Author's Note:
Sorry about last week. I completely forgot to publish! But here you go, the next chapter. I'll do my best to keep them coming out regularily now. :) Thanks for reading and all the comments. I love them!
Chapter Twenty-One: Adjustments & Celebrations
Rosemary leaned over her drawing. She was acutely aware of the fact that she couldn't get as close to the desk as before, but she leaned over as far as she could and focused on the new drawings she was working on. It was all quiet behind her as Vivian played with some dolls in the corner. When Rosemary was done, she looked up at the clock. It read 4:50. She gasped: Lee was going to be home any minute! She jumped up from her seat, intent on hurrying to make supper. "Lee's gonna be home soon," she babbled to Vivian. "I'd better hurry. You just keep playing here."
She walked over to the stove and started the water for noodles, then began frying up the meat too. After the meat was fried, she threw some spices in and looked over in Vivian's direction. Vivian was sitting on the floor with her back turned to Rosemary. "Vivian, what are you doing?" Rosemary asked as she walked over.
Vivian turned around and held up the doll. "Drawing."
Rosemary looked at the doll. Its face was now covered in pencil marks, as well as it's arms and legs. "Vivian." She sighed. "I-" Just then, the water for the noodles started boiling over. "Oh no!" She dashed forward to the stove as the pot erupted everywhere. And, of course, at that exact moment, Lee chose to walk in on the mess.
"Sweetheart..." he began, then stopped. He knelt down beside Vivian. "What do you have here?"
Vivian showed him the doll. "I'm drawing."
Lee looked at the doll and at Vivian's arms, which were also covered in markings. "I see." He stood up and walked over to Rosemary, who had gotten the water under control. "Sweetheart, I think that you might need to give Vivian a bath," he said as he stepped closer to her.
She turned to him, her face hot from being close to the stove. "Why don't you do it? I'm kind of busy right now."
"Of course." Lee agreed. He went back, picked up Vivian, and brought her upstairs.
When he disappeared, Rosemary leaned wearily against the table. Being pregnant gave her less energy than usual. She put the plates on the table, fighting against the urge to start crying. By the time Lee and Vivian came back downstairs, the table was set, supper was ready, and Rosemary forced a smile. Vivian immediately came up to Rosemary and hugged her around the legs. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.
Rosemary patted the little girl's head. "It's okay sweetheart. Why don't you go sit down now?"
"Okay." Vivian nodded and ran to the table.
Rosemary smiled at Lee, and he smiled back. Then they went and had supper. After supper, when everything was done, they played with Vivian for a little while and then got her ready for bed. Both of them climbed in beside her while Rosemary read. Before long, Vivian was falling asleep and even Lee felt his eyelids close. Rosemary had a talent for putting people to sleep. "I think she's asleep." Rosemary whispered, closing the book.
"Me too." Lee smiled. He gently lifted Vivian off of Rosemary and placed her under her blankets. Then he extended his hand to Rosemary to help her off the bed and together, they walked downstairs. Lee settled on the couch and started reading the newspaper, while Rosemary relaxed on the couch, reading her own book.
All was quiet for a while until Lee looked up. He watched Rosemary reading to herself and the image of her when he had walked in that evening made him start to smile. At that moment, Rosemary looked up and caught his smile. "What?" She asked, putting her book down.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about when I came home." Lee chuckled. "You looked pretty tired."
"It must have looked pretty crazy," Rosemary admitted. "Vivian was drawing on her doll, the water was boiling, and it was just a bad time."
"You looked beautiful anyways." Lee got up and moved onto the couch beside Rosemary.
"Thanks, but I don't think it's true." Rosemary leaned her head against him. "I feel pregnant and tired."
"Well then, you're just gonna have to trust me." Lee smiled.
"Are you sure we're doing the right thing?" Rosemary asked quietly.
"I am. Are you?"
"I wouldn't change anything for the world." Rosemary replied, then yawned. "Except for sleep." She laughed. "A little more might be nice."
"I'm completely agreed." Lee chuckled again.
The next few weeks passed quickly as Lee and Rosemary's little family adjusted to each other. Lee was busy between work and being the mayor, but he still did his best to be home for supper. Rosemary was finally feeling better, and most of her old energy had returned. Between caring for Vivian, writing the newspaper, and being her usual self, her plate was full too. Before they knew it, spring had given way to summer and school was out. It was only eight more weeks until Rosemary's due date and she was feeling bigger and bigger everyday. One afternoon, Vivian was gone playing with Little Jack, and Rosemary was working through her newest story. Suddenly, a thought hit her: it was Vivian's birthday soon! She pulled out a scrap sheet of paper and began scribbling ideas down on it even as she made a mental note to talk to Lee about it later.
