Here is another chapter for you to read.

The armchair cushions take the form of my body and it is such bliss. The hours will pass, just me, a good book and a popcorn bowl on my lap. This armchair was heaven, it was something like a creamed brown leather marshmallow. It was the kind of chair that molded around you and hugged you as much as support you. It was the kind of chair that children love, and older people see as a backache waiting to happen.

Jesse was with his paw and brother setting the crib and changing table up, our daughter was very lucky to have such crafted furniture. I couldn't fathom the intricate details the flowers, vines, even the leaf's looked so real craved into the matching set. Celia and Mae created a tapestry that was being hung above her crib her name and a stunning garden on it, Miles was not finished but working on mobile for her to watch as she lay there.

I rest wishing that I could be more helpful to my mama and Mae, they're starting to bake for Thanksgiving which is tomorrow we are expecting a larger crowd now, I invited Kelly and Gerry and they are very happy to come. Hun and his guest are coming and guess a few others that I have never met. I stare ahead the bookcase was ornate as if carved by a person in this case Miles and Angus, with a profound love of literature. The engravings were of leaves, of autumn berries and birds on the wing - so sublime as to invite the fingers to take it in just as much as the eyes.

Thanksgiving has never been normal for me, too sick to move or to eat at times but now. It's not about the turkey for me, or the stuffing, or even the roast potatoes. Don't get me wrong, I love all that stuff and thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it. But a holiday that's all about getting the family together, being thankful for all that we have; each other, our home and the food we eat. Being able to sit around the table, all of us together and thank God, that's just magic to me. It's a holiday when we just kick back and celebrate how wonderful our ordinary lives are. I only wish my Grandmother could have made it but she will be here in spirit and hoping she was happy with what she is seeing.

His deep voice broke apart my already hectic thoughts. "You okay, my love?" his deep eyes worried as I smiled up at him taking in his scent it was intoxicating to me.

I held my hand for his help, "I need to stretch, but I am okay was thinking how lucky we really are,"

"I will only believe that after you make it from the birth,"

A sore topic for him, in his head as long as I lived it be okay even if the baby never made it. To him, I had to live and to me, the baby had to live even if I died for good, he was just scared and thinking only I mattered. But to Jesse, my life was more important than anything else and right now our daughter was by far the most important life.

I with help was able to stand and move just enough to let the tension out before he helped me back down to the sofa this time, I tried not to sit in the same spot for long or it would get uncomfortable. Jesse just sat at my feet his hands working over them, a little swollen but nothing I couldn't handle. "We are thinking over the summer building two more cabins like this one so that Miles, Celia, you, and myself have our own places but not far from ma and paw.

I smiled, "I love the idea of being close but with our own space," it was a grand idea and this was what he wanted to hear as he brought out a notebook where he scribbled ideas down.

"Here are some of the plans, you should write anything you want too," he was distant from me and there was nothing that I could do about it any longer. I just sit and wrote a few things our own home could use, I was okay with it being four bedrooms and three baths, the design was much like this one since they liked the harmony of the homes looking the same. I wanted a large window such as this one and a large bay window in the kitchen, guess this summer was going to be busy, but from what I see they're getting supplies ready in the third shed and by the notes a few friends will be here lending a hand in the building process.

I turned to Mae as she handed me a plate with chips and a sandwich. My tone low, "He is growing very distant, is it something that I have done?" I, in the end, was new to being with a man even if we are to be married, everything was still so new and already was failing at it.

She just takes a seat next to me, "Finley, he adores you and loves you more than any thought possible. The thought of losing you is driving him to new lows, I will talk to my boy," her fingers trailing through my hair as she spoke, all I could do was nod as she finished. "Now you eat, and Celia and I don't think it right so Miles is bringing in a small table so you can help make the dough and cut fruit and snap green beans," her smile matched mine, I wouldn't be bored they were going to let me help.

I sit up with pillows behind me rolling dough into the pie pans, it was relaxing to bake. I was happy even with the dread and pain, my back was not holding up. "Mama," all seven are done so I call her.

She walks in a dish rag in hand, "Already, let me take these and we need these apples peeled and cut. These berries cut too, you can place them in the same bowl sweetling," she cleaned my mess before setting two large bowls a knife and the trash can next to me. I just peeled the green, yellow, and red apples. Jesse watched for a few minutes before taking the filled bowl as I sliced the Strawberries, next was the Peaches, Blackberries, and Raspberries. I tried to move back when done but my back hurt like all tar, it took a few minutes but I managed to get to my feet having to use the restroom.

I figured a bath would help, the heat would be welcomed as the water ran filling the garden tub. Even as I gazed at my reflection but did not see what my Momma saw. Still did not see what Jesse or anyone else saw. Instead, I saw the pale skin with dark veins clear as day, my own skin stretched to the max my breast bigger and firmer as the started the process of making milk for our daughter. "Not a very pretty sight," muttering to myself but right only the warm water mattered it would soothe my back, the water moves softly around my outstretched fingers, caressing coolly, eddying in their wake. I pull my hand out and watch the drips, both transparent and opaque at the same time. They fall as if snatched by gravity to the water below, each one swiftly haloed by ever-growing rings, distorting the bath. I step in letting the warmth cover my body as I lay back, my eyes closed.

The feeling was relaxing a calmness spread over me, in my heart I knew Jesse and I would be just fine. I could hear his footfalls coming I must have been soaking for too long for him to come looking for me. But no sooner had I thought the words the door opened and there stood Jesse, "You okay, love?"

"Can you give me a hand, my back was killing me and needed a soak. But our daughter has made me so big that I can't get from the tub without help any longer,"

"Of course," his smile was easy going but it was for show.

He walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him wrapping his arms around me. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around my frail body. The world around me melted away as I squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to end.