Chapter Forty-Eight: The Coulter Family

"Rosemary, we'll go home, change and get Allie to bed, then we'll be right back over to spend the night so we can help with the children," offered Millicent.

"Oh, Millicent, that would mean the world. I wasn't sure how we were going to manage alone!"

Lee carried a sleeping Oliver up to their bedroom, while Rosemary and Millicent were each holding one of the twins, who luckily, were also blissfully sleeping.

"Rosemary, I think Lee's going to have to drive them around in your car if they get cranky. They were good as gold driving home!"

"I know, Nathan, only one diaper change for each of the girls on the entire trip, and barely any crying! I think we did really well!"

After a few minutes, Lee came back down the stairs, with his finger across his lips shushing everyone.

"Oliver's down, but just barely!"

"Sorry, Honey! Nathan and Millicent are going to change, tuck Allie in, and come back to help us through the night!"

"Oh, thank you! I wasn't sure how we were going to do this all night long by ourselves!" exclaimed Lee softly but with such relief. "We're still a little gun shy, as they say!"

"Lee, I've already brought in all their things from both cars. Do you need me to take them upstairs?" offered Nathan in a low voice.

"I think maybe just leave them here, for now, Nathan. We don't even have cribs!" interjected Rosemary. "I think we'll probably just stay down here for the night. At least, I can go back and forth to the kitchen to get their formula more easily!"

"As for the cribs, dresser drawers will work fine, Rosemary!" suggested Millicent.

Nathan nodded in agreement, as he had seen Colleen use that same trick.

"Okay, Dresser Drawers, it is!" and Lee quietly headed back upstairs, with Nathan behind him, to empty and bring two drawers, along with pillows, back downstairs for his new daughters to sleep in.

Although they were sleeping quite nicely in Rosemary's and Millicent's arms, as content as could be!

"Rosemary, you're doing beautifully!" complimented Millicent. "You really are! I'm so proud of you!"

"Millicent, I'm in heaven! It hasn't even sunk in fully yet. But I will never be able to thank you enough for insisting we go and for making all this happen. You gave us our Children, our Family! I loved you before and knew, without doubt, you were going to be my sister, but you are an absolute Angel now! If it hadn't been for you, those three children would be lying in beds at that orphanage tonight, and Lee and I would be here alone, just as empty as ever!"

"I just had the strongest feeling, we had to go today. I couldn't shake it, Rosemary, and as soon as Lillian told us they had a toddler and two infants who had just arrived, I knew. This was God's work, Rosemary, not mine. I only listened."

"But imagine if you hadn't! Besides, you did a lot more than that and you know it! Lee and I will be forever grateful, Millicent. But what do we do about the adoptions?"

"I'm going to work all day tomorrow on all three and try to get Bill to help me, which I'm sure he will. We're going to push this thing through as fast as possible. I promise you that!"

"But tomorrow is your last full day! You need…"

"Nathan, Allie, and I will have a lifetime together! I do think I will take Allie to the office with me, so we can still spend some time with each other, but don't you worry about any of that. You are a brand-new Mother of three, with a toddler and two infants. Your hands are more than full! You help everyone else, Rosemary, all the time. It's our turn to help you! The Coulter family is our top priority right now."

"What am I going to do for clothes? They don't have much of anything, which really shocked me."

"In orphanages, they don't allow children to always have all their clothes, as it would make the other children feel bad who have less. So, they purposely keep their clothing to a minimum. I'll see if I can find what happened to the rest of Oliver's clothes, but the babies are so small, we're just going to have to start over."

"Do you really think I can do this, Millicent?" asked Rosemary. "I just want to be everything they need in a mother!"

"I know you can do it. You are doing it! You're a natural! And you ARE everything they need in a mother! Rosemary, it's such a beautiful sight to see you with them! Little Oliver took right up with you. I could have cried when he called you Mommy that first time!"

"I've never heard such a precious word in my entire life..."


Back at Nathan's rowhouse, Nathan and Millicent quickly changed into more comfortable clothing for their night with the Coulters and were now sitting on Allie's bed.

