Part Three

Dear Marita,

I miss you so much.  It is so hard to be away from you, especially this long. I hate to think that you are all alone now.  How are you feeling?  I hope better.  I got a letter yesterday from Lexie, she said that you were as big as a house.  How come you never tell me that?  I bet you are beautiful.   I remember when Ma was pregnant she would get this glow around her.  Are you glowing?  Oh how I wish I could see you right now.  What I wouldn’t give to hear your voice.

You are going to love it out here.  It is so beautiful.  The sunsets are amazing.  The sun sets beneath the mountains and the sky is filled with a crimson glow.  The house is coming along.  I actually started ordering furniture for it.  I have met some excellent carpenters. They are making us a bed, bureau, and wardrobe.  One of the men on the farm Leo, who you will meet, is doing the kitchen plus the table.  I ordered a nice dining room set plus a couch, some chairs, and a desk from another company out here.  It isn’t much but it is enough for now.  Some dishes should be coming any time soon.  It’s amazing how many things that you need, I never realized.  Your father’s house is finished and for the time being we are all living in there.  You know I think he really likes it out here.  There is a sense of freedom that I don’t think any of us have ever experienced.

I met with our neighbors again.  She is so excited about you coming.  You should see their three sons, they are so beautiful.  I think that Ky is just excited that there will be another woman around here.  There seems to be a great deal of men and little women in this community.  Everyone is nice though.  I have never seen this many different people in one area.  You will be amazed.

Anyway, I should probably end this letter soon.  I haven’t gotten a crib yet.  Peter said that he would get it when I wire him that the baby is born.  I am worried that I might jinx something.  What else should I tell you?  I miss you so much.  I can’t wait to come home to you.  In two more weeks we will start out.  Your father is staying to look after the horses.

I miss you so much.  I love you.  I really hate ending these letters, but I know I must.  I will see you soon.

Love, Sean

Marita finished the letter and smiled to herself.  He was always so cute in what he mentioned and what he left out in his letters.  She was glad that her emotions were in some kind of control today because she usually cries with ever letter.  But this letter was different.  This letter meant that he would be home soon.  She missed him so much.  It had been hard on her lately to be without him.  Her stomach had grown and she now looked very pregnant.  She also felt very pregnant.  She could go for one of his feet rubs now.

"Was that a letter from Sean?"  Lexie asked as she walked into the room.

"Yes, it was.  And thank you very much for telling him that I am as big as a house."  Marita said in her sternest voice.

"Sorry."  Lexie said quietly. She didn’t think that Marita would be mad about that comment but apparently she was.

"I was just joking, Lex."  Marita said smiling.  Lexie looked relieved.  "So how are your lessons going?"

"Okay, but I really hate history.  Why do I need to know that stuff?"

"Because you need to know where you are from to know where you are going to go.  So what history are you learning about?"  Marita knew that she was going to miss Lexie.  They had grown close during this time.

"Just early American, you know colonial stuff."

"Like Washington and Virginia?"

"Yeah.  Do you know what I don’t understand is the whole separation from
England thing?  I don’t see how they were so bad.  Why did we need to break away from them?"  The two started talking.

About an hour later, Ned was about to leave when he heard the voices coming out of the study.  Lexie and Marita were sitting there talking.  It sounded like they were talking about the Revolutionary Way.  He smiled.  He was really going to miss her.  She was becoming such an important part of the family.  He was glad that she was feeling better.  She was going into her ninth month of pregnancy and he could tell that it was really beginning to wear on her.  She got tired easily.  Her stomach was so swollen and he could swear that it was beginning to drop.

"I’m going into town.  I should be back in a couple of hours."  The two smiled and wished him goodbye.  What he didn’t tell him that he was going to meet the train.  Sean had wired earlier and said that they were coming home earlier.  He wanted to surprise Marita.

