Rosemary was rarely at a loss for words. But today, she was. A week ago, Lillian and Grace had sent a return telegram to the Coulters. Everything was all set for Lee and Rosemary to come to Brookfield later that day. They would stay overnight at the orphanage and come home the next day.
Rosemary was so excited to have children wandering around her home. She knew that Lee was going to make an incredible father. Everyone kept telling her that she would make a great mother but she doubted herself. She had been an only child. Until moving to Hope Valley, she had been around children minimally. Rosemary remembered those days of being Elizabeth's substitute at school. She hadn't known what she was doing. Somehow she had managed to not screw Little Jack up when watching him.
Being a mother felt so intimidating. The last thing Rosemary wanted to do was ruin Millie, Charlotte, and Spencer. Those three had been through so much, lost so much. Rosemary tried to remember what Nathan had said last week. As long as she loved them, everything else would fall into place.
Rosemary walked through the rooms upstairs. Neither were as prepared, as ready, as Rosemary wanted them to be. Lee had said it wouldn't matter, that the children could have a role in decorating. But Rosemary knew that the children never had a space to call their own—at least not recently—and she wanted a different experience for Mille, Charlotte, and Spencer.
She at least had made sure that there would be clothes for them. Clara had been a godsend, spending any free time at the dress shop helping Rosemary make shirts and pants, dresses and bloomers. Sweaters and coats had either been knitted or purchased. The Coulter kids were not going to be lacking in the clothing department.
Lee came up the stairs. "Rosie, Sweetheart?" Lee took Rosemary's hands in his. "Are you ready to go?" He searched her face. "You know, I'm nervous too."
"You are?" Rosemary was surprised to hear her husband say that he was nervous. He hadn't shown that at all, never once this week.
"Oh Rosie," Lee bounced on the balls of his feet. "I'm scared out of my mind. We are adopting three children and bringing them home almost immediately. We are leaping. But since when do either of us not like making a big entrance?"
Rosemary laughed. Lee had a point. After all, she had come into Coal Valley in a red traveling suit—with pants. Lee came in on a motorcycle.
"Rosie," Lee kissed Rosemary gently. "We are in this together. And we're about to be parents!"
"We're about to be parents!" Rosemary repeated the words after Lee, allowing the words to sink in. "We are about to be parents!" This time Rosemary spoke with more confidence and excitement.
"So are you ready to go?" Lee extended his hand, encouraging Rosemary to head down the stairs.
"No…and yes.." Rosemary walked with Lee.
"Sounds about right. Let's go get our kids,"
Elizabeth waved goodbye to Lee and Rosemary, watching their car drive out of view. Unbeknownst to Rosemary, Elizabeth and Lee had concocted a plan. Little Jack was going to sleep in the crib Lee and Rosemary kept at their place and Elizabeth was going to organize the house. She was going to clean, make some food, organize rooms upstairs. Elizabeth had known Rosemary was worried about everything she hadn't done, Lee confirmed it with a look, and Elizabeth resolved to help.
Her friends were continually doing so much for her. This could be a small way she could give back.
Elizabeth walked back into her own row house, gathered up a few necessities for the evening, and went over to the Coulter's home.
Florence and Molly were also on their way over.
"Elizabeth!" Florence and Molly spoke in unison. "We are hear to help as well!"
"So are we!" Fiona, Faith and Clara came from the direction of town, their arms laden with packages and baskets.
Elizabeth smiled. The women of town were coming out to help Rosemary. Just like Elizabeth had known they would. The women could have cared less if Rosemary had a child in her womb or a child via adoption. They were just thrilled for the Coulter family.
"There is a lot to do!" Elizabeth laughed as she welcomed all of the Hope Valley women inside. "I say we start upstairs first."
All of the women carried supplies upstairs. Florence had enlisted the help of other Hope Valley moms to make three quilts, one for each bed. Molly was an expert cleaner and was determined to make the rooms shine from top to bottom. Clara worked on sewing curtains—since Rosemary had a sewing machine and Clara had access to the window measurements she needed. Fiona and Faith set about sorting through toys that Ned Yost had sent over. Elizabeth worked on finding books that would be perfect for each child.
"I love that they have adopted those children," Fiona smiled. "They were super sweet."
"Henry Gowen is also quite excited," Molly gossiped. "He won't say so, but he definitely bonded with that little one, Millie. I think he is happy that she will be around town."
"I quite agree," Florence stated. "And Carson has a soft spot for that Spencer." Florence looked over at Fiona. "Have you and Dr. Shepherd talked about children, Faith?"
Faith blushed. "Considering we have barely talked about marriage, that answer would be no." Faith knew that she could be completely honest with these women. "Carson and I have agreed that it is best for me to finish my education before talking more about our future. He is so supportive."
All of the women nodded in agreement.
"I wasn't going to say anything," Clara spoke suddenly. "But I cannot help myself." Clara looked around and then burst out, "Jesse and I are having a baby!"
There were quiet squeals from all of the women. "Oh, Clara!" Elizabeth hugged Clara tightly. Seeing a woman so like herself—a widow far too early—discover new happiness and new joys served as a reminder to Elizabeth that time goes carry on. And it could be beautiful.
"I have known for a few weeks, but I have kept it quiet." Clara put her hand to her stomach in a protective manner. "I was struggling with guilt over having a baby and Rosemary being unable to. I know that is outside of my control, but it still hurt. Then when Lee and Rosemary announced they were adopting, Jesse and I did not want to steal their joy." Clara looked at each woman. "Please don't say anything to them just yet! When they get back from Brookfield, it still needs to be about them."
