Romeo Never Had To Cook

by Chiquinta

Historical PB Chris is having trouble being the housewife she's expected to be. Finished!

9. Uploaded bit 9

Days past, then weeks and months and as Chris's stomach grew so did the hole in her heart. She missed Tc more than she wanted to admit to herself. The brief time they'd spent together, however stormy, had transformed her from the young lady who looked forward to spending time with her horse to the woman who looked forward to the second her husband got home from work.

Now it seemed all of that was gone. The love, the debates, the laughter, it was all missing from her life. It felt like she didn't have a life at all.

Chris walked along the dusty street with a basket in her hand. She was going to get groceries but felt no hurry to get there, not that she felt much these days. And to hinder her even further, the baby had gotten so big that her walk was more like a waddle.

The sound of thundering hooves behind her as she went past the road to the Callaway's house brought her back to reality. She had to dash out of the way before a speeding carriage knocked her down. She yelled some rather rude remarks but the driver didn't stop. Two more carriages followed the first; the last was an iron prison containing approximately ten Mexican women.

Chris glared at the carriages. Tc was lucky they weren't together else he'd be hearing about Chris's point of view about the treatment of those women.

Chris sighed at the realization she'd probably never speak to Tc again let alone experience his warmth as she lay in his arms being held and caressed. Never again be swept away by the feverish passion that had claimed most of their marriage. Never again feel happy.

Victor had just finished chatting with the local baker about the pros and cons of pine over teak when a fat, sweaty white man wobbled into the store dragging a shackled Mexican girl behind him.

The girl barely looked up at Victor, her gaze fixed steadily on the floor. By the marks on her wrists Victor guessed that she probably escaped more beatings this way.

She'd been dressed in a tight fitted dress complete with corset and had been made from some of the finest material he'd ever seen…and he'd been hanging around with Cory lately. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders and framed the soft skin of her face. Still, the bruises, scars, shackles and the scared look in her eyes made her look like a slave rather than a lady, which was the intention of her master.

The fat man caught Victor staring at the girl and laughed. 'She's something isn't she? One of my newer possessions.' He yanked the chain. 'They're always strong willed until you break their spirit.'

Victor's eyes narrowed. 'Possessions?'

The man laughed again, his chins swaying. 'Thought she could fight my men off some land down south, her and that scrawny little brother of hers. I don't see why these people don't just give up.' He touched a finger to the girl's cheek. She flinched and pulled away slightly to which the man responded by slapping her across the side of the head and sent her sprawling to the ground.

Victor picked up a hammer from underneath the desk.

Ethan Callaway made a timely appearance and took the hammer from Victor. 'I'll take it from here thank you.' He said to Victor. 'Maybe you'd like to take this woman into the back room and get her cleaned up while I talk business with Mr Fraser.'

Ethan led 'Mr Fraser' outside onto the street while Victor helped the girl to her feet and led her to the sink of water in the back room of the store. He took out the handkerchief his mother insisted on putting in his pocket every morning, dipped it in the cool water and put it to the fresh cut on the girl's face. One of the many expensive jewels Mr Fraser wore had made a large bloody scratch across her cheek.

'I'm Victor.' He said.

'I'm Linda.' She replied in barely a whisper.

Their hands met as Linda held the handkerchief to her face and replaced his hand.

'Wait here, I'll be right back.' Victor said. He dashed into the store, briefly checking for Ethan and Mr Fraser. The coast was clear and Victor returned with a chisel and hammer.

Linda's eyes went wide. 'What are you doing?'

Victor took her hands lay them against a wooden bench near the sink. 'Getting these chains off you.' He strategically placed the chisel against the lock on one of the cuffs. 'Don't move.' He warned.

Linda closed her eyes tightly as he brought the hammer down hard against the chisel. The lock broke and the cuff fell open. Victor quickly broke the other lock and threw the chains to the other side of the room.

Victor rubbed her wrists where the shackles had been. 'Who is that guy?'

She shrugged. 'Some rich man. He came to our home and threatened my father. Told Papa that he'd have to give money, lots of money or he'd be killed. If he gave the money we'd be left alone.'

'So what happened?'

