LeahXEthan

Leah returns to Nappanee and joins the Amish settlement.

Leah's prov

I couldn't believe how rotten my life had turned from the best to the worst. First my diagnosis of Cancer, then Rebekah's death, then my father, Neil's cancer reoccurrence and death, then Ethan left. It had been 2 months, and I've been miserable. I had hopped the buss after a conversation about Ethan to my mother. When I arrived in Nappanee, I got off the bus, and thought where to go. I started walking to the Longacre farm. I no longer wore English clothes, more Amish style. "Can I help you?" Sara asked. "Umm yeah, I'm looking for Ethan?" "Leah! I'm so sorry! I didn't recognize you! He's in the barn with Papa!" I stiffened at the mention of Mr. Longacre, but thanked her and went over to the barn. Mr. Longacre saw me. "Hello Leah." "Mr. Longacre, nice to see you again." "Ethan! You have company!" Ethan climbed down, and his eyes locked on mine. "Papa… can we…" His father left as I said "I can't fit in in the English world… it's not my world. I… I tried to fit in, ignore my growing desire to be elsewhere. I got attacked in more ways than one, But I couldn't ignore any of it. I bought all my clothes from an Amish thrift store…" Ethan said "Leah…" "I know you probably already took a wife…" Ethan said "Shh. Leah, I haven't taken a wife. I was about to write you to come so we could talk." I shut up, and waited for him to continue. "I can't get you out of my mind. I realized it after I left… I want you to be my wife. It'll be about a month. You will learn more what you need to do to be a mom and wife… What do you say?" I said "When can I start?" I must've had a smile cause he leaned down and kissed me once.

~2 months later~

I woke early beside my husband of a month and 1/2and dressed before going and making breakfast. "ugh." "Leah?" Mama, Elizabeth and Charity asked coming over. "are you Okay?" I nodded, before leaning over the sink. "Okay no I'm not… Can one of you get Ethan please?" I whispered. Charity left and got Ethan. I'm not sure what happened other than overwhelming pain I must've dropped to my knees causing Ethan ran over, lifting me into his arms, which is when I must've passed out.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital all hooked up to monitors. "Ethan?" Ethan's hand gripped mine. "I'm right here." I lifted my eyes to him. His thumb gently drew little hearts on the back of my hand. "You're alright Leah, Darling." "Where am I?" Ethan helped sit up and said "the doctors are running tests. And Dr.

Thomas will be in to check on you soon." I said "I'm really scared Ethan…" Ethan smiled gently and kissed my lips. "I know you are. But hey, I'm right here. I'm not going to abandon you. Lean on me for strength." He strokes my hair gently. "Hey Leah! How are you feeling?" Molly's voice asked as she took vitals. "Miserably nauseous…" Ethan said "could it be the cancer returning?" Molly said "unlikely. But let's wait until tests come in." She then turned to Ethan. "I'm sorry. Family only." "I'm actually her husband." Ethan said keeping a grip on my hand. "Apologies. I'll be back later." She left quietly. "Is everyone mad?" "No, they're worried. They'll come up tonight after chores." I smiled small. When Dr. Thomas came in which seemed like hours, he said "Leah. Nice to see you again. Hello, I'm Dr. Thomas." Ethan extended a hand. "Ethan Longacre. Leah's husband." Dr. Thomas smiled. "so we have all tests back, and we have surprising news. Usually Chemo effects your ability to become pregnant. You said you hadn't gotten a monthly cycle since we finished? That's a sign you could be infertile either short term or long term. But your blood test came back positive for pregnancy." I looked to Ethan in shock. "This does mean it'll be harder on your bones, especially with your history…" I said "We can take precautions, right Dear?" Ethan said "Absolutely. Just tell us what to do, and we'll figure out the best way to do that." Dr. Thomas said "The baby, and any future children could inherit the cancer." "if they do, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Together. But this doesn't make sense… Why did she pass out?" Ethan said, as he sat beside me on the bed. "That is due to a couple things… One is your body is still adjusting post cancer treatment, so it's possible that and the nausea you've been feeling probably made you feel weaker than normal, am I right?" Ethan looked to me, as I nodded. "I did feel weak when I got to the kitchen…" "So when that happens again, I need you to sit right down, and put a cold cloth on your head. Bland foods will help with the nausea, and ginger is a good remedy too. If it gets bad again and none of those help, I will insist on going on some ant nausea meds."

