Four months later, April
Downtown Grand Haven, Elizabeth's doctor's office
"So, Beth," Dr. Reynolds said from behind her desk. "Good news is you are a perfectly healthy 31 year old woman and there should be no physical reason why you aren't pregnant yet."
"What's the bad news, Doc?" Nathan asked, taking Elizabeth's hand.
"The bad news…well, it's just challenging news. Due to your previous cancer treatment, Nathan…."
"I knew it," he said, hanging his head.
"It doesn't make it impossible," she assured them. "It just means it may take longer."
"It's been since late September, Doc."
She assured them that they could try a few things but that they just needed to be patient.
Nathan was quiet as they drove home to relieve the sitter in charge of Cam.
"Love? I know what you're thinking…"
"You heard her, Beth. It's my fault you aren't pregnant."
"I didn't hear her place blame, Nathan and I certainly don't blame you. You didn't ask for cancer to attack your brain."
"Yeah." He certainly couldn't deny that.
"We have been patient and you know what? As badly as I want to have a baby with you, sweetheart, if we don't ever conceive, we have a wonderful family already."
His eyes lit up as he thought about what she meant. Yes, they had six wonderful children who had come into their lives in various ways and his heart was full, in fact he had officially adopted Allie, Julian and JJ.
"I guess we just need to try harder," he mentioned, taking her hand and squeezing, a teasing grin on his face.
"I guess so."
"And maybe go away for a weekend, maybe Key West? Have my parents come take care of the kids?"
"Yes please!"
At dinner that night, Kendra
announced something no one was expecting. "Uncle Nathan?"
"Yes, Ken."
"Will you adopt me?"
Everyone stopped and stared at her, shocked. She had always said that she just wanted him to be her Uncle, not her Dad, because Dad's left their kids. As much as they assured her that Nathan would never leave intentionally, she still believed it.
"Yes. Of course I will. Are you sure, sweetie?"
"Yes." Her tears came rolling down her cheeks so he held open his arms for a hug. "I love you, Uncle Nathan."
"I love you more."
Elizabeth teared up as she watched them. "Ken?"
Kendra switched to her aunt's arms. "I know that means you'll be my Mom now and I think she would be okay with that."
"So do I, honey."
Eve got a text a few minutes later from Kevin. "Aunt Beth?"
"Yeah, sweetie?"
"Can Kevin come over? Maybe we can watch a movie or something."
It was Friday night so staying up to watch a movie wasn't a bad idea. Elizabeth looked at Nathan who shrugged.
"Sure, Eve. He can come over."
"Thank you. May I be excused?"
"Yes, you may," Nathan told her with a nod.
As the whole family watched the movie, Eve was second guessing the whole thing. She wanted to just be with Kevin. In this situation, he was barely holding her hand.
She moved another inch closer to him and looked into his eyes. He let go of her pinky and intertwined their fingers instead. That was better, she thought.
Her feelings for Kevim grew stronger as time went by. His kisses made her heart go faster and drove her crazy.
She still remembered their first kiss as a couple, her first kiss ever. They had gone to a corn maze and he had intentionally pulled her into the corn, off the path.
She blushed thinking about it and now, they were strategic about kissing, making sure they weren't around her family because Uncle Nathan would overreact.
One by one, the kids dragged themselves to bed as the night went on. Then Aunt Beth took Cam and Uncle Nathan was left, keeping them company. How awkward.
When the movie was done, he stood and grabbed the various popcorn bowls. "Its getting late, guys," he told them.
Kevin stood, still holding her hand. "Thank you for having me over, sir," he told Nathan, reaching out to shake his hand.
Nathan nodded. "Glad you could come. Time to say goodnight, Eve," he told her, leaving the room with the bowls.
Eve led him to the porch and shut the door, letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry, Kev."
"About what?"
"Having twenty five people as chaperones."
He laughed, kissing her softly. "At least we could see each other. I'm grateful for that."
He was right. She needed to look at things the way he did.
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly, loving the moment. The quiet, just them moment.
He leaned back a touch. "Eve, I need to talk to you about this summer."
"I can't wait. Maybe we can go to the beach."
"I...I'm going to my grandparent's house in Long Beach for a while."
"California? That's...wow. So what about us? I thought we'd spend the summer together."
"I leave July 1st and I'll be back just before school starts."
"Wow." That was most of the summer.
"My grandparents...they are getting older and I don't see them very often. I need to see them, Evie."
"Of course you do. I'll miss you."
He kissed her forehead and then lips, settling her in his arms comfortably.
"I'll miss you too," he mumbled, deepening the kiss.
"Eve!" Nathan said, opening the door.
"Uncle Nathan…"
"Time for bed. Goodnight, Kevin.
Kevin squeezed her hand and nodded. "Night, sir."
Eve wiped her eyes and walked away from Nathan. She was so embarrassed that he raised his voice in front of Kevin.
"Eve…"
"Goodnight, Uncle Nathan."
