Here is another chapter, thank you for reading.

Down they come like multicolored rain. Golds, reds, and browns. They are a myriad of shapes and sizes, these leaves that clothed the trees. Now they are discarded like last season's fashions and left to become part of the soil. But before that happens they make the most splendid mosaic that is unique in all the world. Yet I am here to witness it at this moment. My hands pressed to the growing bump, Jesse and the rest have taken such good care of me during this last three weeks.

Celia was knitting as we speak, she mumbles her Grandbaby was now nearly eighteen weeks, her fingers flying. Miles, Angus, along with Jesse are building a grand crib the design Mae drew was a sight to behold and centuries of skill are being put to work. I sit looking at the baby books Jesse picked up for us, but reading this made the concept of having a baby much more worrisome and scary.

But we all knew April 20th would be rushing towards us, even now at the middle of November. I was thrilled to be helping with Thanksgiving dinner, Hun and a few others would be here as well. I along with Mae and mama have been writing a detailed list, I would be heading into town tomorrow to gather supplies knowing winter was here once again. Mae gave me her promise she would deliver my child, and that she had done it many times. Celia even when her face was red and tears leaked down her face promised she and daddy take the baby and raise it like their own if anything happened to me and Jesse was not able to care for it.

I turned to look at Jesse he was outside with daddy, and Angus cutting and sealing the wood for winter. His body was just glistening with sweat, my eyes lingered on the way his hand went through his now damp hair moving it from his eyes. Speaking of those eyes, the seemed to glow with happiness every time he looked at me. They swirled with love and adoration, it bothered me we would not be married when our child was born but that was a worry pushed away for it was not important.

A thought ran through my head and instead of just thinking it, my voice rang clear. "I want to get an ultra-sound tomorrow if possible, I want to know the sex and so does Jesse," Mama and Mae gave me soft looks.

Fingers so soft touched my head, "Of course you do my sweetling," Mae also was mush around me as her voice chimed in close behind me. "Of course, we will get it done we all want to know," we knew Mae and the boys wanted a little boy while Mama and I wanted a little girl.

"Thank you, not just for this but for being there for me during this whole issue," it had meant the world to me that they were always there for me, at times a tad overprotective. Last night Jesse put his foot down that I was allowed in town, being cooped up here was going to happen enough in the winter.

At night I was curled into Jesse, his arms wrapped tight around me just holding me close to him. Sometimes he spoke his fears out loud and other times like tonight he just looks at me with fear, we both knew I or the baby could die. Gunner said my chance was nearly perfect to make it but there was a chance I would die and never wake.

Nothing could be said to calm him, my eyes fluttered shut my body drained from the day behind me.

By ten in the morning, I stand in blue jeans with my boots on, my fingers hooking the bra when Jesse walked in looking handsome in a black tee and jeans, nothing fancy just comfort. "You look as radiant as the morning sun," in his hand was my tee it pulled over the round belly, it was snug when I answered him. "I need a few new clothes, my own are now getting too small," I haven't gained much weight it was just the basketball I was carrying now.

"Than we will get them, but first Mom was able to get you into the local doctor for an ultrasound, so we must hurry to make it," as he spoke he reached out to grasp my cold hand, like that we six are heading off in a rush.

I was so very excited, in this old growth forest the trees rise upward forever, the canopy above is distant, like clouds of green. Even with arms out-stretched I would never even be able to reach even a fraction of the way around their gnarly bark trunks. Stepping carefully over the roots that knot the pathway, watching the freshly fallen rain seep into the soil, I am struck by a wish to melt in with it. Not to die, but to live forever amongst these ancient beings who cast the shadow in which I stand. There is a sacredness here that transcends everyday concerns, casting them into the timelessness of forests, of oceans, of mountains. Under these boughs I feel the breath of God and hear the beauty of His creations; how can I not be at home here?

All too soon we make it to the hidden cavern, it shines like small gems are on the walls, but no time to take in the beauty. "Stay here and I will get the truck," Angus smiled taking off down another hidden path. Miles smiled touching my head but the worry was seen in his eyes. "Too pale today," was muttered as mama came to her eyes moving over my own face she agreed.

"Get what we need she needs to be home resting, having a baby is a serious work," it was, it really was. Jesse helps me into the bed of the truck and covers me with the blanket Mae handed him with a stern look, I was treated like a baby but in my time here on earth, I learned when people loved you they treated you with kid gloves when ill.

The wind was chilly but the blanket made a world of difference, Angus stopped in front of a small medical office but they ushered me he was well equipped here and at the local hospital. It was a warm office a few females sitting reading some outdated People magazines, Jesse and Mae signed me in with my insurance card. It seemed like a very relaxed doctor a smiling woman held the door open but only let Jesse and I through with a few simple words. "Ya'll have to wait out here when the ultra-sound starts I will come get you if she wants,"

I wasn't dilated much, just to a one, but this worried him. "I want you to be on bed rest, we want to keep this little one inside for as long as we can," his bluish eyes boring into ours as Jesse gave the sad confirmation that I will be on bed rest, his fears dancing in those brown eyes.

But the doctor just held my smaller hand taking us to another warm room, it was darker but a young woman was waiting. I was on the table laying down as my family walked in as she squirted blue cold gel on my hard baby bump, nothing was said as the tech got to work it was amazing seeing this little human growing inside of me.

She finally turned to us after pointing certain body parts out for us, "You want to know the sex?" but her smile was sly, and my heart was pounding like crazy.

Jesse his voice so animated, "Yes,"

The atmosphere was filled with tense emotions as she prolonged it for the fun of it, "A little girl, see look right here,"

I yelped in glee, Mama just hugged me close as the tech handed pictures to Mae and Angus, guess they knew everyone here. Jesse was half on cloud nine the other half was stuck in worry as we all walked out heading to each grab supplies. "Meet at the Hay Bale in two hours," Angus was firm.

I was mused around the shop finding some vintage clothes, Jesse just followed me around like a worrying hen. "I am hungry," my own belly making the distinct sound of a mating whale as he paid and lead me from the shop heading for the Hay Bale and our family.

I was placed between Jesse and Miles when the waitress hugged Mae. "Just heard the good news, you going to be a granny," her eyes filled with tears as she and Mae talked, it was hard knowing she was okay with bring a great-grandmother and Celia being a Grandmother.

I wished my own Grandmother was here, she is so happy. I burst out, "Winnie Celia Lynn Tuck," it was perfect, at least to me and Jesse just smiled kissing my forehead saying he loved it too.

The food was very good as Mae asked the one question I rather her not have, "What Doc Morgan have to say?"

All eyes are on us now, Jesse his happy smile vanished like it was cut from his face the worry and fear replaced it. "Bed rest, she ain't doing to good. She is dilated to a one at eighteen weeks," his tone just defeated as I took his hand under the table trying to smile at him.

Like that dinner was over, the food in containers as I protested, "Please, don't leave because of me ever since I have been in the family I've been nothing but trouble for you,"

Each, in turn, gave me incredulous looks.

"You have been no such thing young lady, you have brought us closer. You have brought us the rest of our family. Now get in the truck," Angus never was stern or angry with me, but his tone could cut glass as he gazed down at me.

I find myself laying in our bed at six at night, my feet propped up and a few books on my end table. I was allowed to be in bed or sofa and cooking was out of the range of what they would allow me to do.

"I am not happy, I hate being cooped up in a room. I am leaving tomorrow to at least sit in the den and stare out the window," but Jesse just handed me my own carton of warm food. "Sure, my love,"

I fumed stabbing my chicken with gusto as he laughed walking from the room.