Over the next few days, things did not improve between Aaron and the rest of the family, though he was at least responsible enough not to neglect his work and household duties. Lee and Rosemary had no idea what to do about him; they really couldn't punish him because he wasn't really misbehaving, but he wasn't really behaving either. Lilly had tried desperately to talk to her brother with no such luck. Violet was just about the only Coulter he would speak to right now.
Thursday was Rosemary's day to stay at home with Violet, so Lilly was at Abigail's early to help Abigail, Clara, and Becky with the breakfast rush. She hadn't gotten the chance to talk to William, or anyone else for that matter, about her career prospects. Luckily for her, both Shane and William were having breakfast at the café, so she figured she could talk to both of them. She went over to Shane's table and poured him some more coffee, "Good morning, Mr. Cantrell."
Shane looked up and smiled, "Good morning, Lilly. How have you been?"
"I've been doing well. I was wondering: is Faith over at the infirmary today?" she questioned.
Shane shook his head, "No, Carson has been holding down the fort at the infirmary. Lea and Lydia both have chickenpox, so she's been staying home taking care of them."
"Oh, the poor dears. Violet has chickenpox right now as well," Lilly sympathized.
"So do Adam and Josh Flynn. I know Jesse and Clara have been alternating who's working and who's staying home with the kids," admitted Shane.
"Well, I know you come in here nearly every day, so I was wondering, when Lea and Lydia get well and Faith can return to work, would you let me know? I really want to talk to her about something," asked Lilly.
"Of course, Lilly," Shane nodded.
"Thanks, Mr. Cantrell," smiled Lilly and went back to work. She made sure the other customers were taken care of before she approached William, "Hi, William."
"Hi, Lilly," he smiled.
Lilly looked around, making sure Abigail, Becky, and Clara couldn't see her slacking off. She hesitantly sat down across from William and asked, "Can I talk to you about a couple of things?"
William shrugged, "Well, people in courtships do talk about things," he joked.
Lilly chuckled nervously, "Well, this might affect that said courtship," she admitted, "I've decided what I want to do in life," William raised his eyebrows, indicating for Lilly to continue, "I want to study nursing."
"Nursing? Really?" asked William in surprise, "What made you want to pursue that career path?"
Lilly sighed, "Well, I've always wanted to either work with children or help people, but I never wanted to be a teacher like Aunt Elizabeth. Just the thought of creating lesson plans and grading papers and assigning homework would bore me to tears," Lilly bobbed her head for emphasis, "But this past year, I've had to do so much medical wise. I was in the room when Clara gave birth to Seth this past January. Back in February, both Mom and Dad got a nasty case of the flu and I had to care for them. In April, Aaron broke his ankle playing baseball and he needed a lot of assistance with things. And now, caring for Violet while she has the chickenpox…" Lilly trailed off, "It sounds strange, but I've loved every minute of it. Even if I did have to wait on Aaron hand and foot, apply calamine lotion to Violet's back every ten minutes, or somehow manage to keep a household functioning while dealing with sick parents."
"You managed to keep the whole household running?" asked William.
"Well, Uncle Jack, Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Abigail, and Pastor Frank did help me some. I'm just shocked none of us kids got sick by some miracle," Lilly admitted.
William smiled proudly, "And the way you just described nursing is how I know it's what you're meant to do, because that's the exact same way Mom talks about teaching, Dad talks about being a Mountie, or Aunt Rosemary talks about acting," Lilly chuckled, "So what would you have to do to become a nurse?"
Lilly sighed, "I'd have to go back to school, I'm sure. I want to talk to Faith about everything involved as soon as possible."
"Well you, Lilly Coulter, can do anything you set your mind to do," said William.
"Thanks," she smiled and then her smile faltered, "And my second point. Has Aaron been acting…different around you ever since we stared courting?"
William sighed, but nodded, "Yes, he hasn't said more than two words to me all week. Why, has he been distant from you?"
"Me, Mom, Dad, everyone in our house except Violet; he's gone out of his way to show extra attention to her. And you know Violet; she's eating up every minute of it and taking full advantage," said Lilly.
William took a deep breath, "Well, I'd like to think I'll be the calm brother, but I know I'll be just as protective of Mary and Charlotte when they start courting, so I can't fully blame Aaron for looking out for you."
"I've tried talking to him, but he acts like I don't exist," Lilly held back a few tears.
William grabbed Lilly's hand, "I can try talking to him if you want."
Lilly's eyes widened, "NO! Goodness, no! That will just make it worse."
"So…other than Aaron, is everyone in your family on board? Both with pursuing nursing and us courting?" asked William apprehensively.
"Yes," Lilly confirmed, "Violet has already told me I can practice on her any time, Mom has been so helpful answering any questions I have, and Dad has finally calmed down. Or at least as calm as he'll be with you and me…"
"Yeah," William laughed.
