A Mother in the Making by Gabrielle Meyer Page A

says we’re going to live here,” Isaac said to Charlie.
    Charlie glanced at Lilly with a look of horror.
    Isaac looked up at Lilly. “Mama said you are old enough to take care of us and she can have a break.”
    Lilly’s mouth fell open and she stared at Marjorie. “Does she think I’m going to take care of her children?”
    â€œShh.” Marjorie put her arm around Lilly’s shoulder. “Maybe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
    â€œI don’t want to have four more babies in this house,” Charlie said.
    â€œMama’s having another baby,” Isaac offered. “Maybe twins again.”
    â€œMore babies?” Lilly squeaked.
    The thought of another set of twins gave Marjorie the shivers—but she squeezed Lilly’s shoulders. “Don’t worry.”
    Charlie looked around the nursery. “Where’s Petey?”
    Marjorie pointed to their bedroom door. “He’s in there.”
    â€œBecause Isaiah wouldn’t give him his airplane back,” Lilly said as she glared at the other boy. “Am I right?”
    â€œPapa doesn’t even realize how crazy it is up here,” Charlie said. “If he could see how miserable we are, then he wouldn’t marry Mrs. Jensen.”
    The stairway door opened and Miss Ernst appeared in her black gown and white apron. Today her red hair was tamed behind her cap, but just barely. “Are the children ready for me to bring up their meal?”
    Suddenly Marjorie had an idea.
    â€œChildren.” She held up her hands. “I know what we will do.”
    Charlie was right. Dr. Orton couldn’t marry Mrs. Jensen. It would be a madhouse with all these children, especially if Mrs. Jensen expected Charlie and Lilly to take care of them. Both adults were downstairs, enjoying a quiet meal together, but they needed to see what it would be like to combine their two families.
    â€œMiss Ernst, I will bring the children down to the dining room to eat with Dr. Orton and Mrs. Jensen.”
    â€œI was told to serve them up here.”
    â€œI’m changing the plans.”
    â€œBut—” Miss Ernst stuttered. “Dr. Orton will be angry.”
    â€œLeave Dr. Orton to me,” Marjorie said. “Come, children.”
    Charlie grinned, but Lilly looked uncertain.
    â€œI’ll get Petey,” Charlie said.
    The Jensen girls were still crying for their mother. “Miss Ernst, can you carry Laura downstairs? I will bring the twins.”
    Miss Ernst looked at Marjorie with apprehension, but she picked up Laura.
    Marjorie took the twin girls in her arms and Charlie came from the room with Petey.
    â€œPapa?” Petey smiled, despite the large tears dripping down his cheeks.
    â€œYes. Now come along.”
    The ten of them descended the stairs, with Marjorie at the lead. They marched through the second-floor hall and then walked down the grand stairway into the front foyer. The twin girls were still crying, and Isaiah was still clutching Petey’s airplane.
    Dr. Orton appeared under the dining room archway, a napkin in his hand. He frowned at the scene. “What’s all this noise? Is there trouble, Miss Maren?”
    Marjorie strode right past him and into the dining room where Mrs. Jensen sat. “The girls won’t be consoled.”
    Both girls reached for their mother at the same moment, nearly sending Marjorie head over heels.
    â€œChildren, find a seat.” Marjorie deposited the girls onto Mrs. Jensen’s lap, barely looking at the stunned woman’s face. Both toddlers stopped crying the moment they touched their mother.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Dr. Orton asked Marjorie. His dark eyes were filled with storm clouds. “I told you to feed the children upstairs.”
    Marjorie helped Petey into his seat and then put her hand on the backrest and faced Dr. Orton. “The girls would not stop crying until I brought them to their