MID OCTOBER

Rosie sat on the edge of the bathtub, waiting for her timer to signal the end of the longest ten minutes of her life.

Yes, she and Lee had been only married for eleven weeks, but they had never tried to not get pregnant. He knew and was fully supportive of the fact that she wanted a baby and he looked forward to being a father as well.

The last week she had felt different, nauseated, exhausted. Obvious signs of pregnancy if you knew to look for them.

DING!

"Lee! It's time," she yelled, wringing her hands in her lap. And then ten seconds later, she bellowed, "Lee, for the love of heaven, please come in here. I'm going to go crazy."

"Rosie, seriously, I was in the middle of making my meatballs so I needed to wash my hands."

"You know how important this is to me."

"Yes, but I also know that feeding you and a possible child is important as well."

"Yes. Well, you have a point."

"Thank you. Now are you going to look at it?"

"No, I'm too nervous. You do it. It will say pregnant or not pregnant."

"Ok, before I do, if it says not pregnant, we will just keep trying. It's not a huge deal. We've only been married a little while."

She nodded. She knew that but she also knew how she was feeling. "Please, just tell me."

He turned it over and read it. "Rosie."

"Lee?"

…..

Elizabeth came home from work exhausted and ready to see her boys. She knew, however, that they were at hockey practice because it was Saturday and she had missed it.

She went upstairs and showered, slipped into her t-shirt and yoga pants and started to make beef fried rice using the previous night's roast. She had learned to make the dish from Rosie, and Jack and Hunter loved it.

As she was adding the eggs to the pan, she heard the door open.

"Mom! We're home!" Hunter yelled.

"In the kitchen."

Hunter ran in and hugged her from behind. "We won, Mom!"

"You did? I thought it was just practice."

"It was. We did sprints. My team was fastest."

"Wow, good job, sweetie."

"Thanks!" He ran upstairs and Jack took his place behind Elizabeth, slipping his fingers under the hem of her shirt.

"Any baby Thornton growing in there yet?" His lips tantalized her as they graced her collarbone.

"Its too early, love. I just had a period a week ago."

"Mm. Ok. Well, it's still been fun trying."

"It has," she laughed, squirming as his fingertips tickled her hips. He loved to run his thumb over his initials on her hip. He told her that the permanence of the tattoo meant so much to him. She was happy she did it.

"Mom!" Hunter yelled again as he jumped down the stairs.

"Hunt!" she said with a laugh. "Make sure you walk Bruce soon."

"Yes, ma'am." He grabbed a treat from the jar and patted his leg. "Bruce, time to go outside." The beagle trotted over and out the door to the deck, following Hunter.

"So, Elizabeth. I asked Mom and Dad if they could watch Hunter next weekend. I figured we could use a little time to concentrate on things."

"Ok, but I work Friday afternoon and Sunday night shift."

"So all day Saturday and most of Sunday, you and me. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Sounds great."

He put his hand on her back. "You worried about getting pregnant?" He had heard a tone in her voice.

"No, the doctor said I'm young and strong and I shouldn't have any problems. I just still can't believe that Tolliver is behind bars. It's great. I finally feel safe. I feel like Hunter is safe. I feel like it's the perfect time for expanding our family."

"I agree."

"What does expanding mean?" Hunter asked as he climbed up on the stool at the bar.

Jack smirked at Elizabeth. "Um, it means to make something bigger, bud."

"Oh. Does that mean I'm gonna get a brother?"

"Maybe, Hunt. Sooner or later."

"I hope its sooner!"

"Who's hungry?" Elizabeth asked, switching the subject.

….

Jane got ready for her date with Mike Hickam, the sixth one they'd had and she was counting. She even counted the two times they had taken Mikey along. Tonight though, Jane's sister Cathy was watching him so they could stay out past 8pm. Maybe he would kiss her tonight. She hoped so.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn't super model gorgeous but she thought she was what some would call classically pretty. She had blonde hair that was about shoulder length and tousled. She wasn't super thin but she wasn't overweight either. She was average height and had a smattering of freckles on her nose and cheeks whenever she was out in the sun.

Mike had told her she was beautiful before and it made her feel good. To have a man, a kind and thoughtful man, show her attention and pay her a compliment felt nice. It had been awhile since Mikey's dad had passed and she just hadn't dated since.

"Mom! Aunt Cathy is here!"

"Ok. Be right out." She smoothed her ankle length skirt and adjusted her top over her hips before leaving the room.

"Don't you look nice, Janie?" Cathy said from the door way.

