David and Christy's hands swung in-between them as they walked through the field below the school house. Their fingers were tightly intertwined, and both of them wore smiles brighter than the sun. In David's free hand he carried a picnic basket, and in Christy's she hugged a blanket to herself. They laughed softly after a grasshopper jumped right in front of Christy's face and she let out a frightened yelp. The day was comfortably warm and perfect for a Saturday afternoon.

"This looks like a good spot," Christy announced.

"I agree. And the fact that you're standing here makes it even more perfect," David told her, smiling that charming grin that melted her heart.

Christy blushed. "David, don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not. From my point of view, there isn't anything more beautiful than you, so wherever you are is automatically more beautiful."

Christy leaned over and placed a kiss to his cheek before he helped her spread out the blanket. They settled onto it, and Christy opened the picnic basket, getting out all of their food items.

"I'm glad Miss Alice is back," Christy commented. "You needed a day away from the mission."

"We both did," David agreed. "It was wonderful for Alice to give us this time away, after the week we've had. I needed to catch my breath before church tomorrow. If anyone comes, that is."

Christy nodded, letting out a sigh. The McHone's had returned to school on Wednesday, but been pulled back out again after a crow's head had been left hanging in their doorway on Wednesday night. Her heart ached for the children and the thought of such a horrible misunderstanding keeping them away from her nearly broke her heart.

"Everything's going to be fine, Christy," David assured her, reaching for her hand. "It doesn't seem fine right now, but we're going to get through this. Together."

She looked up at him, nodding. "I know. I'm just so angry."

"I am too. They've accused you and I of being together before marriage and conceiving a child. Me and you...of all people in this Cove to do that and try to cover it up. If they would just stop to listen long enough, everything would be explained. But their pride is always in the way of the truth."

"I'm so sorry that I've put you in this situation, David."

David reached over and squeezed her hand. "You didn't do a single thing wrong, Christy. I love you and I'm going to be at your side for all of this. If that means that people accuse me of being the father, then so be it. We'll take it as it comes."

She nodded, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, David."

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"What are we eating?" David asked.

Christy began to hand him food items and they fell into comfortable conversation about plans for the mission, church, and school during the fall and winter seasons, how Ida was doing, and eventually landing on the topic of Neil's visit with Christy on Monday.

"I wondered what he was doing here. I saw him walking into the schoolhouse when I went to the barn," David commented, after Christy rehashed what had been discussed with Neil.

"Why didn't you ask me about it?"

"I figured you would tell me if it was important," David shrugged. "I trust you."

She smiled. "That means a lot to me, David. Thank you."

"I do want you to know that you don't have to hide anything from me. I don't want you to hide anything from me again, like you felt you did with the rape and then the baby."

"I wish I hadn't," Christy admitted. "But I was afraid of losing you. I know now how silly that was."

"There's nothing you could ever do that would make you lose me, Christy," David promised. "Nothing."

They packed away the lunch items as they talked. "I hope Neil finds happiness with Margaret. And I hope that Alice responds well when she sees her again. I was afraid to mention it to her this morning."

"We'll pray for those relationships to heal. Margaret has a lot of learning to do, but then again all of them do."

Christy nodded in agreement, leaning back on her hands. Her stomach had swelled up quite a bit over the week, and she finally felt like she was the size she should be for this stage of her pregnancy. David yawned.

"Tired?" Christy asked.

David nodded. "I haven't been able to sleep very well. There's been a lot on my mind."

Christy patted her lap, and David laid down, his head resting on her lap. She ran her fingers through his dark locks, smiling down at him. "Do you want to talk about any of it?"

His screaming blue eyes stared back up at her. "I'm worried about you."

"About me? Why? I'm fine."

"After everything you've been through…Christy…" He shook his head. "I don't understand how you're being so strong."

