(Chapter Four)
A Surprise
That night Elizabeth shared her news with Jack. "So, did you find out what's wrong?" Jack asked her.
"Not exactly."
"What? I thought you were going to see the doctor?"
"I did."
"Then what's wrong?" he asked again, not able to comprehend her thinking.
"Jack, nothing's wrong."
"Well, what did you find out then?"
"Jack," Elizabeth said, slipping her arms around his neck. "You're going to be a father," she whispered.
"A – A – A fa – ather?" he stumbled.
She nodded. "A father," she laughed out.
"Oh Elizabeth! That's wonderful news!"
"I know!" she exclaimed, and they sat together chatting.
"Elizabeth!" came a loud, cheerful voice from behind her one morning on her walk to the café.
Elizabeth was caught day dreaming.
"Oh, hi Rosemary. How are you?" Elizabeth almost squealed.
Rosemary took one look at Elizabeth and noticed something different about her, something special. She seemed extremely happy. "Well, I'm fine, but let's talk about you."
"Me?" Elizabeth sounded shocked. Usually Rosemary was one who liked to talk and talk all day. Let's just say she was a very bubbly person.
"Oh come now, Elizabeth. I see that shine in your eyes; the joy in your voice."
"Is it that obvious?"
Rosemary nodded.
"Well, I had a visit with the doctor."
"Oh?" Rosemary enthused.
"Yes, well – " Elizabeth started but was cut short.
"Elizabeth! Are you – ?"
"Yes," Elizabeth replied with a smile on her face. "I am!"
Rosemary grabbed Elizabeth's arm, and the two walked to the café.
As they walked into the small café, the aroma of fresh bread filled the air, and Abigail greeted them at the door.
"Hello you two. Rosemary, what brings you this way today?"
"I was just out walking when I met Elizabeth," explained the always talkative Rosemary.
"Ah, I see. Oh, how did your doctor visit go, Elizabeth?"
"Well – " Elizabeth began, but was interrupted by the bubbly voice just as usual.
"Elizabeth has very exciting news!" Rosemary couldn't hold it back any longer.
"Elizabeth! That's wonderful!" Abigail almost exploded. "Would you like a scone?"
"Oh, no thank you, Abigail."
"Tea then?"
"Yes, please."
"Rosemary?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Lee made me a beautiful breakfast this morning. He has been taking cooking lessons, you know."
"Oh?" Abigail played along.
"Bill is teaching him," Rosemary announced.
"Maybe you should get Jack to do that, Elizabeth. He'll need to take over some days," Abigail jokingly teased, and they all had a good laugh together.
"Mom, where are my school books?" Cody's voice came from the kitchen.
Abigail eased herself from the conversation. "Did you look in your room?" she asked.
"Yes. I've looked everywhere!"
"Everywhere?" Abigail asked as she reached under the couch to discover Cody's stack of books.
"Well, almost everywhere," he replied, a bit embarrassed.
"Uh-huh . . . " she teased him.
"Thanks mom! Bye."
"Well, I had better be on my way. It's not proper for the teacher to be late to teach her own class."
"I suppose not. Have a wonderful day!" Abigail responded as Elizabeth slowly lifted herself from her chair.
"Well, if you can call a day 'wonderful' with all those wild children."
"Oh, Rosemary! I will have a fantastic day!" Elizabeth enthused.
"Goodbye ladies."
"Goodbye Elizabeth," both women replied as she left the beautifully scented building.