Paul was working extra hours one Friday evening in June of 1940. He heard the company's whistle go off alerting it was break time for some. It was quitting time for him. He finished up some last minute details on a set of windows he was working on and glanced at his pocket watch. He would be home just in time for supper. He brushed the sawdust and wood chips from his blue- gray uniform with the CARADCO logo with the red triangle on it. He ran a comb through his short brown hair and put his things in his locker and clocked out for the day, or evening rather. He smiled, thinking to himself on his drive home to their new house on Cleveland Avenue. Bert just adored the cute brick house and Paul was so happy to make her happy.

"I'm home, Dear…." Paul Bardrick called as he came into the house and put up his coat. He smelled the delicious smells coming from the kitchen as his wife was preparing their supper. "Hello Dear…." He grinned and kissed her. Bert smiled while she kissed him but then nausea hit her. "Ugh…" she mumbled.

"Sorry…."

"You smell like sweat, sawdust and cologne…and not good cologne might I add..."

"I'm sorry Honey...I thought it would help." Paul said sheepishly.

"Nothing does…." Bert said quickly and looked at him. "Paul I'm sorry…." She sighed.

"You can't help it. You're expecting..." Paul whispered and embraced her. Everything was making her sick. "I'll go change my uniform…."

"I'm sorry Dear…" she told him as he went into the back of the little brick house to their bedroom.

"Don't mention it.." He called as he was changing his uniform into a button up shirt and some slacks. "Say, how about after supper we go to a movie or something?" He suggested as he sat down at the table.

"Creamed peas and potatoes?" Paul glanced at his plate.

"Meatloaf is almost ready….I tried something new tonight, Paul. There's oats in it. Instead of crackers."

"Here, Sweetheart…" Paul came up behind her and helped with the meatloaf she was getting out of the oven. He mixed up a combination of brown sugar and ketchup and spread it over and placed it back in the oven for her. He held her close to him,...his arms wrapping around her, his solid hands found her small belly. She was beginning to show some, but was trying to hide the pregnancy. They hadn't told either side of the family they were now expecting. "I can't wait to feel the little one kick, Sweetheart…" Paul whispered and kissed her neck and then planted a soft, loving kiss on her cheek. Gilbertha smiled and her hand grazed her belly and Paul's hand, but then her hand went to her mouth, as nausea instantly hit her. "I'm sorry!" she spinned around and brushed past Paul on her way to the bathroom.

"Gilbertha…" Paul followed her in. "Don't…"Gilbertha"...me…" She choked out, in between vomiting.

"I'm sorry, Bert…" He said, standing there in the bathroom doorway awkwardly.

"What can I do for you, Sweetheart?" He asked softly. He felt so awkward. She couldn't answer him, she was so sick. "I'm sorry, Dear. Can I go get you something?" She shook her head and continued to vomit. "I'm sorry Sweetheart…" Paul whispered, he crouched down by her and rubbed her back and tried to keep her coal black hair out of her face. "Meatloaf…." She choked out and continued to vomit. The thought of the meatloaf made her feel even more ill. A burning smell was starting to come in. It made her sicker. "The meatloaf is burning!" She cried, and continued to throw up.

Paul went in to get it, almost burning his fingertips a little on the hot pan. He set it on top of the stove and was back in the bathroom with her in almost seconds. "Paul, the meatloaf!"

"Yes, Dear ...It's on the stove…" He whispered and smoothed her forehead and tucked a strand of coal black hair behind her ear. "it's okay…." He crooned in a whisper and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Honey…." Bert whispered and her head rested on his chest. Paul chuckled a little, rubbing her back softly. "I don't mind burned meatloaf…"

"Oh don't be silly…" she sighed and just stayed there with her face buried in his chest. Her nausea hung on still...she was actually getting used to it now. It was still hanging on in her pregnancy. She hoped it would go away. "So you want to go out tonight?" She sighed, half annoyed with him. She didn't want to go anywhere! Bert didn't want to risk running into someone they knew and then they might find out about the pregnancy. She and Paul were waiting till she was almost through with the pregnancy to tell their families…. She was constantly fatigued because of the pregnancy and sick with morning sickness all the time. She just wanted to stay there at home…..until the pregnancy was over. "We can stay at home tonight." He said softly. "We can go to the movie theater another time when you're feeling much better."

Gilbertha sighed but smiled. Paul was such a sweet man and he meant well. "Dear….I'm always sick…." She sighed. Bert walked back into the kitchen and leaned slightly against the cream colored kitchen counters. "I just want to stay home….till I'm done with the pregnancy…" She sighed. "I'm sorry, Dear." Paul whispered. His strong arms enveloped her in a soft embrace. "I wish it were easier for you…."

Bert chuckled a little. "Honey, I hate to break it to you but it just gets worse from here…"

He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and went to serve him up a thick slice of meatloaf, burned bits and all.

"Paul you can't be serious!"

Paul simply winked at her and took a bite of the meatloaf. "We'll just have to go out another time, I guess…" He took another bite of the meatloaf and seemed to choke it down. "I can't believe you're eating that!" Bert exclaimed. "Ugh…Nobody wants burnt meatloaf!"

"You make good meatloaf. Burned or not." He smiled at her. Paul knew she was feeling awful from the pregnancy and she was just trying her best she could to keep up with her work at home. She worked so hard to push herself and get that meal on the table. Who cares if it had burned?...

After Paul's coaxing, Bert eventually sat down with him and ate what she could of their burned meatloaf, scraping the burned bits off, and ate the peas and mashed potatoes. Paul held her hand gingerly through dinner and sweetly rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "We'll go out tomorrow night...if you feel up to it. Or another night."