Ethan said "Thank you. Besides that and resting when she feels sore anything else?" Dr. Thomas said "Given her history and being pregnant, I want to see her every month for 7 months, than every 2 weeks starting on month 7 for the duration. Just to make sure nothing goes amiss." I nodded. "thank you." "As soon as you eat something, we can get you discharged." Ethan said "I'll be right back honey. I'll bring back something for you to eat. I also am going to pay the bill in full." I looked confused. When I moved here all I brought was a change of clothes, a nightgown, and the cash from my father. "thank you. " I whispered. When he returned I ate the candy bar he brought me, and drank the apple juice. "Alright you guys are all set. We'll see you in a month."

Ethan and I returned to Nappanee, his arm never left my waist. "Ethan, I'm sorry…" I whispered. He shook his head. "No. It's Okay." He rubbed my shoulder as we reached the farm. All the animals were out of the barn freaking out. I looked to Ethan as he gently calmed them, Simon ran over to me scared. "Opa and Papa are in the barn… It's on fire…" I kissed his head. "Go inside with the girls." "They are not here… They are at Sara's." I said "Simon, that is an order. Go to Sara's then." Simon obeyed as Ethan came over. "There is a spare barn To the left of the house. Take the animals there. There is plenty of food and water, I'm going to see if we can salvage this one." I herded the animals and got them to safety. When I returned I saw three Men on the ground Ethan was coughing. I knelt down, and said "what…" "I'm Okay…" He kept coughing. "What do I do?" I asked. "Leah!" I heard the others say as they ran over. Oma knelt beside Opa and Mama beside Papa. "Charity, stay with Nathan! Elizabeth go get the doctor! We need an ambulance!" Mama said, as I carefully knelt beside Ethan, which cause his head to lay on my lap as he coughed up more. "Shh…" I kept rubbing his back till men came from nearby farms and started to put out the flames. Not long after an ambulance arrived and loaded up Opa, Papa and Ethan. "Nappanee hospital emergency room will be where we take them."

"Leah, you go on ahead. We'll meet you there, we'll see if our buggy is in any shape." I nodded, as I took off running, while my body trembled in fear. I didn't even know if anyone was following. I arrived at the hospital and said "Hi, I'm looking for information on the Longacre's?" "I am not permitted to give information unless your immediate family." The nurse stated. "I'm Ethan's Wife." The nurse looked up and said "Right. Are the others on their way, I'd rather wait till you have more people around you." I said "They are but please I have to know…" The nurse said "Let me page the doctor." I paced the waiting area. "Any news?" I heard the others ask. I shook my head. "Excuse me, I'm the doctor in charge of the Longacre men… The oldest two, are on life support but are technically considered brain dead… If they woke up they wouldn't be able to function like normal… we would like to remove them from the monitors." I looked to Oma, who weakened, and dropped onto the ground. They took her back only go result in the same position as Opa and Papa. Mama agreed to take them off Life support. "The younger one will be just fine. He's very lucky. As soon as he wakes and eats and drinks something I can discharge him. But let me take you to say goodbye to the others." One by one we said goodbye to Opa, Oma, and Papa. I sat with Ethan, I had sent the others home to make arrangements it seemed so unfair, but I guess I know life's not meant to be fair. It was hours and I haven't moved from Ethan's side. "Leah?" I heard a raspy voice say causing me to look at Ethan as his eye flew open. "Hey. You're Okay." "Papa? Opa?" he asked. "I'm sorry… they were braindead upon arrival… when the doctors told us Oma collapsed too and didn't survive…" Ethan looked ready to cry but didn't. "I…" I shook my head. "there wasn't anything we could've done… Remember, when we lost Rebekah and dad? When I blamed God for not saving them? Thinking he could've done something? And you said it was part of his plan? Maybe this is part of a plan we cannot see…" Ethan said "You are right, Leah, Love. Thank you." After he ate and drank we returned to the farm. The next couple of days we had the wake and funerals.

