Lissa's first birthday with her new husband didn't start out the way she'd hoped. As the rays of sunshine filtered into the bedroom, Lissa grunted happily, expecting a sweet birthday kiss from Robert to wake her up. But as she turned on her back and leaned her arm across his side of the bed, the sheets were cold and lonely. "Ohh." Lissa moaned. "I at least wanted to see him before he headed out." She sighed. She heard large padded paws plopping on the hard floor. Jesse peeked his head over the bed and then hopped up and stood over her, licking her face. "Aww. Thanks, boy." Lissa couldn't help grinning. She kissed his snout and rubbed him behind the ears. "You're so sweet, you know that? Yes, you're a good boy."

After Lissa had dressed and ventured into the dining room, she found a note on the table. She picked it up. It said:

"Happy birthday, darling!

No, I didn't forget. I will see you later. Love you! Happy birthday, to my one and only, lovely Lady Travis!

Forever yours, Rob

P.S.

You just might find a little something nice inside your writing desk! I hope you don't mind, but I picked it up for you while I was in town.

Lissa excitedly hurried to her desk and found a large envelope sealed with a silk lilac colored ribbon. Lissa slid the ribbon off and quickly flapped open the letter. She was disappointed and confused at first when she saw that it wasn't her husband's handwriting. But as her eyes flitted over the well-written words, her heart jumped and she squealed giddily.

As soon as Lissa had bounced around the room screeching happily for the third time, she heart almost skipped a beat when a pair of hands suddenly gripped her waist and whipped her around to face its owner. Robert grinned widely, that toothy, cheeky grin of his and he kissed her lips. Lissa groaned blissfully, throwing her arms around his neck. "Happy birthday, Lis." Robert smiled when they broke away.

"Oh, Rob! I...I don't know what to say!" Lissa blurted out. "This is the best birthday present you could give me!"

"The best?" Robert squinted. Lissa rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean." She told him.

"I'm proud of you, darling." Robert said, stroking her cheek. "Here, these are for you. From one of the castle gardens." He handed her a vivid bouquet of fresh flowers.

"You didn't steal them, did you?"

"Noo. Belle said I could pick whichever I preferred."

"Thank you. They're very pretty."

"I'm glad you like them." Belle giggled as she walked in through the front door.

"Belle!" Lissa exclaimed and ran to hug her best friend. "Oh, Belle. I got a reply from the publisher! He's ready to print out my romance novel!"

"Oh, Lissa. I'm so happy for you! I can't wait." Belle smiled proudly. Maurice stepped inside with baby Ella. Plumette followed with Jasmyne.

"Aww. Plumette! I've missed you both!" Lissa gushed. Jesse happily trotted over to the two little female toddlers who were beginning to take their first steps! They giggled when Jesse's fur brushed against their faces.

"Ella, sweet? Show Tanta Lissa what you can do!" Maurice announced. He carefully guided her with his hand and Ella stumbled forward, but with his help, took three short steps.

"Belle! She's walking?!" Lissa gasped.

"Yes. Sadly, I wasn't the first one to see her do it. Adam was. But he is thrilled and so am I." Belle sighed wistfully. "My baby girl is growing up so fast." But she patted her stomach, grateful for the other child that was on the way. Gaston, Lefou, and Sarah arrived, just in time to see Ella walking! They all cheered and clapped for her. Gaston threw her up in the air, making her screech happily.

"That's our Ellie." He said. He leaned down and kissed Lissa's cheek. "Happy birthday, Sis. I hope you don't mind us dropping in like this."

"Not at all!" Lissa smiled. "This is the best birthday I've ever had!"

As warm days began to lengthen into hot summer days, the weeks felt as if they only dragged on for Sarah. She couldn't wait to have her and Gaston's baby! Whose eyes would he have? Would she have raven locks or golden ones like her mother? Whose personality would their young one take after more? Neither Sarah or Gaston could wait patiently much longer. But Sarah was finding it harder and harder to get out of bed to accomplish things. She felt humiliated, feeling like a lazy expectant mother and she was sure that the townspeople thought of her that way too. She couldn't help it. She simply didn't have enough energy to be up all day. If she did chores in the morning, by noon she was exhausted all throughout the rest of the day. Her rounded middle was even larger than before, and many gossips in town said that she looked more than ready to deliver, when Angelina said that she still had about a month and a half to go!

Sarah was standing in front of the full length mirror in her white undergarments. She stared at her reflection with mixed emotions. She was thrilled to be giving life to the child born out of her and Gaston's deep love, and she was dreaming of what it was going to be like having a little one in the house. But, tears filled her eyes. Her family wasn't here to share in that joy, nor were her mother or older sister here to help her through the ups and downs of first time pregnancy. She couldn't understand why she was having such a difficult time fulfilling daily tasks, when she'd observed other pregnant women in the village working as hard as they ever had. She looked down and rubbed her enormous waist.

