*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

Unexpectedly Expecting

Abel POV:

My sister gave birth to my niece nearly 2-weeks ago and I'm just now visiting them. Not my choice, but my brother-in-law's. Cap's bullshit excuse at first was that Allie needed rest, then after that it was that she needed to adjust to having a toddler and a baby, but finally today when I was gettin' ready to head home after half-day's work (cause of that jackass) I was given the go ahead to visit Allie and baby Levicy Ann. I was given strict orders not to bring over my wife or cousin-in-law or else I'd never be allowed to see my sister again. Yea, Cap Hatfield was a hardass.

So, that's why I'm currently sitting in an armchair holding my niece in my arms while my nephew sits by my boots watchin' protectively over his baby sister. Allie was sitting on the sofa, sippin' on coffee and watchin' me with Levicy Ann, a soft smile on her face. Lookin' between the baby in my arms and my sister, I smiled, "She's cute."

"She's a real good baby. Sleep's soundly and eats good." Allie bragged, placing her mug down on the coffee table.

"Me and Nancy's expectin' sometime this winter." I announced, a smile appearing on my face. Never did I ever consider havin' kids, but then I got with Nancy and everything changed.

My sister looked a bit surprised at what I said. Hell, shouldn't she be happy to be an expectant aunt? "What? Last I knew you were trying for a baby, not that you're having one."

"Yea, well, we haven't talked in over a month so of course you weren't aware of Nancy's condition. Hell, we figured out she was expectin' only a few days after Cap banned you from seeing me." I told my sister, still feeling bitter towards her husband for his bullshit ban. Hell, bet he wouldn't let anyone tell him what to do when it came to see his family, but he just laid down a heavy-handed law; expecting my sister to follow it without any objections. Eh, I think Allie was only listening to him cause she didn't want any trouble in her marriage. She really did love the guy and in fact I didn't have any problems with him until he started getting too pushy when it came to my business.

"Oh…" Allie sighed, down casting her eyes in sudden shame. I could tell that she felt bad about not seeing me for so long just by her bodylanguage.

"Keep a close eye on Jessa, she might be yackin' up furballs soon 'nough." I advised my sister, changing the subject to that of her best friend and what that girl had gotten up to a few weeks ago.

Allie furrowed her brows. "What?"

"Tolbert told me in confidence that he hooked up with Jessa durin' Easter weekend. It was quote rough emotional fuckin' end quote." Honestly, I don't even know why Tolbert confessed his hookup to me. I think it was because it was eating away at him, that he spent a moment with a woman he so badly wanted, but couldn't seem to get. I dunno, but he ended up telling me about his thing with Jessa over a shared jar of shine. Shifting the weight of LEvicy Anne from one arm to the other, I remembered another plight Tolbert had. "Oh yea, he's rackin' his brain tryin' to figure out a way to whisk away Jessa and the kids without triggerin' off Shaw's wrath' making him sic Bad Frank after t hem."

Reaching to grab his cup from the coffee table, my sister told me, "Tell him not to worry about Bad Frank, he's unemployed cause of his limp. " Taking a quick sip, she added in, "He won't be huntin' them down with a bum leg."

"I'll tell him, but I don't think that'll ease his mind."

"Well, tell him as a way to outsmart and out run any problems that he can take a train to either Omaha or Ogallala, Nebraska and then buy a wagon and supplies for a cattle trail ride that'll span a couple states."

"Cause it'll get them to their destination faster and keep them off of main roads, where Shaw would look." I concluded with a sly smirk.

"Yep." Allie popped her tongue before taking another sip of her coffee.

"I'll be sure to tell him. Just give me a heads up if you notice your bff losin' her lunch a lot and I'll tell Tolbert it's time to move."

Jessa POV:

Lately I've been feeling fatigued and even tho I had a spotty and early monthly bleeding about a week or so after my hookup with Tolbert I was feeling just like I did when I was pregnant with Silas. I was even a bit nauseous too. I wasn't puking, but I did feel the urge to spit a lot. A part of me was hoping that I just had a touch of a stomach bug, but another part of me was hoping that I was pregnant since never in my wildest dreams did, I think that I'd ever have another child.

