Dearly Beloved
Epilogue
Jamie spent most of the day looking for things to do in the barn. He knew he was really hiding out, and a grown man should probably be better able to handle such a natural thing as a baby being born. Nevertheless it wasn't until he heard the weak crying from the ranch house that he returned inside.
He ran through the door, skidding to a halt as he reached the others waiting in the parlor.
"Well?" he gasped, but no one responded.
Instead they all looked to the stairs as light footsteps were heard. Within moments Beth appeared, a huge grin on her face. She crossed the room to stand before a very anxious Ben.
"You have a son," she stated, her voice calm despite her great excitement.
Ben let out a deep breath, but his eyes were still anxious. "And Charlie? Is she…?"
"Charlie is just fine. She's asking for you."
Relief flooded his face and he pulled Beth into a tight hug. She laughed in response and had to peel his arms from around her shoulders when he didn't let go.
"Get up there, Papa," she said happily.
Kid clapped him on the back as they both went upstairs to meet the new arrival.
"Good, another boy," Jake said contentedly. He glanced at Hannah who was on the floor next to him playing with her doll. "Not that I don't mind a girl every now and then."
"I'm glad to hear it," replied Beth.
"Girls aren't so bad," Ethan chimed up from the couch where he had been reading during their long wait.
"Especially Susan Nichols, right?" Jake responded teasingly, which earned him a swift punch in the arm from his brother.
Beth crossed over to the entrance to the parlor where her husband was standing.
"Let me guess, you've been down in the barn," she murmured as she wrapped her arms around him and planted a kiss on his jaw.
"I had a lot of work to do," he said defensively, enclosing her in an embrace.
"You know, you are going to have to get over this eventually."
"I have five months to prepare myself, I'll be fine." He smiled down at her, just able to feel the slight swell of her belly between them.
"Good." Beth stood on her toes to kiss him properly.
Not to be left out, Hannah tugged at her mother's skirts and raised her arms to be picked up. Jamie did the honors.
"Come on, baby girl," he said. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around them both.
FIN
