Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying this story so far! This chapter is really long but im not one for to many cliffhangers.
Chapter 28
The Unexpected Guests
It's now February, Jarrick will be one in two days. Everyone from Coal Valley, Vancouver, Calgary, and Julie and Tom were coming in for this wonderful event! She didn't know but Henry and his family and Christine and her family had come to celebrate this milestone with their cousins and adopted sister.
There was a knock on the door, her dad said, Hey My Little Beth, why don't you get that. She looks at him and says, what's the matter dad, are you afraid that if you put him down that someone else might pick him up and you'll lose out as she laughs? He clears his throat and says, it's my turn and I'm not giving him up! Everyone laughs at the antics. She opens the door and gasps! Oh my…you all came! She jumps in Henry's arms and says, I've missed you so much, with happy tears in her eyes. She asks them all to come in.
Jack had barrowed chairs for everyone to sit. Dad had told him they were coming. Elizabeth introduced Jack to everyone. They were huggers not hand shakers so he got hugs from all of them. It was decided that mom, dad and their children would stay at Phillip and Lydia's. Ma would share her room with Abigail and Julie. Tom and Bill would sleep on pallets on the floor in the living room. Rosemary and Lee would also stay at Phillip and Lydia's since their house was so big.
The next day the preparations began. All the men took Jarrick out for a ride on the horses. Jack and dad taking turns on their horse. Henry had his son's with him, one in front and one behind him. Eric had his son in front of him. Tom was on another horse by himself. Jack lead the way down the road. They weren't going anywhere in particular just enjoying the ride with his son.
The ladies were buzzing around helping each other, not getting in each other's way. They knew how to move around the kitchen. Elizabeth was icing the cake and laughed. What's so funny cousin, Christine asked? My life, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would ever leave Coal Valley and be posted in mom's first post. Then marry the man of my dreams and have his child a year ago! Well cousin, we knew you would follow in her footsteps but just not literally in her footsteps!
Out of all our cousins they named you right because you are exactly just like her! She walked over and put her arms around her cousin and said, Beth, we are all so very proud of the woman that you have become! We knew that you would do great things with your life! I just wish that Aunt Pricilla and Uncle William would come to their senses and want to spend time to get to know that wonderful husband and son of yours. I can't imagine how you are feeling but just know we are here for you because we love you and your family! Thank you Christine, I love you all so very much! She was bound and determined not to cry today over her parents and she didn't.
The men had moved the furniture along the walls and had made a makeshift table in the middle of the room outside of one by eights on saw horses. They had got enough chairs for everyone to sit around the table. Mom had brought table cloth fabric to cover it. Everyone sat around talking and having a glorious time when there was a knock on the door. Jack kissed her temple and said, I'll get it. Everyone stopped talking, they had no idea who would be at their door except for one of the Mounties.
Jack opened the door and stopped in his tracks. He steps outside and dad says, excuse me and gets up to follow Jack out the door. He closed the door behind him.
Before Jack could say anything he sternly asked, what the hell are you all doing here? You have the nerve to show up here unannounced? Jack ushers everyone to the side of the house away from the door.
He takes his Mountie stance and says, if you think you can come here on our son's first birthday and think that it will make up for all the time that you have chosen to not be around for, you have another thought coming. You will not interrupt or ruin this day for my wife or our son.
All the people that are in that house has been there for us since the beginning. Where in the hell have you been? You have shunned your daughter and our family. Now you waltz in here and think you will be welcomed with open arms? I think you need to leave and go back to town. I will let her know you are in town and it WILL be her choice weather she wants to see you. Good day.
He turns to leave but William asked, who do you think you are to stop us from seeing our daughter and grandson? Jack turns around and gets in his father in law's face, WHO...DO...I...THINK...I...AM...YOU...ASK? I'm HER husband and the FATHER of your grandson! I have every right to say who comes in OUR home and who doesn't. Now leave or I will have everyone of you arrested for trespassing.
