Aaron stormed into his father's office and slammed the binder down on Lee's desk. Lee looked up and noticed that his usually happy-go-lucky, laid-back middle child looked as if he wanted to start throwing the closest unbreakable object across the room, "Whoa Buddy, what happened?"
"Why didn't you tell me that Lilly had entered into a courtship with William?" Aaron asked angrily.
Lee sighed, "Buddy, I thought you knew."
"I knew that they went out on a dinner date, but I thought they were going to catch up and that was going to be the end of it," shouted Aaron furiously, "Dad, my best friend was kissing my sister! Do you know how weird and awkward that is for me?!"
"Buddy, Lilly's almost eighteen; she's getting to the age where she needs to start thinking about marriage and starting a family, possibly a career as well, and if William Thornton is interested, then…"
"You could have at least consulted me and asked me my opinion," said Aaron.
"Actually, Aaron, I didn't have to. You might be training to take over the saw mill once I retire and, yes, you will have a family of your own to lead one day, but despite what you may think, you're not the man of the house. I am," said Lee firmly.
"Well, what does Mom think?" asked Aaron.
"Your mother agrees with me and accepted the fact that it was my decision since Lillian is my daughter and I'm her father," Lee crossed his arms over his chest.
Aaron's eyes widened, "MOM? The same woman who requires you to talk to her and then practically makes you take a national survey before making a decision about dinner on your weekly date night?"
"Listen, Buddy, I'm really busy right now, and you still have orders to start fulfilling…"
"And what happens if William gets stationed on the other side of Canada?" asked Aaron.
"Well, if they're committed to the courtship, they'll make it work, just like Uncle Jack and Aunt Elizabeth do…"
"And that's another thing. What if they end up just like Mom and Uncle Jack? What if William leaves Lilly for his own selfish desires just like Mom did with Uncle Jack…?"
"Aaron Jacob Coulter! You do NOT insult your mother like that! Not in front of her or me or anyone in Hope Valley! You understand me?" shouted Lee angrily. Seriously, Aaron was usually was their least problematic child. What on Earth was wrong with him all of a sudden? He seemed to flip a switch between the saw mill and the house, "Now, your mother may have made some mistakes in her past, but she learned from them and knowing about their past does not give you permission to use those mistakes to hold it against her or anyone else. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes sir," said Aaron quietly.
"Good, now go work on those orders you were fulfilling," Lee ordered. He watched his son leave the office and sat back down at his desk.
Aaron's attitude didn't improve much later that night. Sure, he was no longer back talking or bad mouthing anyone, but he was unusually quiet (and not in his usual, shy way). He was also going out of his way to pamper Violet and not say a word to Lillian or his parents. Violet, of course, was taking full advantage of her older brother's behavior along with the chickenpox excuse. After she had finished her dinner, Violet came down the stairs, looked at Aaron, and sweetly asked, "Aaron, will you play dolls with me?"
"Of course I will, Violet," he replied. He changed his demeanor and asked, "May I be excused?"
Rosemary sighed. She didn't really want to give Aaron what he wanted, but she also didn't want to disappoint Violet and if it kept her youngest child from scratching her spots, she was all for it, "Yes, you may be excused," Aaron smiled at Violet and followed her up the stairs, leaving Lee, Rosie, and Lilly alone at the dinner table. Rosemary held back a few tears and said, "I don't understand why he's acting the way he is. I mean, I thought he would be thrilled for William and Lilly. Did you lecture him about what he said?" she asked Lee. He had explained everything to her when they got home from work.
"I did, but obviously he's still upset about something," said Lee, "If he stays this way too much longer, maybe we can take away his driving privileges."
Lilly played with her food for a few more moments before she looked up at her parents, "Listen, if this whole courtship with William makes Aaron uncomfortable, I can end it now before it gets too serious."
"No Lillian, it's your life and your decision. Aaron is the one who has to learn to accept it. You've done nothing wrong," Lee held up his hand.
After dinner, Lee went upstairs to start getting ready for tomorrow while Lilly and Rosie stayed downstairs. Lilly was hesitant on what she wanted to discuss with her mother. The past few months had gotten her thinking about her next step in life and Violet's case of the chickenpox confirmed it for her, "Mom?" she hesitantly asked. Rosemary looked up at her daughter, "Can I talk to you about something?"
"Is it about William?" asked Rosie. Sure, they were only in the early stages of their courtship, but she knew how hard it was to repress natural desires sometimes.
"No, it's actually about something else," Lilly admitted. Rosemary and Lilly sat down on the couch, "Well, I've been thinking about what I want to do in life and you know I thought about acting, but I didn't want to leave Hope Valley, at least, not right now. And I enjoy it, but it's not my calling like it was yours," Rosemary nodded her understanding, "Well, these past few months, watching Clara give birth to Seth, that time back in February when both you and Dad got the flu and I had to take care of you plus keep the household running, and these past few days of taking care of Violet made me realize what my passion is, what I want to do for the rest of my life."
"Well, what is it then?" asked Rosemary curiously.
"Mom, I want to be a nurse," Lilly stated steadfastly.
"Oh," said Rosemary. Her dear daughter, the one she once thought was her own personal mini-me, was suddenly developing her own personality and unique qualities. Rosemary took a deep breath, "Well, I'm definitely not the right person to tell you how to accomplish that goal given the fact that I'm not the best around bodily fluids," she admitted and Lilly chuckled. Unless it was one of the kids or Lee who was sick, Rosie wasn't necessarily the most comforting around patients other than having some unique ability to comfort women giving birth as Elizabeth, Faith, and Clara had found out personally, "But, I would say having a conversation with Faith Cantrell would be a good place to start."
"Really? You're on board?" asked Lilly eagerly.
"Of course, Little Flower. My ultimate wish in life is for you to be truly happy. And if nursing is what you want to do, then do it," Rosie rubbed her cheek.
"Oh thank you, Mom!" Lilly threw her arms around Rosie.
"But one more thing, Lilly Bug," Rosemary said and Lilly pulled out of her mother's embrace, "If you're serious about pursuing nursing, then you need to let William know your plans. A successful relationship is built on openness, honesty, communication, and trust."
"Is that how you and Dad make your marriage so respectable?" asked Lilly.
Rosie nodded, "Your father and I talk about everything on our minds. I do most of the talking, but your father is an excellent listener. Most of the time."
Lilly giggled, "The next time I see William, I'll talk to him."
"Good," Rosie squeezed Lilly's hand, "Well, I'm going to go check on your sister and then I'm going to bed," Rosemary kissed Lilly's cheek, "I love you."
"Love you too, Mom," answered Lilly. Rosemary disappeared upstairs and Lilly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she could talk to her mother about anything (and Lilly did mean anything, from the weather outside to the first time she had gotten her cycle and everything in between). Sure, her father was a Nervous Nelly when it came to her growing up, but generally, she knew she could count on him too. Violet? Well, Violet basically worshipped the ground she walked on; Lilly did admit she enjoyed the adoration some. Now if only she could find a way to get Aaron on board.