Grace hadn't moved from the bed much all day. Ada gave her company and food. Thomas had asked her to watch over Grace while he worked. She wasn't completely in everyone's good graces yet, but Ada wasn't going to take advantage of her current misfortune with spite, especially since her brother asking for help came as a rarity. Ada practically had to force Grace to eat and remind her when to breathe. She felt sorry for her. It was nearly midnight by the time Thomas returned. Then, the door opened.

"I didn't realize you had 24 hour work shifts," Ada whispered angrily to her brother.

"Ada, look, I'm sorry you had to stay here for so long …"

"That's not what upsets me. She needs you right now, Thomas. I can only do so much," she spat back at him.

"Right, can you give us some privacy?" he kindly asked his sister. Ada nodded and went into the living room. Thomas found Grace lying in the bed.

"Grace …" Tommy whispered. He cozied up to her. "Grace, I'm sorry I took so long," he told her. She was quiet for a moment and still as a sculpture. Water danced around her eyes.

"I guess … I guess I was the one at fault," she breathed out.

"Grace, Grace no you weren't," Thomas said in a more stern tone.

"And you're not obligated to marry me anymore … you're free," she said about to cry. She offended him. With his his thumb and forefinger Thomas pulled her chin gently towards his face, capturing her eyes in his. "I wasn't going to marry you just because you were carrying my child. I'm marrying you, because I love you," he told her. Her lip quivered. Tears escaped her face. "Hey, come here," said Thomas. He pulled her in close.

"But I lost it, Tommy," she gasped. He pulled her in tighter, but fear found its way through his embrace.

"And what if I told you … that you didn't lose it ..." he asked tentatively. She pulled away to examine his face with watery eyes. "It's a fine time to joke, Tommy," she whispered angrily.

"I'm not joking Grace," he reassured her staring directly back. She pushed herself further away into a seated position.

"I've been … in here all day … I can barely eat, let alone move … and that's what you have to say!" she said trembling. Tommy sat up. The fear in his chest invited nausea back into his stomach.

"Grace," he said trying to calm her.

"Why would you say that!" she said infuriated.

"Grace, please," Tommy said trying to coax her and his urge to vomit. He tenderly reached for her wrist, but she fought back.

"So what if you told me that I didn't lose it!? So then what Thomas!? What have you discovered from your little inquiry!?" she screeched. Tears streamed down her face. Thomas shot up from the bed and put the nearest bin in his face. He retched. There was a knock at the door.

"Is … everything alright?" Ada asked shyly from the other side.

"Yes, don't come in!" Tommy wearily called from the floor.

"Tommy …" Grace said more concerned. He waited for the nausea to subside.

"Tommy?" she said again.

"I have it," he said in the bin.

"What? " she said not understanding. His eyes teared from the retch. He wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. Rising slowly from the ground, Tommy removed his coat once his legs were steady. Grace said nothing. She only watched in confusion. His pants could still not fasten. He took his vest off and sat next to her once more. His soft, cotton shirt hugged the small dome, his arms, however, did not. Tommy was truly afraid. They sat motionlessly apart.

"I have it, Grace," he said softly breaking the silence. Grace unfroze herself. Her fingers spread open to meet his slightly expanded middle. Tommy closed his eyes. He worried the foreign touch against his new waist would make him sick again.

"You, have it, Tommy?" she asked faintly. The statue nodded. Emotion pressured inside him like a flooded dam. Repeating the notion made his realization stronger.

"How?" she questioned anxiously.

"I don't know, Grace. I don't know … I don't know," he said finally moving. His hands met his face. Eyes watered. The dam broke. Grace had never seen him this vulnerable. Crying softly, Tommy lightly choked on the air he inhaled. Grace held him warmly. Becoming more relaxed in her arms, he hugged her back. A squeak from the door indicated Ada's growing concern and curiosity.

"Hello? Are you sure everything's alright?"

"Not today Ada!" Tommy's voice cracked angrily. She fled with the door slamming behind her.

"Killed that cat," remarked Grace half smiling.

"Indeed," Tommy snickered through the tears. He was glad some humor could be shared.