Chapter Twelve

Naming the Innocent

Part One

Marguerite rolled over in bed, wincing as her stomach pressed harshly into the mattress.  Groaning, she rolled again onto her back and glared at the ceiling.  She was tired of being pregnant and the desire to yank the baby out was maddening.  Just two more months, she coaxed herself.  Two more months and I'll be wishing not to have the baby.

Marguerite was a strong, independent woman who had faced death casually many times.  Yet, giving birth was something she feared more than anything, especially out here in the jungles of South America.  Anything could go wrong and there was no preventing it.  Including Klor's threat.  Though he had yet to immerge, she didn't doubt his presence was hovering around waiting to strike.

Now laced with apprehension, she stroked her stomach protectively.  "Don't worry, little one.  I'll try my best to bring you safely and comfortably into the world."

"And as will I," stated Roxton's husky voice from the doorway.  He was carrying a tray piled high with various foods.  He lifted it up.  "I thought maybe you would be hungry…or at least junior here would be," he commented as he strolled cheerfully into the room.

"Junior?  God, I hope not."  She sat up, leaning against the headboard.  "I have enough trouble keeping track of one Lord John Roxton.  I don't need to strain myself fretting over two."  Her teasing smile dissolved as she stared unseeingly at the tray he placed before her.  "I pray for a boy.  It would be easier raising a son here."

"I'm not chauvinistic, but that I must agree with."  He offered her a handful of grapes.  "Here, try some grapes.  I plucked them myself."

His tactic worked for she burst out laughing.  "I remember the first time you said that.  It was as idiotic then as it is now."  Still giggling, she began plopping the fruit into her mouth.  "What do you think of Elizabeth if it is a girl?  No wait, people would be tempted to call her Beth.  Forget it.  How about Vivian?  No, they would call her Viv.  How about Clara?  No…Karlie?  Karlie Veronica Roxton?  No, it isn't smooth enough."

"You're not giving the baby your last name?"

"Of course not, John."

He beamed with pride and acceptance.  "Fine by me.  Now, you keep rambling off girl names, but what if it is a boy?"

"I already have a name picked out."  She licked her lips nervously.  "You may not like it, but I find it fitting."

"Lord Junior?" he teased.

She sighed.  "No."

"Rex?"

"No."

"Plateau?"

"Be serious, John.  I want to name the baby…"

"Tarzan."

"No, William Malone George Roxton. The name Ned just didn't flow no matter what I did, so I went with Malone."

Roxton gulped, sitting back more firmly, speechless.  "You…you want to name our child…after my brother?"

"Yes, I do.  William was and is an important person in your life.  I want to honor him by carrying on his name.  And it is a lovely name.  Do you have a problem with it?"

"Not in the slightest."  He leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.  "Thank you, my love."

End Chapter Twelve

Spirita, my ever loyal reviewer, I'm not mad at all.  I appreciate the input; and I totally agree with your desire to have Marguerite become more open with Roxton, hence why I did Chapter Eleven.  She let Roxton in by telling him her painful secret and insomuch created a tighter bond between them.  Trust me, their relationship is gradually changing for the better.  Thank you so much for your wonderful review.

The line: "Try some grapes.  I plucked them myself." is from the episode The End Game.