Chapter Seventy-one
Family News
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Nathan had written out his response to the letter Lucas had sent and conferred with Fiona and then with Joseph. Both agreed with the points Nathan had made. Fiona's only suggestion was to acknowledge how God had led them together. Joseph suggested a final line of 'I forgive you.'
Once both changes were made, Nathan had sent the letter to the Commissioner who would read and forward it to the prison. Everyone who had been privy to the letter breathed a final sigh of relief and gratitude that this was over.
Elizabeth knew nothing of the mail exchanges, except what Bill had told her and she was thankful to accept the blanket apology. Her emotions had vacillated around the time of Nathan's and Fiona's wedding, but she was journaling daily, praying and meeting with Joseph on a regular basis. Through Joseph, Elizabeth had sent a brief note to Nathan and Fiona, expressing her sorrow for her attitudes after she had made her confession in the Infirmary. She explained that, although she had said and meant every word, her emotions and realization of the consequences were slow to catch-up. She thanked Nathan for his explanation of second chances that God might have for her as she walked her chosen road and that she was holding on to that hope. She wished them all God's best.
After the school year ended, Elizabeth planned to visit Hamilton and integrate her parents into her life once again. Their excitement for the reunion and to spend time with Jack was heartwarming and healing to Elizabeth, even as she planned for the trip. She would return to Hope Valley in time to prepare for lessons in the new school building, but was grateful for an extended break.
Rosemary carefully navigated a renewed, yet different, friendship with Elizabeth and both Coulters continued to love and support Jack although they were dreading the summer without him next door. They were comforted that their new home would be completed and their extended family times with all the Grants and Bill would continue to bring them joy.
Life in Hope Valley had settled into a happy, peaceful routine and for that the townspeople were grateful. Except as they watched the new construction of the school and new homes around the town, nothing exciting was happening and everyone looked forward to a relaxing summer.
That is everyone was relaxed until Rosemary and Lee knocked on Nathan's and Fiona's front door late one Friday afternoon.
Nathan answered the door and welcomed these dear friends into the entryway. "Hello! We are just ready to sit down for dinner with Mom and Dad. Can you stay to eat? We have plenty."
Endeavoring to hold in their excitement, Lee agreed. "Sure. Sorry for our timing and that we didn't bring anything to contribute. If you have enough, we'd love to join you."
Having overheard from the kitchen doorway, Allie called out. "Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Lee are staying for dinner!"
Extra settings were quickly placed and Nathan asked Archie to lead them in prayer once the family was seated around the table.
Rather than pass any food that was before them, Lee grabbed Rosemary's hand and stood. "We have news and I cannot wait another minute." His excitement uncontained, Lee almost shouted the news. "We are expecting a baby!"
The joyous shouts and laughter might have been heard at the far end of Main Street. Archie whistled. Lillian cried. Allie squealed. Nathan whooped and Fiona was sobbing with joy in Rosemary's arms before anyone else could stand! After happy congratulations, warm hugs and slaps on the back, the family took their seats again and began to pass around the food.
"Okay, spill it!" Fiona exclaimed. "When? How are you feeling? Can you eat everything? How long have you known? Have you seen Faith?"
Amidst laughter, Rosemary took over the announcement. "We'll have an early Christmas gift! Faith, yes, I've seen her. She says November! We just found out and came right here. That's why we don't have anything to contribute for dinner. I've been on pins and needles all day waiting for our appointment."
Lee laughed. "That makes two of us. I think I reread pages a dozen times and still don't know what they said!"
"Will you excuse me a moment? I have a call to make." Nathan grinned and stood, holding up his hand. He headed into the study.
"Bill? Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"Just finished and was planning to head to the Café for some dessert. Why?" Bill queried, wondering at the excitement he heard in Nathan's voice. "What's up?"
"Can you bring enough cake for eight pieces and come over right away?" Nathan laughed.
"Ahh… sure. Be there as soon as I can." Bill responded. "Going to give me any hints?"
"Not a peep. See you in a few!" Nathan hung up the phone quickly before Bill would hear the excited discussion in the dining room. On his way to his place at the table, Nathan grabbed an extra set of silverware, a cup and saucer and a napkin, placing them in front of Bill's regular chair. In answer to questioning looks, Nathan explained, grinning. "Bill is on his way over with dessert."
"Oh good!" Rosemary squealed and, clapping her hands together, looked at her husband. "We get to tell someone else!"
For many days and nights the Grants dining room table had been covered with Fiona's photographs from the trip to Whitefish Lake and boxes of readymade frames were stashed in the extra room outside of the darkroom. Fiona had printed all of her film, then sorted, re-sorted and sorted again.
Nathan thought all the photographs were wonderful so he wasn't much help as Fiona tried to decide what should be included in a gallery show. He gave his opinions when asked, acknowledging Fiona was the expert with visuals! Archie and Lillian supported whatever was displayed at that moment so, although loving, they were not helpful. It was Allie who had an inventive suggestion!
"What if you display a group of the photos with excerpts from a poem of Dad's? Would that unify the display and add interest, Mom?"
"Allison Mayes Grant! You are brilliant!" Fiona exclaimed as she stood straight and stretched her back. She had been bending over the table still unsatisfied with her arrangement of photos. "Nathan? Can you come here for a moment?"
Happy for an excuse to escape his task, Nathan emerged from the study where he had been figuring out finances.
"Here I am." He saluted and grinned. "At your service, my Love. My Loves!" He grinned at Allie. "How may I help?"
"Our daughter has had a brilliant idea. Tell Dad, Honey?"
