Tulip nodded and then her mother wrapped her arms around her. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
The other girls hugged Tulip and then congratulated her.
“I’ve got so many nieces, but only one nephew. You might have to fix that, Tulip,” Lily said.
“Then it will be Daisy’s turn,” Violet said.
That wasn’t what Lily wanted to hear. They were supposed to get married together and have babies together, she and Daisy. Now her twin would be way ahead of her.
“Not necessarily,” Nancy answered, looking at Lily. “It could be some time off.”
Lily knew her mother was only saying that because she knew how Lily felt deep down. “It’s okay, Mamm. It’s the truth. The days of Daisy and I doing everything together are over. She’s gone, and she’s out of my life completely.”
Lily looked up when she felt Tulip glaring at her. “Can’t something just be about me for once? Why do you constantly need the attention focused on you all the time? Daisy is just the same. Can’t everyone be happy for once?”
“We are happy for you,” Nancy said.
Tulip wiped tears out of her eyes. “I didn’t tell anyone until after Daisy’s wedding because I didn’t want to take the attention away from her. That’s why I waited until Rose’s boppli was born too. When is it my turn to get some attention?”
“Your husband should give you attention,” Lily said, feeling no sympathy for her at all. “Daisy got married and she doesn’t want any attention from anyone else apart from her husband.”
“I’m not as selfish as you, Lily,” Tulip blurted out.
“I don’t want any angry talk around my boppli,” Rose said, frowning at her sisters. “This isn’t how her first day in the world should be.”
“You’re right, Rose. It’s not good for the boppli. If you two want to argue, do it outside somewhere,” Nancy said, glaring at Tulip and then Lily.
“I’m sorry, Rose,” Lily said.
Tulip nodded. “Me too.”
“That’s okay. I’m happy for you, Tulip. Our bopplis will be about the same age. How far along are you?” Rose asked.
“Around four months.”
“Four months and you didn’t say anything?” Nancy was clearly horrified.
“Nee, I didn’t want to take attention away from Daisy’s wedding, like I said.”
Nancy shook her head. “It wouldn’t have mattered.”
“Four months. That means they’ll be so close in age.”
Lily stayed quiet while everyone talked about Tulip being pregnant. Lily was pleased for her, but she didn’t need to be so horrid. How could Tulip say that she wanted all the attention? Daisy was the one who’d gotten all the attention just recently because of the wedding.
Nancy could wait no longer for the baby to wake up. She picked her up carefully and cradled her in her arms. She placed her cheek against the baby’s soft head. “She is so precious.”
Violet touched her small arm. “She sure is.”
“Can I have a hold?” Lily asked after a while.
“I was just about to ask,” Tulip said.
“Okay, we’ll go oldest down,” Rose said. “Tulip next, then Lily, and then Violet.”
When Lily’s turn came, she held her carefully, and then the baby opened her eyes and looked up at her. “She’s got her eyes open and she’s staring at me.”
“She’s not crying,” Violet said.
“Oh, she did last night. She’s got a funny little cry. Mark and I were changing her diapers all night long. I don’t know where all of it came from.”
“Yuk,” Violet said.
“Tell me about it,” Rose said with a giggle.
“I’m going to make my husband change the diapers,” Violet said.
“I hope you succeed,” Nancy said. “They usually find some excuse to get out of it.”
“Mark’s been gut so far, but he’s only got a couple more days off work and then I’ll be home alone.”
“I can stop by after work to see if you need help,” Lily said.
“I can come every day. It’ll give me something to do,” Tulip said. “And I can learn what to do a little better.”
“Sounds good,” Rose said.
Lily passed the baby to Violet.
“Mind her head,” Nancy said.
“I know,” Lily and Violet said at the same time, which made them laugh.
“I want one,” Violet said.
“You’ll want to wait until you get married,” Lily said.
