Tess wore the sundress she wore on the first day of every spring since she'd come to Drover's, the dress she'd worn when she first came back home. She saw the roses on the floor and followed them them the few steps to the dining room. "Nick?" She smiled. "What's all this?"
"Thought we'd celebrate." Despite his brother's reaction, he couldn't be happier about being a prospective father.
"Okay."
They settled down to eat and, after he cleaned up, he asked her to dance. Keith Urban's "Your Everything" played and he danced slowly with her. "I love you so much, Tess," he whispered, kissing her blonde curls.
"I love you too, Nick," she said, smiling up at him. He got down on one knee, not sure if he could get back up, but wanting to do this right. "Nick?"
He took the engagement ring he'd bought in Fisher that morning. "Will you marry me?"
She smiled through her tears. "In a heartbeat."
Alex sat in the chair in Charlotte's room, holding her as she fell asleep. He loved anything his daughter ever did, down to the way she breathed, and quite frequently was accused of acting like he was the first father on earth. He loved moments like this, her soft brown hair that finally matched her mother's shade, the way she loved having stories and hearing him sing off-key, and even the blue pajamas with the tiny lambs on them and the little feet sewn in. He carefully put her down to bed, tucking her in, and staying there until he was sure she was asleep, then creeping out of the room.
Claire was almost asleep again where she'd fallen onto the bed, her boots and clothes still on. Alex removed her boots, turning her to lay her on her side of the bed, and tucked her in before laying beside her. She moved her head to his chest and he stroked her hair, worried. She'd been so tired lately, never really gotten her strength back after the miscarriage. She was so stubborn that no one could talk her into going to see a doctor; it was hard enough to convince her to rest. Try as he could not to worry, he couldn't help but try to remember what her mother had died of or recall the nightmare of events that had taken place when they'd learned of Tess's scare with cancer. He knew he was overreacting, but he couldn't help it. His world revolved around his two girls and he couldn't remember what he had done without them.
As she slept, he remembered their fight earlier that night after Meg had gone home and Tess had gone to Nick's.
"Hey," Claire settled down beside him and an arm automaticaly went around her. "We have to talk."
He looked at her. He loved her eyes, so expressive that he could tell what she was thinking, what she was feeling, most times. This time, they were telling him loud and clear, he was in 'big time trouble'. "Shoot."
"I don't want to try for a baby anymore, right now."
He looked at her, shocked. He'd thought about taking a break, after the miscarriage, when she'd been so depressed and he thought he'd lose her, but they'd both decided they wanted another child. "What?"
"Shh." Charlotte was playing with her toys within eyesight and earshot. "I don't know that it's worth it, Alex."
"How can you look at Charlotte and say that, Claire?" Their daughter was perfect in his eyes and he couldn't wait to have another child with the woman he loved.
"I don't want to lose you, Alex. That's how I can say that. When Nick told you about the baby, you were angrier than I've seen you in years. The miscarriage almost destroyed us. I just couldn't deal with it if I lost you. I'll shout it from the roof if we do get pregnant, but for now, why can't Charlotte and I be enough?"
He cupped her cheek, pulling her close, his hand on her waist. "Having you and Charlotte is perfect, Claire. I..I'm sorry. I should be handling Nick and Tess better. I know what it feels like to be a father; it's the best thing in the world...ties with being married to you."
"Good answer."
"Are you sure about this?" He asked, kissing her forehead.
She nodded. "We're just driving each other and everyone around us insane. I think this is better for right now."
Nick cradled Tess in his arms, stroking her hair. "Do you think Claire's sick?" She asked quietly.
"Because she's so tired?" Tess nodded. "I don't know. I mean, it could be that she runs twenty hours a day, but she's always done that."
"I don't think it's the same thing. I'm scared, Nick. What if something really is wrong?"
"Have you tried to get her to go to the doctor?"
"Yeah. Alex has too. Nothing."
"Doesn't Charlotte have her checkup soon?" Tess nodded. "Maybe you could see if she'd check on Claire. Once she's already there with Charlotte, it'll be harder for her to run away." Tess nodded, curling closer as he put his hand on the small bulge of her stomach, unseen by anyone who didn't know to look for it. "How do you feel?"
"Not as sick anymore. I'll be miserable in the summer though, as big as a house."
"A beautiful house." He kissed her forehead and she smiled.