Chapter 52 – Sleepless Nights and Family Bonding
Lee and Rosemary are woken up by their daughter crying. Rosemary tries to get up, but Lee pulls her down, offering, "Let me bring her to you." Lee crawls out of bed, picks up his little girl, and hands her to her sleepy mother. Rosemary kisses her daughter's cute little nose, and she hungrily nurses for the second time while Lee watches his two girls. When Isabella finishes eating, Lee questions, "Can I burp her?" Rosemary agrees and hands her over to her beaming father. Lee burps Isabella for the first time and holds her while staring into the bluest eyes he has ever seen. Then, she briefly observes her Papa and closes her eyes.
Rosemary requests, "Can you put her on the bed, please? Does she need a diaper change?" Lee lays her between them, and Rosemary feels the diaper, and it is wet. "Can you grab one on the dresser?"
"Let me change her, sweetheart."
"Ooh, alright. Do you remember how?"
Lee laughs, answering, "Of course, I do." He grabs the diaper and sets it at the foot of the bed. Lee takes Isabella, cooing, "Come here, princess. Papa needs to change your diaper." He places her on the bed, and Rosemary watches as Lee talks to Isabella as he is changing her diaper. When he finishes, he picks her up with the biggest grin on his face, proudly saying to Rosemary, "See, I remembered." Rosemary chuckles at her husband as the diaper falls off. Lee's face immediately falls, and Rosemary looks at him sympathetically.
"Do you want to try again, honey, or do you want me to show you?"
"I'll try again," replies Lee as he puts Isabella back down. Lee attempts to refasten the diaper and lift her back up, but it falls off again. A dejected Lee gives her back to Rosemary, groaning. "I don't know what I am doing wrong, sweetheart. Can you show me?" asks Lee.
Rosemary glances at Lee and then back down at their stretching daughter, cooing, "Papa forgot how to change your diaper. Shall we show him?" Rosemary taps next to her, telling him, "Here, try it again, but I will show you what you are doing wrong." Lee sits next to Rosemary as she places Isabella and the diaper in front of him and shows him the correct way to fold and pin it closed, making sure it fits properly. However, the diaper stays on when Lee lifts her up this time. "Voila!" exclaims Rosemary.
Lee responds, "Thanks for showing me, honey." Rosemary nods, and he rocks his daughter for a few moments, watching her fall back asleep. "Don't worry, angel, I'll be able to change your diaper by myself next time." Lee turns to Rosemary, expecting her to be laughing at him, but instead, she is sound asleep with her head resting on her many pillows. He kisses Rosemary's forehead and places Isabella in the bassinet, crawling back in bed and falling asleep next to his wife.
A few hours later, Isabella cries, waking up her parents. Lee grabs her and gives her to Rosemary, who nurses her again. "I'll go check on Patrick. Do you want him to come up here?" questions Lee.
"Yes, please."
Lee goes downstairs to Isaac sitting on the settee, reading The Valley Voice. He inquires, "How is she doing?"
"She is tired, sore, but thrilled."
"Do you think she'll be up for visitors this afternoon?"
"Why? What do you have in mind?"
"It's a surprise."
"I think so. Rosemary will probably want to freshen up before anyone visits, though." Lee looks around, asking, "Where's Patrick?"
"He and Rosalind went into town to get some groceries at the Mercantile."
"When Patrick gets home, can you tell him to come up here?" Isaac nods, and Lee brings Rosemary some green tea, himself some coffee, and some muffins for the two of them. Lee walks into the room to Rosemary humming a lullaby to their daughter.
He quietly sets her tea and muffin on her nightstand, and Rosemary whispers, "Thanks, sweetie."
Then, a few minutes later, Lee and Rosemary hear the door open downstairs and Laika barking and squealing. Patrick quietly enters their room, speaking, "Hi Mama, Papa, baby sister. How are you? Is it okay if I climb on the bed?"
Rosemary replies, "Yes, you may, but no jumping. We don't want her to wake up yet." Patrick smiles and acts a bit odd. "What is going on, bud?"
"We have a surprise for you."
"You do? What?" inquires Rosemary as Patrick puts his hand over his mouth. "Patrick Coulter, you better tell us now."
Lee puts his hand on Rosemary's arm, suggesting, "Maybe we let them surprise us." Rosemary rolls her eyes, and Patrick joins them on the bed.
After a late lunch and nap, there's a knock outside their bedroom door, and in steps, "Catherine and Susannah."