“I know that,” Violet said. “I’m not in a hurry. I don’t even like anyone yet, but as soon as I get married, I’ll have one of these immediately.”
“They seem a lot of work,” Lily said. “As beautiful as they are. Waking up to changing stinky diapers doesn’t sound like much fun.”
“Everything is work according to you,” Tulip said.
Lily didn’t respond. She’d never seen Tulip so objectionable. Maybe it was the hormones affecting her brain.
“It’s not work, Lily. It’s just something you do out of love,” Rose said.
“Yeah, well. I’ll find out one day I suppose.”
“Not if you don’t get married,” Nancy snapped.
Lily frowned at her mother. “I know that. I’m not silly. So, how was the birth? Was it dreadful?”
“It wasn’t how I thought it would be. It wasn’t too bad. I survived.”
“Oh gut,” Tulip said. “I’ll ask you more about it later.”
Violet’s body shuddered. “I don’t want to hear the details until I have to know.”
“It’s different for everyone,” Nancy assured her.
Lily said, “I’ll leave now and see how Willow is.” She leaned over and gave Rose a kiss on the cheek. “Your boppli is beautiful.”
“She is. I’m so thankful she’s well and healthy.”
“I’ll stop by quickly after work tomorrow. Do you want me to bring you anything from the markets?” Lily asked.
“I can’t think of anything, but you could ask Mark on your way out. We might be low on something.”
“Okay.”
Lily made her way to the front door and saw Mark sitting on the couch reading the newspaper.
“Leaving already?” he asked.
“Jah, Willow’s at home because she had a nasty fall at ice-skating. I don’t want to be away from home too long. Do you need anything from the markets? I’m stopping by after work tomorrow, just briefly.”
“Jah, if you don’t mind. That’ll save me going out. We need a bag of potatoes and two loaves of bread, if you could.”
“No problem.”
“Wait there, I’ll get you some money.”
“Not necessary. I think I can afford a bag of potatoes and some bread.”
“Nee, just wait and I’ll get the money. It’s just in the kitchen.”
“I’ve got it covered. It’s no problem.”
He chuckled. “Are you certain?”
“Of course. I’ve got a job now.”
He laughed again. “Denke. I heard you’ve taken over Rose’s old job at the Walkers’ flower stall. I hope you’re keeping my bruder in line.”
“I’m trying to. Your boppli is beautiful, Mark,” she said as she walked to the front door.
He got there first and opened the door for her. “Denke, Lily.”
Chapter 9
When Lily got home, she found Willow in the bathroom having a hot bath.She said through the bathroom door, “A hot bath will do your back good.”
“Jah, it feels better while I’m in the bath.”
“I’ll get something for us to eat while everyone is looking at the boppli. I don’t think they’ll be home for a while. And Dat is going there after work too.”
“Why didn’t you stay on? I would’ve been fine here on my own.”
“It’s not nice to be on your own and not feeling well.”
“Did you come home specially to see me?” Willow asked.
“Well, that, and Tulip was being horrible to me.”
Still in the bath, Willow called out, “Why’s that?”
“Oh, you probably don’t know. I only just found out myself. Tulip is having a boppli.”
Willow squealed. “Really? When?”
“She said she’s four months along.”
“That means her boppli and Rose’s will be born in different years, but still close in age.”
“That’s true.”
“So why was she being horrible to you, Lily?”
“I’ll talk to you when you get out of the bath. It’s hurting my voice to yell.”
“Okay. Fix me something nice to eat,” Willow cheekily ordered.
Lily giggled at her cousin. “Okay. I’ll see what I can find.” When she walked into the kitchen, she smelled cooked food. To her delight, there was a huge dish of creamed celery and bacon keeping warm in the oven. “Ah, I like it when Mamm thinks ahead.”
She took the bread out of the bread crock and sliced it thickly. Then she set the table for two. When Willow finally got out of the bath and dressed, she sat down at the kitchen table.
“How do you feel?”
