The next two weeks flew by in a flurry of strange and new activities. The changing of diapers, the babies' cries, the late-night feedings— it was like they were in an alternate world where they did not know which way was up or down. It was not unfamiliar to see both her and Lee walking around the house in a state of comatose, not fully aware of their surroundings or even what time it was. But Harriet— she was the one constant in their crazy. Somehow, she exuded motherly warmth. Perhaps it was to make up for all the times she hadn't been there for Rosemary, or perhaps it just came naturally, but no matter, as long as it gave Rosemary a few minutes of quiet rest. Harriet would often be seen rocking the babies to sleep, telling them stories in her soothing voice, or putting together a casserole while the babies napped. Just having her there, an extra pair of loving arms to hold the babies, made a huge difference. Rosemary wasn't likely to forget her generosity anytime soon.

It had been some of the longest days that Rosemary had ever experienced, yet somehow the days also felt severely short… she'd find the whole day would often scamper by without her combing her hair or washing her face properly, not to mention changing out of her night clothes! Lee looked to be in the same the state, his whiskers growing into a shadowing of a beard and the blue circles under his eyes deepening every day. Yet there was a sparkle in his eyes that hadn't been there before and she was pretty sure it was reflected in her own eyes as well. The kind of sparkle that came from the pure and complete joy the babies brought to their lives.

June 6

(The Morning of Jack and Elizabeth's Wedding)

Rosemary pulled the light pink ruffled gown over Madeline's head, arranged it just so, then smoothed the sweet baby's light curls. The blue-eyed beauty blinked and smiled back at her. Almost as if she appreciated this "dressing up business."

"You like wearing dresses and getting all polished up for a big day out, do you?" Rosemary cooed as she fit the baby into the crook of her arm, "Us girls got to stick together, yes we do."

Rosemary walked over to the mirror and patted her own curls. Now, if there was some way to smooth out the dark lines and wrinkles that were permanently etched under her eyes. It wouldn't do for her to attend the wedding of the year looking like a wide-eyed raccoon. She sat down at the vanity and pulled out a drawer of cosmetics. She dabbed a bit of powder under her eyes with a fluffy brush, then turned to tease the brush over Madeline's nose.

Madeline rewarded her with a slight smile and wrinkle to her nose.

Rosemary laughed at her adorableness and held the baby up to the mirror so they could both look at their reflections. "You are your momma's girl, aren't you?"

"I'm not sure about that," Lee entered the room with a smirk on his face, "I believe she quite fancies her father."

Through the mirror's reflection, she gave him a pretend frown, which instantly disappeared when she noticed Micah in his arms, both of them with matching red dotted silk bow ties.

"Oh, my! Both my boys are just as dressed up as can be!" She gushed while putting her makeup brush away.

"As are my girls. I haven't ever seen a prettier picture," Lee placed a kiss on her neck and then leaned over to smooth his finger over Madeline's cheek. Micah immediately let out a whimper. "I hate to break up girl time, but Micah's been fussing. I think he is hungry."

She turned around to survey their little munchkin, and sure enough Micah was restless, putting one small fist near his mouth and making a sucking sound.

"I do declare, all these babies do is eat, eat, eat!" She reached over and switched babies with Lee.

"I think they are also experts at dirtying diapers as well. Let's not forget that," Lee wrinkled his nose. While he couldn't help with the feeding, he was becoming quite the expert at diaper changing and swaddling.

"But all their adorableness pretty much makes up for that," Rosemary said in a soft high-pitched voice as she looked over the twins.

"I'd have to agree. They can sure be messy little boogers, but just one smile, and I seem to forget it all." He wrinkled his nose at a smell wafting through the room. "Well, I nearly forget it all. Is that Madeline?"

Rosemary pinched her nose. "Sure is. Change her while I feed Micah, would you?"

Lee winced and she wondered how long it would take him to settle into the routine with no reaction. Was it even possible?

They went about their respective chores, which did seem to take more time than originally thought. Finally, twenty minutes later, the family was at the door, ready to load into the Model T.

Harriet approached the front door with the trusty carpetbag filled with items the babies might need for their outing. She gave Rosemary a half hug and took Madeline into her arms. "My, you all do clean up nicely," she said.

