Chapter Two

Laura went home, stopping the wagon and looking across their land. She saw the tiny form of Almanzo plowing the fields in the far distance. Smiling, she went inside.

She was still feeling queasy but now that she knew why, it would be easier to deal with. She got a glass of water and drank it slowly after making sure Rose was sleeping comfortably in her bed.

Rose was only a year old, so when the baby was born she wouldn't be quite two years old. Just about the age gap between Laura and Mary.

Laura smiled. Even though she and Mary were two very different people and they argued as kids, they had always been friends. Always been there for each other. She hoped Rose and the child growing inside of her would be the same way.

Almanzo came in that night, sweaty and tired. Laura was standing at the stove making dinner. Every so often she had to sit down and rest: the smell got to her.

"Hey, Beth," He said, leaning in to kiss her as he washed his hands in the wash basin. "How did it go this morning at the doc's?"

"Oh, it went fine." Laura said. She hid her smile by turning around quickly. Almanzo sat down at the kitchen table and pulled off his shoes with a grunt.

"Well?" He asked. "What did he say?" Laura turned around silently, her face solemn. Almanzo's face fell. "Laura, what is it?" He asked, his voice serious.

She continued to stand there silently, and Almanzo walked over to her, grasping her by her shoulders. "Is it bad?" His face was so worried that Laura felt bad for not telling him straightaway.

Her smile wide, she said, "It's not bad. It's wonderful...I think." He looked at her, puzzled. "Manly, Rose is going to have a little brother or sister." He stood there like he was frozen for a second.

"Almanzo?" Laura asked, growing a little worried herself. Maybe he wasn't happy..."You're having a baby?" He asked, a smile beginning to form at the corners of his mouth. When Laura nodded, he grabbed her in a hug and began kissing the top of her head.

No, he's happy. Laura thought. He pulled back from her to look at her face. "Really?" He asked, almost breathless from surprise.

She nodded again, her face glowing. "What do you think?" She asked. "I think...I think that's terrific! Oh, I love you." Laura smiled against his shoulder as he embraced her.

She didn't know how one man and her little family could make her so blissfully happy, but they did.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now that Laura knew that nothing was *really* wrong with her, she went back to teaching. Sometimes she felt a little green during her morning lessons, but managed to ease her stomach. Ginger ale was her best friend during those early days of morning sickness.

During the schoolday, Rose stayed with an elderly lady in town who just loved children and took good care of her while Laura and Almanzo worked.

One day after a particularly long week, Almanzo said to Laura, "Why don't we go into Springfield? We haven't been out of Walnut Grove in a while and I heard they were having a fair this weekend."

"Oh, that sounds fun." Laura said. "But I'm so tired...it was a hard week at school." Laura was about four months along now.

"All the more reason to go." Almanzo said. "You won't have any dirty dishes to wash or clothes to clean Saturday. Just me and you." Almanzo pulled Laura into his arms and she felt how strong he was as he pressed her against him.

"And Rose." Laura reminded him, grinning. "Of course, Rosie-Posie." Almanzo scooped Rose up and held her high up in the air, spinning her around playfully. Rose giggled her sweet little girl giggle, and Laura smiled as her heart swelled. She loved them both so much.

"So," he said, "Do you wanna go?" "Oh, alright." Laura said, laughing. "Let me just go pack my bag and a bag for Rose."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Almanzo paid for the hotel room for the night-a rare luxury for the little family. "We're going to have a good crop this year; I can feel it." Almanzo said as he noticed the concerned expression on his wife's face as he slipped his wallet back into his pocket.

They headed to their room. It wasn't anything too fancy-just a normal hotel room. But Laura felt grateful for the warm bed as she climbed underneath the sheets.

Almanzo put Rose to bed in her crib which they had stored in the wagon and brought along with them. He slid into bed next to Laura, letting out a deep breath.

"Beth," He whispered. In the dark they could see nothing but the faint outline of each other. "Yes?" She whispered back, careful not to wake Rose.

"You don't think spending that money on the room was too much of an extravagance, do you?" He asked. Laura hesitated. "No." She said after a moment. "I mean, we had to have a room if we were going to come here."

"Do you think it was a dumb idea to come here? I just...I just wanted us to have a little time to relax and have fun." Their voices were hushed, but the city noises weren't. Hoofbeats and loud talking could be heard; there was faint saloon music in the distance.

Laura rolled over on her side, her growing stomach creating a slight barrier between she and her husband. "No, I don't think it was dumb. Manly, I wouldn't have agreed to it if I thought it was dumb."

Laura couldn't see his face, but she knew Almanzo was smiling. His hand roamed across the bed and settled on her stomach. Laura smiled. "Our baby is in there." She whispered, inching closer to him.

"I know. We did such a good job, didn't we?" He asked mischievously. "Almanzo Wilder!" Laura said, feeling a blush creeping up her cheekbones.

She was just glad no one had been around to hear him talking like that. Imagine what people would think! Almanzo chuckled and pulled Laura into his arms. "What will we name the baby?" He asked, his breath close to her ear.

After a moment's deliberation, Laura said, "I don't know. I haven't thought too much about it yet. Have you?"

"Well...I thought it would be nice to name him after my Pa if the baby is a boy." He said.

"James Wilder," Laura whispered. "That sounds nice." She paused. "But I was thinking...it would make my Ma so happy if we named the baby after her Pa, my grandfather, if he was a boy."

Almanzo was quiet for a while. "We'll see when the time comes. Both of those names would be nice. What about girl names?"

Laura yawned. "I'm not sure, but I'm so tired. We still have five months left to think about names."

"You're right." Almanzo leaned over and kissed his wife. "Goodnight, Beth."

"Goodnight."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Almanzo held the reins deftly in his hands as the horses trotted. They had gone to the fair and visited some old friends, and now they were heading home.

"Well Beth, what did you think of the weekend?" He asked. "It was good," She said. "Didn't you think it was odd how everyone was wearing doctor's masks in Springfield?"

"Someone said there was an epidemic going around. Some sort of sickness. It's contagious, I suppose."

Laura sighed. "I sure hope we don't get it." She said.

"Me too. I've still got to plant that last few acres before it's too late to plant anything."

Laura squeezed his hand. "I'm sure you'll get it done."