Without You

by Greylyn

Sisters Rebecca & Sarah Dannon - Famous singers - suddenly find themselves torn from the present day, arriving in the Old West town of Four Corners. How they even got there is just one of the many questions they have. They wonder if it's possible they can even get back to their own time. Two of the Seven Town Protectors they meet certainly hope they can change their minds.

12. A Wonderful New Sense Of Being

Chapter 12 - A Wonderful New Sense Of Being…

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Rebecca awoke the next morning with a wonderful new sense of being. After the passionate night of lovemaking that she and Ezra had engaged in, she felt at peace for the first time in two weeks. She had slept wrapped in Ezra's strong arms and the nightmares she had so lately come to expect didn't trouble her.

Ezra's steady breathing against her cheek told her he was still asleep. She snuggled her body closer against his chest moving her hands over him. His heartbeat was slow, measured as Rebecca kissed his neck. They had made love over and over, each time feeling better than the last. They had finally fallen into an exhausted, but very happy sleep.

Even now, Ezra had a smile on his lips. She kissed his shoulders before taking a finger gently sliding it all the way down to just above his groin. Everywhere she touched him she could hear a soft moan from him. She couldn't stop moving her hands across his warm body…over his chest, his arms, his abdomen…kissing each place she touched. As she was tracing the outline of one of his ears, a soft, drowsy voice issued from him.

"You know darlin, if you continue with your present ministrations; I will have to do something about it."

Lifting her face, she whispered, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you. I was just remembering how wonderful last night was."

Ezra shifted his body, his eyes gazing at her. "Please don't apologize. Let me join you in remembrance of our night of passion" Pulling her body onto his, his lips pressed against the soft skin between her breasts.

Rebecca sighed as she molded herself against him. This could be the start of a great day.

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Another two weeks passed before Rebecca's nightmares finally came to an end, replaced by dreams of love for the man who was now her husband. When she was fully recovered and given a clean bill of health by Nathan, she and Ezra finally decided to leave for their New Orleans honeymoon.

Standing outside the stage office awaiting its arrival, Rebecca took a deep breath gazing up at the blue sky above. She felt wonderful, more so than she had in a long time. She was so looking forward to their trip and being alone with Ezra. Brushing away some of the dust that had collected on her dress, she turned to watch him speaking with Buck and JD. She noticed how much he was smiling as he spoke to them.

She couldn't keep from smiling herself.

Turning back around, she shaded her eyes as she watched for the stage's arrival when she felt two arms encircle her waist. Kissing her cheek, he said softly, "Are you as anxious to leave as I am?

"Yes my love. I can't wait to have you all to myself."

Turning her around to face him, he replied, "I feel the same darlin. You and I are goin to have a wonderful time."

As she put her arms around him the sound of the approaching stage made them both turn.

"We shall soon be on our way darlin."

Rebecca gave him a big smile.

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After taking a long stage coach trip, Ezra and Rebecca arrived in the largest town where they could catch the train. From there it didn't take them long to arrive in the bustling city of New Orleans. As the train rolled into the station, Becca couldn't help gazing out the window; Four Corners was so different from the grand city of New Orleans.

Ezra stepped off the train helping his wife step down into the noisy station. Taking her arm they began to walk along the platform to retrieve their bags. Speaking quietly, Rebecca said, "You might find this interesting, but I've been to New Orleans before…of course that was in the year 2019."

Tilting his head toward her, he asked, "Does any of this look familiar?"

She nodded, "As we rolled into the station, some things did, but then a lot of the places I'm familiar with have yet to be built. For instance, the venue the band played in hadn't even been constructed. It was built in 1967."

"That's amazing darlin."

Opening the entrance into the main station house, Ezra searched for the baggage retrieval area. Once it was located he contracted a barouche to take them to their hotel.

The ride from the train station to their hotel was a fascinating one for Rebecca. As she gazed out the window, she tried to remember how the city looked in her time. Certain places seemed the same especially as they approached the French Quarter, but so many other spots reflected the time she was in. She had to keep from talking to herself about how this had changed or that stayed the same.

