Chapter 14 – Bonding Time

Lee is the first to wake up the next morning with Rosemary in his arms and his son sprawled out on the other half of the bed. He is content just watching them sleep, his beautiful family. There is no place he would rather be. Rosemary eventually opens her eyes and looks up to see her amazing husband. She brushes his lips with hers and whispers, "Good morning, my love."

Lee whispers back, "Good morning, sweetheart," before planting a passionate kiss on her awaiting lips. Rosemary giggles and feels Patrick move. Lee and Rosemary freeze in place and watch to see if he wakes up. Patrick slowly opens his eyes and smiles when he sees his parent's smiling faces. "Good morning, Patrick. Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Papa, Mama!"

Rosemary couldn't stop all the emotions coming over her. All the memories from the previous day come flooding back all at once. Patrick climbs into her lap, sensing she needed him there. Rosemary hugs him tight, quietly saying, "Thank you. I love you, bud."

"I love you too, Mama!" Lee hugs them both tightly, and they all start to giggle.

Rosemary inquires, "What do you two want for breakfast?"

Patrick yells, "Blueberry pancakes?"

"Blueberry pancakes on the way. She pads down the stairs and mixes up the pancake batter when she feels something rub her leg. Rosemary looks down and sees the cat at her feet. The cat meows, hoping Rosemary will pet her. She whispers to the cat, "Are you the cat my son was chasing yesterday? Where did you come from? I will pet you in a little bit." The cat meows and walks away. Rosemary puts the first couple of pancakes on the skillet when the boys come down the stairs. She points to the cat, asking, "Are you going to tell me why it appears we have adopted a cat?"

Lee responds, "Patrick found her yesterday and wants to keep her. Let's talk about the cat later. I am hungry." Lee takes the cat outside to go to the bathroom and comes back in to give her some water. Patrick helps Lee set the table, sitting down just as Rosemary brings the pancakes over. She grabs the piping hot coffee from the stove and takes a seat in between Lee and Patrick.

Lee takes a sip of some coffee, eating a couple of bites of pancakes before bringing up yesterday to Patrick. "Do you want to tell us what happened yesterday? Why you left without our permission?"

Patrick looks down and quietly says, "I'm sorry. I was playing downstairs when I heard some meowing and scratching at the backdoor. I opened up the door and saw a cat. Suddenly, the cat looked at me and ran into the woods, so I followed her. By the time I caught up, I was lost and didn't remember which way was home. I thought I was going towards our house, but I kept getting deeper and deeper into the woods. I just kept walking, hoping I would come across someone, but I never did. I started getting scared and didn't know what to do, so I found that tree and climbed up. Then the cat climbed up there with me and crawled into my lap. I started petting her, which made me feel a little safer. I told her about coming to live with you two. How you had given me so much. How, if I ever saw you again, I would say to you I loved you, and I would call you Mama and Papa."

Lee reveals, "We love you too, Patrick. Very much. You can't go running off like that, though. We were so worried, and so were all of our friends. We thought something terrible happened to you. Next time, please come and find Mama or me and tell us what you are doing. We are here to protect you and love you and make sure you are safe."

Rosemary adds, "He's right. We love you, and you mean everything to us."

Lee continues, "We know you didn't mean to get lost. You were trying to help a cat and had no idea she would run away. We aren't going to punish you, but we want you to come up with a way to thank the whole town for coming out to look for you. Why don't you think about it for a couple of days?"

Rosemary mentions, "I can help you come up with ideas if you need my help."

Patrick answers softly, "Yes, sir. I will." He hugs Rosemary and then Lee, promising never to run off again.

Lee says, "Now, with regards to the cat, your Mama and I will talk about it. Having a cat is a big responsibility. You will have to help take care of her. Is that something you want to do?"

Patrick looks at both Lee and Rosemary and happily responds, "Yes, I do."

Lee says, "Now let's help Mama with the dishes."

Patrick answers, "Yes, sir." The three of them do the dishes and put everything away.

Rosemary squeezes Patrick's shoulders and says, "Let's go upstairs. You and I need to clean your room. Patrick giggles and tries to run away. Rosemary holds him tight, kissing him on the top of the head before letting him go. Patrick runs up the stairs with Rosemary following him. They enter his room, and Rosemary immediately puts him to work. "Can you help me take these sheets off the bed?"

