Chapter 8: Meeting Patrick

Lee and Rosemary finally arrive at the orphanage. They see Lillian and Grace and all the children waiting for them. Before she can open up the door, Lee says, "Wait a minute." He wants to have one last moment alone with her before getting out of the car. He knows this can be the start of a new life for them. She intertwines her hands with his and gives him a soft smile. No words are needed as they both savor the quiet moment and just focus on each other. He takes her hand and gives it a kiss before breaking the silence, "Are you ready to meet our future son, sweetheart?" She gives his hand a squeeze. Lee claps his hands together, jumps out of the car, and opens up the door for her.

Rosemary runs up to Lillian and Grace to give them hugs, "It is so great to see you all again. I just found out we were coming to Brookfield the morning we left New York City. My wonderful husband arranged this whole thing, and I am so grateful to him and the both of you."

Lee joins Rosemary on the porch, "Did I hear my name? I just want to say thank you, Lillian and Grace, for having us. I am so glad this worked out for all of us. Hopefully, this will be the start of something really great."

Grace calls the children over, "I am sure you remember Sophia, Mary Louise, Fred, Vincent, and Christian. Helen is now living with her grandfather in England." She pulls Patrick over and rests her hands on his shoulders, "This is Patrick. Patrick, these are our dear friends Lee and Rosemary Coulter. They have just gotten back from a trip around the Americas. Isn't that neat? They live in Hope Valley, which is not far from here."

The small boy with long dirty blonde curls, dimples in both cheeks, and lots of freckles extends his hand out to shake, "It is nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Coulter. My name is Patrick."

Lee bends down to his level and says, "It is so nice to meet you too, Patrick. You can just call us Lee and Rosemary. We have heard lots of nice things about you and have been wanting to meet you."

Rosemary bends down to Patrick's level as well, "You are a polite young gentleman, aren't you?" She takes some of his long curls in her hands. "I do believe you have the cutest curly hair and dimples I have ever seen in a young boy."

Patrick takes Rosemary's hand and leads her to the other side of the porch. He softly asks, "Can I show you something?"

Rosemary looks at Patrick with surprise written all over her face, "Of course, you can." She looks over at Lee, Lillian, and Grace as she follows Patrick. He shows her the top he has been spinning. Lee and Grace walk over to see what Patrick is showing Rosemary while Lillian and the rest of the children go inside to get the table ready for dinner.

Lee leans down and quietly asks, "Can you show me as well?"

Patrick looks to Rosemary, almost like he is asking permission. She points to Lee in approval. Patrick smiles and shows him how to twist the top so it can spin around and around. He excitedly counts how many spins before it topples over, "One, two, three, four…awe…shucks."

Lee says, "That's okay, Patrick. Just keep practicing. What number are you trying to beat?"

Patrick proudly answers, "Ten!"

Lee asks, "Can I try?"

Patrick hands Lee the top, and Lee starts to spin. Patrick counts, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…you almost beat me, Mr. Coulter." He hands the top to Rosemary for her to try. She pretends she has never seen one before. She looks at it funny and then sets it down to spin.

She asks Patrick, "Now what do I do?" Patrick takes her hand and puts it on the top and shows her how to spin. Rosemary says, "I think I got it. Okay, here it goes. Can I beat Patrick's score? I don't know." She twists her hand and lets the top go.

Patrick counts, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen…wow. How did you do that, Mrs. Coulter?"

Grace reluctantly tells Patrick to go inside and help the other children set the table, "We will be in shortly." He runs inside while Grace apologizes for breaking up the hopefully first of many bonding sessions. She turns to Lee and Rosemary, "We have a room set up for the two of you. I can take you up there now so you can clean up before dinner." They follow her into the house and up to the second floor to their room.

Once they get to the room and are alone, Rosemary says, "Oh, Lee, he is so adorable. I didn't think I would be instantly taken with him, but he already has my heart completely."

"I feel the same way, sweetheart," replies Lee.

"I can't wait to get to know him, and God willing, bring him home to Hope Valley."