Lee handed Micah over to Rosemary and then left to crank the engine of the Model T.

Rosemary shifted the hazel- eyed, dark haired boy in her arms. "I just cannot believe the day has finally arrived! And I sure did not expect to be attending this wedding with my newborn babies. Thank goodness you were able to alter my dress." Rosemary gave her mother an appreciative smile.

"It did turn out quite nicely. And these outfits!" Harriet fingered Madeline's ruffled gown, "Dottie did a marvelous job."

"Time to load up!" Lee called from the car out on the drive.

Both the women, with babies in arm, large carpetbag and blankets galore, scooted into the car.

It was twenty minutes or so later they pulled into the church, their cheeks rosy from ride over. Although it was the beginning of June, the air had warmed— they had an early summer on the horizon.

After getting Harriet settled with the babies on the second row on the left side of the chapel, Rosemary scooted to the back portion of the church where a makeshift curtain hung, hiding the bride and her bridesmaids away from the eyes of the groom and guests. After she ducked through the curtain, she gasped, for there sat beautiful Elizabeth, her lacy wedding gown draped about her, a strand of pearls around her graceful neck, and her face aglow with the excitement of wedded bliss. Abigail was working to coil her hair, but at the sight of Rosemary she exhaled.

"Oh, thank God you are here," Abigail said, handing Rosemary the heated curling tongs. "I can't seem to get her hair right."

Rosemary took the curling tong and began to coil Elizabeth's hair up in the updo they had decided on weeks ago. "We will have this right as rain in no time." She took another section of hair and wrapped it around the hot iron, looking at Elizabeth's reflection in the mirror. "My, you are a beautiful bride," she said as she released the curl.

"I'm not sure about that." She motioned to her hair. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"Just give me a moment more and I think we will be set."

Elizabeth's eyes relaxed. "Thank you. I wasn't sure you'd be able to make it—"

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Rosemary paused and looked into Elizabeth's reflection from the small mirror that was placed on top of the children's cubicles.

Elizabeth gripped her arm. "Thank you. That means a lot to me… I just cannot tell you how much—" Elizabeth's voice warbled. Rosemary was sure she had cried numerous times already today. Emotions always came out full throttle on special events like this.

"Shhh… Mind your makeup… we don't have time to repair that too," Rosemary said in her most soothing voice.

Elizabeth smiled and dried the corner of her eyes with a little lace handkerchief that already had blots of make up on it from earlier. "Of course you are right," Elizabeth remarked. "Where are the babies?"

"Out on the second row to the left, where you asked for them to be." Rosemary coiled the last strand of hair around the heated round iron.

"And their outfits?" Dottie asked, approaching with the bride's arrangement of wildflowers, the perfect springtime wedding accompaniment.

"Oh, the outfits are picture perfect," Rosemary beamed up at her friend, "I do have to say, Micah was less than thrilled with the bowtie under his chin."

Dottie chuckled. "Oh, the little guy is a gentleman in training. We will get him all set up right."

Rosemary handed the curling tongs off to Abigail and began to twist Elizabeth's hair into a gorgeous loose knot at the nape of her neck.

"And Madeline?" Florence stepped forward and held up the white gloves for Elizabeth to slip her hands into.

"Oh she is already a lady of fine means," Rosemary waved her free hand dramatically. "That girl is truly a princess. It's because of her father— he's already spoiling her rotten."

"I do declare I have never seen Lee quite so smitten." Dottie said, then added, "Except for when he was courting you, of course."

Rosemary nodded, grateful for the amendment. Abigail approached with a box of pins and offered them to her. She shook her head and then searched for Florence. "Flo, be a dear and find the clasp in my hand bag."

Florence nodded and quickly sorted through the handbag's contents. "This one?" She said holding up none other than Rosemary's precious pearl clasp. The one that held her family history and priceless memories. The very one the criminals had stolen from her house a couple weeks ago.

"Oh!" Elizabeth gasped. "Wasn't that stolen in the raid?"

Rosemary nodded. "But that's a story for another time. Would you consider putting it in your hair?"

