parents. I don't think I could ever find better-suited parents for you if I tried. I just have to ask all three of you some questions, then you can sign the paperwork, and it will be legal in the eyes of Alberta and Canada. Patrick, do you want Lee and Rosemary to adopt you and be your forever family?"
Patrick shouts, "Yes, sir!"
Bill walks over to Lee and Rosemary, who both have tears in their eyes. He asks, "Leland Coulter, do you want to adopt Patrick Michael as your forever son? Will you always love, support, and provide a loving home for Patrick?"
Lee squeezes Rosemary's hand, composing himself before answering, "Yes and yes."
Lastly, Bill asks, "Rosemary Coulter, do you want to adopt Patrick Michael as your forever son? Will you always love, support, and provide a loving home for Patrick?"
Rosemary is overcome with emotions. She is barely able to speak the words, "Oh, yes…yes…yes." Lee embraces her, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Bill directs Lee and Rosemary to his desk. He points, "Please sign here and here on all three copies." Rosemary signs first and then Lee. "Patrick, I need you to sign as well." Patrick comes over, and Bill points where to sign.
Patrick inquires, "Can I sign Patrick Coulter?"
Bill, Lee, and Rosemary simultaneously answer, "Yes." Patrick proudly signs "Patrick Coulter" for the first time. He turns around, jumping into Lee and Rosemary's awaiting arms where Patrick and Rosemary sob. There is not a dry eye in the house, including Nathan and Bill. Elizabeth takes a few more pictures through her tears and then picks up Jack, giving him a few kisses before putting him back down.
Bill announces, "I would like to introduce the Coulter family: Leland, Rosemary, and Patrick." Everyone cheers. "Would you like me to take a picture of everyone here?"
Rosemary answers, "Yes, but I want you in the pictures as well. Here, I brought the cable release." She sets up the camera, telling everyone to come in close. "Bill or Nathan, you have long arms. Can you press the button when everyone is ready?"
Nathan offers, "Let me do the honors." A few more pictures are taken of the group and of the happy family.
Lee shakes Bill's hand, "Thanks for doing this, Bill. We have been praying for this day for a long time now, and we are glad you are a part of our special day.
Bill reveals, "I am honored to be a part of this wonderful occasion."
Patrick asks Lee, "Can we go to the carnival now?" Lee bends down, taking the bowtie off. "Thanks, Papa."
Lee looks at his pocket watch, telling Patrick, "We have about an hour before it starts."
Rosemary suggests, "Why don't we go home, so Patrick can change clothes? I don't want his new clothes getting dirty. Elizabeth, do you need to run home for anything?"
Elizabeth looks at Jack, realizing, "That is a great idea. I know he will want to run around and play. Allie, did you want to go change clothes too?" Allie nods. Rosemary, Patrick, Elizabeth, Jack, and Allie all run home while Bill, Lee, and Nathan have some coffee at Abigail's café.
The rest of the day is filled with fun and games. Patrick drags Lee and Rosemary to every game possible. They also spend a lot of time at the petting zoo. Patrick loves playing with the rabbits and puppies. He repeatedly asks if they could get a puppy or a rabbit. Sensing Rosemary just might agree, Lee reminds them of their cat Nanny. Lee mentions, "We have a cat already. Why do we need a puppy or a rabbit?"
Rosemary can tell Lee is getting a little tired and grumpy, so she suggests, "How about Papa and I talk about it later? Okay, Patrick?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Lee looks over at Rosemary, mouthing, "Thank you."
Patrick may not come home with a puppy, but he does win a stuffed bear and a baseball with Rosemary's help. Rosemary questions, "Don't you want to go play with Vincent and his brother? You don't have to stay with us the whole time."
Patrick sees Vincent and his brother off in the distance. He responds, "I'd rather stay with you."
Both Lee and Rosemary grin before each taking Patrick's hand. They swing him up and down. "What do you want to do next, Patrick?" questions Lee. Patrick sees the strongman game and drags them over. He sees a prize he wants, a baseball bat signed by Babe Ruth.
"Papa, can you win the bat for me?"
Lee clears his throat before answering, "I can try." Rosemary and Patrick cheer him on until he finally rings the bell on the third try.
Patrick yells, "Thanks, Papa," running over to get his prize. He brings it back over to Lee and Rosemary. He offers, "Papa, this is for you. I know how much you love baseball, and I love you."
Lee bends down to Patrick's level, giving him a hug. "Awe, thanks, Patrick. I will always treasure this gift. I love you, little man. Now, who wants to get something to drink? I need some coffee." Rosemary giggles as they walk over to the food and beverage booth. Lee buys a coffee for himself and an apple cider for Rosemary and Patrick. Rosemary suggests they sit down at a table and relax for a few minutes. Lee looks at the time. "It's already 4:00 pm, sweetheart. Do you need to get to the church to start setting everything up?"
"Oh, yes. I need to get some stuff from home first. Could you take care of Patrick, get him changed, and back to the church by 5:00 pm?"
"Of course," answers Lee.
"Thanks, honey." Rosemary gives Lee a quick kiss while finishing up her apple cider. She rubs Patrick's shoulders and kisses him on the top of his head. As Rosemary is running away, she turns, shouting, "I'll see you in an hour."