Over the next couple of days, Lee and Rosemary spend all of their time with Patrick. They quickly fall in love with him and vice versa. They act out stories Rosemary and Patrick create. They read books together or play checkers. They play catch, kick the ball around, or play chase with all the other children.

After school one day, all the children run into the house and put their school books away. Patrick runs up to Rosemary and Lee, who are sitting in the parlor drinking tea with Lillian. Rosemary enthusiastically asks Patrick, "How was school today? Would you like us to read you a book, or do you want to go play outside?"

Patrick happily declares, "School was great! We learned that bears can climb up trees, and they sleep for five to seven months a year."

"Wow, how neat," replies Rosemary.

Lee adds, "You know what else is neat about bears?"

"What?" asks Patrick.

"They like to rub their backs on trees to let all the other bears know they were there."

Patrick giggles and asks, "Why would they do that, Mr. Coulter?"

"The bears don't want other bears to come into their area. It's a way the bear can protect themselves and their families from other bears who might be mean."

Patrick sweetly asks, "Will you two play hopscotch with me?"

"Of course, we will. Right, Lee?" answers Rosemary. Lee willingly agrees. She tells him, "Why don't you get the other kids, and we can all play hopscotch?"

Patrick says, "Okay!" He runs off to find the other children, and they all run outside while Rosemary is making the hopscotch court with branches, rocks, and rope.

Rosemary inquires, "Who wants to go first? Don't forget to throw the rock so you can pick up as you go." Mary Louise goes first, followed by Sophia. Next came Fred and then Patrick. After he finishes, Patrick pulls on Lee and Rosemary's hands telling them it is their turn. Rosemary insists on Lee going next. She tries not to laugh as he slowly hops down the court.

Lee says, "Okay, Rosie. It is your turn."

She clears her throat and steps up to the court and says, "Prepare to be amazed." She throws the rock, and it lands on the last square. She turns around and proceeds to jump through the court backward and picks up the rock before finishing with a big grin on her face.

Everyone laughs at Rosemary's antics while Lee muddles under his breath, "That's my wife."

Patrick runs up to Rosemary and asks, "Can you please teach me how to jump backward?"

Rosemary smirks at Lee, "See, at least someone likes my jumping." She takes Patrick's hand and lines him up to the court and tells him to turn around. She holds his hand and tells him to try and jump backward. He looks down and successfully jumps into the next square. He continues to jump down the court, with Rosemary's help, repeating until he reaches the end. "Now, are you ready to try without me helping you?"

Patrick enthusiastically shouts, "Yes, ma'am!" He lines up and slowly jumps down the court. He is even able to reach down and pick up the rock. Everyone cheers for him, which makes him giggle the cutest giggle you have ever heard. He runs up to Lee and grabs his hand. "Now, you try to jump backward."

Lee tells Patrick, "Shouldn't we let other people get a chance to jump?"

All the children, Rosemary, and Lillian, start shouting, "Go, Mr. Coulter. You can do it!" Lee steps up to the court and rubs his hands together before turning around. He quickly jumps through the court and picks up the rock in record time.

Rosemary says, "That wasn't so bad, was it, Lee?"

"I have to admit, hopscotch is more fun than I expected it to be."

Later that evening, as they are getting ready for bed, Lee and Rosemary hear a knock at their door and Patrick's little voice saying, "Can I come in, Mr. and Mrs. Coulter?"

Rosemary opens the door and immediately smiles when she sees Patrick in his pajamas, carrying a stuffed puppy, "Yes, you can come in. Is everything okay? Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

Patrick runs into the room and jumps on their bed. Lee and Rosemary come and sit on each side of him. Patrick claims, "I can't fall asleep. The other boys are telling ghost stories. I don't like ghost stories…they scare me." He climbs into Rosemary's lap and rests his head on her chest. She gently plays with his long curls.

Lee scoots next to her and tries to cheer up Patrick with silly jokes, "Knock, knock."

Patrick replies, "Who's there?"

"Orange."

"Orange who?"

"Orange you going to let me in?" They all laugh a little.

