December 1

Rosemary dropped the keys twice as she attempted to unlock the door. Finally, the door gave way and into the kitchen she whirled. She set her armload of supplies on the kitchen table, and took a minute to catch her breath. She was running out of time. Good thing Yost's Mercantile had the steak and potatoes she'd needed. Now where was that pie tin? Rummaging around the kitchen in search of it, Rosemary's head spun with their crazy plan. Yes, they were right. It truly was a perfect way to tell him about Baby Coulter. Imagine, just this morning, she'd harbored the news all to herself. Now, three dear friends were in the know, and the love of her life would soon swoon over what she imagined was the best news he could ever receive. She didn't even try to contain her smile as she located the pan and busied herself with making the perfect piecrust.

A few hours later

It was ten until six. Goodness! Lee could be home any moment. Running to her mirror one last time, she checked her curls and put on a quick coat of lipstick. On an occasion like this a lady must have her lipstick. Next, she reached for a handkerchief and blotted her lips. The color perfectly complimented the burgundy evening dress she'd slipped into an hour earlier. The gold hued lace covered her shoulders and dipped into a burgundy silk velvet bodice. What a shame, it was her newest gown, and it was tailored and fit well, but for how long? She'd already noticed many changes in her mother-to-be body. After smoothing the silk velvet skirt, Rosemary couldn't help but take a deeper glance at herself. Sure, her physical appearance hadn't changed, but she felt immensely different. She was to be a mother! And tonight, her secret would be out.

After a final check of her gown, she walked out to the hallway, and almost stumbled over the rug in her hurry. Goodness, it wouldn't do to arrive all shuffled. Slowly and purposefully, she took the steps one by one, until she arrived at the living room. And just in time. There was a scuffling on the porch. Steadying herself she took a deep breath and threw open the front door.

"Oh Lee, do I have a surprise for you!"

Two droopy eyes stared back at her. Then he whined.

"Ugg! Asher, what are you doing here?"

Cody bounded up the stairs and grabbed Asher's collar. "Sorry, Mrs. Coulter. I'm just talking him on a walk."

"Yes, well next time remember his leash, and try to keep him off other people's property for goodness sake."

"If you are looking for Mr. Coulter, he's just around the corner. Should be home in a jiffy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep, just passed by as he was locking up the office."

"Thank you, Cody. Go on your way now. And take this beast with you." She shooed away the oversized golden lab.

Her heart skipped a beat. He was on his way home. The plan would unfold from there. Butterflies flitted in her stomach. But, oh how nice it would be to have her secret out in the open. Perhaps sleep wouldn't evade her tonight.

The smell of supper wafted through the air, reminding her to return inside and pull the steak and potato pie from the oven. Next, she rushed over to the table, all set in their finest china, and lit the two candlesticks poised in their silver holders. There. Everything was picture perfect for her special announcement. Hearing Lee's boots out on the porch, she again flung the door wide open.

"Lee, darling!"

This time Elizabeth stood at the door, cake in hand. She'd been duped again? Where was Lee? Rosemary struggled to conceal her groan.

"He's not here yet is he?"

"No, but any minute."

"Here's Abigail's chocolate cake we talked about. The perfect ending to a perfect night for you two."

"It is Lee's favorite. Thank you, Elizabeth. I just can't wait to surprise—"

"I hope it is a surprise for me." Lee walked up the side of the porch. Rosemary's mouth dropped open.

"Lee! You're home!" Rosemary rushed to his side and gave him a warm hug. Elizabeth handed Lee the cake and quietly scuttled off the porch.

"Oh this is a good surprise." He said taking a peek under the towel covering the chocolate cake.

"That's not the only surprise I have for you, you wonderful husband, you."

Linking arms with Lee, Rosemary waved a good bye to Elizabeth over her shoulder as they walked into the house. The delicious smell of steak lingered in the air.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"Surprise!" Rosemary smiled and tweaked his cute nose. "Steak and potato pie. Your favorite."

Lee shrugged off his coat into Rosemary's awaiting arms. She rushed to hang it up on the peg by the door.

"You just sit right down here." She patted the seat and Lee eased himself into it. His eyes ran over her form and a smile appeared on his lips. He reached up and settled his hand into the curve of her waist.

