A/N: I own nothing.

A/N: A/U.

****Warning**** Miscarriage discussed.

"Hey, River," Colt said. "You want a beer or a whiskey?" He was getting the drinks for dinner.

"Um.., I'll just have water," she replied.

"What? You pregnant?" he teased.

"No," she replied, she looked at Rooster and quickly looked away smiling.

"Wait," Maggie said, pointing between the two of them. "What was that look?"

"No look, Mom," Rooster said.

"No, there was definitely a look," Maggie argued. "You are pregnant, aren't you?"

"Might as well tell them," Rooster said, putting his arm around waist. "They aren't going to let it go."

"Well, it's not official yet, but yeah," River smiled. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh, River, Honey, that's wonderful," Maggie said, hugging her, then Rooster.

"Nothing wrong with another little Bennett running around," Beau gave his approval, hugging River and patting Rooster on the back.

"Man this is great," Colt said. "I'm gonna teach this kid everything. How to hunt and play football, and all that other stuff."

"Then I'll teach him the right way," Rooster shot back.

For once there was no fighting or bickering as the Bennetts ate dinner together. Just talk about babies and futures.

"You want me to go with you?" Rooster asked, watching River pack an overnight bag. She and Charlene were going to see her mother. It had been two months since Anna had been admitted and it was family weekend. "I can. Colt can do some work for once."

"Nah," she said, climbing into bed beside him. "Stay here. Put up snow fences. Play hammer darts with Colt. Don't drink before hammer darts."

"You have to be drunk to even think hammer darts is a good game to play," he replied.

"True." She laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said. "It's going to be fine." He kissed her softly, knowing she was getting anxious. "You can always come home. If Mrs. Charlene doesn't want to leave, then call me and I'll come pick you up."

"I know you will, but it'll be fine," she said, then kissed him.

It was just a small cramping pain in her stomach when she got up the next day. Everything else was normal. River tried not to think about it as she threw a few last minute items into her overnight bag, but every once in a while, the pain would get intense enough to take her breath away.

"Want some breakfast?" Rooster asked when she came downstairs. She looked at the plate of eggs he had already cooked and shook her head feeling queasy.

She sat her bag down on the table. "I have to get going soon. I have to go into town and pick up Memaw, She and Granddaddy are staying in town this week."

"Okay. Well, I put the snow chains on your truck last night, and I started it about fifteen minutes ago, so you should be ready to go soon," he replied, turning off the stove and setting his plate on the table. "You want some coffee?"

"We'll stop somewhere," she replied shaking her head, another wave of pain hitting her. She held on to the back of a kitchen chair so tight her knuckles went white.

"I'll still go with you," Rooster said, walking over and kissing her.

"I'm good," she said, laying her head against his shoulder. "Memaw will be with me."

"If you're sure," he said, sliding his hand down her still flat stomach. He couldn't wait to be a dad.

River smiled and put her hands on his. "I love you, Cowboy."

"Love you, too," he said, kissing her again before letting her go.

River grabbed her bag and walked out to her truck, trying not to slip on the icy ground.

By noon, the pain was getting worse, but River managed to get through the family therapy session. After supper, she and Charlene checked into their hotel.

"Memaw, I don't feel so good," she said, laying down on one of the beds.

"You're pregnant, River," Charlene replied with a laugh, but she came over and put a hand on River's forehead. "Honey, you are burning up. How long have you been feeling bad?"

"Started this morning," she answered as Charlene leaned over and kissed her forehead in the mother's age-old way of looking for a fever.

"What's wrong?" she demanded.

"My stomach is hurting and I just don't feel right," River answered.

"Okay," Charlene said, standing up. "I'm going to go down to that commissary in the lobby and see if they have a thermometer and some Tylenol. You stay right here." She pulled the blankets up over River's shoulders. "Try to relax."

River nodded, feeling miserable. "Memaw, will you get me my phone? I want to talk to Jamie."

"Sure thing, Honey." She handed her granddaughter the phone and grabbed her purse and key card on her way out of the room.