Patrick says, "Tell me another one!"

"Okay. Knock, knock," replies Lee.

"Who's there."

"Banana."

"Banana who?"

"Knock, knock."

"Who's there?" answers Patrick.

"Banana."

"Banana who?"

"Knock, knock," says Lee.

"Who's there?"

"Banana."

"Banana, who?" laughs Patrick.

"Knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

"Orange."

"Orange who?"

"Orange, you glad I didn't say banana?"

Patrick laughs a little more, "That is funny. Can you please tell me a bedtime story?"

Lee says, "We will tell you one story, and then you have to go to bed. Is that a deal?" Patrick shakes Lee's hand. Lee begins, "Once upon a time, there was a little boy who prayed every night he could learn to fly like the birds. One day, the little boy was out playing in the woods by himself. He decides to rest for a moment, so he leans up against a tree and accidentally falls asleep. The little boy is startled awake by this old man shaking his arm.

The old man tells the boy, 'I hear you want to learn how to fly. Is that true?'

This got the little boy's attention, and he excitedly tells the old man, 'Oh yes, I do.'

The old man says, 'I have been sent here to teach you how to fly. It is pretty easy. All that you have to do is -'"

Rosemary is tapping Lee's arm, trying to get his attention. He finally notices Patrick is asleep. Lee whispers, "Do you want me to take him?"

Rosemary slowly shakes her head no while standing up with Patrick still in her arms. She whispers back, "I'll take him. I don't want him to wake up if we change hands." Lee acknowledges. She quietly walks him back to his room and puts him in his bed. She thinks to herself, "I could get used to this." She covers him up and gives him a kiss on his forehead.

As she walks out of the room, she hears Patrick whisper, "Thank you, Mrs. Coulter."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

She fights back the tears as she walks back to her and Lee's room. She comes and sits next to Lee and mentions, "Lee, I think we should adopt him. He is such a sweet boy. His imagination is as big as mine, and he is already feeling comfortable with us. What do you think?"

Lee put his arm around her and brings her in close, saying, "I think that is a great idea. I have just been in awe, watching you two together. You have this bond already that warms my heart to see. You will make a wonderful mother to Patrick and any other children who might come into our home. Even after just a few days with him, I cannot imagine leaving him here. I have no doubt he should be a part of our family!"

"He is perfect for us, Lee. Can you imagine reading him stories or performing skits or playing in our row house? Can you imagine him playing and growing up with little Jack? He will be such a good "big brother." Can you imagine him running into our room on Christmas morning, begging us to get up and open gifts? Can you imagine making cookies and cupcakes with him? Can you imagine us walking him to and from school every day?"

Lee happily adds, "Can you imagine teaching him sports or to ride a horse? Can you imagine teaching him how to build things with wood or him following us around everywhere we go? Can you imagine him playing with the other Hope Valley children?" They look at each other, both trying to fight the tears forming in their eyes. They both agree to talk to Lillian and Grace tomorrow.

The next morning, when all of the kids are at school, Lee and Rosemary ask Lillian and Grace if they can talk. Grace has a feeling this will be about Patrick. She has seen how much the three of them have bonded in a short amount of time. She points in the direction of the parlor, "Would you like to sit in here?" Lee and Rosemary follow Grace and Lillian into the parlor and sit down on the couch.

Lee starts off by saying, "Thank you so much for introducing us to Patrick. He is such a wonderful little boy. Rosemary and I have both fallen in love with him. We want to adopt him and give him the stable, loving home we know he deserves."

Rosemary excitedly asks, "How do we make that happen? Can we bring him home right away?"

Grace gives them both a hug and states, "We had a feeling you two would feel this way. Lillian and I already have the paperwork for you to sign. We both knew you would fall in love with him and him with you!" She puts her hand on Rosemary's arm, "I happened to catch a glimpse of you, taking him back to bed last night. I can tell he will be loved and cherished for the rest of his life." Rosemary meekly smiles and wipes the one tear she is unable to stop from falling onto her face.