"My precious child." She murmured sadly. "I hope that I will be the wonderful mother that you deserve! I'm trying!" She wept, already feeling fatigued.

"You will." Gaston said encouragingly as he walked into the bedroom. Sarah winced. She knew he meant every word in his sweet compliments to her, but she still felt so self-conscious especially while she was in town, and the remaining town bigots would unkindly remark about how big she was and how she never did a lick of work. She tried to let her husband's kind words sink into her rippled emotions, but it was so hard. Gaston came up behind her and touched her bare arm. He wanted to hug her, but she didn't look like she'd appreciate it. Instead he gently brushed her hair behind her ear. "Tears?" He asked quietly.

"Nothing you can fix for me." Sarah hung her head.

"Let me try." Gaston smiled weakly. Sarah covered her face with her hands and wept aloud. Gaston gripped her wrists. "Angel, what is wrong? Is it the baby? Are you in labor?"

"Nooo!" Sarah wailed. "It's just me! Fat, clumsy, slothful, fussy old me!" Gaston grimaced and shook his head. How many times had he been through this scenario with her already?

"Darling-" He tried to say.

"No. It's all true!" Sarah looked up at him with a red, wet face. "Look at me, Gaston!" She blurted out, stepping back from him. "I can't seem to do anything! I get too tired, and then you have no one to prepare your meals, or wash your soiled clothing, or shine your boots, or just rub your shoulders after a long day..."

Gaston came to her and firmly gathered her in his arms. He could say so many things to tell her she was wrong to call herself such vulgar things, but he'd learned the hard way already that trying to fix problems with words didn't always work for his lonely wife. Lissa had told him countless times that he didn't always have to speak, but sometimes just needed to hold his wife. He let her cry on him and kissed the top of her head. "Oh, Sarah..." He sighed.

"I wish it was all over! I just want it to be over!" Sarah mumbled in his shoulder.

"I know, Sweetheart. It will be soon."

"I'm so scared, Gaston! I want to be normal again. I want to be a good mother, and a good wife to you! But I feel like such a failure! I just want a healthy baby, but I don't know if it will be, with how off my feet I am!"

"My love, we will have the most robust baby in all of Villeneuve! You'll see!" Gaston bragged. Sarah started hiccuping and Gaston patted her back. "You will be all right." He felt Sarah stiffen. "What? What's wrong?" Sarah grimaced. Her meltdown had disturbed her baby's sleep, and now the child was vigorously tumbling and kicking around inside her.

"I have to sit down." Sarah groaned.

"I think you'd better lie down." Gaston corrected her, helping her into the bed. She lay back, lazing down in the pillows. She plucked her lavender sachet from the nightstand and held it on her chest, letting the relieving scent sink into her tense features. Gaston sat down next to her and gently massaged her aching feet. She still wasn't calm yet, and tried to breathe slowly. Gaston was about to pull the covers over her to tuck her in when he noticed that she still seemed pained. He gripped her hand and gently hugged her stomach.

"Hey, in there. You don't need to frolic so hard." He whispered closely to the baby. "Your momma is stressing over taking good care of you. But I think she is doing just fine." Gaston glanced up at Sarah with a smile. She just stared at him, too upset and tired to smile back. "Momma's having a hard time right now, so I need you to not be so rough on her." Gaston ever so gently stroked her hard middle. "How about I tell you another story, of one of my grand adventures?" Gaston spoke soothingly. Soon, the child had calmed down and so had Sarah. By the time Gaston had finished his tale, Sarah was more than ready for a nap.

"Thank you, dear." She breathed in relief.

"No problem, my love." Gaston smiled at her. He kissed her big belly, then found his way to her face. "You rest now." He told her. "I want our baby to be fine and strong, but you must take care of yourself and not fret so much. Do you understand?"

"Mph." Sarah grunted sleepily.

"I promise, you will be fine. We are going to have the healthiest baby you've ever seen!"

June came in a flurry of activity. Sarah and Lissa spent time decorating the nursery. Numerous happy and some sad memories flooded Lissa's mind of her whole life spent in that room, and now it was going to be used to make more! Adam and Belle celebrated their second wedding anniversary, and Ella delighted her subjects with her handful of baby words and beginning to toddle around! Jasmyne wasn't far behind. Sarah's family back in Paris wanted so badly to see her, but she was strongly instructed by her medical caretakers to do no major traveling till after the birth. And due to business schedules, her father couldn't arrange a trip down to Villeneuve yet, no matter how hard he tried.

Gaston was lying in bed with his back to Sarah. He was dreaming that she'd ridden into town in the carriage by herself, heavy with child. One of the village lads had pulled a prank on his companion by sneaking a snake down the back of his shirt, and the boy's screams had spooked the horse! Sarah lost control and couldn't reign the animal in before he zoomed out of the village at a dangerous speed…

Gaston sprang onto Magnifique's back and shouted to Lefou to find the doctor quickly, as he was greatly afraid for Sarah and his unborn baby. He galloped as fast as he could after them till he caught sight of her. Sarah was screaming in panic and pulling back on the brake with all her strength, but to no avail. Gaston finally closed in on them. "Yyaahh!" Gaston hollered as he lept off the horse into the buckboard. He snatched the reigns but the horse would not stop, even for him!

