Chapter 8 – Reality Check
Back in Hope Valley, people had been praying for Nathan and Carol. There were many people worried that Nathan would lose his wife and then want to leave. Bill and Jack had talked when they could do to help, depending on what Nathan told them was going on. They were going over a few documents that Jack needed to complete when the phone rang and Jack picked it up.
"Corporal Thornton speaking." Jack said.
("Morning Corporal Thornton." Commissioner Delaney said. "I was trying to reach Grant, but keep getting directed to you.")
"Sorry, Sir." Jack said. "Nathan had to take his wife to the hospital in Union City yesterday morning. We were waiting to hear from him. He had told Bill briefly yesterday he would be home today, but we haven't heard anything yet. Was there something I could help you with?")
("No." Delaney said. "I was calling about a more personal matter that Grant needs to be aware of. I will try to reach him in Union City. Please just carry on and just in case I missed him, please ask him to call.")
"I will, Sir." Jack said.
Jack hung up the phone and looked at Bill.
"Delaney called Nathan about a personal matter, but wouldn't share." Jack said.
"I would bet it is either his father or idiot ex-brother-in-law." Bill said. "As if he didn't have enough going on. Let's finish this up and get back to seeing if there is any way that we can get some more work done on the houses."
Jack looked at Bill and wanted to ask more questions, but didn't. Nathan hadn't shared much about his past. Most of what Jack knew was gleaned from others that spoke of Nathan and the bits he had shared.
Just as Jack and Bill were finishing up, Allie knocked and came in. She looked at Jack and then to Bill, trying to read their faces.
"Have you heard from Dad?" Allie asked.
"Not since yesterday." Bill said, coming over and giving the girl a hug. "I am sure he will let us know when he is coming home and then he will talk to us once he is here."
Allie's face fell, but stayed in the embrace of her Uncle Bill.
"Aren't you supposed to be at school?" Jack asked.
"We just got let out for lunch so I thought I would run in here and check." Allie said.
"Let me walk you back?" Jack said.
"I am fine to walk back by myself." Allie said, standing up straight.
She then turned to Bill.
"Uncle Bill." Allie said. "Will you please come let me know when you hear? Angela and I will head to her house right after school."
"I will." Bill said.
With that Allie turned and left the office. Jack waited a moment and then looked at Bill with a raised eyebrow.
"What was the attitude?" Jack asked. "I get that we are all worried, but that felt personal."
"My guess." Bill said. "Elizabeth did or said something to upset her. Last year, when Nathan was recovering from getting clipped by a car on Newton, Elizabeth was always pressuring Allie for information on Nathan. Faith had not allowed anyone but Allie and myself to see him at his request."
"I don't understand her sometimes." Jack said. "When did she become a busy body always needing to know everything that other people are doing. Or is this just Nathan, but I am sick of feeling like that there are three people in this marriage. I get that she thought I died and was trying to move on, but when I came back, I gave her the opportunity to leave and she wanted to be with me. But it is like she can't let Nathan go. Was she like this while engaged to Bouchard?"
"Yes." Bill said. "Unfortunately. Elizabeth formed a quick and deep bond with Nathan when he first arrived. She was still grieving, but he was patient with her. There were also a few things with Allie that involved Elizabeth. Within months most people could see the connection they had, but Elizabeth was scared to move on and there was a lot of fear. The fear only got worse when Nathan was almost shot in that failed prisoner transfer.
Bouchard manipulated her using that fear. For a while there, I thought things were getting better with Nathan and the next thing I knew was she was officially courting Bouchard. He pressured her to move the relationship along faster than she wanted. We were all surprised when he proposed, using JT of all things. Then over a year of wedding planning. There were times I thought she was coming to her senses and then in a blink of the eye she was doubling down with Bouchard.
If Nathan hadn't promised Allie, I think Nathan might have left when Bouchard proposed. Allie had asked Nathan to promise he would put her first and request to stay so she could finish school. Considering he already turned down the Inspector position, it wasn't unreasonable to request to stay so Allie had some stability for the last few years of school."
"Okay." Jack said. "That helps. I always wondered why he just didn't leave."
"I don't know what to tell you about Elizabeth." Bill said. "Nathan has clearly set a boundary and won't bend. Allie will follow him in regard to what to share with Elizabeth. But you are right about the busy body and wanting to always know. I honestly don't know when that got out of control, but maybe it had something to do with Abigail leaving. I just know that after that, Elizabeth was inserting herself into things more. I also think Rosemary might have pushed it as well. However, Rosemary learned her lesson when threatened by Walden Wyman. I think also becoming a mother made a difference in getting Rosemary to step back just a bit."
"I love Elizabeth and I have for ten years, but there are times I don't like her." Jack said. "Rosemary described it perfectly as the Hamilton princess showing through."
"You are right." Bill said. "That is a good description. I don't know what to tell you, other than to continue to remind her she chose you and had her chance to leave."
Jack just sighed before Bill left the office. Jack sat there and thought for a bit, before heading out to the site of the new houses."
…..
It was close to eleven when Carson and another doctor came into the room.
"Mrs Grant." Carson said. "You remember Dr Wilson. Nathan, this is the obstetrician I was telling you about."
"Nice to meet you, Constable Grant." Dr Wilson said.
"Nice to meet you as well." Nathan said. "Please call me Nathan."
Dr Wilson nodded.
"Do you have any questions for us before we let you head home?" Carson said.
"I think we understand." Carol said.
