New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (40 page)

They continued walking south until coming to Walnut Street where Sam turned east, with Sara absently following. They hadn’t walked far when they came to a large park called Washington Square and he took the opportunity to find a bench. He needed to get through to his wife somehow. She must let this depressed feeling go, at least for a while. Taking both of her hands in his and looking deep into those eyes, which at the moment seemed to be so far away, he thought for a minute before starting. “You do realize of course any amount of worrying is not going to change any results.” Her eyes seemed to show she was coming back to him. “And of course you understand no matter what the results show, I will still be here with you. I have told you this over and over again. You must believe me by now.” Bit by bit the woman he loved so much sat beside him on the bench, someone he had seen little of since leaving Montreal.

“I am being silly again, aren’t I?” she said, looking into his dark eyes and smiled back at him. “I know no matter what, we will get through this together.” For the time being she had to let her worries go. If not, how could they carry on through their Christmas holiday and their honeymoon? She sat back against the bench and looked around the park and at the streets, finally seeing what was in front of them. Everywhere were trees, wreaths and garlands decorated in holiday flavour. How could she waste her time worrying about something that could wait those two weeks? A decision was made. Yes, she would wait before telling him her news.

Sara stood up from the seat, taking her husband’s hand, pulling him up beside her. “Let’s take a walk down to the harbour. We can see the sights along the way.”

Kitty corner to the Square was another one named after Jefferson on which the Independence Hall graced the north end. They continued walking through it and found they were suddenly in the retail part of the city. Here was the last chance before Christmas to find that special something.

The Fieldings stopped in front of a store which displayed an artistic rendition of what everyone these days was starting to think Santa Claus looked like. Children milled around them also looking at the man who, in little more than thirty-six hours, was going to be descending down their chimneys. The picture originally was drawn by Thomas Nast and was displayed in the Harper’s Weekly the year before. But the drawing sparked the vision of the man Clement Moore wrote about so many years earlier in “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” It started with the words, “T’was the night before Christmas.” Years ago Sara memorized the poem which amused her in her younger days and started to recite them to her husband. Before getting far in the verse her eyes started to shine. She remembered the joy of Christmas she shared with her family and realized she had someone special she could share it with again.

They continued walking through the stores, along the streets, enjoying the season upon them and forgetting about their worries at least for the present. They walked down to and along the wharf where they watched the goings-on of the many people. They observed the West Jersey Ferry come into the dock and watched as people exchanged joyous greetings between passengers as the season’s cheer could be felt everywhere.

It was well after dark by the time they decided to turn back to the hotel. Coming upon an old church built of red brick with black-glazed headers, they thought to go inside to rest before the lengthy walk back. They discovered this was the Christ Church, built nearly a hundred and thirty years earlier and showed a style of a time long gone and was restored to its old character. Two pews were roped off so as to preserve them as President George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had used them. They sat for a time, feeling the history presented before them. For a moment Sara closed her eyes and thought of her own times gone by, but she found she couldn’t ask for the help she needed. But she pushed it away again. No, she would not let her thoughts spoil this first Christmas she would share with her husband.

Chapter Twenty-nine

As Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday and most businesses were closed, Sam wondered what he could do to keep his wife from returning to her thoughts of worry. He did not realize Sara decided to put the notions behind her, at least for the time being. He was relieved when she rose that morning, smiling.

“It is Christmas tomorrow,” she informed her husband. “I can’t wait to spend my first one with you.”

“It will probably be a quiet day. After all, Christmas is supposed to be a family time. Will you not find it lonely?”

“You are my family, Sam … how could it be lonely?”

They went down to the hotel restaurant for an early luncheon and decided to explore the city again, this time in a different route. They had only seen the city hall from their balcony and as they walked out to the street thought to continue north to view the building Philadelphia was so proud of. Even though it was not yet completed and probably would not be for a time, it was an impressive structure. They learned when finished it would be the largest single building in America and the highest construction in the world. Looking up at the tower, the couple were quite certain what they heard must be true.

They found the city’s passenger railroad was still making its way through the streets. As it completed its route around the city hall they thought about getting on one and venturing to wherever it may take them. The cost of each ticket was six cents for each train and several times, happy to be exploring the sights, they boarded connecting cars. They found themselves in the north-western part of the city at Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill River where the Centennial Exhibition was held in 1876. It was a celebration which was heard of around the world.

Sam talked to the driver of one of the coaches as he directed the team of horses along the rails. They learned for about one year the Market Street Passenger Line made a trial of seven steam engines, rather than horse drawn cars, in 1877. Due to the expense involved, the steam cars were discontinued. It seemed this old city was the place of the initiation of many new products and ideas.

Their searching continued through the afternoon, filling their day. It was near seven when they once again found themselves back in the centre of the city. Without asking what she wanted to do, Sam waved to a cab and driver. He quietly spoke to the man so she would not hear the instructions. As he looked at his watch, Sara realized he had plans in mind he didn’t share with her. Instead of asking, she thought to wait and see what the surprise might be.

At an unhurried pace they continued along the streets until about half an hour later they arrived at the entrance of The Walnut Street Theatre. Other carriages were waiting their turn to deliver their passengers. Gentlemen standing on the street aided the women as they stepped down from the vehicles, the men following.

“We probably needed tickets before coming,” Sara quietly said to her husband.

He smiled as he showed her the two tickets, which announced the Christmas Eve performance of Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol.