'Papa gave him the money. Only he said it wasn't enough.' Tears brimmed in her eyes. 'He killed my parents and took me. Only my little brother escaped. I haven't seen him since.'

Victor swore under his breath. 'I should have hit him with the hammer when I had the chance.'

'He'll come back for me. The other girls are locked in a cage in the barn we're staying at; with that man that was here before.'

'Ethan Callaway?'

Linda shrugged. 'I'm not sure of his name. His son, I think, comes by every now and then and brings us food and clean water. He's sad. The wedding ring he wears brings him great pain.'

'Tc and his wife have separated. She's pregnant and he misses her.'

'He's lucky.' Linda said. She touched the wound on her cheek, winced and put the handkerchief back in place.

'How so? He's heartbroken and facing a life without the woman he loves.'

'He's lucky because he is free. He has felt love and has married. I'll never marry and soon I'll be sold as a slave. I'll never feel what it feels like to love a man and have him love me in return.'

Victor left some time later to find some food for his new friend but found the backroom of the store empty upon his return.

'Where's Linda?' He asked Ethan.

'Who?' Ethan asked.

'Linda. The Mexican girl that barbarian was using as a whipping post.'

'Mr Fraser took her with him.'

Victor just stared with his mouth hanging open. 'She's a slave. He's going to sell her off!'

'If he doesn't kill her first.' Ethan voiced Victor's fears.

'You HAVE to do something! This Mr Fraser guy extorted her parents before killing them and her brother is on the run by himself. She'll probably end up being sold as a wench. You're wealthy, can't you do something?' Victor pleaded.

'Apparently Mr Fraser knows the McNamaras quite well. I'm going to meet with him and see what I can do.' Ethan sighed. 'Victor I understand your plight and those women aren't being treated well. Just leave it with me.'

Victor was on his way home that night when he was stopped by Chris and Cory. The saddlebags on their mounts were filled to overflowing.

'We need your help.' Chris said. 'There are some women being held in Ethan and Katherine's barn and Tc told Cory that their master isn't feeding them.'

'I know.' He said. 'I met one today. She's gorgeous.'

Chris and Cory looked at each other. 'Looks like Victor has a girlfriend.' Cory said and they laughed.

'Yeah, one problem. She's a little out of my price range.' He shook his head. 'I'll help you. What do you need me to do?'

'My uncle often purchases slaves through my father from this cretin but doesn't treat them like slaves. They work for him in his businesses. He pays them wages and they are good and loyal workers. Mr Fraser is in town wanting to drum up business with the Callaways so that my uncle will pay more for slaves. Father has asked that I meet with Ethan and negotiate an alliance of sorts to stop the extortion. Victor if you could come with me as my stable hand and then you can keep a look out while Chris goes down to the barn to bring food to the women.'

'Are you in?' Chris said, one hand on her hip, the other on her stomach.

'Let's do it.' Victor replied.

Chris waited out of sight behind a bush while Victor walked Cory on her horse to the front of the Callaway's residence.

Ethan had been inside the house awaiting Cory's presence and came out to greet her with Mr Fraser tagging along.

Cory stuck her head up indignantly and allowed Victor to lift her from the horse before flicking the reins to him like a spoilt rich child. She walked with her nose in the air and with perfect posture gained after years of etiquette training.

After brief introductions Cory was invited into the homestead which was Chris's signal to come out of hiding. She walked alongside the horse as Victor took it to be watered before taking the food out of the saddlebags and heading off towards the barn.

She slipped inside as quietly as she could and was horrified when she came face to face with the women. They'd been left in the cage Chris first saw them in and the cart had simply been parked and left. They were rail thin from hunger and had little or dirty water to drink.

They were wary of her as she approached but the offering of food calmed the tense air. While they ate Chris ducked out the back door to fill up some buckets of water. She hurried back in and filled up their water dishes.

'What are you doing?' A voice came from above her and Chris jumped a mile.

She looked up. Tc was lying on his stomach in the hay and peering over the edge of the loft. 'Tc! You nearly gave me heart failure!'

'Shh, keep it down. You don't want that Mr Fraser idiot to hear.' He got up, dusting off his clothes and came down from the loft.