"Alright…" Bert quietly agreed, feeling exhausted and nauseated. "It's all up to you, Sweetheart." Paul told her. He cleared all the dishes and started getting things ready to wash them. "I'll come to bed after I'm done with the dishes." Paul smiled at her. "I'm helping you with the dishes…" She told him. Paul picked up a rag and started washing a plate and playfully tapped her nose with some suds. Bert whacked him with the dry dish towel. "Oh,...I love you, Paul." She laughed, and then kissed his cheek. Paul kissed her forehead. " Go to bed…" He whispered and smiled at her. "No…" Bert told him boldly. "Go to bed, Dear." Paul smirked and stifled a laugh. "Or I may just pick you up and take you there. Baby and all."

"Don't be silly!" she laughed and helped him with the dishes. She beamed at him as his sultry baritone voice began to hum the little lullaby, "Rock-a-bye Baby." He held her and danced a little box step right there in the kitchen. They would often dance in the kitchen with no music. She kissed his cheek and cuddled up to him, standing there in the kitchen. His eager lips met hers. "NOW, I'm going to bed…Coming with me?" Bert whispered. They went to bed and lay down together, talking awhile. Paul thought it better than going to the movies any night. Just to be there with her. They fell asleep but later both woke up slowly and calmly to the drumming of rain on the roof on that sultry wet summer night. "Bert…" He whispered in the cool darkness, listening to the rain. "Are you awake?" "I was up, off and on…." She groggily whispered.

"Couldn't you feel me toss and turn? I can't get comfortable…." She whispered and turned onto her back again. "Listen to the rain…." Paul whispered and Bert felt him grasp her hand. He snuggled closer and caressed her face in the cool darkness, she felt his hand graze down her neck and was gently placed on her little bump under the covers.

"Comfortable now?" Paul whispered and kissed her hairline. She turned back over again to face him. "You're comfy…." She whispered and cuddled up to him. Her little pregnant belly was getting in the way though. Bert felt the little movements and kicks. She smoothed her small belly in a spot and couldn't help but smile. "This baby sure kicks a lot at night..." she whispered and pressed her face against his a moment. Paul stroked and softly cradled her belly, laying there with her. "I can't wait to feel the baby myself, Dear…." Came his husky whisper. Gilbertha sighed happily and turned onto her side and felt Paul's thick, strong hand still on her belly. They both slept a while and were sleepy early that morning. Paul lay there with her, watching her sleep. He drowsed a few moments in light sleep and spooned her, cuddling with her.. "Gilbertha…" He whispered, caressing her neck and breasts. "You awake?" Bert sighed in sleep and mumbled, pressing her back close up against him. "Bert?" He whispered with a kiss and cradled her belly. He heard her yawn a moment and felt her dainty hand close around his hand. Then he felt a tiny little tap and then a stronger thump! "Bert!" He exclaimed in wonder and gently shook her awake.

"Paul??" She yawned and looked at him, turning onto her back. "What?!" She yawned. "Why are you staring at me like that?!"

"Did I just feel...what I thought I felt??" Gilbertha glanced at him confused and slightly annoyed. "I don't know...How should I know?!…. I'm going back to sleep..." She told him and laid her head back on her pillow and fluffed it up in an attempt to get comfortable. "Sweetheart…." He laughed in a whisper. Paul couldn't help but gaze at her. He thought she was even more beautiful than before. "Bert…" He whispered, smoothing back hair wavy coal black hair that was messy from sleep. "Oh Bert…" Paul smiled. Bert felt a loving kiss on her face and she turned her face to sleepily kiss him back a few times. "Good morning…" she smiled. "I'm going back to sleep…." She whispered in the middle of a yawn. Bert felt her lips connect in a loving kiss again and a smile spread upon her lips. "I love you…" She whispered dreamily. "I love you too, Beautiful…." Paul whispered, smoothing her messy black hair away from her face. "I felt the baby kick…" he beamed at her.

"You did not!" Bert laughed at him a little, yawning. "It's way too early for that!" "I don't really know what I felt, I mean not like you feel the baby of course, but…. but I swore it was that!" Paul chuckled and couldn't help but gaze at her. "Our baby kicked inside you….and I felt it too this time!" He exclaimed in wonder. Paul couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. Gilbertha kissed him.

"Oh Paul…" She whispered, smiling. She pressed her forehead against his and lingered there a few moments. "Let's put on the lamp...see if it'll do it again!" Paul whispered and smoothed her belly. "Bert...I want to feel the baby…" Paul whispered.

"It's too early!" She argued. "The pregnancy book we're reading said you won't feel the baby until….well at least next month!" "I swear that's what I felt...Please, Bert! I want to feel it kick…" "It's way too early in the morning,...I'm tired!" She groaned. Gilbertha sighed and opened her eyes and looked at him. Her face broke out into a slight smile when she saw her husband's face and his eager excitement. "Alright alright...put on the lamp….Honestly, Paul!" She chuckled at him, hopping back into bed after putting on the lamp, dressed in his blue lounging pajamas.