"But Momma, it's your last day, and if you have to work all day…"

"What if you come to work with me? Would you like that, Allie?"

"Really? I would love that! Can Dad come too?"

Millicent smiled at Nathan.

"He sure can! We'll just make this a family project to help move the Coulter adoptions along as fast as we can!"

"I love that! Momma, do you think Auntie Rosie will let me babysit?"

"I think so, Sweetheart! I think Auntie Rosie is going to need all the help she can get. I noticed you got along really well holding Oliver!"

"Yes, I think he really likes me, too! I want to hold Sadie and Sophie, though. Can you show me how?"

"I'll be happy to show you how, Allie!"

"And I'm sure Auntie Rosie will be happy for your help, Allie," promised her Dad. "Maybe you and your Momma will be able to hold them tomorrow evening. But right now, if you're going to work with your Momma tomorrow, you'd better get some sleep! Sweet dreams, Princess. Love you to the moon!"

"Love you to the moon too, Dad! And Momma, love you to the moon, too!"

"Love you to the moon, too, Angel! Sleep well! Your Dad and I are just next door if you and Uncle Bill need us!"

Nathan and Millicent both kissed Allie goodnight, then walked to the door.

But Allie called out for them.

"Momma, Dad!"

"Yes, Allie?" asked her Dad.

"It's just, I'm so happy!"

"So are we, Sweetie!" agreed Millicent.

"So very happy, Allie!" and Nathan's eyes literally sparkled with happiness and joy, as his eyes met Millicent's.

All three exchanged the broadest of smiles.

Smiles that were meant only for the three of them, the Grant Family that already was, only waiting to be made official.

Then Nathan quietly closed the door behind Millicent…


As they walked downstairs together, Bill met them at the bottom of the staircase.

"I just can't believe the Coulters have three children! Boy, Millicent, you are really good!"

"To get them home tonight, I asked for an Emergency Claim with the Intention of Adoption, and of course personally vouched for my clients myself. We do have to get the signed papers back to Brookfield before the end of the day tomorrow, if you'll sign as Case Judge, that is."

"Millicent, it will be my distinct pleasure to sign that document first thing in the morning. In fact, I'll send it to Brookfield by Courier just after I sign it. That way, the Orphanage will have it by noon. But, boy that was quick thinking on your part! That clause is seldom used, and not even very well known. You, my young Barrister, are going to be dynamite to work with!"

"Thank you, Bill! I have the papers we need, and the adoptions are completely unobstructed. Sure do wish I could see the entire process through. How fast do you think we can make it all happen?"

"Tell the Coulters, to be in my Chambers, at 6 PM tomorrow evening. You absolutely have to be a part of the ceremony!"

"Really? You think we can get everything done by then?"

"With both of us working all day long, we should have all the paperwork done by then! That is if we start no later than 9 AM. The cases will be identical, so we can just copy after we complete one, and change the names. I already have completed background checks on both Rosemary and Lee, that were done for a small company they purchased, and they're plenty current enough. Then, at the adoption proceedings, we'll just need a few signatures. But you know, it feels like we need to make it nice for them, too!"

"I think that would be wonderful, Bill. But we'll have to be quick, as the children are so very young, and won't realize what's really going on. Maybe we make it more like a party for Oliver! I think we need three of those luscious Teddy Bears from the Mercantile. Two with big pink bows and one with a big blue one!"

"I'll pick them up on my way to work!" promised Bill.

"They're so big, you might have to have them delivered," laughed Millicent.

"Bill, if you don't mind, order some flowers, too, and put them on my tab!" noted Nathan. "That way they can deliver it all together!"

"Happy to do it, Nathan! This is just the best news! The Coulters are finally parents! Honestly, I couldn't be happier! They deserve to be parents if two people ever did! But, here sit down with me, a minute, you two…"

Nathan and Millicent looked puzzled but did as Bill requested.

