Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 4, Page 40
"That's it Clara, take a deep breath and now push!" Faith said encouraging Clara. Clara did as Faith said, but her baby was taking it's time entering the cold, bright world. Carson was there in case Faith needed any help, but Faith and Clara had this.
So, Carson went out to talk with Jesse who was nervously pacing up and down the hallway downstairs. "Are you ready Jesse? You're about to be a father!"
"Ah, yea, I guess. I don't know." Jesse said trying to convince himself, while doubting himself.
"It won't be long Jesse, but don't worry, you'll be fine." Carson tried to sound authoritative. "This is going to be a Christmas to remember, that's for sure."
"C'mon baby we're ready for you! Okay Clara it's up to you now to give one more big push!" Faith renewed Clara's determination.
Clara gave it all she had and there he came! His lungs were strong and he gave out a loud cry! Clara was crying with relief and love!
"Carson, hear that?" Jesse sat upright in his chair and heard the cry again.
"Go on Jesse, go up there!" Carson cheered following Jesse up the stairs.
Jesse looked around the opened door and peeked in. "Get in here right now daddy!" Clara was radiant. "Look at your son!"
Jesse walked over and his face shone like the sunrise as he kissed his wife and then gently took his son in his arms. Beaming with pride, Jesse, stared into his little boy's eyes and the crying slowly stopped.
Carson came over and congratulated the new parents. "Let me check this little guy out and I'll give him right back to you, I promise."
After Faith cleaned up Clara, Jesse helped her sit back up. When Carson brought their son back to them, he was falling asleep. "This little fella' is doing just fine. He's definitely a charmer. Any idea of a name for him?" Carson asked.
Clara looked up at Jesse and said, "We'd like to name him after Jesse's grandfather, Michael."
"My grandfather was a good man. He taught me how to fish, play baseball, play checkers, and to carve wood. He always had time for me. I can't wait for him to meet his namesake!" Jesse was grinning from ear to ear.
"Since Micheal is napping, I'm going to go home and relax. Are you staying?" Carson asked Faith.
"Yes, honey, I want to make sure Clara can nurse little Michael. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, I don't want to spend any more time away from you then I have to." Carson gave Faith a kiss and a hug goodnight.
Meanwhile, Lee and Rosemary were wrapping up Christmas presents. They were excited to pick Paul up the next morning hoping for good news from Lillian. They had dropped off the adoption papers they had filled out when they brought Paul back last Sunday. When they went to shop for Paul for Christmas, they knew they just couldn't return to the orphanage without buying gifts for all the children. So, it was taking most of the night for them to finish wrapping.
Rosemary looked up at Lee, "I sure hope Paul wants to be adopted. I know he likes visiting here, but what if he doesn't want us to adopt him?"
"Darling, Paul loves it here because we are here. Think of it like this, he likes the orphanage too, but he always wants to go with us to our home. If he didn't want to be adopted, he wouldn't be sad to go back there now would he?" Lee put his arms around Rosemary.
"You're right, I just know in my heart that I want to be his mother. Ever since I saw him, I knew he was the one for us. I can't wait to see his face on Christmas morning." Rosemary laughed.
The next morning, Rosemary and Lee drove up to Brookfield to pick up Paul. They were coming in with arms full of gifts and the children watched from the living room windows. When Lillian opened the door the children all called out to them.
"Look at these smiling faces!" Rosemary declared. "I bet you are all excited that school is done and Christmas is coming!"
"Yes!" they all said together. "Please come in" Lillian invited.
Rosemary and Lee put the gifts down around the tree while the children watched giggling. "Would you like a cup of coffee?" Lillian asked.
"Sure, sounds wonderful!" both Lee and Rosemary replied.
As the children gathered around and Lee and Rosemary sipped their coffee, Lillian called each of the children up to get their own gift. The girls were thrilled with the dolls, doll houses, and a tea set. The boys got games, footballs and play trucks. The excitement in the living room was full of laughter and squeals. It made Rosemary and Lee very happy to see their delight. Paul was very anxious to get going back to Hope Valley. When Rosemary took her and Lee's coffee cups back to the kitchen she asked Lillian if there is any word on the adoption inquiry.
"It's looking really good, as your background check came back with great results!" Lillian shared. "Now, it's just a matter of time getting the proper papers filed."
Rosemary clapped her hands and hugged Lillian. "Paul is just as excited!" Lillian said reassuringly.
After the gifts were opened and the Coulters were ready to leave, the children all took turns to say thank you to them with hugs. As they left with Paul, the children all waved goodbye watching them leave. "Merry Christmas!" Lillian told them you really made their day, thank you!"