"I know I felt the baby kick!" Paul exclaimed after he felt it once again, cradling her belly under her cute orange 1940s pajama top. "Yes, I did!...I told you I did, Dear!" He gloated. "I knew it…" Paul whispered, looking into her eyes. He felt his own glass over with joy-filled tears. "Our own little baby, Bert…" It was an eye opening moment for him, knowing that was his baby within her, the woman he loved with all his heart...The pregnancy was going so well and the baby was growing and healthy. In a few more months he would be a father. "Thank you for my baby,...our baby….I,...I can't wait till you have our baby.." Paul rambled on, his feelings on the tip of his tongue. He couldn't quite put them into words. Gilbertha kissed him, her hand smoothing his face. She deepened the kiss in passion, with tears staining her cheeks. "I love you…Paul Iver..." She whispered as he held her. "I wouldn't have been able...without you…" Her hand reached to caress the back of his neck, her fingers running through his short brown hair, she kissed him again breathlessly and when she opened her eyes again, his eyes were gazing into hers. "You're the one going through it...All the nausea and fatigue. Backache, stretch marks, constipation….all the weight gain….swollen ankles and feet, in a few more months you'll be in pain and have those contractions, hours of pushing….just to have my baby.." He whispered and kissed her forehead. "I never realized what a woman really goes through…" "You forgot all the heartburn and indigestion…." She groaned, getting up from the bed. Bert was experiencing quite a lot of heartburn in the last few days. "I'm getting a glass of water." She sighed, making her way to the kitchen. "Be glad you don't know how being pregnant is…Its not always the greatest feeling in the world..." Paul blushed, hearing her say the word pregnant. He followed her into the kitchen. Wrapping his arms around her in an embrace, he rubbed her back a little to try to help with the back ache she was having. But then he couldn't help but hold her from behind and his hands gently caressed her belly. He dreamed of their little baby she was carrying. "I can't wait to see our little baby...I hope they look like you, Dear…" Paul gazed at her, smiling softly. His lips tickled her ear. "You're beautiful…"

"Paul, don't be silly…." Bert laughed.

"I mean it…." He grinned and kissed her. "You're beautiful."

Gilbertha lost herself in his kiss a moment. "I hope our baby looks just like you…." Her beautiful brown eyes smiled at him with pride. She kissed him again and went about the kitchen making his breakfast and his lunch for his workday while he got ready. "Is bacon and cheese alright for you to take to work? I'm sure it will be better than the one I made you the other day." Gilbertha was beginning to get a bit forgetful in her pregnancy and had packed him a sandwich of just cream cheese and mayonnaise...with no mix-ins! Although annoying at the time, they both had a good laugh about it now.

"Sounds just fine, Sweetheart…" He stifled a laugh and grinned at her. "At least I never sent just two slices of bread along with you!" Bert chuckled, mixing up a filling made of cooked bacon, cream cheese, horseradish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and a tiny bit of milk. "Oh, but that cream cheese and mayo!" He teased her a little and chuckled. "In my defense, it was in my recipe book!" Bert laughed and her chocolate brown eyes danced. She walked with him to the front door to see him off for work after his breakfast. He kissed her goodbye for the day. "I love you." "Love ya...Goodbye, Dear…" Bert smiled and smoothed her finger over the red-orange CARADCO emblem on his uniform. "I might just make you some cake to take in your lunch bucket tomorrow…." She gave him another quick peck on the lips. "Lemon Dream Cake?" "Maybe…" she chuckled. "If that's what you'd like, Dear." Bert leaned against the doorway and saw him off to work. "I will see you tonight." Paul smiled and his hand brushed her belly one more time before he left. "And we'll see you on October 6th…Little one." He whispered and then looked up, smiling at her with an overabundance of pride. "I love you both." "We love you too…" She smiled, lightly patting her middle. Bert smiled as she saw him drive away in his car. As bad as she felt in the pregnancy and Paul drove her nutty sometimes….but she loved that man and was thankful to have such a loving and attentive husband. She sighed as she was by herself now, clearing and washing the breakfast dishes. Then the baby started kicking again, reminding her she was not totally alone. Gilbertha smiled, standing at the kitchen sink. She laid a hand softly on her belly where the baby kept kicking. "Well, Little Baby, it's just you and Mother for awhile….your Dad went off to work." Bert chuckled at herself and patted her middle. It felt so weird to her, talking to her unborn baby. She didn't always know what to say to someone that was not there...but at the same time, was there! Someone growing and moving and changing with every month within her. "You hear my voice all the time...if you can hear me, that is." She smiled a little. "Dada wants to start reading to you….I don't know how that will go." She chuckled. Bert sighed a little, dreaming. "Mother and Dad…." She couldn't help but smile and gaze at her little bump and cradled it a moment. She sighed, smoothing her hands over her belly. "I'll keep you in here as long as I can, Baby…." Bert grinned as she felt her little baby kicking and moving. "I sure hope you cooperate with Mother though!" She felt her little one wriggle and kick wildly.