Chris scanned the faces of the women. They weren't at all anxious with Tc's presence so she gathered that they felt Tc didn't pose a threat. 'What are you doing here?'

'Same as you. I was visiting when I saw Cory come in so I ducked out here. I barely made it inside before I saw you coming.' Tc explained. 'What about you? I'm guessing the three of you are in this together.' He said.

Chris nodded. 'Cory is out distraction. Victor is our lookout.' Chris felt the bars of the cage. 'This is wrong Tc.'

'No kidding.'

A woman came to the bars where Chris was standing. 'You are Chris, yes?'

'That's right. How did you know?' Chris couldn't help but notice the fresh cut on the woman's cheek.

'I saw Victor.' Linda explained. 'He says you are separated from your husband.' She nodded at Tc. 'Tc misses you. He looks after us because he can't look after you.'

The door to the barn opened and Chris grabbed Tc for support. Victor walked in and Chris slapped him on the arm. 'You are supposed to be keeping lookout, not scaring me to death!'

Victor opened his mouth to say something, then saw Linda. He rushed over to her and held her hand through the bars. 'Don't worry, I'll get you out of here.'

'I'd hate to break up the party but we'd better get out of here before we're all caught.' Tc said. 'Fraser has declared this a no go zone and we'll all be lynched if we're found.'

Victor kissed Linda's hand and made more sweet promises before following Chris and Tc from the barn.

'You know I can't believe any man can have this much power over any woman.' Chris said to no one in particular.

'Well he hasn't got a wife like you to put him in his place.' Tc slid his hand around Chris's waist.

She pulled away and Victor took it as his cue to disappear.

'Look Chris, I know the marriage was arranged and that you love Victor but I would love you to come home, just as long as you don't go on seeing him.'

Chris glared. 'I can't believe you still think I am seeing Victor.' She shook her head. 'Did you not see how he acted back there with Linda. Victor doesn't love me, he loves Linda. If you were smart you'd talk your father into buying Linda for Victor and then you wouldn't have to worry.'

Tc smiled at Chris's brilliance. 'That is a good idea, only my father would never go for it. He doesn't believe in buying slaves.

Chris shrugged. 'You're loss.' She said simply and made her way back to Nutcracker who was still hiding patiently in the bushes.

Was it Victor's imagination or was Ethan keeping him busier than usual in the store. He'd come in one day and ordered that everything was dirty and needed to be cleaned from top to bottom. Victor felt like pointing out that there was a dirt road outside and how else did Ethan think the dirt was coming in.

So by the third day of dusting, polishing and scrubbing Victor felt like he deserved a break. He persuaded Tc to work the store that afternoon then closed the store for lunch and saddled his horse for a quick ride through the town – destination the Callaway's barn.

He didn't make it that far before the thunderous convoy of Fraser's carriages came roaring towards him…with the women still inside the cage. Ethan came from no where and took the reins of Victor's ride.

'What are you doing?!' Victor yelled over the commotion. 'He's going to sell them off to god knows who. They'll probably all wind up dead!'

'There is nothing you can do.' Ethan said firmly.

Victor watched the carriages go by. Linda reached through the bars of the cage towards him; tear stains on her cheeks. She said his name silently.

'The hell there isn't.' Victor said to Ethan. 'Her life is worth more than this.' He kicked his horse into action and the reins were ripped out of Ethan's grasp. Not sure where he was going or what he was going to do Victor followed the carriages.

He rode behind them for a few miles before his heart stopped racing and the adrenalin stopped pumping and he realized that there was little he could do without while they were still on the move. He slowed back to a reasonable pace. If he stayed back and out of the way he could catch up to them when the carriages stopped to rest the horses and then he'd…do something.

Chris hid herself as best she could between the thick bushes and silently prayed her plan would work.

She'd known for days now that Fraser would be leaving town with the women after the negotiations between the McNamaras and the Callaways had broken down. Fraser was angry at both families and made plans to leave as soon as possible. Chris had spent these precious few days carrying out her plan. Her whole body yelled at her for the abuse she'd put it through and she just hoped that it hadn't harmed her child but she'd finished her preparations and was about to find out whether it had all been worth it.

