OK this chapter is a bit quick. Sorry. And sorry for changes in spellings of Jac and Allen can't always remember how and I don't always type from the same computer either. So enjoy and please review.
With the additions of Guy and Margaret the camp seemed a bit more cramped. So the outlaws moved inside as well. Guy quickly took to helping with the feeding of the villagers that needed it, and even enjoyed attacking a few of the gold shipments. Many times he would come back smiling saying he wished he could see Vasey's face.
Quit often Much would be left back at the camp to help Maggie around as she grew larger. He tended to keep his distance as much as possible.
Guy and Maggie sat up one night. "We'll be gone two days tops. We have a lot of people to feed."
"I know I just don't like it when you're gone that long."
"I know but I have to."
She nodded and snuggled against him.
The next morning most of the group left leaving only Much and Maggie.
Maggie had had enough of his avoiding her and this was her chance to find out why. Much watched Maggie nervously. "You don't like me very much do you Much?"
"I never said that my lady."
Maggie struggled up onto her feet and sat down close to the fire and watched as Much walked a few steps away. "You don't have to. Your actions say it all." She pointed to the fact he had backed up. "I would like to be your friend Much. Everyone holds you in such high regard. I know Robin and Guy do. I would like to get to know you. Not what you think everyone else want to. But the real you." She took a deep breath. "So why don't you like me?"
Much mixed the pot over the water then straightened. "You married Robins enemy."
"Former enemy." Maggie reminded him. Much shrugged. They sat in silence for a while. "Much you do all the cooking don't you?" Much nodded regarding her for a minute. "I was wondering. Would you be willing to teach me how to cook? Other people have tried. My mother died when I was young and my father kept a steady stream of women in and out. I guess I just never had a reason to want to. Now I do." She smiled not looking at him instead staring into the fire holding onto her round stomach. "Give me your hand." She pulls Much towards her.
"No I can't My lady."
"Yes you can and it's Maggie please." She places his hands on her stomach as the baby kicked. She watched as Much's face changed from fear to surprise then pure joy.
The next morning started with rain and thunder. Maggie looked over at the fire and noticed Much already up. "Oh Much I am so sorry. I was hoping to have been up earlier." She threw back the blankets and was grateful for his offer of assistance to stand.
"Nonsense Maggie. You need your sleep. Besides Guy would kill me if you did to much."
"And me." She absently rubbed her back that had been aching all night.
Much walked back to the fire and listened to the thunder rolling. "Looks like the others will be gone a few more days. But at least we are dry." He turned back to the pot.
Maggie started towards the fire and stopped. 'Uh Much."
He looked up at her startled face. "What?"
"I know how uncomfortable you've been around me." She swallowed hard. "But you're about to get a lot more uncomfortable."
She gasped and focused on Much's worried face. Not long ago she'd asked him what time it was. He'd raced off to the cave door to find out and ran back when he heard her cry out. She'd been there nearly a full day, wishing that Guy were there with her.
The thunder roared outside as she cried out one final time before hearing the small cry of a baby. Exhausted she leaned back and smiled watching Much who was laughing. He passed her, her new son.
Much stood by the cave entrance keeping watch. He smiled when he looked back. Sound asleep was Maggie tired from her work. A noise caused him to turn and look. Through the entrance came the others. "Evening Much miss us?"
"you have no idea master." Much grinned watching Guy closely as he made his way to Maggie.
Guy nearly fell over when he saw his young wife asleep and a baby next to her. "It's a boy." She said tiredly struggling to sit up. Much helped her then passed the baby to Guy who held it as if it were to break. The others left them.
"How when?" Guy asked kissing his young wife over and over again.
"Earlier this morning. I am glad that Much staid. I just wish you could have been here."
"So do I." He whispered into her hair holding her by one arm and the baby with the other.
The others gathered away from the young couple. Much passed around some food. "Don't know how she did it. Hardly a sound at all."
Jaq grinned at Marian. "Some women can do it. That is why men don't have children."
Robin laughed as he pulled the privacy curtain to allow them the time they needed. Awhile later Guy poked his head around, "Maggie wants to know if you want to see the baby?" He hadn't stopped grinning yet.
They all raced over one another to get behind the curtain. John clapped Much on the back who stood proudly by watching the others coo over the baby while they passed it around. Guy had sat back down beside Maggie holding onto her laughing at the others commenting on how it was interesting that a child could turn a group of adults into silly people in an instant.
"What are you going to name him?" Marian asked finally getting a hold of the baby.
"Well we decided Robert after Guy's father." They all nodded, Maggie nudged Guy who nodded.
"Which brings us to the decision of the god father." Much now held the child and wasn't paying much attention to the others. "We would like it to be you Much."
He nearly dropped the baby passing it to John. "What? I can't."
"Why not?" Maggie asked leaning farther against Guy. "I would like you to be. After all you were here for his birth." She grinned as he blushed. "I am also asking as your friend Much. Please."
He opened his mouth to protest but couldn't find anything and nodded. "Yes yes I will." His chest puffed up with pride. Robin smiled at him and whacked his back.
"Good job Much."
Over the following weeks the others enjoyed watching Robert grow, he kept camp happy while they struggled with the outside world and dealing with the sheriff.