Chapter 12: A New Meaning

Ariella's stomach continued to grow as the harsh winter cold came in.

I worried about her every day at work. I'm glad I got the indoor heating working.

I've gotten used to the mood swings and cravings.

Perry says that he can't determine whether the baby will be a boy or a girl yet.

I don't mind. I'll be happy either way. Especially since I'll have help from my "adopted" father.

We haven't heard from the Komona tribe since the robbery. Maybe it's the cold weather.

Every day is pretty much the same.

We wake up, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, work some more, eat dinner, go to bed, and repeat.

Pascal and Perry have been coming over for every meal.

Ariella and I suggested it until she can get them some crops, herbs, and produce.

She really wants a cow. She says the milk would be good for the baby.

She also wants a sheep so that she can use the wool for blankets and clothes.

Pascal said that he would get her both once the storm cleared up.

It's been non-stop snowstorms all winter. Ariella gave one of our extra blankets to Bear so that he won't freeze.

Brr. I don't think I've ever been this cold.

We all can't wait for spring, for two reasons: warm weather and the baby.

***

"Hurry! Everyone inside! Close the door quick!" Ariella yelled when Pascal, Perry and I came in for dinner.

We all ran in and quickly slammed the door behind us.

Then we raced over to the fire to warm our num hands.

"When you're done warming up, I've got hot herbal tea and fish soup for dinner." Ariella said as she served up four bowls of soup.

Perry, Pascal, and I migrated from the toasty fireplace, to the dinner table.

We didn't talk until we had finished our first bowl of soup.

"Quite a storm." Ariella said as she served everyone seconds.

"I'll say! I've never seen this much snow in my life!" Perry said as he started on his second bowl.

"Me either." I agreed.

"Ah! You should have seen the snow in my day!" Pascal exclaimed. "Up to your chin! If you were lucky that is."

We all listened carefully as Pascal described a snowstorm that he and his older brothers John and Gale had faced a long time ago.

But Ariella didn't seem to hear most of it. She was in a daze, staring into space as she worked through her fifth bowl of soup.

Once Pascal had finished, everyone had eaten three bowls of soup (other than Ariella who had seven) and was ready to go home.

Once Pascal and Perry were gone, I decided to ask Ariella what had been wrong.

"Hey Ariella. Are you okay?" I asked.

"Oh. I was just thinking about the baby." she said.

I thought for a minute, and then said, "What do you think we should name it?"

She looked at me and we both thought for a minute.

"If it's a boy, I want to name it Justin." I said. "It was my father's name."

She agreed. We thought a while, but couldn't think of a good girl name.

My mother's name had been Cathleen. And I never had grown fond to the name.

It was midnight, so we decided to go to bed.

Before I did, I looked at the calendar. Spring was only a week away.

Spring… the word had always meant an escape form the cruel bitter cold.

But now, it meant a new opportunity. This Spring, I was going to be a father.

A Father! I wonder if Luke felt like this when Akari was pregnant with Ariella.

Maybe I'll ask them when we see them in a few days for Christmas.

Ariella and I had already given a list of presents to Pascal for him to buy when he left.

So had Perry, or at least, I think he did.

I looked at Ariella sleeping peacefully beside me.

She looked like an angel. Well, minus the stomach.

I closed my eyes and drifted into peaceful dreams.

Spring… that magical word was my last thought that night.

It had a different meaning now… And that meaning will stay with me for as long as I live.

Spring…

I can't wait!