On top of the fatigue and nausea, I was stressed since Shaw was coming around every other day for dinner to spend time with the kids even tho he annoyed me most of the time. Yea, he kept trying to butter me up and seduce me with charming words. It wasn't working tho, especially since he was still struggling with sobriety. How I knew he was struggling was cause of the longing look he gave at the bottle of whiskey I kept in a cabinet for disinfecting and medical purposes. Oh god, his mouth was watering when he spotted that bottle when I opened the cabinet to grab it so I could smear a small finger droplet on Lydia's aching gums as she teethed her last couple of teeth. Poor thing was a late bloomer when it came to her teeth.

The late May sun beat down on me as I weeded my large garden. Silas and Lydia were chasing each other down the rows of fruits and vegetables. Their laughs and giggles filled the air, making me smile as I placed some weeds into a sack that was by me. The simplest things brought joy to my heart as a mother. Days like today where my children played while I did a simple task always produced cherished memories.

"See yer gardenin' while the chil'ren play tag this afternoon." Tolbert's smooth Appalachian accent filled the air while the shadow of his tall frame shaded me as he stood right behind where I was kneeling.

Looking over my shoulder, I nodded, "Yea, they enjoy playin' while I work."

Looking both ways, much like one does before crossing a busy street, Tolbert asked, "So, is an angry drunk Vance Bastard gonna come barrelin' out 'ere demanin' my head on a silver plater?"

"No, I'm not with him and he doesn't live here." I answered while placing some weeds into the yard clipping sack. Pinting into a genral direction, I explained, "He lives down the road with his dad and uncle, but he stops by for dinner and to see the kids a couple times a week."

"Hmm…" Tolbert hummed, kneeling right next to me. "So, how ya been?"

"I've been good." I nodded with a small smile.

"Good, that's good." Tolbert nodded before goin' on t'say, "I've been workin' a lot; savin' up money for our Oklahoma trip."

"Tolbert, I told you the last time that you were here that I can't go with you. It's not possible, not with how deep I am in the Hatfield family."

"Yer not in too deep yet. Still shallow 'nough t'get out 'fore yer drownin' in misery, hell, an' sorrow."

Narrowing my indigo eyes, I sighed, "Tolbert, it's not that cut and dry."

"Yes, it is, Jessa. It is if ya want it t'be so." Tolbert firmly told me in a tone that gave way to the fact that he was going to fight me on my decision to stay put instead of running away with him to Oklahoma. God, where did he even get the bright ass idea to go there from? Not like it's nice and built up yet, the territory's crawling with various Indians and cattle rustlers. It wasn't suitable place to raise kids, hell wouldn't be for another 30-years or so.

I shook my head, silently disagreeing with his words. I went to pick some weeds, put paused since I felt a sudden swish-slosh in the stomach, making me feel a bough of nausea. I took a few deep breaths to steady myself, ease my sudden sour stomach.

"Ya okay, darlin'?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I waved off his concerned. Putting on a brave face, I fibbed, "It's just this heat's getting to me."

"Ya sure? I mean-" He began only to be cut off by me assuring him, "I'm fine, Tolbert. Really, stop worrying."

Before Tolber could try and argue with me about my health, my son came running up to us while excitedly saying, "Hi, Tol."

"Hey, Silas." Tolbert greeted, openin' his arms so that my son could engulf him with a hug. "Ya bein' good for yer mama?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around me son, giving him a quick hug after Silas bounced into him.

"Yes, Tol. Me good for mama." Silas nodded his head as Tolbert pulled out of their hug.

"Good." Tolbert simply smiled at Silas while Lydia just toddled around the garden, inching her way closer to us. Reaching into his front shirt pocket and pulling out a small bag, Tolbert told Silas, "I got'cha somethin'."

"Oh, candy." Silas lit up as his honey eyes landed on the small red and white striped bag that Adam's General Store used for candy.

