"Another Surprise in Hope Valley"
It had already been an exciting day in Hope Valley. After school, the children ran home to tell their families about the new librarian. Elizabeth didn't have a telephone, so everyone called Lee and Rosemary's house to try to find out more about Miss Couture. However, Lee was at his office, and Rosemary was with Patrick at the Infirmary.
So, everyone in town then tried calling Florence at the switchboard. "No, I'm sorry, Molly. I don't know a thing. Some of the children came into the Mercantile after school, and they told Ned about the new librarian. Everyone has been trying to call Rosemary, but no one is at the house. I can't leave the switchboard. Do you have time to walk over to Elizabeth's house to ask her? Oh, you do. Good. Can you stop by the Mercantile and let me know what she tells you, so I can let people know. The switchboard hasn't stopped since the stage arrived, and I don't have answers for anyone. Thank you, Molly. Yes, goodbye. Thank goodness. Ned, Molly is going to Elizabeth's house to ask about the new librarian. Frankly, I'm exhausted."
Rosemary and Patrick arrived at the Infirmary just in time for their appointment. "Faith, hello. How are you? Where is Molly going in such a hurry?" asked Rosemary.
"It sounds like Florence has been overwhelmed at the switchboard. The children told their parents about the new librarian being a woman from Quebec, and now everyone is trying to find out about her. Apparently, they thought the new librarian was supposed to be a man."
"Oh, dear. I saw Elizabeth when she and the children were heading back to school after meeting the stage, and she told me. The new librarian is Laura Couture, and she's from Quebec. She's staying with Opal's family until they can find a permanent residence for her. You know there is very little available in Hope Valley. Everything is tied up in that horrid land deal with Wyman Walden."
"Well, Rosemary, it sounds like there are two stories for your newspaper right there. Now, let's have a look at this young man. He really is a beautiful baby, Rosemary."
"Yes, I think so, but I'm a bit biased. I brought along his records that Grace and Lillian gave me. They asked me to give them to you."
"Thank you. Can you put Patrick on the examining table and hold him a minute until I read these. Well, everything seems perfectly normal. I'll have Molly add this to Patrick's file. Now, let's take a look at him."
Faith examined Patrick, and he look Faith right in the eye and smiled at her. Faith warmed up the stethoscope before listening to Patrick's heart and lungs. She was very thorough in her examination and pronounced Patrick a perfectly healthy baby.
"Rosemary, Patrick is in excellent health. It's obvious he has been well cared for. I'm so sorry to hear what happened to his family, but I know that you and Lee will provide a wonderful home for him. I'd like you to start feeding Patrick a little cereal every day. Wait a few days before giving him some strained fruits. We want to be sure he doesn't have a reaction to any of the new foods. You can try applesauce first, and then a few days later try peaches. If he has problems with any of these, be sure to let me know. Do you have any questions?
"No, I don't think so. Thank you, Faith."
"It's my pleasure, Rosemary. I'd like to see Patrick in about four weeks. Between now and then add the cereal and fruits, and we'll talk about his diet again when you bring him back. His weight is perfect, and he is certainly thriving. Now, let's talk about you. What's going on, Rosemary?"
"You know, I'm not sure. I've been tired. It started during the Wyman Walden investigation. I didn't get enough sleep, and I know I wasn't eating properly. Then as soon as that was over, we learned about Patrick. I have been going non-stop. I'm eating better now, but I'm still tired. I just can't shake it. Lee told me to ask you about vitamins. He said they're the latest thing."
"Yes, I have vitamins, and I'm sure they would help you, but I'd like to examine you if you don't mind. I just want to rule out anything else that may be going on. Is Patrick keeping you up at night?"
"Oh, no. He's a darling baby. He wakes up once for a bottle and diaper change and goes right back to sleep. Lee and I take turns, so I'm sure I'm getting enough sleep."
"OK then, let's just take a look at you." Faith performed a thorough examination on Rosemary. "Well, Rosemary, I think I know what's going on with you, and it's not your diet or lack of sleep."
"Oh no, Faith. Please tell me it's nothing serious, especially now that Lee and I have this beautiful baby in our lives."
"No, Rosemary. It's nothing serious, and it will take care of itself in about six months."
"I . . . don't . . . understand." Rosemary gasped, and she stared at Faith, who was smiling from ear to ear.
"Rosemary, you're going to have a baby."
Rosemary looked shocked, and then screamed with joy. Just then, Molly returned to the Infirmary.
"What's going on in here? Is everyone alright?" asked Molly.
"Yes, Molly. Everyone is fine." Faith came around the front of the privacy screen. "Could you please do me a favor, Molly? Would you walk over to Mr. Coulter's office and ask him to come here right away, please? No, wait. Try to call him on the telephone first. "
"Oh, dear. Is Rosemary alright?"
"Molly, could you just please call Lee, and ask him to come here to the Infirmary right away."
Molly was able to reach Lee by telephone, and he drove right over to the Infirmary. He was a bit flustered when he arrived.