"I know today at the Stagecoach was no picnic. And I just wanted to apologize on Elizabeth's behalf. She could have been a lot more cordial, to say it nicely, and I'll just leave it at that. But to choose the same Wedding Date after you two had already chosen it, I don't know what she's thinkin! Just know that I'm committed to being in Montreal with the two of you! I'll be happy to attend her Wedding too, as long as she chooses a different date. If not, I have a previous commitment. It's the only right thing to do. I just don't want you two to give any of this another thought! You hear me?"

"That's lovely, Bill. Thank you for that! We just don't want to come between any already established relationships," explained Millicent. "Or make it awkward for anyone! And we'll understand, perfectly, if you need to go with her. We really will."

"You're not comin between anything, Millicent! Whether you know it or not, I play a pretty important role in the upcoming Grant nuptials, and you better believe, I'll be there! All this was decided before Elizabeth's announcement. So don't you two dare worry about any of this!"

"Thank you for that, Bill. After spending this week with you, I can't imagine not having you in our Wedding!" smiled Millicent.

"You've got that right! Hey, what do you think of this Charles guy, Nathan?"

"I don't know him, but I like him! I think he shows a certain strength. He certainly shows perseverance! Did you know he's been to Hope Valley before? Back before Jack and Elizabeth married."

"I suspected as much. Her original beau! Seems awful convenient and fast to me. But hope it works! Eh, I'll just come out and say it. You know this is happenin' because the two of you are gettin married, right?"

Nathan glanced at Millicent.

"Bill, the way I see it, we can't be responsible for that. Elizabeth is an adult, and we can only hope she's marrying Charles for the right reasons."

"Nathan, of course, it's not your fault! I didn't mean to imply that it was. I just want you and Millicent to be aware of what's going on, so you're not blindsided. That's all!"

"Understood, Bill! We appreciate that!"

"Just don't let any of this get to you. This is Elizabeth's issue to work through. Not either of yours. So, don't let her make it yours!"

Nathan and Millicent looked into each other's eyes, perhaps showing some hesitation or reticence, but spoke in unison.

"Understood…"


After much cajoling, Rosemary finally left the girls in Millicent's and Nathan's care, as both were sleeping soundly in their makeshift dresser drawer beds!

Millicent had convinced her that Oliver needed her snuggles and she needed to get some rest to be ready for a very full, very different, day tomorrow.

"They really are beautiful, aren't they, Love?"

"Like two little angels!" agreed Nathan. "But speaking of angels, I happen to have the most beautiful Angel of all sitting right here next to me!"

"You, Sir, are a flatterer!"

"I, Miss, am a truth-teller!"

"Whatever you are, I love you! You could be a Circus Performer, and I'd still love you!"

"Your parents might not approve of that one!" he chuckled.

"If the Circus Performer were you, they would!" she laughed, reaching to kiss him.

"Are we scarring these two little ones for life?" asked Nathan, glancing out of the corner of his eyes with his lips still on Millicent's, toward the infant girls, snug in their dresser drawers, with a quilt spread over them.

"No, Darling. We're showing them what love is! But since they're sound asleep, I'm not too sure they're getting the message," giggled Millicent.

Nathan grinned, but suddenly his expression changed.

"You know, Mil, there's something that's bothering me and I don't know how to ask it without just coming out and asking it."

"What is it, Love? You know you can ask me anything."

"I know this probably sounds silly. But it keeps coming to my mind. And…oh, alright, I'll just ask: are there twins in your family like ours?"

"Yes, on Mother's side. Her eldest brothers are twins and her Mother, my Grandmother, is a twin. I believe my Great Grandmother was a twin, as well. Oh, and come to think of it, there are twins on my Father's side, too. Just not as many! Why do you ask?"

"Just thinking. So, we have twins on both sides of the family."

"Appears so, Darling! Actually, I guess we'd say three sides out of four unless you have twins on your Father's side too."

"We do. Twins on both sides. And the whole thing scares me. Does it scare you?"

She turned to him, placing her hands around his neck.

"I am ready to bear your children as soon as we marry. I don't care if they are single births or double births, or triple births, I just want our children."

"And you're not afraid at all?"