Ned watched as the train pulled in.  He was glad that his son was coming home.  The house had seemed empty without the two Logan boys. He had missed them.  He was glad that Clay had gone with his brother.  It gave them more time together.  He knew that Alice and Clay were shocked about Sean’s relationship with Marita.  He knew that they had known that the two were much closer than usual.  But Ned didn’t think they believed that it was as serious as it was.  Ned knew though that if Clay was given a little time that he would come to understand it better.  He also knew that Clay would always stand up for his brother no matter what.

Alice, however, was a different matter.  For five months now, Alice had hardly talked to Marita.  He couldn’t get over how mad she was.  He had tried to talk to her but nothing seemed to work.  It was almost like Marita had betrayed Alice or something.  Ned could tell that Alice upset Marita a lot.  Whenever the two were in the room the tension was always so thick.  Marita would end up leaving.  He just wished that Alice would come out of this before Sean and Marita leave for good.  He would hate to see his children end up bitter and angry with each other.  And Ned knew that if Sean found out how cold Alice had been acting towards Marita, he would never forgive her.

Ned noticed that the passengers were getting out of the train.  He looked for Sean or Clay.  Then he finally saw them.  He waved at them and they waved back as they walked forward.  Both hugged Ned.

"How are you doing?"  Ned beamed with pride at his two sons.

"Good, tired."  Sean answered.

 "Hungry."  Clay piped in.

 "You're always hungry."
 
"So."  Clay whined.

"It’s nice to see that you haven’t changed much.  Let’s get your stuff and get out of here, before some mass of girls see that you two are back."

"What mass of girls?"  Clay asked looked around.
 
"How are you my brother again?" Sean joked.  He had Clay had really gotten close during this trip.  He appreciated all of the help that his brother had done on the house and farm.
 
"So are you anxious at all, big brother?"
 
"Anxious, yeah.  That would be one way to describe it."

"How about another one?"  Clay teased.  It didn’t take a genius to figure out just how much Sean had missed Marita.  In fact for the past three hours she is all that he had talked about.
 
"Don’t you dare."  Sean said as he got into the carriage.
 
"Well she’s waiting for you, son."
 
"You didn’t tell her."
 
"No, I didn’t tell her.  But she is still waiting for you.  You should see her she is so big.  She waddles around everywhere."
 
"Ah, waddles... what a romantic term."  Clay teased again.
 
"I can’t picture her waddling,"  Sean replied in a half dreamlike state.
 
"Don’t worry you will be able to see the real deal soon enough."  Ned laughed at his son as they headed home.  They looked good, he thought.

Marita walked slowly through the house; she was looking for Lexie.  Sarah had made some cookies and asked Marita if she could tell Lexie.  Marita was actually glad to have a task to do.  She had gotten bored of reading.  Lately, that was all they were allowing her to do.  Everytime she sat down to work on the books or write a letter for Ned,  somebody would come and tell her that she should be looking after herself.  Basically, they didn’t want her to do any work; they wanted to wait on her.  It was meant to be a nice gesture but in reality it made her feel helpless.
 
Marita continued to look everywhere for Lexie, she wasn’t in the house.  She went out the kitchen door and saw Alice washing some clothes.
 
"Alice, have you seen Lexie?"  Marita called.
 
"Yeah she went out to the barn.  Do you want me to go get her?"  Alice looked up from her washing at her friend.  Marita looked so tired lately.  She was still mad at her, no matter how hard she tried to contain herself she couldn’t.  She had always thought that they were best friends, but she couldn’t seem to forgive Marita for not telling her about Sean.  Everyone thought that she was mad because of what other people would say.  But it wasn’t that.  She had told all her deepest secrets to Marita and Marita had kept things hidden from her. It was as if she didn’t trust her.
 
"No, I’ll go and find her.  I need a little walk anyway." Marita smiled at Alice and brushed some hair out of her eyes.  She started walking down the steps and to the barn.  Her legs had been hurting her all day and she knew that they just needed to be walked around a little.  Her stomach had gotten so large that it was throwing her equilibrium off.  Suddenly as she walked by the fence to the stables, she stumbled over in pain.  She grabbed at the fence for stability.  Just as suddenly as it came, it was gone and Marita was left with the aftereffects.
 