"Sure, Mama." Rosemary is glad the quilt is still folded on the settee from the day before, and it didn't get dirty. Patrick helps her remove the sheets, and she instructs him to put them in the basket with the rest of his dirty laundry. She takes the basket and puts it in the hallway when Lee joins them.

Rosemary suggests, "Why don't you two pick some of these toys up while I do the wash? Maybe you can come up with a skit for us to perform?"

Patrick excitedly inquires, "Papa, will you perform with us?" Both Patrick and Rosemary look at him with puppy dog eyes and pouty lips. Lee thinks about it for a few moments to keep himself from laughing. He rubs his hands through his hair, acting like he doesn't want to do the skit. He just watches the anticipation on Rosemary and Patrick's faces, waiting to see what they would do. Patrick finally yells, "Papa!"

"Of course, I will." Cheers erupt from Rosemary and Patrick. Rosemary takes the laundry basket and goes downstairs to do some wash. Patrick's clothes from yesterday were filthy. She has to scrub and scrub until the dirt finally comes out. Once everything has been washed and rinsed, she then takes everything outside to hang on the clothesline. Lee comes out just in time to help her hang the sheets. "Thanks, sweetheart. Where is Patrick? Did you leave him alone?"

"He is fine. I left him in his bedroom playing."

"Lee, his bedroom is where we thought he would be yesterday morning. Look how that ended up?" She grabs the basket to run inside, but Lee stops her.

"Hold on there, Rosie. Are you planning on being with him all the time? Do you want him to stay in our room every night? We can't be with him twenty-four hours a day, sweetheart. I am fairly certain you do not want him to sleep in our room every night either."

Rosemary rubs his chin with her thumb, "How come you always know what to say?"

"It is because of how much I love you, sweetie."

Rosemary slowly kisses him on the lips, saying, "I love you, Lee Coulter!" Lee grabs the basket, and they open the backdoor to a cat purring. Rosemary picks her up, asking, "So, when are we going to discuss this cat?"

"Whenever you are ready."

"Well, let me go check on Patrick and clean-up some. I will be happy to chat with you, then." She kisses his cheek and goes upstairs. Rosemary checks on Patrick on her way to her room. "What are you doing?"

Patrick replies, "I am just playing with my train set." He takes a deep breath before saying, "Mama, I love you to the moon and back."

Rosemary kneels down to his level and hugs him, "I love you too, bud! To the moon and back. I am going to change clothes and clean-up some. Are you going to be okay in here?"

"Yes, ma'am," Patrick quietly replies.

"Is something else on your mind, Patrick? Here, sit on my lap."

"Thank you for loving me and letting me live here, Mama. When I was sleeping up in the tree yesterday, I dreamt of my parents and brother. My parents wanted me to know they were okay with me calling you two Mama and Papa. They were extremely relieved I had someone to love me and take care of me when they couldn't be here."

Rosemary squeezes him, kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you for telling me, Patrick. Papa and I are overjoyed you are our son forever and ever. Patrick giggles. "Now, come up with an idea for our skit, and we can talk about it later today. I need to go change." Rosemary scoots him over so she can get up. She goes to her room, changes her clothes, curls her hair, and puts on some makeup. She says a little prayer to herself, "Thank you, Lord. You have given me the most amazing husband and son, and I will be forever grateful. Amen." She skips down the stairs and joins her husband on the settee with the biggest grin on her face.

Lee smiles, "You look happy, sweetheart."

Rosemary responds, "I am. I truly feel so blessed. Patrick is home with us. He is calling us Mama and Papa and telling us he loves us. And I have the best husband ever!"

Lee leans over and brushes his lips with hers, lingering there, not wanting for this moment to end. "Okay, so the cat. Usually, I would say no, but this cat actually is the reason why I found Patrick. Patrick had fallen asleep up in a tree, and if the cat didn't meow, I might not have seen him. One could argue, the cat was the reason why he was lost in the first place. But I really believe the cat was looking out for Patrick and helped him get home to us. What are your thoughts?"

"It is not a horrible idea to keep the cat. It will teach him some responsibility." She thinks for a moment. "You don't think the cat will run off again, and Patrick will chase after her?"

"I think if we are feeding her and taking care of her, she won't be running off. However, if she does, she will always come back." He pauses for a moment and then questions, "So are we keeping the cat?"

"I believe we are," answers Rosemary.

"Should we tell Patrick now?"

"Yes, let's." Lee and Rosemary enter Patrick's room and see him petting the cat.

