Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 47 - Blessings at Thanksgiving

Susan got up from the breakfast table to check on the turkey before helping Julie and Jessie clear away from their morning meal on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone else carried clean tableware, linens and glassware to the cottage through the cave, in order to avoid what had become a rainy day outside, helping to ensure the latter half of the morning went much more smoothly than the early part did.

Greg came to check on Susan and Julie every so often. Ruth was in and out of the kitchen occasionally, but nearly everyone else was working in the cottage or visiting in the family room, watching football, including Olivia and Melody. At eight months old, Olivia was becoming much more mobile in her walker and a much more interesting playmate for two-year-old Melody. Although she moved, Olivia didn't move fast, and so she was the just the right speed for Melody to keep up with, allowing the two to play together for hours on end.

The doorbell rang about ten that morning when more of their guests arrived. Stephen and his family were there; ready to join them for the weekend.

"You're in the two connected rooms on the south side," Greg told them.

"Thank you, Greg. Jenny has things to unload for the kitchen before we drive around," Stephen said.

Greg, and Stephen's son Chris, helped them unload things going inside the house, while Jenny went right to the kitchen to help.

Two hours later when Greg went to check, Stephen and his family were settled in their guestroom and dinner was progressing nicely. According to those in the kitchen, everything was expected to be ready right on time.

"When are the Wilsons getting here, Susan?" Greg asked.

"About noon," Susan told him.

"It's almost noon now," Greg said.

"Then they should be here soon," Susan said.

She'd no sooner said that when the doorbell rang. Susan took off her apron and went with Greg to open the door. On their front walk, standing under the eaves to avoid the rain, were John and Karen Wilson with their sons Peter and Payton. Little Payton was no more than a bundle in his mother's arms and only a few weeks old.

"Welcome," Greg said with a smile. He opened the door wide, inviting them all inside.

"Thank you," John said as he and his family stepped across the threshold. "It is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too," Susan told them. "How are you doing, Karen?" Susan asked surveying her friend with a critical eye.

"I'm doing well, considering," Karen said.

"I think she's doing exceptionally well," John told her. "Although I must admit, welcoming a new child in the middle of the outback was a much more relaxing experience than it was at a busy hospital this time."

"Are you sure about that?" Susan wondered. Personally, she remembered both John and Karen being very anxious new parents when Peter was born, and she wondered how giving birth in a hospital could be worse.

"Our friends have a much better bedside manner about them than do most healthcare professionals," John shared.

Greg smiled. "While I appreciate your candor, I'm certain a full medical staff was able to care for Karen and Payton very well."

"There is no doubt about that," Karen said. "Would you like to meet him?"

"I would, very much," Susan said. "I just washed my hands."

Karen handed her newborn baby over to her friend with a smile. Susan took the baby willingly, looking into the infant's face.

"Mama," Jessie said coming up the stairs.