Weeping Willows

Victory is Sweet and Short Lived

Chapter 30

When Mikey came back in his smile was from ear to ear. Everything looked alright in his little world again and Elizabeth was dying to know what they had planned. No matter how hard she tried though he just wouldn't say a peep. She guessed she was going to have to wait to hear from one of the girls to find out. Too soon they were heading back to work. Elliot and Addison bowed out for the rest of the day wanting to get his wife home for some rest. Honestly, even though they had a lunch break the pregnant woman still looked dead on her feet. Addison tried to argue about staying but Elliot won the argument when he threatened to carry her from the house kicking and screaming all the way home if need be. It was one of the few times Elizabeth had seen him be completely serious before. They all said goodbye to the couple as Addison still continued to give her husband half hearted protests. It probably would have been more believable if she hadn't kept finishing her sentences with a yawn.

Once the couple had left, the rest of them trudged back up the stairs to the second floor. The only one who seemed to have an abundance of energy at the moment was Mikey. Jan and Elizabeth broke off from the guys to walk back into the room where everything was getting loaded. She was surprised to see a bunch of furniture sitting in there that hadn't been there that morning. It was amazing stuff. Good sturdy pieces that would cost a fortune now a days to buy. Everything was solid wood no particle board on anything. Elizabeth thought most of it had been handmade as well possibly by one of the family members.

"Take a look at this." Jan called out beckoning her over with excitement. Curiously, Elizabeth made her way over to see a beautiful hand carved rocking bassinet.

"I'll be right back." Both of them said at the same time making each other chuckle. Jan went to get her camera while Elizabeth gathered up some wood polish. It didn't take long before the two of them had the piece gleaming like new. Other then a couple of dings from use it was an amazing find. Elizabeth stood back admiring the craftsmanship while Jan snapped some photographs of it.

"What are you going to do with it? Were you thinking of donating it?"

"In a way yes." Before she could finish telling Jan her plans the guys came in carrying the old rocking chair and placing it in the center of the room. The guys started stretching out their backs as Elizabeth squealed with glee grabbing the polish and getting to work on the chair. Jan came over to help her looking at her strangely but working silently until they were done. Elizabeth stood up and investigated the piece noting it was slightly more worn then the bassinet was but still appeared fairly sturdy. Looking the guys over she finally turned to Mikey and ordered him to sit in the chair. Elizabeth decided he was the biggest out of the guys left at the house and if she wanted to test out how sturdy it was this would be the best way. Sitting in the chair Mikey looked around confused as to what she was up to.

"Rock it a bit would you." He did as she requested not quite sure what she was planning. As he rocked smoothly, Elizabeth circled it looking for any problem areas, weak seams, and listening for creaking or groaning. She was relieved to find it was in better shape then she had hoped for. Standing back, she smiled in pleasure.

"Okay you can get up now."

"Are you going to fill us in?" Jan asked glancing between the two pieces.

"Elliot is a carpenter, right?" At their nods she continued.

"I'm fairly sure the bassinet and the rocker are nursery furniture that were handmade. I want to give the furniture to them. What do you guys think?" Jan smiled giving Elizabeth a warm hug. The guys looked the furniture over planning to sand down the worn spots and refinish them. With that agreed upon Elizabeth smiled innocently at the three guys while batting her eyes at them.