Wynn speaks up and says, William you have no choice here. He told you to leave, I suggest that you take your wife, your daughter and her family and wait at the hotel in town. William gently takes his wife's arm and leads everyone back to their car. He stood there and made sure that they left. Him and Jack stood in front of the door to compose themselves before going back inside.
They took their rightful seat back at the table. They kiss their wives and say, it's ok. It was just someone asking for directions. Everyone excepted it and went back to the beautiful dinner.
After dinner the ladies helped clean up the kitchen and put the dishes away. It was time for gifts. They set Jarrick up in the middle of the table as everyone sat around it. Each gift was appreciated.
He got a lot of toys, clothes, blankets. Mom and dad had got him a rocking horse. He kept saying ho, ho, ho! He couldn't say horse. That's what he called the horses in the barn, Jack says. Everyone laughs, Christine says, that's adorable!
Jack took the toys off the table and sat them on the floor. He had a new block in each hand chewing on them. Dad took the boy and put him in his high chair. Elizabeth asked him for his blocks so he could have cake. He gave her one and pulled the other back and said, my! Everyone giggled, Elizabeth asked again, can mama have that one so you can have cake and she showed him the cake. He drops the block on the floor and reaches for the cake!
Everyone sang happy birthday to him and his parents blew the candle out. Jarrick is yelling, my, my, my! Elizabeth is laughing as she set his small slice of cake in front of him. Jack had the camera set up and dad took pictures of blowing out the candle and Jarrick tearing into the cake saying, num, num, num, steady putting it in his mouth. Everyone sat around the table talking.
Dad stood, tapped his glass and said, I would like to pose a toast! Everyone put their fork down and picked up their glasses, holding it in the air he said, from the moment I got the first telegram I knew that this man was destined to be a good man and a great father. Over the past two years I've come to love you like my son!
To My Little Beth (everyone chuckles) from the moment I held you in my arms when you were born I knew you would go on to do great things with your life! When you came to Vancouver to get away from the love of your life, I knew that you had became a woman that would give up her life for the one you loved. I don't know how but you managed to learn to cook in just two months! I'm proud to call you my daughter!
To Jarrick may your life be filled with love and laughter but if you find a time that you get into trouble with your parents, you call papa and I'll come running!
Everyone laughed and said, he will too! Eric spoke up and told a story. When Jenny was little she wanted a pony. We told her that we didn't have anywhere to keep it, therefore she couldn't have one. She left the room crying. We felt so bad for her. She went back to my office at the back of the house and called Papa at work. She told him she needed him. Now keep in mind we didn't know that she had called. Two days later there was a knock at our door. He walks in and went straight to Jenny's room. He knocks and walks in. He picks her up and asks, what's wrong my little firefly? Papa…they won't let me have a pony! Well do you have a barn to keep it in? No sir. Is your backyard big enough to keep it in? No sir. He picks her up and comes out to the living room and says, we are going for a walk and walks out with her. Jenny speaks up and says, he took me for ice cream and he bought me a stuffed pony that I could keep in my bedroom! Papa says, that's right My Little Firefly! Just because you couldn't have a real one didn't mean you couldn't have a stuffed one! Eric says, so if he shows up out of the clear blue sky it was probably Jarrick made the call! Everyone went around the table telling stories of Papa coming to the rescue!
After the dishes were washed and put away everyone decided to go back to where they were staying. Everyone wasn't leaving until Sunday after church so they would have plenty of time to visit. Mom and dad stayed behind for a few minutes because he wanted to be there when Jack told her about her parents being in town.
Jack asked Tom and Julie to take Jarrick for a walk out to the barn. Charlotte decided to follow. After they heard the door close he sat down beside her and mom sat on dad's lap. She looks at both of them and asks, that wasn't strangers asking for directions was it? How do you know that, Jack asked with a chuckle? Hon we heard you yelling. I'm sorry Bella. I didn't want this day to be ruined by arguing with your parents and your sister and her family was here also.
