Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 35
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Nathan looked frantically around in the crowd searching for Dr. Faith. He saw Gunther and motioned to him to come over.
"Isn't this just great? Look at the crowd!" Gunther smiled broadly.
"Yes, it is, but I need you to listen carefully to me. Find Judge Bill, tell him that I'll be busy and he needs to help you and Andy keep an eye on things," Nathan directed.
"Is there a problem?" Gunther asked.
"No problem, just the opposite, I'm going to be a daddy soon. Now, don't say anything except to Bill please."
"Woo-hoo! I mean, yes sir, I'll take care of it." Gunther left smiling from ear to ear.
"Did you see Faith?" Dee asked again.
"Not yet. Let's take you over to the infirmary and sit you down. Will that be all right with you?" Nathan looked at Dee questioningly.
"Yes, of course."
Nathan put his arm around Dee and guided her to the infirmary where she sat on the bench. "Now, don't panic, I've got this under control." He started to leave, then ran back, "are you sure you're going to be all right?"
"Yes honey."
Nathan kissed her on the forehead and dashed into the crowd. He thought he saw Faith and Carson by the tree, now, where were they? Luckily, he was tall so he could see most of the people, but there were so many and it was dark. Then he saw his Ma and dad. Running over to them he told them, "Dee is having the baby! Have you see Dr. Faith?"
"Oh my! She just sang! No, I haven't noticed her or Dr. Carson," Emily answered still shocked.
"Yes, but her water broke right after, so Dee's outside the infirmary waiting. Ma, please ask Lee to take you and dad home. I've got to keep looking," Nathan said as he rushed off.
"Tell Dee we love her!" Emily called out.
Nathan scurried around asking if anyone say Faith or Carson. No one did. He started to get worried thinking, what if they left town for Christmas? Surely, they wouldn't knowing Dee was due any day now.
There was Fiona. "Fiona," he called out anxiously, "have you seen Faith or Carson?"
"Not lately, but I thought I saw them earlier. Is there someone hurt?" she asked.
"No, no one's hurt." Nathan just kept rushing around leaving Fiona in a flash.
In his hurry he bumped into Allie. "Allie girl, have you seen Dr. Faith?"
Allie turned around where she was talking with Karen, Hunter, and Robert. "No, dad, but I've been busy," she giggled.
Robert sensed the urgency and asked if there was something he could do. "Just tell Dr. Faith Dee is waiting for her at the infirmary."
"What?" Allie asked. "Is mom having the baby?"
"Yes, if she hasn't already!" Nathan was extremely frazzled.
Allie and Nathan rushed over to the infirmary but Dee wasn't there. The lights were off inside and no one was in sight. "Oh no, this is getting more upsetting by the minute. Allie go look and check to see if Dr. Shepherd's automobile is parked close by."
Allie and Robert called back, "No, but they might have parked on Ash Street. I'll go look," Robert suggested.
Nathan was pacing up and down the boardwalk waiting and watching for any sign of Dee or Faith. When Robert returned, he shook his head. "No sign of their car."
Nathan grabbed Allie's hand, "Let's go check on Oma and Grandpa, maybe Dee got a ride home." The three of them rushed to the automobile and Nathan didn't care this time if he hit any potholes. As he sped to their home he was praying out loud. "Lord, please let Dee be home, let her be safe, I love her so much!"
As they drove up to their home, there was Lee's automobile and so was the Shepherd's! Almost forgetting to turn off the engine, Nathan ran hurriedly to the door. Lee saw him first, "There is Nathan!"
Nathan looked and saw Lee, Rosemary, his Ma, and dad. Allie and Robert came in right behind him. All he asked was, "Dee?" and they nodded with a smile and pointed upstairs.
Nathan took the stairs two at a time, ignoring the calls to wait, and turned directly to run to their bedroom. Dr. Faith was coaching Dee to breathe slowly while Carson was on the other side of the bed. Dee paused to look up when she heard Nathan.
Dee slipped out a half smile and then pushed when Faith told her, "Now, give me a big push!"
Nathan was right there, even though men weren't usually allowed, but he saw his firstborn being born and was in total awe. As Faith checked out their crying baby, she grinned, "You are parents of a healthy baby boy!" The people downstairs heard the crying and there were shouts of joy.
Carson tended to the baby while Nathan stood beaming over his shoulder. When both the baby and the mother were cleaned up and their son was placed in Dee's arms, the look of love grew across both of their faces.
"A son, just like I hoped and prayed for," Dee said lovingly looking at Nathan. "I just wanted a healthy baby, but I thought you might want a son this time."
"Dee, you are my forever sweetheart! I love you and our son, and thank God you both are all right."
Their son was chomping on his fists and Faith suggested Dee try to nurse. "The first few days the babies really thrive on the colostrum before your milk comes in," Faith explained. "Just a little at a time to help you get use to the sucking." As he started to nurse, Dee looked proudly at Nathan, "Look at that!"
"What shall we name him Dee?" Nathan asked as he sat down next to Dee. "I don't have any names that we discussed as a favorite, do you?"
