Morning sickness was something Evelyn could have done without. She'd been through it twice before with Danny and Sarah, but this was different. She didn't know how exactly, but it seemed to take more out of her this time around.

Her stomach had finally settled and she ran a shaky hand across her damp forehead before she turned on the bathroom tap to splash cold water on her face and to brush her teeth. When she finally opened the door, Rafe was standing there looking worried and she kissed his cheek. "It's all right. This is all a part of being pregnant."

"I know that. I just don't remember it being this bad with the other kids."

"Every pregnancy is different. Some are easier and some are more difficult." She sighed. "The doctor thinks this one may not be as easy as Danny or Sarah."

"Well, I'll be home for awhile. We're off rotation for the time bein' so you're goin' to have to put up with havin' me around."

She put her arms around his neck. "I think I can do that."

"Come on honey, it's time for you to get to bed. The kids are down for the night and you need your rest." He turned down her side if the bed and had her sit.

"I don't know why it's called morning sickness because it's not limited to the morning." She sighed and laid down before Rafe pulled the blanket over her. "Are you coming to bed?"

He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. "I just want to check on the kids one more time than I'll be right back."

She gripped his hand. "Rafe, no more kids after this okay?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. Three kids are enough."

"I'll do whatever you want." He said and kissed her before he got up off the bed. "I'd do anything for you."

"I know and I love you for it."

He left the bedroom and Evelyn closed her eyes. She tried to sleep but something wasn't right, something didn't feel right. She laid still and tried to stop a sudden feeling of panic because she felt something she'd never felt before. She was only three months along, but suddenly felt what she could only describe as labor pains but not quite.

Her nursing experience told her this was no time to ignore what was happening and to get to the hospital. It might very well be nothing, but she did not want to take any chances. She sat up and it was there again, that pain.

When Rafe came back in, Evelyn was walking a little gingerly and looked really pale. She was getting dressed and he felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach because something was wrong. She was calm as she asked him to call the hospital and tell them they were coming. She also asked him to call Barbara and ask her or Sandra to come stay with the kids. Lastly, she told him to call the doctor to have him meet them there.

"Evelyn, what's goin' on?" He finally asked.

"I'm not sure, but I really want to get to the hospital." And she continued getting dressed.

Rafe did as she asked and walked out to the living room to place the three calls. Sandra said she would be over as quickly as she could and Barbara would meet them at the hospital. Evelyn's doctor told him he would call the hospital and be waiting for them. He put in a call to the barracks and asked Danny to meet them there. "It ain't good." Was all he told his friend.

"I'll be there." Danny told him and added. "She'll be all right Rafe."

It was amazing how calm he felt, but that was only because Evelyn was. When he got back to the bedroom, she was dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for him. She looked so tired and a single tear was rolling down her cheek. He sat down next to her and took her hand. "What is it?"

"I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

She shook her head. "I can't even say it."

Rafe knew better than to press her for more so he got up and held out his hand to her. She took it and he helped her to stand. He tightened his grip and they walked out to the living room to wait for Sandra.

She was on the porch by the time they got there and after Rafe had let her in, she hugged Evelyn tightly. "Are you all right?"

"I feel better now that you're here to look after the kids."

"Good luck Ev." She said as Rafe and Evelyn walked out the front door.

The doctor met them at the front of the hospital and a nurse put her in a wheelchair. Rafe leaned over and kissed her, "Everything will be fine." He said to try and reassure her and she was gone.

He stood there feeling such as sense of deja vu because the last time he'd seen her taken away in a wheelchair, she'd had Sarah. The knot in his stomach got bigger because this was not the happy occasion it was then. Evelyn was in trouble and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

He sat down in a chair in the waiting room. He'd never felt more alone in his life and kept looking down the hall where Evelyn had disappeared. Barbara came running in through the front entrance and saw Rafe sitting by himself. "How is she?"

"The doctor just took her in and I have no idea what's goin' on."

Barbara took him by the arm. "The first thing you're going to do is go to the father's waiting room. It may be awhile and you'll be more comfortable there. I'll check on Ev, see how she is and keep you posted."

"Thanks Barbara."

"It's nothing." She told him and took him down to the waiting room. It was empty and quiet. "As soon as I know something I'll come tell you." And she was gone.

Rafe sat down and couldn't help but remember he'd been here before. He was surrounded by friends and had his son with him. He hoped the kids were sleeping and wouldn't wake up while they were gone. He didn't want Danny to be afraid. He took a deep breath and tried not to let the fear of what was happening overtake him.

The door to the waiting room opened and Danny stuck his head in. "Hey." Was all he said. He walked over to where Rafe was and sat down next to him. "So what's happening?"

"I don't know. We were gettin' ready to go to bed and Evelyn told me she needed to come to the hospital."

They sat in silence and waited for some word about how Evelyn was doing.

Rafe had no idea what time it was when he heard Barbara. "Rafe, wake up."

He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep in the chair and saw Danny stretched out on the one sofa in the room. He saw her sitting next to him and she was very serious. "Evelyn would like to talk to you."

"Is she all right?"

"She's fine."

"The baby?" He felt his chest tighten.

"She'll explain everything Rafe." And she got up, waiting for him. As he started for the door Danny sat up and looked at Barbara and she shook her head. Damn! He thought and sighed.

Rafe waited for Barbara and she took him down to a small private room across from the maternity ward. The room was dim and it was quiet except for the sound of Evelyn crying.

Oh, god. He approached the bed and sat down on the edge, taking Evelyn's hand. She had some of the color back in her face but her eyes were red from crying. She looked at him and he pulled her into his arms.

He tried to soothe her, but she was inconsolable. All he could do was hold her while she babbled, letting her voice what she was thinking. "This is my fault, I didn't want the baby enough. I wasn't ready to have another one when Sarah is still a baby. I should have been happier about it and all I could think of was how was I going to take care of three kids when I can barely keep up with two. Danny's walking and Sarah's starting to crawl and I was going to be running around after two kids while I was as big as a house and having a hard time walking." And she cried again.

He sighed. "Evelyn, this is my fault if there is any blame to be handed out. I miss you so much when I'm gone and I don't think about consequences. The doc was right when he told us we should have taken precautions and from now on we will. If you want to have another baby we'll wait until this damn war is over so I can be here for you for more than a few weeks at a time."

"Are you too disappointed?"

"No. I just want you to be all right." He gently pulled her arms from around his waist and looked at her. "I love you Evelyn and I'll do whatever you want me to do. Just give me the word."

"You've already done it Rafe, you're here."

"I'll always be here."