Lee suggests, "Why don't the three of us sit on the settee together? We want to talk to you about the cat." Lee and Rosemary sit down, and Patrick jumps on Lee's lap. "Your Mama and I decided you can keep the cat. We think it will be good for you to learn responsibilities."

Patrick hugs them both, saying, "Thank you," over and over again. Lee and Rosemary chuckle.

Rosemary states, "Well, we need to give her a name and get her food, a collar, and something to sleep on."

Patrick looks up with a grin on his face, "I think we should call her Nanny."

Rosemary inquires, "Nanny? Where did you get that name?"

"Nanny was Diamond's friend in "At Back at the North Wind." The cat is my friend, so I want to call her Nanny."

"I like it. Nanny, she will be." Patrick picks Nanny up and brings her to the settee with everyone. Sensing she now is a welcome member of the family, she gives both Lee and Rosemary a nuzzle. Patrick giggles. Rosemary announces, "Welcome to the family, Nanny."

Lee offers to Rosemary, "Why don't you come up with a list of things we need? I'll go into town to see what Ned has." Rosemary grabs her notebook from their room and comes back to the settee in Patrick's room. She works on her list while Patrick and Lee play with the train set.

Rosemary finishes up in no time and asks, "May I join you?" Patrick and Lee both nod. Lee makes room for Rosemary, and she takes over voicing the conductor. Patrick continues to push the train, and Lee makes the train sounds. Nanny nuzzles Lee over and over again, trying to get his attention. He pets her a few times and asks if she wants to go outside. Nanny meows.

Lee grunts, "I guess she needs to go outside." He gets up off the floor, grabbing Rosemary's list. "I'll take care of Nanny and then go into town. Hopefully, Ned will have everything we need, so we don't have to go to Benson Hills."

Lee takes care of Nanny and drives the Model T into town. He checks-in with Jesse and Clara, letting them know he and Rosemary are not coming in today and possibly tomorrow. Clara and Jesse both understand. Lee finally makes his way to the mercantile after stopping and thanking anyone and everyone he sees for helping find Patrick the day before. Lee finds everything on Rosemary's list, plus a couple of surprises. When he finally comes in the door two hours later, it appears no one is home. Lee decides to go ahead and put the food away. He quickly tries to find a vase for the flowers and a picture for the frame he just bought Rosemary. Lee wanted to surprise her with her favorite flowers and a framed photo of the three of them. What he didn't expect is the letter Ned handed him from Rosemary's parents. Lee has been hoping they would reach out to Rosemary after the letter he sent them while they were on their cruise.

Lee goes upstairs to see if anyone is there. He finds Rosemary and Patrick in Patrick's room. He is playing quietly with his Lincoln Logs, and Rosemary is sitting on the settee working on designs in her sketchbook. Lee messes with Patrick's hair, saying, "Hi, buddy. Are you having fun?" Patrick nods. He sits next to Rosemary, "Hey, sweetheart. What are you doing in here?"

"Oh, I wanted to be where I could see and hear Patrick."

Lee whispers, "Rosie, he is home now, and he is not going anywhere."

"I know, Lee. I just like to hear his sweet little voice and giggle." He grins and gives her hand a squeeze.

"I got everything on your list. I even got you a little gift."

The biggest grin formed on her face, "A gift? What is it?"

"You can see it when you go downstairs." Rosemary puts her sketchbook down and jumps off the settee.

She looks over at Lee, questioning, "Are you coming?" Lee nods. She runs down the stairs with Lee and Patrick not far behind. They see her looking at something on the table. Rosemary turns around with a smile on her face. "I love the flowers and the framed picture, Lee. They are exquisite. Thank you! Patrick, come here and look." Rosemary shows Patrick the beautiful vase of some of her favorite flowers, having him smell the fragrance that takes her back to when she was ten or eleven years old. Rosemary tells Patrick, "On the rare spring day my father was off, he would take me out to some fields in the country, and we would pick flowers for my mother. The smell was heavenly, often leading me into a daydream of a time where my future husband and children would pick wildflowers for me." Rosemary pauses for a moment before picking up the framed photo with the three of them after playing hopscotch. She fondly remembers how happy they were at that moment. Rosemary takes the photo and puts it on top of the piano. "I think this is the perfect spot, Patrick. Don't you think?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Lee reveals, "I ordered the frame from Ned the week Patrick came to live with us, and it finally came in today. I think it is perfect. There is one more thing." Lee takes a letter out of his vest pocket and hands it to her. Rosemary looks at it and is shocked to see a letter from her parents. She opens it up and starts reading. Lee inquires, "Is everything okay?" She nods.