Ezra watched as his wife took in all the surrounds as the carriage rolled down the street. Taking her hand in his he kissed it making her turn towards him.

She smiled.

"Are you happy my darlin girl?"

"I am…more so than I've been in a while."

Caressing her face, he leaned over softly kissed her lips. "Once we arrive at the hotel what would like to do first?"

"Oh…" she tilted her head slightly, "I'm sure you and I will think of something. After all we have three weeks to take in the sights and sounds of the city."

Ezra gave her a sly grin. "Why Mrs. Standish…whatever do you mean?"

Snuggling on his shoulder she began kissing his neck. Ezra sighed softly before saying, "Darlin, if you continue, we'll barely get into the hotel before I will have to take you to the bed and ravish you."

"Really?" An impish grin spread across her face. "Is that a promise?"

Taking her into his arms they began kissing passionately until the carriage arrived in front of the place they were staying.

Rebecca was the first one to realize they had stopped moving. Taking a deep breath she whispered, "My love…we've arrived. Should we go inside?"

Also taking a deep breath, he gently replied, "I need a moment before we step outside of the coach."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you any…" Not finishing, she gazed at her husband.

"Oh, I should be alright now darlin." Opening the carriage door, he stepped down onto the sidewalk. Lifting up his hand to Rebecca, he assisted her out of the barouche and onto the street. A hotel bellboy collected their luggage following them through the ornate entrance of the hotel. Once they checked in, the young boy continued to follow after them up the stairs to their lodging.

Arriving at their room, Ezra paid the young man before closing and locking the door. Turning towards Rebecca, he removed his jacket placing it onto a chair along with his hat and gun belts. As he walked slowly towards her, he loosened his cravat along with his vest and shirt never leaving his eyes from her face.

Watching as he approached, she removed her hat, gloves and wrap, tossing it onto another chair then removed the pins and combs holding up her hair. As her long auburn hair tumbled down around her shoulders, Ezra came to a stop in front her causing him to sigh. Caressing her cheek, he reached out pulling her to him.

"You are so beautiful darlin. Every time you and I make love I shiver down to my very core." He began kissing her, slipping his tongue between her lips swirling it around hers. Pulling away for a moment, he whispered, "Make me shiver Becca."

Backing towards the bed, they slowly dropped and removed their clothes caressing each other along the way. Upon reaching the bed, Ezra lowered her onto it tossing their remaining articles onto the floor.

Pressing against each other, he whispered, "My darlin girl, I want to feel your silken skin, feel how our bodies come together when I slide into your velvet…Let me feel you in ways I never have before."

Gripping his waist, Rebecca pressed against his groin as his manhood slowly slipped into her. "I want to feel you deep inside of me Ezra. I want to feel every inch of you loving me."

"Oh Becca…I will give you everything I have."

They came together as Ezra pulled Rebecca tightly to him, both of them panting and breathing as their love making intensifies. As he thrusted, she lifted her body up to meet his taking him repeatedly into her. The heat radiating from between her legs and his hard length caused him to push even deeper. He felt like he was on fire. Their shared moaning increased as their bodies rose and fell.

Finally as they both began to climax; it only took a few more thrusts before Ezra released into her yelling with pleasure as she responded in kind.

As their breathing began to slow, their bodies stayed connected as they kissed and caressed in the afterglow. Lying wrapped up in each other's arms for some time Ezra took a while before he said softly, "I love you so much Becca. I don't want to ever let you go."

Sighing she replied, "I don't want to either Ezra." Turning in his direction, she added, "I know you wanted to go eat, but I guess between the trip and our love making I'm a little tired. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize darlin…I'm a bit exhausted myself. Why don't we rest for a time then go to dinner."

Snuggling against his chest, she closed her eyes listening to the steady beat of his heart. She sighed as she drifted off into a most pleasant sleep.

