Eternal Love

Chapter 9: Life goes on

A couple years went by on the estate. Sheila and John had one two year old daughter named Bella. Sheila was pregnant again with their second child; they were truly hoping for a son this time. John had informed Sheila he would not stop until he had at least one son. Sheila didn't mind; she wasn't like most women, she rather enjoyed the rest and relaxation she got during her pregnancy.

John worked more these days than before. Sheila didn't mind though; she had plenty of company with her daughter. Bella kept her busy all day and night. Her mother called it "the terrible twos". Sheila didn't think it was terrible at all.

With having Bella in her life; her minimal time with Thomas seemed nothing more than a dream. She was pleased with her life, as it was currently. Being a wife and mother truly gave purpose to her life. She even found her fondness for John getting better lately as well. He was being much more gentle lately.

Sheila was six months along with her pregnancy; so movement was becoming slower for her. Her mother suggested hiring a nanny until at least six weeks after having the baby. Sheila thought it might be a good idea; but she wanted to be the one to choose whom it would be. Ophelia agreed; claiming she would've done the same. Sheila knew better than that; but decided not to press the issue.

Sheila's days consisted of following Bella around to make sure she didn't hurt herself and trying to help the housekeeper with John's belongings. Although, the further along she got in her pregnancy; the moreso difficult it became to do much of anything. Hiring a nanny was sounding better and better. She knew it would make everyone happy. She decided to go ahead and hire a nanny.

The interviews took longer than she expected them to. Ophelia said she was being to picky about it; but John understood her reasoning. Their feelings seemed to mimic each other. Sheila truly was finding herself falling in love with John. Having children truly was bringing her and John closer together.

After a few days, Sheila finally found the perfect nanny. The woman was a middle aged woman whom had no family of her own and no outside projects to disrupt her duties as a live in nanny. She had been a nanny for some of the most prominent families in England; where she was from. This impressed both Sheila and John. She would be perfect.

The nanny moved into Sheila and John's room; while Sheila and John opened up the third floor. They took over the whole floor; it truly felt like they finally had their own space. It took the rest of Sheila's pregnancy to renovate the third floor. By the time she was due; it was nearly Christmas and they were ready to move in to the third floor. In the four years her and John had been married; she finally felt they were a true family.

Little Lucas was born and John and Sheila couldn't have been happier. Sheila and Lucas had to stay in the hospital in town for a few days. Lucas was a little low in his blood pressure; the doctor just wanted to be safe and observe him for a few days before letting them go. Sheila understood and patiently waited the few days. A few days later, everything checked out and they were allowed to go home.

They were so happy during Lucas's first year; they hardly noticed the grounds were getting close to the condemned stage. The weeds had overgrown and new ones had replaced the dead ones. John had fired the gardener due to slackness; therefore no one had done anything to the grounds for a few years. John also didn't know anything about gardening nor landscaping. Their money was mostly going to caring for the children; so they really couldn't afford to hire a gardener.

The nineteen twenties was coming upon them and things were not looking good for other countries, but the US seemed to be blooming. Especially in entertainment. They had dancing girls in their town now; which no one ever thought would be allowed. However, with the new liberal mayor, things began becoming much moreso progressive. Sheila's mother didn't like the changes at all; she was spending more time in her room than anywhere else.

The younger generation was eating the changes up, so to speak. Yet, Sheila had mixed feelings about it. She believed young ones should have their rights to enjoy their freedom, but she wasn't sure about the lascivious ways they went about enjoying their freedom. She wasn't so sure freedom meant one had the right to disrobe in public for money. Perhaps she was listening to her mother too much.

John was quite enjoying it. He would go see the dancing girls for a hour every night, after work; before dinner time. He would go with a few of the single male tenants he got along with. Sheila didn't care for it much, but figured she could allow one hour. He was never unfaithful; their children was proof enough of that for Sheila. She had John all to herself every night, so she didn't see the point in getting upset about it.

By the time Lucas was two years old, Bella was preschool age. Which meant the nanny wouldn't have to worry about her for at least four hours a day. By lunch time, Bella would be home and the days main duties would be done. Sheila found a friend in town at the library and had started going to book clubs there. Twice a week she would spend the whole day in book clubs.

Sheila's new friend was from Germany; so she wasn't great at speaking English, but could understand it well. Sheila did her best to teach the young girl. Eventually, the young German girl was both writing and speaking in English. Although, her German accent stayed. The young girl was a pleasant girl to be around; always smiling and positive.

With all the good things going on in their lives, they had hardly noticed her mother's decline in health. Lately, her mother was becoming more and more forgetful. Physically, she hadn't changed much, just looked older. Mentally, however was in a permanent decline, according to their doctor. Sheila began paying more attention to her when John was gone.

The nanny took over full time duty of the children. Which Sheila was relieved for. John had taken on a second job in her father's logging company. Therefore, she hardly saw John at all. Looking after her mother was a full time job for her. She couldn't leave her alone for even a second.

The nanny was managing the children well. A year went by and Bella had moved into the elementary school for kindergarten. Lucas had begun preschool; which left the nanny four hours to clean the children's room and do their laundry. She was generally done in two hours, so she would help Sheila for the last two hours. With being so busy taking care of her mother; Sheila had missed a whole year of being physically with her children.

Although this did put added stress on her; it all was for a good reason. She knew her mother didn't have long on this world. Her mother was almost ninety nine years old; so she was definitely overdue for the lifespan of those times. She loved her mother, even though she had been such a difficult woman in her life. Sheila insisted to stay by her side until the day God called her home.

The years went by happily for them all in those days. Sheila knew they were truly being blessed.