Lee hugs them both and asks, "How did you know, and how are you here?"
"Elizabeth called and told us you were in labor. So, Catherine and I decided to catch the first train. We rode all night, and now we are here."
"This is such a nice surprise, Susannah, Catherine. Thank you so much for coming. Would you like to meet your niece and cousin?" Lee steps out of the way, and Rosemary shows off their daughter sleeping soundly in her arms. "We would like to introduce you to Isabella Rose Coulter."
"What a beautiful name," remarks Susannah.
Catherine shyly asks, "Can I hold her, Aunt Rosemary?"
"Of course. Why don't you sit down on the rocking chair, and Lee can bring her to you?" Lee places her in Catherine's arms, and she rocks her awhile. Then Susannah takes over.
Rosalind sticks her head in, "You have some more visitors. Elizabeth and Allie are here. They brought over a shepherd's pie and a few casseroles."
"Please tell them to come on up." Susannah gives Isabella back to Lee and offers for her and Catherine to go downstairs to make more room for Elizabeth and Allie.
As soon as they walk into the room, Elizabeth questions, "How are you doing, Rosemary?"
"I am exhausted and sore, but I am the happiest I have ever been."
"I remember the feeling."
Rosemary suggests, "Allie, why don't you sit in the rocking chair?" Allie acknowledges, sits down, and waits for Lee to bring her over, announcing, "Meet Isabella Rose."
"She is so adorable."
"She is," states Rosemary.
"Do you want to hold her, Mom?" inquires Allie.
"I sure do," replies Elizabeth as she carefully takes her out of Allie's arms, holding and rocking her.
Rosemary questions, "You want another, don't you?"
"More than anything," responds Elizabeth. "I forgot how precious newborns are and their wonderful newborn smell. Isabella squirms a little in Elizabeth's arms and lets out a soft cry at first, followed by a loud one.
"Come to Mama, princess," mentions Rosemary as Elizabeth hands her over. "Are you hungry, my sweets?"
"We'll give you some privacy."
"Thanks, Elizabeth." Elizabeth smiles, and she, Allie, and Rosalind go downstairs.
The following morning, Lee and Rosemary are jolted awake by their screaming yet adorable daughter. Lee is surprised to see Patrick sleeping on the floor with one arm draped over the side of the bassinet and resting on his sister's arm. Lee grabs Isabella from the bassinet, asking Patrick, "How long have you been here, buddy?"
Patrick wipes the sleep from his eyes and whispers, "I think right after you fell asleep a couple of hours ago."
"Okay, get in bed with Mama. I need to change her diaper." Patrick nods and carefully climbs in next to Rosemary with his head on her chest.
"Good morning. Did you get any sleep?"
Patrick whines, "Some. Why does she cry so much?"
Rosemary answers, "Well, when babies are first born, they are so used to being in their mama's tummy, they get a little scared about the outside. And since she can't talk, crying is how she lets us know she's hungry, tired, needs a clean diaper, or wants us to hold her." Patrick nods in understanding. "I'll admit, Papa and I won't be getting much sleep for a while, but you'll get used to her cries, and I bet you will sleep through them soon enough if you stay in your room." Patrick nods.
Lee finishes the diaper and wraps her in a clean blanket, handing her over to Rosemary. He plops down on the rocker, rocking before Patrick joins him. They both watch Rosemary as she nurses Isabella and hums a lullaby. "What is Mama doing?" questions Patrick.
"She is feeding your sister. Mama's make special milk for their babies since they can't eat food yet."
"Why can't they eat food?"
"First off, her teeth have not grown in yet, and second, newborn tummies can't handle what we eat." Lee squeezes Patrick, adding, "Like chocolate cake or pancakes."
"Or Mama's dumplings?" inquires Patrick as they both chuckle.
Rosalind quietly enters Rosemary and Lee's room and opens the drapes. Rosemary is gazing into her daughter's eyes, and Lee is sleeping with his head resting on Rosemary's shoulder. Rosemary whispers, "Hello, Mother."
"Hello, my darling. It's 4:30 pm. I think it is high time for you to get out of this bed, freshen up, and get dressed before the day is over. Why don't you let me hold my sweet granddaughter, and you get ready?"
"Get ready for what, Mother."
"Your day, of course."
