December, 1919

Faith's only dilemma was how to tell Jem about the baby. She wanted him to know as soon as possible, but that would require telling him in a letter, when she really wanted to do so in person so she could see his reaction. She knew he would be as thrilled as she was, even though it meant telling their families about their marriage. Finally, she thought of the perfect solution, one that would allow her to combine her visit to the Charlottetown doctor with telling her husband the news. She wrote to Jem and proposed a secret rendezvous in Charlottetown before he returned home for the holidays, explaining that once he was home they would have very little time alone together. Jem wrote back immediately, praising the idea. He would meet Faith at the Windsor Hotel on Thursday evening. He had already made the reservation.

Because Faith hated to lie, especially to her family, explaining her trip to Charlottetown was difficult. But under the circumstances, she certainly couldn't tell the truth. Faith finally said that since had "an appointment" in Charlottetown (which she did), she had decided to make a day of it by doing some Christmas shopping (which she would), and spending the night with a college chum. (At one point in college, she and Jem had been chums.) Even though Faith didn't tell an outright lie, she still felt a bit guilty for telling such a misleading story. She envied Jem, who had simply written to his parents, saying that he had "things to do" before returning to the Glen, so he wouldn't be home until Friday.

When Faith left for Charlottetown that Thursday morning, she was a bundle of emotions. She was excited at the prospect of confirming her pregnancy, seeing Jem, and telling him the news. Yet at the same time, she was nervous. It had occurred to her the night before that despite the fact she had all the symptoms, there was still a possibility she wasn't pregnant. If the doctor told her that, she would be heartbroken. The disappointment would probably cause her to spend the entire night sobbing on Jem's shoulder. After all, she'd been secretly planning for this baby for nearly two months.

Much to her delight, the doctor, a kindly, older gentleman who reminded her of Dr. Blythe, told her that she was indeed expecting a baby, and that she was the picture of health as well as one of the most radiant mothers-to be he had ever seen. Upon learning she was only visiting the city, he encouraged her to see her regular physician for follow-up visits. Faith was exuberant when she left his office.

When Jem arrived at the hotel in the early evening, his wife looked positively stunning. She was wearing a green dress that complimented her coloring and accented her curvaceous figure. And she was absolutely beaming with excitement.

"This was a wonderful idea," he told her, as he put on his suit to go down to the dining room for dinner. "What made you think of it?"

"I just wanted to spend some time alone with you," she said coyly. "We're going to be very busy the next couple of weeks, with Rilla and Ken's wedding and then Christmas. As happy as I am to be near our families again, it is a little inconvenient under the circumstances."

"Yes, it is," agreed Jem, as he put his arms around her and kissed her. "You know, you look so beautiful that dinner is the last thing on my mind."

"Well," the blushing Faith said demurely, "I'm starving. If we don't eat now, I won't be able to think of anything but food all night."

The dining room at the hotel was elegant. Crisp, white linen tablecloths and flickering candles adorned the tables in the softly-lit room as refined waiters in black tuxedos courteously tended to the needs of the guests against the milieu of soft violin music. The atmosphere simply emanated romance. Faith looked at her husband from across the table and was so grateful to be with him. She had suffered through many dark and agonizing days in London, fearing that he had been taken from her forever. But now they were both safely home in Canada, finally beginning the life they should have started enjoying long ago.

"Just think, Faith," Jem said as they finished dessert, "after one more term I'll be home for good. Then nothing can keep us apart. And the two of us are going to be blissfully happy in our new house overlooking Rainbow Valley. There have been so many occasions when I wondered if that day would ever come. Now that it's finally so near, I finally believe it will happen."

"You may be home for good, but I suspect your work will keep us apart at times. Your mother has warned me that being a doctor's wife can be very lonely," Faith said teasingly.

"I'm afraid for her, it has been at times," Jem said solemnly.

Faith was slightly taken aback to hear Jem make such a statement. He idolized his father and wanted to be just like him.

"Don't misunderstand," Jem continued, having noticed the surprised expression on his wife's face. "My father adores my mother, and she wouldn't trade their life together for anything. Nevertheless, I've sometimes felt that my father's work came first. It won't be like that for me. Last year, when I was afraid I was going to lose you to the influenza, I swore that if God let me keep you, you would always be my first priority. And you will be. I love you, Faith. More than you'll ever know."

"Oh, Jem, I do know. Because that's how much I love you." Faith knew this was the perfect time to tell him about the baby, but his declaration had caused her to become so overwhelmed with emotion that tears streamed down her face and she couldn't say another word.

"Sweetheart, I didn't mean to make you cry," said the rather surprised Jem. Faith wasn't a woman who cried easily. "You must be tired from your trip. Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed while I take care of the check?"

Still unable to speak, Faith nodded and left the dining room. As she waited for Jem in their room, she suddenly became apprehensive about revealing her secret. Jem had spoken about how blissfully happy the two of them would be when he came home. Would having a baby so soon be too much for a young doctor just out of medical school as he adjusted to married life, too?

"Do you feel better, Sweetheart?" Jem asked when he entered the room and found Faith sitting on the bed.

"Yes, I do. I'm sorry Jem. I don't know what came over me. I was just so touched by the beautiful things you said."

"I meant every word. I know I probably don't tell you often enough that I love you. I just assume you know."

"I do, but knowing it and hearing you say it, especially in such a heartfelt manner, are two different things," Faith said, looking into his hazel eyes. Now was the time to tell him, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't form any words.

"What is it, Faith?" Jem asked, sensing that something was bothering her.

"Jem, I have something to tell you. Something I've been dying to tell you for weeks. But suddenly, I'm a little bit afraid to."

"Why should you be afraid to tell me anything?"

"I don't know. Until a few minutes ago, I was certain I knew exactly how you would react. But now I'm not so sure."

"You've certainly piqued my interest," Jem said. "Whatever it is, just tell me. There's no reason to be frightened."

"I'm going to have a baby," Faith said.

"A baby! Oh, Faith!" he exclaimed as he hugged her. "How could you be afraid to tell me that? Didn't you know I would be ecstatic? When? In June?"

"Yes, in June," she said, happy and relieved. "Until a few minutes ago, I knew you would be as thrilled as I am. But then when I was sitting here alone, I got nervous. I don't know why. It was silly of me."

"After all this time, we're finally going to start our family. Oh, Faith. You've made me the happiest man in the world. I didn't think it was possible to love you more than I did thirty seconds ago, but I do."

Later that night, as Faith slept in his arms, Jem watched her. He couldn't believe his good fortune. He had survived being wounded in the Great War, had endured a German prisoner of war camp, and was about to become a doctor. But best of all, his beautiful wife, who adored him and whom he had worshipped since his days as an undergraduate at Redmond, was going to have his baby. He was on the verge of having absolutely everything he had ever wanted.