Chapter 115- Welcome to the World

*I felt a little bad for interrupting Nathan and Charlotte's night a couple chapters ago, so here is your slight steam ahead warning for this one.

(Think maybe a flame emoji or two below "Wedding Night" on the BetterThanWCTHS8WritersJK steam rating scale)

"Charlie."

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast flooded her senses.

"Charlotte, sweetheart."

"Mmmm…" She hummed as she tried to open her eyes. Her vision blurred slightly from her heavy sleep. When it finally cleared, she saw Nathan kneeling beside her. She struggled to place their surroundings, then it all came pouring back. Last night and the blessing of welcoming the newest Hope Valley resident into the world.

"Morning." His smile was bright as the sunshine streaming through the windows.

"Morning." She shifted slightly, causing every muscle and joint in her body to cry out in pain. "Oh," she grimaced. Her hand shooting up to work the kink out of her neck.

"Here, let me," Nathan reached forward, his long fingers taking over massaging the muscles in her neck and then down her shoulder. "I wondered how comfortable you were in this rocking chair. I should have moved you to the settee or even Fred's bed, but you looked so peaceful, and I knew you needed the sleep."

"No, I'm fine." She tried to console. Her body was already starting to feel better with her husband's tender touch. "I'm just a little sore after the past couple of days, but I appreciate you letting me sleep in."

"After all you did last night, it's the least I could do. Well, that, and coffee." Nathan grinned and handed her a mug of hot brew.

Charlotte sat up in the rocking chair, realizing that the quilt she had draped over Nathan and the kids in the wee hours of the morning was now wrapped around her body instead. "Thanks for this," she took the cup from his hand. "And for keeping me warm." She nodded at the blanket she was under.

"The kids have been up for a couple hours. I was able to keep them occupied down here for a while so Rosemary and Lee had some time to rest. They helped me make breakfast."

"I slept through breakfast?"

"Like you've said. It's been an eventful couple of days." Nathan softly chuckled. "Don't worry. There's some extra bacon on the stove and a couple slices of toast when you're ready. Although, I figured a cup of coffee was the priority."

"How right you are, Sarge." She grinned before taking another sip out of her mug. Charlotte took a moment to glance around the room. "Where are the kids now?"

"Upstairs. Lee came down and got them a few minutes ago. They couldn't wait any longer to meet the baby."

"Have you seen her yet?"

"No." Nathan shook his head. "I figured I'd give the kids their chance at cuddles, while I made sure you were taken care of."

"That's very sweet of you, Nathan, but I can tell how much you want to go meet her too."

"Am I that transparent?"

"To me, yes." Charlotte ran her fingers through his tousled hair, smoothing some of the pieces that were sticking up before leaning over and kissing him tenderly. "Let me finish this cup of coffee, eat a little of that breakfast you made us, and then what do you say we go introduce you to the newest member of the family."

"Can we come in?" Charlotte knocked on the door to Rosemary and Lee's bedroom.

"Yes, of course," Rosemary beamed. Even after being up most of the night in labor and then caring for her newborn daughter, she was the definition of glowing perfection. "Come in. Come in."

Rosemary sat upright in bed, one arm around Fred, the other around Allie who was holding the baby carefully in her arms. The look on the girl's face caused another pang of longing Charlotte hadn't expected. Of course, she knew Allie wanted siblings, the girl had been quite forward in those requests with both Nathan and Charlotte, but it wasn't until right now, seeing her cradling the baby did Charlotte realize how much she wanted to fulfill that wish for their daughter. Allie had so much love to give. She would be a wonderful big sister. She would be both a mentor and a friend to her younger siblings. As if reading Charlotte's mind, she felt Nathan's hand slip into hers. He sensed it too.

Lee bolted up from his spot in the chair in the corner. "Here, Charlotte. Please sit."

"Oh, no that's fine, Lee." Charlotte answered, running a hand over her neck at the reminder of where she slept last night. "I think I've already spent plenty of time sitting. Thank you anyway."

"Dad, would you like to hold her?" Allie asked without removing her gaze from the baby's sweet cheeks as she slept contentedly in her arms.

"I'd love to," Nathan responded quickly. His desire; palpable.

Charlotte moved to the side of the bed and scooped the pink bundle into her arms. Rocking the baby gently as she took her toward Nathan at the other side of the room.

"Your wife was wonderful last night, Nathan." Rosemary stated.