"I'll take that as 'I'm stubborn, I don't want to'!" She chuckled a little…"Well! So is your Mother!" Bert said matter-of-factly. June soon turned into the month of July and Bert's pregnancy was progressing. "Paul, I'm ready to go if you are….I don't want to be late, Dear…" Bert was putting on a pair of rose colored 1940s earrings to match her 1940s rose pink shirtwaist dress. Paul was going to drop her off at her doctor's appointment on this particular Saturday. Then after, they would do their grocery shopping together, as it was Paul's day off from work. "We'll be there on time, don't worry…." Paul called from the bedroom. "Bert, I have a little surprise for you on the bed here if you'll take a look…" "What kind of surprise? Don't get me excited now…" She laughed, thinking back to a memory during their honeymoon years ago where he had been waiting for her on the bed. "What is it, Dear?!...I don't want to be late…" She said when she entered their bedroom. "Oh Paul…" Bert smiled at him. On the bed was a navy blue Lane Bryant maternity dress laid out, brand new with the tag still on it. "Thank you...you spoil me…." She went over and hugged him. "You're such a good husband." She whispered, lovingly. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and grinned at her. "I love you…" she whispered. "I love you too, Sweetheart...You like it?" "Oh, I love it Dear! It's perfect!" She began to read the little description of the dress advertisement he had saved. "Lane Bryant maternity clothes enable you to dress stylishly during all stages of maternity--and after baby comes as well. Designed to conceal condition and to provide for expansion…." "I don't know how much longer you'll be able to hide the pregnancy, Dear…" he whispered as he held her in an embrace. "Do I look pregnant or like I'm getting fat in the middle?" She chuckled. "Dear, I don't know how to answer that one and to have you still love me…." Paul told her. He smirked. Bert laughed a little. "I love you...I always will." "If I must say,...you're beginning to have the cutest little potbelly thing happening." He teased her a little and held her. "You're with child, Dear….It's ok to look like you are!" He whispered softly and gazed at her. "You're so beautiful….am I wrong to say I find you more beautiful now than before?" He whispered, holding her in his arms. "Especially when you felt our baby kick for the first time….you looked so radiant..." Paul kissed her lips and was wrapped up in a moment of passion, he began kissing her neck. He breathed in the lovely perfume that was her natural scent. She smelled a bit different now that she was pregnant. "You're still sexy…" He whispered. Knowing she was carrying his child strangely made her even more sexy to him. He hadn't made love to her since they discovered they were pregnant, and he missed it. However, he was very adamant on not having sexual intercourse until very late in the pregnancy per doctor's permission, if she wanted to,...or after the baby was born of course. "Well, you know I'm hiding this pregnancy until it's ok we can tell both of our families...Now let's go to my appointment!" "Yes Dear…" He sighed a little. "I know." He was getting tired of her having to hide her pregnancy. This unborn baby was growing and thriving with every single day that went by. He wanted to tell the world about it and how happy and excited they both were!! He wanted to tell his family and hers. He waited with her in the waiting room at the hospital where she was getting her pregnancy checkups done each month. Paul looked around the room and saw several women at different stages of pregnancy, all waiting their turn. There were a few children on the floor nearest him playing with toys that they brought with them from home. Wooden blocks and marbles and a pull dog toy. He felt awkward as he looked around the room and he saw that he was the only man there. Paul felt like he stuck out like a sore thumb. He picked up the July 1940 blue cover Reader's Digest and flipped through it to keep himself busy, but after a while he felt someone nudge his knee. A little toddler was at his feet and held up his toy to him. "Hello there." Paul smiled. "That Mickey Mouse?" He looked over as the boy's mother, a pretty blonde woman, appeared to be sitting next to Paul, one chair over. "Howie, I'm so glad you're sharing your toys!" The boy's mother told him. "I've been trying to teach him to share lately." She smiled. Paul nodded with a slight smile. "Hi Howie…" He played with little Howie awhile, taking the little 1940s Mickey Mouse doll, "bounced" the doll on his knee a few times and gave it back to the little boy. Little Howard smiled a little and went back to playing. Paul smiled gingerly, watching the little kids play and there was a little baby crawling nearby. "Are you a new dad, sir?" The lady asked. Paul smiled and sighed a little chuckle. "I will be pretty soon…My wife is..." He began. "Your first baby…" The lady smiled. "How nice!"

Paul nodded, smiling a little. "You could say that….Thank you….I...well, I haven't had much practice with children,...babies…" He said quietly. Paul loved children and thought they were so cute...but he was feeling nervous if he were good with children….or if he would be a good father….quite soon. "They're a lot of work...but they're so worth it…." The lady smiled. She had two children under 3 years old. Very soon it would be three under 3 years, Paul saw. The heavily pregnant lady politely excused herself as she was called up for her own doctor's appointment. Paul sat there watching the kids play awhile when a little baby girl crawled over to him crying and sat down right at his feet and was just wailing. Paul didn't know what to do but he eventually bent down and her little hand clasped around his finger and he tried to quiet her. It wasn't working. She just wailed and cried and held her little arms out to him. He looked around the room, and didn't see anyone that could be her mother...In nervousness, Paul ended up picking her up but didn't really know how to hold her. He held her stiff by the armpits and she continued to bawl. Eventually he held her on his lap and that must've been good enough for her because she stopped crying. Paul started to talk to her and smile….and she just stared up at him with her big cornflower blue eyes. He tried to put her down again by his feet but she began to wail again. So he quickly scooped her up in his arms again and awkwardly rocked her. "Playing Dada already, eh?" Bert chuckled and sat down next to him. She was all finished with her appointment.

Paul smiled a little and chuckled. "I have no idea what I'm doing, Dear!"

"You're doing just fine, Sweetheart!…." Gilbertha smiled at him. "She's not crying!" "I simply just picked her up, Dear…" Paul told her, still awkwardly rocking the baby girl. He would talk a little to her and she stared at him with her big expressive eyes. He tried once more to set her down and she began to cry big crocodile tears again, with her little arms outstretched. Paul immediately picked her up again. "I see you've met my Elsie…" Came a chuckling feminine voice. The pregnant lady Paul had been talking to before came over again and sat down. "Thank you for watching her."

"She found me all on her own ma'am." Paul chuckled. "I would pick her up and try to set her down again. Just wanted to be held I guess."

"I think you might remind her of her Daddy as well." She chuckled.

"Well that explains that…" Paul laughed softly.

"It was nice to meet you, Paul….and this is your wife?" The lady enquired.

"Yes, my wife…" Paul smiled and motioned to her.