"It's lemon drops." Tolbert informed Silas as the little boy eagerly took the bag from him.

"Thank you, Tol." My son politely told the redhead as Lydia came to a stop right next to me.

"Yer welcome." Tolbert ruffled my son's golden-brown hair, giving him a small smile.

Lydia leaned into me, causing me to place a hand on her back to steady her, and gave Tolbert a shy look. "Hi." She told him in a tiny mouse-like squeak.

"Hi, Lydia." Tolbert greeted my daughter, waving his hand at her. Lydia just waved back at him, making me smile. Turning to me, Tolbert said, "Girl seems sweet, but reckon that's cause o'yer motherin'."

I rolled my eyes. "Children are sponges, Tolbert. They suck up what they're taught."

"Reason for my remark, darlin'." The redhead chuckled, causing me to just shake my head.

"Me et candy now?" Silas asked, looking between me and the bag he was holding.

"Not yet, sweetie." I told my son, causing his face to fall in disappointment. Rubbing his arm, I assured Silas, "But, you can eat some after we go inside."

"Okay, mama." Silas smiled, happy to hear that he's be able to eat his lemon gumdrops soon.

Standing up, Tolbert told me, "Ya'll can go in soon. I gotta get goin', got some more shine deliveries t'make."

"Okay, bye then." I told Tolbert as he started to walk away from the garden.

He didn't say a word, just kept walking until he reached where he had his wagon parked. It only took him a few moments to climb into his wagon and ride off down the road.

Allie POV:

Levicy Ann was sleeping in her basinet and Captain W. was sprawled out on the sofa, napping, while I was in the kitchen shelling some peas. I was planning on making peas with fried pork and cornbread for dinner. Shelling peas was hard work and I missed canned peas from the Jolly Green Giant so much, but I just dealt with the mundane motions of pea shelling so that my family could eat. I was on what felt like my hundredth pea whenever a knock sounded at the door.

Stopping what I was doing, I rose from the table and went over to the front door. "Hello?" I answered the door, only to see Jessa and the kids (minus Todd and Mary since they were at work and school) standing in front of me on my porch.

"Hi, Jessa. I hope you don't mind that we stopped by for a visit." She greeted me with a thin smile. The very same thin smile she used whenever she was bothered by something or was pushing thru something. Oh dear, she came over for advice.

"Oh, of course I don't mind. In fact, I could use your help shelling peas." I smiled at my friend, sliding over so that she and her kids could enter my house.

"I came over to vent and talk, not do your meal prep." Jessa deadpanned, ushering her kids thru the door. Oh, well isn't she pissy today. Something's really bothering her.

Shutting the door, I asked, "What's wrong?"

"Go play with some of the toys." Jessa instructed her children, pointing at the corner where a small box of toys were at. Standing to her feet and turning around to watch me walk over to her, she sighed, "Shaw, that's what." What else is new?

Placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her into my kitchen, I asked, "Why?"

"He won't stop bringing up getting back together. I swear every time he's over for dinner and to see the kids he keeps insisting that we kiss and make up." Jessa explained, sounding at her wits end, as we reached my kitchen table.

"And you don't want that?" I asked as we sat down.

"Not right now, if ever." Jessa answered, causing my ears to perk up.

"Oh, why not?" I asked, wanting to get down to the truth about why Jessa was rejecting Shaw, as I went back to shelling peas.

"I've always been with somebody since I was 16-years old. I never had any me time, any time to be single and to find myself, and now that I do have me time, I'm not ready to give it up."

"Oh…" I nodded, placing the peas I just shelled into a bowl. "Um, what about Tolbert? With you being single he must be chompin' at the bit to get you back."

"No, actually, he's not." She shook her head.

"What'd you mean?" I asked, arching a brow out of both confusion and curiosity.

"I'm telling you this in confidence, so don't go blabbing to your husband, but Tolbert's not pushy when it comes to the subject of getting back together."

"Tolbert McCoy, who's rash and hot-headed, isn't being pushy?" I asked incredulously, finding it hard to believe that Tolbert (who wanted Jessa back more then a fat kid wants to go to an all you can eat buffet) wasn't pushing the idea of reuniting.