"Gaston, look out!" Sarah screeched. Gaston's eyes saw what she was afraid of: they were about to run into a large, fallen tree! Gaston tightly grabbed his wife and tugging her with him, he rolled off the swiftly moving vehicle and landed with a hard thud on the ground, Sarah heavily landing completely on top of him, knocking the wind completely out of him. He felt a breath-stealing, dull pain in his left shoulder. The horse skidded to an abrupt halt before the tree, but the wagon crashed into it, splitting apart. Gaston held Sarah tightly, to protect her from falling debris. The horse reared frightfully, and fled.

Gaston gagged from the dirt and his very pregnant wife lying right on top of him. He slowly managed to sit up, but his side hurt horribly and his arm ached just as badly. But he didn't give it any mind. "Sarah? Sarah, my love! Are you all right?" Gaston cried fearfully. "Are you hurt?" He placed his hand on her stomach. "Is the baby all right?"

"I...I think so." Sarah panted frightfully. Gaston could feel her shaking in his arms and she looked a bit pale.

"It's all right, my love. I'll get you back and have Angelina look at you." Gaston said, panting.

"Thank you for saving my life." Sarah whispered hoarsely. Gaston cupped her face and kissed her. Grunting, he stood up and carrying her, he hoisted her onto Magnifique then led them back to town...

Gaston fretfully paced around the parlor, trying to ignore the throbbing, bruised sprain on his shoulder. He was terribly worried about his wife and baby. Angelina finally came out of the bedroom. "How bad is it?" Gaston cried, his eyes wide with concern.

Angelina touched his arm. "Calm down, Gaston." She said calmly. "Sarah is all right, but very shook up. She has a few bruises, but no broken bones."

"What about the baby?"

"As far as I can tell, the baby is fine. Alive and tumbling around!" Angelina smiled. Gaston nearly fell back in relief.

"Oh, thank God!" Gaston breathed, dropping down into a chair.

"Yes. It's a miracle. That was an extremely dangerous fall for you wife and child. It's only by a miracle that they didn't get injured or worse! Luckily, you were there to save them."

"It wasn't luck."

"All the same, I will keep an eye on Sarah to make sure there aren't any hidden complications, but it appears to me that you got the worst of it, with your arm and those bruised ribs."

"As long as it wasn't them, I don't care." Gaston said firmly.

"Right. You can go into her now. I believe she needs you. I gave her some herbs to calm her nerves."

"Thank you, Angelina. Thank you so much!" Gaston shook her hand and paid her. Then he hurried into the bedroom and dropped at Sarah's side. "Oh, darling." He took her in his arms and kissed her, holding her closely. "Are you all right?"

"I think so." Sarah nodded quietly. "I was so scared."

"I know," Gaston stroked her face. "So was I. But we're safe." Sarah tried to smile. "How's the baby?"

"Err...very active right now." Sarah grimaced. She looked drained and needed rest, but the child inside of her must have been on edge too from the nearly fatal collision they'd had. Gaston gripped her hand and gently stroked her large stomach.

"Hey, it's time to settle down now." Gaston said quietly to their baby inside. "Your momma's had a very rough time today and needs her rest. I'm glad you're both all right, but you must calm down and take your nap now, little one. Will you do that for me?" Sarah smiled wearily and her eyes were droopy. Gradually in moments, the baby stopped moving around so much. Sarah exhaled heavily in relief. Gaston patted her abdomen. "That's right. That's my good baby." He pressed a kiss to their child and looked at Sarah. She was almost asleep now. Gaston crawled closer to her face, cuddling her.

"Thank you, my brave hunter." Sarah whispered, caressing his face. "I'm glad you were there!"

"Me too." Gaston agreed then kissed her. "You go to sleep now."

But that night, everything changed. Sarah was far from all right! She was deathly pale, she screamed in anguish, and she couldn't stop. Gaston raced frantically for the doctor and brought him to his house. Gaston was not allowed in the room while the physician checked on his wife. Angelina arrived too. Within an hour, the screams had died down. All was quiet. Too quiet! Gaston couldn't find his breath when the midwife and doctor came to tell him the tragic news. The looks on their faces said everything. Sarah was dead! And so was his little child! His sweet Sarah, his one true love, the very light of his life, was...gone! Gaston yelled like a wounded animal, as the weight of the world crashed in around him…

"Aahh!" Gaston gasped, bolting upright in bed. It was dark. His shirtless frame was wet with perspiration. His muscles trembled as he continued to hyperventilate. He anxiously looked down near his side. Sarah was sound asleep, zonked from another long day. Gaston flopped back down onto the bed in incredible relief, but his heartbeat was erratically through the roof. In his dream, he'd lost his most precious treasure in the world! Yet, in reality, here she was, sleeping next to him, safe and sound. Gaston scooted right behind her and folded his arms around her and their baby. "I will always keep you safe. No matter what!" He promised. "I swear on my life!"

