One week passed. It was a sunny afternoon; I was sitting in one of the several grassy pastures with Braden, who was playing with my hair, which I had left partially down for the day.
"Papa!" Cried Braden excitedly, pointing at William who was releasing the horses into the pasture.
I smiled and kissed Braden on the cheek.
"Look Braden; who else is there?" I asked, pointing at the captain, who was also releasing his horses into the pasture.
"Bo!" Cried Braden with delight. "Mama, go Papa, Bo!" Cried Braden again, pulling at my hand.
"Alright, we'll go see Papa and Bo." I said taking Braden by the hand.
We got about half way across the pasture and then Braden began pulling at my skirts; I picked him up and carried him over to William and Bordon.
"Well well, look who it is." Said William, taking Braden in his arms.
"Papa!"
William laughed and lifted Braden above his head, spinning him about in the air. Braden screamed in excitement. William stopped spinning Braden and kissed his forehead.
"And good day to you as well, my dear." Said William, wrapping an arm around me.
I nodded and smiled.
"Good day to you too, William."
Bordon smiled and then said, "Braden, do you want to see the horses?"
"Bo, go hos!"
"Alright, come on then!"
Bordon hoisted Braden up on his shoulders and walked off toward the grazing horses.
William took my hand and led me over to a nearby oak tree.
"You are aware that I sent a letter to my brothers when we first came to New Brunswick, and that in that letter I invited them to come visit when we moved into our home?"
I nodded.
"Yes, I am aware of that."
"Well, I just received a letter from my brother Peter, stating that they will arrive in New Brunswick next month."
I smiled.
"This will be exciting. Especially since you haven't written to them since before the war."
"Yes it will. Especially since Peter also wrote in the letter that he and my brothers would be staying for quite a while, nearly a year, for they have been in England for so long and want to leave and experience something new. Peter even suggested moving here eventually."
"So, they'll be staying with us then?"
"Well, since they're staying for so long, I discussed the issue with Wilkins and he said that they could stay on the plantation house that we did before we moved in."
"I see. I do however, have one question."
"Yes Mary?"
"I know it's petty of me to ask, but they won't think I'm.. I mean..because of my background.."
"Oh no Mary, certainly not. I wrote about you and Braden in the letter I sent them. Their thoughts about you are quite the contrary."
"Well then, I look forward to meeting them."
Part 2. For Better or WorseSeveral weeks passed.
It was half past eight in the morning, and Bordon had come over for breakfast.
"My compliments Mary. The food was excellent." Said the captain.
"Thank you Bordon." I replied.
"Mary, are you alright? You've barely touched your food." Said William.
"I'm perfectly alright William, I'm just not hungry."
In truth, I felt quite nauseous, for the food I did eat was not agreeing with me.
"Please excuse me."
I got up from the table and went upstairs to lie down. But sleep was not restful. I slept for about twenty minutes before being shaken awake by Braden, who was closely followed by William.
"Mama?"
William picked Braden up and said, "Braden, Bo wants to see you downstairs."
"Mama.."
"Mama will be fine. Go on." Said William gently to Braden, kissing his forehead.
After Braden left William knelt down next to the four-poster and asked, "Mary are you ill? You've been behaving like this for nearly two weeks; should I get a doctor?"
"No." I replied softly. "I will be fine."
William gave me a disbelieving look.
"Mary you can't keep having this"
"William I missed."
"Missed what?"
"My monthly cycle."
William's eyes widened.
"You're sure?"
"Yes; William I'm pregnant."
"Mary I...God this is wonderful!" Said William wrapping his arms around me.
I placed my hands on William's shoulders, pulling him down, and kissed him tenderly.
"I wanted to wait a little longer to tell you but you caught me."
William smiled.
"I'm still surprised." He replied, placing a hand on my middle. "Thankfully I can be at ease with this one."
I laughed.
"Yes, there is absolutely no doubt about the father."
William smiled, gently caressing the side of my face.
"Now we'll have more than just Bordon to tell. My brothers will be here next week. Not to mention, Braden is going to have a little brother or sister. However, I think that it's best to keep it from him until you're well along. He doesn't need to know until then."
"I quite agree." I replied. "He wouldn't understand."
William smiled.
"I just hope this labour won't be as difficult."
I chuckled.
"I don't think it will. Supposedly the first one is the hardest one."
"I hope you're right, for I do not wish to deal with another labour like Braden's."
"You know, you didn't have nearly the pain I did." I said, shoving him playfully. "Well either way, you'll be there."
William rolled his eyes in mock exasperation and replied, "For better or worse, I'll be there, and there's no doubt about that."