It had been another restless night.
Marie had insisted Mabel spend the night at her house, but she refused. She wanted to be there when her husband got home... if she wasn't he would be worried.
She had spent the night on the settee, watching from the window. It was daylight now and she had only slept briefly.
Hearing the familiar ' thump, thump' on the steps, she called out "Jack!" As she struggled to get to her feet.

The door opened and there he was, soaked right through to the core. Hanging his hat on the pegboard, he reached his hand out to help his wife, who was still struggling to get up.

"How ya feelin' this mornin'?.... Sorry if I worried ya."

Mabel threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "I was so worried about you." She kissed his lips and hugged him again. "You better get that wet clothes off before you catch your death!"

Waddling to the bedroom, with Jack on her heels, Mabel went to the wardrobe and got out some warm clothes for him to change into. Meanwhile, he sat in the rocker by the door and took his boots off, no easy task when your pants are sopping wet.
Mabel unbuttoned his shirt and helped him slip it off. Jack stood up, he was so chilled that he couldn't stop shaking. She slipped the sweater she had just made, over his head and proceeded to unbutton his pants.

"Mabel!" he protested.

"You're being bashful again Jack." she chuckled. "It'll be quicker if I help...besides your hands are too cold to undo the buttons." She kissed him again.
He pulled on a pair of long underwear, slipped his legs into the dry trousers, then sat back down in the chair. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Mabel put a pair of wool socks on her husbands feet.

"There. Now lay down on the bed." she insisted.

"Huh?"

"Lay down on the bed and I'll cover you up."

Jack did as he was told. He was beat, at least if he was laying down he could sleep for a spell.
Mabel layed down beside him, happy to have her husband home... turning on her side, she put her arm around him and rested her head on his chest.

"Jack... feel this." she whispered.

"Look woman...Marie says we ain't supposed ta....ya know....til after the baby's born."

She raised herself up on her elbow and looked into her husband's face. "Why do you always refer to it as, ' ya know ' ?"

"'Cause it ain't somethin' folk's are s'pose ta talk about, least ways decent folk."

"Uhuh". she smiled." Where do babies come from Jack?"

He looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Ya know." he insisted.

Mabel rolled over on her back and laughed uncontrollably. It felt so good to laugh. Jack was pleased too. Lately the only response he had gotten from his wife was anger.
He was puzzled as to what she found so funny though.

"What ya laughin' at?....You laughin' at me?"

Mabel kissed his cheek. "No, I'm just laughing because I'm happy."

"Oh."

Placing Jack's hand on her stomache she said, "This is what I wanted you to feel. The baby is kicking."
She watched the look of amazement on his face, and then the broad grin that followed as he felt the powerful little kicks coming from inside his wife.

"Does it hurt?"

"No.... except sometimes when his feet get under my ribs. It usually feels wonderful, like there's a miracle going on inside of me. I can't believe that in just a few weeks we're going to have our own baby."

After a long pause, "You ever get scared?" he asked in a serious tone.

Mabel layed her head down on Jack's chest, "yes" was all she said.

Before long they were both asleep.

- - - - - - - - -- -

When Mabel woke Jack was gone. She couldn't believe it was mid afternoon, she had been sleeping for hours.

Emma hadn't been in for her daily visit and she wondered if that meant her friend's baby was coming today. Or maybe she had been there while Mabel was sleeping.
Feeling the need for some fresh air, she dressed and looked out the window. It had been raining for two days, and the street was nothing but mud. ' Might be too slippery ' , but she decided if she was careful, she could make it across the street to the store. She really wanted a licorice twist !
Mabel held on to the railing as she climbed down the steps to the street, she would have to choose her footing carefully.

Ardamous Boone was watching from outside the saloon and like a true gentleman he staggered over to offer his assistance. Seeing her safely across the street, he kissed her hand and bid her a good day. Then he made his way back to his post outside the saloon door.

"Good afternoon Sally", Mabel smiled as she entered the store.

Mabel, good afternoon" Sally rushed to get her friend a chair. "You shouldn't be out today, the weather is too damp and the road is too mucky. You might have a terrible fall. What would the marshal say?"

"I'm fine Sally, don't fuss. Ardamous helped me cross the street."

"Ardamous Boone? That old drunk! Why I'm surprised he could walk at all."

"Mr. Boone is a very nice gentleman. He just drinks too much. Did I ever tell you he proposed to me?" Mabel giggled.

"No !"

"Uhuh, right after Jack did. It was a tough decision...but I think I made the right choice." she smiled and patted her large belly.

"Well, imagine that! Two beau's, lucky you !"

"You wouldn't bring me a licorice twist would you please Sally?"

"Sure, I'll bring ya the whole jar!"

She handed the licorice to Mabel, then got a chair for herself and sat down.

"Did you hear the news?" she said excitedly.

Sally knew all the gossip. "No", Mabel replied, "What news?"

"Marie has gone out to Emma O'Brian's, I think her baby is coming today!"

"Well that is news! I hope she has a girl this time. She wants a little girl so badly."

"I hear the marshal caught those outlaws that robbed Zack and Diane". Sally continued, changing the subject.

"Did he? I forgot to ask. I'm just happy he came home safely."

They chatted for about half an hour, then Mabel left for home. Sally helped her to cross the street.
Mabel's back was sore again and her feet were swelling, but before sitting down she put Jack's stew on the stove to warm and poured herself a coffee. She was excited to hear the news of Emma and it led her to think of her own baby. She envyed her friend, her misery would be over soon and she'd be holding a brand new baby ! Mabel couldn't wait for her time to come.
She heard Jack's footsteps coming up the stairs and wrestled herself into a position that would enable her to get up. The settee was comfortable, but not easy to get off of in her state. She greeted her husband with a kiss and a smile. But the look on his face wasn't a happy one.

"Jack, what's wrong?"

There was silence as Jack searched his head for the proper words. Something was horribly wrong, Mabel knew that.

"Emma's baby?" she whispered.

Making a gesture for the settee, Jack said, ".... sit down... and I'll tell ya."

Sitting beside his wife, Jack put his arm around her and held her close to him.

"It ain't just the baby." he said.