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For the next three week Ezra and Rebecca spent their time seeing the sights of New Orleans. Plus their stay in the city proved to be a wonderfully healing time for both of them. The events of the last month began to fade away, disappearing from their thoughts.

Always looking to engage in games of chance, Ezra participated in some very lucrative poker games that netted some nice working capital for the new Standish Tavern. He and Rebecca purchased a new piano and some much-needed furnishings for the saloon.

For her part, Rebecca also purchased some musical instruments that she and Sarah could use in their show. She and Ezra also bought presents for their extended family. Every one of them meant the world to Rebecca and with Ezra's help she was able to pick out something special for each of them.

Everything was sent back ahead of their return to Four Corners.

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On their last night in New Orleans, Ezra and Rebecca remained in their hotel room making love till the wee hours of the night. In the morning it would be time to begin the long trek back to that dusty backwater they now called home.

Rebecca's gentle breathing told Ezra that she had finally fallen asleep. It made him smile. Wrapping his arms around her, he rested her head against his chest. He couldn't remember a time before she had entered his life when he had felt so completely happy.

The woman he had fallen in love with and married had finally returned to him. She was her old self again and perhaps even a bit stronger for what she had endured. He was sure that when they returned to Four Corners, he would once again hear Rebecca's beautiful voice filling the saloon.

One day after returning from a productive game of chance, he caught her working diligently on some new songs. The fact that she was writing again was further proof that she felt better. When he asked if he could hear her new pieces, she simply grinned saying only that he would hear them soon enough.

Feeling his own eyes begin to grow heavy, he allowed his mind to drift, dreaming of the beautiful woman lying beside him and wondering about the life that lay ahead now back in Four Corners.

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Rebecca leaned against Ezra's shoulder offering up a tired sigh. Glancing sideways at his wife, he took her hand in his. "We should be arriving home shortly. I shall be as relieved as you darlin as stagecoach travel has never been a favorite mode of transportation for me."

Rebecca smiled back at him. "I don't like it much either." Since it was just the two of them in the coach, she continued, "Next time I think I'd rather 'Go Greyhound' or 'Fly the Friendly Skies' instead of taking a stagecoach."

"Excuse me darlin? I don't understand." Ezra asked in a puzzled voice.

Giggling she said, "Oh I'm sorry…that's a couple of advertising slogans used in my time by two businesses…a bus and an airline company. Buses were like very big stagecoaches that could hold a lot more passengers. They even have a bathroom on it. Although I doubt any sane person would want to use the facilities on a bus. Ick! And remember I told you we could fly in the future, well that was the slogan of one of the plane companies."

Ezra shook his head. "The future sounds like quite an interesting place. It does however seem to present many challenges to its residences."

"Sometimes Ezra, sometimes."

It wasn't long before they heard the driver yell that the next stop would be Four Corners. Rebecca straightened herself giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for the use of your shoulder Mr. Standish…it made this trip quite comfortable."

Chuckling he smiled. "Well I was happy to be of service Mrs. Standish. You are welcome to use it anytime." He tilted his wife's face toward him giving her a soft kiss.

As the stage rolled and rattled into town, Rebecca leaned out the window as a big smile appeared on her face, "Ezra look!" Pointing down the street.

Leaning across his wife, he caught sight of all their extended new family waiting for them in front of the stage office. Ezra leaned back giving his wife a hug.

"I love you!" she said softly.

He smiled back. It was indeed good to be home.

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As time passed after their return from New Orleans, Ezra and Rebecca made the renovations to the tavern their top priority. With the arrival of all the newly purchased furnishing, the new piano and lighting, everything began to come into focus. The ex-conman was ecstatic with how his business seemed to thriving. Thanks to his wife and sister as the main musical attraction, The Standish Tavern had become the best place in town for music, drinking and gambling. It had become everything he had envisioned it could be.

It wasn't long after the establishment of the saloon that Vin finally decided to ask Sarah to be his wife. She was so excited that he had asked she didn't need to think about it. She said yes immediately to him.

