Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 59
Christy looked at Rick with a look of dismay at the idea of allowing her baby to go to someone else. "I can't just let go of Timi Anne. She is my flesh and blood. I love her!" she groaned. I'm a good mother, I take care of her, I ..." Christy started crying.
"Now, now Christy, I am not saying that you should put Timi Anne up for adoption. It is merely an option. You need to just consider this as a possibility." Pastor Joseph calmed her down.
"It's something I don't want to think about." Christy looked away.
"Pastor," Rick injected, "why would you suggest that? I mean, Christy is doing okay isn't she? I will be there to help her. I don't want to give Timi Anne up either."
"I'm trying to help you decide what's best for Timi Anne. Right now, Christy doesn't have a place to live and Christy she has been away from her family. Rick, you need a steady job in order to provide for them. Have you confirmed this with Mr. Coulter recently? If not, you best have a talk with him soon." Joseph suggested.
"I took Mr. Coulter at his word, but I can talk to him tomorrow. I'll make sure." Rick sounded confident.
"That's good, when you have his assurance, then we can talk to both of your families. Perhaps I can invite both of your parents to come to the church and we can talk. Obviously it would have to wait until after school lets out for the day." Joseph advised.
Timi Anne was starting to squirm in Rick's arms and he naturally started to rock her and help her settle down. Christy watched Timi Anne snuggle into Rick nice and warm. She couldn't help but smile at the soft look on Rick's face as he watched his daughter. Christy was comforted by the two of them together and felt a loving tenderness between them.
"Now, we need to take this one step at a time. Assuming Rick will get confirmation with Mr. Coulter about work, then we will set up a time to meet with your parents. You should also be looking for a possible place for Christy and Timi Anne to live just in case." Pastor suggested.
"That does sound like a good idea," Rick agreed.
"So, we just wait for Rick to talk to Mr. Coulter and then we will meet with our parents?" Christy was double-checking. "Actually, Dr. Faith is going to be over to check on me and Timi Anne tomorrow. So, I'll find out how long I have before we will be released from her care."
Timi Anne was starting to stir and Rick gave her a kiss on her forehead, told her he loved her, and handed her to Christy. "She needs her mommy now, I'll be back." Rick got up with Pastor Joseph, said goodnight, and left.
Dee and Rosemary were driving up to Brookfield the next morning to teach music. For the fun of it, Rosemary brought Paul with her to see his friends. Although he had made new friends in Hope Valley he was anxious to see those at Brookfield. As the ladies arrived at the school, Paul told Rosemary that he couldn't wait to tell his friends about his room, his toys, and his new friends.
"Paul, I know how happy you are, but maybe don't say all that right now. It might make the others sad."
"Sad? Why?" Paul asked.
"Well honey, they don't have a family like you. They don't have as many toys, clothes or their own room. So, let's just tell them how much we miss them and are happy they are our friends, all right?"
The children at New Hope Orphanage were happy to see Paul and the ladies. Singing was always fun with Miss Dee. She told the children that she was getting married in a few weeks and they were all happy for her. One little girl had the courage to ask who she was marrying and when she answered, "Constable Nathan Grant" with a big smile, all the girls were giggling. "He's very handsome Miss Dee!" and another said, "I like him too and was hoping I could marry him!" That had everyone laughing.
"You know what our favorite song is?" Dee teased.
"Santa Claus is coming to town!" one of the boys shouted out.
"That's our second favorite." Dee laughed. "It's let me call you sweetheart! I'll sing it for you."
Dee started singing their song and soon Rosemary joined her and Lillian played the piano. Then Dee and Rosemary took turns dancing with each of the children as they joined in the singing. It was such a joyful time that Paul didn't want to leave his friends, but Rosemary promised he could come back next time.
Back in Hope Valley, Nathan was in Bill's office.
"Bill, I've got to ask for your help." Nathan said.
"Well, I don't give help out to just anyone," Bill teased. "What's up?"
"I want to take Dee on a trip for our honeymoon. I was thinking of taking the train to Niagara Falls. I've never been there and it's quite a famous honeymoon spot. We'd be gone a week. Do you think you could cover for me then?" Nathan looked hopefully at Bill.
"I don't know if I can. Molly keeps me quite busy." Bill teased. "Sure, you can count on me. I'll be fine. You and Dee will have a great time!" Bill was happy for Nathan and would do just about anything to make things go smooth as butter for his buddy!