Gaston told no one of his dream, but he thought about it every morning, and whenever Sarah was out of his sight. If she tried to venture into town, which she did precious little of these days, he had to know where she was going and always insisted on accompanying her. Not that she minded very much. Adam and Lefou both noticed that Gaston had something heavy weighing on his mind, but he shrugged them off every time they tried to find out what it was. Every moment that he watched her, Gaston prayed that nothing would happen to his wife and child, that God wouldn't punish them for his horrid past bad choices!

It was the middle of the night, in the very early hours of a warm July morning that the contractions started! Sarah groaned, and endlessly turned her head in her pillow, hoping it wasn't the false labor she'd had twice already in the passed eight days! She tried to breathe slowly, but her stomach was really beginning to hurt. It was a herculean effort, but she slowly climbed out of bed and attempted to make it to the chamber pot, but to no avail. She clutched her stomach hard when a sharp pain shot up her body and then she felt cold liquid running down her legs. Sarah panted heavily and nearly collapsed back into the bed and she tried to turn around. "G-G-Gaston? Gaston!" She cried as loudly as she could.

"WHAT?!" Gaston blurted out as he bolted upright in bed. "Sarah! What are you doing out of bed? You don't look well at all!" He leaned forward, gripping her arm.

"G-Gaston...it's...I believe it's time..." Sarah gasped. Gaston froze.

"Are you sure?" He gulped.

"Y-yes. My water just broke. I-aaahaha!" Sarah wailed, as her abdomen hurt badly again.

Gaston's heart raced like a thoroughbred racehorse. It was time! "O-okay. Okay, uhm-" he gulped frantically. He raced to the other side of the bed and helped her back in. He quickly lit the candle on the bed-stand and anxiously fumbled around in the dim light for his shirt and trousers. "Stay calm, love. Stay calm! It'll be all right! I-I gotta get Angelina."

"Just go, please! Hurry, Gaston! Hurry!" Sarah begged. Ordinarily she would be the calm one, but she was feeling pain that she never had in her life and she was scared. Gaston came to her.

"I'll be right back. I promise." He told her as he jerked on his boots.

"Go!" Sarah nodded.

It was only fifteen minutes, but to Sarah it felt like hours before her husband finally returned with the midwife. Gaston stood by, not daring to breathe as Angelina checked Sarah's condition. "It is definitely the real labor!" Angelina smiled at Gaston. His eyes widened and he smiled excitedly at Sarah who feebly smiled back. "Gaston! Get a large pot of boiling hot water ready for me." Angelina instructed. "I'll also need clean towels and sheets." Gaston obeyed meekly. Lefou met him at the door.

"Gaston, is it true?" He asked.

"Yes, the baby is coming!" Gaston nodded.

"Really? Whahoo! That's terrific!" Lefou cheered.

"Thanks, but would you please make yourself useful and give me a hand?" Gaston growled.

"Sure. Sure, pal."

It had barely been an hour when Lissa and Robert showed up with Jesse. Lissa ran to hug her brother. "So, you ready for this?" She smiled.

"I thought I was." Gaston confessed.

"Sarah's strong." Robert said. "How is she?"

"Angelina's with her." Gaston replied. "But she said it could be hours before the baby gets here!" Then he frowned. "But how did you know?"

"Lefou banged on our front door and told us." Lissa shook her head.

"Mmm-hmm. He probably told half of Villeneuve by now." Gaston grunted.

"Well, more like everybody." Lefou grinned sheepishly.

"I'll see if Angelina could use some help." Lissa patted Gaston's arm. "Just hang in there, big brother. You're about to be a papa!" Robert took his leave but said he'd return later. Gaston paced around the parlor like a caged tiger. Jesse sat next to Lefou, cocking and turning his head at every direction Gaston marched.

"Relax, Gaston. Everything will be okay." Lefou said encouragingly.

"I-I know." Gaston said, fiddling with his lacy sleeve cuffs. As the hours dragged on, Sarah's cries became more agonizing. Gaston's face fell when he heard her scream like that. He barged into the bedroom.

"Gaston, I really don't think-" Lefou tried to stop him.

"Sarah? Are you all right, darling?" Gaston asked sadly. Sarah was sweating a lot, she was wriggling miserably, and her face was scrunched in pain.

"Of course not!" Sarah wept. "It hurts!"

"Can't you do something to stop the pain?" Gaston whimpered to the midwife. "My wife is suffering!"

"Get him out of here." Angelina shook her head. Lissa tugged on Gaston and pushed him out as hard as she could out the door.

"Come on, Gaston." Lefou said, touching his shoulder.

"Why did you shove me out, like a child?" Gaston frowned down at Lissa. He was actually a little hurt by her action.