Nathan's eyes caught Charlotte's. "I knew she would be."

Charlotte scoffed. "Please, Rosemary did most of the work."

"Don't I know it." Rosemary laughed.

"I just had to make sure I was there to catch this sweet little girl as she came into the world. All slippery and screaming for attention." Charlotte smiled down at the baby in her arms. "Isn't that right, little one?"

The child grinned in her sleep and Charlotte wasn't sure if it was in response to her statement or a little escape of gas. Either way, Charlotte didn't care, because that little smile made her go weak in the knees. She carefully placed the tiny bundle into Nathan's arms. He was so careful and gentle as he subconsciously swayed to keep the baby content.

My goodness, Charlotte thought. The man is a natural with babies. And any child for that matter. She leaned into Nathan's side, wrapping a hand around his back so she could take in the splendor of the little girl with her husband.

"She is beautiful," Nathan brushed his finger lightly against the baby's tiny palm, smiling as the child clasped it tightly. "So, Rosemary. Have you and Lee come up with a name yet?"

"We have." Rosemary's eyes sparkled as she glanced over to her husband. Signaling him to take over.

"We decided on Patricia for her first name. After my brother Patrick who passed away years ago. The name means 'noble'." Lee explained.

"That's a lovely gesture," Charlotte smiled. "Honoring your brother like that."

"That's not the only one we want to honor," Lee said, a mischievous smirk spreading across his face. "We've chosen Charlotte as her middle name. That is, if it is alright with you."

Charlotte was simply too stunned to respond. She blinked repeatedly. "Me? Are you sure? I'm… I'm…"

"You are the strongest woman we have ever met," Rosemary said. "To experience what you have in the past and be the woman you are today. Well, it's a name that we want our daughter to grow into."

Charlotte was deeply moved. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Nathan put a hand on her shoulder and leaned down to kiss her cheek. She glanced over at him, and her heart twisted. He appeared equally moved. His eyes misted as he nodded his head in her direction before looking back at the little girl in his arms, cooing softly to the child. "Welcome to the world, Miss Patricia Charlotte Coulter. We are so happy to finally have you with us."

Patricia Charlotte Coulter, like her mother, had a way of captivating an audience. Her first week of life was full of meeting the whole community of Hope Valley. It had been some time since a baby had arrived in town. Patricia quickly became everyone's center of attention, and the Grant family was no exception.

Charlotte jumped at any opportunity to be of service to the new parents. She arrived each morning before school with a basket full of food: fried pork chops in gravy, baked beans sweetened with molasses, cornbread, beef and barley stew, chicken and dumplings. Buttermilk biscuits and loaves and loaves of fresh white bread. Jars of canned fruits and vegetables. Cookies, cupcakes, and pies. She only slowed down her efforts when Nathan, very kindly, pointed out that instead of cooking for only two sleep-deprived adults and one child she was making enough to feed the whole Royal Canadian Mounted Police force. As a replacement, Charlotte shifted her focus to cleaning the Coulter's row house and helping with laundry every day after school.

Allie took on two new roles. Assistant editor-in-chief for the "Valley Voice", delivering correspondence and articles from Rosemary's make-shift office Lee had set up in their living room to their office in town for Fiona, who had also volunteered her services to help maintain the newspaper's regular publications through the next few months while Rosemary took time to spend with Patricia. Allie's other role was part-time nanny. Whenever Charlotte stopped to deliver food or clean, Allie would play with Fred or take care of Baby Patty to give Rosemary a chance at catching up on sleep or other personal matters. Charlotte loved watching Allie sit on the settee with Fred by her side and Patricia in her arms as she read to them 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', the book Allie had chosen in Calgary to give to Lee and Rosemary to celebrate the birth of their baby. Along with the book, Charlotte and Maise helped Allie sew together a little stuffed bunny for the baby as well, which Fred had affectionately named 'Flopsy'.

The Monday morning after Patricia was born, Nathan delivered the small wooden rocking cradle he had been constructing over the past few weeks in his workshop. While Elizabeth had given the Coulters Jack's old crib, which had found its place in Lee and Rosemary's bedroom, Nathan's smaller cradle could easily be moved around the first floor of their row house to wherever it was needed. That way, Baby Patty could be with Rosemary as she worked at her desk, or with the family in the dining and living room. The cradle soon became the little girl's favorite place as the soft rocking motion almost always guaranteed her a quick trip to dreamland. Nathan also found himself beginning and ending both his morning and afternoon rounds at the row houses, stopping in to check on the Coulters and offer any assistance, which most of the time was just his excuse to spend time with the sweet, new addition.