"No, Darling! Women have birthed children since the beginning of time. In fact, that was one of the things we were made to do. Without a doubt, the very most important thing!"

"You amaze me, Millicent Bradford! Why am I so worried?"

"What's wrong, Darling? What are you really worried about?"

"I just couldn't stand it if anything happened to you. I really couldn't! And I know a pregnancy with twins is a more difficult pregnancy and a pregnancy with more risks."

"Nathan, I'm healthy. I'm ready. I want our children terribly. Everything will be alright, Darling. I promise!" but she could read him well.

He hesitated and swallowed hard.

"There's something else, too. What is it, Nate?"

"Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie's parents were murdered because of their wealth, Mil. I can barely say it…"

"Look at me," and she took his chin in her hand and raised it up toward her. "I promise you, I'll take security more seriously. I give you my word, I will. But I expect you to do the exact same thing, Nathan Grant. You will be part of the Bradford family too. And it's important that you realize it's just not Allie and me you have to be concerned about. You have to promise me you'll take care of yourself too. And be extra careful all the time."

Her eyes were desperately pleading with him.

"You are the one dealing with criminals, already, Darling."

"I promise, Mil. I truly promise I will be extra careful!"

She leaned back against him, and he held her, fighting with everything he had to put all those horrible thoughts out of his mind.

Instead, wanting to just focus on the Angel in his arms, who would be leaving in one day and a half.

'What am I talking about. It's already after midnight. It's Tuesday. We're already into Mil's last full day.'

And the thought literally made him sick inside.

They only had what was left of Tuesday, which was going to now be spent trying to process three adoptions, and a few hours on Wednesday, as her train left at Noon.

After several minutes, Millicent fell asleep, along with the Babies, leaving Nathan the only one awake.

Nathan reached and spread the extra quilt Rosemary had left them, over her, and then he just held her.

Even in her sleep she naturally snuggled into him, fitting into that spot that was hers alone.

All the intense feelings he had for her surged to the surface, along with his fear of existing without her.

'We settled this. We have to be apart in order to be together forever. Why do these feelings of dread keep coming back?' he asked himself.

His eyes were wide awake, fighting the sleep he needed so desperately.

Thoughts came racing through his mind.

The absence of her voice, her laugh.

The absence of her uplifting demeanor.

The absence of her strength.

The absence of her ability to calm him.

The absence of her sheer delight in the simplest of things.

Her scent, her presence, her total understanding, her smile, her joy…

Her kiss, her embrace...

The list of thoughts cascaded through his mind, creating a moment of sheer panic.

How was he to make it through a single day without her, much less forty-five of them?

And then there was Allie…

She would take Millicent's absence so very hard.

For now, she had tasted what it was like to be a family with both a Mother and a Father.

How in the world would he be able to cheer her, soothe her, when he, himself felt like the ground was falling out from under him?

Without realizing it, tears started to stream down his face, and he was uncertain if he was strong enough to say goodbye to this woman he loved so completely.

This man, who had faced the barrel of a gun more times than you could count, and been in more dangerous situations than most men would ever experience in their lifetime.

This same man was finally experiencing real fear, whether it was rational or not.

The fear of existing without this woman by his side, who had come to mean his world, his everything.

He kissed the top of Millicent's head, as she lay snuggled up against him, his salty tears landing in her golden tresses.

And Nathan silently prayed for strength, more diligently than he had ever prayed before…


Nathan and Millicent slept for about an hour until they heard a faint cry, that was rapidly getting louder by the minute.

"Are you having trouble telling them apart, Mil? They look exactly the same to me!"

"Sadie has a tiny little birthmark just behind her right ear. See! Sophie's is just behind her left ear, here."

"How did you notice that?"

"Lillian showed me!" she winked.

As soon as Sadie was crying forcefully, Sophie joined in!

Nathan picked up Sadie, while Millicent picked up Sophie.

But that wasn't enough.

They were wanting to be fed, and they were wanting their formula right now…


Rosemary heard her daughters' cries, and raced down the stairs!

