Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Revelations Among Friends and Colleagues

Breakfast was raucous and wonderful at the Grant Home. Full of good food, lively conversation, and laughter!

Godfrey ran the entire meal with precision! But most of all a casual air of love reigned, unlike the formality of Elizabeth's childhood. Although the Butler was still very much in charge!

As the meal was completed, the Children ran outside to play with Rex and Reggie along with their newest feline addition, Prince Charming, while the Grandfathers went to the Stables to go on their second ride of the morning, and the Grandmothers retired to the Sun Room to do some embroidery.

Nathan and Elizabeth retired too, where he soon wrapped his long arms around his Wife while standing in the privacy of their Bedroom.

"Lisbeth, I shouldn't be gone long. Bill just needed to discuss a case or two before we leave."

"It's alright, Love! Rosemary's bringing Allie and me into town later this morning to take our Laundry to Mrs. Weston. After that, the three of us plan to stop by the Mercantile, Dress Shoppe, and Milliner's Shoppe for a few last-minute purchases for our trip. Rosemary and Sophie insist Allie and I are going to need dress hats to match all of our outfits, and they're probably right! Even though we're going to do most of our shopping in Hamilton, there are still a few things we need to get here."

"I'll take you hatted or hatless, although I know nothing about fashion! But we are going to trendy New York City!" teased Nathan. "Hey, why don't you stop by Bill's Office and we'll all go have lunch together?"

"Lee too?"

"Of course, Lee too! Would love to catch up with him before we leave. Besides as long as I get to see my Girls, you can invite whomever you like to join us!"

"Lunch with my Husband sounds perfect!"

But the Chief Inspector suddenly had something on his mind other than Bill's cases and lunch, as he found his lips falling to his Wife's lovely curvaceous neck, where he lovingly began planting tiny whispered kisses along its length.

"You do know you've made me the happiest Man alive?" he muttered in between kisses.

"I hope so…because I'm so happy, too, Nathan. We're married, we have Allie and Jack, and now we're having our Babies together. I just can't wait for each new day!"

"Are you sure this is alright?"

"I promise you, it is," and the sparkle in her eyes told him so much more that he swept her up into his arms and with that flirty grin still plastered on his face, carried her back to the bed they had left only hours ago.

"Holding you, my Love, is Heaven," he said brusquely, as his Wife started to unbutton the shirt he had just dressed in.

She did so expertly, as now, she was growing quite familiar with the process, but something startled her when she reached the fourth button, and she froze, suddenly sitting upright in their bed.

"Oh, no, Nathan! I'll be sick the whole trip!"

"What?"

"Morning sickness. I'll be sick the whole trip."

"Then we'll cancel the trip."

"Darling, we can't cancel. Everything has been set up for both our Book Tours."

"But I don't like the idea of having you sick with the added pressure of traveling and selling your new book. It's too much, Lisbeth!"

"It's okay. With you by my side, we'll manage. I promise."

"Tell me exactly what will happen, so I'll know what to expect."

"Foods will start making me nauseous probably in a couple of weeks, and the truth is, if things are like they were with Jack, there will be a couple of months of throwing up everything I put into my mouth."

"Sounds horrible. Colleen was lucky. She must have bypassed that part. Or maybe I was just not there for it, as I was overseeing quite a few training missions during most of her pregnancy."

"Lucky her if she missed it, but I doubt she got off scot-free. I'd say you probably just missed all that, Love! It's not fun for us women, but at least, it's manageable. Well, I probably should say, at least it's USUALLY manageable. With lots of tea and salty crackers! It's funny the odd thing is the smells are the hardest for me. I remember Coffee was the big one. I couldn't even stand the smell of it the entire nine months."

"Then I'll give it up."

"No, Love! You're not going to give up your Coffee! But you may have to fix your own. You know, as the Babies grow…"

Elizabeth stopped mid-sentence.

"Here I'm talking like an expert and I've only birthed one Child. But Nathan, we're having two. I just know we are."

"Somehow, I know it, too. The lambs were a sign, weren't they? And then two, there's my long-term Family History, which up until now has been pretty conclusive"

Elizabeth chuckled.

"And here I was just going by the Lambs! I had almost forgotten about your Family History."

"Does it scare you, Darling? To have two at once?"

He had gently unbuttoned the top few buttons of her lacy blouse. Rather than answer, she showed him very clearly that it did not at all scare her.

She simply kissed him in a way that answered his question and left no doubt as to her answer.