"I'm sorry, Gaston." Lissa shook her head. "But you're not calm and Angelina needs to focus on helping Sarah, not you keeling over on the floor." Gaston pursed his lips, his shoulders heaving up and down. "Look, it will be all right. But you really need to get a grip on yourself. And I'll be in there with her! Remember?"

"She's right, Gaston. Nothing's gonna happen." Lefou added.

"Please look after him, will you, Lefou?" Lissa asked. "See if you can cheer him up."

"Will do." Lefou smiled confidently. They heard another terrible scream and Gaston sadly, longingly stared at the doorway.

"I...I have to get back in there." Lissa gave her brother a quick, reassuring smile then returned to her sister. Gaston was worried. His wife was in terrible pain, maybe even danger! And they wouldn't let him in to help her, to protect her! That awful dream was coming back to him in haunting vibes right now.

Dr. Tanner arrived at the brink of dawn and half the town was up and waiting outside on the Legume's front lawn. Maurice, Agathe, Adam, and Belle were there too.

"Come on, darling. Push." Angelina encouraged Sarah, with her hand on her stomach. Sarah cried and tried, but her body was completely out of whack and no matter how painstakingly she tried, she could not will it do what she needed. She'd been doing this for hours and nothing was happening from it, except more excruciating pain.

"I...I can't! I can't!" She wailed. Her muscles refused to cooperate. She was growing more pale by the minute.

"Try, Sarah." Dr. Tanner piped in. Lissa squeezed her hand.

"You can do it!" She smiled. Sarah's face became beet red and she nearly choked on her own saliva trying to breathe. She felt like she was dying.

"I...I can't do it!" Sarah cried out. "I can't push! I've tried. It's no use." She was panicking.

"Shh." Lissa tried to soothe her. Angelina came closer and ascertained Sarah's contractions. The baby was not coming as it should.

"Something's not right, doctor." Angelina said seriously to Dr. Tanner.

"I'm afraid you're right." Dr. Tanner agreed. "We need Dr. Travis."

"Robert? Why?" Lissa looked up at them worriedly.

"Lissa, just send someone to get him on the double!" Angelina told her firmly. "No time to waste. We need his expertise."

Lissa's heart raced when they said that. But she immediately obeyed and opened the door. "Lefou! Get Robert! Hurry!" Lissa cried.

"Why?! What's wrong?!" Gaston and Lefou both blurted out.

"Lefou, go!" Dr. Tanner told him firmly.

"Doctor, what is it?! What's wrong? What's wrong with Sarah? What's happening to my wife?!" Gaston demanded in terror.

"Simmer down, Gaston." Dr. Tanner tried to calm him. "We just need a little extra help."

"Why?!" Gaston bellowed, shaking.

"The baby's coming much slower than it should." The doctor tried to explain as calmly as possible. "Sarah is having a hard time. She might need a little extra help, from someone like Dr. Travis."

Gaston felt the blood drain from his face. What could Robert do that they couldn't? Gaston's heart dropped into his stomach. He wanted to throw up. Dr. Travis was a surgeon! That was why they were summoning him! Oh, g-! "Let me in, please!" He begged. "I need to be with my wife."

"All right, Gaston. But only until Dr. Travis arrives." Dr. Tanner told him with the strongest finality he could. "When he comes, I want you to leave the room. You most likely won't enjoy what he has to say, and what he has to say is essential in helping your wife and baby."

"Yes, Sir." Gaston nodded quickly and dove into the bedroom. He was just thankful for the chance to be at his wife's side. Dr. Tanner glanced at Lissa, who bit her lip and was timidly playing with her fingers. "Shh. It's all right, Sarah. I'm here." Gaston said soothingly to her, holding her close. "You're gonna be all right. I promise!" Outwardly, he was trying to be brave and encourage her. Inside, he was terrified. He kissed her head hard. He faithfully sat at her side, just being near her.

"Ohh, Gaston...thank God you're here!" Sarah sobbed, looking up at him in desperation. His face was the only one she saw and the only one she wanted to see right now. He was here, and that was what she needed.

Robert arrived with Lefou very quickly and as soon as his foot hit the bedroom floorboard, Gaston was shooed out. He gave Sarah one last, woeful kiss. "I love you!" He told her and with a heavy heart, he left the room but not without giving one last, loving, fearful look at her.

"How is she?" Lefou asked.

"I've never seen her in such pain. I can't bear to see her suffer like this!" Gaston's lip trembled. "Lefou, I...I'm afraid."

"You? Afraid?" Lefou asked lightly, trying to cheer him up.

Gaston nodded, running his hand back through his hair. "I've kept saying that we will have lots and lots of children. But...if this is what it's going to be like...I'm more than ready to change my mind!"