"I'll get their formula!" she voiced to Nathan and Millicent, and then she went straight into the kitchen to prepare their bottles.

She pulled out the instructions and tried her best to see with the dim light, not wanting to fully waken her daughters.

But as this was her first time preparing their bottles, she was nervous, wanting to make sure she was doing it right! She read the instructions carefully, and for some reason, didn't feel like it was enough, so she warmed the bottles prior to adding the formula, by dipping them in hot water, just to make sure they were clean, and recleaned the rubber nipples the Orphanage had given her, by dipping them in boiling water.

"There, at least everything is clean!"

In a time, where sterilization was not commonly done, it was her Mother's Intuition telling her everything needed to be ultra-clean!

Millicent and Nathan simply continued to pace with a still crying Sadie and Sophie, as their new Mother, most carefully prepared their food.

Finally, she took the formula from the icebox, and poured two separate bottles, breathing a sigh of relief.

"There! The first pair of bottles is done!"

That is, the first of many more pairs to come…


"Here you go, Sweethearts. Mommy has your formula."

Rosemary handed the two bottles to Nathan and Millicent, and went back and forth from Sadie to Sophie, touching them, watching them suck their bottles with delight!

"Rosemary, would you like to feed Sadie?" asked Nathan.

"Oh, yes, please…"

Her eyes lit up as she held her first daughter again, and slowly got her to re-take the rubber nipple.

Nathan, who was intently observing, couldn't help but think what a beautiful picture they were, Rosemary feeding Sadie and Millicent feeding Sophie.

Both babies, now content, with both Rosemary and Millicent, radiantly entranced, patiently feeding each child.

Nathan sat and watched his Millicent, his beautiful Kalie, and painted a beautiful picture of her in his mind that would never ever leave him…


In the Thornton rowhouse, at half-past seven, that morning, Elizabeth was certain she heard crying, and it wasn't Little Jack or Eliza Jade.

She walked down the stairs, and could still hear it. Was it a cat? Or some hurt animal?

"Wait a minute!" she said aloud. "That sound is coming from Rosemary's. What in the world?"

At that very moment, next door, Sadie decided to join her sister Sophie in a contest of which one could cry the loudest!

Nathan was juggling Sophie, and Millicent had Sadie, both walking them around the living room floor, slightly jostling them as that's what they seemed to prefer!

Elizabeth grabbed her coat throwing it on over her nightgown, and took out for Rosemary's to find a suitable explanation…

She knocked loudly on the door.

Nathan answered it with Sophie in his arms.

Both were shocked.

Elizabeth to see Nathan in Rosemary's living room with a baby, and Nathan to see Elizabeth at the front door.

"What in the world is this?" she asked, none too charitably.

"Good morning, too, Elizabeth," answered Nathan, as calmly as ever.

"I believe Rosemary will want to do the honors," he continued, holding open the door for her to enter.

"Rosemary," she called.

"I wouldn't talk so loudly if I were you," suggested Nathan softly.

She looked at him puzzled, and then became more puzzled when she realized Millicent was there with what appeared to be the exact same baby!

Rosemary came down the stairs, carrying Oliver, and Lee followed.

No one knew what to say, because Elizabeth was positively speechless, and perhaps more than a bit rattled.

"Elizabeth…good morning," Lee managed to get out. "We have great news!"

"Why are you carrying a child, and why are there two babies here who look identical?"

"We have the best news, Elizabeth. We all drove to Brookfield last night and came home with our family. Oliver, meet your Auntie Elizabeth, Elizabeth, meet Oliver, our Son!" introduced Rosemary.

"Why hello, Oliver! What a handsome young man you are!"

But Oliver was playing shy and hid his face in Rosemary's hair.

And Elizabeth was as thrown as ever!

"That still doesn't explain this," and she pointed to Nathan and Millicent.

"This is Sadie and Sophie, Elizabeth, Oliver's Sisters, and our Daughters!" smiled Lee proudly.

Elizabeth just unceremoniously plopped down on Rosemary's settee, to collect herself.

When she could finally speak, she shifted, and turned directly to Rosemary, as though the others weren't even in the room.