Rosemary reads the following letter aloud:

Dearest Rosemary,

My darling, we hope you and your husband are doing fabulous. We are incredibly sorry we have not been in touch for some time. Your father and I keep ourselves busy and active; we hardly have any moments to ourselves. My women's theatre group is expanding all the time. How could it not, with me leading it? You, my dear daughter, know how great of an actress I am. Towns all around are begging us to perform for them, so we have been traveling quite a bit lately. Your father has taken up woodworking when he is not helping the sheriff in town. You will be impressed; he has gotten quite good at woodworking this last year or so. But you know your father; he can't let the Mountie side of himself go. I hope one day he will. I am tired of worrying about his safety, especially when I am traveling. Far be it from me to tell him what to do. You know I don't like to overstep.

I know this is long overdue, darling, but we would love it if you and your husband come to visit us. However, if you two are unable to travel, we can venture out to see you. It's about time we meet this wonderful husband you talk so much about, don't you think? Please let us know which way you prefer.

Fin,

Mother and Father

Lee remarks, "Well, how about that? They finally want to meet."

Patrick excitedly inquires, "Is that my grandma and grandpa? Do they know about me?"

Rosemary responds, "Yes, Patrick. They are your grandparents. We haven't had a chance to tell them about you yet. They are going to be so surprised they have a grandchild. My mother is going to love you, so is my father. Maybe you will get to meet them soon."

Lee reveals, "I would be up for either. What is more likely? We go visit them or them visiting us?"

"I am not sure. Why don't I write my parents back and see where this goes?"

"Sounds good to me. Now, let me show you what I got for Nanny. Here is the collar. I know this brown leather one is not what you had in mind, but it is the only one he had. He hands Rosemary a soft pink blanket explaining, "Ned had a couple of choices, but I thought you would pick this one."

"Thanks, Lee. What do you think, Patrick?"

"Thanks, Papa! I like them. Where should we put her blanket?"

Rosemary laughs, "I don't think it will really matter, Patrick. She seems to go where she wants. I guess, for now, let's keep it down here. Once we know where she likes to sleep, we can move the bed then. Why don't you two go play? I'll start on Nanny's food, and then I will make our lunch. Did you put everything in the icebox, Lee?"

"Yes, everything should be there."

"Thank you, sweetheart! I will call you when it is ready." Rosemary cuts up the chicken and vegetables, mixing them all together, and cooking it on the skillet. Then, she sets it aside to cool while she prepares their lunch. Rosemary decides to make some ham sandwiches and potato salad. Once the cat's food cooled down enough, she spoons some into a bowl and calls for her. Nanny came running and gobbled up the food. Rosemary patted the cat on the head and put down a bowl of water for her. Next, she sets the table and brings over the ham sandwiches and potato salad. She calls out, "Lunch is ready!" Lee and Patrick acknowledge and come to the table immediately.

Lee mentions, "Patrick, since we are keeping Nanny, it will be your responsibility to let her outside in the morning and feed her every morning and evening. You also need to make sure she has fresh water in her bowl. Do you think you can do that?"

A smile crossed Patrick's face, "Yes, sir."

Rosemary suggests, "You can start tomorrow morning. I will show you where the food is and how much to give her." Patrick nods. The three of them enjoy the rest of their meal and clean up the kitchen afterward.

The next day Rosemary sits down with Patrick to come up with a way to thank the town. Patrick suggests, "I can draw some pictures to say thank you. Mama, can you please bake some cookies that I can give to everyone?" She is happy to oblige. So, while Rosemary is making three dozen sugar cookies and three dozen peanut butter cookies, Patrick works on his drawings. By the time Lee gets home from work, Patrick has finished his pictures for Mountie Nathan and Missus Thornton, Mister Avery, Mister and Missus Flynn, Mister Bouchard, Miss Miller, and Doctor Shepherd.

Patrick inquires, "When can I give these out?"

"On Sunday, after church. You can give them your drawing, thank them, and ask if they want a cookie. For the people who don't get a drawing, thank them, and offer them a cookie as well," replies Rosemary.

"Can I play with Vincent after we get home?"

Rosemary responds, "Yes, you may." Patrick jumps up and down, cheering!