With no tears she stands and walks to the window and asks, what do they hope to accomplish by showing up unannounced? Did they think that I would just fall back into their arms as if nothing happened? What kind of fool do they take me for? She just kept on with logical questions.
Mom stood, dad walked up behind her and wrapped his long arms around her and replied, what ever they are thinking is on them. You are a very strong and independent woman that does not need or deserve this. They were told not to come back and try to see you that if and when you were ready to see them then you would come to them. Thanks dad! She turns to him and motions for him to bend down. He gladly obliged.
The next day mom and dad came to see if they could take Jarrick back to Phillip and Lydia's to play with his cousins? Jack looks at her and asks, if we let him go we can go speak to your family. Yes mom that will be fine. Let me get his things together.
She walked into the bedroom with Julie on her heels. Julie, this is something that has to be done. They have to know how they made me feel and you and Tom should come as well since you're engaged now and thanks for telling me by the way. How did you know Bethie? Julie I'm not an idiot I see where a ring was at on you're finger. How long have you been engaged? Just since my birthday in November. Well you can put that ring back on your finger and we are all going to face this together.
Julie ran out to Tom and said, give me my ring and we are going to town with Jack and Bethie! Tom looks at her and asks, are you sure honey? Charlotte spit her coffee out across the table and asked, honey? He put the ring back on her finger and said, that ring doesn't come off again, understood? Yes Tom, I'm sorry I took it off. I just didn't want anyone to interfere with us but Bethie caught on and told me to put it back on. What's this we are going into town with them? Why?
Wait a minute, Charlotte says! When did you get engaged? Ma, we got engaged in November on Julie's birthday on the seventh! And why haven't I heard about this before now? Ma, no offense but we didn't want anyone to say anything about trying to talk us out of it. We love each other and we both have a job and can support ourselves! Well you still could've told us, she says. She hugged her son and then hugged Julie and said, congratulations you two and welcome to the family! Now I'm going to have two daughters!
Tom was holding Julie around the waist when he looked up at his brother and asked, and why are we all going into town today? Jack starts to tell him when Elizabeth came out of the bedroom with Jarrick's bag, she nonchalantly says, we are going to have a chat with our parents and set things straight. Tom swallows real hard and says, are we ready for this as he looks down at his fiancée? Yes we are hon. Remember we are stronger together! Elizabeth chuckles and says, hum…sounds like you are related to Jack! That's his favorite quote! Well we had great examples for parents, Jack says as he side hugs his Ma!
In town the four of them stepped into the hotel restaurant. Elizabeth nods over to the corner of the restaurant. Jack held her low back as he leads her over to her parents. Tom does the same but whispers, better together, remember! Yes Hon! The four of them made it to the table before any of them looked up. Elizabeth cleared her throat. They look up at her as if she had committed a crime or something. Elizabeth spoke first, we will meet you all out in the lobby when you are finished with lunch.
They didn't give anybody a chance to say anything. They stepped out onto the boardwalk and decided to take a walk. They found a park bench and sat. Tom and Julie on one end and Jack and Elizabeth on the other. They were watching the ducks swim around the small pond.
A few minutes later they showed up at the pond. Priscilla asked, I thought you said that you would meet us in the lobby? We were but decided that we would go for a walk while you finished your lunch.
Viola speaks up first. How dare you treat us like we are nothing to you! Elizabeth stood, how...dare...I, how...dare...I? I get married and our parents can't even leave their little princess to come because she still has a month before her baby is due. Our son is born and they can't even come out because they didn't want to leave their grandchild to be with their new grandchild! So how dare I you ask? How dare they? They shun me because of who I chose to marry. So how dare I? How dare you all for how you have treated Julie and I for following our hearts and not your orders.