Rosemary mumbles something about it being almost over, but she agrees anyway. She gives Isabella to her mother and carefully moves Lee's head off her shoulder. Rosalind offers, "Why don't I take Isabella with me? Patrick and Isaac are playing with the Lincoln Logs. Just come down when you are ready. After they leave, Rosemary stands up, wincing a little as she walks to her vanity. She splashes water on her face, brushes her teeth, takes a wet rag, cleaning herself up. Next, Rosemary steps over to the closet and goes through her clothes, searching for something that will fit and allow her to nurse. She glances down at her still protruding belly, wondering if she'll ever fit into her pre-pregnancy clothes again. Rosemary sighs and continues to look when she finds a skirt and blouse she wore a few months ago. She slips them on, and they fit. Next, Rosemary brushes her hair and mumbles to herself, "Oh, dear. My hair needs washing." So, she fixes it into an updo and is ready to go downstairs when Lee wakes up.
Lee smiles, mentioning, "You look nice, honey. So where are you sneaking off to?"
Rosemary sits next to Lee, saying, "Mother told me I had to get dressed and out of bed. Would you care to join me? She has Patrick and Isabella."
Lee lovingly stares into Rosemary's eyes, answering, "I would love to, but first, I have a gift for you." Rosemary stands up and lets Lee search in his nightstand drawer. He grabs a small box and gets back in bed with a grin. A giggling Rosemary sits and cuddles up to her husband while he wraps his arm around her shoulder. Lee hands her the box, and she slowly opens the top.
"Oh, Lee!" exclaims Rosemary.
Lee pulls out the bracelet he bought her in Santiago and shows her the six jewels, which now complete the bracelet. He explains, "The two rubies at the center are for you and me, the two diamonds, one on each side of the rubies, represent our eternal love, an amethyst for Patrick's birthstone on the left, and a ruby for Isabella's birthstone on the right."
"When did you have time to do this?"
"I bought the diamonds and ruby while we were in Union City. Then after we got back, I took everything to the jeweler in Benson Hills and had him move the amethyst, add the diamonds, and the last ruby. Do you like how it turned out?"
"Do I like how it turned out? I absolutely love it!" responds Rosemary as she admires the gift. "Tell me this…when you bought this in Santiago, did you know this would happen?"
"No, I guess the hope we would welcome children into our home in the future never left me."
"And here we are now, with two incredible children in a little over a year," adds Rosemary.
"We've been blessed!"
Rosemary kisses Lee a few times, revealing, "I love you, Lee Coulter."
"And I love you," remarks Lee as he returns the kiss. "Can we sit here for a few minutes and savor the peace and quiet?"
Rosemary grins and lays her head on his shoulder, offering, "Thank you, sweetheart," as he lays his head on hers. Rosemary shuts her eyes for a few moments when they hear laughter coming from downstairs, followed by numerous shushes. They both look at one another, and Rosemary questions, "What do you think is happening down there?"
"I have no idea," responds Lee as Rosemary tries to get up. He pulls her back down, and she grimaces. "I'm sorry, honey. Did I hurt you?"
"I'm alright," replies Rosemary.
"I'm just not ready for this moment to be over."
Rosemary rubs her thumb on his chin, saying, "Me neither, but aren't you the least bit curious?"
"Not really," answers Lee.
Rosemary chuckles, giving him the grin he can never say no to, uttering, "I don't know about you, but I want to see what is happening down there and see our children. I already miss our Isabella."
Lee groans, mentioning, "Okay, fine. I will get up."
"Great! I'll wait for you," remarks a grinning Rosemary.
After Lee finishes getting ready, they go downstairs arm-in-arm. All their loved ones greet them, Rosalind holding Isabella, Isaac, Patrick, Susannah, Catherine, Elizabeth holding Jack, Allie, and Nathan, all standing there with smiley faces. They quietly shout, "Surprise," to not wake up a sleeping Isabella.
Rosemary questions, "What are you all doing here?"
Elizabeth is the first to speak, "We wanted to shower you with some gifts. Please sit down."
She turns to Lee, asking, "Did you know about this?"
"No. Not at all."
Lee helps Rosemary get comfortable on the settee and runs upstairs to grab the bassinet. He sets it down closest to her, and Rosalind lays her inside. Lee and Patrick sit next to Rosemary. Jack, Allie, and Catherine sit on the floor, Elizabeth and Rosalind take a chair, and Susannah, Nathan, and Isaac sit at the kitchen table.