Christy looked down at him, silently studying him for several quiet moments. At last she spoke. "I'm done living in the past, David. You know me. I make plans, I dream dreams, and I always believe that good is coming. I have to keep believing that. I believe that we're going to be happy together. I believe that you're going to be an amazing husband and father. I dream about you holding this baby and all of our children in your arms, singing to them, teaching them to walk and playing with them in front of the fire. I dream about waking up next to you every morning, about holding your hand under the table at meals, about stealing kisses in every spare moment. I dream about loving and serving these people together, hand in hand, and it drowns out the pain and the memories. All I can think about is how much I love you."

David's eyes glistened with tears and he sat up, his hand reaching up to cradle her face. "That's the first time you've ever told me you love me."

She nodded. Tears filled her eyes as he began to smile. His tears spilled over.

"Christy…" He whispered. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Completely. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you."

David let out a breath of air he didn't know he had been holding, kissing her forehead. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring he had been carrying around. She smiled when she saw it, reaching out to touch it. He captured her left hand in both of his, the ring resting between his right thumb and pointer finger.

"Christy Huddleston, will you marry me?"

She smiled, nodding. "Yes. Absolutely yes."

He slid it onto her finger, finally, and then took her in his arms and kissed the daylights out of her. She giggled as he hugged her, rocking her back and forth.

"I love you, Christy."

"And I love you, David."

He pulled back, his hands on her belly. "We have a lot to tell your parents."

"Mother is going to have a fit when she finds out about the baby," Christy informed him.

"Probably so. But there's nothing we can do about any of it. And once she gets over the shock, she'll realize that we're happy."

Christy smiled. "Are you really happy about the baby, David?"

"You have no idea how much I love you and this baby, Christy," He told her softly. "The thought of being a father and of raising children, our children, by your side...I couldn't want anything more."

Christy reached for his face, drawing it down to hers and initiating the kiss that followed.

"I can't wait to marry you, Christy Huddleston."

"And I can't wait to marry you, David Grantland." Christy whispered. "Let's go tell Miss Alice."

"Right now?"

"Yes!" Christy said, standing. "I can't wait to see her face."

David laughed, standing and gathering their things. "Alright. Let's go."

Christy giggled, bounding along in front of him.

"Christy, I really wish you would slow down. The last thing we need is for you to fall."

Christy took heed of his advice, settling into a brisk walk beside him. His legs were longer than hers, so she had to do double time to match his stride anyway. She took the blanket from him, and he settled an arm around her waist. "All of those dreams you have about our future, Christy, are going to come true."

They looked at each other, grinning.

"I've missed that smile on thy face, Miss Huddleston," Alice's voice sounded from the schoolhouse steps as they walked past.

"Oh, Miss Alice, we didn't see you there," Christy greeted her.

They made their way up the steps to her.

"I found myself in need of prayer," Alice explained. "Sometimes I come in here, and pray over the children's artwork and desks. It reminds me that they are human and are learning just as we are."

David nodded. "Those are wise words, Alice."

"In light of the current situation, praying in this building was necessary on many fronts today," Alice said, looking around her at the building. "I prayed that good things would find us here at this mission once again."

"I believe your prayers have been answered, Miss Alice," Christy said, smiling.

David beamed down at her. "Christy and I are going to be married."

Alice was silent for a moment, studying both of them carefully. She must have found whatever it was she was looking for, because she smiled. "That is happy news, indeed. Congratulations to thee both."

Christy engulfed Alice in a hug, which Alice gladly reciprocated.

"The Cove will buzz to life with this news, and I do think that thee will find the current situation greatly relieved."

"What do you mean?" Christy questioned.

David nodded, his hands resting on his hips. "If the people here think that I am the one who fathered the baby, then marrying you would be the honorable thing to do. They'll accept the child as any other as long as we are married before the baby arrives."

"I see. I didn't realize that."

Alice looked down. "Blessings are often two-fold, Christy. I believe this blessing will make things better in more ways than we are currently aware. Thy marriage will be a marvelous thing for the Cove and for thee both. I am happy for thee."

"Thank you, Alice," David smiled. "We are very happy as well."

He hugged Christy to his side. Neither of them could stop smiling, and Christy was still grinning when the sun settled over the mountains that night. Dawn would come tomorrow; a new day, with new beginnings, blessings, and love.