"Gilbertha…" Bert smiled, shaking the lady's hand. With Bert being very much an extrovert, the two women sat and talked for almost an hour or more. Talking especially about babies. "Congratulations by the way, on your first. When are you due?" The lady asked.

"Thank you…. I'm due October 5th or 6th." Bert smiled proudly, glancing at Paul a moment. "Doctor's still not sure." Bert chuckled.

"As you can see, I'm due very soon." The lady chuckled. "I thought today….but no baby yet…." She sighed, out of breath. Soon both of her children toddled over to her, crying. She picked her little daughter up and her little toddler son was wailing because he wasn't being picked up too. "What have I gotten myself into?!...And I'll have another to add to this mess!" She laughed, trying to stand to her feet. "I guess I'd better be going...It was nice to meet both of you. Best of luck to you!" She led her two year old with her other baby on her hip, waddling out of the waiting room.

"That will be me walking that "expectant mother" gait soon enough…" Bert chuckled to herself. "Why not just say what I am?!…"pregnant". Bert whispered to Paul so only he could hear her. "it's that simple!" Back in those days a pregnancy was often hidden in public and even saying the word pregnant was considered "taboo." "You're carrying a child, my child….and I love you…" Paul whispered and held her hand and kissed it. "Well...I guess we can go now…" Paul later said. He smiled, getting up from his spot and he helped Bert with her coat. "3 under 3..." Paul chuckled as they left the doctor's office. "Think we could handle that, Dear?" He whispered. Paul held her hand as they went back to their car. "...I hope I'll be a good Dad….." He thought out loud. "I'm sure you will, Dear…" Bert grinned at him. "I kinda enjoyed watching those little kids." Paul smiled as he helped Bert into their car. "I'm happy to hear that, Dear." Bert smiled. She dreamed a little, seeing her husband as a Daddy. "I love you….Mr. Handsome." Bert's eyes smiled and her lips softly found his. They did their grocery shopping and went back to their place to put groceries away and make lunch. They decided to take their lunch outside and go for a walk down the street. They came to a little park in the neighborhood, Cleveland Park. It had a picnicking area, play area for the neighborhood children and a beautiful overlook where you could see parts of Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois in the distance...and the beauty and magic of the Mississippi River.

They sat at the little picnic table together and ate their deviled egg spread sandwiches and an apple and carrots for lunch. "Nice little play area." Paul nodded. "I didn't even know this place was here!" "It's very cute...and I love the little overlook. " Bert said, gazing off in the distance. "Soon we'll be chasing our kiddos around here.." Paul smiled as a few children ran near them, chasing each other. "I'd say two is a good number, Dear…." Paul wrapped an arm around her, dreaming about their future. "How about just one, Sweetheart?" Bert said, taking a bite of her sandwich. "One?" Paul said quietly. Bert nodded. "I've decided." She took a breath. "….I want to have a hysterectomy after I have our baby…." Bert looked at Paul. "I don't want to put us through this anymore, Dear….I've talked with my doctor some already...I would like to have a Cesarean….and then they'll put me under all the way and do a full hysterectomy."

Paul nodded quietly. He would have liked to have more than one child with her….but he was also nervous about the Csection procedure. He had heard of that done on cattle, but with his days as a cattle rancher, he never had to perform one on any of their cattle. He had heard about them though. Survival rate was good, but illness was more likely to follow and he wondered if it was similar for humans. "Are you upset, Sweetheart?" She asked him, with a furrowed brow and her dark eyes looked at him. "Well, I just….would have liked us to have a couple kids is all...but I understand. I'm not the one having the baby. You are, Dear….and I thank you every day for it…" Paul whispered. "We'll do whatever you want, Dear…" He compromised. Paul wanted what was best for her and their baby. "Is the Cesarean...safe?" Csections were actually becoming more common in the 1940s. Bert's doctor had mentioned it a few times but she really wanted to know more about it, so they had discussed it a little during the appointment. "They're a lot safer than they used to be…." Bert told him. Csections used to be a death sentence in years past, for the mother and most likely the baby too. "The baby and I will be in the best of hands, Dear…" She assured him. It was because of advances in antibiotics that made the surgery more survivable. "How is the baby?" Paul smiled, sitting next to her on the little picnic bench.

"My doctor said everything is pretty good." Bert smiled. "Heartbeat is very good, baby's growth is good...not too much and not too little….I do have a little swelling in my feet, which isn't unusual for this month, he said….and I do have some high blood pressure….We'll be keeping an eye on that."

"Good….I'm glad you and our baby are doing well." He smiled and put his arm around her a moment. They held hands and walked over to the fence to look out at the overlook.

"Beautiful view…." Gilbertha commented. Paul nodded and put his arm around her and smoothed her back. "Baby still giving you a backache?" Paul asked softly. "Yes." She sighed. "It'll only get worse as my pregnancy goes on…" Bert chuckled a little. "Along with the weight gain." She laughed and embraced him, laying her head on his strong shoulder. "It'll all be worth it…" Paul smiled, gazing at her. "I wonder what our baby is? A boy or a girl." Gilbertha smiled and exhaled a breath of cool, now evening air. "I don't know, Dear….I just want the baby to be perfectly healthy." She sighed, laying her head on his chest and they gazed out at the beautiful view. "I know, Dear…." Paul sighed a little. "I do too….and they are….whoever this little one is…." He smiled, laying a hand on her belly. "Baby's moving like crazy…" Paul commented. "Maybe he or she will take after their very athletic Mother." He grinned. Bert had been quite athletic and played on a girl's basketball team in her highschool years. Gilbertha smiled and wrapped him up in a hug and she kissed him. "I love you….I can't wait to see you as a Daddy…"

"I hope I'll be a good one, Dear…" He said solemnly, holding her hand in his. Their fingers intertwined together. He laid his hand on her abdomen, feeling the baby kick and move again. Paul smiled at her with pride and kissed her.