There was no fear, just pure jubilation, and already an exquisite love for these two beautiful Babies she knew were already growing within her womb.

"I love you so much, Nathan! With my whole heart, I love you!"

"You are so very beautiful, Lisbeth! I don't know now, how I ever even existed without you."

"Funny, how time works its magic, my Love. We've been married just a little over a week, and already I can't even imagine you not being my Husband."

"Or you not being my Wife!" he smiled.

"Was it ever any other way?" she teased, eyes dancing.

And there was that low melodious chuckle that sent the most wonderful shivers through her spine…

As soon as Nathan left to go see Bill, Rosemary dropped by in a flurry.

She started right in speaking before any pleasantries at all, which meant one thing and one thing only.

Rosemary LeVeaux Coulter had something very important on her mind.

"Elizabeth, before Allie comes down, I have something to ask you."

"Ask away…"

"It's something very private, Elizabeth," harrumphed Rosemary.

Elizabeth looked up at her Friend's face and realized this was serious.

"Oh! Here, let's go into the Library," and Elizabeth led her best friend through the large double doors, shutting out the daily clutter of activity of family and guests currently flowing throughout the Grant's large home.

"Sit here," and she pointed to the window seat, growing more and more concerned.

"Whatever's wrong, Rosemary?"

"I'm not sure there is anything wrong. But I think there might be."

"What is it? You know you can tell me anything."

"This is embarrassing, Elizabeth," Rosemary hadn't even sat in the window seat with Elizabeth yet, but was instead frantically pacing in front of the large window while wringing her hands.

"Rosemary, we're best friends. You know everything about me. You were there when Jack was born. We have no secrets," but Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt with that admission. "Whatever's wrong?"

Actually, Rosemary didn't know EVERYTHING about her. Not at this very moment.

"Violet is almost two months old, and I've been thinking. I need to get ready to have another child."

"What? Rosemary, you have your hands full with Frederic and Violet! Don't you think what you need is some time in between, instead?"

"No, Elizabeth. I don't. It's complicated. This feeling was already there, but with Felicity and Sophie being pregnant, it's all I can think about. But not in the way you think! I'm not at all jealous. I'm positively thrilled for both Felicity and Sophie. I truly am!"

"Then what's the problem? Rosemary, you need time for your body to heal. As you just said, it's only been two months…"

"But what if I don't have that time? What if it takes as much time as it did to have Violet? I don't have that kind of time. Not at my age, and what if I can't get pregnant again at all?"

"Slow down. You're borrowing trouble here, my Sweet Friend. I personally think much more time needs to elapse before another Baby, but I'm not at all the expert. Why don't we do this? Why don't we stop by and talk to Carson and see what he thinks as to what would be reasonable timing for a second pregnancy?"

"I just hate to talk to him about this. He'll think I'm crazy and ungrateful for Frederic and Violet. And that's not the case at all! But I just desperately need to know if he thinks it will be easier for me the next time. I also need to know that it won't take so horribly long when the normal time is right."

"Rosemary, he's your Doctor! That's what he's there for, to listen to your concerns and your questions. You're not crazy, nor ungrateful! Maybe just ahead of things a bit. After all, Carson's already mentioned the possibility of a second pregnancy to you," smiled Elizabeth.

"He has not!"

"Yes, he did when he got out of the car when we brought Violet home from Union City. If I remember correctly, he said he hoped 'when we go through this again, you'll at least listen to me!'"

"Oh, my I suppose I was a terrible patient. But next time I'll know what to expect. I think I'll be much less worried this time, too, and a much better patient," admitted Rosemary ruefully.

"You'd better be! You put poor Carson through the wringer!"

A comment Rosemary completely chose to ignore.

"Elizabeth, Lee and I are both completely over the moon with Frederic and Violet," and the pure joy seeping through her concern over whatever this was that was bothering her, was proof of that. "We couldn't be happier. And we are so very grateful to God. And even to Carson. But…"

"What is it, Rosemary? But, what?"

"I've never told anyone this," and Rosemary finally stopped wringing her hands, and sat down, taking Elizabeth's hands into her own. "Please don't think I'm crazy. But, after Violet was born, I had this dream that we would have six Children."

"But Rosemary, that could have just been a dream," explained Elizabeth, not really understanding where Rosemary was going with this. "Or pregnancy hormones and all."