Alice came running over as soon as she saw Marita start to crumple over in pain.  "Are you okay?"  She yelled as she ran.  Marita was trying to compose herself again.  Her breathing was heavy, as if she had just run a marathon.
 
"I’m okay, just give me a moment."  Marita tried to stand up straight.  Both of her hands were supporting her by holding on to the fence.  As she regains her balance, she places a hand on her belly.  "That was a strong one."  Marita noticed the concerned look on Alice’s face.  "The baby has been kicking all day.  This one though was strong.  I wasn’t expecting it."  She smiled trying to reassure Alice.
 
"Are you sure you’re okay?"
 
"I’m fine.  Do you think you could walk with me to the stable?"
 
"Sure."  Alice walked Marita to the stable and helped her sit down.  Lexie came running out and wanted them to watch her jump.  Alice stayed next to Marita.  She was being protective. The two were so ingrossed in watching Lexie, they didn’t even notice the carriage coming home.

"I think that they are over there."  Ned pointed to the course.  Sean jumped out and ran towards them. He saw Marita she was so large.  He noticed though how tired she looked.  Alice was the first one to see him.
 
"Sean."  Alice screamed as she jumped up and ran to her brother.  He gave her a big hug and a kiss.  "We missed you."
 
"Thanks."  He looked up at Marita who smiled.  "Hi."  He called.  Then another girl came at him.  Lexie jumped into her brother’s arms.
 
"We missed you so much."
 
"I missed you both two."  He picked his little sister up and hugged her.  They both had this big grin on their faces.  When he finally put her down, she kissed his cheek and ran to Clay.  Marita had gotten up by this time and was standing. She just looked at the scene that was being played before her eyes.  Sean looked up at her as his little sister ran to her other brother.  She was so beautiful was all he could think.  He starts to slowly walk over to her.  She stood there watching as he stares at her.
 
The first thing he does when he comes close to her is touch her stomach. "You are so beautiful."  He says in amazement.  It is only then that he finally looks up at her eyes.  She can see tears forming.  "I’ve missed you."   Sean then kissed Marita.  They hugged for what seemed like forever.  Both wanting the comfort of the others body.  Sean relished the feeling of her swollen stomach against his.  They only broke apart when they heard Ned talking about going inside.  The two broke their hug with a kiss and then walked into the house with their arms wrapped around the other.
 
"So why didn’t you tell me you were coming home earlier?"  Marita asked as Sean helps her up the stairs.
 
"I wanted to surprise you." Sean laughs as stands at the entrance to Logan house.  "Did I surprise you?"
 
"Maybe."  Marita stands in the doorway leaning against the frame.  Sean is leaning against the other frame.
 
"I missed you."  Sean says as he stares at her with wonderment.
 
"I missed you too."
 
"How are you feeling?"
 
"You mean besides from being pregnant and big?"
 
"Yeah, besides that.  You look so beautiful.  How does it feel?"
 
"Give me your hand." Sean gives her his hand.  Marita places it on her stomach.  Sean’s eyes widen.  "Do you feel him moving?"
 
"Yeah.  Wow, is this normal?"
 
"Lately, it is.  Last night the baby got the hiccups and I could feel them."
 
"You could feel them."
 
"Yeah it was like little bubbles going off in my stomach.  They kept me up all night."  Marita smiled. "Sometimes the baby is very active and it is just squirming around inside.  It is really amazing.  I never thought that it would be like this.  Sean I have this life growing inside me and it depends on me for everything.  I can’t explain, words don’t seem to do it justice."  Marita looks up at Sean her eyes are sparkling,  "I love you."
 
"I love you too."  Sean moves closer to kiss her.  Before he can, he notices that someone is coming up the road.  "I think we should go inside."  Marita turns to see the buggy and nods her head.  The two quickly go inside.  They head into the study where everyone is listening to Clay talk about California.

Clay looks up and smiles at Marita. "You are going to love the house and the land is so wonderful."
 
Marita smiles at him,  "So it gets your approval?"