"Good." Dr Wilson said. "I have spoken with Dr Carter in Hope Valley and she will monitor you there. I will also see you back here for an appointment in December."
"Will will be in town from the afternoon of the 16th through at least the 20th." Nathan said. "I am required to be here for the Mountie Ball and we figured we would make a family trip out of it with our fourteen year old daughter."
"Oh you have other children?" Dr Wilson said, surprised. "We don't usually see problems like this in subsequent pregnancies. I mean it can happen but it is even more rare."
"I adopted my niece." Nathan said. "Carol is in the process of adopting her."
"Oh, okay." Dr Wilson said. "So this is technically your first child or I should say children."
Carson saw the face that Nathan made, but didn't want to create an issue, so moved things along.
"You have our numbers and know how to get a hold of us." Carson said. "I have every confidence that Faith can handle things, but if there is anything, please don't hesitate to call."
"I will double check my schedule." Dr Wilson said. "But I think Monday the 20th would be better for an appointment."
"We can always stay an extra day." Nathan said. "We will be in town about supper time on that Thursday. Then I have several meetings on Friday with the Mounties. Saturday is the Ball and Sunday was going to be shopping and looking at Christmas displays."
"I would caution against too much activity." Dr Wilson said. "You will definitely be showing by then. You will also continue to tire easily."
"I will be careful." Carol said. "But I will be dancing at least once or twice with my husband at our first ball. If I have to sit and rest or head back to the hotel to rest while Nathan and Allie enjoy the city, so be it."
"Good plan." Carson said. "The only other thing I will caution you about is the stairs in the row house. They can be steep and as you grow, it will throw your balance off. I would suggest having help, especially coming down the stairs."
"I will." Carol said. "Thank you for everything Dr Shepherd. Sorry about causing such a fuss."
"No apologies needed." Carson said.
"If you have no other questions." Dr Wilson said. "I will leave you be and see you in December. Please check with the nurse at the desk and she will get you on my books."
"Thank you again." Nathan said, standing to shake her hand.
Carson waited a moment and then took a seat on Carol's bed. He looked at his friend and his wife.
"Okay, it is just me." Carson said. "How are you really doing?"
"Honestly." Carol said. "Scared. I just want to give Nathan a healthy child."
Nathan took her hand and kissed it.
"Scared is a normal reaction." Carson said. "You are young and healthy. And while twins do present their own unique set of challenges, if you take care of yourself and listen to your body, I am sure things will be fine. It is our job to inform you of the risks and complications.
Last night, I spoke to a colleague and friend in Baltimore. He had delivered several sets of twins and even a set of triplets. He is sending me some literature he had written on the subject and he said I could call anytime."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "Maybe while we are here in December we can have supper together. Also I think you owe me a chance to redeem myself at chess."
"I think that can be accomplished." Carson said. "But I have a feeling we will have time for chess in January and February. I Dr Wilson had put you due toward the end of March, and after speaking to my colleagues in Baltimore, he said anything after Valentine's day would be manageable for the babies. They would still be small and at risk, but anything earlier and there is guarantee they will be strong enough to survive."
"Then we will aim for later in February." Carol said.
Carson patted her leg.
"Sounds good." Carson said. "I know being laid up will not be fun, but we will do everything we can to make it better. There is a wonderful library here in town and one of the ladies comes around with magazines a couple times a week."
"Well." Carol said. "I will do what I have to do to have healthy babies. Maybe I can still do some writing and editing for Rosemary."
"We will figure it out." Nathan said.
"I will let you get dressed and then after checking with the nurse you are free to go." Carson said.
"I have to call for a ride to the train station and also to get our tickets." Nathan said.
"I think you will find that already taken care of." Carson said with a smile.
Carson got up and let someone in the room. Nathan was immediately on his feet.
"Ma'am." Nathan said.
"What I have said about calling me Sarah." She chastised.
Nathan blushed and ducked his head. Sarah turned to Carson and gave him a hug before going over to Carol.
"Firstly." Sarah said. "Congratulations. I will have lunch for you at my place and then I will take you to catch the two o'clock train."
"Sarah, that is not necessary." Nathan protested.
"My husband said that you argue, so you are to consider it an order." Sarah said.
Carol looked confused.
"Sorry." Sarah said. "My husband is Superintendent O'Reilly. I think you met him on your wedding day. I was unable to travel with him at that time as our daughter was due any day at that time."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs O'Reilly." Carol said.
"Please call me Sarah." She said. "I will give you a few minutes to get dressed and then we can leave. I will just be out in the hallway."
"Thank you." Carol said.
Sarah stepped out and Carol got dressed. Nathan double checked that they had everything and then they left the room. They stopped at the nurses desk and got their appointment for two o'clock on Monday the 20th when they were in town. Nathan looked at Carol and wrapped his arm around her and they walked out with Sarah.
As they walked and then drove Sarah chatted with Carol, getting to know her. When they got to the house, Nathan wasn't at all surprised to see his commanding officer there. He gave Nathan the message to call the Commissioner and showed him to his home office to use the phone. Nathan also requested to make a few local phone calls and Patrick said to take care of what he needed and to call Bill and let him know that they would be on the two o'clock train.
Nathan made the calls he needed including the hotel to stay an extra night in December and about possibly getting a room held for February, but he would have more information on that later. Nathan was assured the hotel would work with him and to just let them know. Once Nathan had made his calls, he took a moment to pray and think of everything that had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Finally ready, he went out to join the group.
…..