The whole town gathers in the schoolhouse for the Hope Valley Variety Show. Rosemary gets up in front of everyone, welcoming them to the first of hopefully many more shows to come. She introduces the first act of the night, Elizabeth and Nathan performing "Come Now Fount of Every Blessing." Elizabeth and Nathan come to the front. Nathan sits on a stool with his guitar while Elizabeth stands beside him. Elizabeth begins singing:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Nathan and Elizabeth take turns singing each stanza until the end when they both sing:
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothèd then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Everyone in the church gives them a standing ovation. Rosemary then gets up between each act introducing them and what they will perform. Next, she introduces Lucas and Opal and their magic and card tricks. Lucas performs card and sleight of hand tricks while Opal does tricks with coins that Lucas taught her. They end their act with Lucas pulling a rabbit out of a top hat. Lucas and Opal take their bow to an impressed audience. Everyone cheers until Rosemary introduces the next act: Allie, Anna, and Emily. "These talented young girls are performing a skit they wrote about if Alice, the Mad Hatter, and The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland grew up together."
Before they start, Allie mentions, "We want to thank Missus Coulter for helping with our costumes and some of our lines." The girls perform their skit which everyone is impressed with how well written and acted it was. The crowd erupts in applause as the girls take their seats.
The rest of the acts go up one by one performing exactly the way they practiced with Rosemary. She is delighted with how well the night is going. The second to last act is Michael and Ned juggling. They each do their own juggling stunts, and then they do pair stunts with the balls switching between Michael and Ned. They perform perfectly, never dropping a single ball. Michael and Ned finish their act with a big round of applause. Rosemary walks up to the front of the church, announcing there is only one act left. Patrick joins Rosemary at the front of the church. She looks down at Patrick, whispering, "Are you ready, bud?" He smiles and grabs her hand. They begin to sing:
Jesus loves me!
This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Rosemary stops singing when she gets emotional, thinking about how grateful she is to be Patrick's mother. Her dreams have come true. She watches as her incredible son continues to sing. Patrick looks up at her, grinning. Rosemary smiles back, joining him in the last stanza.
Jesus loves me!
He will stay
Close beside me all the way.
Thou hast bled and died for me;
I will henceforth live for Thee.
When they finish, she kneels down to give Patrick a hug. Rosemary taps his nose, whispering, "I am so glad you are my little boy! I love you more than all the stars in the sky."
Patrick whispers back, "I am so glad you are my Mama! I love you to the moon and back." Rosemary hugs him again. When she finally turns around, looking at the crowd, she hears all the cheers and sees all of her closest friends wiping the tears falling down their faces. Everyone is happy for the Coulters. They finally have the family they have wanted for such a long time. Rosemary takes a moment to compose herself, so she can wrap up the show. She thanks everyone who participated in the variety show and all the people who came out to support their friends and family. There is one last applause, and the crowd gets up and makes their way outside. Rosemary walks to the front room of the church, packing up her things. Lee soon follows, checking on her. Rosemary embraces him for a few moments and then steps back. She rubs her thumb on his chin and kisses him softly.
Lee responds, "I love you, sweetheart. You did an amazing job tonight." Rosemary grins, taking him back to the day they first met. The day he knew he would one day marry her.
When they finally walk into their rowhouse that night, they all slump into the settee, exhausted from the whirlwind of a day. Rosemary looks over at her two boys, asking, "What do you want for dinner? I can warm up the leftover chicken stew."
Lee pats Rosemary on the leg, responding, "That sounds good, honey. Patrick and I can set the table." Rosemary warms up the stew and brings it over to her hungry yet sleepy family. She watches as Lee and Patrick slowly eat their food in silence. Rosemary can tell both of them won't be up much longer. Lee suggests, "Why don't we tuck Patrick in and read his bedtime story? I'll help you clean the kitchen once Patrick is asleep." Rosemary nods, and all three of them go upstairs to Patrick's room. Patrick changes into his nightclothes and picks a book for them to read.
The three of them climb into Patrick's bed when he mentions, "Thank you for being my parents and for adopting me and for playing games with me all day. I know my mommy, daddy, and brother in heaven are smiling down every time they see how much you love me." Patrick hugs them both.
"We love you so much and are so glad you became our son. I don't think we could love you more even if you came from my tummy," responds Rosemary.
Lee adds, "She's right. We thank God each night that He brought you into our lives."
They can see he is thinking about something. Rosemary inquires, "Is there something else you want to say to us, Patrick?"
Patrick timidly asks, "Can I tell you the real reason why I didn't want to wear the bowtie?"
"Of course," replies Rosemary.
"The last time I wore a bowtie was at my mommy and daddy's funeral. I only remembered it when I saw the bowtie this morning. The lady next door made me wear it all day long. I remember being really sad and not understanding where my parents were, but my brother was right by my side, protecting me.
Rosemary kisses him on the forehead. "I am so sorry you had to go through so much so young, Patrick. You are so much stronger than I ever was as a child. We are so proud of you." Rosemary ruffles his hair. "I wish you would have told us. I wouldn't have made you wear that silly bowtie."
"Well, you looked so happy about our matching outfits. I didn't want to make you sad," mentions Patrick.
Rosemary says, "Patrick, you can always tell us anything…even if it makes us sad. We are here to make you feel happy and loved,"
Lee offers, "Come here, Patrick." Patrick climbs into Lee's lap. "Mama is right. You can tell us anything and everything. We will always be there for you no matter what is going on."
"Thanks, Papa, Mama."
Patrick gets back under the covers, and Lee starts reading from The Adventures of Prickly Porky. Within a few minutes, Patrick was already sound asleep.
Lee wraps his arms around Rosemary's back, and they saunter out of his room.