Chapter 6: The Collapse
"Patty cake, patty cake, bakers man, bake me a cake as fast as you can…" ,Leah was making dinner and for some reason it reminded her of the song she had learned when she was a kid, "…Roll it, pat it, and mark it with an E and put it in the oven for Ethan and me." Leah ended the song but continued to hum it.
Ethan walked in the door and just stood there watching his lovely wife make dinner. He smiled as she sang the last part. He walked up behind her and pulled her close. "I love you, My Leah."
"Ethan!" Leah cried out. She took a few deep breaths before she continued. "I love you, too Ethan, but you're sweaty and dirty. Go clean up dinner is almost ready."
Ethan chuckled, kissed Leah and replied, "O.k., My Leah, I will do that for you."
"Thank you." Ethan walked out to wash up. When he returned the couple started to talk while sitting down to eat.
"So how was your day, Ethan?"
"It was good. We need another good day of rain to help the crops, but everything is going great. How about you, Leah? How was your day?"
"Cleaning! How much fun can that be right?" Leah replies with a laugh. "But I have some good news!"
"And what would that be?"
"We got a letter from Eli!"
"Really what did it say?"
"I don't know. I was waiting for you to read it"
"O.k. we will read it after dinner and dishes."
"Great" Leah replied happily. They finished their meal in silence.
Later that evening Leah and Ethan sat in the living room. Ethan held the letter and began to read it:
Dear Ethan and Leah,
I am writing to you to give you great news. Camille and I are expecting a little baby in about 6 months. We are all so happy. Well Jason says he really doesn't want a sister or brother.
He says one sibling is enough for him. We all laugh at this. Timmy, on the other hand, cannot wait. He says he wants a little brother, but would be happy with a little sister, too. It is wonderful.
We also wanted to let you know that we are coming down for a visit. We will probably be there in mid June. Well that is about it. We love you all and hope that you are doing well.
Your Loving Brother,
Eli
"That is great! I can't wait to see them." Leah said when Ethan had finished.
"Yeah, looks like they will be here in about two weeks."
"Oh, this is so great; I get to see my nephews again. Ethan…!" Leah stopped when she saw how Ethan was looking at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well I was wondering if you were ready for bed."
"It is still early ye…" a light goes on in Leah's mind, "…Ethan Longacre you sly little devil you."
"Hey! No need to go that far." Ethan said as he picked her up and kissed her passionately.
"Yes there is." Leah replied kissing him back, "Come on lets go." Leah said with a sigh and then laughed as Ethan carried her off to their room.
2 weeks later…
Leah awoke at the same time she did every morning, but this morning was different. She felt a little sick, but she just shrugged it off as if it were nothing and got up. After getting dressed she walked outside to milk the cow. Half way back to the house, after finishing the milking, she stopped and vomited.
"That…was...a little…weird." Leah said to herself as she was catching her breath.
When she had caught her breath, she walked back in and saw Ethan.
"Good morning, Ethan!"
"Good morning, My Leah."
"I love it when you say that." Leah said smiling and kissing him.
"I know." He replied, returning her smile, kissing her again.
"I am going to start breakfast okay honey."
"Okay."
Ethan walked out of the kitchen as Leah started breakfast. While making the eggs the smell made her nauseated. Failing to resist it Leah turned away and vomited in a nearby bucket. Ethan heard the noise and came running in.
"Leah!" he went over to her, "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes…I think so." She answered trying to catch her breath again. 'I think I may be coming down with something' she thought to herself.
"Leah why don't you go get some more rest. You can do the cleaning later and I will finish breakfast."
"Alright" Leah let Ethan take her back to bed.
After sleeping away the morning Leah woke up feeling refreshed. She got up and began doing the house work and made Ethan lunch.
When she walked out to go give Ethan the food a car pulled. Then two little boys jumped out.
"Aunt Leah!" the boys yelled.
"Jason! Timmy!" Leah held out her arms for a hug which both boys accepted.
"Hello Leah, how are you today?" Eli asked.
"Wonderful! Ethan is in the field I am going to take him lunch."
"Oh let me do that you and Camille can talk!" Eli said reaching his arms out to take the food.
"Alright hear you go." Leah said handing Eli the food.
Eli gave Camille a kiss and walked away.
"So how are you, Camille?"
"Great!"
The two women watched as the two little boys played outside.
"Would you and the boys like to go into town with me? I need to pick up a few things." Leah asked after a little while.
"Sure let's go."
Camille, Leah and the boys piled into the car and drove to town.
Inside the shop the boys went to play with the toys while the women shopped.
"I saw some fabric to make Ethan a shirt. He keeps ripping the ones he has beyond repair. I can't image how he does it."
"I know Eli, Jason and Timmy are always doing that, too."
"I understand the boys, but how does Eli do it?"
"It is beyond me" Camille said and they both laughed.
"Whoa!" Leah said putting her hand to her head because she felt a little dizzy.
"Leah, are you alright?" Camille asked with a concerned look.
"Yeah, just a little dizz…" Leah felt her knees weaken and she fell to the floor. Her world went black.