"Definitely."  Clay smiles.  There is a knock at the door. Ned excuses himself and goes to get it.  He is gone for a long while.  Clay continues to talk about California.  When Ned comes back in his face is full of concern.  Marita notices and asks what is wrong.

"There was another attack last night."

"Another one?"  Sean asks.

"There have been three in the last two weeks.  You remember Claire Williams."

"Yeah, she lives by the Jones'.  Nice girl."

"She was apparently walking home last night and was attacked."

"What!"  Marita exclaims.  "Is she alright?"

"They found her body about an hour ago."  Ned says as he puts his head.

"Wait a minute... they killed her?  And this is the third attack and no one knows anything?"  Sean asks in confusion.

"No one is talking.  There have been about eight attacks since you left."  Marita answers quietly.  The thought of finding that young girl’s body horrifies her.  Claire was only sixteen.  Her tension causes the baby to move a little bit.
 
"But people must know."  Sean asks again.  He can’t understand how no one can know what is happening and who is doing it.
 
"People know Sean, but they are afraid to say anything."  Alice answers.
 
"And I have decided not pursue it any further because. …" Ned starts.
 
"So you are just going to let them go around hurting people."  Sean says as he stands up and walks over to the window.
 
"Sean, Marita and I talked about this and we decided that it is best for everyone if we just kept quiet and tried not to provoke anyone’s temper."
 
"So you are just going to let them continue to hurt people.  What happens if they decide that they are going to finish the job here and hurt Marita?"
 
"Which is exactly the reason why we are trying to stay out of it.  We don’t want them to remember Marita.  Nobody in town knows that she is staying here.  And hopefully no one knows about the baby.  Sean, we are doing what we can."  Ned tried to explain to his son.  But it was hard for him to even understand.  Marita and he had decided that it would be safer to stay out of it.  However safer doesn’t make it any easier.  When you hear about people getting hurt, especially this young girl, it’s hard to stay out of it.

Marita got up and started to walk over to Sean.  "Sean, we are trying to keep…" Before Marita could finish her statement another wave of pain came over her.  She cringed and grabbed for the nearest chair.

Alice was the first to her side.  She had been watching Marita the whole time.  Something in her told her that she should keep her eye on her friend.   "Another pain?"  She simply asked as she helped Marita into the chair.  Sean and Ned were both at her side now.

"Yeah.  I wasn’t expecting it so soon."  Marita answered.  She was out of breath.

She sat on the chair her hand was down and she was leaning on her knees.  Alice held her hand.  Marita squeezed it and looked at her friend who eyes were full of concern.  She could feel that Sean’s hand was on her back soothingly stroking her.  She still hadn’t quite caught her breath yet.  This pain had been sharper and more forceful.

"You have other pains like this?"  Ned asked.

"I think the baby is just anxious.  It’s been kicking all morning."  Marita answered still attempting to calm her body down.

"Marita, you didn’t act like the baby was just kicking you?"  Ned asked.  He was concerned.  He had noticed that she had been acting more tired lately.   He knew that it was too soon for the baby to be born, so he hoped that she wasn’t starting labor.  But he couldn’t deny the fact that she acted like she had just had a labor pain.

"Sometimes the kicks get stronger than normal.  I think that I am just tired and so it had a greater impact on me."  Marita said, trying reassure them all and herself that everything was fine.

"Maybe I should get the doctor to come and look at you, just in case?"

"No, I’m fine.  I think that I just need to rest for a little while."  Marita starts to get up.  Sean hands are around her waist helping her to stand.

"I’ll come with you."  Sean said.  This was the first statement he had said during this whole time.  He walked Marita up the stairs to their room.  When they got to their room, he helped her to the bed and took off her shoes.  He was worried about her.  She seemed so tired.  He could tell that she was worried about the pain too.  She hadn’t said anything since they walked up the stairs.

"Would you like me to rub your back?"  Sean asked quietly.

"I remember why I missed you now." Marita teased and rolled over.  "Could you hand me that pillow?"  Sean handed her the pillow and she put it under her stomach for support.