"You will be…" Gilbertha smiled at him, glassy-eyed, with tears. "They say it's easier with your own….We'll learn how to be parents…." She pressed her forehead to his. "Suppose we could….call the family over for a Family Dinner….and tell them about the baby?" Gilbertha whispered. "I think it's...my turn...to compromise a little…." "Bert...honey, if it's not something you want to do yet, we don't have to….I'm not demanding or forcing you…." Paul told her and smoothed her back as he embraced her. "I just want to tell everyone we know!" Paul said excitedly. "I understand hiding it to the public….but to our close family and friends?!"

"I want to tell everyone too...I'm just a little nervous of how they'll react….mainly my family, Dear…" "They've always been happy for us other times before…." "I know….but that was in the beginning of our marriage...I'm older now…" "Gilbertha...you're only 30 years old…" Paul whispered, giving her a comforting kiss on the forehead. "Didn't you see all those women at the doctor's office? All in their early 20s...I'm so much older than them…." Bert's brown eyes glassed over with tears. Insecurity and those pregnancy hormones got the better of her again. "Don't cry, Dear…" He comforted her in an embrace. "We're both still young yet…" Paul was quiet for several moments. "This baby is so special to us…." He kissed her forehead and whispered, smoothing her back with both hands as he held her in his comforting arms. "They really have a problem if they're not happy for us….I'll be there for you..." They decided to go home to call Paul's parents on the telephone to tell them the news first! They lived in Knoxville, Iowa….about 3 hours away. Paul and Bert also decided to invite them out for another time to Karigan's restaurant in Dubuque to celebrate. "Would you like to announce it to them?" Bert whispered with a smile. Her hands gently caressed the back of his neck and her face was beaming. Paul kissed her gently. The peck turned into a lingering, passionate kiss. "I love you, Dear…" He smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her, bringing her close. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he dialed. "It's ringing…" Paul whispered and they gazed at each other those few minutes. "Hello, Operator?...yes, could you please ring up…" Paul asked the operator to ring up his parents number in Knoxville, Iowa...and they waited the several minutes it took for the operator to put the call through. Bert smoothed Paul's chest while in his embrace. He smiled at her. "You ready?" Paul mouthed and sweetly kissed her forehead as they waited. "Are you nervous? Excited?" She whispered. Bert lay her head on his chest and they heard Paul's mother answer the phone. "Bardrick residence…" Came her sweet, feminine, matronly voice. "Hello Momma, it's Paul...Bert's here too." "Why,hello Dear!" Cora smiled, you could hear the smile and cheer in her soft voice. "So good to hear your voice, it's been so long, Son!….Hello Bert….how are you two doing?"

"Life has been busy but we're very well, Mom.." Bert told her mother-in-law over the telephone. "How are you and Dad Bardrick?" Bert asked and Cora caught them up on everything in Knoxville. "How is Dad?" Paul asked again, huddling with Bert with the phone so they both could hear. "Oh Dear, he's doing alright….but I think he's been sick with the rheumatic fever…..but don't worry Dear, he's all well now. That man is so stubborn he wants to go back out in the fields already…." Cora told them. Her husband was a farmer, growing corn and soybeans. "No need to worry, Dear…Nothing's going to keep that man down..." Cora chuckled. "Is Dad around? Bert and I have something to tell you two…" Paul smiled as he placed his hand over Bert's. Gilbertha's eyes gleamed up at Paul as she was feeling the baby moving and kicking away. "He's resting right now, Dear...I'm having him rest and take it easy awhile...no matter how much he wants to get back out in the fields." She chuckled. "I'll certainly tell him later….I hope you have good news." Cora smiled. "It's not bad news now is it, Dear?..." She asked her son."Gilbertha, Dear are you still there?" "Yes, Mom...right here." Bert spoke up. She chuckled a little, feeling the baby kicking wildly. "You're being so quiet, Dear! I usually can't shut you up, Sweetheart!" Cora chuckled a little. Paul and Bert glanced at one another and laughed a little. Paul kissed her forehead and they smiled at each other a moment. "Do you want to tell her?" Paul whispered. "No…" Bert smiled. "You're her son...it will be so special to hear it from you…" "Hear what from who?...Paul, what is it that you wanted to tell me, Dear? Is Bert alright?" "Oh, I'm just fine Mom…" Bert spoke up. Paul grinned at Bert and took a deep, nervous breath and let it out. "Momma…" "Yes, Dear...what is it?!" "Everything is fine, Momma...Bert and I, we've just been keeping a little secret from you and Dad….and well, the rest of the family too. Bert's family included." "Paul...Dear, you're crying...is everything alright? You're sure everything is alright?" Cora exclaimed, sounding concerned, as she heard her grown son get a little choked up.

