BUXTON, End of August
Meri shut the lid to her trunk. It was time for her to leave. She was headed to Vancouver for her midwifery studies. After a year, she would have her certificate and then she'd be moving to Hope Valley.
It's what she'd worked hard for. What she'd trained for under the guidance of her Mom. It's what she wanted. Somehow, though, it was extremely hard to think of leaving.
"Meri?" Lily was laying on her bed watching.
"Yes, Lil?"
"Please don't leave me."
Meri glanced at her little sister. She didn't know how to explain to a six year old why she needed to do this but she had to try.
She sat her on her lap and hugged her. "You know what, Lil? I named you before you even came out of Mama's tummy."
"You did?"
"I did. I was sad and I felt alone. I told Mama I wanted a little sister and I wanted to name her Lily and she did. And I loved you and took care of you from the moment you were born just like you were mine." She kissed her cheeks and forehead. "I love you so much and you are the reason I'm going to help Mamas have babies. I want to help them feel the love I felt for you."
Lily hugged her back. "I love you, Meri."
"Now, I need to go but I will come back at Christmas and for the summer, ok?"
"Ok."
…..
HARRIS TOWN
Abbie smiled as Holly walked off to her first day of school with Bradley, Charlie, and Lydie. She seemed to be excited about it so that made Abbie happy.
Harry also made her happy. She thought about him constantly, even if he was sitting right beside her. She headed to the boarding house. Two families were passing through that evening and needed a place to stay for one night. She needed three rooms for them which meant clean bedding, dusting, and a clean bathroom. It also meant a relatively large meal for six extra people.
She figured all that work would distract her from thinking of Harry but it didn't. So when he showed up for lunch, it was as if her daydreams had materialized.
"Hi, Harry."
"Hey." He kissed her cheek, toning down his displays of affection per her request.
She grabbed his lapels and stared up at his face. "What was that?"
"A kiss to your cheek, per your request, wife."
"Actually, the conversation we had was in reference to a lovely brown haired thirteen year old. I don't see her anywhere around here."
"No, I suppose she's not." He leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on her lips. She wasn't satisfied but Charlotte walked in the room so she had to pretend she was.
She sat down next to Harry after giving him his pot roast sandwich and a cup of coffee. She slid her hand into his knee.
He felt her touch his knee and just about choked. Her grandmother was in the room! He had to pretend she wasn't up to mischief. As he ate, she, inch by inch, slid her fingers higher until her hand was resting on his mid-thigh.
The second Charlotte left the room, he looked over at his wife who had a pleased look on her face. He shook his head and finished his coffee. "Very sneaky, Abbie Yates."
She leaned her head on his shoulder and grinned. "I thought so."
"Feel better now?"
"A little. I would like a real kiss though."
He gazed over at her and gave her what she wanted. He slipped his fingers behind her neck and deepened their kiss before finally pulling back. "How's that?" He mumbled before kissing her again.
"I wish we had gone home for lunch."
…..
After school, Kiki walked with Cam to the stream. He was supposed to be at the clinic soon but they had about an hour.
"My parents are moving," she told him, weaving their fingers together.
"When?"
"Next summer, after our wedding."
"You ok with that?"
"It doesn't affect me too much. I'll be your wife and we will have our own life together."
"But, are you ok with it?" He stopped and tucked her hair behind her ears. He knew her very well.
"I'll miss them. I don't know how to be without them, you know?"
"Yeah. Where are they moving?"
"Hope Valley."
"On school breaks, maybe we can alternate coming here and going there. That way you'll get to see them a few times a year."
"That would be great." He saw the trepidation in her eyes. "I'm scared, Cam."
"Of what?"
"Being a wife. Being so far from family."
"We could wait two years like we had planned first."
"No. I don't want to wait. I'm sorry. I should get home."
"Kylie, I love you and I will love you if we marry next summer or the summer after. Nothing will take that away."