After church, while everyone is talking, Patrick goes up to various people to hand out his drawings. The first people he sees are Nathan, Elizabeth, Allie, and little Jack. Patrick hands Nathan and Elizabeth their pictures and says, "I am sorry, Mountie Nathan, for running off. Thank you for helping to find me. Thank you, Missus Thornton, for being there with my Mama and cooking for all the people who helped to find me." He hands each one a cookie before going to the next group of people. Patrick walks up to Clara, Jesse, Fiona, and Lucas, who are talking together. He gives the four of them a cookie and their picture, personally thanking them for their help in finding him. Patrick also thanks Clara for cooking and helping with all the food. Next, he sees Carson, Michael, Bill, and Henry talking together. Patrick gives Carson and Bill their pictures. Patrick offers, "I am sorry for getting lost. Thank you, Doctor Shepherd, for making sure I was okay when Papa found me. Mister Avery, thank you for helping Mountie Nathan and Papa find me. Thank you, Mister Hickam and Mister Gowen, for helping too." They each take a cookie from Patrick. Patrick continues talking with everyone in the church, handing out cookies, and making everyone smile. Lee and Rosemary watch every interaction their son has in complete awe. They are impressed with how seriously Patrick is taking this, and they couldn't be prouder of him. Once Patrick is done, he runs into his parent's arms. He inquires, "Did I do good, Mama, Papa?"

Rosemary and Lee kneel down to his level. She responds, "You did. We are so proud of you, Patrick! You put a smile on a lot of faces today."

Lee reveals, "Mama is right. We couldn't be any prouder than we are right now." The family of three hugs before dissolving into laughter. "Why don't we eat some lunch, and you can go play with Vincent in the front yard?" Patrick takes Lee and Rosemary's hands, and they walk home together. Patrick scarfs down his food even before Rosemary can sit down at the table.

"Hurry up, Mama! I want to play with Vincent."

"Okay, hold on a minute. Let me take a few bites, and we can go get Vincent."

"Thanks, Mama!" Rosemary eats a few bites before handing her plate to Lee. Rosemary and Patrick walk down to Vincent's house. The boys are so excited they can finally play together; Vincent had been out of town the last week. Patrick asks Vincent's mom if he can come over and play. She gives her permission, and the three of them head back to their row house.

Rosemary inquires, "What are you boys going to play?"

Patrick yells, "I want to kick the ball around and play tag and play hide and seek!"

"Well, maybe some of the other kids will come out and play with you."

"Are you and Papa going to play with us?"

"Do you want us to play?"

"Maybe."

"Okay, just let us know if you want us to play with you. I will watch here for now. I am sure Papa will come out once he is done eating and reading the newspaper." The rest of the afternoon is filled with Rosemary and Lee watching as Patrick, Vincent, Opal, Allie, and even little Jack play tag and hide and seek. Rosemary turns to Lee, saying, "I couldn't be any happier than I am right now."

"Me neither."

One Saturday afternoon, Rosemary hears a knock at the door. She answers, excited to see Elizabeth and little Jack. Rosemary says, "Come in. What brings you by?" She picks up little Jack, spinning him around before sitting down with him on her lap.

Elizabeth inquires, "Where's Lee and Patrick?"

"They are on some special father-son outing. Lee will never tell me what they do on their outings," replies Rosemary.

"Oh! Well, that is kind of cute. Don't you think?"

Rosemary smiles, saying, "Yes, it is. But I still wish he would tell me."

Elizabeth gives Rosemary a smirk. She mentions, "I actually came over here to ask you a favor."

"What is it?" replies Rosemary.

"I want to take Allie on a girl's trip. I thought the three of us could go to Benson Hills and shop. Maybe we can do a makeover of sorts."

Rosemary claps her hands together, "That is a great idea. When?"

"I am thinking soon. I'll need to start prepping for school in a couple of weeks."

"I'll need to talk to Lee and Clara, but I know they will be happy to help. Clara will be happy with watching the dress shop, and Lee can either bring Patrick to work or take the whole day off. Let me know which day is best for you, and I can make it work."

"Okay, I will get with Nathan and Allie and see which day is best. I think she is really going to like this."

"I think she will, too."

Patrick comes running in the door, yelling, "Mama! Mama!" He jumps in Rosemary's lap, and she kisses him on his head.

"What's going on, Patrick? Where is Papa?"

"We have a surprise for you. You have to come outside!"