A Joyful Visit to Brookfield
Lee and Rosemary enjoyed the ride to Brookfield. They talked about baby Patrick, wondered what he was like and all the plans they could now make for a family. By the time they arrived at the outskirts of Brookfield it was late afternoon. "Rosie, do you think we should stop at the hotel and have some dinner before we go to the orphanage?" asked Lee.
"Oh, Lee. I'm sure Grace and Lillian will be serving a light supper for the children at the orphanage. I don't think I can wait another hour to meet that sweet baby," said Rosemary.
"I'm sure you're right. I seem to remember Eleanor Winters being quite a good cook too," said Lee.
"Lee, can't you go any faster?" asked Rosemary.
"I'm going as fast as I can, Rosie. Relax. We'll be there in less than ten minutes."
The weather was good, and Lee and Rosemary arrived at the orphanage in record time. They were barely out of the car when the front door of Lillian's childhood home opened. "Oh, you're here. Grace, come quickly. Lee and Rosemary are here," said Lillian.
"Lillian, we're so happy to see you. I can't even begin to thank you for thinking of us," said Rosemary.
"As soon as Grace and I met that sweet baby, we thought of the both of you. There was never a question where that boy belongs. Come on in. Don't worry about your bags. One of the boys will bring them in for you," said Lillian.
"Rosemary and Lee, you're here. We are so very happy to see you." Grace looked around at the other children, who all welcomed Lee and Rosemary to Brookfield. "You must be tired after your trip. Would you like to freshen up a bit first? Eleanor has made sandwiches for everyone. Boys and girls, if you're all very good and polite to our guests, I think Eleanor may have some cookies for you after supper. Can you boys please go out to the Coulter's car and get their bags?" The boys were eager to please, especially when Eleanor's cookies were involved.
"I think we're fine. We are a little hungry, but I know Rosemary is not going to sit still until she meets Patrick," said Lee.
"Well, we thought that might be the case. We actually put him down for his nap a little early, so he would be awake when you got here. Come into the dining room. We have a little crib in there. He likes to lie in it and look around, although I have to admit that he doesn't spend much time there. Whenever he's awake, we all want to hold him. Grace makes funny faces at him, and she's certain that he smiles at her," said Lillian.
"Lee, oh my, look at him." Rosemary and Lee walked over to the crib. "Lee, I think he's smiling at you. Is that possible? Could he be smiling at you?"
"I'm convinced he's smiling. Eleanor says it's gas," said Grace.
"Oh no, I think he's smiling. Can I pick him up? Is it OK?" asked Rosemary.
Grace nodded. She knew they were a perfect match. "I've been working with children and potential parents for a long time. I have a sixth sense about it, and I think the three of you are going to hit it off just fine."
"Oh, he is so sweet, and he smells so wonderful," said Rosemary.
"You wouldn't have thought so about a half-hour ago." All the children laughed. They knew what Grace was talking about.
"Lee, you need to hold Patrick," said Rosemary.
"Are you sure? The last baby I held was Little Jack, and he's a toddler now."
"Come on, Lee. Here, you hold him." Rosemary carefully moved Patrick from her arms to Lee's. Patrick made sweet little baby sounds in Lee's arms.
"I knew you'd both be naturals. He likes you. I can tell," said Grace. "Eleanor is our local expert. Eleanor, what do you think? Are Rosemary and Lee a good match for our sweet baby Patrick?"
"I'd say so. Look how he has taken to you. It's a match made in heaven I'd say," responded Eleanor. "What do you say we sit down at the table? All I have to do is bring the sandwiches and pickles in. There's plenty of lemonade on the table. It's a treat when we can get lemons to make lemonade."
The adults and children all sat at the table. Lee and Rosemary didn't want to put Patrick down during supper. They each took turns eating while the other held the baby. The children told Lee and Rosemary all about Patrick and his daily schedule and habits. They professed that he was indeed a sweet baby, but that he didn't always smell sweet. They said he only wakes up once during the night for his bottle and to be changed. By the time the children were finished, Grace and Lillian didn't have much more information to add for Lee and Rosemary.
"If you children are finished with your sandwiches, you can meet Eleanor in the kitchen to get your cookie," said Grace. As much as the children were enjoying telling stories about Patrick, they always enjoyed cookies more, and raced into the kitchen.
"We don't want to pressure you into making a decision about Patrick tonight. You should both talk about it and then sleep on it. Sometimes the best decisions come from careful thought and prayer," said Lillian.
Lee and Rosemary looked at each other and smiled. "Lillian, we don't need to think about it at all. I know in my heart that Patrick was meant to live with us," said Lee.
"Yes, we don't need to think about it at all. We would love for him to be part of our family."
Lillian and Grace looked at each other and nodded. "Very well. We can make the arrangements for you," said Grace. "I know this all happened so fast. You'll need time to get some things together for Patrick."
"You've been to Hope Valley. You know what a special place it is. This afternoon, the ladies were all getting together and said they would put together everything we'd need. They even offered to come over and fix up the spare room for Patrick. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if everything is done by the time we get home," said Lee.
