The family was silent as the news settled in. Jason and John Boy shared a guilty glance but they said nothing. Emma didn't know how to react, she felt like she had been punched in the stomach.
Elizabeth was the first to speak. She closed her eyes as she wrapped her oldest brothers in a hug. "You just got back. Now I have to lose you both again." as Emma watched John Boy, she saw all the remaining hope drain out of his wilting eyes.
As she stirred her coffee that night after washing the dishes with Olivia, Emma felt lost and alone. Like always, the house was hardly full anymore, Grandpa was gone. Grandma was resting, having become frail with age. The others were outside on the porch, and John Curtis was in bed.
"Do you think I'm going to be a good mother?" Emma asked softly, her eyes not meeting the older woman's.
"Yes," Olivia started. "Ever since you came to live with us you've had a motherly instinct, maybe you thrived here as you never had a younger sibling at home. You are caring and kind, but you know how to be firm. Sounds like a perfect mother."
Emma smiled suddenly and looked right at Olivia. Although she was in her mid forties, she had hardly aged in the last nine years. Apart from a few wrinkles, she looked as young as ever. She was the definition of a dream mama.
"How about Gertrude?"
"Blech, no." Erin shook her head disdainfully. She and Emma were sat on the couch on the next Sunday afternoon, talking about possible names.
Emma thought for a moment before saying, "Ben and I both like Virginia for a girl. Maybe Virginia Olivia Walton? And for a boy, we have both agreed on Charles Benjamin."
"You don't really need my help, then." Erin teased, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "I got a new job at J. D Pickett's defence plant. All hands on for the war!" She laughed almost awkwardly. "I think he's quite infatuated with me. Too bad I don't go for fifty year old men." The two sisters dissolved into giggles.
"Mornin', Emma," Jim Bob called as he walked through the door. Emma wasn't working anymore now everyone knew she was having a baby. "Got anythin' nice to eat?"
"Nope, sorry Jim Bob. I'm just trying to clean up." Emma smiled as she swooped around the kitchen. Jim Bob sighed before he started to band around the cupboards and slam doors. "Jim Bob!" She shouted before folding her arms and glaring at him. "If you want something to eat just wait until I make something for lunch. Please. Leave." She snapped before almost pushing him out the door.
As Jim Bob walked out the door and jogged down to Ben who was working, he hollered, "I'm never getting any girl pregnant! They get too grumpy!"