"How could you not say a word to me about all this?"

Lee took Oliver, and Rosemary went to sit by Elizabeth.

"Because I didn't know, Elizabeth. Millicent had a feeling we should go to Brookfield, and she was right. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision! When we got there, Oliver, Sadie, and Sophie had just arrived and were in desperate need of a family. I thought you'd be happy for us! We're finally parents with three beautiful children! And it's everything!"

"Of course, I'm happy for you. I'm thrilled for you, but…"

"Millicent, I think perhaps, you and I should go, and let Rosemary speak with Elizabeth privately," suggested Nathan, as he carefully handed Sophie to Rosemary, and Lee let Oliver down for Millicent to give him Sadie.

"I'm sorry," Lee mouthed to Millicent, not sure at all what was going on.

Rosemary immediately jumped up with Sophie in her arms, and walked to the door with Nathan and Millicent.

"We couldn't have made it last night without the two of you. Thanks ever so much!" and she reached to kiss both Millicent and Nathan.

"It was our pleasure. We're just so happy for you and Lee, Rosemary! Your children are beautiful and blessed to have you both! Bill and I will be working all day on the adoptions, and I'll talk to Florence about putting some clothes and necessary items together for the children and have them delivered."

"Thank you, Millicent! That's a huge help!"

"Congratulations, again, Rosemary, Lee! You have a beautiful family and we're happy to help any time!" assured Nathan. "Allie's chomping at the bit to babysit, and hold the girls like she did Oliver!"

Rosemary was radiant, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! And of course, she can hold them! We'll see you this evening, promptly at 6 PM."

After Rosemary closed the door behind them, Oliver came running to her, and she freed a hand to offer him and took him to sit next to her and Sophie, by Elizabeth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude," admitted Elizabeth.

"Yet you were," agreed Rosemary softly. "I have never been happier in my life, and I expect my best friend to be just as happy for Lee and me! And yes, I even expect her to be grateful to the couple who stayed up all night helping us with our children's first night in their new home."

The whole time Rosemary spoke, she was cooing and smiling at Oliver and Sophie.

But Elizabeth had gotten the message, at least partially.

"Obviously I'm going to be very busy today, and I could use all the help I can get. But I don't need the tension, you bring, when you're around Nathan, and particularly Millicent. She is a lovely person, Elizabeth, and you know it. You're better than this."

"I don't know what…came over me. I…"

"Why didn't you tell me about your coming home instead of Nathan? An urgent telegram, really? Why didn't you tell me about Charles and your engagement? And I'm going to be brutally honest here, why didn't you tell me about Eliza Jade? When I saw that beautiful child, I almost died inside, thinking I would never have that and you have two now, but the second one you didn't care enough to introduce us to."

"I..I…"

"Had your mind on Nathan. Well, you need to get your mind off of Nathan, and onto Charles. That is if you want my advice! You keep on like you're going, and I guarantee you lose Nathan as a friend. You're dangerously close now."

"What has he said?" her voice was panic-stricken.

"Absolutely nothing, but we all have eyes, Elizabeth, and we aren't liking what we are seeing. I love you more than I can say. You have been my best friend for years, now, but I don't know you any longer. I don't know how to help you any longer."

"I..I…"

"Elizabeth, this is the first time you're meeting our children. Don't you even want to hold them?"

"Of course, I do! May I?"

Elizabeth reached for Sophie.

Her face softened, as Rosemary placed the infant into her arms.

Oliver moved onto his Mommy's lap to better watch his baby sister. Lee sat down next to Rosemary and handed her Sadie.

"She's as adorable as her big brother!" and Elizabeth smiled at Oliver. "I have a son about your age, and his name is Jack. I bet you two will become great friends!"

"I'm sure you will love Jack, Oliver, and I'm sure Jack will love you," smiled Rosemary. "You'll have a brand-new friend, who is the very same age as you!"

"Lee, are you staying home today?" asked Elizabeth.