Rosalind is the first to get up and hands her daughter a box. Rosemary opens it up, happily gasping, "Mother, this is beautiful. Did you make this?" She holds up the white lace baby gown for everyone to see.
"I did, ma chérie. Well, partially. It's been in our family for many years. My grandmother made it for my mother when she was a baby. I wore it, you did, and now Isabella will be the fourth generation to wear this at her Christening. But unfortunately, the gown was not as glamorous as I would like, so I've been working on it since I found out you were expecting, fancying it up a little and giving it some flair. Besides, my granddaughter only deserves the best." Rosalind giggles along with the rest of them.
"I don't understand, mother. How did you know to bring this?"
"I didn't, but from your letters, you were so happy with Patrick, I thought you might want to bring a baby home in the future, so I thought I would bring it for you just in case."
"Thank you. It is gorgeous."
Next, Elizabeth whispers to Jack, "It's time." Jack smiles and hops up, grabbing a box by the front door.
He and Allie hand it to Patrick, and Allie mentions, "This is for the newest big brother in Hope Valley."
Patrick giggles, immediately throwing off the lid and pulling out a jigsaw puzzle with all the mountains in Canada. "Wow, this is so neat. Thank you!" exclaims Patrick.
Patrick glances up at his parents, grinning from ear-to-ear, and Rosemary mouths, "Thank you," to Elizabeth.
"You're welcome," Elizabeth mouths back as she gets up and gives Rosemary a small gift wrapped in the cutest fabric. Rosemary unwraps it, and her eyes widen. Elizabeth states, "I wrote this book of short stories for your family. They are about how you and Lee met, fell in love, built a life together, brought Patrick into the family, and what a blessing Isabella has been for you since finding out about her. I even found someone to do the illustrations."
"Elizabeth, this is wonderful," offers Rosemary as she struggles to get up to hug her.
Susannah interrupts, "Before you sit down, we have a gift for you." She goes to the kitchen corner and brings out something big covered with a blanket. Rosemary signals to Lee, and they both walk over to the blanket.
Rosemary looks at Lee, counting, "Three, two, one," and they raise the blanket, quietly gasping when they see what's underneath. Susannah reveals, "Jake made this oak highchair for you. You can easily assemble and disassemble it, so it doesn't take too much space. Plus, you can bring it with you if you travel. I know you don't need this yet, but you will in about six months."
"This is amazing, Susannah. It is perfect."
Lee rubs his hand on the wood, stating, "Jake sure is talented, sis." Susannah nods and hugs him and Rosemary. Isabella stirs and lets out a little cry but goes back to sleep. Rosemary and Lee sit back down, and her father gives her an envelope.
Rosemary takes it, asking, "What is this, Father?"
"Open it up."
Rosemary rips the envelope open and pulls out an advertisement of some kind. She shows it to Lee, and they both are in disbelief. "Father, this is too much."
"Nothing is too much for my daughter's growing family."
Allie inquires, "What is it, Missus Coulter?" Rosemary turns it around, and everyone gawks at the picture. It is the 1900 Cataract Washer."
Lee helps Rosemary hop up again, and they hug Isaac and Rosalind, thanking them profusely. Isaac mentions, "It should be arriving on the train at the end of the month." Isabella lets out another cry, and Rosemary picks up her daughter, cooing at her. They sit back down on the settee, and Isabella luckily falls back to sleep in her mother's arms.
Lee runs to the desk, fumbling for something, suggesting, "I think the occasion warrants some photos, don't you?"
Rosemary grins at her husband, answering, "You are right."
The next few days are a whirlwind at the Coulter house. Everybody is up all hours, not able to sleep with a crying baby in the house. Lee and Rosemary survive on a few hours of sleep, even with Rosalind, Isaac, Susannah, and Catherine there for support. Patrick is doing his best to help his mother and little sister in any way he can and keep Laika and Nanny fed and out of trouble. Susannah and Catherine are trying to get as much Isabella snuggle time today because they are leaving on the afternoon train. They wish they could stay longer, but they need to get back. Susannah and Catherine say their goodbyes to Rosemary, Isabella, Rosalind, and Isaac. Then Lee and Patrick drive them to the hotel to get their things and on to the train station. As Lee parks the car in the last spot, Susannah suggests, "You can drop us off here. I know you are anxious to get back to your precious little one."
"Are you sure?" Susannah nods and hugs her brother. "Thank you for coming, Suz. We enjoyed your visit and are very grateful for all your help. Can you believe we finally have a baby in our home?" Lee turns to the back seat to see Patrick and Catherine, adding, "God has truly blessed us with the two greatest kids I could ever imagine."
