Chapter Twenty Five: Seasons of Change
It was an uneventful winter up on Meadowbrook, and a near deafening silence had supplanted every sound as recently dropped snow created a blanket over everything. The orchard, as vibrant and alive as ever, was quiet and still underneath the winter sky. In the farmhouse, though, there was activity plenty to fill the air with warmth.
Lily and Mark were curled near the crackling fire, a throw across their legs. Emily sprawled idly across the rug, reading a book, while the puppy languished by her side, multiplying zeds. The smell of cinnamon and cloves drifted from a pot of cider that steamed on the back burner.
"It's so peaceful," Lily said, looking out the window at the snow-covered fields. "I love this time of year."
Mark said, eager in agreement, making his teeth crunch when he nodded. "A time to rest and reflect, to plan and hope."
They had spent the last few weeks preparing for winter, their firewood and their last harvest now tucked away, the farm put to rights. The cookstove in the little farm cottage would be filled with the smells of baking and bubbling pans of stew—comfort food that warmed one inside while the snow whistled outside.
"We've done so much this year," Lily began. "But I feel like there's still so much more we'd like to do."
Mark took her hands in his, warm and reassuring. "We've built a strong foundation, Lily. We're ready for anything else that comes our way."
They visited until late in the night, sharing their hopes, longings, and aspirations for the future. The talk of enlarging orchards, additions to field-cropped lands, innovations, and new products all began to circle about; their dream was about hosting the bigger Farm-to-Table Dinner or hosting bigger farm long-table dinners.
Above all, they had the feeling of being left with an empty space, only one child to raise. While Emily was their joy and pride, each of them felt that there was room in their heart for more children. A busy house filled with loud laughter and great love: that would be nice.
But as months passed, increasingly what Lily and Mark spent their time doing was nursing their dreams and deepening their bond with one another. Both would often sit by deadly evening fires, reading books and telling each other stories. They would take long walks in the snow-dusted fields, their breath creating clouds in the cold air.
And then one afternoon, as they strolled hand in hand through the orchard, Mark suddenly stopped, turned to Lily, and said, "I've been thinking, Lily. It might be time that we expanded our family."
Lily felt her heart pick up its pace at the words. "Really?"
His gaze bright with love sparkled when he nodded. "I think Emily would make a great big sister. And I know how much you always wanted a bigger family.".
Lily's eyes teared up, and she just nodded, so overwhelmed by it. "Yes, Mark. I would love that more than anything."
They held each other closely; their hearts were hammering, yet they beat in rhythm to the orchard around them. In that moment, they knew that their dreams were aligning, that they were ready to take the next step together.
It was over the course of the next couple of months when they began working at it: the addition of new members to their family. They met with doctors and specialists, began researching the field, and even making future plans. During this time period, an adoption journey from a positive perspective, filled with hope and anticipation, is based on the hope of the moment their family would grow even larger.
Meanwhile, life at Meadowbrook Farm unfolded in its own rhythms and cycles. Meanwhile, spring brought its promise to bloom on the Orchard and filled the air with flowers' sweet scented perfume. Farm tours began once more, welcoming visitors to learn about farm life and experience the beauty of the orchard in bloom.
A little older and wiser, Emily found herself donning more responsibilities out on the farm. She helped out with the tours, led the youngsters around the orchard, and began to try her hand at recipes of her own—farm-inspired and fresh.
"I want to be just like you and Daddy," one evening she had said, with eyes shining bright. "I want to grow up to be a farmer.
Lily and Mark smiled with pride at each other. Their hearts filled with love for their daughter. "You can be anything you want to be, Emily," said Lily with great encouragement. "We'll always be here for you."
As the days of summer crept ever closer, Lily and Mark continued preparing for their new family member. One of the rooms of the farmhouse was arranged as a comfortable nursery, with light green walls and filled with handmade quilts and stuffed animals.
"I can't wait to meet our baby," Lily said one evening as she sat in the rocking chair within the nursery, her hand resting on her growing belly.
Mark knelt beside her, his eyes shining with love. "Me too. Our family is growing in more ways than one."
They talked throughout the night, baring their souls, speaking about their hopes and dreams for the coming family. The baby's first steps within vision, likely within the orchard, with laughter echoing against the trees. Booker dreamt of holidays all together, full of love and laughter.
As warm days channeled in and orchards brought forth fresh fruit, a peace that had settled over Meadowbrook Farm filled Lily and Mark. They had sown for a tomorrow, and what future lay beyond, they knew they would face with love, courage, and unwavering determination.