By the end of the week, Nathan and Charlotte had realized two things. The Coulters, especially Rosemary, were becoming a little stir crazy being cooped up in the house all day, every day, for the past week. The other, and maybe more important fact, was they noticed that Fred was feeling a little left out of all the new attention his baby sister was garnering. So, the Grants suggested some time spent down at the pond, to get everyone out in the fresh air and some quality time with Fred.

Friday afternoon, while still slightly below freezing, was sunny and calm. Nathan finished his rounds early and picked up Allie and Fred from school. He and Lee took the kids down to the pond to begin skating, while Charlotte went to get Rosemary and very bundled up Baby Patty at the row houses. By the time the ladies joined in the fun at the pond it appeared Nathan and Lee's skating lessons had already paid off as Fred was speeding from one end to the other racing Allie. While Charlotte knew Allie, with her long legs and many more years of skating experience, could easily beat Fred in every race, the girl made sure to stay "competitive" and even let Fred win occasionally in their dash across the ice.

When Nathan saw Rosemary, Charlotte, and Patricia coming across the yard past the church he skated over to the edge of the pond to greet them. "Hello, ladies." He then peeled back Baby Patty's blanket to run a finger over her plump cheek. "And how are you, little girl?"

"Nathan, you just saw her an hour ago when you stopped by on your rounds." Rosemary chuckled.

"Oh, I know. But I was just wondering what she thought of the big world outside the four walls of your house?"

"As much as I have loved that house, it will be good to move into the new one once it's built."

Nathan smiled. "I'm sure it will be. Once we get the plans finalized, Dad and Joseph can start ordering supplies. That way when spring comes, they should be able to break ground and get you into your new space by sometime this summer."

In between everything else these past weeks since returning from Calgary, everyone had been pitching in to change the old infirmary into Archie and Joseph's construction company's office and store front. The pair had chosen the name "Cornerstone Construction" for the name of their business. Inspired by the scripture passage of 'the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'. Both Joseph and Archie had experienced hardships and prejudices in their pasts, and this new venture allowed them to build something special for not only their families, but also the whole community of Hope Valley.

While there were still some changes to be made to the building, including a workshop addition off the back, the pair planned to open the office on Monday morning. They already had a growing list of jobs being booked, including their first project for their investor, Mr. Coulter. Building a home for his family on a plot of land Lee had purchased on the far northern edge of town, a few blocks past the café.

"Mom, look at me!" Fred called out from the other side of the pond. "I'm skating! Dad and Mountie Nathan taught me."

"I can see that." Rosemary smiled sweetly at her son. "I'm so proud of you, Fred."

"It seems Fred is out to prove my hypothesis is correct," Charlotte smiled as she watched Allie and Fred playing tag with Lee. "It's much easier to learn when you're younger."

"I'm not letting you off the hook, Mrs. Grant." A mischievous grin spread across Nathan's face. "I brought your skates along. I want to give you another lesson before it warms up too much and the ice melts until next year."

"Do I have to?" Charlotte wrinkled her nose. Although both she and Nathan seemed to know she was only teasing and would say 'yes' to skating with her husband. If for no other reason than to spend the rest of the afternoon wrapped in his arms.

"Remember, I'm not going to give up on you and I'm not letting you give up on yourself. What do you tell your students when they don't get something at first? All it takes is a bit of hard work, determination, and…." He paused, prompting her to finish his sentence.

"Practice." Charlotte mockingly rolled her eyes.

"Exactly… practice. Now let's get your skates on."

As Nathan helped Charlotte lace up her skates, Lee excused himself from racing after the children. Stating they were far too fast for him to keep chasing around the pond. Instead, Allie and Fred began spinning each other in circles, while Lee came to join his wife and Patricia on a bale of straw at the edge of the pond.

After an initial wobble from stepping on the pond, Charlotte soon remembered some of the techniques Nathan had taught her from the prior week on the ice, and picked up where they had left off, arms linked around each other's back. Charlotte was still slightly unstable, and not very graceful, but at least there was a little more gliding than stomping happening compared to the bachelor and bachelorette party last week.