Patrick giggles, whining, "Papa! Why do you and Mama always say that?"
"Because we love you and your sister more than anything else in this world, and we always will." The four of them get out of the car, and Lee loads their luggage onto a cart when a porter shows up, offering to escort them to their train.
"Thank you, sir. My brother and nephew need to head home," remarks Susannah as she hugs both Lee and Patrick. Then they quickly hug Catherine before the porter insists on leading the ladies into the train station.
A couple of days later, Rosemary and Lee surprisingly wake up before Isabella and notice Patrick is sleeping between them again. They are unsure why he ends up in their room each night, especially knowing Isabella will wake them up every few hours. Rosemary observes her son sleeping, saying a short prayer to herself, "Dear Lord, please watch over our son. We are worried about him. Amen." Their ears perk up when Isabella stirs, but fortunately, she never cries. Then Lee tries to sneak off the bed after ensuring Patrick is still asleep.
However, as soon as he stands up, Patrick wakes and sleepily whispers, "Where are you going, Papa?"
"Nowhere," responds Lee as he grabs an envelope out of his nightstand and a box from underneath the bed. Then he climbs back in next to Rosemary, revealing, "Mama and I have something for you. Why don't you come here and sit with us? Your Mama and I wrote this letter for you the day you came to live with us, one year ago today."
Patrick glances at his parents before crawling over and sitting on Lee's lap. Rosemary scoots next to her two boys, and Patrick begins to read:
July 19th, 1917
Dear Patrick,
Today is the happiest day of our lives. You came to live with us and forever made us a family. We prayed and dreamed about having a child, you, in our home, and today is finally an answer to our prayers. We want you to know we will always love and cherish you all the days of our lives. We pray you'll come to love us as much as we love you, and we can't wait to start our new lives as a family. And hopefully, someday soon, we'll receive the official word that you'll be our very own Patrick Coulter.
We love you more than all the stars in the sky!
Love,
Mama and Papa
Lee hands Patrick a box, revealing, "Here, this is for you. Mama and I picked these out for you while in Union City." Patrick giddily opens the lid, quietly squealing when he sees what is inside, tinker toys and two new Bobbsey Twins books.
Patrick turns to Rosemary, Lee, mentioning, "Thanks, Mama, Papa. I love them," before his face falls and tears fill his eyes. Patrick climbs into Rosemary's lap, wrapping his arms around her and sobbing into her chest.
Rosemary rubs his back, inquiring, "What's wrong, bud?"
Patrick tearfully questions, "Do you still feel the same way as the letter? Do you still want me now that Isabella came from your tummy?"
Rosemary squeezes Patrick, replying, "One hundred percent yes! We love you and Isabella equally. You may not have grown in my tummy, but we chose to love you and bring you into our home as if you did." Rosemary kisses the top of Patrick's head and whispers, "Go to your Papa." Patrick smiles and crawls into Lee's lap, hugging him and wiping the rest of the tears off his face.
"Is that why you have been clinging lately and want to sleep in here with us? You think we won't want you anymore?" Patrick hesitantly shakes his head. "Well, that couldn't be further from the truth. You are our son, and that will never change. You are stuck with us forever, kid." Patrick and Lee laugh as Isabella starts to scream. Rosemary picks her up and gets back in bed with her two favorite boys.
"The four of us will always be stuck together!" exclaims Rosemary as they all chuckle.
The following Wednesday arrives, the day for Rosalind and Isaac to go home. They postponed their trip a few days and offered to stay a little longer, but Rosemary could tell her parents were getting tired, even though they would never admit it to her. So, they are all spending their last hour together in the sitting room, talking about the previous ten sleepless but delightful days with Isabella. Rosalind is holding her, taking in her granddaughter because she is unsure when she'll see her again. As if reading her mother's mind, Rosemary inquires, "When will we see you again?"
Isaac responds, "I know it will be hard for you to travel for a while, so maybe we can come back here for her Christening, Thanksgiving, and maybe you four can visit our house for Christmas."
Rosemary looks at Lee with a smile, and he answers, "We would love that. What do you say, Patrick?"
"Yes!" yells Patrick as he hugs his grandfather and grandmother.
"Rosie, your mother, and I have been talking, and we think you and Isabella should stay here," mentions Isaac.