"I suppose we shouldn't be surprised at that," said Lillian.
The children had their cookies and milk in the kitchen, and Grace joined them to go over their lessons for school the next day. Lee, Rosemary, Lillian and Eleanor sat in the parlor, and Lee and Rosemary took turns holding Patrick. Before they knew it, it was time for Patrick to have his evening bottle and go to sleep for the night.
"Rosemary, why don't you and Lee take Patrick out to the kitchen. Eleanor probably has his bottle ready for him. I'll show you Patrick's room upstairs. You can change him, give him his bottle and tuck him in for the night," said Lillian.
Lee and Rosemary eagerly followed Lillian's instructions, and they brought Patrick up to his room. "I'm just going to leave the three of you alone here" said Lillian. "Patrick will probably take the full bottle before he drifts off to sleep in your arms. Now, don't hold him too long, although I know it's tempting. I'll meet you downstairs, and we can go over the paperwork if you like." Rosemary and Lee were beaming.
"Lee, do you remember when Little Jack was born? Elizabeth said she told Abigail that she knew being a mother was going to be wonderful, but that she didn't realize just how wonderful it would be. Lee, I understand what she meant now."
"I do too, sweetheart. He's looks so comfortable and so much at home in your arms, Rosie. I also remember not so very many years ago when you called children sticky. You also said something to the effect that children come with diapers. Do you know what are in those diapers? Do you remember that, Rosie?" Lee laughed as he tried to mimic Rosemary.
"I thought you had forgotten all about that." Rosemary smiled. "It's funny how a few years and a sweet little baby boy can change things. I think Little Jack helped us to realize that we were meant to be parents, Lee. I think he's finished. I'm just going to burp him, and he'll be ready to sleep."
Lee and Rosemary met Grace, Lillian and Eleanor in the dining room.
"It's awfully quiet in here. Where are the children?" asked Lee.
"They're all in bed. They've had their snack, a story, and they're all tucked in." You remember what a wonderful storyteller Grace is," said Lillian.
"Well, I'm going to leave you to your paperwork. I think it's time I'm off to bed too. Those children get up early, and they're always hungry. I'm glad you were able to visit. I think Patrick is going to a real nice home," said Eleanor.
"Thank you, Eleanor. That means a lot to us," said Rosemary.
"Yes, thank you, Eleanor. Sleep well, and we'll see you in the morning. Good night," said Lee.
"Well, I think this is probably a perfect time to go over all the adoption papers. It's not quiet around here very often, so we have to take advantage of it when it is," said Lillian. "It won't take long at all. I'm sure you're both tired too."
"Lillian, I think we're both too excited to be tired. Lee and I appreciate you taking the time to do this tonight."
"Well, let's just go over a few things. These first four sheets are all standard. Gabe has already checked into your background, but he knew you would both be fine. You need to agree that once Patrick is transferred to your custody that you will be solely responsible for all his expenses including food, clothing, providing a safe home and seeing to his education. This paper is something Patrick's great aunt asked for, and we agreed to her wishes. She asked if she could meet you and then stay in touch. I think she'd be grateful if you could exchange letters and photographs. She mentioned she'd like to send Patrick birthday and Christmas gifts. She's not able to travel, but if you visit Brookfield or are passing through, I'm sure she'd appreciate a visit. She'll come here at 10 o'clock in the morning to meet you if that's alright with you. The last paper is Patrick's medical information, his birth date, progress reports and such. We'd like you to take that to your doctor in Hope Valley. Patrick has been examined by our local nurse, Maggie Parsons. She said he is in excellent health, but you'll need to bring him to see your own doctor for an examination."
"That's not a problem. Did you know that Faith Carter is now a doctor?" asked Lee. "She finished medical school and set up practice in Hope Valley."
"I didn't know that. What happened to Dr. Shepherd?" asked Grace.
"He took a fellowship in Baltimore, Maryland. It's quite an honor for him," said Rosemary.
"That's wonderful. We're glad for him. He was so good to the children when we were in Hope Valley," said Lillian. "I think that's everything. Patrick came to us with quite a few clothes, diapers and things, and we'd be glad to give them to you. I think there are some little sweaters that his mother knitted. I'm sure she would have wanted you to have them."
"We promise we'll take such good care of Patrick. We're anxious to meet his great aunt too. We hope she can tell us about his parents. We'd like to write all that information down, so we can tell Patrick about them when he's older," said Lee.
"That's so wonderful of you both. Now, why don't I take you to your room. The boys brought your bags up. I'm sure you must be tired."
"Thank you for everything. This means so much to both of us," said Lee.
"We're grateful to know that Patrick will have a good home. That's what we hope for all our children," said Lillian. "Try to get some sleep. If you need anything, just let me know. I'm just across the hall. Good night."
