Chapter 363 – Lazy Sunday Night
The rest of the morning and afternoon were enjoyable as the large group gathered at the cafe celebrated the Thorntons. It was Cat with Gabe and Emily. Bill, Carson and Faith were there. Obviously the Delaneys and Annie, Patty and Albert. Kate also was there and turned red when Rune came in and sat next to her. Joe also joined the group to eat and socialize. Lee and Rosemary joined for a while as well. Rosemary wasn't all that interested in the children or spending time with Elizabeth, but went to please her new husband.
After they had eaten, Kate took Sarah upstairs to nap while the twins were laying in the crib in the kitchen. There was much teasing about how much use the crib in the kitchen was going to get used. Cody and Gabe were also excused to go. While Gabe had a long list of chores to complete, he thanked Frank, Abigail, Jack and Elizabeth for inviting him. Emily and Little Beth went off to play with the paper dolls that Cat had brought for them.
The adults also had a nice afternoon visiting and even Bill stayed and wasn't grumpy. It helped that he spent quite a bit of time holding his godson. There was teasing about finding Bill someone to which he glared at them. Because most had witnessed the awkwardness between Carson and Faith, as well as Rune and Kate, they refrained from teasing them too much.
At one point, Bill turned to Carson.
"So did you ever think that by agreeing to be a doctor here?" Bill teased. "That you would be up to your knees in women and babies."
"I had considered going into women's health." Carson said. "But my grandfather and father said that becoming a surgeon was the only thing that was acceptable. So I don't mean being a small town doctor if that means I can help women bring their children into the world."
"You don't miss surgery?" Rune asked.
"Not really." Carson said. "Have I ordered things, including publishings, so I will be ready if someone needs an emergency surgery? Yes, I have. But no, I don't miss surgery. They are very physically demanding and mentally taxing. I know doctors who thrive on the rush from surgery, but I am not one of them. Am I good at it? Yes, as many people can attest to, but it was never where my passion was. I worked with my mother and grandmother long before I started medical school and was told I was to become a surgeon. I loved helping them with mothers and babies."
"Well." Abigail said. "We are glad that you are here."
"Yes." Frank said.
"Carson." Rune said. "I know that you can't talk about patients, but I just wanted to let you know how appreciative Mr and Mrs Thompson were this morning. He was just bringing his wife and son home when I was out on rounds. Little Jessica looked pleased with her brother."
"I am glad." Carson said.
"I will have to go call on them later this week." Cat said. "She is a lovely woman. I am so glad that she safely delivered. I was worried. I am glad that you were there, Carson. While Abigail and I have delivered most of the children around here, at least the ones that have been here for a while, I am glad that a doctor is close at hand if needed."
"I am glad that I am here as well." Carson said. "As I have said to people, I won't fault any woman for choosing to have other mothers there when she delivers, but I also hope that people are comfortable enough calling me and Faith if there is a problem."
"I have no problem sending for the doctor if I feel they are needed." Cat said.
"Good." Carson said.
"Why do I feel you both will be needed quite a bit in the coming year." Dee said, laughing.
"Children are wonderful." Frank said. "The more the merrier."
"Watch what you say." Wynn said, laughing.
When Abigail and Aunt Elizabeth joined in the laughter, they had to explain what was said while they were in Union City after Frank and Abigail's wedding. When Dee explained, everyone laughed as both Abigail and Elizabeth Rose were now expecting.
As the afternoon wore on, the crowd thinned until it was time for people to leave. Wynn, Jack and Dee sent the women and children home in the cars saying that a nice walk would do them all good. Cat had already left with Emily so it was fine. Joe had left for rounds and Rune said he should go check in at the jailhouse, even knowing that Bill had headed over there. Faith had headed home earlier, saying she had laundry that needed to be done. Carson was invited to stay for super and he agreed only if he was allowed to help cook. Abigail wasn't going to argue as her feet hurt.