She nodded and stepped into his embrace. "I love you too."
…..
BUXTON, THAT NIGHT
Caleb woke up in a cold sweat, his heart racing, unsure of where he was. A moment before, he was in that saloon again, that giant of a man standing in front of him with that long knife, dripping with blood. Now, he was home, safe.
He looked over at Amy who was asleep, unaware that he had just had another nightmare. He knew he needed to tell her but he wouldn't wake her, knowing her sleep was important for her and the baby. He would tell her in the morning.
He slowly got out of bed, threw on his pants and walked out into their kitchen. He let out a breath and sat at the table.
"Daddy?"
"Lil. What are you doing up, baby?"
"I can't sleep. I miss Meri."
He pulled her onto his lap and cradled her as if she were much smaller. "I do too."
"She used to hold me when I couldn't sleep. It helped."
"Close your eyes, love. I'll hold you now."
He stood and walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and covered both of them with a blanket. "I love you, Daddy."
"Love you too." He gazed down at his beautiful daughter, the image of her mother, dark hair, blue eyes. She meant everything to him. He did miss Meri and Mason, for that matter. Maybe that's all it was. His heart was hurting for his son and daughter who now had lives of their own.
He laid his head back and closed his eyes, praying for sleep and no more nightmares.
In the morning, Amy woke up to a cold spot beside her instead of Caleb's warm body. She yawned and swung her legs over the side of the bed and then wrapped herself in a robe and headed to the bathroom. After that, she went into the kitchen. "Morning, everyone."
"Mama!" Joey greeted.
"Hi, sweetie." She bent down and kissed the top of his little blond head. Well, he wasn't so little anymore. "Is everyone ready for school?" Logan nodded as he ate his eggs and toast. Lily smiled at her as she drank her milk. "Where's your Daddy?"
"He had to go to work," Logan told her.
Amy looked at the clock. She had gotten up later than usual. This pregnancy was just like her others had been so far. She was grateful for that.
She began to clean the kitchen as the kids finished their breakfast and brought her their plates.
"Lil, come here, babe. Let me braid your hair."
Lily obediently walked over to stand between Amy's knees. Within two minutes she was done. "Thank you, Mama."
"Welcome, love. Now get your things so when your brothers are ready, you can leave."
After the children left for school, she dressed, made the bed, and then headed to see Caleb who she hoped was done with his rounds.
When she peeked in the jail window, she saw him sitting at his desk. He looked so handsome in his red serge, it made her heart beat faster. She walked in the door and smiled. "Morning, Corporal."
"Morning, beautiful." He stood and walked over to kiss her. "Kids at school?"
"Yes." She looked up at him. She could see dark circles under his eyes. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
"No," he admitted. "Haven't for the last week. Seems the old nightmares are back."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, his hand immediately falling onto her small belly. "Because you need your sleep."
She placed her hand over his. "Any ideas why you're having those dreams again?"
"Not really, but maybe because the twins aren't with me. Maybe deep down I'm worried because I can't keep them safe."
"I guess it's time for them to protect themselves. But you have me and Logan and Joey and Lily. You keep us safe."
He nodded and rubbed her belly, hoping to feel a kick. "I love you, Ames. And this baby…I'm so grateful for all of you."
"I know you do. I think I want to name this baby Maggie."
"I knew you would and I think that's a great idea. Can we name him Kevin if it's a boy?"
…
HOPE VALLEY
Marie was ill. She had been throwing up for the last two weeks. She couldn't keep anything down and she was exhausted. She had even passed out once, thankfully right next to the bed.
It worried her but she was scared to go to the doctor.
One morning, Maddie came by to check on her because she hadn't seen her around town or at church.
"Maddie."
"Marie, are you ok?"
"Sure." She instantly felt guilty telling the lie. "No. I'm sick."
"I can tell. Here, have a seat right here." She guided her to the table and pulled out a chair. "Now, how do you feel?"
