A Headstrong Woman(13)

“Can I have another cookie, please?” Lilly requested.

“One more,” Alexandria consented.

“You make a good mother, Lexie, I can’t wait for a new niece or nephew; to think I’ll have them close enough to see,” Anna’s smile was wistful; she had yet to meet Catherine’s two children.

“Right,” Alexandria busied herself with wiping crumbs from the table.

“What is it, Lexie?” Anna’s face immediate became drawn.

“I should check the bread,” Alexandria jumped up to open the oven and peer into its hot interior.

“Don’t try changing the subject on me, Lexie, what’s wrong?”

“What if I never have children?” Alexandria countered almost angrily.

“Is that what you’re worried about? You haven’t been married all that long, Alexandria,” Anna sank back in relief. Her gaze, however, stayed on Alexandria.

“You’re right of course,” Alexandria forced a smile.

“I don’t suppose I could get a tour of the house could I?” Anna’s expression was teasing.

“I’m sorry, Anna! I was so glad to see you that I didn’t think anything about it. Let me just ask Millie to keep an eye on the bread and I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“I was just returning,” Millie offered as she entered.

“Thanks, Millie. Well, Anna, we’ll start here on the first floor. You’ve seen the parlor of course and I’ve not changed anything in there and of course the old dining room is Millie’s quarters. I’ll give you a quick peek into Eli’s study and office and then show you the upstairs.” Alexandria stood and lifted Lilly to her hip.

A few steps brought them to the office door directly across from the kitchen and Alexandria opened the door almost cautiously. This was not territory she had spent much time in; none, truth be told.

“This is the office or study I guess both apply,” Alexandria indicated the interior with a sweep of her hand and then quickly pulled the door to and indicated the back stairway which stood nearly directly beside them.

“I can’t believe that in all the years we knew Elijah and Martha I have never been up here but I haven’t,” Anna mused aloud as they topped the stairs into a wide hallway the same dimensions as the one below. The upstairs, however, contained more rooms.

“That’s my room,” Lilly pointed to her own room.

“We’ll start there,” Alexandria gave her step-daughter an indulgent smile. Alexandria stepped into the room and let Anna look around at the pale yellow walls and floral curtains that had been lovingly decorated for the little girl that had now become Alexandria’s whole life. Alexandria couldn’t see this room without recalling Martha’s excitement while decorating for a then infant Lillian.

“It’s a beautiful room,” Anna acknowledged.

“It is. I still remember Martha showing it to me once when I came to call with Mama; I think you were at school that day.”

“Rub it in that you’re older,” Anna crinkled her nose at her sister.

“In a few years you’ll be rubbing in that you’re younger,” Alexandria predicted with a smile. They continued down the hall to the middle room which was set up a guest room as Lillian was the only child. The front room was the same.

“Here’s my favorite,” Alexandria crossed the hall and opened the bathroom. A pull chain toilet dominated the back wall with a sink to the right and the tub to the left. Her childhood home had an indoor toilet but not an in room tub.

“It’s big! Ooohh, look at the tub and a sink!” Anna walked into the room and looked around in awe.

“Isn’t it great? I love to soak in this tub,” Alexandria admitted. “Elijah added this after Martha got sick.”

“Wow! You think I can convince Daddy to add one?” Anna’s eyes were sparkling with merriment.

“Good luck,” Alexandria smiled in return. They exited the bath and Alexandria showed Anna the sewing room which was smaller due to the bathroom enlargement taking from its square footage. A small bed and chest did occupy the corner in case it was needed for guests but the room was predominately used for sewing projects including several dresses Alexandria was currently working on for Lilly.

“Where’s your room?” Anna queried as they exited the sewing room.

“Right here beside the bath,” Alexandria led her into the room overlooking the back yard and porch. The room was done in a rose patterned paper and was dominated by a large four poster bed, flanked by windows. A chifferobe sat opposite the bed and the wall the door occupied contained a chest of drawers and a long full length mirror. The wall opposite the door held the fireplace flanked by two arm chairs and two more windows. In the corner was a dressing table and stool.