"It wasn't just a dream, Elizabeth," declared Rosemary solemnly and resolutely. "Nor was it pregnancy hormones, although the Good Lord above knows I had plenty of those! It wasn't!"

"How do you know that?" asked Elizabeth, genuinely puzzled.

"Don't laugh, but Lee had the same dream on the same night. We knew it was a sign, our fervent prayer acknowledged and answered. Elizabeth, Lee and I aren't proud of this, but during all those years of infertility, before Frederic and Violet, I'll admit, our faith wavered somewhat. But deep down, we never forgot our dreams of a family, and we never completely gave up, even as it looked more and more hopeless for us to have Children. But now, we have the promise of six Children, Elizabeth. That's six little Coulters. We now know our other four Children are out there somewhere. And we know that doesn't mean we will birth them all, and we're fine with that. We honestly feel no difference between Frederic and Violet. They are simply our Children. But we do want to do everything in our power to fulfill the promise we were given. It would be just terrible if we ignored God's Promise and missed out on the special Children meant to be ours and ours alone. What kind of Parents would we be?"

Elizabeth was more baffled and confused than she had ever been following one of Rosemary's soliloquies.

"But, Rosemary I guess I don't understand what it is you are worried about…"

"No, you wouldn't! You've never had a problem getting pregnant. I wouldn't be surprised if you're pregnant right now! And if so, don't get me wrong. Lee and I will be truly thrilled for you and Nathan when that happens! But Elizabeth, it was my body that failed Lee and me all those years, and I don't want it to fail us again. I don't have that kind of time left, and I can't put Lee or even myself through all that again. Truthfully, Lee and I would be fine if it was meant for us to adopt our remaining four Children. It's just that because of those dreams, we know that is not the case."

"I don't understand! How in the world do you know that from those dreams, Rosemary?"

"I'm trying to tell you. It was very clear in our dreams, that I carried one more child, a Son, and his name is Patrick, after Lee's brother. That's what Lee and I both saw in our dream, and that's what we believe. What we know to be true. We also know the other Children will come to us through adoption. Because it was all part of our dreams. We've already spoken to Lillian and Grace, and they are on the lookout for three siblings who are in desperate need of a home. Lee and I are ready for them! We don't care what their ages are or if they are boys or girls or a mix of the two. We just want to find the Children meant for us, the ones who need us the most. Those are the Children that were promised to us. We can't fail them, Elizabeth, not a single one of the four. And I simply won't!"

Elizabeth looked thunderstruck.

Lee and Rosemary had already started adoption proceedings? With two little ones already at home? Were they that serious about all this?

"See, you think we're crazy. You can laugh or ridicule me or think I'm crazy or whatever! It won't change any of this. Lee and I know. And that's enough for us. I'm only telling you all of this because I'm afraid I'm not doing my part on the second birth child, our Son. I'm scared that I might fail yet again, and I just can't go through that kind of loss yet again! Not after all those years childless. I just need to make sure I'm doing everything possible to fulfill God's plan for our lives. That's all, Elizabeth."

Suddenly Elizabeth felt a pang of deep guilt.

"I'm so sorry, Rosemary. This is just a lot to take in. But you're right, thankfully, I've never experienced the pain you and Lee have gone through. Yet I do know one thing. You have never told an untruth in your life, and if this is what you and Lee believe, then I believe you too! I think we've got to talk to Carson, now, and find out what's a reasonable time frame for a second pregnancy. Or if perhaps there's anything you should be doing that you aren't to speed the process along. And I pray that he will be able to relieve your mind, my Dearest, Most Wonderful Friend!

"Will you go with me, Elizabeth?"

Rosemary's voice was barely a whisper.

"Of course, I will. And Rosemary, I will pray for you and Lee in this quest for the rest of your Family, the Coulter Family that was shown to you both. When you think of it, your dreams are truly a beautiful gift and promise from God! How can I not support you in this?"

"Thank you for believing me, Elizabeth. I know it's a lot. This isn't about selfish reasons, that we have to have another child simply because we want one or think we deserve one. We just KNOW there is supposed to be another Child. Our Patrick. Lee says I need to just trust God, and that in His time, everything will work out. And I do believe that. Yet the Mother in me also feels responsible to do my part, by doing everything in my power. And with my history, I'll admit I'm scared. Can you possibly understand that? As one woman to another?"

Rosemary's eyes were pleading.

"I do understand that Rosemary. I truly do. God expects us to help ourselves. I know that's true, and that's certainly the way He made you. To get things done! It's just part of your nature, part of you! A part we all love!"