After she accepted, the wedding was set for early September. While Vin would have preferred to marry her right away, he gave Sarah the time she needed to create a wedding dress and put together a small church ceremony. That was perfectly alright with her.

Rebecca along with Mary quickly jumped into sewing her dress and deciding how the wedding would look. Sarah knew Vin wanted a simple but memorable service. She had often said to her sister that was one of the main reasons she loved him was because he was just a sweet, country boy, but had a heart as big as the great outdoors.

That was why as a wedding present to Vin she began to write a song for him. Rebecca told her after it was completed that it was the best thing she had ever written.

That made Sarah smile. How could it not be because it was for the love of her life.

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A couple of days after asking Sarah to marry him, the quiet tracker entered 'The Standish Tavern' looking around. Since Ezra had regained possession of the saloon the place was thriving. He saw the gambler sitting at one of the tables busily working on his books. Taking a deep breath, Vin walked towards him.

Ezra glanced up from his paperwork realizing his future brother-n-law was coming in his direction. That thought made him smile. His life had certainly gone down a path he never would have imagined with the coming addition of Vin and Sarah.

Good afternoon Mr. Tan…" Ezra stopped changing his words. "Good afternoon Vin. You have the look of a man in need. What can I help you with?"

Vin nodded to Ezra, "Mind if I sit a spell? Need to talk with ya bout a couple of things."

"Not at all…please have a seat." Ezra pointed to the chair across from him.

Vin let his eyes drop for a moment as he sat down. Glancing back up, he looked at Ezra saying in a low voice, "I know the secret. Sarah, she told me last night. I know where they're from."

"So she told you everything?"

"Yep! Gotta tell ya pard, I found it hard ta believe at first, but she convinced me when she showed me all that stuff in Rebecca's bag. Kinda hard not ta after that." He replied leaning back slightly in his chair.

"Yes, I too was unwilling to believe until Rebecca convinced me. It is indeed an amazing and wondrous place our paramours come from. I've often thought what it must be like to live in such a world and how hard it must be for them to cope with this reality."

Vin nodded. "I reckon it must be. So besides you and me who else knows 'bout this?"

"Well," Ezra drawled, "The only other person is Mary Travis. She was the first to be informed. She has known since almost the beginning."

Shifting in his seat, he said, "You said you had a couple of items to discuss with me. What was the other?"

"Oh yeah…I hope you ain't gonna be too upset, but I asked Chris to be my Best Man at the weddin. I know ya asked me to be yours, but I…"

Ezra held up his hand to stop Vin's explanation. "That is quite all right Vin. I realize you and Mr. Larabee are best friends. As such, he should be standing with you at the altar. As it turns out I have a position in the bridal party. Sarah has asked me to give her away and I have accepted."

"Hey, that's great pard. Looks like everythin's workin out fine then." Vin grinned.

"So it would seem Vin." Ezra grinned back, "So where is your lovely intended and my wife? I haven't seen them in some time."

"Sarah told me they was gonna meet over at Mary's place to start workin on her dress and veil. I suppose that is where they are now."

"I suspected that might be their current location. They have much to prepare before your nuptials."

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Rebecca, Mary and Sarah poured over the patterns in front of them. "This is lovely material that you've picked Sarah. I think the dress is going to be really beautiful once it's finished." Mary commented as she spread the material across the workspace the three women had put together.

"It is nice isn't it?" Sarah responded with a smile. She looked over at her sister Rebecca who was busily working on her sister's veil. "Do you think that lace will be alright for the head piece Becky?"

"I love it myself. So have you decided on a long or short veil? Personally I think a long veil would look really nice with this dress."

Rebecca got to her feet to grab a pair of scissors she needed when she staggered slightly gripping the wall for support.

"Becky, what's wrong? Your face is really pale." Sarah asked concerned.

"I don't know. I felt really light headed when I stood. Now I…" Rebecca suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

"Becky!" Sarah shouted.

The two women lifted her from the floor putting her back into the chair. Mary poured some water into a bowl wetting a cloth for her face. Rebecca came around almost immediately. "What happened? I felt faint."

