A couple weeks later this had been going smoothly for the couple, Halt and Pauline moved about the kitchen making dinner together comfortably. But somewhat was off that night. Halt studied the woman beside him as he helped her chop up the meat to go with he vegetables she had gone slightly pale and was moving slightly sluggishly. His brow frowed "Pauline, love are you alright?" He asked gently as he moved to wash his hands. She came out of her fog slightly "I yes I'm alright" she said. Halt moved over to her and caressed her cheek softly "love you are burning up" he said caressing up to her forehead. Pauline turned to him and started to say something to reassure him when she froze grasping her stomach "Halt something is wrong" she said she turned to lean on the counter and he steadied her then noticed a few drips of blood on the floor. "Pauline you are bleeding" he said alarm slipping into his voice. "No... Nonono Halt fetch the healer" she said squeezing his hand. He helped her to the couch laying her down pulling a blanket over her she grasped his hand as another pain struck her "hurry!" She said painfully. Halt didn't want to leave her but as another pain wracked her body she almost screamed "go please!"
Halt kissed her forehead then rushed outside he grabbed a bridle from the barn but didn't bother saddling his horse he swiftly swung onto his back and galloped off toward the healers cabin on the edge of town. His horse slid to a stop in front of the cabin and he quickly ran up the steps to knock on the door. The old woman answered "Ranger Halt I wasn't expecting to see you for a few months yet" at his surprised look she added "I'm old not blind at lest not to matters of the heart... Don't worry I haven't told a soul. What brings you here?" "Something is wrong... Pauline she is bleeding and having pains" Halt said. The healer stepped out and shut the door "I'll hurry as quick as I can you go home and get her calm as you can until I get there" she said. Halt nodded and got back to the cabin as quickly as he could.
Pauline was in a cold sweat by the time her got there he fetched a rag and some warm water placing it on her forehead sitting next to her holding her hand gently. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes "shhh it's ok" he said, she squeezed his hand. It was a few minutes later hat the healer arrived and Halt was dismissed to wait outside. He paced back and forth on the veranda for what felt like hours before the healer stepped out "I'll leave you two to talk for a moment..." She said her voice low. Halt looked at her trying to gather from her composure what was going on then he felt like he had been kicked in the gut "no..." He said understanding. The healer just nodded softly opening the door encouraging him inside to talk to Pauline. He walked into the room and saw Pauline sitting bundled in a blanket he walked over to her sitting down slowly next to her caressing her hand. "Halt..." She said shakily "I lost her... I lost our baby... Our little girl..." He hugged her to him "I know my love" he said pulling her to him letting her lay her head on his chest and he kissed her hair lovingly. She looked up at him and for the first time since she had known him she saw tears rolling down his cheeks. She hugged him close and for quite a while they just sat there together. He tried to comfort her as best he could and pull himself back together.
Eventually the healer came back in and made them both some tea. She gave them instructions to help reduce Pauline's pain and offered to help them bury their daughter. Halt shook his head and she handed him a small bundle wrapped in a blanket. Pauline covered her mouth to muffle her sobs as she looked at the small bundle. It wasn't until morning that they managed to have a small funeral, the healer left shortly before to give the couple some privacy. Halt buried their daughter on the edge of the meadow under a large oak tree. Pauline came to stand beside him both of them had cried so much there was nothing left they stood side by side in silence. When they turned and left the grave of their daughter and walked back to the house Pauline broke the silence "I'll never be able to have another child... She is he only daughter I'll ever have" she said softly. Halt didn't respond he felt as if everything within him was broken and her words were falling on broken pieces. They spent almost the entire day unable to say a word to each other both so emotionally compromised they could hardly function. That night when they went to bed they lay together in silence neither able to sleep comfortably they lay quietly until they passed out from exhaustion.