"You look nice tonight. What's the occasion?"

"Like I said, it's a night of surprises." Rosemary put her hand on top of his. Lee's smile grew.

"I like the sound of that." Lee stood up and keeping his hand secure on her hip, he cupped her cheek with his other hand. Soon his soft lips claimed hers sending her swirling into the world of just the two of them. She felt herself melting into him. But wait- she'd best not get swept away yet- tonight she had a purpose, a plan. She reluctantly pulled away and put her hand on his chest.

"There will be plenty of time for that later. Now sit on down so I can serve you supper."

Lee's eyes crinkled as he chuckled. "You sound like a woman with a mission."

Oh, if only he knew.

Serving two generous portions of the pie, Rosemary brought the plates to the table and set one before Lee. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. After a quick prayer, Lee dug his fork into the warm savory meal. Once he'd eaten a good portion of his pie, he looked up, his deep blue eyes locking with hers.

"Rosemary, I just want to say thank you to you for hanging in there with me." He placed his hand over hers. "I know it has been ridiculous how much I have been gone lately. I truly am sorry. It's the sawmill, this new merge I'm working on, and a…different project I am overseeing. It's just been out of control."

Finally, an opportunity to talk about what had been going on lately with work and their relationship. Just as the questions started to leave her lips, she drew them back. Wait, it was not a night to talk about Lee's business or what he had been hiding. Tonight was about the baby. Rosemary wiped her mouth on her napkin, then cleared her throat.

"I am glad you are coming to your senses Lee. I haven't been able to get a word in edgewise around you. But first, did I hear you are to be this year's Santa?"

Lee's eyes widened as he swallowed the bite of steak. "Oh wow, news does travel fast."

"Florence came into the dress shop today. Is it true?"

"Yes, Rosemary, it's true."

"Did you throw the game of darts like Bill supposedly did last year? Was it out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Uh, I'd like to say yes, but truth be told, my game is getting a little rusty. All this extra work and…projects have lent me no spare time to brush up on my game."

"But you'll do it? You'll be this year's Santa?"

"Yes, I'll do it."

Rosemary felt her whole face relax. "Oh, Lee. It's simply wonderful! Go try on your Santa costume. I want to see it."

"Oh that's a problem. I don't have it. I imagine I'll get it before the Christmas Eve service."

"Well, actually, Dottie's in charge of cleaning and preserving the costume each year. I have it upstairs."

"Here?"

"Yep, it's all laid out on the bed. Please?"

"Now? Can't it wait—"

"It's all your dear, sweet, wonderful wife is asking. Your wife that has been very patient with all your extra work and hasn't once grumbled about you bringing home awful mud encrusted boots and trousers. Please…"

Lee sighed, knowing he was defeated. Throwing his hands up he said, "Okay. You win." He pushed himself up and stood by the table. "But I do seem to recall you complaining about the mud a time or two."

Rosemary shrugged her shoulders innocently, causing them both to laugh. She began to clear away the dishes as Lee turned and headed up the stairs to change. The plan was unfolding perfectly. But, oh, that nervous feeling was rising up in her belly. Good thing her friends had helped her rehearse what to say, for otherwise, how did one go about telling her husband about such a grand addition to their lives? It was one they both had been hoping toward, but not expecting quite yet. Hearing his boot scuff across the top stair, Rosemary went to their white settee, poised herself perfectly, and pinched some color into her cheeks. Gazing up she saw him, good Old Saint Nick himself.

"There. Happy?" Lee lifted his red velvet clad arms and smiled.

"No I most certainly am not happy yet. Come sit here by me."

"Rosemary—"

"Please? And I need a hearty 'Ho Ho Ho'."

Lee carefully walked down the stairs. The white beard adorned his face, and a red velvet Santa hat positioned on his head. Next the red coat with a fringe of white and coal black buttons followed by red velvet pants. His big black boots, usually reserved for his logging treks, wrapped all the way up to his shins. Hoisted on his back, a big black bag, which for now was droopy and empty.

"Oh Lee, the children will love you!"

"Ho, Ho, Ho. I can only hope so. Truth be told I feel more than a little ridiculous."