"I wouldn't miss being with these four for the world, especially on their first day home!" he smiled. "In fact, I'm taking the entire week off to be with Rosie and my beautiful kids!"

"You should, Lee! They are absolutely precious! And I'm truly so very happy for you both!"

"That means a lot to us, Elizabeth. It already feels like a real home now that they're here!" smiled Lee.

"You know, Rosemary, I know Laura is helping part-time at the school, but I'm sure she would love to help you out when she's not there! I'll ask her if you like," offered Elizabeth.

"Please, that would be so helpful! I'm in a bit over my head, as all this is new, and no way am I near ready to do this alone, but we're going to make it, aren't we Oliver?"

Oliver laughed at his Mommy's face and reached to give her a sloppy kiss, which thoroughly delighted Rosemary, as she tousled his hair in return, then kissed him over and over!

Elizabeth couldn't believe how relaxed Rosemary was, seeming to take everything in stride, managing two infants and a toddler at the same time.

The girls had fallen asleep again, so Rosemary placed them both in their 'drawers,' one at a time, and then sat back down on the settee by her best friend.

Oliver immediately snuggled up next to her, and her arm enfolded him.

"You won't believe this, but it's all true. Oliver is three, and will be four on Christmas Day, just like Little Jack!" announced Rosemary, proudly.

"What?" asked Elizabeth with a shocked expression on her face. "I mean I could tell they were close, but the exact same age?"

"Yes, can you believe it? While Abigail and I were helping you give birth to Jack, another woman in Canada was giving birth to Oliver!"

"Rosemary, this is fate! It's meant to be! Just wait till Jack and Oliver meet! They'll love each other!"

"I think so, too!" beamed Rosemary, cuddling her Little Guy. "They're Birthday Twins!"

"I think I'm going to go into the kitchen and fix some pancakes! How does that sound Oliver?" suggested Lee.

"Cakes, Daddy!"

Lee almost broke into tears at the sound of his new name, but instead chuckled and lifted Oliver onto his shoulders, carrying him into the kitchen!

"Overhang warning. Duck!" laughed Lee, which caused Oliver to burst into giggles, too!

"Come on, Son! We're making pancakes!"

When Lee closed the door, Elizabeth started crying.

"I've been terrible. I should never have sent that telegram to Nathan, and I was rude to Millicent. I wanted her to hurt. Because I was hurting. And, so, I tried to ignore her. And yes, I set our Wedding Date the exact same as theirs on purpose. But not to hurt them. I just didn't think I could bear knowing they were getting married at that very time unless I was too. I know I've been horrible. And Nathan and Millicent have been nothing but nice to me. But I just can't let go. I just can't," she cried. "I can't let go of Jack, and I can't let go of Nathan!"

"Charles seems like a lovely man. Does he know about all this?"

"I think he's figured it out."

"You know while you were gone, I went over and over every single thing that has happened. And I realized I gave you a pass on just about everything because Jack died. But Jack wouldn't even like any of this. He wouldn't even recognize you, Elizabeth. No more passes. I've stunted your growth because of them. No more. Lots of women have lost husbands, and it's a terrible thing, but somehow, they find a way to live again. You have to do that. You can't keep using Jack as an excuse. Nathan is no longer an option because you drove him away saying he was only Jack to you, not because he left you. He didn't. You left him, again, partly because of your Jack excuse, but also because of your dalliance with Lucas. You broke Nathan into a million pieces, but he took that brokenness and used it to discover what true love is. He's deliriously happy because he has found that with Millicent. You have to do the same and find it with Charles if that is who you have truly chosen. It's up to you, Elizabeth. I can't do it for you. Nathan can't do it for you. No one can. You have to do it yourself."

Rosemary looked closely at her best friend's face, trying to discern if she was even listening to her, or just ignoring her words, then continued on.