Lillian reluctantly adds, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we have to send the paperwork into Hamilton before you can take him home. We think you two should go home for now, which I know will be tough on you both. We just have no idea how long it will take to get the paperwork back, and we cannot expect you to stay until then. Once the paperwork goes through, and we get the official okay, we can bring him to you."

Lee and Rosemary's faces just fall at that moment. He glances over at Rosemary and back to Lillian and Grace and says, "We don't want to leave him. We know he is well taken care of here, but we really just want to bring him home so we can start our lives together."

"We're sorry," Lillian and Grace reluctantly respond.

Rosemary gives Lee's hand a squeeze, "We understand. Can we at least tell him we plan to adopt him and take him home?"

Grace expresses, "Lillian and I would actually prefer you didn't. From our experience, it is better to wait to tell a child they are being adopted until things are more official." Lee and Rosemary sadly agree.

Lee says, "Thank you for telling us about Patrick and starting the process for us. We know in our hearts, Patrick belongs with us, and we cannot wait to start our lives as a family of three." Lee looks at his pocket watch and asks, "Would you like to go for a walk, Rosie? We can pick the children up from school." She forces a half-smile, and they take their walk into town. "I know it breaks your heart to leave him here and to not tell him we will adopt him, but we have to honor Lillian and Grace's wishes. I know the paperwork will come back quickly, and he will be in Hope Valley before too long."

Rosemary affirms, "I know you are right, Lee. I just never thought I could fall in love with a child so quickly. I want to give him the world."

"I feel the same way, sweetheart." He offers his arm out to her, and she accepts. He reluctantly asks, "When do you think we should go back to Hope Valley?"

"I am thinking two days from now. That will give us some time to say goodbye to Patrick, and hopefully allow us to make him feel loved and cherished before we go." She chuckles to herself, "Can you imagine coming back from our long trip with our new son? Wouldn't that be a fun turn of events?"

Lee answers, "It sure would. But maybe it is better this way. We can go home and prepare for his arrival. I know you will want to buy or sew clothes for him, buy some toys, and turn our spare bedroom into a room fit for a little boy."

Rosemary's eyes widen, and a big grin crosses her face, "You are right, Lee." Before she can start spouting off all the things she wants to do, the children come running out of the schoolhouse. Patrick is one of the first children to come out and is glad to see Lee and Rosemary. He gives them both a hug and starts telling them what he learned today. Lee is taken back to his childhood. His little brother, Patrick, would do the same thing. He would always tell him and Susannah everything he learned in school that day, even though he knew they were all in the same classroom. Lee never realized how much he missed that until today.

Lee and Rosemary walk the children back home and are met by Lillian outside, hanging some laundry. The children immediately put their things away and complete their afternoon chores. After dinner, everyone gathers in the parlor for their nightly story hour. Lillian and Grace take turns reading a book to all the children. They are currently reading "At the Back of the North Wind" by George MacDonald. The children take turns picking out which book is read. Sophia had picked this one last week. Everyone finds a place to sit on a couch or chair or on the floor while Patrick runs and jumps on Lee's lap. Rosemary takes the seat next to Lee and gives Patrick a little tickle.

He laughs and asks, "Do you know what this story is about?" They both shake their heads no. "It is about this little boy, Diamond, who has adventures riding on the back of the North Wind. The North Wind sometimes helps people, but sometimes she has to hurt them. But don't worry, good things end up happening even when it is sad." Everyone quiets down, and Grace starts reading the chapter. Rosemary is intent just watching Patrick and Lee and their expressions as they hear the story. It warms her heart to see her husband bond with Patrick. The hour ends too quickly, and it is time for all the children to go to bed. Lee and Rosemary tell Patrick they need to go back to Hope Valley in a couple of days.

Rosemary sees Patrick's face fall, so she takes his hands and asks, "Do you want to help me write a skit we can act out together?" Patrick willingly agrees. They each give Patrick a hug and tell him goodnight. He runs upstairs with the rest of the children and gets into bed. Lee and Rosemary decide to call it a night as well and head to their room. "How are we going to leave him, Lee? After seeing his reaction to us saying we are leaving, makes me believe it will be hard on him too. Should we just stay here until we can take him home?"

