A/N:

This chapter is going to be a little shorter than usual because I'm working on a giant last chapter which will be out in two weeks. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen: Preparations

"I feel like I've been cleaning for days," Rosemary remarked to Elizabeth, who was sitting at Rosemary's dining room table.

Elizabeth chuckled. "Having company is great motivation."

"It causes great tiredness too," Rosemary huffed as she fell into the chair opposite Elizabeth. "Lee and I have both been so busy lately, him with mayoral stuff and me with writing. And I've pretty much been cleaning this whole week it feels like."

"When are Susannah and Jake coming again?"

"Day after tomorrow, Thursday."

"So then you haven't been cleaning for the whole week?" Elizabeth said with a smile.

"Well, basically." Rosemary admitted with a smile of her own. "Speaking of busy, how is your Christmas idea going?"

"Surprisingly well, actually. Abigail is doing a lot of cooking with Clara and Minnie's help. School is out now, so I'll be helping more too. Lucas is letting us use the saloon, most of the kids have their parts learned and rehearsed, so everything is going pretty smoothly. You're still going to play the piano, right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't let you down. I will charm the very air around me." Rosemary vowed dramatically.

"Perfect. Carson is going to accompany you on his guitar."

"Wonderful. Is there anything else I can do?"

"I don't think so. I might need you to babysit Little Jack a couple times, but I'll let you know."

"I am always willing to spend extra time with him," Rosemary smiled indulgently at the child playing on the floor.

"I know you are."

"Good." Rosemary looked up to smile at Elizabeth too.

"Well, Jack and I should be going," Elizabeth rose. "I've got my own house cleaning to do."

"You, Nathan, Allie, and Jack are coming over for dinner on Sunday night still, right?" Rosemary stood too.

"Of course. I can't wait." Elizabeth walked over to Little Jack. "Time to go now."

Jack looked up at Elizabeth. "Stay." He pleaded.

"No, you need to come home with me," Elizabeth shook her head and extended her hand to him.

He refused it. "Stay." He looked over at Rosemary and smiled.

Rosemary felt her heart swelling. "Oh let him stay," she said impetuously. "He can play while I clean."

"Are you sure? I don't want him making more of a mess." Elizabeth seemed hesitant.

"Nonsense. He's a perfect angel. Besides, then you can get all your cleaning done too. I'll bring him over before supper."

"Well," Elizabeth looked down at her son and smiled. "Alright." She knelt down to Little Jack's level. "You be good now." She kissed his forehead.

Little Jack looked from Elizabeth to Rosemary and nodded. He knew what he had just gotten. "Stay with Rwosie."

"I see where I'm not needed," Elizabeth faked a frown. She stood back up. "Have fun," she called as she walked over to the door.

"Oh, we will." Rosemary said as the door closed behind Elizabeth. Then she turned to Little Jack. "But we're not going to stay here, no we're not. Come on little man, let's go to town."

Rosemary held Little Jack's hand as they walked into town together. It took a bit longer than usual, but it was worth it to feel him squeeze her hand and to see his smile. The first stop was Lee's office. Rosemary helped Jack up the steps, then she opened the door and walked in. "Hi sweetheart," Lee said as he looked up. "Oh, when did you steal him?" He asked, referencing to Little Jack.

"Hi. I convinced Elizabeth to let me have him until dinner, and then I decided to bring him to town to show him off."

"Hey little man." Lee got up and then knelt down at Jack's level. "How's it going?" He gently ruffled Jack's hair, then stood back up. "Where else are you going?"

"Over to Abigail's, probably stop at our office for a minute, and then we'll go home again."

"Okay. I should be home on time."

"Wonderful. Have a good afternoon!" Rosemary smiled, then took Little Jack's hand again and they turned and walked out.

Lee watched them go for a few minutes before going back to his work. He couldn't help but think of the child that Rosemary had miscarried. A wonderful gift that would never be. Hopefully one day another wonderful gift would come his way.

Rosemary stopped by the office, then Abigail's, and finally, her and Little Jack stepped outside to head home. "Are you ready to head home, little guy?" She asked, looking down at him.

Jack nodded tiredly, and she picked him up.

"If we don't hurry, your mommy's not going to be very happy with me." Rosemary continued talking as they walked out of town. Too soon, the rowhouses came into view and Rosemary found herself holding tighter to Little Jack as they drew near Elizabeth's house. She walked up the steps and knocked on the door, then opened it. "I brought him back!" She said cheerily as Little Jack wiggled in her arms.

"Mama!" He cried, running to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth knelt down and gave him a big hug. "Hi Jack! Did you have fun with Auntie Rosemary?"

He nodded, still hugging her.

"He was an absolute delight." Rosemary said, still smiling.

"That's good. Thanks for watching him. I got a lot accomplished."

"It's my pleasure, anytime. But I should get going. Lee will be home soon." Rosemary turned.

"Alright. Thanks again. Have a good evening!" Elizabeth said.

Rosemary nodded, and closed the door behind her. She walked the ten steps over to her own house and up her own steps to get inside. When she entered, the house was quiet. Very clean, but very quiet. She found herself making extra noise in the kitchen to cover up the quietness. At least with Little Jack around, there had been noise, she thought as she banged a few extra pots.

"Hi sweetheart," Lee said as he entered the house. He took his coat, scarf, and gloves off and came over to give her a kiss. "Mm, smells delicious. Let me guess, you made pot roast."

Rosemary smiled. "I know how much you love pot roast. It's nearly ready."

"I love anything you cook, but yes, I do love pot roast. Alright, then I will go through my stuff upstairs." He gave her another kiss and then headed upstairs.

Rosemary woke up early on Thursday morning and already there was a giant list of things to do before Susannah's family came in her head. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, trying to plan out a way to get everything done. But no matter how she looked at it, there was never enough time. "What are you thinking about?" Lee's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Oh just everything I have to do today before you sister comes. The list is three miles long and I don't see how I'm going to get everything done."

"Sweetheart," Lee propped himself up. "You don't have to get everything done, you know."

"I know, but I want everything to be perfect. This is your first Christmas in a long time with your sister and I don't want anything to go wrong."

"Why don't you ask Elizabeth for help? I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Lee suggested.

"I don't want to bother her. She's busy enough with the big dinner on Friday night, which reminds me, I need to think about what we're going to wear."

"Clothes, I hope." Lee commented dryly.

She hit his shoulder. "Lee. Of course, we will, but the question is what clothes?"

"It doesn't matter to me."

"It matters to me." Rosemary sat up and swung her legs over the bed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Your sister's train comes in at 4, right?"

"Mmhmm." Lee nodded.

"What time is it?"

Lee checked his watch, which was beside him on the table. "Seven-thirty."

"Eight and a half hours."

"Don't stress out."

"I'm not stressed. Do I look stressed?" Rosemary said in a higher-pitched voice.

Lee made a mental note to ask Elizabeth to come by later. "Of course not, sweetheart," he responded quickly.