"Marita" Sean said as he rubbed her face.

"Uh" Marita moaned as she slowly came to.

"Marita, baby, open your eyes" he pleaded with her.

"Uh, what happened?" Marita asked in a dazed voice as she opened her eyes to see Sean hovering over her.

"You must have fainted. Are you alright?" he said. "Do you think you can sit up?"

"I think so" she said and grabbed his hand and he helped her to sit up.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked in a worried voice.

"Yeah, I'm OK" Marita said as she put her hand on her forehead.

"You sure?" he asked again as he rubbed her back.

"Yeah. Let me sit here a minute" she said as she gathered her wits.

"I need to send for Doc Williams" he insisted.

"You don't have to do that."

"WHY NOT!" Sean said in a raised voice. "You fainted Marita. Something has to be wrong!"

"Help me up" she said.

"Are you sure you can stand?" Sean asked.

"I think so" she said

Sean stood to his feet and took her by both hands and helped her to her feet. He held onto Marita by her forearms and did not let her go when she was steady on her feet.

Marita thought she might feel a little queasy but this time she did not. She had been having morning sickness lately and usually she stayed in bed until the feeling pasted. She had also been sleeping later than she usually did so Sean would be gone before she woke up and he never knew about her sickness. Marita had been telling herself that she could not be, but with her continued morning sickness, exhaustion and weight gain, not to mention her missed monthlies, she really could not deny it anymore.

"Are you SURE you're OK?" he asked in an anxiety-ridden voice.

"Sean" she hesitated as she looked up at him, "I'm............".

"You're what?!" he almost shouted. "WHAT Marita, what?!" he said when she hesitated again.

"Just say it - I'm pregnant" MM

"I, uh, I'm ................ pregnant" she got out.

It was Sean's turn to feel lightheaded. "You're what??"

"I'm pregnant" Marita said as she looked intently at him for his reaction.

Sean stared at Marita and his bottom lip dropped, as he comprehended what she had said. Once the news sunk in, Sean literally leaped for joy. "I knew something was different!" he shouted. "The way you look, your skin is softer. I noticed you had gained a little weight". Marita frowned. "But it looks good on you, baby" Sean laughed as he picked her up and swung her around.

"Sean put me down" Marita said as she laughed and she put her hands on his shoulders. "You're making me dizzy."

"Sorry" Sean said and quickly put her down but held on to her. "Marita, I can't believe we're gonna have a baby!" he looked down at her stomach and lovingly put his hand on her abdomen. "My baby's having a baby" he said in an awed voice.

"So, you're happy?" Marita said as she laid her hand on top of his. Marita was not sure how he would react because they had not discussed having children yet.

"What could make me happier than creating a new life with you" Sean said as he put his arms around her and pulled her close and kissed her gently.

When the kiss ended, Sean got on his knees, kissed her tummy then rested his forehead against it. Marita was in tears as she ran her fingers through those curls. Sean closed his eyes and prayed to the LORD.

"Children are a heritage from the LORD and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Thank you LORD for this heritage and reward. Help Marita and me train up this child in the way he should go. Help us LORD to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. In JESUS CHIRST name I pray. Amen" he prayed.

"Amen" Marita agreed.

Sean kissed her tummy again then stood up. "Hey Ma" he said as he smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Hey Pa Pa" Marita said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and met his lips in a sweet, tender kiss.

When their lips parted, their eyes met and shared a moment of quiet love. They spoke volumes as they stared into each other's eyes. The love between them was almost tangible at that moment. Their love had grown from puppy love to mature, intense love. A love that grew stronger with each trial. A love that stepped out and defied society's rule and united them in holy matrimony. A love that now had created a precious life.

All of a sudden, joy began to overflow in both their hearts and they began to laugh. They stood their holding each other and laughing hysterically.

"AH! MARITA!" Sean shouted as he threw back his head. "WE DID IT!" he laughed then lower his head and rested his forehead against hers. "We did it. You and me" he smiled sweetly, "we did it."

Marita's tears started again as she smiled. Sean continued to hold her with his left arm and used his right hand to wipe her tears. Then he lowered his lips to hers and they shared another sweet, tender kiss.

"I love you Marita" he whispered to her when their lips parted.

"I love you" Marita said as she rested her hands on his cheeks.

"We're gonna have a baby" Sean said in awe. "I still don't think it's sunk in all the way."

"Something 'sunk in' because my waistline is expanding" Marita laughed.

"More of you to love" he said, then kissed her lips. "I was going to surprise you this morning with breakfast in bed. Now we have a special reason to celebrate. Get back in bed" he said then released her. He pulled back the covers and Marita climbed in bed.

"I told Pa that you wouldn't be up at the house until around noon, so he isn't expecting you. I'll be right back." he said, then turned and walked out the room.