Later that evening, after Vivian was in bed, Rosemary brought the subject up. "I just realized that it's Vivian's birthday next Tuesday." She said.
"Do you have plans?"
"Well, I didn't. But I do now." Rosemary pulled out the sheet of paper and handed it over.
Lee read over it silently. "Wow, this is a lot."
"It's her first birthday with us. I am not doing a small celebration!" Rosemary exclaimed. "It has to be big and fun! Does it look alright?"
"I think it'll be just fine, sweetheart." Lee assured her.
"Good. Do you think you could get some of the stuff and then I'll find a place to hide it? Maybe Elizabeth can watch Vivian the day before, or we can decorate when she's in bed…" Rosemary's voice trailed off as a smile came to her eyes. There was nothing she loved more than a party, especially to celebrate someone she loved.
"I can do that, and I'm sure Elizabeth would be willing."
"I'll ask Vivian tomorrow if there's anything she wants to do too." Rosemary nodded. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
The next morning, after Lee had left for work, while Vivian was eating breakfast, Rosemary decided to bring the subject up. "Your birthday is coming up, isn't it?"
Vivian nodded excitedly between mouthfuls of pancakes. "Yeah."
"Is there anything you'd like to do?"
Vivian swallowed her food down. "Can we do cake? And have a party?"
"Absolutely!" Rosemary hugged her. "What kind of cake do you want?"
"Chocolate."
"I can do that. And who do you want at your party?"
"Everyone." Vivian nodded.
"Everyone in town?"
"Everyone." Vivian repeated. "I like everyone."
"Alright," Rosemary chuckled. "I can do that too."
Just then, a knock sounded on the door and Elizabeth walked in with Little Jack behind her. "Morning," she said with a cheery smile.
"Can I go play with Little Jack?" Vivian asked quietly.
"Go right ahead." Rosemary smiled as Vivian hopped off her chair and ran to Little Jack's side. Before long, the two of them were entertained in the living room.
Elizabeth walked over to Rosemary and sat down opposite her friend. "How are you feeling today?"
"Big." Rosemary laughed. "I'm also trying to get ready for Vivian's birthday. It's on Tuesday. We were just talking about it; she wants chocolate cake and a party for everyone."
"Oh wow." Elizabeth chuckled. "Sounds like quite the tall order."
"I was a bit surprised by the everyone part, but if it's what she wants, I'm willing to do it."
"Well, if you need any help, let me know."
"I will. Are you enjoying your summer break?"
"Yes, I am. It's been busy, but fun. Vivian will be going to school in the fall, right?"
"Yes." Rosemary sighed. "I hate to let her go already, but I'll be busy with the baby so it might actually be a help."
"I'm sure she'll be fine."
Rosemary invited everyone to Vivian's birthday party, which she had decided they would hold at the baseball field since it was so nice out. Monday came by and Vivian's birthday present arrived. Finally, it was Monday night. Vivian was wide awake, but Rosemary got her down so that she and Lee could work out the final details. They were both up late, but at least it was done.
"It's my birthday! It's my birthday!" Vivian said excitedly as she threw open the door to Lee and Rosemary's room.
Lee sat up, rubbing his eyes, as Vivian crawled up onto the bed. He gave her a big hug. "Happy Birthday sweetheart!"
Rosemary pushed herself up and Vivian scrambled over to give her a hug too. "Happy Birthday!"
"What's for breakfast?" Vivian asked.
"Pancakes and syrup." Rosemary announced. "Can you go get dressed?"
In a flash, Vivian jumped off the bed and dashed out of the room. Lee and Rosemary looked at each other and chuckled, then they got ready too. Rosemary whipped up the pancakes quickly, and then they all sat down to eat. "Vivian," Lee began with a big smile on his face. "Mama and I have a present for you."
"What?" Vivian looked up with a huge grin. "What is it?"
"It's sitting on the front porch. Go, run and see it!"
Vivian pushed her chair back and ran towards the door. Lee was right behind her, with Rosemary close behind him. Vivian dashed outside and saw her present sitting on the front porch. "This is amazing!" She exclaimed as she ran her hand over the brand-new dollhouse sitting underneath the window. "Is it really mine?"
