There still might be some typos, even though I thought I found all of them. But anyways, here is the second last chapter!!! I may post the final one tonight, but it depends if I finish my writing assignment... which shouldn't be a problem! 😉🤪 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 14 A routine began to shape itself, and Heather tried to bury herself in tasks to keep her mind from wandering. She worked double her shifts in the hospitals when Emma allowed it, then visited with her family and some friends when she couldn’t work. Jo and Cole updated her on all her brothers heroics, and mentioned bits of Weezie to her, even hinting that Picket was sweet on her. It didn’t come as a surprise to her, seeing as Weezie was always regularly checking in on the Longtreaders. Louise even brought her mother on one of these visits, and she enjoyed herself getting to know the Packslayers family. Heather realized how much they loved Picket, and it only strengthened the feeling in her gut. Heather braced herself against the wall and tried to slow her rapid breathing, but all she could manage was short, shallow breaths. Is this happening? Is this real? Yes, it had to be. Picket shifted slightly in bed and in response to the small movement he groaned before falling silent again. But he was growing more and more restless. Heather had only meant to stop in quickly before going to work when she noticed his movement. Smalls had already been gone four days, but it felt like time had sped up in the last ten minutes. Heather smiled, her heart hammering against her chest before she flew out of the room and up the stairs. “Mother!” She burst into her parents room, nearly flattening Jacks against the wall. “Ouch!” He yelped, glaring at her as he bent to pick up his book. Her parents jumped at her entrance and came to her, their eyes full of concern. Sween ventured the most feared question: “What happened?” Heather smiled and began to laugh, tears rolling down her face and blurring her vision. “Picket moved!” She whispered. Her parents gasped and it only took a second before Heather and Jacks raced after their parents who had bolted out the door towards the bottom floor. Soon they were in Picket's room, they eyes watching in wonder. Sure enough, Picket shifted his left leg and moaned, wincing in his sleep. Sween covered her mouth as she began to cry, Whittle putting an arm around her shoulders and holding her close all the while watching his son. Heather smiled, then turned to the small table in the room and wrote a quick note: Smalls, I know you are scouting for the New city, but would you come back? It’s important. Love, Heather. She folded it up and ran out of the room, nearly colliding with prince Whitbie. “I’m sorry, your highness!” Heather apologized, curtsying quickly before starting to the door, but the prince stopped her. “Miss Longtreader, is everything alright?” He asked, concern in his eyes. Heather smiled and nodded, her joy bubbling inside. “Everything is alright,” she almost sang. “Picket is waking up!” She said excitedly. Whitbie’s face lit up and he grinned, clasping her hands tightly in his. “That is good news! I’m sure you all are very happy!” He congratulated, though his countenance changed slightly when he saw the note in her hands. “What’s that?” “It’s a note for Smalls… he asked me to send word if anything happened, so I wrote him a note and am looking for a runner.” She explained, running out of breath already. Whitbie grinned and rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to get to work. “No need. I’ll take it to him.” He answered. Heather raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I couldn’t- I mean, you shouldn’t… let me find someone else, sire.” She protested, looking flustered. Whit chuckled. “I am still a prince and I outrank you by a bit, Miss Longtreader, but not for long it seems,” he said with a wink. “But let me deliver this for you and your family.” Heather pinched her mouth tight, a smile still there, before handing him the note. “Thank you, your highness!” She expressed with a curtsy. Whit laughed and gave her a hug. “Just Whitbie.” He answered, putting the letter in his pocket and running off down the road. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let me know if you have any suggestion! I have to go calm my racing heart now... lol! Blessings, A. R. B.