Sarah writhed back and forth on the bed, crying out in horrible pain. Lissa was at her side, brushing her sweat-drenched head and hair with a damp rag, anxiously trying to encourage her. Robert was intently listening with his stethoscope placed on top of Sarah's over-sized belly, his face grave. He finally straightened up. Lissa frightfully looked up questioningly at her husband. His countenance was not encouraging. "I'm not finding a heartbeat." He said to Dr. Tanner and Angelina. "We need to put her to sleep. We have to take the baby, right away!" The doctor and midwife both nodded silently, and immediately set to preparing for the surgery. Robert quickly took Lissa by the arm and pulled her toward the door. "Look, Lis, I really think you should wait out there." Robert told her solemnly.

"But, I want to help." Lissa looked at him sadly.

"I know, Sweetheart." Robert barely smiled. "And thank you. But I think this will be too much for you, and we can't lose any time. Try to keep your brother calm, that will be the best help right now."

"That won't be easy." Lissa replied.

"Please, Lis! Just do as I say." Robert said firmly, but not harshly. Lissa's lip trembled. But she nodded. She quickly squeezed Sarah's hand.

"I'll pray for you, Sarah." She said kindly and hurried out. Robert smiled after her then unhappily turned his attention on Sarah. He didn't tell any of them that he had never actually done this procedure before! He knew exactly what he had to do, but this was the very first time he'd been called on to do so. But they were depending on him and he couldn't break their trust. He ignored the sweat pricking at his temples.

"Lissie? Sarah-" Gaston's breath hitched. "I heard everything! What are they gonna do to her? Isn't there any other way?" Lissa was pained at the helpless desperation in his voice.

"I wish there was, Gaston." She said slowly. "But I'm not a doctor. But I assure you, Sarah is getting the best care from the kindest physicians."

"That doesn't make me feel any better, at all." Gaston bit his lip, fighting back tears. His sweet Sarah was about to be put under the surgeon's knife! He couldn't bear to imagine that. Maurice, Agathe, Belle and Adam slowly made their way in. Gaston didn't notice them, though Lissa did as she ran to her friends for a reassuring hug. Gaston only painfully stared at the master bedroom door like a forlorn hound dog. It wasn't long before he smelled something horrid coming from that room. The scent of blood, knowing it was his wife's, made Gaston so sick. He actually threw up on the carpet!

"Easy, lad. Easy." Maurice said soothingly.

"Whoa, Gaston. Easy, pal." Lefou added. He too was alarmed at Gaston's shaken manner.

"Let me help you up." Adam told his friend as they helped him to his feet. Usually, Gaston would gripe at them, saying he could do it himself. But right now all he wanted was to see his wife and know she was all right. They helped him to his armchair and backed away to give him some breathing space. Many of them had learned from personal experience that soothing words were empty at a time like this, that Gaston would not be able to put his heart at rest until he knew he could see his wife.

Lissa sat close to him, rubbing his shoulders. "She looked just like something out of a fairy tale." Gaston murmured sorrowfully, going back to the day he'd proposed to Sarah and asked her to be his Madame Gaston. He'd always remember that moment. "I have never seen anything more beautiful! You know...the night she told me she was with child, she told me that my boots were the first thing that made her fall in love with me." He whispered. Lissa smiled with tears. She couldn't believe the depth of her brother's pain. It was just as awful if not worse than when she'd returned to Paris, and Gaston had thought he'd never see her again!

A heavy sob escaped his chest and he covered his face with his hand. "Ohhh...Lissie..." Gaston wept like a child, "I can't lose Sarah! She's my very heart. I...I just can't lose her..." His usually robust frame shook with heartache. "If she...if I lose her and our baby...I swear, I..."

"Shh." Lissa shushed him gently, rubbing his shoulders and crying with him. "Robert knows what to do." She said with a trembling lip. "Sarah is too dearly loved and has too precious a treasure to give up, to...don't...don't give up on her, Gaston." Lissa looked up sadly at her big brother. Gaston looked down at her, his face red and wet, soulful pain in his eyes. He shook his head. Lissa wrapped her arms around him and just hugged on him. Lefou reached over and gave his forearm a squeeze. Gaston clasped his hand over Lissa's as he leaned forward with his elbow on his knee and covered his face with his other hand. Jesse placed his paw on his knee.

Maurice, Agathe, Belle, and Adam looked on empathetically and stayed close by. Gaston had grown from their town buffoon and bighead to a dear friend, and they wanted to help him through this.

Within an hour, there was the sound of a baby's cry! Everybody froze. Jesse barked. Gaston couldn't move. He was glued to the chair, his heart nearly thudding out of his chest. "I'll go." Lissa told him and slowly peeked inside. Robert glanced at her and smiled widely, beckoning her. Lissa walked in and shut the door.

"Would you like to tell him?" Angelina asked Lissa a few moments later.

Lissa returned and her brother was at the door in an instant. "Lissa, just tell me!" Gaston begged, clenching her hands.

Lissa smiled widely. "You're a father, Gaston!" She squealed, clenching him by the arms.

"That's...wonderful..." Gaston tried to smile. "Sarah?"

"She's resting, Gaston." Lissa reassured him, pushing back on his chest. "Robert says she came through beautifully! She's going to be all right. Sore for a while, but she is fine!"

