Blessings and Dread
Jim and I hadn't talked about children yet, so I was not sure how he would feel about my pregnancy so soon after marriage. We were still looking for a house (in Benbow, of course) and were staying at Sarah's new and improved inn. Although she insisted that, because we were family, we should stay free of charge, I always slipped her a tip into the jar near the door when she wasn't looking. God bless her. Momma decided that she couldn't stand living half a planet away from us (Kingston was on the other side of Montressor), so she bought a small house close by. The Dopplers, their three kittens, Grace, Diane, and Margaret, and their puppy, Dexter, visited often as well. Well, they used to be such tiny "babies" when we attended the Academy. Now they were adorable five-year-olds.
Anyway, I had an awful bout of morning sickness and, as soon as I could, checked with the town's physician. It was just as I thought. I was so thrilled I could barely speak. I wanted a child. I wanted to create a new life. That night, Jim and I were just slipping into bed in our guest room.
Taking his hands, I said gently, "Jim, we have to remember to buy a home with an extra bedroom or two."
"I know. Visitors. Laura, they can stay with my mom, you know."
"No. Not exactly for visitors." I gazed into his eyes, hoping he caught on.
"Laur. You mean...?"
"Yes, sweetie. I am."
The next moment, he jumped out of bed, dragged me up, and embraced me tightly while showering me with kisses. He was trying to think of the right thing to say, but he was as speechless as I was. I think he took it pretty well.
We soon told Sarah, Momma, B.E.N., and the Dopplers. Morph, who was never far away from Jim's side (he even woke up from sleeping in one of Jim's boots when I told my husband the news), caught on right away, often transforming into miniature babies and toddlers. B.E.N. was absolutely ecstatic. He loved babies. I could tell whenever he poured over the Doppler children. Jim and I came to a simple decision: we'd let him play with the baby while watching over his metal shoulder constantly. After all, he was a bit--how shall I say--enthusiastic about hugs.
I grew a little bigger all the time. We finally got a house and moved in with little trouble. I longed to help move the boxes but was reminded that if I tried for more than a few minutes, I would become completely exhausted. Jim and I would often sit out on our front porch together looking at the stars.
He always asked that rhetorical question: "You think he's still out there?"
Of course, I answered, "You know he is. Out there watching over you. He's probably heard of the tremendous accomplishments of Captain James Pleiades Hawkins by now. I know he's proud of you." I still hadn't told him about my father but knew I would have to someday. Soon.
Jim was there for me through every contraction and labor pain on that day. My child's birthday. Our child's birthday. He suffered the huge pressure as I squeezed his hand in excruciating pain. I tried fiercely not to scream but must have done it three or four times unintentionally. Momma and Sarah were in the room with the midwives. The last push was the most rewarding. I was crying. Jim was crying, but he dare not let it show to anyone but me. They handed me our daughter. The most beautiful creature that ever lived. I held her and knew that nothing else mattered. I would give her the best. Jim held her as he breathed slightly sporadically in light sobs. That was one of the best things about my husband; he let his true feelings show (to a certain extent, at least).
Little Elizabeth Aludra Hawkins grew to be a wonderful toddler. She was the most beautiful little girl in the Etherium. She had her father's crystal blue eyes, his dark brown hair, his ears, his nose, and my full lips. Okay, so I did give her that delicate beauty Momma talked about. Lizzy seemed to love us both equally but showed a great interest in navigation as I had. I introduced her to some instruments, and she handled them carefully. I promised myself I would not force her to become a navigator but would only teach her if she truly wanted to become one. That is what I began to do. Jim showed her his holobook of the Legend of Captain Flint's Trove. She loved that immensely. We wouldn't tell her it had been found and exploded until she was older, for she fantasized over discovering someday ("Just like Daddy" it was said).
With her high little pigtails, Lizzy was also quite mature for a two and a half-year-old. She associated with young children who came to the new Benbow Inn when she visited Grandma. She loved B.E.N., Morph, and all the Dopplers, and Momma would introduce her to some navigation details when she went to visit her other grandma. It was a peaceful time. A happy, peaceful time.
Then Jim received a message from the Terran Empire Navy. The Procyons were waging war again. Battles broke out at the far ends of our territory. It was all about conquest and land with those Procyons. They hated us and despised us. Jim had to go help command a battleship. Although he was a relatively young captain, he was one of the best.
My husband and I sat at the kitchen table pondering over this. I had to go with him. I couldn't. There was Lizzy first of all. Second of all...
"Jim. I have something to tell you."
"Laura, I am so sorry. I don't want to leave you and Lizzy. You know that. I just..."
"I'm pregnant, Jim."
Silence. A long, painful silence.
His hands covered his tear-stained face. He said he longed to be there for me. To be there when the baby came. I was crying too. Good thing Lizzy was asleep in bed. He didn't know how long he'd be gone. Would he come back? What if he died? No! I refused to think such a thing. He was coming back. Coming home. To me, Lizzy, and the baby.