Elizabeth put her hand to her mouth. "I… I would be honored. Thank you for trusting me with a priceless piece of your family history."

Rosemary nodded and slipped the clasp into Elizabeth's hair just so. The ladies all at once gasped. Words like, "beautiful", and "gorgeous" were left unspoken on their tongues for their eyes had filled with unshed tears at the beauty of their dear friend, Elizabeth, on her wedding day.

"Watch your makeup!" Florence said, dabbing at her own tears.

Elizabeth sniffled then laughed at their intense care and then smiled back at her reflection. "Ladies, I do believe I am ready to become Mrs. Jack Thornton."

At that precise moment, a baby squealed from the second row, causing Rosemary to grimace.

Dottie noticed and peeked at the timepiece on the table. "Go ahead and tend to the darlings. It looks we have a good eight minutes before the wedding officially starts."

Rosemary nodded and ducked out of the curtain. With her eyes trained on the second row, she began to walk forward. A sharp nudge came at her side. "Ow!"

"Excuse me, Rosemary," Molly said, "I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm just…. Nervous, I guess."

Rosemary was tempted to just dismiss the whole thing, but noticed that Molly, in fact seemed uncharacteristically worried, her hands shaking and her lip quivering. "Do you usually get nervous at weddings?" She questioned. From the corner of her eye she could see Lee approach the babies and start to rock one as Harriet rocked the other.

Molly clenched and unclenched her hands. "No, it's not the wedding that has me worried…"

"What is it then?" Rosemary questioned, rubbing the soft spot at her side.

"Can I talk to you, in private, for a moment?" Molly whispered desperately.

Rosemary gave a long look towards the babies. Lee and Harriet seemed to have the situation under control. She nodded and Molly promptly pulled her to the side of the row, away from prying ears.

"What's going on?" Rosemary said, concerned for her friend. Although Molly looked gorgeous, with her curly fiery red hair and her new deep purple dress, worry lines etched across her face.

Molly squirmed. "It's just that…"

"Yes?"

"I know the group of us ladies, well, we usually tell each other everything, but I have been seeing someone… secretly for awhile. He is supposed to meet me here today and the plan is that we will sit together, but I am starting to think this is a bad idea."

Rosemary's eyes looked over the pews that were filling up with citizens of Hope Valley by the moment. "Is he here yet?"

"I don't think so," Molly shook her head.

"What do you mean 'you don't think so'? Don't you know what your own beau looks like?"

Molly gave her a guilty look.

"You don't know what he looks like?" Rosemary whispered.

"I just know him from his letters, and I know he has a heart of gold. Even if, physically, he's just as plain as a tack, it won't matter to me. I'll marry him next Saturday!"

Rosemary's eyes rounded. "Wow, Molly. This is…"

"Crazy, I know," Molly said, biting on her fingernail.

"Actually I was going to say, 'amazing'," Rosemary smiled genuinely. "Good for you writing this man, getting to know him through the letters. Now, you just need to follow through. He must have given you some hint of his physical features or what he would be wearing…" Rosemary continued to look at the men who were entering the door. Old Bachelor Beauregard, who must have been at least seventy by now, entered the room, in a disheveled slate jacket. His beady eyes scanned the crowd. Rosemary shivered. It could be anyone… but him. That would just be too unbearable.

Molly looked around the room. "He was going to wear a gray suit with a red rose in the pocket."

Rosemary quirked an eyebrow. "That fits the description of half the men in the room!" Including old man Beauregard. God, please don't let it be him. "Please tell me you have another clue."

"Well he did say in one of his letters that 'eyes are the window of the soul' and mentioned his eyes were a bright blue."

Rosemary sighed with relief. Everyone knew old Beauregard had the darkest eyes this side of the Divide. "Now that's something we can work with. How's he to identify you?"

"This hat," Molly motioned to the hat that was presently squashed under her arm.

"Well you most definitely did not tell him you would be wearing it under your arm," Rosemary reached for the hat. "Here, give me that…"

Molly kept the hat pinned tightly under her arm. "I… I just can't, Rosemary. I'm nothing special to look at. What if he takes one glance at me and leaves?"