It was not just a smile, but a beam which shone on Sara’s face. She had a hard time to contain her excitement but the people around her displayed an air about them and she knew she must act ladylike not like an excited child, but it was nearly impossible. Not only was she going to see the production of a story written by one of her favourite authors, but in the oldest theatre in America where many famous actors and actresses portrayed their many characters.

It was nearly midnight when they walked out of the theatre in the middle of the large crowd. Sara enjoyed herself immensely and almost could not contain her excitement. Sam couldn’t help but think as he watched the play it reminded him of himself. He was like Scrooge at one time, but it had not been three ghosts which changed him but only one adorable woman. He smiled to himself as the thought crossed his mind. It made him happy to see Sara enjoy herself so much.

The church bells in the city started to ring loudly as the clock struck midnight and Christmas day was upon them. More people filled the streets as they exited a nearby church after the midnight mass, many wishing them a ‘Happy Christmas’ as they met on the street.

In the midst of the crowd Sara noticed a familiar face as Mrs. Horvath and an older gentleman walked toward them, arm in arm, coming from the nearby cathedral. The women greeted each other with big smiles and immediately wished one another a Happy Christmas.

“Are you feeling better tonight, dear?” Mama said to Sara as she placed her hand upon the younger woman’s cheek. “Those biscuits should be working well by now.”

Sara nodded as Sam said, “They have worked a small miracle for us Mrs. Horvath. It is so nice to have my wife feeling better for our first Christmas together.”

“Miracles have little to do with it Mr. Fielding. I have had many years to find remedies for various ailments. It is always a pleasure to help such nice people as yourselves, especially when such a natural condition can bring about unpleasant side effects.”

Sara held her breath for a few seconds, hoping Sam missed the true meaning of the gypsy woman’s words. She noticed the expression on his face did not change and she quietly released her breath and relaxed.

Again Mrs. Horvath placed a gentle hand upon Sara’s cheek as she added, “We will save our miracles for much more important things, for I believe one is working its way to you at this very instant.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked directly into Sara’s eyes.

She smiled back at Mama, not allowing herself to believe any such thing could be possible but for a moment a warmth seem to fill her body. It reminded her of the feeling she got when Willie had taken his first steps, or performed in the Christmas pageant at his school. It was the feeling she got when filled with pride and she couldn’t explain why at this moment she felt it now.

They stopped on the street for only a few minutes before each couple said goodnight and wished each other a good day and continued on their separate ways.

Sam and Sara continued down the street walking arm in arm, in silence. It felt like an unusual quietness between the two until Sam quietly asked, “What natural condition was Mrs. Horvath meaning, Sara?”

Sara’s answer was a slight shrug. “Just the sickness, I guess.”

Sam stopped on the street and turned her toward him, placing his hands on her shoulders. “No, she made it sound like there is a baby,” Sara’s eyes glanced down, unable to meet his. “Is there already a baby, Sara? Is that why you have been sick?”

Her eyes looked into his, tears forming in the corners and he saw the answer to his question. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her tightly to him, “Why do you insist on always bearing the burden yourself?”

They continued walking the two blocks to the hotel in silence, Sam’s arm still wrapped tightly across her shoulders. The sky was clear and the stars looked down upon them brightly, but from somewhere in the heavens a few snowflakes fell, seeming to bring a blessing with them.

The night clerk came to the front desk as they stepped into the hotel. “Mr. and Mrs. Fielding, Merry Christmas. A woman is waiting in the lounge to see you.”

They were both taken by surprise at the idea someone was waiting to speak to them, especially at this hour. In the lounge a lone woman slept in a soft easy chair near the lit fireplace. Sam walked to her and found Mrs. Fitzsimmons, the nurse they met earlier in Dr. Evans’ office. She stirred at his touch.

“Mr. and Mrs. Fielding, I’ve been waiting for you to come back,” she said, returning to a straightened sitting position.

“Is everything all right, Mrs. Fitzsimmons?” Sara asked as she came to the nurse’s side and sat on the nearby couch, expecting bad news. Sam sat on the large arm of the sofa beside his wife, his hands once again resting on her shoulders.

“I found your set of circumstances so disconcerting, Mrs. Fielding. I took the blood samples to the laboratory and asked a technician to come in to look at them, so they could be examined right away. He tested it several times to find if the element was lacking which shows the condition the doctor is suspicious about. Mrs. Fielding, the doctor was right with your diagnosis. Mr. Fielding, it was found the element was not found in your sample either. Although there is no real study on this, Doctor Evans strongly believes any child you will have together will not be affected by this condition.”

There was near silence throughout the room, the only sound being the crackling of the fire in the fireplace beside them. Finally Sara spoke, “Do you mean this baby should be normal … this baby will live?” The look on her face was one of disbelief.

“Barring all of the normal problems all babies face coming into this world. Of course he or she will also not have the element in the blood. If it is a boy, or if you have any boys in the future, they will have no concern with their children. It seems it is only when the woman has this condition there are problems, unless her husband also does not. Of course, by the time one of your daughters would become a mother great progress could be made in the matter. I understand it is rather complicated and Dr. Evans would like to explain everything to you after the New Year.” Mrs. Fitzsimmons stood up from the chair. “But I best return home.”

The Fieldings stood up together. Sam was beaming his excitement, but Sara still held the look of not understanding the information.

“Thank you … thank you ever so much for all you have done for us and for going to the extra effort to bring the news to us so quickly.” Sam shook the nurse’s hand heartily, hardly able to let go.