"Thank God!" Belle praised. Adam rubbed her shoulder. He remembered when she'd almost need the very same operation. He was relieved that he hadn't been put through that hell, and that now his good friend was being released from his!

Gaston laughed and cried loudly at the same time. He grabbed his sister off the floor and excitedly twirled her around the room. Lissa laughed, so happy for him. "I'm a father! I'm a father, Lefou!" Gaston screeched hysterically, joy beaming in his face. "Did you hear that? I'm a papa!"

"I sure did! That's great!" Lefou bounced around the floor.

"Congratulations, Gaston!" Maurice and Adam cheered.

"I'm so happy for you, Gaston." Lissa told him. Gaston smiled gratefully and sweetly kissed her cheek.

"Ohh! What is it?" He finally asked. Lissa beamed widely.

"You have a son, big brother." She said fondly.

"A...a son?" Gaston sputtered. He was blown away. He had really been hoping for a girl. But also, he couldn't believe it! He was terrified at the thought of raising a boy, not wanting him to end up like his father.

"A son!" Lefou was ecstatic. "Did you hear that, Gaston! You've got a little boy! It's a boy!"

"Y-yeah. Yeah!" Gaston nodded.

"Aren't you happy, Gaston?" Lissa asked with concern.

"Of course I am!" Gaston insisted. "I'm just overwhelmed."

"Gaston, I'm so proud of you." Belle said kindly, hugging him fondly and placing a light kiss on his cheek. He blushed warmly.

"Gaston, would you like to meet your baby?" Dr. Tanner poked his head out half an hour later after Sarah been stitched and cleaned up.

"Of course!" Gaston answered gruffly. He couldn't help but look in the mirror, straightening his collar, checking his teeth, and making sure his hair was neat. The entire room roared with laughter. "Oh, drat." Gaston frowned at his reflection. His face was red and tear-stained.

"The baby won't care about that." Adam shook his head.

"Yeah, go on, Gaston. Don't keep your wife waiting." Lefou pushed him. Gaston squared his shoulders and took a deep breath as he shut the door behind him.

"Can you believe it?" Lissa cried in delight as Lefou twirled her around.

"It's fantastic! I have a godson!" Lefou cheered.

"And I'm an aunt!" Lissa cried with joyful tears.

"It's a real miracle." Maurice agreed.

Lefou poked his head outside and shouted to the villagers, "IT'S A BOY!"

Gaston stood awkwardly in the doorway, not sure what to say or do first. Sarah was lying comfortably in bed, with her luscious golden hair surrounding her face in soft waves. She was pale, but her face was radiant. The doctors and Angelina stepped out to give the new family some privacy. Robert was welcomed with a big kiss from his happy wife.

Gaston at first felt strangely shy, with butterflies fluttering around in his belly. But the moment he laid eyes on his gorgeous wife and the little miracle she was clasping on her bosom, all his fear melted away. She looked so peaceful and jubilant. Gaston couldn't help feeling the same way just from looking at her. He slowly came to the side of the bed. "Hold your son, my love." Sarah whispered tenderly.

"Oh, no. Darling, I can't. He's so...well, small. He'll fall apart if I hold him. I'll crush him with my own hands!" Gaston protested.

"No you won't." Sarah firmly encouraged him. "Go on. Take him." She slowly placed her baby into his father's arms. Gaston protectively cradled the infant, gently swaying back and forth with him.

"Hello, little fellow. Can you guess who I am?" Gaston smiled. "It's Papa." The baby's eyes were shut. His face was red and very chubby, but he was -ooh!-just so precious. "I love you, my little hunter. Every bit as much as I adore your beautiful mother." He sat down next to Sarah. "How are you feeling, darling?" Gaston asked with deep concern.

"Very sore. And tired. But sooo happy." Sarah smiled widely. That was the smile he knew so well. The nightmare was over. Sarah was all right! And now Captain Gaston was a daddy! "You know, I don't believe we ever picked out a name." Sarah snickered.

"I was thinking of Luke," Gaston whispered, rocking his little son.

"After my grandfather." Sarah nodded approvingly. "A brave soldier."

"No." Gaston said quietly. "I meant...after your lost baby brother." Sarah's heart swelled with pride, deeply moved. Joyful tears filled her eyes as she gazed on her thoughtful husband with a burning passion.

"Oh, thank you, Gaston. Thank you so much!" She cried. "Luke Allard Legume."

"Perfect. I love you." Gaston whispered, leaning down to kiss her.

"I love you." Sarah smiled wearily.

"And you too, my little hunter." Gaston crooned to his son and kissed his bald little head.

Gaston carefully handed Luke back to his mother and they spent some quiet moments together before Gaston returned to greet everybody else. Luke opened his big eyes. "He has your eyes, Angel." Gaston smiled proudly. Sarah nodded. Gaston poked his head out the door. "Uhm, I'd like Lissa and Lefou to meet him first if you don't mind." He told his friends.

