Chapter 3 – Heartbeat
It was the end of the second week of February, snowflakes has started to fall as the daylight was turning to the glow of a winter evening. Elizabeth looked out her office window and sighed. She did not want to drive home in snow. One more report to file and she was done for the day. She finished her report and called Henry.
"Hey Babe, I just picked up Allie and we're headed home. I was just about to call you because she's got the sniffles and feels a little warm," he said.
"Again? She just had a cold at Christmas. Henry, I think we need to come up with a better childcare plan. The daycare is just loaded with germs." She put the rest of her work in her bag and looked out the window. "Do you want me to pick up Stevie from Rasmussen's and get dinner? How about pizza?"
"Sure, that would be great. Then, I can get her home and give her a bath and put her jammies on her. We can all snuggle up with pizza and a movie tonight."
Elizabeth pulled the Jeep into the farmhouse property. The car was barely stopped when Stevie jumped out and raced over to the barn. Mitch's truck was still there and Stevie loved to help him in the barn at the end of the day.
However, Elizabeth was concerned that he was there so late. She ran her bag and dinner into the house and called out to Henry, while quickly switching into her barn coat and boots. "Henry, why is Mitch still here?"
"I saw him briefly when I brought Allie in. Sammie had a tough day trotting. He called Rich but he wasn't available today so another farrier came out and it looks like he has a hoof infection on his hind left. Sue should be here in about 10 minutes to look at him."
Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "Well, that is not good. Stevie was supposed to ride him in the show tomorrow. I'm going to go check with Mitch and get Stevie to come in for dinner."
She walked to the barn while pulling her hair up into a ponytail. When she got there Stevie was feeding Sammie some carrots, while Mitch replaced the hay in his stall. Sammie standing in the middle of the stalls harnessed and waiting for Dr. Sue, the light beige tone of his hair brought warmth to the stall area. He neighed when he saw Elizabeth. She rubbed his muzzle and brushed her hand over his white mane. "Hey boy, did you have a long day?"
Stevie answered with her sad voice. "Mitch says we can't ride tomorrow."
Elizabeth looked down at her, "I know, baby. But, hopefully Dr. Sue can treat it and he should be good to go for your next competition in two weeks. We can always bring Penny for you to ride tomorrow."
"She's not as good with timing as Sammie. I would rather skip, if Sammie can't ride," a tear rolled down her face.
"Oh Stevie, I know your heart is broken but this is just a minor setback."
"Of course it is," Dr. Sue's voice billowed into the stalls.
"Hey Dr. Sue," Elizabeth called. "Stevie, go and get warm in the house. Daddy probably has your pizza out for you and a movie ready to go."
Stevie said goodbye to Sammie and Mitch and smiled at Dr. Sue before leaving the stalls and running across the way into the house.
It was about 45 minutes before Elizabeth made her way to the house. She took the pizza out of the fridge and put it in the microwave. Henry came in and could tell by the look on her face.
"Everything okay with Sammie?"
"Not sure. He had a pebble caught in his shoe, which caused an abcess. That could take some time to heal. But, he was just off. Dr. Sue ran some blood work and she will call us in the morning." Elizabeth answered.
Henry rubbed his face. "We just can't get ahead. Stevie will be so upset."
"She's going to skip tomorrow. But, maybe she and I will just take Buttercup and Penny out for a ride. Right now, I just want to snuggle with you and them on the couch. Mitch has Sammie resting comfortably in his stall and he just left," she turned and put her arms around Henry so they were facing each other.
He pulled her closer and glided his hand over stomach while whispering so the girls couldn't here. "How's the baby?"
"I threw up my breakfast today so that's a good sign," she said laughing.
Henry made a face and said "Oh gosh. Babe, I am so sorry."
The microwave dinged. "No, I'm getting used to it," taking the plate out of the microwave, she turned back to him and laughed, "I can now pig out at dinner."
They went in to watch the rest of Beauty and the Beast.
Before bed, Henry went to check on Sammie. When he came back in, Elizabeth was in bed reading. She didn't like the look on his face. "Everything okay?"
"Not sure," he answered taking his shows off. "His breathing seems a bit off but maybe he just has some tummy upset from the medicine Sue gave him."
The next morning, they heard Mitch's truck and Dr. Sue pull into the driveway just after breakfast. Henry put on cartoons for the girls and headed out to the stalls with Elizabeth. His arm around her as they walked.
They got to the barn and could tell the news was not good.
Mitch told them Sammie would not get up and was really struggling. He was an old horse. Elizabeth had ridden him for many years before giving him to Stevie. He was a gift from Henry when she graduated with her masters from UVA. It was Elizabeth who had taught him the perfect timing that Stevie loved so much.
Dr. Sue gave them the bad news. She hadn't like the sound of Sammie's heartbeat the night before but was waiting test results. The results came back and it was not good. Sammie would have to be put down.
Walking back to the house, Elizabeth's nausea began to overtake her. She ran ahead of Henry and straight passed the girls and to the bathroom. Stevie followed her mother and waited outside the bathroom door asking if she was okay.
Elizabeth got her bearings after emptying her stomach. She opened the door and took Stevie to sit on the bed.
"Baby, I have some bad news to tell you." Her child looked back at her with big, blue eyes.
"It's about Sammie, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes," Elizabeth pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Sweetheart, it is time for him to go to heaven. I know that breaks your heart just as it breaks mine. But, it is his time."