Marita smiled as she watched Sean leave the room. She knew she was a blessed woman to have such a man. He was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but he was perfect for her and she was so thankful. She lounged back in the bed and pulled the covers over her lap and waited for her husband to return.

Sean came back a few minutes later with a tray in hand. He put the tray over her lap and got in bed beside her. There were ham, eggs, grits, biscuits and strawberry preserves. The smell of the food did not make Marita nauseous so she figured she would be able to eat. Sean said grace and they began to eat.

"How long have you known you were pregnant?" Sean asked.

"About a month."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to be sure I was. We hadn't talked about having children yet and I wasn't sure how you would feel about it" she admitted.

"Well, you had to get pregnant sooner or later" he grinned wickedly at her then asked, "How did you think I'd feel about it?"

"I don't know. I guess I was a little scared" she admitted.

"Of what?"

"I know people haven't bothered us, but I'm sure some don't like us being together. Once our baby is born, I hope that won't complicate things."

"Don't worry about that Marita. I'm still willing to move if we have too. Nothing will happen to you or us or our baby. I will do whatever I have to to protect what's mine."

Marita smiled. "I know you will" she said and caressed his cheek.

"Besides" he smiled at her. "We have the BIG GUY on our side" he said, referring to the LORD. Sean grabbed his bible off the side table and opened to Psalm 91.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Marita found comfort in the WORD.

"And HE did tell us to 'be fruitful and multiply'" he said, making Marita laugh. "So don't you worry about this little one" he said, putting his hand on her womb. "He has the protection of his father and the protection of the ALMIGHTY."

"You're right" Marita sighed and put her hand over his.

"How many months are you, do you think?"

"It's been 3 months since my last monthly."

"Well, we better get Doc Williams to look at you. I'll stop by his house on my way into town today."

"OK"

As the happy parents-to-be continued to eat, they discussed their baby.

"I know it's a boy, Marita. I just know it" he said proudly.

"How do you 'just know it'?" Marita laughed.

"I just know it" he said and took a bite of his biscuit. "I feel it in my bones."

"And what if it's a girl?"

"It's not, I'm telling ya. This one isn't a girl" he smiled.

"We'll see."

"Watch" he said confidently. "I want him to be smart like you."

"IF it's a 'him', I want him to be handsome like you" Marita smiled.

"This is gonna be one lucky baby to have you for a mother" he said.

"He's going to be lucky to have you for a father."

"So, you believe me now, that it's a boy?" Sean grinned at her, making her heart melt.

Marita laughed as her love for Sean seemed to grow in that simple instance. She fell in love with him more and more as the days went by. Little things he did made her appreciate him. A look he would give her. A wink. A smile. A hug. A kiss on her cheek. A note saying 'I love you'. A flower left on her desk. A joke to make her laugh. Could she love him more? She would wonder at times. And her answer would always end up being 'Yes' when he did those little things.

They continued to talk and eat. When they were finished eating, Sean put the tray on the floor and got back in bed with Marita. He sat next to her and faced her. He rested his hand on the opposite of her and just smiled.

"I love you so much Marita. It seems like when I can't imagine loving you more, you come along and do something and the love I feel for you seems to grow even more" he said with a mountain of love in his eyes.

"What did I do this time?" Marita whispered as she started to cry.

"You were just you" he smiled as he ran his finger down her cheek. "And now you're the mother of my baby. I can't thank you or love you enough for those two things."

"Well, you're the father of my baby and I can't love you enough for that" she smiled.

Sean lower his head and kissed her stomach again then lay down and rested his cheek on her lap. Marita smiled down at him and rubbed his curls.

"Hey in there" he spoke to his unborn child. "I'm your father and this" he looked up at Marita. "Say something."

"Sean" she wined. She thought he was acting goofy.

"Say something! Say 'hi'".

"Hi."

"And that" he said to Marita's stomach. "Is your mother. We're very excited about having you and we can't wait until you get here. When you do get here, you have to remember that you are our first baby, so we might make a lot of mistakes. But I want you to know now that your mother and I love you so much. You're gonna be surrounded by people who love you. You have two grandpas, Ned, that's my Pa and Isaac, that's your ma's pa. Then you have an uncle, Clay and two aunts, Alice and Lexy...." he expounded on the family history.

Sean spent the next few minutes talking to his baby and telling him about the Logan legacy while Marita listened, smiled and at times laughed at her silly husband.

"You think I'll hurt the baby if I made love to you?" Sean asked as the lay on their sides, facing each other.

"I don't think so" Marita laughed. "You haven't hurt him so far."

"I guess I haven't, huh?" Sean laughed as he kissed Marita.

Sean was especially gentle as he loved the mother of his child. He was careful not to put his full weigh on her. Though he was not as uninhibited as he usually was, he was even more loving, tender and kind.