There was a sharp turn around a thick part of bush on a road a few miles out of town. She'd spent days digging a rather large hole around this corner. If Fraser drove his horses as quickly as he did he'd easily hit Chris's hole, especially since she'd patched it up with a few leaves and covered it with enough dirt to make it blend in.

She could hear Fraser's carriages coming down the road now. The lead carriage was first, being much lighter and easier to pull than the metal cage. It didn't slow as it approached. The side wheels went into the hole and threw the carriage off balance. The roof was torn off with pieces of wood flying everywhere. The horses were spurred on by fear of the loud noises of breaking wood and ran faster to get away from it, in the process dragging Fraser to his death underneath the upturned carriage.

The second carriage had been following a fair distance behind by this stage and the driver had enough time to pull the horses to a halt before they hit the hole in the road. He dismounted from the carriage and looked after it in sheer disbelief.

'Help us!' One of the girls called to the driver. 'He's dead, let us go!'

The driver at that point realized his own freedom. He cut the leather leads off the horses and let most of them go free, even whipping a few in order that they leave hurriedly. He kept one horse though and merely glanced at the trapped women. He took the keys out of his pocket and threw them on the ground before mounting his horse and riding off into the midday sun. The women screamed for his help but he did not stop.

After he'd been gone a while and she was sure he wouldn't be coming back in a hurry, Chris emerged from the bush brushing dirt from her clothes and pulling leaves from her hair. She jumped when she hear hoofs beating the ground behind her.

'What are you doing?' Victor rode up and surveyed the scene. 'Did you do this?'

Chris put her hands on her hip which only emphasized her swollen stomach. 'Does it look like I could do this?'

Victor came over to her and took her hand gently as if to calm her - then turned them over to reveal the calluses caused by digging the hole. 'I think you're as guilty as hell.'

He wandered over to the cart and found the keys, climbing up to the lock.

'Like you even care. You wanted this as much as I did. Fraser's dead, they're free.' Chris lent a hand to the women and they jumped down from the cart.

'And you'll be in trouble if anyone finds out.' He waited for the rest of the women to get down before jumping off himself. 'Do you still have the shovel?'

Chris nodded. 'It's under that bush.'

Victor went to where Chris was pointing and retrieved the shovel. 'Good. You'll have to walk these women back to town. Tell everyone you see that you picking flowers or something. Then the carriages came along. Fraser's was going fast and didn't see that the second one had an accident – the wheel fell off.' He gripped the shovel and started hitting the wheel.

'What are you going to do?' Chris asked.

'Damage the wheel. It will look like it fell off. Then I'm going to cover in that hole.' Chris looked skeptically at him. 'I'll have enough time. It's going to take a while for eleven women to wander back into town.' One of the spokes of the wheel cracked and Victor pried the wheel off the axel. He jumped out of the way quickly as the carriage crashed down onto one corner.

'What about this?' Chris held up her hands.

'Put some gloves on and don't think about it again. You're Tc's pregnant wife. Nobody will suspect it was you, especially lover boy himself.'

'What about you?'

'I've got my horse. I'll be long gone by the time someone comes to check out the scene.' He pointed to the sky. 'You'd better get going. It's going to rain.'

Chris looked up at the darkening sky. This would no doubt be a good thing for them as it would settle the soil and make their hole a little less noticeable. 'Come on,' Chris motioned for the women to follow her.

They started walking, the women talking among themselves. Linda fell into step with Chris which wasn't hard as her back was aching. 'Thank you.' Linda said quietly.

'Don't mention it. Really, please don't mention it. Once they realize Fraser isn't coming back for you they should probably let you stay in town. I know Tony and Helen Palermo are looking for someone to help out in their business. It is hard working keeping up with the needs of three upper-class families and their thirst for elaborate clothing.'

'I've already spoken to the others. We'll tell no one.'

'I'm glad. Ouch!' Chris grabbed her side and a sudden pain hit her.

'Are you hurt?' Linda asked putting a hand on Chris's stomach. 'Is it the baby?'

Chris shook her head as the pain subsided. 'No, I just overdid it digging that hole and all. I've probably pulled a muscle or two.'