… … … …
Later that night after the twins had been fed and were sleeping in their cribs, Jack and Elizabeth were wrapped up in each other's arms after another love making session.
"Are you worried about going to Hamilton?" Jack asked.
"Yes and no." Elizabeth said.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked.
"I am worried about traveling with four kids." Elizabeth said. "I know we will have plenty of help, but still things happen. I am worried about what my parents are going to do and how they are going to react. I am not worried about the ceremony. I am excited to see Sophie and meet JT. I am excited to introduce our children to Sophie and her family. I am worried about what all this traveling is going to do to Aunt Elizabeth. I know that she said she is fine, but being pregnant takes a lot out of you and she is older."
"Okay." Jack said. "That makes more sense. I am worried a bit about the traveling. As far as your parents and sister are concerned, I am going to trust you. If you don't want to meet with them, I will support you. You need to do what is right for you."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I am just not sure. I thought that they would be excited to meet their first grandchildren, but they were more upset that I apparently ruined Viola's wedding. As much as I want my parents to come around, I don't know if they ever will. While I think they should be able to meet our children, I don't know. I am worried that they won't accept Beth and Sarah. If that is the case, I am drawing the same line you drew with your mother.
Abigail told me when I was still in the infirmary, that now that I am a mother, I need to do what is right for me, you and our children. Other people need to get onboard with our decisions or they don't have a place in our life. This goes back to what was said this past spring – family is what we make it. We have my aunt and uncle. We have Dee and Annie. I know that Sophie and Andrew will be overjoyed for us. We also have Frank, Abigail, Bill, Cat, Carson and Faith."
"Don't forget Joe and Rune." Jack said.
"Exactly." Elizabeth said. "We have a family. It just might not look like what other people think it should look like. But that doesn't matter. It is our family. It can look however we want."
"I love you." Jack said, kissing her nose.
"I love you as well." Elizabeth said. "Now I think we have a little bit more time before the twins demand to be fed again. So why don't you show me how much you love me."
"Absolutely." Jack said, giving Elizabeth a full dimpled grin.
Jack lovingly caressed Elizabeth's body while building the fire between them. While they were enjoying their time together again after not being together in a month, the furthest thing from either of their minds was Elizabeth getting pregnant again. Neither realized that it could happen so quickly. Little did they know what was in store for them.
… … … …
After Carson left, Frank and Abigail sat on the couch downstairs together. Abigail leaned against her husband's chest with his hands resting on her midsection.
"It was a lovely service today." Abigail said.
"Thank you." Frank said. "I loved how it all came together."
"Will you do that for our daughter?" Abigail asked.
"If that is what you want." Frank said. "I can baptize our daughter. I can do that or I can have Noah come and do it if you want that as well."
"I want you to do it." Abigail said. "It will be so much more special if it is her daddy who baptized her."
"Then that is what I will do." Frank said. "Have you thought about names? I know we still have some time, but with the holidays, the time will go fast."
"I was looking through Elizabeth's book that has the meaning of names." Abigail said.
"And what did you find?" Frank asked.
"There were a couple actually." Abigail said. "Amy, which is the English variation of the Old French name Amée. Amée was a translation of the Latin name Amata, which derived from amatus, meaning 'beloved'. Which I absolutely love for a girl born on Valentine's day. Then there is the name that I always thought about when I thought about having a baby girl – Harriet Irene. Harriet means ruler of the home and Irene means peace. I don't know where I heard or read those names, but I have always loved that combination for a girl. What about you? Do you have names that you love?"
"I love Amy or Harriet." Frank said. "My grandmother was actually named Harriet. But she was Harriet Christine. I guess I have never really thought about baby names because I had given up on having children so long ago."
"So what about now?" Abigail said. "What do you think?"
"I would love any name that you pick out." Frank said. "Harriet would be awesome because of my grandmother. I don't have a lot of memories from her, but that is her ring you are wearing."
Frank rubbed his finger over the ring that he had given Abigail as an engagement ring.