When they finally made it out of bed, they took a bath together and got dressed. Sean went up to the house with Marita because he wanted to speak with Ned about having a family meeting. They had decided to gather the family and tell everyone at once. Ned was in the study and Sean and Marita came in.

"Hey, Pa" Sean said.

"Hi, son" he smiled. "Hi Marita" he said with a twinkle in his eye, guessing why Marita was late getting to work.

"Hi Mr. Logan" she smiled and when to sit down at the desk.

"Pa, we need to talk to the family. Can we all have supper here on Sunday?"

"Sure, son. What's this about?" Ned asked.

"We'll tell everybody Sunday." Sean said.

"Alright. Marita I'm headed to the stables. I left some correspondences I need you to go over for me. We also have a stack of mortgage payments that need to be logged and deposited" Ned said as he headed toward the door.

"Alright" Marita said.

When Ned left, Sean went over behind the desk.

"I should be back before you leave" Sean told Marita as he bent to kissed her on the cheek. "So wait for me."

"OK"

"I love you."

"I love you."

Sean left the study with a big smile on his face.

"Hi Sean" Lexy met him just outside the study door. "What are you smiling for?"

"Hey Peanut. I'm smiling because I'm happy."

"Happy about what?"

"Can I just be happy?" he said, pinching her nose.

"I guess. But I think you're happy for a reason."

"You'll find out later, Peanut" he said then walked out the front door.

Lexy walked into the study and saw a smile on Marita's face.

"Hi Marita."

"Hi Lexy."

"Are you and Sean happy about the same thing?"

Marita looked up at her. "Why do you ask that?"

"Because he just left smiling and now you are smiling" Lexy said. "What's going on?" she asked in her straightforward way.

Marita laughed. "Lexy, I thought I heard Sean tell you that you would find out later."

"Well, he did. But I want to know now" she admitted.

"We'll tell you Sunday" Marita smiled at her.

Lexy knew it was useless to try and pry information out of Marita, so she gave up. "Alright" she wined. "Can you help me with some math problems before you go home today?"

"Sure, I'd be glad too. Once I finish here, I'll help you."

"Thanks" she said, then left the study.

**************************

When Sean made it back, he found Marita and Lexy in the study going over math problems.

"Hey" he spoke to them.

"Hey" Marita looked up and smiled.

"Hi Sean" Lexy said.

"What are you two doing?" he asked.

"Marita's helping me with my math problems" Lexy answered.

"We'll be done in a minute Sean" Marita told him.

"Alright. Is Clay here?"

"No. I think he went to see Vivian." Lexy answered.

"Marita I'll be right outside when you're ready."

"OK" she said and turned her attention back to Lexy's math problems.

Sean sat outside on the porch and only had to wait a few minutes for Marita to come out.

"Ready?" he said as he stood up.

"Ready. We need to go by Pa Pa's. I didn't see him today to ask if he can have supper with us Sunday" Marita said as they walked to her carriage.

"OK"

Sean had already tied Ahab to the back of the carriage. He lifted Marita up into the carriage then hopped up himself and took the reins and headed for Isaac's.

"Hi Pa Pa" Marita said to Isaac as she entered the house.

"Hi baby girl" Isaac said as he rose from the table to greet her. He kissed her on the cheek then spoke to Sean. "Sean".

"Isaac" he said.

"What brings you here?" Isaac asked.

"Do I need a reason to come see my Pa Pa?" she smiled at him.

"Well, no you don't."

"Can you come up to the house Sunday for supper?" Marita asked.

"Sure" Isaac answered.

"Good" Marita said. "We want to have a family meeting."

"Alright. What about?"

"We'll tell you Sunday" Marita said. "Have you had supper?"

"No, not yet."

"Why don't you come have dinner with us? We have plenty."

"I don't want to impose on you two."

"You wouldn't Pa Pa. Come on, we'd love having you" Marita begged him.

"Alright" Isaac said, glad he would get some good home cooking.

Isaac went home with Sean and Marita and enjoyed their company and Marita's cooking. After dinner, they sat and talked until Marita started yawning. Isaac said his goodnights and left and Marita and Sean got ready for bed.

When they were settled in bed, Sean kissed Marita goodnight and she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Sean was not sleepy yet. He was still excited about Marita being pregnant. He lay awake dreaming about who the baby would look like, what he would sound like when he started talking, what kind of personality he would have, what he would grow up to be. Eventually, Sean's eyelids got heavy and he turned toward a sleeping Marita. She had turned on her side and her back was facing him. He bent over her and kissed the side of her stomach.

"Goodnight in here" Sean whispered then snuggled up behind her, rested his hand on his unborn child and fell into a blissful sleep with his two most valued treasures - Marita and their child.

To Be Continued..............