"See, I told you it gets easier." Nathan said as they circled around the tip of the pond. "Just takes a little practice."

"And a good teacher." Charlotte answered, trying not to watch her feet as much and focus more on where they were going or her husband beside her.

"That never hurts." Nathan's crooked grin made her heart beat faster. She noticed him glancing over to where Lee and Rosemary sat with their sweet baby girl watching their son have fun and cheering him on. "It's been quite a week, hasn't it? The ice skating party, finding out Gabe and Lillian are engaged, Carson and Faith's wedding, Dad and Joseph's construction business getting ready to open, and Little Patricia joining us."

"Don't forget me trying to make enough food to feed everyone in town instead of just three people."

"That too." Nathan laughed. "Although, I selfishly didn't want to say anything, as I was enjoying all your extra cooking too. No wonder I feel as though the serge is fitting a little tighter tonight. I think I've put on a few pounds this week." He patted his stomach in a joking manner.

"No matter," Charlotte tilted her face upward to get a good look at him. "You will always look dashingly handsome to me, Sarge."

They continued shuffling along the edge of the pond as the children whirled and dashed around them. Occasionally, slipping and falling only to bounce right back up.

"Do you ever think about what it will be like?" Nathan asked, breaking the comfortable silence they had found themselves in.

Charlotte just gave him a quizzical look in response.

Nathan made a sound in his chest as if he were carefully contemplating his next words. "I mean, do you ever think about what it will be like when we have babies? Because I need to be honest, I don't know if I've thought about much else this week." His torso expanded under her arm as he took in a deep breath. "Not after seeing you with a baby in your arms and how perfect Allie is in a big sister role."

As if on cue, Allie and Fred sped by them again, so fast Charlotte felt a breeze from their momentum and clung tighter to Nathan beside her. She paused her shuffling along; the action causing Nathan to stop them and turn towards her.

"I don't think it should be surprising that we've both been dreaming a little bit extra this week." Charlotte said, squeezing Nathan's hands tightly to keep her steady.

"So, you've thought about it too?"

"Of course. How could I not? Like you said, seeing Allie playing with Fred and cuddling with Patricia. Reading to them both on the settee in the living room. She was born to be a big sister. And don't even get me started on what I feel when I see you holding a tiny baby, Mountie Nathan," Charlotte wiggled her eyebrows suggestively causing her husband to laugh. "Since I met you, it was clear to see how amazing of a dad you are. But when I see the way you dote on that girl, I can't help but long to give you that experience one day. Of having a baby. Of being able to watch them grow through all stages of life. While we are confessing, I should be honest too. I've prayed for little else this week, then to give you and Allie that. To be able to bring a baby into our lives. But I can't help but wonder if maybe because of my miscarriage something is… wrong." Charlotte worked to control her emotions, looking up at the blue sky and blinking back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"Hey," Nathan reached forward, brushing his fingers along her jaw so she would look back at him. "Don't think that way. It's only been a couple of months. Look at Lee and Rosemary, sometimes these things just take a little time."

He bent forward, capturing her lips with his. The kiss; tender and reassuring. Full of love and hope. When Nathan pulled back slightly, a smile grew across his face. "Yes, a little time, and… a lot of practice."

Charlotte tilted her head back and laughed, pushing against his chest in a jovial manner. The action caused her to slip, but Nathan instinctively caught her, pulling Charlotte into his body he trailed a few whispered kisses along the curve of her neck.

"Practice, huh?" Charlotte's breath was husky and low.

"Exactly."

After a few more playful kisses, Allie and Fred skated up to them, still hand in hand. "Mountie Nathan. Mrs. Grant. Skate with us," Fred said.

"I'll fall down without Mountie Nathan holding me up, Fred," Charlotte said.

"I'll hold your other hand," Allie suggested. "Fred can hold Dad's."

As was usually the case, practical Allie had it all figured out before the rest of them. She and Fred parted, and each took their assigned positions on either side of Nathan and Charlotte.

"Hold tight," Charlotte told Allie. "Remember we don't have a doctor in town right now. So, I'm not sure I can afford to crash as badly as I did last week skating."

Allie giggled. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll never let go."

"And I'll never let go of you, my sweet girl." Charlotte leaned to place a kiss on her daughter's head.