Lee and Rosemary changed and sat in their room talking about Patrick, Hope Valley and their future until neither of them could stay awake any longer. As Eleanor promised, the children were up early, got their chores done and were sitting in the kitchen with Eleanor making pancakes when Lee and Rosemary came downstairs.
"Oh, you're awake. Just in time. Look what we're having for breakfast—pancakes!" said Grace.
"I remember all the pancakes you made at our house last time you were in Hope Valley," said Rosemary. "They were delicious."
"Thank you. Please join us. We have plenty, unless some boys are going to eat them all." The boys all laughed. Even they couldn't eat more than four of Grace's delicious pancakes. Can I get you some coffee?"
"Could I have tea this morning?" asked Rosemary.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?"
"Lee, you are such a worrier. Yes, I'm fine. In fact, I've never been better. I think I'm just still a little tired. We had quite a week in Hope Valley."
"We heard about that. A rider came through from Hope Valley and told us what happened. He even brought copies of your Valley Voice. Rosemary, that was quite a story you wrote," said Lillian. "Sit and enjoy your pancakes. I have to go pick up Miss Black. She's Patrick's great aunt."
"I'll have tea and scones ready for you when you return."
"Thank you, Eleanor. I'll be back in about an hour. We can meet in the dining room."
After breakfast, Lee and Rosemary helped Eleanor wash up the dishes and get the children off to school. "This is good practice, Rosie," said Lee. Just as they were picking up the last of the toys, they heard Patrick stir upstairs. "Eleanor, should I get Patrick up?"
"Thank you, yes. I just warmed his bottle. If you like, you can change his clothes and diaper and give him his bottle. By the time you're finished, I bet Lillian will be back with Miss Black. You go ahead. I'm going to set the dining room table."
Lillian returned with Miss Black, and Grace met her at the door. Lee and Rosemary were sitting with Patrick in the parlor. They were so preoccupied with Patrick, they didn't hear their visitor arrive.
"Is that Lee and Rosemary Coulter, Lillian?"
"Yes, it is. I know you're going to like them. They are nice people, and they'll be wonderful parents to Patrick. I'll introduce you. Lee, Rosemary, I'd like you to meet Miss Black. She's Patrick's great aunt. Miss Black, this is Lee and Rosemary Coulter."
"It's our pleasure to meet you Miss Black," said Lee.
"I hope you don't mind. I asked Grace and Lillian if I could meet the people who would be adopting Patrick. I really wanted to raise him myself. He's the only family I have left, now that his mother and father have passed. I'm afraid an old maid like me can't raise a baby properly. Maybe I could do it if I was 30 years younger, but I'm not. There's no sense in trying to pretend I can.
"I'm sure that must have been difficult for you," said Rosemary. "Miss Black, Lee and I have wanted to have a family for a long time. I was afraid it just wasn't in the cards for us. When we heard about Patrick, we knew that our prayers had been answered. Miss Black, if you approve, we'd love to adopt Patrick."
"Would we be able to stay in touch? I'd like to write to see how he's doing and send him a birthday and Christmas present. If you happen to be in the area, I'd be grateful if you'd bring him and call on me."
"Actually, Rosemary and I were hoping you could tell us about Patrick's parents. We'd like to know as much about them as possible, so when he's old enough, we can tell him about them and you as well."
Miss Black told Lee and Rosemary everything she could think of about Patrick's parents. She promised that she would write to them with more stories as she thought of them. Lee told Miss Black about his brother, Patrick, and how he passed at a young age. Before they knew it, the clock struck 12. They never did move to the dining room for Eleanor's scones, but she came into the parlor and announced that lunch was ready in the dining room.
"Eleanor, you are such a treasure. Thank you," said Miss Black. Eleanor had to wipe a tear from her eyes. She didn't want to admit that while she was preparing lunch, she was eavesdropping on the conversation. "That was a delicious lunch. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter,"
Lee interrupted. "Please call us Rosemary and Lee. We're family now if we have your blessing."
"You most definitely have my blessing. I couldn't imagine any nicer parents for little Patrick. I'm sure my niece and her husband would agree. Now, Rosemary and Lee, since we are officially family, please call me Aunt Henrietta. Lillian, if we're all set here, I'd like to give Patrick one more hug and kiss before you drive me home."
Lillian drove Miss Black home and was able to quickly return. She wasn't even in the door when Lee swung it open, and it was his turn to ask the questions.
"I know what you two are thinking. Don't we, Grace?" Grace just smiled and shook her head. "You want to know when you can bring Patrick home."
"That's exactly what we want to know," responded Lee.
"Well, the circuit judge will be in town on Friday. All the paperwork is ready. He just has to sign off on it, and you can take Patrick home. Could you come back on Friday?" asked Lillian.
"We would be thrilled to. We can't tell you how grateful we are," said Rosemary. Lee echoed Rosemary's remarks.
"Then it's settled. We'll see you Friday. Now, if you want to get back to Hope Valley before dark, you'd better go see Eleanor. She'll have a little something for the road for you and you can give Patrick a hug and kiss before you leave," said Grace.