Jim and I hadn't talked about children yet, so I was not sure how he would feel about my pregnancy so soon after marriage. We were still looking for a house (in Benbow, of course) and were staying at Sarah's new and improved inn. Although she insisted that, because we were family, we should stay free of charge, I always slipped her a tip into the jar near the door when she wasn't looking. God bless her. Momma decided that she couldn't stand living half a planet away from us (Kingston was on the other side of Montressor), so she bought a small house close by. The Dopplers, their three kittens, Grace, Diane, and Margaret, and their puppy, Dexter, visited often as well. Well, they used to be such tiny "babies" when we attended the Academy. Now they were adorable five-year-olds.
Anyway, I had an awful bout of morning sickness and, as soon as I could, checked with the town's physician. It was just as I thought. I was so thrilled I could barely speak. I wanted a child. I wanted to create a new life. That night, Jim and I were just slipping into bed in our guest room.
Taking his hands, I said gently, "Jim, we have to remember to buy a home with an extra bedroom or two."
"I know. Visitors. Laura, they can stay with my mom, you know."
"No. Not exactly for visitors." I gazed into his eyes, hoping he caught on.
"Laur. You mean...?"
"Yes, sweetie. I am."
The next moment, he jumped out of bed, dragged me up, and embraced me tightly while showering me with kisses. He was trying to think of the right thing to say, but he was as speechless as I was. I think he took it pretty well.
We soon told Sarah, Momma, B.E.N., and the Dopplers. Morph, who was never far away from Jim's side (he even woke up from sleeping in one of Jim's boots when I told my husband the news), caught on right away, often transforming into miniature babies and toddlers. B.E.N. was absolutely ecstatic. He loved babies. I could tell whenever he poured over the Doppler children. Jim and I came to a simple decision: we'd let him play with the baby while watching over his metal shoulder constantly. After all, he was a bit--how shall I say--enthusiastic about hugs.
I grew a little bigger all the time. We finally got a house and moved in with little trouble. I longed to help move the boxes but was reminded that if I tried for more than a few minutes, I would become completely exhausted. Jim and I would often sit out on our front porch together looking at the stars.
He always asked that rhetorical question: "You think he's still out there?"
Of course, I answered, "You know he is. Out there watching over you. He's probably heard of the tremendous accomplishments of Captain James Pleiades Hawkins by now. I know he's proud of you." I still hadn't told him about my father but knew I would have to someday. Soon.
Jim was there for me through every contraction and labor pain on that day. My child's birthday. Our child's birthday. He suffered the huge pressure as I squeezed his hand in excruciating pain. I tried fiercely not to scream but must have done it three or four times unintentionally. Momma and Sarah were in the room with the midwives. The last push was the most rewarding. I was crying. Jim was crying, but he dare not let it show to anyone but me. They handed me our daughter. The most beautiful creature that ever lived. I held her and knew that nothing else mattered. I would give her the best. Jim held her as he breathed slightly sporadically in light sobs. That was one of the best things about my husband; he let his true feelings show (to a certain extent, at least).
Little Elizabeth Aludra Hawkins grew to be a wonderful toddler. She was the most beautiful little girl in the Etherium. She had her father's crystal blue eyes, his dark brown hair, his ears, his nose, and my full lips. Okay, so I did give her that delicate beauty Momma talked about. Lizzy seemed to love us both equally but showed a great interest in navigation as I had. I introduced her to some instruments, and she handled them carefully. I promised myself I would not force her to become a navigator but would only teach her if she truly wanted to become one. That is what I began to do. Jim showed her his holobook of the Legend of Captain Flint's Trove. She loved that immensely. We wouldn't tell her it had been found and exploded until she was older, for she fantasized over discovering someday ("Just like Daddy" it was said).
With her high little pigtails, Lizzy was also quite mature for a two and a half-year-old. She associated with young children who came to the new Benbow Inn when she visited Grandma. She loved B.E.N., Morph, and all the Dopplers, and Momma would introduce her to some navigation details when she went to visit her other grandma. It was a peaceful time. A happy, peaceful time.
Then Jim received a message from the Terran Empire Navy. The Procyons were waging war again. Battles broke out at the far ends of our territory. It was all about conquest and land with those Procyons. They hated us and despised us. Jim had to go help command a battleship. Although he was a relatively young captain, he was one of the best.
My husband and I sat at the kitchen table pondering over this. I had to go with him. I couldn't. There was Lizzy first of all. Second of all...
"Jim. I have something to tell you."
"Laura, I am so sorry. I don't want to leave you and Lizzy. You know that. I just..."
"I'm pregnant, Jim."
Silence. A long, painful silence.
His hands covered his tear-stained face. He said he longed to be there for me. To be there when the baby came. I was crying too. Good thing Lizzy was asleep in bed. He didn't know how long he'd be gone. Would he come back? What if he died? No! I refused to think such a thing. He was coming back. Coming home. To me, Lizzy, and the baby.