"Molly, that couldn't be further from the truth. You are stunning— beautiful both inside and out. Any man would be lucky—" Rosemary stopped mid sentence as, again, someone bumped into her. My, it was crowded in here this morning.

"Pardon me, Rosemary." Doc Carson said, his cheeks coloring. "I wasn't watching where I was going." He turned around to face her. Noticing Molly next to her, he looked her over, almost hopefully, then frowned. "Say— you two ladies haven't seen—" Little Opal came up and hung on his arm, "my date have you?"

Opal smiled up at him, one of her teeth missing. "I'm your date, silly."

Carson smiled sweetly at her then looked back to Rosemary and Molly, a shyness sweeping over his face. "It's just that… I'm looking for… well, there's supposed to be—" Carson looked around the room as if searching for something. "Oh never mind." He looked down at Opal. "Let's have a seat, little one." He sat down with Opal in the fifth row, but still looked flustered. So flustered, in fact, that a red hue was traveling up his neck as he kept his head craned towards the door, as if he were on the lookout.

My, Doc Carson was acting strange, outright distracted, nervous, jittery-much like Molly. Wait… Molly was waiting for her mystery man, could it by chance be…the good doctor? No, it couldn't be. Could it?

As he sat down in the row before them, Rosemary looked him over. He was single and known to be the town's most eligible bachelor. Was he capable of writing heart-warming letters? Yes, perhaps they were a bit messy with the scrawl of a doctor, but Carson had always been one to speak from the heart. And… he had a gray suit. Coincidence? Probably. But what about blue eyes? His were extra bright blue today. Was there a rose in pocket? She strained her head forward. A red rose, with a petal drooping off of it, perched from the edge of his pocket.

Rosemary sucked in a breath. Carson? He was the mystery man?! Here, after all this time, and all those matchups she had thrown his way, the sweet fiery red-headed Molly, had captured his heart. She hadn't ever even considered Molly as a potential match up. Sure, it was no secret Molly had a secret crush on the fellow, but no one had ever succeeded at turning his head. Well… not until now. Those must have been some good letters flowing between the two of them.

She turned to Molly to share the good news just as-

"Rosemary!" Florence stage-whispered from behind the curtain.

Rosemary gave Florence a backwards glance and gripped onto Molly's hand. "Molly, listen to me."

The first notes of 'The Wedding March' came from the piano and started to fill the room. Everyone quieted, anticipating the start of the ceremony. My, things were getting down to the wire. But she just had to instruct Molly before participating in the wedding of the year.

Still gripping Molly's hand, Rosemary looked in her eyes. "Sit on row four to the right. Wear your hat. Things will work out. Promise me you will do it?"

Molly's eyes were fearful and timid.

The men, including Jack, the groom, and Lee, the best man, stood up at the front of the room, Pastor frank joining them. She really had to go.

"It can make all the difference for your future. Your destiny. Promise me you will." Rosemary whispered as she gripped her hand desperately.

"Okay." Molly nodded, a bit of steely blue bravery rising up in her eyes.

"Now." Rosemary urged as she walked backwards to the bridal curtain. She watched Molly slip the hat on and sit down in row four, right in front of Carson. What would happen next? Would he notice—

Florence grabbed Rosemary and pulled her behind the curtain, her face flaming red. "What in tarnation are you doing? Are you trying to single handedly ruin Elizabeth's wedding?" Florence thrust a small bridesmaid bouquet of wildflowers at her.

Rosemary gave Elizabeth a glance, but she was deep in conversation with her maid of honor, Abigail. It hadn't seemed Rosemary's behavior had hurt anything.

"Actually, I'm hoping to impact the future," Rosemary said as Dottie reached over and patted her curls into submission.

Florence rolled her eyes and huffed.

"No, I'm serious. The future of two very important people is being made right this minute," she said, wishing she could peer out and see what was happening.

Of course, Florence, always the town gossip perked up at the news. "Oh? What two people would that be—"

The piano reached a crescendo, marking Rosemary's moment to walk down the aisle as the first bridesmaid. She took a step out from behind the curtain, smoothed her skirt and held her bouquet of wildflowers. It was time.