Rosemary replies, "Nonsense, Isabella and I need desperately to get out of this house, even for a little bit."
Rosalind remarks to Isaac, "I told you, my darling."
"Yes, you did. I shouldn't have expected anything less from you, Rosie." He smirks at his daughter, stating, "Fine if you insist."
"I do," remarks Rosemary.
"Okay, now that is settled, let me hold my granddaughter. She wants her Pépé." Isaac carefully lifts her out of Rosalind's arms and walks around the room, baby-talking to his granddaughter, much to everyone's amusement.
"Come here, Patrick. I want to tell you something," mentions Rosalind.
Patrick skips over to his grandmother and jumps on her lap, "Yes, Mémé."
"I wanted to say I am very proud of you. You are smart, talented, and the best big brother I have ever seen."
Patrick hugs Rosalind, responding, "Thanks, Mémé. I am going to miss you."
"I'll miss you, too. Next time, we will do a better puppet show. Don't forget to practice what I showed you."
"I won't, Mémé."
Isaac stands up, announcing, "I think it is time to head to the train station."
"You're right. Is everyone ready?" inquires Lee.
"Let me get Isabella, and we can go. I'll meet you out there shortly," suggests Rosemary. She grabs her daughter and goes upstairs while Lee and Isaac load the car and Rosalind and Patrick pile in the back seat. Rosemary is the last one out of the house with a bag she made for Isabella and what appears to be a sling draped around her front. She sits in the back seat, and they all look at her with weird expressions.
Lee questions, "Uh, honey. Where's Isabella?"
Rosemary tries to speak with a straight face, "Oh, I left her in the crib upstairs," but she can't quite manage. Rosemary tries to suppress a giggle, remarking, "Don't look at me like that. I would never leave her by herself." She rubs Isabella's little cheeks, turning slightly in their direction so they can all see her sleeping curled up next to her mother.
Rosalind comments, "Where did you learn how to bundle her up like that? It's genius."
"It is. Isn't it?" Rosemary smirks, and everyone quietly laughs with her. "I first got the idea this past winter when the guys went snowshoeing, and they wanted Jack to go with them. So, an idea popped in my mind, and I was able to do something similar with Nathan and Jack, except Jack was on Nathan's back." Lee chuckles and puts the car in gear, driving in the direction of the train station. Rosemary turns to her mother, mentioning, "I can't believe everyone thought I would leave her at home by herself, and that…" She points down to Isabella, asking, "I know I look like I just had a baby, but do I still look so big people don't notice I'm carrying her in a blanket?"
Their moods quickly change to sadness when an announcement comes over the intercom, telling them to board their train. Isaac kneels to Patrick, saying, "I will miss you, buddy. I couldn't ask for a better grandson. Keep helping your mother and being a good boy. I love you."
"I love you, Pépé. I can't wait to see you again," responds Patrick as they hug.
Rosalind frames her daughter's face, rubs her granddaughter's chin, and states, "I love you both very much." Then, she coos at Isabella, "Be a good girl and let your Mama, Papa, and big brother sleep."
Rosemary hugs her mother with her free arm, revealing, "I am pleased and relieved we've been able to bond more than we have in a long time and that you were here when Isabella was born. I don't want us to lose this closeness we've formed these last couple of weeks, and I don't want us to miss out on anything else. And most importantly, I want you and father to be in our lives." They both wipe a tear from their eyes and hug again.
Isaac pats Lee on the back and hugs him, mentioning, "I am so glad my Rosie, Patrick, and Isabella have you in their lives. I know they will always be taken care of no matter what."
"Thank you, sir, I mean, father."
Isaac embraces his daughter, kissing his granddaughter on the forehead, remarking, "I love you, ma petite étoile. I am so proud of the woman and mother you have become."
"Thank you," replies Rosemary as she hugs her father. Patrick hugs Rosalind one more time and runs over to Rosemary, reaching for her hand. They all wave goodbye, and Rosalind and Isaac reluctantly get on the train. Lee, Rosemary, and Patrick turn and stroll out to their car hand-in-hand and get inside. They both turn to one another with a worried expression, simultaneously asking, "Can we do this by ourselves?"
A/N: Thank you for being patient with me as I have written this story. It has been a long process, but I have enjoyed writing it and reading your comments. It means so much to me. The plan is to take a bit of a break and come back this summer with an epilogue about Isabella's first year of life and all that entails. So I hope you'll come back and read the end of my story when it's ready!