River hit the speed dial for Rooster.

"Hey," she said softly when he picked up.

"Hey, Darling," he answered. "How's it going?"

"Mama's okay," she replied. "Still mad, but..., you know."

"Yeah," he replied. "What about you?"

"I don't feel so good," she admitted.

"What's wrong? Need me to come get you?" He asked.

"Nah. Just a fever and not feeling good," she replied. "Memaw's gone to get me some medicine. I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning."

"Yeah? Well, take care of yourself," he said. "You're carrying precious cargo."

"Does that mean I'm not precious?" she laughed weakly.

He chuckled, "You know you're a princess. Dale reminds me often."

She laughed again. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"I'm here," he said.

"I know."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before she finally spoke up. "I think I'm going to get a shower before Memaw gets back."

"Okay, Baby. Call me if you want to talk again," he said. "Doesn't matter what time."

"I will. I love you, Jamie," she said.

"Love you."

She hung up and laid her phone on the nightstand. She walked to the bathroom and stripped off her clothes. That's when she saw the blood.

"No," she whispered, sitting down on the edge of the tub. "No, no, please no." Tears were already dripping down her cheeks. "No."

That's how Charlene found her.

"Oh, no, Honey," Charlene said, sitting down beside her. "Come on. We have to get you to a doctor."

"I want to go home," River said. "I want Jamie."

"I know, Sweetheart, but we need to make sure you are okay first," she explained. She dug threw River's bag, pulling out some clothes. "Here, put these on. I'll go call Rooster."

Everyone at Iron River was sitting down to supper when Rooster's phone rang. Even Maggie was there, letting Maria open the bar that night.

"Hey, Baby," he answered. "Oh, Mrs. Charlene. What's wrong?" He listened silently, his expression changed from happy to pained. "Yes, ma'am. I understand. I'll be there as soon as I can." He dropped his phone on the table and covered his face with his hands.

"Jameson, Honey, is everything okay?" Maggie asked gently.

He shook his head, then looked up. "River lost the baby."

"Oh no," Maggie cried. She walked around the table and hugged him. Beau reached out and patted him on the back.

"Mrs. Charlene is taking her to hospital. I've got to go down there," he said, standing up.

Colt stood up with him. "I'll drive you."

"You don't have to do that," Rooster said, but Colt was already putting on his jacket.

"I know I don't," he said.

"Take my Jeep," Maggie volunteered, pulling the keys out of her pocket.

"Thanks, Mom," Colt grabbed them, following Rooster out the door.

It was a three and half hour from Garrison to Colorado Springs but Colt made it in two.

He also stayed with Rooster through the long night, getting coffee and food, making stupid jokes, basically holding Rooster together.

It had been a week since the disastrous trip to Colorado Springs. River was better physically but had taken the loss rough. She was supposed to meet Rooster at Maggie's after her doctor's appointment but she was already twenty minutes late. He was regretting not insisting on going with her when she came in.

"Hey, Baby," he said, hugging her. "Everything okay?"

She went behind the bar and poured two whiskeys before leading him a back table away from everyone.

"So?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I'm perfectly healthy," she said. "The doctor said it just happens sometimes. There's no reason why we can go on to have healthy pregnancies and we can start trying again as soon as I feel ready."

Rooster wisely kept his jokes to himself as he reached out and took her hand in his. "Now what?"

"Right now?"

He nodded.

"Right now, I'm going to drink this whiskey, then we are going to go over there and play G14 and kiss while we dance," she replied with a small smile.

"Sounds like a good plan," he replied, downing his shot, then taking her hand and leading her to the small area in front of the jukebox. He dropped a quarter in the slot, then pulled her into his arms as Alabama's 'Close Enough to Perfect' filled the bar. It was the first song they had danced to at that Fourth of July dance all those years ago.

Maggie was talking to Beau at the bar when she looked over his shoulder and smiled.

"Remember when we used to dance like that?" she asked and walked away before he could answer in fear that the wrong answer would ruin those memories.

Please R and R.