Mary put the cool cloth across Rebecca's forehead. "Sarah go find Nathan and bring him here and if you see Ezra tell him to come also. I'll look after your sister."

Sarah glanced quickly at Rebecca before leaving the find the dark healer.

Mary wet the cloth again placing it against Rebecca's neck. "So how far along are you?"

"What?" Rebecca asked in a surprised voice.

"How far along is your pregnancy? Surely you must have suspected that you're pregnant?"

Rebecca grimaced slightly. "Well I really hadn't thought about it until just recently. I'm late and that concerned me. I was considering seeing Nathan in a day or two."

Mary nodded, "But something else is troubling you. I can see it."

Rebecca made a face as she said, "If I am pregnant, I don't know what I should do. Ezra and I have never talked about children, so I'm not sure how he feels about them. I guess I'm a little scared."

"Well…from everything I've seen, Ezra loves children. I sometimes think he relates better to them than most adults." Mary offered.

"Oh I know he loves children, but it's quite another thing when you have one of your own." Rebecca replied. "He's so tied up with running the saloon I guess I'm nervous about telling him. Besides he'll notice before too long if I am. That's something I won't be able to hide."

Nathan entered The Clarion approaching where Rebecca was sitting. "Your sister said you fainted Miss Rebecca. If Miz Travis doesn't mind I'd like to use her bedroom to examine you?"

Mary nodded. "That'll be fine Nathan. I'll close the door and wait out here."

Taking the bowl of water and cloth over to the table, she turned just as Ezra opened the door to the newspaper office. He had concern written all over his handsome face.

"Mary, my wife…how is she?"

"Nathan is with her right now. They should be done shortly."

"What happened? Sarah said she fainted?" Ezra asked his eyes looking past Mary toward the closed door.

"Yes, but I think we should wait to hear from Nathan before speculating on a problem." Mary replied.

Nathan finally opened the door of Mary's room half an hour later. Ezra stood up trying to read his face. "Nathan, how is Rebecca? What's wrong with her?"

Patting Ezra's shoulder, he smiled. "She's just getting dressed and will be out in a minute. Don't worry… she's fine."

"My dear sir, if she's fine then why did she faint?"

"I'll leave it to her to explain. Just calm down now okay?"

Rebecca came out a few minutes later gazing into her husband's panicked green eyes. He took her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Whispering into her hair he said, "Darlin, are you all right?"

Rebecca kissed his cheek. "Let's sit down Ezra. There's something I need to talk to you about."

Mary and Nathan made themselves scare as Ezra sat down, keeping his eyes on her.

Pulling a chair up in front of him, she sat down. Taking his hands into hers she smiled. "I have something to tell you my love and I hope you'll be as happy about it as I am."

Waiting a moment she took a breath. "I'm pregnant. I'm carrying your baby. According to Nathan I'm about two and half months along." She waited for him to say something before adding, "He says I look fine."

Relief flooded his face as he got to his feet pulling her into his arms. Holding her against his chest he said, "You'll never know what this means to me, darlin. I've always wanted a family. I love you more than you will ever know my darlin Becca."

Rebecca gave a sigh of relief as she looked into her husband's face. Her light blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I wasn't sure how you would feel about the baby? After all, you and I have never discussed having children. I was afraid that maybe it was too soon?"

Ezra continued to hold her tightly. "My darlin girl, this child..." he touched her abdomen, "already means the world to me."

"Are you certain you're ready for this?"

"You have know idea what this means to me. I love you and this unborn child."

"And I you."

Ezra and Rebecca came out onto the porch in front of The Clarion as Mary, Nathan, Sarah and Vin all waited for them. Vin offered his hand to Ezra, "Congratulations pard, I know you must be happy."

"Extremely, Vin."

Rebecca gave Sarah a pensive look, "I hope you won't mind having a somewhat pregnant Matron of Honor, sis. It looks like I'll be around six months by then."

Sarah grinned, "Not at all Becky. I'm excited cause I'm gonna be an Aunt."