Paul looked at Bert, Bert looked at Paul and started to tear up and was wiping her eyes too. "Now you're going to make me cry, Dear!" Bert sniffled, wiping a tear from Paul's cheek. "You poor Dear…" she chuckled. "Momma...Bert and I...come October, we're expecting a little special delivery from...from the Stork." "Mom, did you hear that? We're having a baby…." Bert spoke up, letting out a breath and joyous tears. "You're going to be a Grandma…" "The Stork!" Paul's mother laughed and wiped away tears with her fingers. "Now, I'M going to cry!!!" Cora exclaimed, pulling out a little white hanky. "I have been praying for you both….that it would happen again in God's precious timing!" It had been quite some time since their last miscarriage and Paul and Bert accepted that carrying a baby to full term and having a baby just wasn't going to happen. "I never stopped praying….Oh, Paul Dear….Gilbertha….I'm so happy for you two!….How beautiful…." Cora stood there wiping her eyes and the happy tears just kept coming. "Oh mercy…" she sniffled. "I'm going to be a Grandma!" "What month are you in again?" Paul asked his wife after Cora asked them how far along Bert was in her pregnancy, how it was going and how the baby was doing and such. "I'm nearing my 5th or is it 6th month?!" Bert chuckled "….Things are going so well with the baby. Getting so big I don't think I'll be able to hide the pregnancy much longer!" Bert laughed. "If that baby takes after their daddy, you might have close to a 9 pounder!" Cora chuckled. She remembered all the memories of when she was pregnant with her son, Paul. "I'm small for now...but I think I'm bound for a large baby anyway, Mom!" Bert laughed with her mother-in-law. "My nephew was 10 pounds, I think!" "Oh Dear…" Cora chuckled. "Oh mercy….Bert, honey I'm so glad your pregnancy is going well. Keep me updated please...Let me know how I can help." "Thank you…" Bert smiled. She felt so blessed to have such a supportive and loving mother-in-law. "I love you!" Gilbertha teared up a little, with emotion. "I love you too, Dear…" Cora smiled, dabbing at her eyes with a hanky and she sighed. "Oh, you'll make me start crying again, Dear." Cora chuckled. "I better let you two go…" "Remember Momma, we're all going to celebrate at Karigan's if you and Dad can make it…." "Yes Paul, Dear...I will let your father know about it." "I love you, Momma…" Paul told his mother before he hung up the phone.

That Wednesday night, July 3rd, 1940 to be exact, came and they decided to have a Family Dinner and to watch the fireworks after with the family...at Bert's parents' home at 1921 Simpson Street. The whole family was there. Bert's brother Eddie, his wife Helen and son Dale, Bert's younger brother Johnny was there,...and Bert's sister Rose and her husband Adriel had come in from Guttenberg, Iowa too. Most of them were in the family room, Rose was sitting on Adriel's lap, taking a break from helping in the kitchen and talking with Eddie and Helen and Johnny and Paul. Bert was busy in the kitchen helping her mother. Paul, Eddie and Johnny talked about work mostly. They all worked at CARADCO together, with Eddie also working for a carpenter named Anton Zwack. Soon the supper was put on the table and the whole family ate and talked and enjoyed their time together. Bert was about to say something when Rose spoke up to make her own announcement...or two. "Ade and I have decided to move to Dubuque….and we hope to start our family too." Rose blushed and glanced at Adriel. "I think I might be expecting a little happy event already…" She beamed. Adriel's eyes were as big as saucers! Everyone was so surprised and happy at the news they all started loudly talking at once. Eventually, the chatter died down. "I think! I think,...I'm not sure, everybody!" Rose giggled. "Bert...what was it that you were about to say?" Helen asked. "Oh that...oh it's not important…" She huffed. "Dear...You need to tell them sooner or later…" Paul whispered, stretching and put his arm around her. "Aunt Bert and Uncle Paul are gonna get a baby too!" 5 year old Dale blurted out. "Now Dale, don't be saying things!" Helen shook her head at her son and glanced back at Gilbertha. "I'm sorry, Bertha…." Helen saw Bert was bright red, yet glancing at Paul. "It's alright…" Bert chuckled. "I didn't really want to say anything tonight about it...I guess I can't hide it any longer….Paul, why don't you…." Paul smiled, holding her hand. "Well,...in a couple months from now,...we'll have an addition to our family…" He nodded, smiling at Bert like she was the only one in the room. He brought a little pair of white 1940s baby shoes out of his pocket and set them on the table in front of them. "Bertha, are you and Paul deciding to adopt a baby?!" Helen exclaimed excitedly. The room was filled with excited chatter once more. "You're going to adopt aren't you?!"

"Well, I'll be darned." Bert's little brother Johnny remarked with a smile. The handsome dark haired dark eyed young man was now full grown, 19 years old. "Actually...its been quite a shock to Paul and I...but we're…" Bert took a deep, nervous breath and let it out smoothly. "...we're expecting. I'm due in October…" Bert stood up a moment and tightened her dress just a little so her changing motherly figure was much more noticeable. "I didn't know how much longer I could hide this, to be honest." She chuckled. She was wearing the navy blue Lane Bryant maternity dress. "I think that's definitely all baby…" She laughed, cradling her little belly. "I'm surprised no one said anything!"

"How wonderful!!" Helen cried. She was overjoyed for her sister-in-law and brother-in-law and started weeping from joy. "Well Birdie…" Eddie commented, using his nickname for his older sister. " I wondered but I didn't want to be rude and ask…" He chuckled. "Thought you had one too many slices of cake!"

"Oh Eddie, stop!" Helen wanted to smack him good. Bert just chuckled. "I've wanted one too many everything, Brother. No weird cravings...just always wanting something to eat!"

"Me too!" Young Dale piped up. "I'm still hungry!" "Now hush, Dale…." Helen told her son. She gave him a heaping second helping of cooked carrot casserole. He eagerly ate what was in front of him and looked at all the adults as they kept talking.

Paul chuckled a little. "That was a little white lie, my Dear...She had me running around for...what was it???"