"Molly, I'm here. What's going on? Where's Rosemary and Patrick? Are they alright? Faith, what's going on?"
"Lee, calm down. I don't want to end up having you as a patient today too. Molly, could you please stay in the front, and ask people to wait outside if they try to come in the Infirmary. I'll be a few minutes with Lee and Rosemary." Molly nodded and knew from her experience at the Infirmary not to ask questions. "Thank you, Molly."
"Faith, I want to see Rosemary and Patrick. Are they alright?"
"Come back here, Lee. Rosemary can tell you herself."
"Rosie, what's going on? Are you and Patrick OK? Please tell me you're both alright."
"Oh, Lee, you dear man. Yes, Patrick and I are just fine. Faith just gave me some very interesting news about why I've been so tired."
Lee looked very worried. "What kind of interesting news?"
"Lee, we're going to have a baby!"
They all heard Molly gasp in the front of the Infirmary, but there wasn't a sound in the examining area.
"Well, what do you think?" asked Rosemary.
"Are you sure? Faith, are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm very sure. You and Rosemary will have another baby in your home in about six months."
"I, I can't believe it. It's a dream come true. Actually, it's two dreams come true in one weekâFirst, Patrick, and now this." Lee hugged Rosemary so tight. "Oh, no. I shouldn't do that. Will I hurt the baby?"
"No, silly. You can hug me all you want. I'm fine. Lee, we're going to have a baby!"
"I am the luckiest man in the world. Faith, what do we do now?"
"I'm going to give Rosemary a diet to follow. She needs lots of healthy foods. Rosemary, I know you walk Patrick twice a day. Please continue to do that. Fresh air and exercise are good for both of you. I'm also going to give you some materials to read. As far as taking care of a baby, I think you're doing a great job with Patrick, and you'll do the same with your new baby. Patrick will be about ten months old when this baby is born. You will need some help with a newborn and a ten-month-old at home. I'd like you to think about that. Do you have family that could come and stay with you? If not, I'd be glad to look into hiring a nurse or a nanny for you. You have time to think about it. Why don't the three of you go home and rest a little. It looks like you need to get over the shock of your exciting news. I'm not going to tell anyone and neither will Molly." Faith yelled out to Molly in the front office. "Right Molly?"
"Oh yes, of course I won't say a thing. You know me. Your secret is safe with me," said Molly.
Lee and Rosemary looked at each other and chuckled just a little.
"You're ready to go unless you have any questions. Rosemary, I'd like to see you next week at the same time. That will give you a chance to read the pamphlets, and we can set up a schedule of visits for you. Please feel free to bring Patrick along. Congratulations. I'm so happy for all of you."
Faith and Rosemary hugged. "Thank you, Faith, I mean Dr. Carter," said Rosemary.
"Oh, Rosemary, we've known each other too long for that. Faith is fine. Now you both take Patrick and go home and get some rest. I'll see you next week. If you need anything before that, just let me know."
Lee, Rosemary and Patrick walked to Lee's car. He was so anxious to get to the Infirmary, that he had parked the car just a little too close to the middle of the road. Lee loaded Patrick's carriage up in the back of the car, and they drove home. They didn't speak at all. They didn't need to; they just smiled all the way home.
"Lee, it's funny. We just talked about how perfect our lives are. Now, it doesn't seem possible, but it's even more perfect. Lee, we're going to have a baby. Patrick is going to have a brother or sister. I couldn't possibly be any happier. I love you, Lee Coulter."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Look who's sitting outside, Rosemary. It's Elizabeth and Little Jack. Do you want to tell them?"
"Yes, you know I do." Lee's car came to a stop in front of their row house, and Lee, Rosemary and Patrick went to the front of Elizabeth's house. "Elizabeth, oh my, Elizabeth. I have to talk to you. I mean, we have to talk to you. You're not going to believe it, Elizabeth."
"Rosemary, are you alright? Lee, what's going on?" asked Elizabeth.
"Go ahead, Rosemary, tell her."
"Elizabeth, you'd better sit down."
"OK. I'm sitting. What's going on?"
"Lee and I are having a baby!"
"Yes, I know. Patrick is just so sweet. I'm so glad you were able to adopt him. Wait. What did you say?"
"Lee and I are going to have a baby, Elizabeth. I'm expecting. I'm three months along. It will be a spring baby."
It took Elizabeth a minute to absorb what Rosemary was saying. "Oh my goodness, Rosemary, you're going to have a baby!"
"Yes. You know I've been so tired lately. I thought it was all the excitement over the Walden investigation and then learning about Patrick. I scheduled Patrick's examination for this afternoon and asked Faith if she might recommend a tonic for me. Well, you know how particular she is. She suggested an examination, and there you have it. We're going to have a baby!"
Elizabeth hugged Rosemary, then Lee and even baby Patrick. "Jack, isn't it exciting. I told you that you'd have a new friend when Patrick came to Hope Valley. Now, you'll have two new friends." She turned to Lee and Rosemary. "I hope our children will grow up together and become good friend just like we are."
Rosemary replied, "I would like nothing better, Elizabeth."