Epilogue
"It has been a while since I have been out to the soccer fields. They have made considerable progress with the facilities." Henry looks around with approval.
"Well, you didn't have to wait two years to come see another game you know. Just because I no longer needed you to help me keep the women away from Walt doesn't mean you couldn't have continued to support and cheer on our team."
"I have been happy to stay behind the scenes. The Red Pony does have top billing as lead sponsor of the new concession stand. As for coming out for actual games, I was waiting until I was needed. With Walt and Ferg still in Cheyenne leaving you to coach on your own, and considering your current condition, I was finally needed."
Vic reaches down and rubs her swollen belly, "Hey, I'm pregnant, not an invalid. I'm totally capable of handling this game on my own."
"Yes, you are. However, Walt told me the doctor has been keeping a close eye on your blood pressure. He was concerned you might get too excited without him here to serve as a buffer so he asked me to come help and to keep an eye on you." Henry grins, " I have permission to have you escorted off the property if you get too worked up."
"Yeah? You and what army?"
"Walt wants to delay the birth of his second child until he is back in town for it. He does not want you going into early labor and having that baby without him being here. I will do whatever I can to make sure that he is not disappointed in that regard."
Vic smiles "Okay, okay, if it makes the old man happy you can help me."
Though Vic would never admit to him, she is grateful for Henry's help. She has been tiring much more quickly lately. In fact by the time the soccer game is over, all she wants to do is go put up her feet and take a nap. She doesn't expect Walt home until around 10:00, well after she is asleep nowadays. She hopes if she has a nap she might actually be able to stay awake long enough to spend some time with him before she crashes exhausted into bed. After returning home to the cabin, she does just that. She isn't sure how long she has been asleep but it is still light out when she wakes. As she reaches over for her cell phone to check the time she hears someone rummaging around in the kitchen and realizes she smells brownies baking. Boy, Henry is going above and beyond. Walt must have been worried she wouldn't have the energy to make a well balanced nutritious meal just for herself and enlisted Henry's help for that too. After the obligatory preggo trip to the bathroom and seeing that it is 5:30 she decides to catch a little more sleep while Henry finishes dinner. She has only been back in bed a minute or two when she hears footsteps enter the bedroom and feels someone sit on the edge of the bed. Okay, that's a little weird. Boots hit the floor. She is getting ready to sit up and kick Henry out of the cabin. Best friend or not, he has gone too far, but before she can get her 8 months pregnant body pushed up from her prone position she feels someone snuggle up against her back and wrap an arm protectively around her very large middle, "Hi Honey, I'm home."
She closes her eyes and smiles, "Lucky for Henry."
Walt is more than a little confused, "What?"
"If this hadn't been you climbing in our bed, Junior and I would have had to kick Henry's ass!"
"Huh?"
"Never mind." Vic struggles to roll over and face her husband. When she makes it she gives him a kiss. It's a short one because she is out of breath from the effort it took.
"Shall I just write it off as a pregnancy complication?"
"If that makes you feel better."
She nestles closer to him and tucks her head in under his chin, "You're home early."
"Yep. The Ferg was worried about you being alone so we left at the break instead of staying until 6."
"Ferg was worried."
"Yep."
"Uh huh, so you came home early and the first thing you do is bake brownies?"
"Your cravings are my command. When I got home and saw you were asleep I didn't want to wake you so I headed in to clean up the kitchen. When I saw you had finished off the last batch of brownies I thought I had better put some more in the oven. I have to admit I was glad to hear you get up and head to the bathroom. I couldn't wait to see you any longer." He rubs her hip, bends down and kisses her belly before moving back up to kiss her lips , leaving his hand on her abdomen, "I'm also glad to see you didn't try to have that baby while I was gone. Boy Howdy, he's really movin' and groovin' in there isn't he?"
"As always. Had you thought Henry would fail at his assigned task of keeping me pregnant until you made it home?"
Walt chuckles softly, "Henry never fails at anything."
"Well I didn't think I needed a baby sitter while you were gone but it was good to have help this morning. Thank you for thinking of it."
"You're welcome. It's part of my job to take care of you and our little guy, even when you may not think you want me to."
"Oh, I don't really mind all that much. It's nice not to have to be tough all the time."
He wraps her securely in his arms, "I love you, Vic. I know I was only gone overnight, but I really, really missed you!"
She smiles, "I love you too, Walt. You have no idea how glad I am you're home."
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