“Better after the bath.”
“Did you know that Mamm cooked this?”
Willow giggled. “I helped her.”
“Denke. I can’t wait to eat some. I suppose we should leave some for the others.”
“Unfortunately, I suppose we should.” Willow handed her plate across to Lily who filled her plate. “I won’t be blamed for taking too much. I’ll say you served me.” Willow giggled.
“Jah, then I’ll be the one to blame.”
Willow nodded. “Exactly.”
Once they had the food in front of them, Lily said, “Now we should say a prayer.”
As the girls closed their eyes, they said their silent prayer of thanks for the food. Then they wasted no time eating.
“What’s the boppli like?” Willow asked.
“Small and cute. When are you going to see her?”
“Whenever Aunt Nancy lets me.”
“I’m glad our mothers are getting along better. It’s been good having you and Violet here. It would’ve been very quiet without you now that Daisy’s gone.”
“Are you missing Daisy?”
“Nee.” Lily shook her head, not wanting to admit that she was missing her twin dreadfully. But even if Daisy were there, things wouldn’t be the same. They hadn’t been the same since Daisy met Bruno. He was now the main person in Daisy’s life, so how could things ever be the same?
“Now all your sisters are married,” Willow said, chomping on a piece of buttered bread.
“Denke for pointing that out.”
“I’m just saying that because I think your mudder wants you to get married.”
“That would be right. She wants to get rid of me out of the haus. I’ve got a job now, so I’m out most of the time. That should keep her happy.”
“Why would she want you out of the house all the time?”
“Probably because I annoy her.”
“I haven’t noticed that you annoy her,” Willow said. “This is your home. If anyone’s annoying her it might be me and Violet.”
“Nee, she loves you two.” Lily shrugged her shoulders and kept eating. Then she said, “I don’t know, she might want to turn the house into a bed and breakfast since it’s got seven bedrooms.”
Willow giggled. “You’re so funny, Lily.”
“Well, we do have a lot of bedrooms. When I move out, it’s just going to be Mamm and Dat rattling around in this huge place.”
“They might get a smaller one. Or you could marry someone and they could live in your grossdaddi haus.” Willow giggled again.
“I don’t think I’d like that. I think I’d prefer to live with Rose or one of the boys. Anyway, they’re hardly old enough for that. Maybe in about thirty years.”
“I’m pleased that Tulip is having a boppli.”
“Me too. I think she was starting to get a little depressed that our brothers and Rose had them and she had none.”
“Well, she’ll be happy now.” Willow ate some more.
“Everyone will be happy except for me.”
“And me too,” Willow said.
Lily stared at Willow and had to ask, “Why won’t you be happy?”
“The same reason as you.”
Lily frowned at her younger cousin. “Please explain?”
“You’re so pretty and you’re worried that you won’t find a man who suits you. But you could have any man you want, I’m sure of it. You should see the way all the men look at you, Lily. I know you don’t notice, but I have.”
Still frowning, Lily asked, “And you have the same problem?”
“I have a problem, but it’s not exactly the same. Boys just don’t look at me, so I have the opposite problem, but it’s still a problem. I’m just too plain and fat.”
“You’re not plain or fat, Willow. Everyone your age has a little bit of puppy fat and then you lose it when you get a year or two older.”
“That’s what Mamm calls it—puppy fat—but what if I don’t lose it and I’m fat forever? I don’t even eat a lot. So I don’t know why I’m so fat.”
“You’re not.” She was a little bit chubby and she was short, but Lily was convinced a year or two would fix that problem.
“You’re just saying that to be polite. I know that I am, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“You’re being far too harsh on yourself.”
With her fork, Willow pushed the last morsel of food around on her plate. “I’m being realistic. And that’s the best way to be. I don’t want to have it in my head that I’m pretty and can get every man like you can. But I only need one man, I figure.”