Dee smiled, "I kind of prefer the name, Christopher. He's born close to Christmas and on our first Christkindlmarket. What do you think?"
Nathan's smile lit up his face. "I agree, Christopher it is!"
Allie knocked on the door, "Can I see the baby now?"
Nathan stood up, "Allie girl, come right in and meet your baby brother, Christopher!"
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"Ohh," Allie cried, "he's so cute!"
"Yes, he's adorable, and healthy!" Faith assured them.
Carson spoke up, "His color, breathing, and heart rate are all doing great!"
Nathan held Allie's hand, "Now, you're the big sister and I couldn't be prouder!"
"Thanks Dad! Oma and Grandpa are waiting to come up. Can they?"
Faith nodded, "Sure as soon as your brother is done nursing, so they can see him better!"
Carson and Faith cleaned up the room and then left the four of them alone to go downstairs.
The little family stared at their tiny miracle. Allie asked, "What is Christopher's middle name?"
Dee and Nathan looked at each other and shared ideas. Nathan wasn't sure if he liked the name Archibald after his father, but Dee liked Theodore after her father. Then they tossed in Walter after Dee's brother, but eventually they decided.
"How does Christopher Theodore sound?" Nathan asked Allie's approval.
"That sounds so distinguished. Christopher Theodore Grant, I like that!" Allie giggled. "Maybe he'll be an attorney or a famous person, like a Prime Minister!"
Nathan and Dee laughed. "Whoa! He has the whole world to conquer ahead of him." Nathan said joyfully thinking of what could be.
"For starters, he first needs to learn to sleep through the night!" Dee smiled.
Dee asked, "Allie, would you like to hold him?"
Allie's eyes glowed, as her face beamed, "Could I? Oh yes, please!" Allie sat right next to Dee so her mom could pass her little brother to her. As Christopher cozied up in Allie's arms, his eyes stared at Allie studying her. Allie smiled widely. As her hair fell close to him, he grabbed a lock and pulled. "Ouch!"
Nathan chuckled and gently untangled his son's fist from his sister's hair. Allie shook her hair back and gave Christopher a kiss on his nose. "You'll be learning the word, no from me little one!" she laughed.
Just then, Emily and Archie tiptoed into their bedroom. Oma couldn't hold back her delight. "Oh my darling dumpling! Aren't you God's precious gift!"
Archie looked at Christopher with delight. "Son, do you have a baby boy?!"
"Yes, I do Dad! Come closer so you and Ma can meet him," Nathan got up and stepped aside with Allie so they could step forward.
"Look at the big head of dark hair!" Emily smiled, "He looks just like you Nathan!"
"He'll be a handsome lad!" Archie agreed. Dee smiled up at Nathan and nodded.
"How much does he weigh?" Oma asked.
"Eight pounds on the dot," Nathan answered.
"I bet he'll be tall just like his father," Archie offered.
Emily was so excited, "How are you doing dear?" she asked Dee.
"I'm fine Ma. Go ahead and hold your grandson, he's waiting to meet his Oma!"
As Allie gently placed her sleeping baby brother in her Oma's arms, Emily just melted. Tears were easily flowing down her cheeks as she held him close to her heart. In a whisper she prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and lifting him cheek to cheek she closed her eyes and said, "Ich liebe dich, Christopher!" and planted a soft kiss on his head. Smiling with deep love she handed Christopher to Nathan.
Nathan checked his son thoroughly, his big deep eyes, thick dark hair, dimpled chin, and soft content breaths. As he studied Christopher his heart swelled with pride and he felt a tenderness stir within him ready to burst. Kissing him on the top of his head he felt his soft spot which at first alarmed him until he remembered what Carson had informed him while cleaning him up. Christopher was perfect to him.
Dee was needing to rest as the labor went so fast, especially for her first baby. Faith explained to her that her body was getting ready to deliver quickly since her last checkup just a week earlier, so they missed the signs. So, needing to rest everyone left Dee to sleep with Christopher in her arms.
Nathan hated to go, but knew Dee had to sleep. Downstairs, he heard how Emily and Archie were talking to Lee about taking them home as Dee was in labor. Lee had seen Carson inside Billees and went over there to tell him that Dee was in labor and was waiting at the infirmary. With the news, Carson and Faith rushed over to the infirmary and found Dee. Carson got their automobile and helped Dee into it and drove her home. Meanwhile, Lee told Rosemary and she insisted on joining him to drive Emily and Archie home.
After the whole story was explained, Nathan walked over to the hutch he had made his Ma years ago, took out some wine glasses, and opened up bottles of wine. A knock on the door and in walked Bill and Molly assuring everyone they were just there long enough to make sure everyone was doing all right, especially Dee. They stayed to hear the news of the entrance to Hope Valley of little bun, now Christopher.
Even giving Allie a little wine, Nathan looked around at everyone there and raised a glass to his friends and parents thanking them for their support. "To the best of friends a couple could ever have! Thank you!" Then pouring another round, he gave a cheer to "Christopher, the new little man in town! God bless him and everyone!"
