CharismaticCrowe59f13

Tasha studied Russell's profile quietly, willing him to speak. When it became evident that he wasnt going to, she said, "We need to talk about this Russ. I know that might be hard for you, but we really need to get this out into the open."

He stared at the steering wheel as though it were the only thing he was physically able to look at. Without another word he pulled off to the side of the road and turned to her. His eyes were bright with unshed tears, and in a voice fraught with emotion said "I am not sure how to feel about this Tash. I have always wanted to have babies, love. It's just hard to accept right now. Did you know that you were pregnant?"

He leveled a look at her, the lines in his face becoming apparent to the strain he was feeling.

"No, I did not. I had been wondering for a couple days now why I was so tired, but I just put it down to jet-lag. I had some bleeding a couple of weeks ago, and I thought that was my period. Turns out that happens to some women for the first month or two. I honestly didnt know. I am on the pill, so I didnt even consider the small percentage of women who become pregnant while on the pill. I would say I'm sorry but how can I when I didnt know?" she replied softly.

The lines around his eyes and mouth had softened from serious contemplation into melancholy, and he nodded to indicate that he believed her. Grasping her hand, he brought it to his lips and placed a soft kiss in her palm. Although she was still in some measure of pain from her ordeal, his touch - as always - aroused a response in her. When he spoke, it was with the hush of a near weep.

"I'll not deny that I am stunned, and hurt, but I just want you to know that I am in no way angry with you. I love you, Tasha. I was afraid that you had kept it a secret from me and I didnt want to believe you would keep me in the dark on something like that."

She looked shocked and hastily said, "You know that I wouldnt Russell. I love you just as much as you love me and I think I have told you before how much I value honesty havent I? I know it is hard for you, but I lost a child. Oh God, Russell what if I am not able to have children? I've always wanted babies too and now I'm having to face the possibility that I might not be able to bear them." She turned her face away, but not in time. He caught the flicker of tears and leaned toward her and gently turned her face to his.

Cupping her face, he said "The doctor said that she thinks you will be able to, love. She said that it may have been stress combined with the trip. When we do start planning for children you will just have to take it extra easy on yourself. No horseriding, no plane trips - and no worries. Dont torment yourself, love. We'll face that day when we get there. I've an idea. Why dont we have a night picnic in a few days...after you have rested a bit more. We'll take some of Mum's good food, a tent, and find ourselves a bit of open sky. How does that sound?"

Overcome with love for him, she nodded. He smiled and kissed her softly, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. Satisfied with the conversation, he shifted back into his seat and drove them back to the farm.

When they arrived, his mum insisted she go immediately to bed. During the first day Jocelyn would bring her food while Russ would sit with her. He would tell her cheeky jokes and bawdy stories to make her laugh, since he said he "couldnt live without that gorgeous smile" of hers.

On the second day Tasha insisted Russ go and tend to his horses and cows. She wanted to get to know his mum better. Jocelyn sat with her and they talked for many hours. She told stories of Russ as a child and the trouble he and his brother had gotten into. They laughed and Tasha told Jocelyn about herself and her family. In the evening, Russ would bring her supper and sit beside the bed to eat and talk with her about what happened on the farm that day.

He would sleep on a pallet beside the bed so he wouldnt jar Tasha any and risk hurting her, and when he would get up at dawn he would softly awaken her with a kiss. Then he would be off, and Jocelyn would enter with breakfast and a cheerful smile.

She spent a week in bed to allow her body to heal. That time was well spent however, as she and his mum grew to be friends. Tasha was grateful to Jocelyn for her wonderful care and her heartfelt down-home friendliness. She was thankful that Russ had such a wonderful mum. It was obvious that he, his father, and his brother were the center of his mum's world, and Tasha was happy to be let into that circle as his mom now referred to her as a daughter.
On the 8th evening, when Jocelyn departed and Russ entered with the food and a kiss she told him she was feeling better and was ready to take that camping trip.

That night he slept beside her on the bed, and held her cuddled in his arms.
"Do you realize how hard it has been to sleep on that damned pallet when I wanted to be up here holding you the entire night?" He laughed.

She giggled and placed a lingering kiss upon his lips.

"It's just too bad that is all we can do!" She said softly.

He groaned his agreement, and said "Tomorrow night we will take the tent out to the fields. I know a perfect spot where we will be able to lie on our backs - no funny comments there - and stare up at the stars until we are dizzy. We'll take some Merlot and some of Mum's good chicken and make a romantic night of it."

She thought that Russell sounded particularly giddy for some reason. Much like when he was planning her going away get togather. It immediately lead her to believe he was up to something. Remembering the last time she tried to obtain the secret from him, she giggled and prepared herself for whatever the man was up to this time.
Little did she know that he was indeed planning something. He was planning to pop the question. He had confided in his family so they already knew what he planned to do. He had the ring - a perfect carat diamond set in white gold - now he just hoped to hell he the woman in question would say yes.