The two sisters hugged each other.

"Let's go back to work on your dress, Sarah. We have a lot to do before September."

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For the next few months Rebecca and Sarah were kept busy performing in the saloon at night and preparing for Sarah and Vin's wedding during the day.

Rebecca premiered several new songs that she had written and The Standish Tavern's reputation continued to grow. She and Sarah had become so well known that the saloon continued to draw new people and to the town of Four Corners.

One night after the sisters finished their first musical set; Rebecca stood off to the side of the stage looking over the playlist. She motioned for Sarah to come over. "I was thinking of changing the order of the songs for our next set and I wanted your opinion."

"What were you going to change?" Sarah asked.

"Well I was thinking of starting the set with "Grandma's Feather Bed to get things going then gradually slow the set down. Take a look at the list and tell me what you think."

Sarah took the list from Rebecca looking it over. "So you want to start with Feather Bed then go into Matthew, Cold Day In July, If I Should Fall Behind, Longer then end on Leader of the Band?"

"Actually I was thinking of ending the set with that new song I just wrote. I want to play it tonight for Ezra. I think it's a good night for him to hear it. We've practiced it a couple of times. Do you think you're up for that?"

Sarah nodded. "No problem. I think this is the best song you've ever written. It's beautiful and I know Ezra's gonna love it."

Rebecca blushed slightly. "Thanks, I am rather proud of it. Let's get something to drink then get ready for our last set. I need some water."

Sarah nodded putting her arm around Rebecca shoulders as they walked over to the bar.

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Later after finishing their last set of the night, Rebecca and Sarah both bowed as the saloon erupted with hoots and whistles. "Thank you…ya'll have been great and I'd like to end tonight's show with a new song I've written recently. This will be the first time I have played it. This song is dedicated to my wonderful husband who has been my loving inspiration. Ezra, this is for you."

Rising from the table where he had been sitting with his compatriots, he walked over to the bar so he could be closer to the stage. Rebecca began to gently play her guitar, her eyes gazing at him. The other hired musicians stood behind her, while Sarah sat on the other side of her.

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face and I've
Never been this swept away

All my thoughts seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
I'm closer than I've ever felt before
And I know
And you know
There's no need for words right now

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
Suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby all we need is just to be
Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's supposed to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way

The saloon exploded in applause as Ezra walked toward the stage. Rebecca laid her guitar down and walked down the stairs. She waited as her husband approached her. She could see tears glistening in his eyes, turning them a dark green.

Stopping in front of her he took her into his arms. "My darlin girl, I never thought it was possible to love someone as much as I love you right now. I could lose everything tomorrow and still be the happiest man alive as long as I have you. Without you, I would be lost."

Rebecca kissed him. "I love you Ezra. You and our coming child are my life."

Continuing to hold each other they were oblivious to the saloon full of patrons.

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It wasn't long before the month of September finally arrived bringing with it Sarah and Vin's wedding. It was a small, but beautifully done affair. Josiah once again married two of his friends at their request with Judge Travis officiating.

For his wedding present to Sarah, Vin with the help of his friends had built a small cabin not far out of town. He and Chris had worked long and hard to make the place ready before the wedding.

Sarah knew that for Vin to put down roots like that, he was giving her the ultimate proof of his love for her. He had chosen the spot well as the cabin was on a lovely piece of land near a river. He had even stocked the cabin with all manner of 'womanly items' as he called them. With a little support from Mary and Rebecca, he had even purchased a lot of the items for their new home on his own.

Rebecca sat down wearily in a chair, but smiled as she watched her sister and Vin dancing around the saloon. She folded her arms across her growing abdomen thinking back to how happy she had been the night she and Ezra had married.

Her memories of that night didn't create the pain they once did and she was now able to separate the good from the bad. She placed a hand over her abdomen rubbing it a bit. Her unborn child was being quite active tonight. Giving her a few well-placed kicks.

Ezra sat down next to his wife, kissing her cheek as he did so. "Are you all right darlin? You have such a faraway look on you face?"