"Lillian!" Abigail called, "I need your help in the kitchen!"
"Coming, Aunt Abigail!" Lilly stood and said, "Well, I guess I'll see you later. Maybe we can arrange another dinner date soon?"
"I'm sure we can arrange something," William agreed.
"Okay," Lilly kissed William's cheek, "Have a good day, Honey Bunny."
"No nicknames!" William shouted.
"Oh we'll talk," said Lilly.
Later that night, after dinner, Rosemary decided it was time to talk to Aaron. Lee was in his office and Lilly was playing with Violet, so she knew Aaron would be alone in his room. She went upstairs and knocked on his bedroom door, "Come in!" he called.
Rosemary stuck her head into the room and smiled, "Hey Bud. Can we talk about something?"
He shrugged, "I guess."
Rosemary entered the room and sat down on the bed next to him, "Your father and I have been concerned about how you've been acting lately."
"Why? I've been doing my chores and completing my duties at the mill," he answered bitterly.
"I know," said Rosemary, "But you've been ignoring everyone in this house except Violet, along with William, and you've been so distant ever since Lilly and William began courting."
"Look, Mom, I already told Dad how I feel and he made himself very clear. I'm sorry, I'll just accept the fact that I'm losing everyone close to me at once," Aaron interrupted her.
"Aaron Coulter, do not interrupt me…!" Rosemary shouted before stopping mid-sentence, "Wait a minute? Did you just say you're losing everyone at once?"
"Yes, something that's slowly been happening since July 20th ten years ago," admitted Aaron.
Rosemary scowled; July 20th was Violet's birthday, "You mean the day Violet was born?"
"Yes," Aaron confirmed, "That's when it started. Lilly stopped paying attention to me because she was so eager to help you with Violet. I mean, she constantly wanted to stay by Violet's side. She helped you pick out Violet's outfits for the day, she was always playing with her, she was getting you water and reading to Violet while you were nursing her. I know they're so close because they're the same gender, but I felt a little left out. So I spent most of my time with William, but now, he's in the Mounties. He could be on the other side of Canada by next week. I feel like I've already lost my best friend, but at least I still had my sister. But now, she's courting William and if it works out, she'll leave Hope Valley too. And yes, I hated it when she forced me to play tea party with her and dressed me up like one of her rag dolls and bossed me around, but if she starts spending more time with William and eventually marries him, she'll move out of the house. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll miss her! I would gladly go back to the days of being dressed as a princess or having make-up put on me or having my hair styled if I could just get a few more months with her," Rosie could tell he was struggling to hold back tears; he had always been a sensitive child, "I feel like first I had to share my big sister with Violet, then I had to share my best friend with the Mounties, and now I might have to share my big sister with my best friend AND the Mounties?" he vented, "She was the same girl who protected me from monsters under the bed and bullies on the playground. I just feel I need to return the favor and protect her."
"Oh Bud," Rosemary wrapped her arms around her son, "I know it's scary and I know it's hard to think about Lilly getting married, moving out of the house, starting a family of her own," Rosie listed, "But I understand how you feel the need to protect her."
"You do?" questioned Aaron, "How?"
"Well, ignore the fact that Uncle Jack and I were engaged," Rosie began, "Uncle Jack has always been like a brother to me and it pained me to have to share him with the Mounties. And I'll be honest, it pained me at first that I had to share him with Aunt Elizabeth," admitted Rosemary and Aaron chuckled, "And nobody really knows this, but when your father and I first started courting, Uncle Jack was pretty protective of me. He didn't show it outright, but I know he would've seriously injured your father if he had hurt me in any way, shape, or form."
"Even after you broke off your engagement?" questioned Aaron.
"Yes, even then," Rosie admitted, "He's the closest thing I've ever had to a brother and I'm like the sister he never had. And sure, I spent a lot of time with your father when we were courting and, of course, after we got married, but Uncle Jack and I figured out how to stay close friends. And I'm sure if you talk to William and Lilly, you can all figure out how to make time for each other."
Aaron sighed, "Guess I screwed up big time. I should probably apologize to the both of them for acting like a complete jerk."
"Well, Lilly is busy with Violet right now, so maybe tomorrow," Rosemary said. She kissed his forehead, "Love you, Bud."
"Love you too, Mom," Aaron answered. Once Rosie left, Aaron pulled a picture out of his nightstand drawer. None of his family knew he still had it. It was a picture taken the day Violet was born, their first picture as a family of five: Lee and Rosemary both looked exhausted, but extremely happy. Lilly was kissing Violet's head and he was beaming in the photo. It might have been ten years ago, but it seemed like it was just yesterday. Of course, he and his sisters fought and had their fair share of troubles, but he wouldn't trade his family for the world.