John Laurens, as he tended to do during his free time, was visiting the house of Mr. Manning, one of his father's London agents. He had come to see the man as a mentor and friend, and close with his beautiful daughter Martha.

John was sitting in the sitting room, waiting for his hosts. Martha soon entered, wearing a cloak that hid her stomach. "Hello John."

"Hello Martha." John said, and he got up to kiss her hand. "Did you just get home?"

"No."

"Then why are you wearing a cloak?"

Martha looked uneasy. She fiddled with her thumbs, trying to find the words.

"You know, if something's wrong, you can tell me." John said, "You're my closet female friend."

"I know. I just don't know what to say."

"Take your time. No rush."

Martha smiled. Then she said to him in a near quiet voice, "You know how I've been feeling sick these past few months?"

"Yes?" John had a feeling of where this was going, but he didn't want it to be true.

Martha took his hands and pressed them against her stomach. He felt around, and felt a small baby bump.

Johns eyes widened. He looked at her, and the look in her eyes confirmed it: she was pregnant. His jaw dropped. Sure the two were close, and they had been intimate in her closed bedroom, but not that intimate! Well, they did try, but well, John felt wrong, wronger than Martha I think. And sure, she did have other male friends, some of whom could be considered dates, but still. "Who's the father?" He whispered.

"I don't know." Martha looked at the floor, "There's a few candidates, but none of them can marry me."

"Why?"

"They're either taken, or don't want me." She gripped John's hands tight and her eyes became shiny, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't hide this forever. I'll be called a whore! And my child will forever be a bastard! I'll be disowned and live on the streets!" She did her best to keep quiet, because she couldn't risk her parents, or the servants hearing.

John couldn't help but pity her. She was his closet female friend. He had to admit there were times when he viewed her as a sister. He wiped her tears away with his thumbs and gently said, "Don't worry. I'll claim the child as mine and marry you."

"You will?"

"Yes, what are friends for?"

"Thank you John!" Martha hugged him tight. The reputations of her and her child were safe. And it seemed John's too in the long-run. "And, if you find someone, feel free to take them on as a lover. I won't mind, I know you don't want to be intimate with me that way."

"Thanks. And if you get pregnant again, I'll just claim the child as mine."

"Thank you John. You're such a good friend." Then she pecked his check.

"What's this?" Mr. Manning said as he entered the sitting room.

John and Martha looked at each other, their expressions said, "Now or never."

John broke from the embrace and went to Mr. Manning. "Sir, you and your family have been very kind to me. And I would never seek to take advantage of you, so, I would like to know if, if,"

Martha cleared her throat into her hand.

John took a breath and finished, "if I could have your daughter's hand in marriage."

Mr. Manning was a bit shocked, but soon smiled. He knew the two were close, and thought it only a matter of time before he popped the question. "Of course."

John and Martha both smiled.

"Thank you sir!" John said. Martha, full of happiness, squealed in delight. She was safe.

Mr. Manning then noticed something, "Martha?"

"Yes Father?"

"Why are you wearing a cloak indoors?"

"I was cold." Martha nervously answered.

"Feeling better I presume?" Mr. Manning knew his daughter hadn't been feeling well, but that's all he knew. Thankfully her morning sickness didn't include vomiting.

"Yes Father." Martha answered, "I'm just cold."

The newlyweds entered their bedroom. The wedding had been low-key, and the pair didn't really seem in love, although they had put up a good act. As John told an uncle of his, "Pity has obliged me to marry."

The two got into bed, but John had the sole intention of sleeping. Martha Manning, who was now Mrs. Laurens, had other ideas.

"John?"

"Yeah?" John sleepily answered.

"Thanks again."

"No problem. Now, get some sleep."

Smiling, Martha grabbed his arm and snuggled into it. John was a little uncomfortable, but he ignored it. She was his wife now, even though he didn't feel any romantic love towards her. Or any woman for that matter.

OOO

The next month, John left his pregnant wife and his studies to enlist in the Continental army. His father wanted him to stay out of the war, but John had had enough of obeying his father. Besides, he wanted to reinvent himself.

"Be safe." Martha told her husband as he was about to board a ship heading for the American colonies.

"I will." John promised. He wouldn't live up to that, but they didn't know that at the time.

Martha gave him a tight hug and quietly told him, "I hope you find happiness."

"I hope you do too Dear Girl." John replied, "And, by the way, you're strong for a pregnant woman."

Martha chuckled, then she surprised him with a peck on his lips. Then she smiled, "Bon voyage."

John forced a smile and pecked her cheek. "Take care." Then he whispered, "And don't get pregnant again while I'm gone."

"I won't. Trust me."

And with that, John smiled and boarded the ship.