Sean climbed into the bed on the other side and took his shoes off.  He rolled over to Marita and started rubbing the bottom of her spine.   He could hear her sigh.  "Does that feel better?"  He whispered in her ear.  She nodded.  "Was the pain bad?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"I can’t explain it.  It just felt so…"

"It wasn’t a kick."

Marita turned her head to Sean.  He had known the whole time.  "It’s too early, Sean."  Her eyes revealed her worry.

"Maybe it will stop.  I remember Mama had early pains with Alice.  Then they stopped.  I’ll just stay here with you and rub your back.  Don’t worry, okay.  I’m here."

"I am so glad that you are home.  I missed you so much.  I tried to be strong but it’s hard.  I can’t believe that they killed that girl."  Marita closed her eyes.

"I used to go to sleep at night with one of your shirts on.  I’d sleep with the candle on.  Any sound outside would make me jump. I always watched where Lexie or Alice were.  Ned was doing the same thing.  Sean, we didn’t want them to remember that I was around."

"Why didn’t you tell me any of this in your letters?  If I had known how worried you were I would have come back, you know that." Sean wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.  He laid his head next to hers and they wrapped their legs together.

"I didn’t want to worry you.  Beside what could you have done?  It was better that you finish with the place in California.  Plus you’re here and I am fine."

Sean kissed her neck.  A few minutes later Marita fidgeted. "Sean can you help me take some of these clothes off."  As she started unbuttoning her shirt.

"But I thought that you were tired?"  Sean asked slightly confused and very turned on at the site of skin.

"Sean, I am tired, honey.  So stop getting excited.  I itch and these clothes don’t help.  Plus it is really hot in here.  So help me."

"You’re mean."  Sean whined.  Marita shot him a look.  "Okay I will help you only if you will help me."  He smiled.

"You're incorrigible."

"Hey, I really have missed you."  He smiled at her.  He kissed her naked shoulder.

"Fine, go lock the door."  Sean literally bounded out of bed and ran to the door and locked it.

Several hours later, Sean woke up with his arms wrapped around her body.  He could feel the baby move next to his stomach. He moved down and kissed her belly.  "Quiet down there, little one.  Your mommy needs some rest."    Marita, who was woken up by the kicking, laughed softly.  Sean looked up at his love.
"Hi."

"Hi."  She smiled back at him.

"How are you doing?"

"Fine."

"Are you rested?"

"Yes.  You?"

"Definitely, but I could stay here all night with you.  If you asked."  He smiled up at her and moved up and kissed her lips.

"I’m hungry though."  She whined.

"You're hungry?"  Sean teased.

"Yes."

"Then we should see what we can do about this."  Sean rolled over and got out of the bed.  He put some pants on and his shirt.  He then picked up Marita’s clothes.  "These have gotten bigger haven’t they?"  Sean laughed

"Don’t laugh."  Marita pouted.
 
"But I love you anyway.  Plus I think that you are the perfect size."
 
"Don’t say that or I might just decide to stay this size."  She threatened.
 
"Fine with me, as long as I can still wrap my arms around you.  We would be a funny looking old couple though.  You nice and round and me tall and skinny."
 
"We already make a funny looking couple."  She laughed.
 
"You think?"  Sean teased.  "But I have to say for a funny looking couple, you look mighty fine, woman."
 
Marita just glared at him  "Give me my clothes."  He handed her shift.  When she had put it on, he gave her the rest of her clothes.  When she was dressed he helped her stand up.  "This keeps getting harder."  As soon as his hands left her, another wave of pain hit her.  She lost her footing and fell back on the bed.  She put her hands on her stomach and closed her eyes.  This wave of pain lasted longer.

Sean dropped to his knees in front of her.  He waited for the pain to subside.

"Are you okay?"

"Um."  Marita just mumbled something as the pain left her.  "That was really intense."  She closed her eyes again and smiled.

"Do you want me to get the doctor?"  Sean asked concerned.

"No, not yet.  Let’s wait.  Get something to eat and see how I feel.  Okay?"

"Okay.  But you tell me if you need something, okay?"

