SPRINGTIME PROMISES *complete*

CHAPTER 30: TRUST AND TRUTH

As Allace and Lillie expertly handled the exchange of babies, their movements seamless and practiced, Ulrick studied Lanecea's eyes. He knew her well enough to recognize when Lanecea's mind was working through a problem.

Lanecea shifted slightly to make room for the two new infants, her maternal instincts taking over even as her mind whirred with possibilities. She met Ulrick's eyes, her own alight with the excitement of a new idea. 

"Oscar has always been protective of his family, and Minnie...well, she's practically a mother to half the neighborhood, but more than that, Oscar used to be a tax collector. He still works at City Hall which means he might have access to records that could help us."

Ulrick nodded thoughtfully, considering her words. "It's possible. As a tax collector, he would've handled all sorts of financial and property records, not to mention census data and estate filings. He may have access to older records that could help you trace their families."

Lanecea smiled at the confirmation, her excitement growing. "Exactly! If he has access to old property deeds, tax rolls, or even marriage and death records, it could be exactly what we need to track down any living relatives. The Scotts and Severns...they're all connected somehow. I can feel it."

Allace, having settled the first two babies into their cradles, overheard the conversation and chimed in softly. "You think Mr. Bartels would help you with that?"

Lanecea hesitated, her gaze flicking from Allace to Ulrick, a shadow of uncertainty crossing her face. "I don't know..."

"He's careful...always has been," Allace who had attended the same Methodist church as Oscar and Minnie for years pointed out, "He's never been one to just hand over information - even to family."

Lillie, rocking the two baby Johns nodded. "Perhaps Mrs. Bartel could convince him if she catches the vision of your mission."

Lanecea sighed, leaning back slightly as she glanced down at the babies at her breasts. 

"I would suggest waiting until we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can be trusted. With the upheaval over your sister's wedding still fresh, the timing might not be right."

"Or..." Lillie pointed out, "This could be the perfect distraction. Mrs. Bartel has always been warm and welcoming, but I don't know how much influence she has when it comes to something like this. He's the cautious type, and with his background...he might be suspicious of why we're suddenly interested in family records."

Ulrick stepped closer, resting a reassuring hand on Lanecea's shoulder. "Oscar is careful, but he's also smart. If we approach him the right way—frame it as part of preserving his own family's history, maybe it could work. I know that Oscar is fond of you - I've noticed the way he looks at you especially when his grandchildren were drawn to you like moths to a flame this past Sunday afternoon. If anyone can win Oscar's trust, it's you Lani. If we handle this delicately, he could be the key to unlocking a lot of information. We just need to tread carefully."

Lanecea's eyes met his, a quiet understanding passing between them. They both knew how dangerous it could be to reveal too much too soon, especially with someone as guarded as Oscar, but the possibility of discovering more about the forgotten families of Kingston was too important to ignore.

"Do you think we can trust him, Ulrick?" Lanecea asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ulrick considered for a moment, then nodded. "I do, but only if we approach him the right way. Let him see that we're preserving something valuable, not just digging up old secrets. If we can appeal to that part of him - the historian in him - he'll be on our side."

Lanecea smiled faintly, her determination returning. "Then we'll do it carefully - feel him out. We don't need all the answers at once. Just enough to know if he can be an ally."

Allace and Lillie shared a quick look, both of them admiring Lanecea's ability to navigate such delicate situations with grace. They knew, deep down, that whatever path she chose, they would be right there beside her, helping her uncover the lost stories of those long forgotten.

For a long moment Allace remained lost in thought, her gaze flicking between the two infants Lanecea cradled and the soft hum of activity in the room. The weight of Oscar and Minnie's losses had been on her mind ever since the tragic death of their baby boy three years earlier. She watched Lanecea, who was gently soothing one of the babies, utterly absorbed in her own thoughts as well.

"Lanecea," Allace began softly, her voice tentative, "I've been thinking about Mr. and Mrs. Bartels. They lost not only their three-year-old son but their baby as well...and I know you've only been taking two babies out at a time, but..."

Lanecea glanced up, her focus shifting from the babies to Allace. "It's safer to keep the truth about how many there are hidden for now."

Allace nodded, understanding the caution but also feeling a deep pull of empathy for the older couple. "I know, but maybe revealing the truth—how many babies there really are—could open a door for trust. I think it might help them heal, especially Mrs. Bartel. She's been through so much loss. If she knew how many babies you've saved... it might bring her some comfort."

Lillie, who had been tending to the other infants nearby, chimed in. "She's right, and Verna, their daughter - she confided in me recently. Archie's thinking of leaving Kingston."

Lanecea's brow furrowed. "Leaving Kingston? Did she mention why?"

Lillie sighed. "I'm not sure of all the reasons, but Archie is a proud man - stubborn. After everything that's happened with the church and Harry...maybe he feels out of place here now, but the thing is, Mrs. Bartels might not be able to handle it if they leave. She'd lose not just her daughter, but her grandchildren too. After everything she's already been through, it could break her."

Lanecea's heart softened. She had always had a deep empathy for people like Minnie who had endured unspeakable loss and still carried on with grace. 

"I never thought of it that way," she murmured. "Maybe I have been too cautious. Keeping secrets may protect us, but it can also push people away when they need us the most."

Allace gave her a small, encouraging smile. "I think Bartels could find healing in knowing the truth. She's a strong woman, but sometimes strength comes from connection, not distance. Knowing that you've saved so many babies—maybe it could help her see that not all is lost."

Lanecea looked down at the tiny infants in her arms, their peaceful faces oblivious to the world's complexities. She knew Allace was right. "I wouldn't want to burden them further, especially after losing so much."

"You wouldn't be burdening them," Lillie said softly. "You'd be offering them hope, and maybe, just maybe, they'll stay if they feel more connected. Verna is torn, I can tell, but if her mother feels supported, that connection might be enough to keep them from leaving."

Lanecea sighed, her mind racing with the possibilities. She'd been so focused on keeping their mission hidden, protecting the secrets that could unravel everything, that she hadn't considered how much good the truth could bring. Perhaps it was time to trust more - to open up to the people she cared about, even if it meant revealing more than she had planned.

"I'll speak with them," Lanecea said finally, her voice soft but firm. "But we have to be careful. We'll reveal the truth in pieces, enough to let them in but not overwhelm them, and maybe... maybe we can help heal their hearts in the process."

Allace and Lillie nodded in agreement, both relieved and hopeful. They knew that Lanecea's ability to inspire trust and hope was one of her greatest strengths, and if anyone could bring comfort to Oscar and Minnie, it was her.

As Lanecea shifted the babies in her arms, she looked out the window, her thoughts drifting to the older couple. She knew this wouldn't be easy, but perhaps it was the right step—not just for their mission, but for Oscar and Minnie's family, and for their hearts.