Rosemary had tears in her eyes.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for understanding. It means so much to me. I didn't expect to have this burden for more Children, especially after having Frederic and Violet. I was just so elated with them, these two dreams just sort of came out of left field! But it's God's timing, not ours. Truthfully, at first, I even thought I was going crazy, yet this overwhelming feeling of urgency simply won't leave me! But back to visiting with Carson, if we go today, what will we do with Allie? And if we don't go today, you'll be gone before we know it, and…"

"Nathan suggested that we all meet for Lunch, Lee too. So, Allie can stay with the Men while we go see Carson."

"Perfect, Elizabeth! I just hope Carson doesn't think I'm crazy like you did!"

"Rosemary, I'm so sorry for that! You're not at all crazy. I just think adopting two to three more Children, plus entertaining a second pregnancy is a lot for you to take on, given your current maternal roles!"

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. But, really, what would you know about that? You've never had a problem getting pregnant. You know, with your luck, you are right now! And don't get me wrong. As I said before, we would be thrilled for you and Nathan if you are. But Lee and I have just been through so much. I think I just need the assurance from Carson that I can get pregnant again. And also I need to know when I can start trying. And if he thinks I can get pregnant quicker this time. That's all. Then once I know I've done everything I can possibly do, I'll be able to relax and enjoy the Children I already have! But without this nagging cloud over me of not paying attention to something I should be paying full attention to."

Guilt flew over Elizabeth in waves.

Rosemary was right.

It was impossible for Elizabeth to fully understand her friend's anguish.

She had never experienced the horrible problems of infertility that Rosemary and Lee had endured.

And it looked like she wasn't going to be experiencing them married to Nathan, either.

Now, she couldn't possibly say a word to her Best Friend, about her own happiness.

All she could do was support her through this unexpected worry.

Or was it even unexpected?

For Rosemary, the devastation of infertility had been a constant, from the time of her marriage, and all this time, she had to have complete faith, even when things looked grim as year after year passed childless for Lee and her, while others kept having child after child.

Yes, a most painful constant in more ways than one.

One that was lived constantly, but was sharply brought to the forefront time and time, over and over, again.

Elizabeth tried hard to put herself in Rosemary's shoes, and suddenly she understood a little bit of Rosemary's apprehension.

At least in the slightest of parts, as much as a woman can who hasn't experienced it for herself.

Rosemary was simply trying to do her best to fulfill her part of God's Plan for her life. She wasn't being greedy at all but was actively seeking the Children she and Lee now knew they were meant to adopt, without even opting for the luxury of waiting till Frederic and Violet were older.

All this simply because she believed the Children meant for them were already out there, needing them right now.

And she was not going to selfishly wait, but instead, she selflessly wanted to do everything in her power to gather them to her, to care for them while preparing for Patrick as well.

God had put those six Children into Rosemary's and Lee's hearts at a time most would have honed in on showering all their love and attention on the two Children they already had, and each other. But Rosemary and Lee were actively searching for more, not for their own needs, but for the Children who needed them. The Children who were meant to be theirs.

Which was really quite a remarkable and honorable thing.

There had to be a reason for both to have experienced the exact same dream. And there had to be a reason, that there were to be six Coulter Children, two born naturally, and four adopted.

Only God knew what those reasons were.

It was just Rosemary's nature to get it done!

Where Children were concerned, Rosemary was truly a Mother, a selfless and wonderful Mother.

And perhaps Elizabeth was realizing for the first time, Motherhood was truly Rosemary's most important calling, more than anything else she had ever done or ever would do.

More than acting, more than dressmaking, more than any other career her future might bring!

Elizabeth suddenly realized she also had a few questions for Carson, related to herself.

Perhaps, as so many things do, Rosemary's revelation was meant to happen today for reasons beyond what she herself knew…

The Judge poured two cups of his very strong Coffee, so strong it could walk, as it had often been described!

He smiled at the Chief Inspector as he held out one hand and offered him a steaming cup.

"Thank you, Bill! Believe it or not, I've missed this!"

"My Coffee?"

"Please! No, you! You Old Goat! What's got you concerned?"

"You."

"Me? Why me? I meant your caseload!"

"Marriage obviously agrees with you. But you know me, I like to hear it from the Horse's mouth!" and Bill flashed that dastardly grin of his.

