"It seems the last time we sat together like this it was about that Lieutenant."

Martha sighed as Livy folded and unfolded her hands in her lap. She sat across from her sister-in-law in the parlor of the older woman's home and tried not to cry. "The last thing I ever expected was for him to show up here. When I told him about the baby he denied that it was his and I was sure that was the end of it."

"I remember."

She felt the tears start to roll down her cheeks as she castigated herself, not for the first time about writing to Edward. "If I could do this over, I never would have written to him."

"Livy, you can't change what's already been done." Martha's voice was gentle as she reached over and took one of her trembling hands and held it firmly. "You did what you thought you needed to do at the time because you didn't know Ray. But the plain fact is he's here and unless you can face this head on, he's never really going to go away."

Livy nodded. "I know and that's what I'm afraid of."

"What concerns me is that the kids might start to ask questions about who he is and what he's doing here. Hank and I never told them about how Danny came to be of course and it would be a real big disappointment to them to find out that he isn't their cousin."

"Ray has been so wonderful about this and he has a confidence I don't." She reached for a handkerchief from her handbag and dabbed at her nose.

"That's because he loves you and Danny and he'll do whatever is within his power to do to get you through this." Martha sounded just as confident as her brother.

"How can you be so sure? I know that Ray loves me because I love him too and he's accepted my baby as his own. But I also know that he would never lie about Danny, even if it meant that he could get Edward to go away and leave us alone."

Martha nodded and stroked her hand. It was a gesture of comfort from the woman who welcomed her so openly because Livy had come into her brother's solitary life. "The one thing you'll learn the longer that you live with Ray is that he doesn't do anything in half measure. He'll do what he has to, to protect the people that he loves and he'll make it right with the Lord if it comes to that."

"Are you saying that Ray would lie about Danny?" It was too fantastic for Livy to imagine.

"That's what I'm saying. And because Reverend Case knows the circumstances that brought you here I don't know that he would disagree with it." She added.

"I just can't imagine that he would deliberately lie, about anything."

"It's not something he would ever make a habit of because it isn't in his nature, but in this one instance I do believe he could."

Livy sighed and dried her eyes again before she looked at Martha. "There's something else that makes this so hard."

"What is it?" She looked a little wary and Livy guessed that she was expecting more bad news.

"It's a little ironic that Edward came when he did because I was at the doctor this very morning. It was Danny's monthly check-up and I scheduled an appointment for myself since we were there."

Martha's questioning look prompted her to continue.

"I haven't been feeling well recently and I hadn't been sleeping very soundly either. I couldn't remember feeling this way when I came here last year and I wanted to make sure everything was all right. The truth is I think I might be pregnant and I wanted to be sure before I told Ray." She ended her explanation with a watery smile.

"A baby." Martha smiled back and it looked as though she was going to cry. "Ray's going to be a father." And the moment the words came out a look of embarrassment crossed her face.

Livy reached over and grabbed her hand. "I know what you meant. I should know something for sure in another day or two and then I'll be able to tell him. If it's true and we are going to have a baby it will be so different for us this time because this baby will be ours."

"I'll say a prayer for you before I go to bed tonight. And if it's God's Will that you and Ray have a child of your own I have no doubt that the doctor will give you good news."

"I hope so." She replied as Ray and Hank walked into the house, effectively cutting off their conversation. They both stood up and met the men in the dining room. Ray must have seen her red rimmed eyes because Livy saw a frown of concern furrow his brow.

"Is everything all right?"

"Nothing that a good night's rest won't take care of." Martha informed her younger brother. "Ray you take her home now and get her to bed because the heat seems to be getting to her. If it's all right with the two of you I would love to have Danny stay with us for the night. He's all ready asleep upstairs and it would give you the chance to get some rest without having to get up with him."

Livy hadn't had much time alone with Ray since Danny was born and Martha was giving them an opportunity. The baby usually stayed with his aunt and uncle while his parents went into town but he had never been left overnight and Livy wasn't sure if she was ready to let him.

"We won't have to worry about him because he'll be with Martha and Hank." Ray offered hesitantly.

"We sure would like it if you and Ray would let him stay with us." Hank told them. "I know that Martha likes having a baby around the house and the kids love playing with him."

She looked at Ray and shrugged. "If you don't mind leaving him, I don't either."

"Let's say goodnight to him then so I can get you home." He smiled at her as they went up stairs and found Danny asleep in a cradle in Martha and Hank's room. He was such a good baby and Livy couldn't believe that he was hers. And if everything went the way she wanted it to, he would have a baby brother or sister early in the next year.

She ran a light hand over his downy head and leaned over to kiss his soft cheek. "Goodnight Danny and sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Danny. We'll see you in the morning." Ray's voice was gentle as he stroked the baby's head before he took Livy's hand and walked her out of the room, closing the door behind him. "Are you sure about this?" He asked as they went downstairs.

"I'm sure that Martha and Hank will enjoy having him here." She answered.

"That's not what I asked Livy." He said to her.

"I know that and I think letting Danny stay here will give us the chance to get some rest. And with Martha and Hank looking after him I'll sleep that much better."

"All right then, let's get home." He smiled at her as his sister and brother-in-law walked them to the door.

"Don't worry about a thing, Danny will be fine." Martha reassured them. "Hank and I have been through this a few times so we know what to do."

"Thank you." Livy hugged her and the firm embrace she got in return told her that Martha understood that her sentiment was about much more than them taking her son for the night.

"Just get a good night's sleep that will be thanks enough." She answered before she let Livy go.

Ray got her settled in the truck before he walked around the driver's side and got in. Martha and Hank waved from their porch as he started the engine and pulled away. Livy slid over on the seat so that she could be closer to Ray and put her head on his shoulder.

"You and Martha seemed to be having a serious talk." He mentioned as he kept his eyes on the dusty road ahead of them.

She nodded. "I told her what's happened so she wouldn't hear it from any of the well-meaning ladies at church. She would have been awfully hurt if she hadn't heard it from me first."

"That flyboy has made quite a stir in town. It seems that he's asking a lot of questions too."

"I'm sorry." She sighed and snuggled closer to him.

"I know you are. But I promised you that we would figure this out and we will." He told her as he took a hand off of the steering wheel long enough to grasp her hand and squeeze it.

She wanted to believe him, she really did.