"You got a deal."  Marita smiled.  "Now help me up."

Sean helped Marita stand up.  He placed his arm around her waste for support.  He kissed the back of her head.  She wrapped one arm around his waist and the other on her stomach.    They walked down stairs and heard commotion in the dining room.  When they walked in, everyone was sitting and eating.  They all looked up at the couple.

"We wondered when you would be down."  Ned said simply.

Sean pulled the chair out for Marita.  "What would you like to eat, Madame?"  He asked her as he winked at Lexie.  She giggled and Marita smiled.

"Everything."  Marita answered, smiling widely.

"Everything.  Wow Marita you’re starting to eat like me."  Clay joked.

"That’s because she’s eating for two.  You however only ever eat for one."  Alice joked.  Everyone laughed except Clay.

"That’s not nice, Alice."  Clay whined.

"We definitely missed you two."  Ned laughed at his children.

The dinner proceeded as normal.  Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the meal.  Ever once and a while Marita would look up at the scene and smile.  She was starting to feel weird.  But she tried not to show it.

After dinner everyone got up and decided that they were going to talk in the living room.  As Marita got up, she lost her balance and sat back in the seat.  The room was spinning a little.  She closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath.  The wave of pain started only this time it was much stronger and was longer.  The strength caused Marita to scream a little in pain.  She didn’t even know what was going on in the room around her.  She heard Ned yelling and she felt Sean kneeling next to her.  The commotion was making her dizzy.  She just sat there though.  Her head was spinning.  She started mumbling something.  She started mumbling that she wanted to lay down.  She felt arms lift her up and bring her upstairs to her bed.  She didn’t even know who had brought her up.  The pain started coming again.  She didn’t know when the last one had come.  All she knew was that each wave of pain was stronger.

She felt someone take her dress off.  All she had on was her shift.  She felt Sean holding her hand.  She squeezed it and searched for his face.  She saw his eyes and concentrated on the blue.  Things were starting to come clearer.
"I’m fine."  She whispered.  Sean laughed.

"We are getting the doctor, Miss fine."

"Sean, I think that I am going into labor."  She heard him laugh again.  He kissed her forehead.  That was when she noticed that Alice and Sarah were in front of her.  She heard Alice say something else and then another wave of pain.

The waves came and went for several hours.  Marita hardly knew what was going on in the room.  She knew that Sean never left her side.  She also knew that he was very tense.  In fact, the entire room was tense.  She finally heard a door slam downstairs. She heard Clay yelling.  She then saw her Auntie come in front of her.

"What do you mean you couldn’t find him?"  She heard Sean yell.  Auntie was looking at her.

"How are you doing?"  Auntie asked.  Marita couldn’t respond. The pain was getting almost unbearable.  She was wearing out.

"When did her water break?"

"About an hour ago."

"And the contractions?"

"Three minutes apart."

"Good."

Marita realizes for a moment what is going on.  "Tired."  She says quietly her eyes are starting to close.  Sean looks at her and then looks up at her aunt.

"No honey, you need to stay awake.  I know you are tired.  After the baby is born you can sleep.  But you need to stay awake."

Marita looks up and smiles.  And like a child she answers "Okay."

The sound of her voice scares everyone in the room.  She hears Sean yell something about finding where the doctor is.  A pain hits Marita and she squeezes Sean’s hand.  Her aunt is telling her to push and she tries.  She feels Sean’s arms behind her helping her to sit up and push.  She tries so hard.
The contractions start coming closer and closer.  In between each contraction Marita falls back exhausted.

"I don’t how much longer she can take of this?"  Aunt says quietly.

"What do you mean?"  Sean asks.

"She’s exhausted, son."  Ned was standing by the doorway, waiting for Clay and Jeremy both to return.  He had sent them out again to keep looking for the doctor.

"She’s going to be fine."  Sean answers adamantly.

"I don’t know how much more her heart will let her take, child."  Auntie looks up at the young man.  Such faith he has, such hope for the future.  She hoped she was wrong about what she saw in Marita.  The girl had been through so much and now this labor was taking everything she had.  "The next push I should see the head.  That is a good thing."