"I look ok? He didn't tell me where we are going so I'm not sure what to wear."

"I think that could pass for casual or dressy, so I think you should be just fine."

"Ok, good."

"Don't be nervous. Mike seems nice and you like him, right?"

"Yeah. I like him a lot."

"Then just have fun."

Jane grabbed her keys and put them in her purse as Cathy pulled away and Mike pulled in. He got out, dressed in khakis and a blue polo with a black leather jacket for warmth in the fall evening.

She smiled. He looked so handsome. She opened the door and stepped out. "Hi. You look nice," she mentioned, kissing his cheek.

"So do you. Are you up for Mexican? I made a reservation at La Cantina."

"I love Mexican."

"Great." He offered his hand, something new, and smiled when she slipped hers into his.

…..

Rosie snuggled up against Lee on their couch, enjoying the fire that was crackling. "Lee?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"For what, sweetheart?"

"Our baby." She wiped a tear away, so incredibly happy. "For being ok with having one right away. For marrying me."

"I love you, Rosie. I want you to be happy and having a baby makes me happy too."

Ever since Brenna died, she was alone, no family, and so she had wanted a child of her own very badly. Now she had Lee and the little one growing inside of her.

"I think we should call your parents," she told him, suddenly wanting to spread the word.

"You don't think we should wait?"

"No. I want them to know."

"In that case, I think we should tell Tom and Charlotte too. They are like your parents."

"Ok." She dialed his mom's number first and hit the speaker phone icon.

"Hello? Rosie?"

"Pam," she croaked out, bursting into tears which, in turn, scared Pam to pieces.

"Rosie, what's wrong? Is it Lee?"

"No, Mom, I'm here," Lee said. "I'm just fine. We have news."

"Why is Rosie crying, son?"

"Pam, I'm pregnant!" she squeaked out.

"Oh! That's wonderful! Congratulations, both of you."

"You too, Mom. Your first grandchild."

"Oh, Ron Coulter! Come here. Your son and daughter are on the phone," she called into the room.

Lee shook his head at his mother. She always used both names when speaking to his father. "Ron Coulter."

"What's going on?" he asked loudly, very close to the phone.

"Dad, hold the phone further away from your mouth," Lee told him.

"Lee, Rosie, what's the big idea? I'm watching football."

"Dad, we're going to have a baby."

"That's fine, son. Just fine. And may I say, it's about time."

"Dad, we haven't even been married three months."

"No, but you're 35! I've been waiting a long time."

Rosie cracked up and wiped her cheeks. "We will let you go, we just wanted to let you know our news."

"Oh, Rosie dear. You've made my night. Make sure you let me know how you're feeling as you go along."

"I will, Pam."

"Goodnight. I love you, all three of you."

"We love you too."

They laughed for a moment after hanging up the phone. "I'm so glad we called them, Lee. I love your parents."

"Me too. Mom is so happy and so is Dad, he just doesn't express it the same way, especially when football is on."

"I think maybe we should wait to tell Charlotte and Tom until tomorrow."

"Ok. You tired?"

"Yeah. Let's go to bed."

….

Mike walked Jane up to her door after their date. "Do you want to come in for coffee?" she asked.

"Sure."

She unlocked the door and kicked off her shoes just inside. He watched her walk away, her ankles and toes teasing him. He had honestly fought his attraction up until this point, not wanting to move too fast for her. He knew that she had lost her husband and he didn't know how long it took for someone to move forward from that. He couldn't even imagine it. Tonight, he was feeling different. Feeling like the two of them were on the same page.

He hadn't been in a serious relationship before and he felt like this particular one was going in that direction. Six dates over the course of about three months. Even though that didn't seem like a lot to some people, they talked every few days, and texted in between so they knew a lot about each other.

"Mike?"

"Hm?" He realized he was still standing at the door and she was standing in the doorway of the kitchen with a mug of coffee in each hand. "Sorry."

"I had a nice time tonight." She stepped a little closer and leaned against the counter.

"Me too." He sipped his coffee and watched her move even closer. She put her cup on the counter and put her hands on his waist.

"Mike, I really like you." He smiled and touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips.

"I really like you too."

"And I think that six dates is quite a few."

"I agree."

"I just wonder…" her voice trailed off when he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

"What do you wonder?" He pulled her into his chest, holding her safely under his chin.

"Nothing." She didn't have any doubts anymore. He answered her question with just the simple kiss and an embrace. He cared about her as much as she did about him and that was a good thing.

