49

I didn't say much today. When Bertha came over to help make us food I didn't say anything. When night fell over us I was on my side of the bed simply lying on my back with my eyes closed and Forrest was removing his pants and settling in beside me. I just kept still and didn't move, keeping my hands over my stomach.

"Eula, I'm sorry for what I said I didn't mean it." he told. I opened my eyes slowly only seeing a dark ceiling.

"Yes you did." I told him before slowly turning and looking at his face and his eyes were very focused on my face and I shook my head. "I wish I could take it all back, I wish I was strong enough to fight against someone like Rakes, but I'm not."

I never thought I'd be confessed to ever being weak and doing it now made me feel even worse. He shook his head.

"Don't talk like it's your fault because it isn't." he stated. I looked away and frowned and didn't say anything. I felt his hand curl into mine and I wanted to pull it away not wanting to be touched and I even attempted but his hand only tightened around mine and I looked at him wondering why he was even touching me and he looked at me with strong bold eyes.

"I'm never letting you go no matter what happens." he said softly and I winced at his words wanting to still be upset by his earlier, but somehow I managed to show a nod and I closed my eyes and let my mind drift away…

February 4th

I was very shocked with how fast the snow melted and how warm it began to get. By now Rakes had taken out all the other bootleggers and he was setting his eyes on Jack who had been bringing in more money than ever. I found myself standing on the porch of the Bondurant's bar looking up at the sun and moving my hands to my back as if keeping me up. I smiled at no one in particular and just took in my surroundings. Howard and Jack were out doing whatever it was they were doing with their bootlegging and Forrest and I remained here. Things were good for us. He was still being overprotective and that level grew now that I was going to give birth any day. I placed my hands on my stomach which was now larger than ever. Everything looked so calm and beautiful. I heard large footsteps coming up behind me and I smiled as Forrest came up beside me.

"Eula now I done told you that you need to be off you feet. You don't need to be standing around outside where you could catch a heat stroke." he told with mild annoyance in his voice. I looked at him with a smile not planning to argue with him. I only nodded.

"Okay Forrest." I replied and he guided me back inside where he sat me on the bar.

"I'll get you some water." he said and moved behind the bar to get me a glass of water. I watched his movements for a moment and thought about something.

"Are you excited? About the baby?" I asked and he looked at me slowly with soft yet blank eyes and he looked to be thinking for a second and I didn't even mind waiting before he looked back at me.

"I am very excited." he answered and I knew he wasn't one to lie so I smiled and sipped the glass of water he gave.

"EULA! FORREST!" we heard a very loud Bertha yelling. We looked up and saw her rushing into the bar and I was alarmed for a moment.

"Bertha, what's wrong?" I asked. Forrest leaned over the bar.

"Calm down girl catch a breath." he told staring at her. A smile came across her panting face.

"I have…great news." she said now taking my hands and I was a bit nervous wondering what she was talking about. Forrest arched a brow.

"Well spit it out." he said impatiently. Bertha smiled at him and then looked at me.

"Rakes…can't have kids. My father over heard him talking to the sheriff in town earlier. After a car accident he had back in Chicago he injured his lower half badly and he thought he was okay, but after years of trying to have a child with his ex wife failed each time… Eula he can't have kids he's too messed up down there!" she explained. My eyes widened at her words and I looked at Forrest and he was just frozen for a moment.

"Bullshit…" he replied Bertha shook her head.

"No it's true. The baby's yours, Forrest." she said happily. His eyes softened and he looked down for a moment ad I wondered what he was thinking and he slowly came around the bar and moved up to Bertha and hugged her quickly and I smiled with happiness. Bertha's words gave me new found hope and I was very happy that she brought some type of light to our worried world. Bertha hugged him back for a short moment before pulling away and I was immediately embraced by my husband and I wrapped my arms around him and he kissed me deeply and this kiss felt more passionate then any of our kisses. My cheeks ran across his face tracing every inch of his skin.

He pulled back lightly and smiled down at me.

"You're having my baby." he whispered happily. The door of the bar opened again and we looked to see Jack and Howard coming in. At the sight of me they smile.

"Hey Eula." Howard said and came over to us. I smiled as he touched my stomach and Bertha moved over to Jack kissing him lightly.

"Hi Howard. You and Jack stay out of trouble?" I asked. He smiled down at my stomach as he removed his hand.

"Of course we are." he said and I smiled and nodded.

"Good. With the baby on its way I want you all to be here when it comes." I told. Jack smiled.

"Why wouldn't we be? You're delivering our niece or nephew soon." he told. I nodded.

"Yes but you never know." I told. Forrest came out from behind the bar and stood beside me.

"Don't worry Eula everyone will be here. Shoot Howard here will even go fetch your folks for you." he told. I smiled more and looked at Howard who scowled a bit and nodded.

"Yeah that's true." he said I grinned and watched as Bertha and Jack moved towards the door.

"We're going out we'll be back." he said and left out the door. Howard only rolled his eyes and moved towards the door as well.

"I'm going to go make sure everything is going well with the liquor." he said and left. I waved at him as he left before standing up on my own.

"I need a nap." I said and Forrest took my arm and nodded.

"Alright. I can watch the place." he told and I nodded as he guided me to our room. Once I was in bed it was not long before I was fast asleep. I could only remain on my back as I slept and I wasn't sure how long I was out until I heard commotion disturbing the peacefulness of my sleep. I looked around at the ceiling hearing muffled sounds and I sat up slowly making my way to my feet and waddling to the door and I opened the door and walked out to see Jack looking down at the floor in front of Forrest who looked very upset.

"I'm sorry for losing your money For-" but he had no time to finish his story before Forrest smacked Jack hard in the face and my eyes widened and I wondered what happened.

"This isn't about the money it's about principal." he said dangerously and I walked closer to the men.

"Boys what happened?" I asked intervening and Jack looked at me.

"Our spot got ambushed by Rakes and the cops and I lost all the money." he answered softly and I was shocked and looked at Forrest to see him glaring at Jack.

"You wanted in this business and now look what's happened." he frowned and I could see the look in his eyes and I knew how guilty he felt. In seconds Howard came in looking tired and distraught and Forrest glared at him. "And you, you son of a bitch-"

"Save it alright… they got Cricket. He's dead." he said. Jack and my body rose with shock and our inhales were heard. Cricket…dead no this couldn't be happening. Jack winced and slowly began to shift in place and Forrest closed his eyes in silence and I watched Jack move to the table and sit down. He curled his fingers together and I watched as tears fell down his cheeks. I looked down feeling my own tears fall and I moved over behind him and rubbed his shoulders. Howard leaned back against the wall and looked down taking off his hat. There were no words to describe what I was feeling right now.

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Author's notes

Okay people so finally we find out who the father of Eula's child is…now before I continue with the last few chapters I want your opinions on if it was a good explanation on Rake's accident..if you all do not like it I will edit the chapter and make up a different explanation. If it sounds pretty reasonable then I will continue on…thanks!