The women had no problem sticking to Victor's version of events. One minute they were happy to be free but as soon as they neared the town they began acting frightened and traumatized by the accident. The people in the town were too busy treating ten half starved, scared, dramatic women that they didn't stop to ask questions.

Ethan had been the first to ride out to survey the scene of the accident but had come back seemingly clueless as to the true happens that took place earlier in the day.

Cory was having a great time playing hostess and most of the girls were given rooms in her vast estate. Being the woman of the house she tended to get her own way and any objections her father had were quickly reasoned away with a quick peck to the cheek by his beloved daughter.

Chris had also been kept busy with the commotion. Katherine and her own mother fussed over her insisting she'd overdone it walking back into town. They took her straight home to her bed, wrapped her in blankets with tea and soup and insisted she rested. Not that she minded one little bit. Sleeping in was her specialty and she had overdone it and not by merely walking into town. She didn't need much prompting to rest. She fell asleep nearly as soon as she was horizontal.

Chris hid herself as best she could between the thick bushes and silently prayed her plan would work. She'd known that Fraser would be leaving town and had made plans to leave as soon as possible. Chris had spent these precious few days carrying out her plan.

She could hear Fraser's carriages coming down the road now. They didn't slow and the side wheels went into the hole and threw the carriage off balance with pieces of wood flying everywhere. The horses were spurred on by fear of the loud noises of breaking wood and ran faster to get away from it, in the process dragging Fraser to his death.

The driver of the second carriage had enough time to pull the horses to a halt before they hit the hole in the road.

'Help me!' A voice called from the metal cage as the driver took one of the horses and rode away into the sunset.

Chris was confused. She'd come to save a group of women and that voice was far from feminine.

'Chris, help me!' The voice called again.

She slowly crept from the bushes, pulling twigs and leaves from her hair and clothes. She was startled to see Tc in the cage. He was covered from head to toe in dust from the road but seemed otherwise unharmed.

'What are you doing in there Tc?' Chris asked bewildered. She put her hands on her hips but something was not right. She looked down and realized she was no longer pregnant. Then she looked back to Tc and realized it was he that carried their child. 'This is too weird.' She muttered to herself and looked around for the keys to the cage. She found them where the driver had left them the first time around. Jumping up on the carriage she opened the cage and Tc carefully climbed out; after all he had a child to protect now.

She looked at his squarely. 'Okay, I know this is a dream but what is going on?'

Tc shrugged looking as unknowing about their situation as she was. 'I need you Chris. I need you to love me.'

'But I thought I did.' She replied.

He closed the gap between them and took her in his arms. 'I never felt it. You never let go and showed me that you were truly mine. I need you to let down your barrier Chris, for the sake of our child.' He caressed his swollen stomach. 'Please Chris.'

Chris sat up straight in the bed, breathing quickly. She frowned. What was with that dream she'd just had? How the hell did Tc get pregnant?!

It bothered her enough that she found it impossible to go back to sleep. She lay there analyzing her dream. Maybe she had been too distant from Tc. Maybe she hadn't let him get close because she was afraid of getting hurt. After all, he was rich and powerful and downright gorgeous…and he wanted her and her alone. She suddenly realized what a fool she'd been. She didn't need to be afraid of him, he was just a man like any other, just wanting love, affection and someone to spend his life with and even when he'd come back to her she'd pushed him away again. No wonder he'd stopped trying and blamed their failed marriage on Victor. He couldn't see her fear and hurt and was wildly grasping for ideas.

She got up and dressed in warm clothes. It was still drizzling outside and it had cooled the nighttime temperature enough to make her shiver after being in her warm bed.

Chris crept quietly through the house hoping her parents wouldn't wake up and realize she was about to ride through town in the middle of the night by herself. She made it to the stables without incident and saddled up Tc's mare who whinnied excitedly at being allowed out for a ride.

She tried mounting the horse when a sharp pain rippled down her back. She winced and held onto the saddle tightly until the pain passed. It was strange. She thought that resting her back would have done it the world of good but instead the pain was more intense and lasted longer. It eventually subsided however and she was on her way.