"I thought you said it was your mother's." Abigail said.
"It was." Frank said. "But it was her mother's before that. It wasn't my grandmother's wedding ring as they didn't have wedding rings, but it was the ring my grandfather made for his wife when their daughter was born. When my stepfather went to my grandfather to get permission, he gave him the ring to propose to my mother. When she passed away when I was young, my grandfather insisted on having the ring back and saving it for me so I would have it when I was older."
"That is lovely." Abigail said. "I think it was meant to be. Your grandmother was Harriet and I have always dreamed of a baby girl named Harriet."
Frank rubbed Abigail's baby bump.
"Is your name Harriet Irene, little one." Frank asked, rubbing Abigail's belly.
Suddenly Abigail gasped and looked down at her midsection.
"What?" Frank asked, concerned.
"I think I felt the baby move." Abigail said. "When you asked about the name. I haven't felt that before. But I remember it with Peter. The light flutters. That was what it felt like."
"Are you telling us you agree, little one." Frank said, rubbing Abigail's belly again.
"I think she is." Abigail said, smiling.
Abigail turned in her husband's hold and kissed him.
"While we have a name." Abigail said. "Can we keep it to ourselves until she is born?"
"If that is what you want." Frank said. "I will absolutely keep it quiet. I was going to ask, who you wanted there for the delivery. Again, I know we have time, but it is something to think about."
"I want Carson there." Abigail said. "While the chances of something going wrong are low, I want him there just in case. Beyond that I don't know. I was pretty much alone when I had Peter. The neighbor lady who I barely knew came toward the end, but I labored alone with him. After she helped me deliver him, I was alone again."
"Noah wasn't there?" Frank asked.
"He was working a twelve hour shift." Abigail said. "He came home dirty and tired, only to find me in bed with a newborn."
"I am sorry." Frank said. "I know that Elizabeth wanted Jack there and if you want me there, I will absolutely be there for you."
"I don't know." Abigail said. "While I would love to have you, I don't know. Men don't usually want to be a part of that. Even some doctors are a bit apprehensive about being a part of it."
"I am not like most men." Frank said. "But it is totally your call. I can be in the room with you or waiting just outside. You don't need to decide right now, but know that I will be there if you want."
"Thank you." Abigail said.
They sat there in silence for a bit. Then Abigail once again turned in her husband's hold and looked at him.
"I know that this child was a miracle." Abigail said. "And I don't want to appear ungrateful or greedy, but have you ever thought about additional children? Being honest, I have. I don't know if they will happen, but I have prayed and asked God for a large family with you. Is that okay?"
Frank leaned forward and kissed Abigail.
"That is absolutely okay." Frank said. "If I were being honest, I also have prayed for more children if that was God's will. I have however gotten the feeling that this little girl won't be our only. I mean look at Wynn and Elizabeth Rose. They are having twins after twenty years of trying."
"Twins?" Abigail said.
"Yes." Frank said. "They only said they were expecting, but Carson was pretty sure that it was twins."
"Twin boys in a snowstorm." Abigail said.
"Exactly." Frank said. "I told them as much when they said that Elizabeth Rose was due before the end of January. The other thing that we talked about was the waitress from the pub in Union City when she toasted our marriage."
"So you would be open to more children?" Abigail asked.
"If that is what God wants." Frank said. "I am all for it. I never thought I would be a husband and father, now I am getting it. So whatever God chooses to bless us with is more than acceptable."
"I love you." Abigail said. "But I think we are going to have to work hard to make sure that Cody doesn't feel jealous. I think he is already starting to feel that. I saw the looks he gave the babies today."
"I will talk to him." Frank said. "He is at a weird age. If he has never really been around little ones, teenage boys can be weird. We just have to remind him that we love him and this baby or any future baby doesn't replace him in any way."
"You are already such a wonderful father." Abigail said. "How about we close up down here and head upstairs."
"I love that idea." Frank said.