"My marriage to Elizabeth is everything I hoped it would be. And oh, so much more! Are you satisfied?" Nathan chided with a crooked grin and twinkly eyes. "You're not getting specifics!"

Bill guffawed!

"I knew it! You two fit together like two matched gloves! I don't have to ask if Elizabeth's happy. Good grief! It's written all over her face!"

Nathan blushed.

"Well, I'm sure you called me here for more than to discuss my marital affairs! What's up, Judge? Your caseload, remember? The reason you summoned me here!"

"I know this is a bit beneath your new position and pay grade," prefaced the Judge. "But I just need some friendly advice. Aaron and I have a livestock robber or two. They've already struck four different farms, one farm twice."

"What was taken?"

"Started out as a few chickens here and there, moved on up to a sow, two cows, and now a horse!"

"What? That's pretty brazen. I mean a horse would be easily recognized. So at least, you know they aren't staying around here with their livestock!"

"That's only case Number One."

"Which farms and do you have any leads?"

"The Powers Ranch, the Setters Dairy Farm, the Claussen's Farm, and the Mabry Farm."

"That means they're coming out of Brookfield."

"How do you know that?"

"Those farms are all located on the west end of Hope Valley. Brookfield is the only town of any size in that direction. I'd call Gabe and see if he's had any of the same livestock issues, then I'd set a trap. Which farm have they gone to twice?"

"The Claussen's."

"Then choose one of the others. They won't risk a third time at the same place. Guarantee you'll get your man or men or kids!"

"You really think it could be kids?"

"Sure could. But it's somebody strong enough to wrangle a sow, and move two cows. Of course, the horse doesn't require strength per se, just a little cunning, as some stranger has to approach this horse and keep him quiet while he's luring him away. It's someone very good with horses. Because the Claussen's only have four horses, and all of them are kept in the barn except when they're being used or set to pasture during the day. Whoever this is had to keep four horses quiet, if, as I'm assuming, the horses were taken at night."

"They were. How did you know that?"

"Logic, pure and simple. Daylight's too risky."

Bill snorted, a bit embarrassed they hadn't thought of any of this.

"Okay, Case Number Two involves a petty robber here in town. Little things, but all pricey things, are missing from the Mercantile to Dottie's Dress Shop to Sophie's Milliner Shoppe to even the Livery."

"Can you pinpoint the time of day or night they occur?"

"All during work hours; no sign of forced entry. But no other clues. The robber is always gone when the items are found missing."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Well, no. But…" Bill stopped with a puzzled look on his face. "Don't tell me you know who this is!"

"I do. It's not one person. It's a couple. And your couple is Sam and Libby."

"Sam and Libby Gentry? How do you know that?"

"I know it because I've watched them in action."

"But you've not arrested them."

"No, because, I talked them in to taking everything back and apologizing. They also promised me they wouldn't do it again on my watch. And they haven't! Looks like you and Aaron need to garner a similar promise. They honor their promises!"

"Well, I'll be a…"

"Anything else?"

"Yeah! Why did you let them off so easy?"

"Because their Son is sick, Bill. They returned every single item, and I might have given them the money they needed to help with his care. But don't you tell anyone that."

"Why, I didn't even know Bledsoe was sick. What's wrong?"

"He has…okay, first, this stays here. He has a mental problem and they take him to a special Doctor in Union City on a regular basis. Hadn't you ever wondered why he never went to college? The boy did great in school!"

"But I thought maybe money was tight and he just stayed to help his Pop on the farm!"

"Not able to attend college, and not much of a help on the farm. Although he does keep the Family Garden next to the house, so he's helpful in that way. And he does do light chores. But he flies off over nothing at all. I've even had to sit him down and tell him to keep his hands off his Mother. He hit her once when his Dad was out in the fields. As far as I know, after our talk, it hasn't happened again. So, all this is FYI, just in case Bledsoe gets worse or for some reason turns violent again. Although, the doctor feels like his violence is under control. So, truthfully, it hasn't been an issue."

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"You didn't ask and quite frankly, I didn't think of it, as I said, he's been doing a lot better. Hasn't hit his Mother but that one time, and that's been just after I first came. So almost three years ago. But those trips to Union City are costly. So instead of them stealing, I just bought their train tickets and intended to keep doing it. It just slipped my mind with the Wedding and all."

"Out of your own pocket?"

"What else was I to do, Bill? They're too proud to ask for help. And you know they aren't robbers. Not really. They're just in a hard place with their Son and his illness. They only took enough to sell for the tickets. You're right. I should have told you. It's just that it felt like bragging and that's not what this is all about."