She began to cry and said, "Mommy, I knew it. When I rode him on Thursday for practice he just wasn't right."
"Oh baby, why didn't you tell me?" Elizabeth asked.
Stevie began to sob, "because I was hoping it wasn't true."
Mother and daughter stayed like that for the longest time before bringing Sammie some last sugar cubes and some apple.
Wednesday was Valentine's Day but also Elizabeth's ultrasound. The day began in the family's normal routine. Elizabeth got Stevie off to school and by the time she got to Langley she was running for the bathroom.
She walked into her office and her two best friends just stared at her.
"What?!" she asked playing dumb.
Juliet answered first. "C'mon I've been back from Israel for two days and I already know."
Elizabeth put her bag down and said, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Isabelle replied, "You can try but you can't bullshit us. You still have the worst poker face. We were here for the other three, we know you are PREGGERS!'
"Alright, yes I am pregnant." She said leaning back in her chair. "And my ultrasound is today. So don't start asking questions. I am leaving early and I need to get a ton of work done."
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Henry was at a nearby barn with Mitch looking at a beautiful, chestnut Quarter Horse. He knew it was bit soon but Dr. Sue knew the family that was looking to sell her and the price was right. She was simply gorgeous. They watched her gallop around the ring.
Mitch turned to Henry, "She's perfect. Stevie will love her. Elizabeth will too. She'll get over the purchase quickly once she sees her."
Henry laughed. He said "Okay, let's bring her home. Can you handle her? I have to meet Elizabeth for an appointment."
The ultrasound went well. The baby had a strong heartbeat. It did not take the doctor long to find it at all. The whoosh-whoosh noise came across loud and strong. They confirmed she was at nine weeks. On their way out the door, Elizabeth told Henry she was taking the rest of the day off. Intel was slow at the office.
She caught him off guard so he said "Great. Let's get lunch. I only had morning class today and I cancelled my office hours." He did not want her going home while they were moving Millie into the barn.
She looked at him with a grin. "We both have the afternoon off and the girls are still at school? Why waste the time at lunch? Let's go home."
"Okay, I know what you are getting at but I also know you tossed your breakfast and you need food to keep our baby strong. Lunch first, babe, then we will have plenty of time," Henry laughed.
They went to a small bistro that they always loved near campus. They split their sandwich and salads. Over lunch, she sprung another surprise on Henry.
"Let's tell Stevie today," she said her clear, blue eyes bright with excitement.
"Really?" Henry asked. "Don't you think it's a little soon?"
"Henry, she has been so sad about losing Sammie. It's Valentine's Day and she needs some happy news."
She saw the look of disagreement on his face.
"Babe, I know this one's a keeper. I can feel it. I'm not the least bit worried," working hard to convince him.
"Okay. Are you done? If we leave now, we can grab Allie before naptime. She'll fall asleep in the car and we can just put her in the crib at home. That'll give us at least two hours." Henry looked at his watch.
"Oh Henry, I hope this one is as good a sleeper as she is!" They both laughed.
Pulling up the driveway in both cars, Elizabeth had Allie asleep in her car and almost woke her up when she saw the horse trailer out at the barn.
She got out of the car and looked at Henry. "Why is the trailer out? Don't tell me Penny or Buttercup are sick now too."
"Nope, but let me move Allie before she wakes," he said quietly opening the car door.
While walking over to the barn, Henry explained his Valentine's gift for Elizabeth and Stevie.
Elizabeth made a point, "Henry, this is really soon. I am not sure Stevie is ready. She has to go in the extra stall for now. I haven't even had a chance to clean out Sammie's stall….yet." Elizabeth just stared at the beautiful Quarter Horse.
Elizabeth gasped. "Oh Henry, she is beautiful. Stevie will be so excited. She is a little tall for her now but she should get used to her soon."
Henry leaned into Elizabeth's ear and said, "Let her get settled and let's go spend some time alone."
A few hours later, Henry came in the house with a skipping Stevie who was all excited to bring her mother roses and chocolate and tell her about her day. Elizabeth was playing on the floor with Allie. She scooped her up and put her in her snowsuit so they could all head out to the stable before it got dark. The toddler walked between her parents as Stevie ran ahead all excited to take a ride on Penny. The days were getting just a little bit longer, which gave her a little more time to ride.
They came to the stalls and Stevie stopped short. She immediately noticed the head peeking out of the extra stall at her. She looked back at her parents and asked "Are you kidding me?"
They shook their heads. She immediately grabbed some sugar cubes that were left in her pocket from yesterday and went over to greet the sweet girl who was waiting for her.
The sight of Stevie so happy brought tears to Elizabeth's eyes. Henry leaned in, "You okay?"
"Yep, just hormones running strong these days." Elizabeth walked over to Stevie and petted the horse's mane.
"Her name was Millie before. Would you like to change it?"
"I don't know. Belle means beauty so maybe we should make that her middle name," Stevie smiled at her mother.
Elizabeth said back to her, "I like that but you have to wait a few more days to ride her. Mitch has to check her out first, okay?"
That night at dinner, they gave Stevie the other big news of the day.
Going to bed that night, she said to them, "This has been the best day ever. My heart is healed."
Just before falling asleep that night, Elizabeth laid with Henry in bed, his hand on her belly. She looked at him and smiled, "Stevie was right. This was one of the good days."