"That's fine. They're family." Belle agreed.

Lefou and Lissa didn't have to ask to know that Gaston already adored his little boy. He was glowing. He tugged Lissa toward the bed with Lefou in tow. "May I, dear?" He asked Sarah. She sighed but nodded as Gaston picked up little Luke.

"Hey, Luke? Lukee?" Gaston crooned to his little boy. "There is someone very special I want you to meet! This is your Tante Lissie." Gaston slowly handed his son down into his sister's arms. She was awestruck as she lovingly held her brother's child. She gently rocked her new nephew back and forth.

"Hello there, little Luke." She smiled down at the baby, who stared up at her with bright, blue eyes. "I'm Aunt Lissa! You look just like your momma." She looked up at her brother fondly. "He's so precious, Gaston. And handsome!"

"I think someone's a bit prejudiced." Lefou teased.

"I'm not exaggerating." Lissa corrected him. "I think he has your nose, Gaston." Tears streamed down her face as she kissed her new nephew. The baby's face scrunched in a tight yawn, then he cooed contentedly. Then Luke stretched his arms out, grunting loudly. "I think you're going to be really strong, just like your papa." Lissa eyed Gaston fondly.

"He's a big boy, just like his papa!" Lefou announced.

"He sure is." Lissa grinned. It was true, Luke was a big baby, and she didn't want to admit it, but her arms were already starting to cramp up from holding him. But he was just too adorable to just hand over to someone else. Gaston saw her predicament, and with a little coaxing from Sarah, he went over to assist Lissa.

"Here, Sis. Let me give you a hand." He smiled. Lissa sat down on the edge of the bed close by Sarah, and gently set the baby down on a fluffy pillow. She stroked his little arm and he pinched hers.

"Oow. Hey!" Lissa laughed. "He won't let go!"

"Hey, I'll have none of that." Sarah scolded playfully. Gaston snickered, but Sarah nudged him. Gaston rolled his eyes.

"Hey, now, son. Don't you go hurting your auntie." Gaston said to Luke. "She might disown you!"

"Would you stop?" Lissa gave him a pointed look.

"Mmm-hmm. He's Gaston's son all right." Lefou chuckled. "Just look at that! He's already trying to arm-wrestle you, Lissa!" They all giggled. Gaston sat back against the bed board, with his arm around Sarah who was leaning back against his side. He tightly gripped her hand. He leaned his head down and kissed hers.

"You were very brave, Sarah." Lissa said. Sarah sighed.

Gaston passed his son into the arms of his best friend. Tears filled Lefou's eyes. He felt so honored. "Hi there, buddy." He smiled cheekily. "Nice to finally meet you! Whoa. He's heavy! Whatcha been feeding this kid?!"

"He weighs exactly twelve pounds and nine ounces." Robert chuckled with his arms around Lissa as he stepped inside.

"Twelve pounds?! Good gosh, Gaston!" Lefou's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"TWELVE POUNDS?!" Sarah gasped loudly. No wonder she'd felt like she was dying! That explained why her abdomen had been so large!

"Twelve pounds?! Are you serious?!" Lissa looked up at her husband, her eyes as big as saucers.

"Oh, I am serious!" Robert nodded.

Gaston ushered his other friends into the room while he spoke privately with Robert, Angelina, and Dr. Tanner. "Is Sarah really going to be all right?" He asked anxiously.

"Yes, she will." Robert assured, patting his arm. "She'll have to stay in bed for a couple weeks and absolutely no housework!"

"So, what was wrong?" Gaston asked, greatly concerned.

"It was her first birth, and...sometimes complications set in. He was much too big for her to deliver naturally, that's why her poor belly was much larger than normal." Angelina explained. "You're very lucky, Gaston, that Dr. Travis was here! Had it not been for him, well..."

"W-will Sarah be all right?" Gaston asked further with worry.

"Yes." Dr. Tanner nodded. "Yes, Gaston. Sarah should be just fine. But she needs lots of rest to regain her strength."

"I'll make sure she gets it!"

"And, if you two are planning to have more children, you'd better wait for a long while." Robert warned him. "That delivery was rough on her. Hopefully the next one will be easier, however, you might want to wait at least a year before trying to have another baby." Gaston nodded.

"So, she can still bear more children?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes." Dr. Tanner assured him. "But Travis is right. The next one is going to have to wait a while."

"Thank you." Gaston breathed in relief. Sarah could still have more children! But, after what she went through today, Gaston was more than willing to postpone their next offspring, for a while! "Thank you so much, all of you! Help yourselves to the fresh coffee and some breakfast. You certainly earned it."

Gaston returned to his wife and newborn son. "You did yourself proud, my friend." Adam praised him.

"Well, Sarah here did all the work." Gaston said sweetly caressing her face. She looked up at him gratefully. "What do you think, Belle?"

"I think it's so wonderful." Belle smiled.

In French, Allard means noble strength. Reviews PLEASE!