"Terrible. Weak, nauseated, exhausted. I can't keep any food down."
"Honey, when was your last cycle?"
"Um, I don't know. Before our wedding, I guess."
"Well, my guess is you are pregnant. Let's go see the doctor."
"What if something is wrong? What if it's not a baby?" She looked panicked and Maddie saw that maybe she needed a bit of motherly guidance.
"I bet you it is. Those are some very obvious symptoms, except to someone that hasn't been pregnant before. I will go with you, sweetie. Let's get you dressed and we can walk over there."
"I don't want to be a bother."
"Marie, I am offering."
Thirty minutes later, Maddie and a very pale, thin Marie walked into the clinic on the edge of town.
"Good morning," Maddie told the doctor. "This is my niece Marie. Would you have time to examine her?"
Marie leaned against Maddie. She had no energy at all. She was worried she might just collapse on the floor if they didn't let her sit soon.
"She doesn't look well. Yes, Mrs. Carlin. Bring her back to the exam room."
As they were walking the twenty feet to the back, she passed out. Thankfully the doctor was able to pick her up and carry her.
…..
Lee Jr. walked over to his newest employee, his nephew Mason. He was definitely a hard working young man. Very obviously taught by his father.
Now, though, he had to send the young man to his wife who was apparently at the clinic in town. "Mason, can I speak with you a moment?"
"Of course." Mason walked over. "Yes, sir?"
"I just got word that your wife is ill. She is at the clinic in town. If you would like to go see her, that would be fine with me."
"What's wrong with her?"
"I don't have details. Why don't you go check it out?"
"Thank you, sir!" Mason ran toward town and directly to the clinic. She had seemed out of sorts and he knew her stomach had been bothering her.
He ran in the door. "I'm looking for my wife. Is she here?"
"You're Mason?"
"Yes, sir. Is she ok?"
"Let me take you back and we will have a chat."
Mason walked in the room and stopped. "Aunt Maddie?"
"Hi, Mase. I'll let you two talk to the doctor now."
"Thank you." It was killing Mason not to know. Marie looked so pale laying there. "Marie?" He sat in the chair that Maddie had just vacated. "Babe? What's going on?"
The doctor closed the door and sat down in the other chair. "Mason, your wife is very weak, but for good reason. She is about two months pregnant from what I gather. She hasn't been able to keep anything down."
Marie opened her eyes and looked at Mason. "A baby?" Mason asked her. "Why didn't you tell me you've been sick?"
"I didn't know what it was. I didn't want to worry you."
Mason moved to the edge of the bed and leaned over her to kiss her cheek.
"Mason, she needs nourishment. I've asked Mrs. Carlin to get some broth from the café. She needs to have that as often as she can along with tea and water. She's been lightheaded and passed out once before and once here. That is typical when someone's dehydrated. So getting these liquids in her will help with that and hopefully some of the nausea."
"You passed out? At home?"
"Yes. I was in our room so when I fainted, I fell on the bed."
"Thank goodness but, Marie, you need to tell me these things. Please. I'm not there all day."
"I'm sorry."
"I'd like to keep her here just to make sure she keeps the broth down. You should be able to take her home tomorrow."
"Ok, thank you. I'd like to stay tonight too." The doctor nodded and left the room and Mason laid down next to her. "Babe. I can't believe we are going to have a baby."
Marie was unsure of what to feel. She didn't know how to be a mother. Her own mother abandoned her and she basically raised herself. This poor baby inside her would have a clueless mother. She felt her tears coming. "Mason, I'm scared."
"About what?"
"I don't know how to do this."
"You have lots of people who can help. Maddie and Em are both pregnant. Once you are feeling better, I think you need to go help with their babies. Also, Livy has a young baby too. I'm sure she'd be happy to show you what to do."
She nodded. Those were good ideas. She would do that for sure. She wanted to be a good mother. She wanted to love their child so much that he or she would never doubt it.