"Eve, wait…"
"I can't believe you did that! Why did you have to embarrass me like that?"
"You were getting carried away."
"How do you know? I didn't feel carried away! I felt comfortable and loved. He makes me feel happy."
"Eve, you're fifteen."
"So what! I'm not allowed to have strong feelings at fifteen years old?!"
Elizabeth walked down the stairs. "What's going on? I can hear you yelling upstairs."
"Ask him," she said quietly, heading to her room.
"Nathan?"
"They were kissing, Beth. Not a little peck. And he was holding her in his arms. She was holding on to him. Fifteen year olds should not be that close. That's how teenage girls become mothers! They get carried away."
"Nathan…"
"Don't tell me I'm overreacting."
She took his hand and led him to the living room, pulling him down on the couch. "How old were you when you had your first girlfriend?"
"I'm not talking about me, Beth. I'm talking about Eve."
"How old, Nate?"
"Sixteen."
"And your first kiss?"
"Fourteen."
"Mmhm. My first boyfriend was at about fifteen, Eve's age. My first kiss was the same boy."
"I don't want her to end up pregnant."
"Me either but I trust her, Nate. We have talked in depth about sex before marriage and what her mom felt and how I feel about it. She understands how girls get pregnant and she knows that we prefer she not go on dates alone with him until she's older."
She touched his cheek and smiled. "Kissing is alright." She touched her lips to his. "She has never done anything to lose our trust so we need to show her that."
"I love these kids of ours, Beth. With everything I have."
"I know you do."
"I want to protect them. It's my job, whether they call me Dad or Uncle. Isn't it?"
"Yes."
"But I overreacted?"
"Perhaps. Or perhaps you just need to have a heart to heart with our oldest."
"Maybe I'll ask her to make breakfast with me tomorrow."
She stood and this time, led him up the stairs. "So I was thinking, Key West for the weekend or not, I'm not willing to give up on having a baby with you."
"Yeah?"
"Mmhm. It's gonna happen. I know it."
The next morning, Elizabeth drove up to Lansing for Becki's very last treatment.
While she and Cam headed up there, Nathan kept track of the other kids, taking time to talk to Eve while they made breakfast.
She was quiet though. He bumped her with his hip. "You mad at me?"
"I was," she admitted.
"And now?"
"I just think you don't understand how I feel." She shrugged and then sniffed.
"Honey? I'm sorry that I embarrassed you."
"I like him, Uncle Nate. A lot."
"I know. That scares me a bit."
"Why? Aunt Beth explained things to me. I'm not going to get pregnant."
"Eve, can I explain where I'm coming from?"
She nodded and stirred the eggs in the pan. "Is it about Cam?"
He raised his eyebrows. Smart girl.
"I know you and Becki have never been married. Cam is yours which means you made a choice to be with her. I'm not going to do anything right now that will stop me from following my dreams."
"Fair enough," he said with a smile.
"Promise me that you'll slow down?"
"I can't promise I won't kiss him, Uncle Nathan. He's been my boyfriend for almost five months and he's my best friend."
"Just...make sure you keep only going out in groups. Please?"
She nodded and kissed his cheek. "Promise. But not forever."
He sighed and wrapped his arm around her. "I love you Evelyn Thatcher."
"I love you too."
The whole room clapped as Becki stood up, free of poisons dripping through an IV. Hopefully also completely free from cancer.
"Congratulations!" Elizabeth said, hugging her best friend.
"Yay, Mama!" Cam said, hugging her waist.
"Thank you both for being here and all of you," she said to all the nurses and friends whom she had met through her weeks and months. She had made lifelong friends which helped a lot.
"You still up for lunch?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah. But, let's get takeout and head to my place."
"Sure."
"We gonna get pizza, Mama Beth?" Cam asked, reaching up for her to pick him up.
She did and kissed his cheeks. "Yes, love. That's what your Mama wants."
"Kay."
When they got back to Becki's place though, Elizabeth had to hold back her questions though. Everything was in boxes.
"I can't stay here," Becki told her. "I don't need to be by the hospital anymore and it's not fair for Nathan to keep paying for this."
"So...you're headed back to Hope Valley?"
"I don't know."
She nodded and grabbed some paper plates which were on the counter. She knew it was Becki's decision but the entire family was going to be broken hearted if she chose Hope Valley over Grand Haven. Cam would be confused too.
"My home is there, Beth."
"I know."
"What?"
"If I'm being honest, I love being close to my best friend. I love being Mama Beth to Cam. If you move away...well, I'll miss you so much and Nate….he and Cam have a special relationship. I'm not trying to sway you...I know it's your decision."She wiped her eyes and sighed. "I'll stop now."
"Beth? I'll miss you too. If I decide to go back there. I'm just...I'm homesick. I want my life back."
Elizabeth gave her a hug. "I understand and I'll support you, whatever you decide." She knew it wouldn't be easy though.