February 22nd

8:20 a.m.

Rosemary sat on the back porch, sipping her first cup of coffee, as the morning sun shone down on her. Sidney was sitting near her feet licking her paws and every so often cast a long glance at various birds who dared to land on the back property. It was a most delightful morning. Here, even two days after the fact, she still felt a warmth in her soul when she thought about showering Mary with love and attention, not to mention the many items for the baby. Being apart of Hope Valley truly was not just being apart of a town, but also of a much larger, caring family. She'd watched as Mary had blossomed like a flower under the love and attention of the women of Hope Valley, and baby Bea had been passed from awaiting arm to awaiting arm, not even a week old and already pampered beyond belief. Rosemary had also observed Harriet as she interacted with the group of women, more comfortable than she had been just weeks ago. It wouldn't be long before the charm of Hope Valley would start to rub off on her too, and perhaps she would consider Hope Valley her own home as well.

Rosemary lifted the mug to her lips and took a dainty sip just as the door opened and Lee walked out to the porch, his own coffee mug in hand.

"It's a mite chilly out here," he shivered and pulled his vest closer.

She patted the chair next to her on the porch. "Not if you sit in the sun. I think Sidney is onto something." She motioned to the cat at her feet, who had ceased licking her paws and presently looked up to her papa.

"Come here, Sid," Lee said, using the shortened version of the kitten's name that Rosemary was not all that fond of. Sure enough, the cat looked up at him and after he had sat down, curled into his lap for a good petting session.

She watched as for the next few minutes the two of them conversed in a language only known to them, which included a lot of purrs from the furry friend and a few sing-song lilts of the voice from Lee. What a strange relationship those two had. She laughed in spite of herself. He sure was going to make a good father to their child— ur, children.

Lee finished talking with the kitten and shifted his attention to her, his large hand still stroking the back of the tabby cat. "I noticed you didn't sleep the best last night. I'm sorry. I can't imagine how hard it is."

She waved the cup of coffee at him. "I have a feeling I will be needing several of these today."

His eyes sparked with compassion. "I'm sure this whole pregnancy feels unending. Doc Carson said he is very impressed with your vitals, exercise habits, and healthy eating."

She gave him a funny face. "I guess that is thanks to you. I never have liked green beans, but due to your constant prodding, I think I am working well through the quota in the pantry."

He released the cat from his lap, and grabbed her hand with his own. "It's good for you. And for the babies."

She refused to roll her eyes, but it was growing harder with each passing day. Lee, while showing generous support, was also showing more than enough protectiveness. It was starting to grate on her nerves.

"I know," she said through gritted teeth.

He must have sensed the faux sweetness to her voice and wisely cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Say, I was wondering if you and Harriet wanted a ride into town. I'll be leaving within the hour for work, and thought you both have been planning on putting an order in at Yost's Mercantile? Is that right?"

"Oh yes, I do have a good amount of items I need to order for the baby… ur, babies," she grunted. How long would it take her to get used to saying that? She fidgeted with her skirt, "I also was wondering… well, if you could spare Hickam for a day or two…"

Lee's eyebrows went up. "A day or two? Rosie, business is gearing up. I—"

She didn't know what had happened, but tears had sprung to her eyes.

Lee noticed and released his breath and looked as if he were counting to ten slowly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bark at you."

"It's okay," she said, but a ridiculous tear slid down her cheek.

"Alright, so this is important to you?"

"Isn't it important to you?" She fired back, amazed at her proficiency to go from crying to anger at the drop of a hat.

Lee held up his hands. "Whoa, whoa. I wasn't implying it wasn't important— Listen, I think I could manage a trip next weekend. I could get the things we need."

She shook her head. "But what of the new house? You'll lose precious time and our move in date will be postponed even further." She just barely contained the wail on her lips. She looked own in the mug of coffee. Perhaps something was in her drink that was making her lose all control of her emotions.

Lee looked frazzled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe I can carve out some time for Hickam to borrow the mill's wagon next week."

"What's wrong with today?" She knew she was being unreasonable but wasn't able to contain it.

"Today?!" He wisely softened his tone before continuing. "It's just that— this isn't—"

She could feel his eyes on her, but she kept control of her eyes, and her emotions for goodness sake, and gazed at the dots of the beginning of green hiding under mounds of snow in the backyard, the sweet robin balancing on the laundry line… anywhere but Lee's eyes.

"Why do I have the feeling this conversation was just a formality?" He questioned.

"What ever do you mean?"

"It's just I get the feeling that perhaps something has already been decided. You… you wouldn't grant him permission without asking me first, would you, Rosie?"

"It's just that the weeks are ticking by and if we don't get the order in—"

"Rosie?"

She covered her mouth but not before a nervous hiccup could escape. "Hickam didn't want to go, but I insisted you would approve. Perhaps I was a ninny, but I suggested that your first and utmost attention was seeing to the baby's needs—" she yanked her hand from his, "but apparently I am wrong."

She sat there, the tears rolling down her cheeks, hot rage tingling up her neck.

Lee sighed and looked out at the yard, at the robin on the line just as she did moments ago. After what felt like several long moments, she felt his eyes on her but again, she wasn't quite sure what she would see there.

"The babies are my second thing of most importance." Lee's voice came out strong yet soft, "You, my Love, will always be my first." He grabbed her hand gently and lifted it to her lips, putting a light kiss on her knuckles. "And if this is what will make you happy, well, so be it."

Oh now if she didn't feel like the scum of the earth. Here she had been demanding and all kinds of emotional and all Lee did was give her a gentle kiss and offer her understanding? Now if ever there was a reason to cry, this was it. She couldn't control the tears leaking from her eyes. She must look as if she'd lost her ever lovin' mind.

Lee gripped her hand tighter and pulled her towards him. "Come here," he said motioning to his lap.

"Oh, I'm ridiculously big. There isn't any way all three of us will fit—"

Next thing she knew she was on his lap, his arms reaching around her and resting on her belly. "I know that things are a bit strained between us… I know my protectiveness drives you crazy, and well, it hasn't been easy for me either, but I want you to know, I am always… always on your side, and I will be here with you every step of the way. Never doubt that, okay?"

She felt his warm breath tickling her neck. "Okay," she squeaked out.

"It's all going to be okay," he cooed, the words reaching deep inside of her, releasing even more amounts of ridiculous tears.

After several moments sitting this way, she felt calm and centered again. Lee must have noticed the shift in her for he reached over and handed her the lukewarm coffee.

She laughed through the last sniffling. "Thanks."

Perhaps things had been rocky between the two of them, he with his extra protectiveness and her with her… well, whatever this was, but they would be okay. Everything would be okay because they had each other and they had God.

"Just do me one favor next time, please?" Lee said, his voice silky and easy-going.

She looked at him curiously.

He continued, "Next time would you clear it with me before you have my best worker driving all over tarnation?" He smiled softly.

"For certain, Hunny Bunny." She said and swept a light kiss over his lips.

Lee kissed her and kept his arms wrapped around her. She would have stayed that way all day, safe in his arms, except the babies had a different idea. She was all sorts of uncomfortable. She shifted from Lee's lap and stood.

Lee jumped to his feet and held the door open for her. "Remember, I'll be out the door at nine if you'd like that ride."

"I think we will take you up on that offer," she said and downed the last sip of her coffee before following him inside, the cat trailing them.