The drizzle had quickly turned to rain which had then turned to a downpour, each drop stinging her skin like little wet needles. Then the winds had come blowing the rain into her eyes and making the road hard to ride on. More than once her mare had nearly thrown her off when she'd lost her footing in a pot hole in the road which was unlike this usually careful mare. Now the lightening was flashing all around her and the thunder was starting to spook the horse. If she'd known the horse was going to be this touchy in a storm she'd have brought Nutcracker.

Chris and Nutcracker had a lot in common and both loved storms. It was like the lightening gave off some of its energy to them. Chris had often been caught out in storms with Nutcracker and she'd felt exhilarated as they raced home for shelter. This storm however was starting to worry Chris. Her horse was frightened and skittish and the pains in Chris's back were getting worse and worse.

And it was strange that in one moment everything could change. In that one moment that the lightening bolt had struck a tree nearby; far enough not to cause any direct damage to the twilight travelers but close enough for the mare to finally lose the plot, rear wildly and send Chris tumbling from the horse and into the mud. The horse also decided that it would be far safer galloping at full throttle through the storm than waiting around for Chris so the mare took off leaving Chris wondering what the hell just happened. One minute she was on a horse, next the horse had gone and she was alone in the rain and the dark.

Chris checked to make sure her main joints still worked before slowly easing herself to her feet, only to feel a rush down her legs as her waters broke. Chris took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then when that didn't work, screamed the worst obscenity she could think of at the top of her lungs. She was still half an hour waddle from Tc's house and that was the closest building to her current location…and the baby was coming.

Tc couldn't sleep. Not that he ever really did sleep anymore. Not without Chris. When his father had come to him saying that he'd found the perfect wife for Tc he'd never thought that he'd actually fall in love with the girl, at least not to the extent of laying away night after night worrying where she was, what she was doing and who she was doing it with.

He spent his night laying alone in the dark room thinking about her, and his days in his office thinking about her. That was when he was actually at work. Russ and Monica's baby had been born and Monica often came to lunch with her husband and brought the baby. It made Tc sick to the stomach. Why couldn't he have a doting wife that brought him lunch and a baby? Cause he abused her when she tried, he thought, remembering when she had brought him lunch and he was too worried about her being killed by the machinery.

A bolt of lightening hit a tree causing him to snap out of his self pity. It was too close for comfort – the lightening bolt not the pity. He wondered what Chris was up to. She was probably in bed asleep, he thought. Or she was watching the storm, perhaps even thinking about him.

She was thinking about him. She was cursing his name for helping her get pregnant and that he wasn't psychic to come and help her. And that bloody horse, if she found it she'd turn it to glue in a second.

Tc heard a commotion outside. The horses often got rowdy during a storm but this was closer. Perhaps one of them had escaped the confines of the barn. He lit a lantern and went downstairs to check what was going on.

It didn't take him long to find the offending horse. It was running round and round in circles around the barn looking for a way in…only it wasn't one of his horses…not anymore. It was Chris's mare.

A cold shiver went down his spine. She wouldn't be out riding at this time of night would she? Not in the cold, wet rain? Did she get into trouble? Did the horse become frightened and buck her off? Tc's mind raced a mile a minute. He tried to tell himself that he was being paranoid. The stupid horse had probably broken out of its paddock at the Kelly's property and made a dash for 'home'. This was more likely the case. But what if it wasn't? Tc rushed back upstairs to dress for the weather, or at least to get some boots and a jacket. If Chris was in trouble and if he didn't at least see if she was all right he'd never forgive himself. Stuff Victor, he may be Chris's lover but Chris was Tc' love and he'd be damned if he let anything happen to her.

He let the frightened into the stable. Unintentionally, he just opened the door and it ran in. He had other things to worry about so he ignored it as it went prancing about. He made record time saddling his strongest, fastest and least scared horse and only stopped long enough to shut the barn door on the way out.

The pains were coming thick and fast now for Chris as she lay curled up on the side of the road. She didn't care that she was cold or that she was now soaked to the skin and covered in mud. She'd tried her best but only managed to crawl a couple of hundred meters up the road and collapse.

