NOVEMBER 16, 1861

"Adriane, I need you to mind the store. I'm going to see Meg for a little while." Grace said. She felt great to be able to leave the store and go visit with her friend who was in town for the day. Adriane was quite the seamstress. 

Grace and Meg ate lunch together at the restaurant. Grace seemed to be really happy. It seemed like being to married to Charlie had just made Grace glow. Meg was glad that her friend was doing so well.

"I must tell you Grace, you and Charlie seem to be really happy together."  

"Yes, we are very happy.  You know it's seems so different being married. Like something on the inside has changed."

Meg didn't remember that. She felt like the same person after her and Luke got married.  "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's like . . . well kindda like butterflies in your stomach all the time, only you're not nervous. I don't know maybe I'm not explaining it right."

"Maybe not, I'd still like to check you out. Have you been sick in the mornings?"

"No."

Meg nodded. After they finished their lunch, they went over to the doctor office and Meg did a complete exam on Grace. "Well, Grace, you can tell Charlie that he's going to be a father in about seven and a half months."

Grace looked at Meg in disbelief. "Really?!"

Meg smiled, "Yes, really."

Grace grinned, "It's for real this time?"

"Yes, it's for real this time. You're about six weeks along."

Grace hugged Meg. "Oh, I got to go tell Charlie."

Grace ran out of the office and ran all the way to the restaurant. Charlie saw her running and thought that something was wrong. He met her at the door.  "Charlie!"

"Grace, what's wrong?" he interrupted.

"I need to talk to you for a minute."

Not sure what was going on, he said, "Alright we can go back to the office."

When Charlie closed the door behind him, he asked again, "Grace, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Meg said that we're going to have a baby."

Grace watched as what she said sunk in. Charlie's face went from one of worry to one of extreme happiness. "Really?"

"Really. She said that I was six weeks along, and in about seven and half months you'll be a father." Grace said grinning.

Charlie just hugged her tightly.

"Uh, Charlie, I can't breathe."

"Oh sorry." He said as he loosened up his grip.

"Will you come with me to tell Uncle Teaspoon?"

"Sure."

Before they left the restaurant, they saw Teaspoon eating at one of the tables. They walked over and Charlie said, "Teaspoon, your meal is on me."

"Well, thank you Charlie, but I must ask why."

"Because we're going to have a baby, Uncle Teaspoon." Grace said.

Teaspoon was stunned for a minute, but then a grin spread across his face. He stood up and pumped Charlie’s hand, all the while saying, “Congratulations.” He finally stopped and gave Grace a hug. “Congratulations, Grace, honey. I’m so happy for you,” he pulled away not wanting to smother her. “And for you, too, Charlie. Well, whatta ya know, I’m going to be a great uncle.”

After their conversation with Teaspoon, Grace went back to her shop, and Charlie wanted to ask the judge some questions, so he went over to the hotel to see him. He found him in the dining room having lunch.

"Hello, Your Honor."

"Hello, young man.”

“I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind, Your Honor.”

“Are you Charlie Montgomery, the owner of the restaurant, Silver Spoon.”

“Yes, I am, how did you know that?”

“Sheriff Hunter and Mayor Sitzler have been pointing out the residents of Dreamville to me. Your restaurant does have some of the best food I've tasted in a while."

"Why thank you."

“Won’t you sit down Mr. Montgomery?”

"Sure.” Charlie took the seat across from the judge.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“No thank you.”

“Alright then, what questions did you want to ask me?"

"Well, on the train there were these twins. A boy and a girl, they look to be thirteen, but they have told us that they are sixteen. They want to be mine and my wife's apprentices.  Do we need to come see you?"

"I know that you own this restaurant, but what kind of trade is your wife in?"

"Oh, she owns the dress shop next door."

“That’s a good business. I’ve noticed the dresses across the way in the boutique window. They’re very lovely.” He had noticed them because he had thought about buying Jennie a pretty dress for her to wear at Thanksgiving supper with him. That is if she accepted his invitation. “Well, since the children are sixteen, I think they are old enough to make up their own minds as to what they want to do with their lives, so no, Mr. Montgomery you don’t have to get my consent for them to live with you.”