"As shocked as I was, I looked at you, Charles, Little Jack, and Eliza Jade when you got off the Stagecoach, and I thought, 'Wow, what a beautiful family!' You have everything right in the palm of your hand, but, you, are the one, Elizabeth who has to make it so. You can make it a real family with tons of love, or you can keep going through the motions, feeling empty inside, thinking about Jack and Nathan. I know what I'm doing, I'm taking my new family, and I'm going to shower them with attention, and love, so much so they'll think they're getting tired of it! And yes, that includes Lee. You may not have noticed, but it's been hard on us over the last few years. Everyone has had a child but us. I can't tell you the times we were truly despondent, grieving even, that it wasn't happening for us. Now, we finally have our own children, and I will fall on my knees each and every day and be grateful to God for my family, my husband, and our Son, and two Daughters!"

"When will the adoptions go through?"

"Bill and Millicent are working all day to get everything ready for us to sign tonight at 6 PM in his office. We couldn't possibly do it without Millicent being there. She made all this happen! I need you to be there, too, Elizabeth."

"Of course! Wouldn't miss it!"

"Lee and I want you and Bill to be Honorary Godparents."

"That's an honor, Rosemary! Who are the Godparents?"

"Well, we were just about to ask, but haven't gotten the chance, so let us do that first before we start throwing names around," smiled Rosemary.

"I interrupted…"

"It's okay, Elizabeth. It's just that we don't know Charles, quite yet, and it looks like you're going to have your hands full with two little ones now."

"I'm ashamed to say, Eliza Jade and I still haven't bonded, Rosemary. Her Mother hasn't been gone that long, and she seems to remember her, even at her young age. Charles has to often sleep with her as she cries for her 'Mommy' a lot, especially at night."

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Just show her you love her. I'm sure it will all work out."

Elizabeth looked down.

"Elizabeth, you are loving her, aren't you?"

Elizabeth didn't move, but suddenly her eyes teared up.

"Truthfully, no. Charles loves her, and Miss Shay cares for her. There hasn't been a need."

"Oh, Elizabeth, when you're two or three years old, there's always a need. Especially for a mother's love. And if you marry Charles, as you two plan to do, you will be her Mother, just like you're a Mother to Jack. But you have to show her you love her. You do love her, don't you?"

And that's when the floodgates opened.

"I haven't allowed myself to love her, because…"

"Because why?"

"Because I don't love her father…"

"Are you sure about that, Elizabeth?"

"I love him. I love him a lot, but I'm not in love with him."

"Do you realize that is the exact same thing you told Nathan? At least that's what you told me you said. Are you going to live your entire life only loving Jack Thornton? He would hate that, Elizabeth, and you know it!"

"But now, I realize I was in love with Nathan, all along, and I still am. I just can't…"

Rosemary's voice softened even more.

"Then that only proves you can be in love again. I don't know Charles, but he seems very nice, and he loves you, Elizabeth."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"It's in his eyes. Every single time he looked at you yesterday. It was crystal clear to all of us."

Elizabeth looked up at Rosemary, with panic in her eyes.

Rosemary took her hand.

"No one is forcing anything, Elizabeth, except maybe you. Maybe deep inside you know Charles is the one you can love again and be in love with again. Is he a good father?"

"The best. Just like Nathan. And he loves Eliza Jade just like Nathan loves Allie."

"Does he already love Jack?"

"Yes, he does, very much!"

"Does he treat Jack the same as Eliza Jade?"

Elizabeth hesitated.

"Yes, he does. Just like Nathan does."

"Why don't you just focus on treating Eliza Jade the same as Jack? Can you do that?"

"I want to love her. She deserves a mother. A great mother and I haven't been that lately, not even to Jack. You're already a better mother than me."

"Stop that! You are a great mother! Just focus on Jack and Eliza Jade. I have a sneaking feeling, that in itself just might help you realize more than anything, that it's her father you not only love but are falling in love with. Because if that's not a possibility, then you have to call off this engagement…"

Elizabeth looked at Rosemary blankly.

"And you have to do it now," she insisted.

Then Elizabeth just looked away, staring into space, as though this conversation hurt too badly to absorb.

"This isn't 'Let's play house,' Elizabeth! Charles deserves more than that. So do Little Jack and Eliza Jade."

"And, quite frankly, Elizabeth, so do you…"