"We have no idea how long that will take, Rosie. Are you prepared to stay here for a while? I am not sure Lillian and Grace would even want us to stay here that long. I know they would never say no, but I wouldn't want us to overstay our welcome. This pains me to say because I know this will be hard for all of us, but I believe the best thing is for us to go home and take the time to prepare for him living with us."

Rosemary brings him in close and kisses him deeply. She rests her head on his and says, "I love you, Lee Coulter."

"I love you," replies Lee.

Rosemary and Patrick spend their last full day together coming up with the story and the script. She even adds a small part for Lee and Fred per Patrick's suggestion. They go back and forth throughout the morning with different stories and different lines. Finally, they have it down by lunch and invite Lee and Fred to help them come up with the props and the backdrop. Then they can practice their roles for the rest of the day. Grace helps Rosemary find everything she needs. It doesn't take them long to put it all together with everyone's help. They spend the next few hours before dinner practicing their skit. Luckily, Lillian and Gabe had taken the other children out for the day, so they could work without interruption. By the time everyone gets home, Rosemary is happy with their progress, so she decides it's time to take a break. She helps Grace and Lillian with dinner while Lee helps the children with setting the table. They all sit down together to eat their dinner.

Lillian tells the children, "Why don't you tell everyone what we did today with Gabe?"

Christian is the first to speak, "Gabe took us a nature walk. He showed us different things we could eat if we were ever stranded somewhere. He showed us how to make a shelter out of broken tree branches and leaves. He showed us how to tie knots."

Vincent adds, "He showed us how to use the sun to figure out which way was north, south, east, and west. He said he would take us out one night and show us how to use the moon as well!"

Lillian tells Fred and Patrick, "Gabe will take you two out one day if you would like." Both boys shake their heads fervently. After the food is put away and the dishes are done, Rosemary insists on one more practice before everyone goes to bed. They meet in their room and run through the skit two more times. Lee notices both boys yawning and clears his throat to get Rosemary's attention.

She takes the hint and announces, "Okay, boys! I think we are ready. Patrick? Fred? Do you have any questions or concerns?" They both sleepily nod no. Rosemary reminds them it's time for story hour, but surprisingly they don't jump up and run downstairs.

Lee says, "I do believe you wore them out today." They both giggle when they see the boys drift off to sleep. "Why don't we just carry them to bed? Which one do you want to carry?"

"I'll take Fred, and you take Patrick," answers Rosemary. They put them to bed and go downstairs for story hour.

Grace asks, "They fell asleep, didn't they?"

Lee and Rosemary simultaneously say, "Yes."

The next morning, Lee and Rosemary wake up with heavy hearts. They don't want to leave Patrick even though they know it is what is best for him. They solemnly get up and pack their things. After breakfast and the morning chores, Rosemary gathers everyone and sets up for their skit.

Rosemary claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "This skit is about two brave and handsome knights named Patrick and Fred. They have been asked to rescue Princess Lucy from the bandits who stole her and Prince Arthur's horse and carriage. The scene begins with Patrick, Fred, and Prince Arthur entering a dark cave where they believe Princess Lucy is being held."

They perform their skit, and Patrick saves Princess Lucy and reunites her with Prince Arthur. Rosemary plays the part with as much dramatic flair as she can muster, and Patrick matches her in every turn. Everyone loves it and asks for more. Rosemary excitedly looks at Patrick, hoping he will want to do some more. Patrick giggles and runs up to Rosemary and whispers in her ear. She gladly says they will do an encore! This time it is just Patrick and Rosemary improvising about Patrick going back into the cave with Princess Lucy looking for a bracelet she lost. Lee just sits back and watches with the biggest grin on his face.