Marita opened her eyes when she felt the next contraction come.  She felt Sean behind her.  She was totally leaning on him for strength.  She heard her Aunt say something about one more time.  It was getting harder and harder for her to pay attention. The room kept spinning.  All she wanted to do was close her eyes and sleep.  She could feel Sean next to her.  No she couldn’t sleep, not yet.  She had to keep going.  She knew she could, she just needed to try.

The next wave came and Marita screamed.  Then she heard the sound, intermixed with her own screaming was a baby’s cries.  Marita could tell that everyone was really excited.  She could feel Sean kiss her forehead.  He laid her back in bed and then her Aunt put this little baby in her arms.  Immediately Marita knew that this was her baby.  It hadn’t hit her that she actually just gave birth to her.  She heard Sean say something about it being a beautiful baby girl.  Marita closed her eyes and kissed her daughter’s forehead.

It was only then that she noticed how small her daughter was?  "So small?"  She asked and looked up at her Aunt.

"Being a month early can do that to you.  Here let’s wrap her up and keep her warm."  Auntie took the baby out of her mother’s arms and wrapped the tiny child up in a blanket.  She then handed the child back to her mother, whose eyes kept closing.

Auntie went back to make sure that everything was okay.  The placenta had come out fine, but Marita was still bleeding a little. She could also tell that her breathing was slowing.  She looked up at Sean who was stroking Marita’s hair and watching his daughter.  He had noticed Marita’s breathing too.

Sean wanted to hold his daughter but he was afraid to take her away from Marita.  She looked so fragile at this moment.  He knew that she was doing everything she could to stay awake.  At one point, she looked up at Sean and smiled.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, too."  He kissed her lips.  He looked down at his daughter and smiled.  "She is so amazing.  Thank you."  Tears were in his eyes.

"Thank you."  Marita smiles.  She is holding her child.  This is her daughter.  She was so small and delicate.  She heard a commotion downstairs.  She heard the doctor’s voice.  She felt Sean leave her.  When he came back the doctor was with him.  She heard him ask her something in a pleasant voice, but she couldn’t quite understand him.  She looked up as the doctor took her daughter away and handed her to Sean.

"How do you feel?"  He asked.

"Tired. It’s hard to concentrate."

"I want you to look at me for a moment."  The doctor moved his hands in front of her face.  Her eyes followed his fingers.  "Good."  He then listened to her heart.  "It actually sounds quite strong.  I want you to close your eyes and rest."
Marita closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The doctor got up and looked at Sean.

"She is going to be fine.  She’s just exhausted.  Now let us take a look at this little one."  Sean handed his daughter to the doctor.  He set the baby on the bed and gently unwrapped the blanket.

The child was very small and delicate.  He listened to her heart and it was strong.  The little girl started crying at the loss of warmth.  The doctor quickly wrapped her up again and handed her to Sean.

"She’s small but very strong.  You need to keep her as warm as possible.  She doesn’t have enough body weight to warm herself yet.  I have seen smaller preemies.  She should be fine.  When Marita wakes up, have her feed her.  She needs to eat as much as possible.  I also recommend that she is always held at least for the first couple weeks.  Young ones usually do better when they are constantly surrounded by people.   I will come check on you all tomorrow."  The doctor then smiled at the young man.  "They should be fine, son."  He patted Sean’s shoulder and walked out.

The doctor met Ned down stairs at the door.

"Those are two very tough women up there.  Marita is exhausted, but she should be fine.  The baby has a good chance.  She’s small but her heart is very strong.  Congratulations."  The doctor smiled at his friend.

"Thanks.  Michael, if you could be as quiet about this as possible it would be much appreciated."

"I understand and this is something that I will keep quiet.  I am sorry that you all couldn’t find me.  I had an unusual amount of calls to make.  Ned, I feel I
should warn you that I was at the Sinclair’s earlier looking after their daughter whom has a fever.  He mentioned something about you and your family and how he hasn’t seen you much lately. He was wondering whether you were hiding something or were ashamed about something." He paused for a moment, "They remember." The doctor finished.