Rebecca gazed at her husband. "Oh I'm fine, I was just remembering the night we were married. Plus your son is being naughty…he's kicking his poor mother something fierce."

"What makes you think you're carrying a boy?" Ezra asked in a bemused voice.

"Only a boy would treat his mother so." Rebecca replied with a grin.

Grinning back he put a hand on his wife's abdomen. He could feel the baby was indeed giving her a kick. Giving his wife a sympathetic hug, he said, "Our child is indeed quite active. I hope he isn't hurting you too much?"

Shaking her head, she smiled softly. "No, everything's fine."

As she and Ezra continued to talk, Sarah suddenly approached her sister. "Are you ready?"

Rebecca nodded, "Anytime you are."

Ezra looked at Sarah then back to his wife.

As she stood up, she said, "You'll understand in a moment. It's Sarah's wedding present to Vin."

Sarah went to the band and asked them to stop playing. Turning toward her guests she said, "Vin, I hope you like your wedding present…this is for you darlin. I love you so much."

Rebecca sat down with her banjo as Sarah grabbed her fiddle. Two of the hired musicians readied their instruments. They began to play a gentle melody along with the two members of the band. Gazing directly at Vin, Sarah sang in a clear voice:

I said I wanna touch the earth
I wanna break it in my hands
I wanna grow something wild and unruly
I wanna sleep on the hard ground
In the comfort of your arms
On a pillow of bluebonnets
In a blanket made of stars
Oh it sounds good to me…

I said...cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can
Into the wild blue
Set me free oh I pray
Closer to heaven above and
Closer to you…closer to you

I wanna walk not run
I wanna skip and not fall
I wanna look at the horizon
And not see a building standing tall

I wanna be the only one
For miles and miles
Except for maybe you
And your simple smile
Oh it sounds good to me
Yes, its sounds so good to me

Cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can
Into the wild blue
Set me free oh I pray
Closer to heaven above and
Closer to you…closer to you

A smile slowly spread across Vin's face threatening to overwhelm it as he watched his wife play her fiddle. She had closed her eyes swaying with the rhythm of the musical interlude. She took a breath and began to sing again…

I said I wanna touch the earth
I wanna break it in my hands
I wanna grow something
Wild and unruly
Oh it sounds so good to me.

Cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can
Into the wild blue
Set me free oh I pray
Closer to heaven above and
Closer to you…closer to you
Closer to you

Cowboy take me away
Closer to you

The music continued for a few minutes more before the sisters finally brought the song to a close.

Lowering her instrument, she watched as her new husband approached her. Vin waited until she set her fiddle aside before throwing his arms around Sarah. He picked her up spinning her in a circle as both of them laughed in pure happiness. "I love you darlin. That was the best present anyone has ever given me."

Smiling at her handsome husband, she said, "So you really liked it?"

Kissing Sarah deeply, he whispered, "Tonight...after we're all alone, I will show ya how much I really liked it darlin."

Blushing, she gazed into his blue eyes. "I'm glad you did - you were after-all my inspiration for it." softly adding, "and I can't wait to be all alone with you."

Rebecca smiled at Vin and Sarah. They were so incredibly happy. An arm suddenly encircled her shoulders as Ezra embraced her.

"Don't they look happy?"

"Very much so, but then so are we, my darlin girl."

Rebecca smiled softly at Ezra. She never tired of hearing him call her that. She straightened slightly putting her hand on her abdomen, "Your child is continuing to be naughty tonight."

Ezra placed his hand where Rebecca directed him. "Well if this baby is indeed a boy, he is being rambunctious. Perhaps he was enjoying your music?"

Laughing, she nodded. "Maybe so."

Gazing at the people gathering around her sister and Vin, she smiled. "Let's go offer our congratulations to the happy couple."

Ezra nodded.

They joined the crowd that had surrounded Vin and her sister, wishing them both good luck and a happy life.

M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7***M7

Lyrics to – Breathe by Faith Hill

Lyrics to – Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicks