Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 63

Christy had gone back to Fiona's and packed up the few things she had, gave her a huge hug and thanked her for helping her. Fiona waved goodbye and told her she was proud of how Christy was working things out.

When Christy rode back with her parent's for home, she was relieved, but a little apprehensive. How would she fit back in her family after being gone for months and what would they all think of her and Timi Anne. She drew in her breath and walked in the door holding her baby. David Lipinski held the door open for them and smiled as they were greeted by her siblings. Excitement was waiting for her as they all wanted to see Timi Anne. Anne took Timi Anne and let all her children see and talk with her. Maggie was the first to run to Christy and give her a warm embrace. Christy sensed that Maggie must have gotten in trouble for not telling her parents, but that was all behind them now.

"Where's Rick?" Maggie asked.

"He went home with his folks. They want me to come over for dinner sometime this week with Timi Anne. It's a good thing for Rick that they are accepting me and Timi Anne. In fact she has both grandparent's already wrapped around her little finger."

"Does Rick still want her?" Maggie was concerned.

"Not like want her, want her, more like be an important part of her life. He loves her Maggie. She is his daughter and is very concerned about her and our future. I can tell when he stood by me, he put his arm around me." Christy explained.

"How do you feel about that? Do you want Rick to be close to you and Timi Anne?" Maggie asked.

"Of course, Rick is a very good friend and I saw in him qualities like his brother, Timothy. He seems to have grown up into a young man taking on this responsibility with love. I can tell he is sincere and I like that a lot about him." Christy nodded.

"Well, I hope for your sake this can be worked out." Maggie was skeptical.

"I think Rick and I have eachother's backs and we'll be together in raising our baby our way." Christy said confidently.

The next day, Rosemary was planning multiple events as usual. This time she was helping Dorothy with the bridal shower for Dee. The party was going to be held at the Cafe on Saturday after a luncheon. The ladies in Hope Valley were all excited to get together and celebrate their Mountie's wedding plans. It had been a long few years wait for Nathan to finally be able to say "I do." Many thought it would have happened a year ago, but it wasn't meant to be. Dee was perfect for him and they all knew it.

There were the baptisms coming up after the bridal shower so there would be a small gathering of both families at Billees. Since Rick worked for Billees and Jesse worked for Lee, Rosemary wanted to make it extra special, and told Sam to make sure the luncheon and decorations would be just perfect. Leave it to Rosemary!

"Sam, I want half the room to be decorated in pink and the other half in blue. A roast beef with mashed potatoes and green beans, along with 2 cakes from Emily should do the trick. No alcohol please. Just serve coffee and punch as there will be plenty of children here with the Lipinski family. Oh, and one more thing, I'll ask Molly to play the piano." Rosemary rattled off as she checked off her list.

Rosemary also was planning to have a party to celebrate her and Lee's adoption of Paul, but she couldn't make definite plans yet as she was still waiting on Bill to let them know when the legal papers had been finalized and notarized. Hoping that the papers would come in soon, was all that Lee was waiting on. He told Rosemary to wait to have a celebration party after Dee and Nathan's wedding.

Sam left Billees after Rosemary and he were finished with the plans for the baptism, to visit with Elizabeth. She was home from school and working on her plans for the next day. LJ was playing on the floor with his new Christmas toys that Godfather Bill had given him.

When Elizabeth answered the door, she greeted him with a warm smile and invited him in. Sam told her quickly, "I have to get back to Billees in a half hour for the dinner crowd, Bill's cooking up a stew right now. But, I wanted to know if you would like to go to dinner with me in Brookfield next Friday night. Henry told me about an Italian place that he took Molly and she really enjoyed it."

"Oh, Italian sounds heavenly. I will ask Laura or Rosemary to see if they can watch Jack." Elizabeth answered.

"Elizabeth, we can bring Jack. I'd like to get to know him more." Sam suggested.

Elizabeth laughed. "Sam, you can get to know him better if you just go on the floor now and play with him. Can you just imagine him with tomato sauce all over his face?"

"You're right, I wasn't thinking. I can stay for a little while." Sam went over to Jack and sat right on the floor with him playing with blocks.

"Besides, it'll be nice to get away and just talk to an adult. A very nice adult man!" Elizabeth eyes twinkled.

Sam's face lit up. "Perfect! It's a date!"

Dottie was working with Henry going over the final ideas for the mens and boys apparel upstairs. She was relieved to know that Virlinda was on top of the layout and design and pleased with herself for having hired her. The main level had turned out so lovely and Dottie and Rosemary had received so many compliments on Virlinda's remodeling that it attracted more and frequent customers!

"Henry, do you want to help me order the finishing touches for the mens and boys apparel? I know how snappy you dress, and it would help me out?" Dottie schmoozed up to him.

"Well now, Dottie, I'd be delighted. What have you ordered so far?" he inquired.

The two were slowly moving beyond a flicker of interest in eachother to more of a flame. The smoldering was almost too much for Henry as he reached over and tucked a loose curl of Molly's hair back in it's place. While doing that, Dottie reached up, grabbed his hand, and kissed it. Henry was drawn into her gesture and leaned forward to kiss her, not so quickly as before, this time he lingered.