It was the morning after the funeral when Ethan was working in the field, with Simon, Mama, Elizabeth, Charity and baby Nathan were over with Sara, I was just leaving the post office with the letters. I returned to the house and opened one of them.

'My dearest Leah,

I can't even begin to tell you how I feel knowing you are safe and happy. I'm coming to visit this weekend. We can talk more than.

All my love, Mom'

I smiled sadly, but I was excited to see my mom again. I opened the second letter.

'Ethan, and Leah,

I thought about everything you said at the visit a couple months ago and you are right… I've been thinking of ways to reach out and I think I've settled on the best way. Camille, Jason, Timmy and I will be coming to visit next week.

See you soon.

Eli'

I smiled. Ethan was going to be so excited, now we just have to figure out how to bring it up to the others. That evening as I finished making some soup and bread, I heard Ethan come in. They both washed up quickly, before Ethan came over and wrapped his arm around my waist. "hey read the envelope sitting on the counter." He picked up the letter and read it as the rest of the family piled in. "what smells so good?" They asked as Ethan shoved the letter in his pocket. Simon ran over with a grin. "just some soup and some bread. I didn't have much energy to make anything more…" I said, as Ethan smiled. Ma said "Well that's not nearly enough to fill us up! It doesn't matter how tired you are! Haven't I taught you anything?!" I ducked my head before walking off to the kitchen. "Ma, lay off her okay? She's not only feeling worn out she hasn't been feeling well! Soup and bread is more than filling enough. And if you have a problem with it, you can go back to Sara's! Now I got an upset wife to calm down because of you!" "How dare you! I am your Mother young man! You need to show me a little more respect! This is my house too!" I was in the halls listening. "Actually the house is technically mine! Dad left everything to me, as I'm the eldest son! And as far as the whole respecting thing, how about you show me some first, by not only respecting my wishes but my wife as well! You were so disrespectful to her and that's not okay with me."

"All she's done is sit on her butt all day Ethan!" I saw Ethan's eyes glance to me before back to ma. "She's been following her doctors orders for your information! She's not supposed to be on her feet so much especially in her condition and with her history! I won't allow you to disrespect her. And for your information, she had been working on things while sitting and she went to the post office." "She hasn't done anything productive! Look at this place it's a pigsty!" I couldn't take anymore I ran from the house. I ran to the barn, the spare one and approached Ethan's favorite horse. "What am I doing wrong? Why is nothing I ever do good enough?!" I said fighting the tears as I petted the horse. "Leah?" I heard a males voice. I turned and I was convinced I was hallucinating. "daddy? Gabriella?" I whispered. "Ssh darling. It's all right. It's alright… You are doing everything right, I promise. Ethan loves you. He's heading here now. Don't cry now… I'm safe. Rebekah misses you and everyone. I've been watching her until her Opa and Papa came. We're all good friends, and we're all watching over you guys. Tell your mother I loved her, and I want her to be happy. Give her a hug from me." And with that they disappeared. "Leah." Ethan said as he came over and wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered as held him close. "I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't make anything more filling…" Ethan said "Leah, no. I'm sorry you had to hear my mom speak so unkindly to you." I smiled. "Mom, Elizabeth, Nathan and Charity are staying with Sara for now. Simon wants to stay with us. Come on, let's go get something to eat…" I leaned into his arms as we headed home. After dinner we curled up in the bed, I had my back facing Ethan. "hey come here." He slid his arm underneath my body pulling me into his chest my arm rested on his chest opposite side of my face, my hand on his shoulder. "sleep now my precious love. Sleep." I drifted to sleep in his arms.