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The next morning, Dee woke sore and tired. She gazed at her beautiful baby boy who was sleeping in his little bassinet right next to her side of the bed and barely whispered, "Christopher my sweet baby boy, you have worn your mommy out."
Turning to her husband on the other side who lay there sleeping away, she couldn't help but smile. Tears of joy slid down her cheeks as she thought about Nathan having a son. Healthy was most important of course, but a son she knew would be a new love of his life. She put her hand gently on Nathan's back and felt his chest rise and fall in content rhythm. He was so strong and handsome, the love of her life, and now they had a child together and she was ecstatic! How could anyone not love a baby, a precious gift from God? The best gift anyone could ever hope for, what more could they want?
She had to call her family today and share with them the wonderful news. She knew they all would come to meet their little grandson and nephew, but did they make arrangements for them to stay at Billees she wondered. I'm sure Nathan confirmed that.
Her thoughts quickly switched to the reality that Christmas was just a week away. Oh, that meant they would have Christmas all together, how exciting would that be? Wait, that meant Emily would be super busy, although Allie was a Godsend as she loved helping in the kitchen, plus her mom and sister would be there. All these things crossed her mind as she laid there, but she was confident everything would be just fine. All she had to do was follow Faith's orders to spend the week taking care of herself and Christopher besides she knew Nathan was there for both of them.
Nathan stirred and turned to face Dee. Tenderly reaching over to put his arm around her, he asked her why she was crying as he wiped her cheeks. "Dee, what's the matter sweetheart? Are you in pain?"
"I'm in awe Nathan, I can't believe I'm so lucky to be here sleeping between my favorite two boys with Christmas right around the corner!"
Nathan's face was like a little boy who just got his first bike, "Dee, I am so glad to have this little guy here with you and me. I've never been this happy since I adopted Allie. I love my family. Dee, you are the love of my life!"
Christopher let out a little whimper and Dee and Nathan both sat up and looked over to the bassinet where he was. He wiggled and fussed just a bit, then settled down and went back to sleep. Trying not to laugh, they covered their mouths with their hands and Dee laid back down. Nathan gave Dee a quick kiss and brushed her hair off her face, then reached for his socks, and got out of bed quietly. Grabbing his pants and throwing on his flannel shirt he motioned to Dee that he was going to get the fire going. It only took a minute and Dee was drifting back to sleep.
After fetching the logs, and letting the dogs out, Nathan had made enough noise that his Ma woke up. Greeting her with a big hug, she went right to her favorite room and started to get coffee made and breakfast started. Having his Ma there living with them was a blessing. She never complained about mealtime or taking care of Archie. In fact, at times Nathan worried about her. Her doctor wanted her to take it easy and not stress her heart, but she had reassured him that her heart was completely happy taking care of her family. She loved being the matriarch of the family and now she had a grandson to dote over!
Nathan grabbed a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. "I'm going to town now Ma, Dee and Christopher are sleeping. I need to check on how things went last night after we left."
Emily added, "Probably no news is good news. When you get back you'll have a hot breakfast waiting for you. See you soon daddy, ya?" she winked.
His Ma was right. He knew that Gunther and Andy, under Bill's supervision, would take care of seeing the booths close up so the townsfolk would take home their food and items that were left. It was quiet now and later today would be cleanup after church. When he opened the NWMP office everything seemed in order.
As he stepped back outside he looked at the town from one side to the other. He had grown to love the folks here like family. He wanted to shout out loud, "Did you hear the good news? Dee had her baby, there's a new boy in town, Christopher Theodore Grant!" Instead, he contained himself when he saw Gunther and Andy coming up the road.
They sprinted over and anxiously asked, "We heard from Judge Bill that you have a baby boy! Congratulations! " Andy said first.
"Yea, a son, Christopher!" Gunther grinned. "How's Mrs. Grant doing?"
Nathan smiled warmly, "Yes, thank you, and Mrs. Grant is doing fine. She's tired and sleeping now. Later on this week, if Dr. Faith says it's all right, you can come over and meet him for yourselves, but I'm expecting Mrs. Grant's family will be arriving any day now."
"Sir, we'll be here to take care of business, so don't you worry. We can always ask Judge Bill if we need help, he told us so," Gunther nodded.
"That's good to know, but I just might need to take a break once in awhile, if you follow what I'm saying. We'll take turns this week with the holiday, so I figure you might want to call home. You can use the office phone anytime. I'm sorry you can't leave for home, but if your family decides to come here for a visit, let me know so we can make arrangements."
"Really? Thanks!" Andy was surprised.
"That's something I will ask my folks for sure," Gunther answered.
"Andy, check with Kevin Townsend about a horse that you can use. I want you to ride with Gunther and make sure you know the lay of the land. I'd appreciate it if you can go out on rounds now before church."
They both nodded affirmatively.
"After church I expect the townsfolk will be coming back, though rather slowly, to take down the tents and booths. Again, offer your help wherever it is needed. I will be home if you need anything. Thanks men!' Nathan patted their backs. "I know I can count on you!"