We are not your personal property father, we are human beings that has a heart of our own that can't be made to do as it is told. Father, mother, I'm sorry but I pray to God every day that I show my child that I love them no matter what. I want them to feel my love no matter what that it is unconditional! I…we will never step in and tell them who they should or shouldn't marry only to marry the one that they can't see their life without. Not because of their social status.
I've said everything I've needed to say so if you'll excuse us we have a wedding to plan! They start to step off but Priscilla stops her with a gentle touch of her arm. Beth dear, who's getting married? Mother if you had contacted your other daughter half as much as you do Viola, you would know but it's not my story to tell as she looks at Julie.
Julie stands and pulls Tom with her. Mother, father, Tom and I are engaged. Have been since my birthday! I truly hope that you learn a lesson here because I would truly love for you to walk me down the isle but if you can't or won't, I won't fall apart like Bethie did. I promise you that I won't give you the satisfaction of breaking me! You see father, what you tried to pull apart only brought us closer together because we honestly do love one another.
William what have I let you do to our family? Me? It was both of us dear. NO…IT WAS ALL YOU! YOU SAID WE COULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO BE APART OF OUR CIRCLE BECAUSE WE WOULD BE MADE A MOCKERY! No more William, no more! I would rather lose social status than lose another daughter to your stubbornness!
Mother you don't mean this, Viola whined! Sir Lionel Speaks up and says, dear I don't think this is our place to speak so please say nothing. She shot him a look of death but he did not back down. She lowered her head and said nothing. She knew her place. He pulled her back to allow those that this was between them to talk without interrupting.
Cilla, you don't mean that! I do Will! I've been married to you for almost thirty years. I've followed you and let you lead us but now it is time to put my foot down and say, enough is enough. You've run two out of three daughters away and I'm done. You will stop this or I will! What are you saying Cilla? I'm saying that if you continue to try and control every aspect of our daughters lives I'm done. I will leave you Will! I want all my girls to know that their mother loves them and I want to be apart of all our grandchildren's lives not just Viola's and Lionel's. I WANT THEM ALL WILL! WITH OR WITHOUT YOU!
Cilla you don't mean that. I do and don't push me any farther, please. Elizabeth and Julie take their man's arm and walked away leaving them standing there all by themselves.
The four walk into the house and sit down at the makeshift table. Charlotte doesn't ask anything but sets coffee in front of all four. Jack and Tom say thank you Ma! She takes a seat next to them and lowers her head and prays,
Kind Heavenly Father we come before you today with heavy hearts. We ask that you soften the heats that you see fit. Help us to understand and except your will Lord. I pray you take the friction away and replace it with compassion. In Jesus Christ name. Amen.
Thank you Ma, Elizabeth says. She reached over and squeezed her hand. I'd do anything for my daughters, you know that! Yes I do and I want you to know that I appreciate everything that you do for us! We love you so very much! I love you too Lizzy! I know Ma because I feel your love right here as she points to her heart!
The next day was Sunday, everyone of the Delaney's and Thornton's and soon to be Thornton was sitting in several pews when the door opened and five more walk in but no one turns around to see who it was that was almost late.
Rev. Alden stepped up to the podium and said, good morning everyone and welcome newcomers! No one turns to look. He says, my sermon this morning is on parenting. We raise our children to be the best that they can be hoping that they go on to make us proud.
The Bible says that our son's are to leave his parents and cleave unto his wife. Does that mean that parenting is over? Yes and no. Yes, we don't control how he acts or how he allows his family to to act. No we love our children unconditionally and are there for them if they come to us for advice or need a shoulder. As parents we try to control who our children should marry because we don't want them to struggle but I'm here to tell you as our children become adults they lean on God to take them down the path that He chose for them. As parents we have a tendency to want to hold on to them as long as our children will allow us to but if we raise them in a Godly home then we know that only God is in control and we must let God lead them for us and pray that they stay on the path that God has laid before them.