THE NEXT DAY

Tom sat at his desk going over the layout for the photography book he'd be working on. His publisher was breathing down his neck for the next draft. It was ready. Frankly it had been ready for over a week but his nerves and second guessing were getting the best of him. This was a big step for him. His photographs had been published in a number of magazines around the world but this project was his baby. The concept and every photo in it was his. His vision.

With a deep breath he clicked export and then sent the file over to his publisher.

"There. Done. It's out of my hands now."

His inbox chimed, signaling an incoming message. He looked at the screen. It was his boss from the news magazine in the city. Tom had be granted leave after his return the past winter to work on the book. It had been great. He still worked most days at the office doing layout and other things for the magazine but he wasn't expected to travel. It gave him a chance to reconnect with family and a chance for his and Julie's relationship to grow into something deep and real. He treasured every moment with her he had. Reading the email, it appeared that leave was up.

He called his boss to get the details. After hanging up he checked his watch. Julie would be getting out of class in 40 minutes. Just enough time to scoot across town and meet her. He wondered how she'd take the news. He decided to stop at her favorite coffee shop first.

"She can't get too upset if I get her a chai tea and a chocolate croissant, right?" He asked himself as he looked at the picture of the two of them he had on his desk.

….

The stack of papers on Rosie's desk was slowly getting smaller and smaller as she worked away grading essays from her 3rd Period class. She'd assigned her students a 5 page essay on one of Shakespeare's plays. Their pick. As she graded them, she regretted it.

"Hi Rosie!" Hunter ran into her classroom. The bus dropped him off from the Elementary to the high school on the days Elizabeth worked. He loved walking the halls and seeing everyone. Many of the football players knew him by name and would give him a high five as they made their way to practice. Hunter felt like a stud.

"Hi sweetie! Having a good day?"

"Yup! Mom put an extra cookie in my lunch today. It was chewy, not hard!" Rosie laughed as Hunter realized what he had said. "Don't tell mom. She is really good at cooking now. I promise."

"I know dear, don't you worry."

"We're going over to your house for dinner tonight? Grandma and Pop too?"

"Yup! And Uncle Tom and Julie as well."

"Cool! Why? Are you leaving?"

"No!" she laughed. "Why do you say that?"

He shrugged. "Seems like a big deal that's all. Please don't move. I want you guys to live next door to us forever."

"I have no plans on moving away from you and neither does Lee. We just have a surprise that's all."

"Good." Hunter sat down at one of the desks and opened up the Shakespeare play book that sat there. His eyes grew wide at all the words. "Rosie?"

"Yes?" She put away her red pen. As long as Hunter was in the room no work would get done. She was alright with that. "What is it?"

"Are you apanding your family?"

"Am I what?"

"Apanding? Espanding? Ugh, are you making the family bigger? Is that the surprise? Mom and Dad were talking about doing that the other day. I guess it's fun but hard and doesn't happen right away. "

Rosie sat there trying hard to stifle her laugh. "Who told you all that?"

"Nobody. I overheard it."

"Oh I see," she laughed.

Jack walked in just then. "Hunt, you better not be disturbing Rosie while she works."

"No's he's just fine. We were just chatting for a bit. I need to head out soon anyway to get dinner ready."

"Cool, what are we having?"

"Chicken and dumplings with roasted asparagus."

"Yum!" Hunter cheered. "Is it time for us to go home too, Dad?"

"Yup. Rosie, if you wait a sec we can walk you out."

"Sounds wonderful, thank you."

…..

Julie hurried out of her art major building not long after her class had ended. She was in such a hurry she almost didn't see Tom standing near the bench.

"Jules!" he called over.

"Hi, babe! Please tell me that coffee is for me."

"It is," he beamed. "And this chocolate croissant is for us."

"Perfect!"

Tom took her messenger bag and flung it over his shoulder. "How was class?"

"Good. I'm already getting better, I can tell."

"That's great." He took her hand and held it tightly in his as they walked. "I figured we could drop stuff off at your place before we head over to Rosie and Lee's.

"Perfect." She looked at their hands and back up at him. He seemed distracted and nervous. Not words she'd normally use when they were together. "Tom, is everything alright?"

"Let's get to your place and talk first, okay? But yes, everything's fine." He pulled her to his chest and kissed her deeply, making sure she know how he felt about her. It worked. She smiled lovingly at him as they walked the rest of the way to her apartment.

3 miles and 6 flights of stairs later they reached her apartment. She unlocked the knob and deadbolt. Once inside she hung up her light jean jacket and Tom's leather one.