After everyone goes on about their day, Lee asks Lillian, "Can we take Patrick on a picnic before we leave?" She nods, yes. While Lee asks Patrick if he wants to go, Rosemary is making some sandwiches and cuts up some fruit for them to take. They all get into Lillian and Grace's wagon, hoping to find a beautiful place to picnic. Rosemary sees the perfect location under a cottonwood tree and shows Lee where to go. He agrees and guides the horses over in that direction. They pull up to the tree, and Lee helps both Rosemary and Patrick off of the wagon. Rosemary sets up the blanket and the food, while Lee and Patrick play catch. Once she finishes setting everything up, they all sit down to eat. They notice Patrick looking down and picking at this sandwich. Usually, he eats fast and asks to be excused so he can go play.

Rosemary clears her throat, trying to get his attention, "Is there something wrong with the sandwich, Patrick?"

He continues to pick at his sandwich, trying to get the words out. "Oh…no ma'am. I'm just...just...thinking."

Rosemary pats her lap, hoping he will sit with her. She softly asks, "About what?"

He gently sits on her lap and looks up at her and over to Lee, "I…just found out Mrs. Stewart is going to…adopt…Fred. Can…can you adopt me and take me back with you to Hope Valley?"

Rosemary eyes Lee, hoping he will answer the question that both touches them so much and breaks their hearts. Lee sadly answers, "We would love to Patrick. You are a wonderful little boy whom we have had so much fun getting to know. We will have to see. Maybe its something we can do in the future." Patrick tries to smile and then rests his head up against her.

Rosemary tries to change the subject back to something happier, "Patrick, wasn't that so much fun making up our story on the fly? You did such a great job keeping up with me. I hope we can do that again and again!"

"I would love that too," replies Patrick as he gives her a hug! She starts to tickle him until he smiles and starts laughing. Lee playfully joins in, and everyone is crying from laughing so hard. All of a sudden, it starts pouring down rain. Everyone looks at each other and starts laughing again. Lee scoops up Patrick and puts him in the wagon and covers him up with a blanket. Rosemary and Lee quickly gather everything up and put back in the wagon. He helps her up and then climbs up himself.

Lee looks over at his beaming wife and, hopefully, their soon-to-be son and thinks, "I hope we have many more picnics like this soon." He pauses for a moment to take it all in before saying, "I guess we better get back, huh? Rosemary and I have to get back to Hope Valley today. We have not been home in about three months."

They take their time getting back to the orphanage even though it continues to rain. They pull up in front of the house, and Patrick quickly runs into the house. Lee unloads the wagon, puts the horses back in their stalls, and loads all of their belongings into Henry's car. While Lee is busy getting everything ready, Rosemary visits with Lillian, Grace, and the girls. Patrick runs up to Rosemary as Lee is joining them in the parlor. He hands Rosemary a drawing, "I drew this, of the three of us, on our picnic today. So, you never forget me."

Rosemary picks up Patrick and puts him on her lap while Lee sits down next to them. Rosemary tells Patrick in a playful voice, "We will never forget you. You will always be in our hearts. You will see us again soon, okay?" Lee nods in agreement and pats his leg. Patrick gives them a quick group hug and then runs outside to play with the other boys.

Lee stands up with a frown on his face, "I guess we better go, Rosie. We need to get back to Hope Valley at a decent hour." She takes his arm, and they walk outside slowly. Each step harder than the last. They don't want to leave Patrick, but they know that's what is best for him. They say all of their goodbyes to the children and Lillian and Grace. Patrick runs up to Lee and Rosemary and gives them both big hugs. They fight back their tears because they don't want to upset Patrick.

Grace comes up to Rosemary to give her one last hug and whispers, "Rosemary, everything will be okay. I believe God is behind this, and He will ensure Patrick will be yours soon. The paperwork will come in, and then we will bring Patrick to you."

Rosemary whispers back, "Thank you."

Lee opens the car door for Rosemary and then gets in on the other side. They wave one last goodbye, and then they drive off. She says, "Oh, Lee. Leaving him here is breaking my heart. How will we handle not seeing him every day? It has only been a week, and I am already so in love with him that I cannot imagine life without him."

Lee looks over at her while keeping his eyes on the road, "I know, sweetheart, me too. We just have to take it one day at a time."