"Well, you look like the picture perfect Santa Claus. Although you'll need more padding. We got to have an authentically plump Santa Claus."

"Hopefully not too plump." Lee's dimples flashed.

"Here. Come sit for a minute."

Lee sat on the settee. He quickly pulled down the beard.

"This thing itches like all get out. So Rosemary, are we done here?"

"We most certainly are not." Rosemary climbed into his lap. "I'd like to talk with Santa about what he wants for Christmas."

Lee gave her a quizzical look. "Uh, you know that's not how it goes, right, sweetheart?"

"Humor me." She pouted, sticking her lower lip out.

"Okay, okay, my Christmas wish." Lee shifted her in his lap, making them both more comfortable. "Let's see here…okay, got it. I'd like to wish for the sawmill's new merge to pay well, and maybe even lead to more work in the future. That should work."

"Oh Lee, you're acting like you don't have one romantic bone in your body! Is there anything else?"

"I should probably wish for more workers for all that business I am getting."

"Lee- really!"

"Okay, okay. I'm just teasing you. Let me think here… Okay, well, how about a happy and healthy year ahead for the two of us. Does that work?"

Rosemary gulped. It was her moment of truth. "I am sorry, that simply does not work."

"Rosemary, what do you want me to say?" Frustration clouded Lee's face.

"That you wish for a happy and healthy year— the three of us."

She watched his reaction. First his forehead wrinkled, then his eyebrows pitched, and his mouth dropped open.

"The three of us—oh! Are you—? Are we—?"

Rosemary nodded and grinned.

Lee stood up, causing her to stand up too. He let out a big whoop. He did a funny jig with her in his arms. His smile really was as big as the moon, if not bigger. His dance began to slow and he intertwined his hands with hers.

"That truly is my Christmas wish. I couldn't be happier." He leaned toward her and his lips claimed hers- a slow, deep, passionate kiss. Their first kiss as future parents. It couldn't have tasted any sweeter. Slowly he ended the kiss, their arms wrapped around each other. One of his hands traveled down to her midsection, slowly rubbing a circle on her belly as his other arm continued to embrace her.

"How far along? When?"

"He or she will be here in June."

"Wow— how long have you known?"

"Well, for awhile. You are an impossible man to corner, Leeland Coulter! And well, I wasn't quite sure how to tell you. Ever since that horrid day—"

She watched as understanding dawned on his face.

"That day at the mercantile. Were you—?"

She nodded again.

"Sweetheart, you should have told me. I didn't know. And here I've been so preoccupied. I'm sorry, Rosemary. Forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me, Lee. I should have come to you the first moment I suspected. It's just, this expecting a baby business, it's not as white or black as it seems. I wasn't sure, and I know having a family is your biggest wish. I wanted to be certain before telling you. But now I know, it is true."

"I couldn't be a happier man. You've made me so happy, Rosemary." He stroked her cheek and put his forehead to hers. "Imagine- a baby! Will it be a he or a she? Have your light hair or my dark hair? For sure, bright blue eyes. Will he or she have my work ethic? Your passion and creativity? How on earth are we going to wait all the way until June to meet Baby Coulter?"

"So you are happy, Lee?"

"This is one of the happiest moments of my life."

"Tell me, what are the others?"

Lee paused and his breath surged over her. "The day I drove into town on my new motorcycle contraption and met you. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. I knew there was something very special about you. Something I wanted to get to know. And remember the time I had pneumonia? You thought I was sleeping and confessed how much you needed me in your life. That was the day I knew you loved me, Rosemary Coulter. Then there's the day you said yes to my proposal. You were sitting on the church stairs in your wedding dress costume, all forlorn, your theatric dream gone up in smoke. I asked you to play the role of my wife forever and for always. The passion in your eyes when you said "yes" still astounds me. We are quite the pair aren't we?" He stroked her hand. "And don't forget the best day of all, the day we said 'I do'. Our first moments as man and wife. Those are my favorites. And now, today. The day you made me dress up in this crazy costume and told me the best news I could possibly get. It's a moment I won't soon forget."

"It's only fitting for the news of a brand new Coulter to be announced in such a grand and memorable way."

"You can say that again." Lee nuzzled her neck as their laughter echoed through the tiny row house.