"I was wondering if Mom could use one of your poems and arrange the photos with little quotes, a couple lines that put together would be your entire poem. All the photos of water could go with that new poem you wrote. Maybe our song could be divided up with photos that seem seasonal? I am sure there are others in your book, Dad."
Nathan raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips. "You might have an idea there, Allie-girl! You like that, Fiona?"
"I do. It would give me some direction. Would you be willing to have your work displayed below each photograph? Maybe we could include a framed copy of the entire poem if we only use portions for the photos? I could get the poems printed or you could write them out, Nathan! You have a beautiful script! I could display them with a mat border made of one of my photographs to unite the show?" Fiona suddenly had ideas tumbling out!
"I don't have a problem with it being displayed if we just use the book's pseudonym and not my full name. I mean you're thinking of getting this show in Union City, right? I wouldn't want my name displayed there and connected with the Mounties. If the show was in New York City I wouldn't care, just not in Canada!"
"Well, I think that's fine, Honey, and it will be quite a while, if ever, before our work crosses the border into the United States!" Fiona laughed excitedly. "But I think this might work. Come here Sweetheart." Fiona motioned to Allie. "This is truly a family business now! Thanks for the idea, dear daughter!" Fiona hugged Allie and bent to kiss her hair. "This is exciting!"
Nathan grinned proudly at his ladies. "Shall I get my book and we can get some ideas?" Nathan headed back to the study, continuing to speak. "I think we all have your images in mind after trying to help you arrange them for the last couple weeks." He returned with his book of poetry and sat at the dining table. Looking up at Fiona, he noticed her pressing her hands against her back. "Are you okay, Honey? Is your back bothering you again?"
"Yes. I have been on my feet for extended hours and then bending over this table. I think I might lay down with a hot water bottle tonight."
Nathan stood quickly and motioned to Allie. "Would you get the hot water bottle, Allie? Thanks." He moved to put his arm around Fiona and guided her to the sofa. "Lay down on your side, Honey. I'll put the water bottle between you and the back of the cushion." Nathan got his wife situated and met Allie in the kitchen beginning to heat the water. When he returned to the front room, Nathan arranged the heat against his wife's back. He sat on the edge of the sofa and brushed Fiona's dark hair away from her face. "How does that feel? Better?"
Fiona had tears in her eyes but nodded.
"Oh Fia! Does it hurt that much?" Nathan was alarmed. "Should you see Faith tomorrow?"
"No, Nathan. I don't know why I am so emotional. It's not that painful, just a dull ache. I guess trying to figure out the photographs has been more stressful than I thought and now that there is hope for a solution, I've fallen apart." Fiona laughed ruefully. "I'll be okay, Honey. Please don't worry, but this heat feels wonderful."
"Maybe you have a self-imposed deadline, Fia, and you need to relax it a bit? You have been working non-stop since we returned from our honeymoon and that was a couple months ago." Nathan stroked Fiona's arm. "I can massage your back later if you would like?"
"I would like that Honey."
"Are you okay, Mom? Can I get you anything else?"
"I'm okay, Honey. Let's wait on going through Dad's poems though, okay? You want to join us and play the guitar and maybe sing to me?"
"Sure. Dad, will you play too?"
Nathan and Allie serenaded Fiona as she rested on the sofa. When Allie headed upstairs to prepare for bed, Nathan moved Fiona's legs so he could sit down and hold her feet in his lap. He slowly massaged her feet and had a sudden realization. "I never thought of this, Fia! I'm sorry. Do you need a high stool for the darkroom? You might be able to position it so you could reach things easily and save yourself from standing."
"Oh, Nathan. That would be wonderful. Could we get one that swivels like a piano stool?"
"I will talk to Ned tomorrow and get one ordered. I wish I'd thought of this before. Please tell me, Honey, if there are things you need or that will help you? I'll do my best to provide for you, if I am aware of your needs you know."
"Oh, Honey. You already do so much for me. Thank you for help with the cooking and chores, for carrying in the boxes and being willing to maneuver around the business stuff in the study. This is really more of a project, and now a family project than I dreamed it would be." She held Nathan's gaze. "This feels delightful, by the way. Thank you." Fiona's eyes filled with tears as she considered the blessing of Nathan. She wiped them away apologizing.
"That's okay, Honey. Maybe you need an early night to bed, eh? I mean to sleep." Nathan winked. "Really."
Fiona blushed and giggled. "Bed sounds good, but I'm not particularly sleepy…"
Fiona spent a day perusing 'Luminous,' Nathan's book of poetry, and found numerous poems she could use in the future if she just kept the poem in mind when she took the photographs. There could be photos of spring blossoms, surprise flowers peeking from under melting snow and seaside summer photos she could take when they visited the Miller side of the family in Half Moon Bay. Poems describing autumn, falling leaves and harvest would be easily acquired in Hope Valley while she could find winter photos on their own property. She even began to ponder the Christmas poems she planned to illustrate later in the year.
Yet, for the current collection of honeymoon photos she could not find just one poem from which to draw her quotes. Bookmarking a few, she decided to wait for Nathan, and maybe Allie, to assist her. Nathan was right. Fiona was overwhelmed feeling compelled to complete a plan and a portfolio of photos to show to those she thought might be interested. She needed to slow down and adjust her focus, starting with a family discussion of Nathan's poems fitting with the honeymoon photos.
Particular favorite photos were already framed, wrapped and labeled then carefully stored in wooden crates in the extra room. She had tried to avoid using that room, but for now she didn't want her new business to encroach on the family's living spaces. Everyone had been more than patient so far! If she could use what she had framed maybe she could hang a local show with a few of Nathan's quotes over the summer?