"Chocolate covered candied lemon slices...And, that was one time!!" Bert laughed and her eyes, her whole face seemed to light up. "I wanted chocolate with everything last week."

"You just wait, it'll probably be pickled everything next!" Paul laughed.

"With all those sour cravings, you might have a boy, Bertha…" Helen smiled at her.

"I don't believe in all those old wives tales…." Bert chuckled. "Paul and I just hope the baby is healthy. We'll be happy with a boy or a girl." Gilbertha lovingly glanced over at Paul as he took her dainty hand in his.

"To think we really could be expecting babies together!" Rose exclaimed with excitement and smiled at her sister.

"You may have gotten your wish, little sister." Bert smiled. Her eyes spied over across the table at her father. Bert sighed a little. "What are you thinking, Daddy?" Bert smiled at her father. The tall, thin, black haired man with brown eyes and light brown skin just smiled and congratulated his two grown daughters in German. And also, "Alles Leibe." He said, meaning "much love." Bert looked over at her mother. Rosina had been overjoyed to hear of Rose's news! She wasn't so happy for Bert though. There was a look on her serious face Bert wasn't sure of... "It's like Rose's wedding all over again…." Bert thought. Their mother didn't even attend Paul and Bert's wedding...yet the whole family attended Rose and Adriel's! Now...this. Rose simply was the favorite….Bert could tell her mother was very upset and angry at her. "Mother, now I can't help the timing….and...Paul and I...Mother, we are ready for this…." She stood up for herself. "I'm getting wonderful medical care. I'm going to have this baby whether you like it or not!" "You sure it Paul's?!" Rosina accused, in her broken English, right in front of Paul and everyone else. Hot anger shone in Bert's chocolate brown eyes."YES, it's MY husband's! Mother, how could you say something like that?!" They argued more and Rosina kept spouting words off in German at her daughter. Bert heard her mother mention her age and a few other things. "Dummkopf!" She said in German at last and got up from the table and left the room. Mr. Walbrun followed her, speaking in German. "Paul...we need to go…" Bert insisted and got up from the dining room table. All they could hear was Bert's parents shouting in German in their bedroom. And so they left, not even staying to watch the fireworks. Bert refused to be around them when they fought and yelled at each other….it was worse now, as the fighting was about her. The whole car ride home was silent. They finally got home that night. Then came Gilbertha's tears of anger. She was angry and humiliated. "I love my mother but she makes me so angry sometimes!!!…." "Dear….its alright. Getting worked up won't be good for you or the baby…" "We've been so cautious this pregnancy! We are ready for this! I know we are!" She angrily sobbed. She felt Paul's arms caress her. "Yes Sweetheart…" He whispered. "Let's calm down now…." Paul whispered. "Think of the baby…"

"I know, Dear...I'm sorry." She choked back angry tears and rested her face in the crook of his neck. "I love you…." She whispered shakily as she kissed his neck and she still felt her husband's strong arms around her. "I love you too." Paul whispered, smoothing her back and caressing her pretty coal black waves. "And our baby….I love both of you so much…" "It is mine. Right?" Paul whispered. He held her closer. "Of course it's yours…." Her voice was shaking with tears, holding onto him in his soft embrace. Brokenhearted to hear he questioned if she had cheated on him. "I couldn't bear to even think of cheating on you….I love you so much." She looked up at him, her face inches from his. Her eyes dripping with tears she could hardly see him. "I mean it….I love you." Bert shakily whispered. "You've never cheated on me. I've never cheated on you and I never will...Paul, I love you…" "I love you too…" He whispered. Paul trusted her. Bert trusted him. Hearing fireworks off in the distance outside their home, Gilbertha stood there in his arms, eyes closed, tears still streaming her face. She sniffled and sighed, feeling their baby kick again inside of her. Feeling his strong arms around her and those strong kicks from their baby made time stand still to her. Bert wished her husband would never let go of her...and she was thrilled for the day she would have their baby and they would both finally hold it in their arms.

Late that night, back at the Walbrun house, most all were asleep. Except for Rose and Adriel. They were staying the night in Rose's old childhood bedroom. "That's a shame about Mother and Daddy…." Rose sighed, brushing her hair before they went to bed for the night. "We won't be like that, will we Ade-ie?"

"Of course not, My Love." Adriel smiled at her. He sighed happily as she began to cuddle close to him, laying in her old iron bed. As newlyweds of 7 months already, they certainly didn't mind the small bed.

"I feel for Paul and Gilbertha….after what you told me about what happened to them. I'm glad they're having a baby…." His fingers traced her up and down her back as she kept kissing his neck.

"What about us?" She giggled and kissed him on the lips softly, yet with a hint of seductiveness.

Adriel chuckled. "Might have a little happy event…."

"I said I might….Wishful thinking I guess." Rose kissed him and giggled as he started kissing her and he playfully got atop of her. "Oh, Ade-ie!"

"Shall we try once more for good measure?" He asked her, tugging her satiny nightgown away from her body.

"Someone's an eager beaver!" Rose giggled and her lips hungrily found his.

"I enjoy "trying" with you!" Adriel laughed and kissed her again, taking off his robe. "Oh Ade-ie!…" She moaned during a kiss and Adriel began kissing her neck. "Oh, I do too!" "This is so...naughty…" Rose whispered into his ear in a mischievous little titter.

"This is so disgusting…." Rose's 19 year old brother Johnny said to himself, lying awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling as he heard the thumping of the little iron bed against the wall, coming from the next room. "Am I the only one in this family that doesn't have sex in this house?!"