"I didn’t think that they would forget.  Thank you.  As soon as Marita is ready they will leave."

"Good.  I think that she should be ready in a couple of weeks.  If I hear anything else I will let you know."

"Thank you, I appreciate all that you have done."  With that the two men shook hands and the doctor got back in his carriage and left.

Ned walked into the living room.  He could hear laughter coming from the room.  Lexie, Alice, Jeremy and Clay were listening to Marita’s aunt as she told some story.  Ned smiled.  Alice looked up at him.

"How is she?"

"She should be alright.  The doctor also thinks that the baby has a good chance."  Ned smiled.

"So how do you feel Grandpa?"  Clay teased.

"Happy, thank you Uncle."

"Does that mean I am an Aunt?"  Lexie asked.

"Yes."  Ned answered.

"Can I see her?"

"I think that we should give Sean and Marita some time alone.  It is late and some people around here should be going to bed."

"Pa."  Lexie and Alice moaned.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."  Lexie and Alice both mumbled as they huffed to bed.

"Pa."  Clay started. "Pa, nobody would tell me where the doctor was.  They didn’t want me to find him."

"I know, Clay."

"Do you think they know?"  Marita’s aunt asked.

"I think they have an idea about Marita.  I think that sooner they leave Kentucky, the better it will be. Things are getting pretty tense around here."

"Agreed.   Well I should be going back home now."  Auntie got up.

"Clay could you escort her home?"  Ned asked.

"Sure." Both of them left.

"Are you worried?"  Jeremy asked.

"Slightly, yes.  You should probably be going to bed too." Ned smiled at the young man.  He had grown such an important part of the family.

"Goodnight, Sir."  Jeremy went upstairs.

Ned got up and followed.  He went into Sean and Marita’s room.  Marita was sleeping and Sean was sitting in a chair by the fire.  Sean looked up at his father and smiled.

"Do you want to hold your granddaughter?"

"I would love to."  Sean handed the child to Ned.

"She’s beautiful.  She looks a little bit like you did when you were little."

"I think she looks like Marita."

"So how do you feel, pa?"

"It’s amazing.  Watching Marita and then seeing this little creature.  It makes my heart stop just thinking about it."

"It’s an amazing feeling isn’t it? Have you cried yet?"

"A little.  Did you?"

"With everyone of you, I cried.  You never get over that ache.  I still feel it sometimes when I look at you.  Being a father is one of the most important jobs in the world.  It is this amazing feeling, that happens. It will never leave you, son.  She is beautiful, son.  Congratulations."  Ned smiled at his son.  They were both still starring at her.  The baby was sleeping quietly.  "Can I give you a secret?"

"Sure."

"There is nothing more beautiful than watching a mother with her child."

"I can see that.  You should have seen her face, Pa.  She could hardly stay awake during the labor, but the second that this one was in her arms, it was magic.  She glowed, it was so amazing."  Sean closed his eyes.  He smiled.

"You should get some sleep too, son.  This is your first night at home by the way.  You should get some rest.  So I will give you your daughter back and you go and lay down next to her mother."  Ned handed his granddaughter back to his son.

"Pa?"

"Yes."

"Do you think I am going to make a good father?"

"A good father, yes.  But I am going to be serious with you, this is not going to be easy and I think that you know that.  But I have faith in you and in Marita.  I love you too dearly and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Just remember your love and that will be your strength."  With that Ned gave his son a quick hug and left the room.

Sean crawled into bed carefully.  He didn’t want to wake Marita.  He laid down on his side, so that he could watch her and look at his daughter.  He held his baby girl in his arms, cradling her.

"You know how lucky you are, little one.  You are so loved.  I love you.  I will never let anyone hurt you. I will always love no matter what happens.  You are my baby girl.  Your mommy and I love you very much." Sean kisses her forehead.

"Now all we need for you is a name."  Sean smiled and looked over at Marita who was sleeping peacefully.  "We will wait until your mommy is awake."

                                    -to be continued-