Lily laughed. “That’s what every woman needs—just one man. Just the right one who suits us and doesn’t care what we look like.”
“Do you honestly think I’ll find someone when I get older, Lily?”
“Of course you will, but you don’t need to worry about that right now. You’ve got a long time to go.”
“That’s all my friends ever talk about—boys.”
“You don’t need to worry. When the time comes, I’ll help you find someone.”
“You’d do that for me, Lily?”
“Of course I will. And I’ll find you the very best man in the world. Nee, wait. I’ll have the very best man and I’ll find you the second best man in the world. Will that do?”
“Jah.” Willow giggled. “Denke, Lily.”
Lily giggled along with her. “Let’s have another helping. There’ll still be plenty for them.”
“Okay.” Willow held out her plate for another serving.
After they ate, the girls washed their dishes and waited in the living room for everyone to come home.
“Now my back is starting to hurt again. I think I need heat on it all the time.”
“Do you want a hot water bottle again?”
“Jah, denke.”
When Lily came back into the living room after making a hot water bottle, she saw Willow yawning. “Do you want to go to bed? You’ll be warmer.”
“Jah, I think I might.”
“Do you want a cup of hot tea?”
“You’re spoiling me, Lily.”
Lily laughed. “Nee I’m not. I’m just looking after you and nothing more. That’s what Mamm told me to do.”
“Okay. A hot tea would be lovely. Can you bring it up to my bedroom?”
“Jah. You go to bed and I’ll bring up the hot tea. I’ve already got the boiling water.”
Willow headed up to bed.
All by herself, Lily headed to the kitchen to make the hot tea. It was odd to have so few people in the house that once had been filled with the talk and laughter of six children. Now that her older siblings had all married, things were so different. If only she could turn back the clock to before Rose married. She and Daisy had so much fun back the
n. They were always laughing about one thing or another.
Chapter 10
Nancy was upset that the girls had squabbled in front of Rose and her newborn baby. It certainly wasn’t what Rose needed just after hours of labor. She didn’t even know which one was at fault, Tulip or Lily. Lily didn’t like to be reminded that Daisy was married and in Ohio, and Tulip just needed some attention.
Understandably, Tulip being the second oldest felt she missed attention when she was growing up. Rose had gotten the attention of the firstborn, and when Tulip was a toddler, the twins arrived. The twins had demanded double the time and attention and it wasn’t their fault. Two babies had been so much more work than one. Normally Tulip was mild mannered and calm, but now Nancy could see that she’d have to do something to make Tulip feel special. But how to do that while still giving Rose and her baby attention and having enough energy left over to look after the cousins while Nerida was still unwell?
Nancy sighed as she sat on the edge of Rose’s bed. If only she could split herself into three people.
“What’s wrong, Mamm?” Rose asked.
Nancy smiled. “Nothing. Everything is right. I’m surrounded by familye and I couldn’t be happier. You’ve given me a wunderbaar grosskin and soon Tulip is giving me another.” Nancy looked at Tulip to see her smile. “Tulip, how pleased was Wilhem when he heard the news?”
“He’s the happiest he’s ever been. He called all his relatives today as soon as he knew I was planning on telling you all today. Oh, I should’ve told you when Dat was here too, so everyone would hear together. I was just so excited. I’ve been bursting to tell the news.”
“He’ll be here soon. You can be the one to tell him,” Nancy said.
“I should’ve waited for one of the family dinners, but I couldn’t wait any longer or I’d simply burst.”
Everyone laughed.
“We wouldn’t want that,” Nancy said.
“It’ll be the best day of your life. The day your child is born,” Rose said.
“Jah, I’m so looking forward to it.”
“Here’s Onkel Hezekiah now,” Violet said, looking out the window.
“I’ll bring him up to the room and you can tell him your news, Tulip.”
“And bring Mark as well. He’ll be excited that Sarah will have a cousin so close in age,” Rose said.
Amish Lily Page 5
