Six weeks later, End of October

Julie turned and looked at the back of her wedding dress in the mirror. She loved it. The way it fit. The way it looked and the way it made her feel.

Right now, nothing could bring her down from the high of being in love with Charles and knowing he loved her back.

Her parents had both arrived a few days before, bringing a few more trunks of her things with them.

Charles had heard from the bank manager and he wasn't returning so Charles was now the manager of the bank and they would remain there after they got married. Julie was happy about that. She had come to love Hope Valley and her job at Hope Home and she planned to keep it until she was heavy with child and no longer had the energy.

For their honeymoon, they would stay in town for a day and then catch a stage back to Alberta to pack up Charles' house, spending two weeks there. Charlie would stay with Jack and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth attached her veil to her hair with a few pins and smiled. "You are ready, little sister."

"Yes I am but I want to say something." Julie turned around and grabbed Elizabeth's hands. "Beth, I want to thank you for being there for me this year. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have you on my side and to give me advice or just listen. I couldn't have done it without you."

Elizabeth gave her a hug. "I was happy to do it."

"I love you, Beth."

"I love you too."

"Now I'm ready."

Elizabeth opened the door, letting their father in the room. "She is ready, Father."

He stepped in and immediately his eyes filled with tears. "Oh my. Julie, you look lovely."

"Thank you, Father."

"Your fiancé and soon-to-be son are waiting."

He wasn't ready to give away his last daughter but it was time regardless. He offered his arm and she took it, a huge smile on her lips.

Downstairs as they said their vows, they kept their eyes and hearts fixed firmly on one another. They absorbed the words that Pastor Avery, now an engaged man himself, spoke.

They each promised to love, cherish and respect each other as long as they both lived. The vows were more sweet than bitter for Charles, even though he knew the pain of losing a wife much too soon. He hoped and prayed that Julie and he would actually be together for the next fifty years. That they would have more children. That Charlie would be happy and grow up to give them grandchildren.

Julie watched her love, standing there, loving her in return. What a wonderful gift she had been given. She was ready to experience every little thing that a marriage would bring.

She smiled as Charles was given permission to kiss her.

"I love you, Julie."

"I love you too," she told him, impatient and ready for her first kiss from her husband. And it was perfect.

That evening as they lay contentedly in each other's arms, few words were spoken or needed. All they needed was the other and they finally had that.

…..

About ten months later….

Julie waddled around Elizabeth's house, rubbing her belly. She was about eight months pregnant and very large. Doc Shepherd seemed to think she was having two. She agreed. There were times when she swore as hard as the kicks were that there must be four feet doing it.

At this point, she was ready not to be pregnant anymore. Everything ached. Her hips. Her feet. Her back. Yes, whoever was in there was welcome to show themselves anytime.

"Mama!"

"Hi, darling. What is it?"

"Will you hold me? I'm sleepy."

"I can try but your little brother or sister takes up a lot of my lap these days."

She sat down on the couch and realized she would definitely need help getting up. "Okay, Charlie Kensington IV, come here."

He climbed up and laid down, giggling when he received a strong kick. "Hi, baby."

Julie smiled down at him, loving everything about him. From his dark brown hair to his big brown eyes. His little chin and nose. His Daddy's dimples when he smiled.

"I love you, Charlie."

"I love you, Mama."

Charles walked in an hour later. Julie and Charlie were both asleep on the couch.

His heart beat faster at the sight of his wife heavy with child and their son, sleeping in her arms. The last year had been amazing.

"Hey, love. Time to head home."

She opened her eyes and smiled. "Hi." He sat next to her and gave her a long, slow kiss. "I missed you today."

"I missed you too."

"Elizabeth asked us to stay for dinner," she told him, her eyes drifting closed again.

"I was going to make us dinner."

"Oh, alright. I'll tell her." He took Charlie and laid him on the cushion next to them. "But, I'm going to need help getting up."

He stood and took her hands. "Ready? One, two, three."

"Thank you."

He gave another kiss and watched as she waddled away, her hand supporting her back. Beautiful.

…..

As the next couple weeks passed, Julie felt even more uncomfortable until one evening her water broke.

"Um, Charles!"

"Yeah, sweetie."

"Get Carson. It's time!"

"Alright. Okay. I'll be right back."

He grabbed Charlie and ran down the street to the saloon to wake up Grace, leaving Charlie with William. Then he ran to tell Elizabeth and finally to the clinic.

"Doc! Julie's water broke. Its time!"

"I'll grab my bag and meet you at your house."

Charles ran back and found Julie waddling around the apartment. "What should I do?"

"Boil water and find a couple towels and blankets."

Elizabeth, Grace, and Carson arrived a few moments later, relieving Charles.

As the hours ticked by, Elizabeth left and came back each time she needed to feed Vi. She was over a year old now and eating more solid foods, but still nursed from time to time.

About ten hours after labor started, Julie was ready to push. Charles, a more traditional husband, preferred to stay in the living room with William and the grandchildren rather than be in where the baby was being born.

Jack had brought all three of his kids to the apartment while he went to work at the now completed Mercantile.

As William and Grace prepared breakfast for everyone, Elizabeth assisted Julie and Carson.

"You can do this, Julie. The head is out. One more push and the baby will be here," Carson told her.

A moment later, it was born. "It's a boy!"

Julie smiled as he held him up. A boy.

After he was cleaned and wrapped, Julie held him close, looking into his eyes, loving him already.

However, as predicted, she wasn't quite finished.

Elizabeth held him as Julie pushed out his brother shortly after.

….

Elizabeth went to the living room, a huge smile on her face. "Charles. You can go in now."

He stood, kissed her cheek and hurried down the hall.

"Julie, honey?"

"Charles, meet our sons."

"Twins. Two more boys!" He laughed and walked over to see them. Both had dark hair and light eyes. They looked identical. Even their noses. They were perfect.

"So I'm thinking this one should be Peter and this one Stephen," Julie suggested.

"I like those names. I'm not sure how to tell them apart though."

"We will figure it out."

….

Jack came to get his family at lunch and took them home.

"Two babies, Daddy!" Helen told him.

"I know, Daisy Girl. Isn't that great?"

"Yep!"

Elizabeth had been quiet on their walk home. Jack could tell something was on her mind.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

"This house. It's not big enough. I'm thinking maybe we need to find a bigger one."

"You said the house was fine a year ago."

"Yeah but four kids in a two bedroom home….its pretty cramped."

"True but…..wait….what? We only have three."

"Yeah but in about seven months, we will have four."

"We will? Yahooo!" he yelled picking her up in his arms and kissing her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure."

"Another baby! What a blessing." He put Elizabeth down and looked at the three they already had. "What do you think kids? Think we need a bigger house?"

****So that marks the end of this story. Thank you so very much for your support and stay tuned for other new ones coming up in the near future.****