She was seeing things, hearing things. The sloshing of hoof prints stirring up mud and a dark figure moving towards her but she knew no one would be out at this time of night. She could even hear someone calling her name.

Tc nearly died when he saw her lying on the side of the road. It was worse than he thought. The horse had bucked her off and she'd broken her neck and died! He slowed the horse and jumped off before it had even stopped and ran to her side. He knelt down next to her body and lightly took a strand of in his fingers to smooth away from her face.

Her hand shot out and grabbed him by the wrist. 'I-was-coming-to-see-you-and-it-started-raining-and-lightening-hit-a-tree-and-that-bloody-horse-bucked-me-off-and-my-waters-broke-and-the-baby-is-coming!' She screamed at him without taking a breath or even pausing between words. She looked up at him with a sorrowful expression. 'And I'm sorry.' She even let a few tears slip down her cheeks.

Tc pulled her into his arms and kissed her mud splattered forehead. 'I'm sorry too Chris.' Was all he could think to say.

'It was just that one time Victor was ever my lover. Not since and never again.' Chris had her arms wrapped around this neck and she hung on to him like a life line. 'He never even cared about me, not like you do and I never cared for him like I care about you. I just want you to love me Tc and not expect too much from me.'

He rubbed her back gently. 'I've always loved you. Right from the start when we went on that picnic and you were riding a horse in a white velvet dress and you looked so beautiful I could have married you right then and there.' He pushed her away but only so he could look into her eyes. 'And I never expected anything from you but for you to love me in return.' Chris was sobbing gently, he realized.

'I want to come home.'

Tc kissed her forehead again and helped her to her feet. 'My horse awaits, madam.' He then picked her up and carried her as the labor pains knocked her legs out from underneath her.

They made it back to Tc's house within minutes; the horse not realizing what had hit it. It had just run as fast as it could with double the weight and then it was just left in the paddock…too bad there was some fresh new hay under an awning by the barn.

Tc carried Chris inside and lay her on the rug in front of the fire, then stood there looking, not knowing what to do. She'd already started pushing automatically without really having to think about it.

'What do I do?' He asked.

'I don't know!' She wailed.

'Blankets. You need to be warm and dry.' He scurried off as Chris lay moaning on the floor. He came back a few moments later with a pile of blankets and knelt beside her undoing her wet clothes. With a little bit of re-arranging he managed to rid her of her clothing and throw them into a big wet pile in the corner of the room.

He let his eyes gaze over her. He'd seen her in all her naked glory before but this was different. She'd changed. Her stomach was now huge with his child and her breasts had grown as well.

'Tc, now is not the time to be perving.' Chris said between gritted teeth.

'Uh right.' He said putting a blanket over her and using another to help dry her.

She cried out as another rush of pain came over her and he felt like doing the same. She'd grabbed a hold of his arm and was digging her fingers nails into his flesh.

He positioned a blanket under her head as a pillow and on the floor between her legs. 'You're doing well honey.' He murmured softly to her.

'How the hell would you know!' Was her response. As quickly as the pain had come it was over again and she lay back on her make shift pillow breathing heavily. 'Tc, I'm scared.' She said, nearly in a whisper.

'Me too.' He said. He stroked her skin and hair as she rested and held her hand and talked soft to her when she pushed. Each minute seemed to last hours.

'I think it's nearly there.' She said during one of her rest periods.

Tc swallowed hard and tried to stay expressionless as he looked. 'I think you're right. That looks like a head to me.'

'You'd better go get something to cut the cord with, and something to tie it with as well.' Chris was exhausted. All she wanted to do was sleep, especially now she was warm, dry and had her husband back.

Tc ran off and came back with a sharp knife and a length of rope. 'Will this do?'

'The knife is fine but the rope is too big. You'll need something smaller, like cotton.' She panted.

It didn't take him long to find the cotton. It was in an abandoned cupboard along with the needles, buttons, material, dresses, shoes, and a few hundred cooking recipes.

Chris was pushing again when he got back. 'Okay, now what?' He asked.

'Catch.' She groaned as she pushed hard.