"I know that, Nathan. Anybody who knows you knows you don't brag! Just remind me to be more observant. I feel like a fool. I've known Sam and Libby since I came to Hope Valley, and they've never once said anything about havin' a problem of any sort, much less with Bledsoe."

"They're proud people, Bill. They didn't tell me either until I figured it out and specifically asked! I'll stop by and give them some cash for their tickets to last through the summer while we're gone. You won't see any petty robberies, then. I can assure you of that."

"Nah, forget it! I s'pose Aaron and I can take up the slack. It's our turn, Nathan. You've done more than enough! And for what it's worth, I wouldn't have put Sam and Libby in jail either!"

Nathan pulled out some bills.

"Good enough. But at least put this in with yours and Aaron's!"

"You're a Good Man, Nathan Grant."

"No better than you or Aaron or Gabe," he winked. "How many good people have you bailed out over the years, Judge?"

And with those few words, these two Men of the Law understood each other perfectly…

The day had been long, and certainly not without its revelations, but thankfully, it was about to come to an end as Nathan intently watched Elizabeth brush her hair at her dressing table.

It was a highlight of his day, and Nathan knew he'd never tire of watching his beautiful wife complete this simple grooming ritual.

"You look so stunning, Lisbeth."

Laying her brush down, she turned to smile at her new Husband.

"Come to bed," he smiled back at her.

"Why Chief Inspector Grant, I thought you'd never ask!"

"Don't ever wait to be asked Mrs. Grant," he chided. "This is where you belong. Always. Right here, by my side!"

She took off her robe and laid it on the chair by their bed.

"I talked with Carson today."

"Lisbeth, are you sick," Nathan was instantly sitting up in bed.

"No, Darling. I just had a few questions about traveling during pregnancy. Carson was very helpful and had plenty of tips for motion sickness as well as morning sickness, if in case, as he said, 'I were to become pregnant.' I think he also relieved Rosemary's mind about a possible second pregnancy."

"Is she already worried about that?"

"A bit, because of all those years not being able to conceive. But Carson insists now that she's had a child, a second pregnancy should come more easily. It relieved her mind greatly. Nathan, she and Lee had a dream after Violet was born."

"You mean both of them had the same dream?"

"Yes, both dreamed the same dream on the same night."

"That can't be coincidental," remarked Nathan dryly.

"No, I suppose you're right."

"What did they dream, Darling?"

"That they would have a total of six children, one more Child naturally, a boy named Patrick after Lee's brother, and three more siblings by adoption."

"That's very specific and pretty remarkable. I must admit, although Lee didn't mention any dreams to me, he did mention them possibly adopting."

"Does he seem okay with it?" asked Elizabeth.

"He's a little concerned that in growing their Family so quickly, they're taking on too much too soon, but he says Rosemary is insistent they can't wait. Now knowing it was a dream that both of them has had, I can better understand her urgency!

"So, you think he is fully on board?"

"Yes, he definitely is. In fact, he has prayed about it and feels it will all happen when it's meant to, even if they find the children to adopt now. Actually, he only mentioned they were actively searching for three siblings to adopt. Funny, he didn't mention a second pregnancy. Poor Carson!"

Elizabeth chuckled.

"Yes, it appears, Carson is going to be very busy. Hopefully, he'll have the Bouchard, Latham, and Grant pregnancies all over by then, as he'll need to devote his full attention to a Coulter pregnancy!"

Now, it was Nathan's turn to chuckle.

"Poor Lee! I'm not sure he can survive another pregnancy!"

Still chuckling, he gathered his Wife to him, stopping his chuckles and Elizabeth's giggles with an intense, long, and most passionate kiss.

No words were needed as he wrapped his Wife in his arms, and gave her his full attention.

"You know, I think I'm going to miss our bed, our home," he mused wistfully.

"Me too! But I am looking forward to all our adventures."

"So am I. At the end of this week, the Grant Family goes to Hamilton, and then on to New York City! Lisbeth, will it feel good for you to be going home?"

"Home? To Hamilton? Yes, it will be good to visit Hamilton. But Hamilton is no longer my home. Home now, my Darling, is anywhere I'm with you!"

"I love you, Elizabeth Grant!"

"I love you, Nathan Grant"

As the Couple switched off their lights, their day of revelations was ending, but their night together was just beginning…