"Well," Fiona tucked her arm into Clara's, "I, for one, am so excited."
It was with this excited and happy vibe that the women continued to organize and clean. There was laughter and well wishes. With such a great atmosphere, the rooms came together quickly. Welcoming spaces had been created for Mille, Charlotte, and Spencer. The women did not realize the hour had gotten so late and the party quickly disbanded, leaving Elizabeth alone.
With Little Jack peacefully asleep in Lee and Rosemary's room, Elizabeth quietly went downstairs. She could dust and straighten up. She also was going to hang up the "Welcome to Hope Valley" banner her students had made. Elizabeth's students were excited for new classmates.
Elizabeth's mind wandered to the thought of Jessie and Clara. There would be a little Flynn soon in Hope Valley. What fun that would be! But for Elizabeth, it was more than that. The day before her wedding, Clara had been wondering if she could move on with Jesse after Peter Stanton's death. After all, opening up your life again to the potential of pain and loss was scary, full of unknowns. But Elizabeth had reminded Clara that if she were given the chance to be with Jack, knowing exactly how it would end, she still would have made the same choices. Because even with pain and loss, there is so much joy. Not shutting yourself off forever was key. Elizabeth didn't realize that while she was talking to Clara, she was speaking truth to herself as well.
Moving on with Nathan meant many things—including the possibility of more children. Hers and Nathan's children. Elizabeth's heart fluttered at the thought. She loved being a mother. If one day, she were to be pregnant with Nathan's son or daughter, Elizabeth would be thrilled. Just as Little Jack reminded of hers and Jack's love, she would want the same thing again.
Elizabeth sat down on Rosemary's settee. This felt like a final step in moving on. Elizabeth had just admitted she wanted more children. And she knew those children would not be Jack's. Elizabeth sat down and wrote in her journal. She wrote down every emotion, every thought, every dream. She wrote down what was in her heart and it made her smile.
Elizabeth heard the clanging of an axe. Who in the world would be chopping wood at this hour? She looked outside and saw the glow of a lantern. Elizabeth put her pen down, grabbed a shawl, and opened Lee and Rosemary's back door.
The sight Elizabeth saw stirred a variety of feelings in her. Nathan was outside, chopping wood and placing it against Lee and Rosemary's house. He clearly hadn't expected anyone to see him. He was dressed in a tight undershirt and pants, but the suspenders were hanging at his sides. His hair was slightly askew. As he lifted the ax, swinging it down in a fluid motion, Elizabeth noticed the taut muscles in his arms. He always looked handsome, but in this moment, Nathan looked gorgeous.
As Nathan looked up from the wood he had split, he caught sight of Elizabeth. Her hair was slightly messed up. She had somehow gotten ink on her cheek. Standing in the doorway, with the light of the house illuminating from behind, Elizabeth looked like an angel.
His angel.
Elizabeth walked over to Nathan. She walked slowly. Nathan wanted nothing more than to run over to her and sweep her into his arms. But instead, he continued to chop wood as Elizabeth watched.
"Lee and Rosemary will appreciate this," Elizabeth said, realizing her voice was quavering.
Nathan approached Elizabeth. "You do things at crazy times of the day—or not—for people you care about." Nathan put his hands on both sides of Elizabeth's face. "For people you love."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Nathan's waist and kissed him. This man had so much love in his heart.
With no one around, under the glow of the lantern, Nathan kissed Elizabeth back. The kiss depended and grew more passionate, more desperate. Nathan felt Elizabeth's mouth opening and could taste peppermint—her favorite tea. Elizabeth's hands moved up his back; they were exploring more of his body than she ever had before.
Elizabeth was so caught up in the moment that she didn't realize Nathan's shirt had gotten untucked. Or that her hands were sliding along Nathan's skin. There wasn't red serge between them. There wasn't anything between them.
"Honestly, Lizabeth," Nathan growled, kissing her with even more ferocity and passion. He had never experienced this feeling before. He moved his mouth to the nape of her neck and gently kissed her. He found himself nibbling on her ear. "I love you, darling Lizabeth. So much."
Elizabeth felt herself quivering. The kisses they had shared in Union City had been wonderful. But they paled in comparison to these. Feeling Nathan's smooth skin made her long to know more. She felt desire. Having been writing about children with Nathan only made her emotions more acute.
Nathan broke away from the kiss, though he still enjoyed the feelings of Elizabeth's hands on his back. "Ever since Union City, I have wanted you, Lizabeth. But I respect you too much to take advantage of you."
"I know," Elizabeth nodded. "I'm sorry for getting caught up in all of that." She gave Nathan another once over. Hair was still askew, muscles were still visible, blue eyes were shining, yes, Nathan was still as attractive as ever.
"Do not apologize to me," Nathan winked. "I enjoyed that just as much as you did."
Elizabeth slowly removed herself from Nathan's embrace. "I'd better go in. Because if I don't, I might not."
Nathan walked Elizabeth to the door, her hand on his bare forearm. He kissed Elizabeth's left hand. "One night, my darling Lizabeth, if you want, we won't have to stop."
Elizabeth turned around to respond to Nathan's comment. But he was already headed back to the woodpile. If only Nathan knew what was in her heart and her writings. She didn't want to stop either.