"It is." Rosemary squealed excitedly. She was as excited as Vivian.
Vivian turned around and gave them both a hug. "Thank you so much!"
"I'll carry it inside." Lee said, picking it up. Almost immediately a strain came over his face. "Oh boy, it's heavy." He carried it inside and set it down in one of the corners.
"Now you can move all your old stuff into it." Rosemary said, still excited.
Vivian nodded, and ran from upstairs to get her dolls and their stuff. She sat there for over two hours, arranging everything and then playing. Rosemary watched her playing, with a smile on her own face. Finally, she knew she'd have to drag Vivian away for the party. "Vivian, time to go to your party now!" She said.
Vivian looked up. "Now?"
"Now. Everyone's waiting."
Vivian looked at her dollhouse, but then stood up and walked over to Rosemary. "Okay," she agreed. "But can we leave right away so I can play with it?"
"We'll see." Rosemary chuckled. "Lee!" She called up the stairs. "Are you ready?"
"Coming, sweetheart." Lee's voice floated down, followed by him a few seconds later. He looked at his girls waiting for him and he smiled. "You both look beautiful."
Vivian was wearing a cute pink dress with a frilly bow on it that Rosemary had made for her, and Rosemary was splendidly dressed in a blue floor-length satin dress. "And you look handsome too," Rosemary complimented him. "Are you ready?"
"I'm ready." Lee nodded. They walked along in the beautiful summer weather to the baseball diamond, where the town was already beginning to gather. Lee and Rosemary walked hand in hand, and Vivian skipped along beside them, sometimes holding Rosemary's hand, and sometimes wandering along looking for flowers. By the time they reached the baseball diamond, Vivian was wearing a beautiful flower crown that Rosemary had fashioned. Almost immediately, Vivian ran off to join Opal and Allie, and Lee and Rosemary found Elizabeth and Nathan. "It sure is a beautiful day," Elizabeth said as Lee and Rosemary walked up.
"Isn't it gorgeous?" Rosemary agreed. "I just wish I had less to carry," she complained. "Just walking here took all my breath away."
"How many weeks do you have?"
"Seven tomorrow, and trust me, they can't pass fast enough." Rosemary rolled her eyes. "I am so tired of carrying this kicking ball everywhere I go."
Elizabeth chuckled. "It will all be worth it in the end, I'm sure."
"Hmph. Well, I'd better get the candles out so we can get this party started. Lee, follow me." Rosemary directed, walking away from the circle. Lee shrugged and followed her, leaving Elizabeth and Nathan to chuckle to themselves. "Now, I'll do the cake if you can find Vivian." Rosemary said as they headed to the table.
"Alright." Lee disappeared into the crowd, and a few minutes later came back with Vivian and some of her friends.
"Everyone!" Rosemary raised her voice. "Everyone, if I could have your attention. Vivian," she lowered her voice a bit. "Go ahead and blow out the candles, sweetheart."
Vivian leaned over and blew out all six of them, then Rosemary cut her the first piece of cake as everyone clapped and cheered. Behind Vivian were Opal and Allie, who got cake second and third, and then the rest of the town came up to get it. When Nathan finally got in line to get him and Elizabeth a piece, not much was left. "Here you go, Nathan." Rosemary said as she handed him two plates.
"Thanks Rosemary." Nathan accepted the plates. "I…" he paused and looked away. "Need to talk to you about something after."
"Of course. What is it?"
"I'll explain later." He smiled, then suddenly turned and left, leaving Rosemary standing there as her curiosity rose.
Just then, Lee came up to the table. "Cake?"
"Hah. No, I'm not letting you have another piece." Rosemary flicked the knife at him. "What do you suppose Nathan wants?"
"What do you mean?"
"He just came over and said he wanted to talk to me. He looked really awkward too." Rosemary's eyes narrowed. "I wonder what's going on."
"Well, I'm sure he'll tell you."
"Lee." She hit his shoulder. "I have to figure it out before he tells me."
"Or you could use patience," Lee said as he slid past the table.
"Wait a minute, where are you going?" Rosemary called after him.
"To find out." He teased.
"Lee!" But he was gone. Rosemary sat back down in her chair. She was still suspicious; Nathan was up to something, that she knew. She just had to figure out what it was.