Tc used a towel ease the slimy child out of its mother. It immediately started to cry. Tc nearly cried as well. 'It's a little girl.' He said, his voice thick with emotion. He wrapped up the squalling infant in the blanket and placed her in Chris's waiting arms giving Tc the change to tie and cut the cord and dispose of the placenta which he decided he'd bury the next day along with Chris's muddy clothes.

To Chris's surprise she stayed awake after the baby had been born, at least for a few hours. She'd fed the baby for the first time. Tc had stopped pacing the floor to sit down beside them and watch.

'She's so beautiful. Just like her mother.' He gently stroked his daughter's face as she suckled.

Chris simply smiled. It was so amazing to be cradling her baby after all she'd been through that night. She never thought there would be a happy ending but there she was, feeding her new baby with her husband by her side, doting over the both of them.

Not long afterwards both mother and baby were fast asleep on the rug cushioned by blankets. Tc still couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes one of them would stir or make a noise and he'd be wide awake again. The first light of morning was creeping through the windows before he even started to doze off only to have Chris's parents on his doorstep wondering where their daughter was.

He made them swear on the bible to be quiet before he led them into the living room to see the new arrival. They left shortly after at Tc's request. There was no way he was going to leave his wife and daughter yet Katherine Callaway would have a feature if she wasn't told about the birth so Tc sent Chris's parents on an errand.

It would at least give them enough time to feed the baby again, clothe Chris and move them upstairs to the bedroom where she could get some rest between visitors.

And there were many. Tc's entire family as well as Chris's were camped out in his living room for the remainder of the day. Chris's mother was cooking a feast while Katherine was doting all over Chris, bringing her tea, changing nappies and cleaning the house from top to bottom. Kerry was already busy knitting baby clothes while the men of the house sat around and gave Tc all the advice they could think of.

Cory stopped by bringing the most adorable silk gown that she'd handmade for the baby with matching bonnet and booties. She'd also brought news that no one had seen Victor or Linda since the two went off together after the accident. Even Rosa wasn't sure where they were.

'She'll probably come back pregnant.' Cory joked.

'I certainly hope so.' Chris said. 'It's about time that poor boy got a life.'

'Is everything okay now? With you and Tc I mean?' She asked.

Chris couldn't help but smile. 'I think everything will be fine. He was so wonderful last night; with me and with her.' She motioned to child sleeping in her arms. 'He loves her so much already. He's just not too taken with the name I picked out for her.'

'What name is that?'

'Nutcracker.'

Cory laughed. 'Are you serious?'

Chris grinned. 'What's wrong with that?' She said innocently. 'Tc wants to call her Angelique because she's an angel.'

'Aww, that's so sweet.' Cory cooed.

Chris looked at her like she's grown horns. 'You do realize she's my daughter so she'll never to be able to cook or sew.'

'And that's a problem?' Tc said appearing at the doorway.

Cory thought it best to make herself scarce.

Tc came over and lay on the bed with his wife and new baby daughter. 'If she is anything like you then I'll be the proudest father in the world. In fact, you should hear your father right now. He can't say enough how wonderful he thinks you are, how smart you are, how beautiful you are, how good a baby you were.' He gently leaned forward, making sure not to smother the baby and kissed his wife. 'I don't care that you aren't the perfect housewife. You're my perfect wife and you gave me my perfect daughter and I couldn't love you more right now if you tried.'

Chris smiled sleepily at him and stroked his face. 'I love you too.'

'I love you Chris. I always have and I always will.' He got up and rounded the bed to kiss her again before leaving her to rest. 'Goodnight sweetheart.' He said and closed the door.

Chris sat up straight in the bed, breathing quickly. She frowned. What was with that dream she'd just had? Why was she in those hideous dresses and bad shoes? Why was there no indoor bathroom? Why on earth did she have sex with Victor? And there was no way she was ever going through child birth again!

Tc's sleeping form next to her rolled over and squinted in the brightness of the early morning sunlight. 'What's wrong?' He mumbled.

Chris shook her head. 'I just had the weirdest dream…'

Tc put an arm around her and pulled her back under the covers so that she was lying tight up against him. 'It's okay.' He murmured in her ear. 'I'm here now.' Tc promptly went back to sleep.

Chris closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest so she could hear his heartbeat. 'You always were.' She whispered.