"So, what's this mysterious thing you want to talk to me about?" She teased to lighten the mood, but inside she was nervous.

"Let's sit first." Tom lead her over to the couch, gently pulling her down into his arms beside him. "First off, I sent my next draft off to the publisher. Hopefully it's the last one."

"Oh, Tom! That's wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you, Jules. I couldn't have done the tedious, stressful last few months without you."

"Me, really? I just encouraged you. You did all the hard work."

"You were everything I needed, Julie Thatcher. Everything and more. I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered.

He leaned in, capturing her sweet lips with his own for a long, slow kiss. This was it for him. Julie was all he'd ever wanted, and a lot of things he'd never thought of. Just as they were about to be completely lost in one another, he pulled back.

"Julie, there's one more thing." He sighed. "Just remember how I feel about you when I tell you this okay?"

"That's a horrible way to start a conversation, Tom…"

"I know." He cleared his throat. "With my book done, more or less, my leave from work is up. They've asked me to take an assignment for the next two months."

"Two months?"

"Maybe shorter, if I get all the shots they want."

"Tom.. I… I… where?"

"Australian outback. There's a tribe out there that anthropologists know very little about. Apparently this is an auspicious year for them. They want me to go and document the festivities. It's really fascinating, actually."

"Goodness you and Jack are nerds," she laughed nervously. "So this is real? The assignment I mean. You aren't just trying to get away from me?"

"Are you kidding? No way! Julie, I will miss you like crazy."

"Good."

"Good?" Tom laughed. "Does this mean I can count on you to wait for me? No dating other guys while I'm away?"

"Only one man for me, Thomas Thornton Jr. You."

…..

Dinner time rolled around and everyone was hanging out in the Coulter's home. The original plan of chicken and dumplings turned out to be a bad idea. Apparently the smell of chicken and the baby did not agree. So Rosie made roasted asparagus, and mashed potatoes while Lee grilled some burgers out on the back deck.

Charlotte and Elizabeth sat around the kitchen bar chatting with Rosie while the guys stayed out on the deck. Hunter played freely in the yard with Bruce.

"Elizabeth, have you heard from Tom?" Rosie asked. "I specifically told him an hour earlier than the rest of you so he wouldn't be late!"

"He knows you do that, Rosie," Charlotte giggled. "He's known for a while."

"Really? Well that would be why it stopped working so well then." They were all still laughing as the front door opened.

"Sorry we're late!" Tom announced. "It couldn't be helped."

"It never can." Charlotte smiled as her youngest son and Julie walked in. She was over the moon about Tom finding love. She only hoped it would cause him to settle down sooner rather than later.

Rosie hugged Tom then look at his face. He had a look about him that she hadn't seen in a while. "When do you leave and where?"

The women all turned to her surprised, Tom just smiled. "Four days. I'll be gone about two months."

Elizabeth took Julie's hand. "Somewhere safe I hope?"

"It is. At least much safer than the last place I went."

Charlotte pulled Tom in for a hug. "Go tell your father and brother. They're outside."

"I will." He kissed her cheek and headed out to the back deck. The rest of the room was quiet.

"Julie, you okay?" Elizabeth asked.

"I think so. What's two months of a possible life time right?" She sighed, trying to believe her own words.

The men walked in with the burgers a few minutes later. Jack instructed Hunter to wash up, so Tom walked behind him lifting him up to reach the sink. Julie loved watching Tom with Hunter. She wanted that with him. A marriage, a child together. Time would tell.

"Shall we say grace?" Rosie asked once they were all around the table. "Lee, would you like to do the honors?"

"Of course!" He smiled. "Dear, heavenly father. Thank you for this day and this family we have around the table. We ask for your protection and love to surround us. Especially Tom as he prepares to leave for Australia soon. I also want to say a special prayer of thanks for the blessing of a baby that you've given Rosie and I. Amen!"

"AMEN!" the group yelled before erupting into a roar of cheers and applause.

"A baby! Rosie, dear this is wonderful!" Charlotte teared up. "Oh I have some shopping to do!"

"Yay!" Hunter yelled. "I'm gonna have a… wait what does this do for me?" They laughed.

Jack lifted the boy on his lap. "Well son, Rosie is basically my sister. So that would make this baby your cousin."

"Sweet, I like that!" He hoped off and went back to his dinner. After talking a bit he leaned over to Jack again and whispered. "I'd rather have a brother though."

Jack just laughed. Reaching to Elizabeth next to him he took her hand. They looked lovingly at each other knowing they'd be next.