Together the four of them inched across the ice laughing about this and that until they came to where Lee, Rosemary, and Patricia sat. The sun was beginning to sink down over the mountains and it was determined that it was time to stop skating for the day. Instead, Lee offered to buy dinner at the café to thank Nathan, Allie, and Charlotte for everything they helped them with this past week. An invitation the Grants happily accepted.

The Grants had enjoyed their meal with the Coulters and talking with everyone at the café who stopped by to dote on Baby Patty, but as Nathan pulled the car in front of the house that evening, it seemed as though everyone in his family was happy to be home.

The past few weeks had been non-stop action. Nathan, Charlotte, and even Allie were looking forward to a quiet weekend at home as a family. Uneventful and perfect in every way. They called it an early evening and prepared for bed. Allie brushed her teeth and washed her face before saying prayers, being tucked under the covers, and kissed goodnight by her parents. She was fast asleep before Nathan and Charlotte even turned off the oil lamp in her room and shut the door.

As they walked past the bathroom at the end of the hall, Nathan tugged gently on Charlotte's arm, pulling his wife into his embrace. "Don't need a warm bath for your sore muscles like you did last week after skating?" Tilting his head in the direction of the claw-foot tub he flashed a lopsided smirk at her from the memories of last Friday night after the bachelor and bachelorette party.

"Not tonight." A husky laugh escaped her lips. "But I'm thinking of other shared activities we could do."

"Hmmm…." His hands were distractingly gentle as he kneaded the tired muscles in her arms and shoulders. "And what's that, Mrs. Grant?"

"Practice." She slowly twirled out of his embrace, taking his hand, she led them to their room, closing the door behind them.

As he had last Saturday night when they arrived home from the wedding, before Lee's interruption, Nathan carefully took down Charlotte's hair. Removing the tie at the bottom of her braid before raking his fingers into her locks, watching the brown hair spill over her shoulders and back in silky waves.

Nathan felt as though he couldn't breathe, his lungs unable to fully expand with each layer of clothing that fell down around them. Every simple movement Charlotte made drew his gaze to her and made him aware.

Charlotte leaned up and pressed her lips to his, her arms tightening around his neck to draw him closer. Nathan groaned, and his biceps bunched as he pulled her firmly to his chest. He opened his mouth slightly and adjusted his lips over hers and took command of the kiss. His body roared to life as he slanted his mouth across hers, giving in to the fire that ignited inside of them.

Charlotte moaned softly, and Nathan's hold on her instinctively tightened, crushing her to him as her hands tangled into his hair. The scent of her, driving him mad. Nathan bent and scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bed. Laying her on the blankets, he eased himself over her, the length of his body pressed against hers. Forcing himself to calm down, he kissed her slowly, deeply, his hands exploring the curves and contours of her body that had become so familiar to him.

"I love you, Charlotte," his breath mingled with hers. His voice strained with emotions as he stared into her enchanting grey eyes. "And I love this world we are creating together."

"I love you, Nathan Grant." She replied, letting her fingers run through the hair at his nape, pulling him to her and kissing him with the wild and sweet abandon with which she gave herself to him.

Charlotte sighed and wriggled beneath him as her hands moved lower down his back, she guided him, wrapping them together. Nathan joined her. His kisses, deep and thorough, matched their movements. Her hands were like flame on his body. Consuming one another in fever.

"Nathan." she breathed, clinging to him in sweet oblivion as they reached their height. Trembling from their spent passion, Nathan brought her closer. Holding them together tightly as they floated back to earth.

When he rolled to the side and drew her into his arms, Charlotte stared up into his eyes. They were blue, like a clear spring sky that would be coming in only a few short weeks.

"I like practicing with you, Sarge," she teased, earning a husky laugh from her husband that planted a dreamy smile upon her face.

Nathan nuzzled her cheek, kissing along her jaw to the sweet spot below her ear. Trailing along the curve of her neck and shoulder before returning to Charlotte's mouth. Her lips softened, and she touched his hair. Nathan felt their passion reigniting, but he drew back. He knew how exhausted she was.

"Roll over," he said softly, and she did. He tucked her body into his own and put his arm around her. He brushed his lips against her hair. "Go to sleep, sweetheart." Charlotte sighed and it only took a few moments for the weariness of the past weeks to catch up to them both.

Laying in the loving embrace of one another, they dreamed of the world they would create with Allie and their community of Hope Valley, and God willing, one day, a couple babies of their own.