"No." Jessa told me before going on to explain, "He's offered a couple of times to take me and the kids to Oklahoma with him, but that's it. The few times he's stopped by he just brings over candy for Silas, sometimes even a whittled toy too."

"Oh…" I sighed before grabbing another pea pod to shell. Giving my best friend a serious look, I asked "If you were to take one back, who'd it be?"

"I dunno." She shrugged. What, she didn't know? "I'm not even sure I'd take either one back at this point. Like I said before, I enjoy being single." Jessa honestly told me as I shelled endless peas.

Oh no, that's not good. She couldn't survive on her own, at least not here since we're in 19th century Appalachia. Women needed men and vice versa out in these hills, life was too hard to go at it alone. "Well, maybe taking Tolbert up on his offer'll be the best for you and the kids. I mean, we enjoyed growing up in Oklahoma so…"

"I'll keep that in the back of my mind, even tho I'm sure my kids are growing up just fine here." Jessa told me, her lips in a tight line. She went to open up her mouth to say something else, only to cover it with her hand and dart over to my sink.

My eyes grew wide as my best friend dry heaved into my sink. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god… She was knocked up by Tolbert. Tolbert! "Are you okay?" I asked even tho I already knew that she was. I just wanted her to admit to me what was going on.

"I'm fine." She nodded, wiping the side of her mouth off. "Just a bit nauseas, that's all."

Remembering the talk, I had with my brother a few days ago, I asked, "Jessa, are you pregnant?"

"I don't know, it's a possibility."

"Oh. So who's-" I began only to be cut off by Jessa's blunt answer of, "Just take a wild guess." Pushing herself away from my sink, she told me, "I'm taking my kids and going home."

"Are you sure you're well enough to drive?" I asked Jessa while she crossed my kitchen and stepped into my living room.

"I'll be fine, Allie." She assured me, prying her kids away from the toy chest corner.

I just nodded and let out a small, "Okay."

Without another word, Jessa took her kids and walked right out of my house.

"Mama?" Captain W. groggily asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up on the sofa as a result of hearing the front door slam shut.

Ah, time to have my son sit next to me while I shell peas. "I'll be right there, honey." I assured my son, placing down the peapod and rising from the table. Quickly, I went into the livingroom and picked up my son. "Wanna help shell peas?" I asked Captain W. while bringing him into the kitchen.

Shaking his head against my shoulder, he simply said, "No."

I just chuckled and set him down in his chair at the table. He was smart, not wanting to shell peas. Hell, I felt the same way about the task, but I didn't have a choice in the matter. If I didn't shell them then we wouldn't be eating them for dinner.

Nancy POV:

I couldn't b'lieve my ears the other day when Allie came ov'r ('hind her Hatfield husband's back an' 'gainst his wishes) insistin' that she needed t'see Tolbert. Unfortunately for her, my cousin was on a multi-state shine delivery trip that'd last a couple days at least. I asked her if I could pass 'long whatever it was she needed t'see 'im bout. She jumped at the chance t'pass 'long word, tellin' me 'Jessa's pregnant; it's Tolbert's so he needs to get her out of town quick'. I must say, that news changed up things quite a bit.

I told my husband the news, only for him to sigh an' tell me that Tolbert needed to take a train to Nebraska t'get to Oklahoma quicker cause once Shaw got wind that Jessa was pregnant, he'd be out for blood. I just nodded an' assured Abel I'd tell Tolbert that once he got back from his shine trip. I intended on tellin' Tolbert somethin', but not t'run.

It's been a few days since I saw Allie an' I had t'wonder if Tolbert made a stop t'see a whore in Pikeville cause his shine trip shouldn't 've been this long. It was no secret that Tolbert had a fav'rite whore (some blonde goin' by Misty) at Pikeville's Saloon an' would see her from time to time despite his big plans t'run West wit' Jessa. I didn't like Misty, but that was mainly cause Parris' whore girlfriend told me she was a whore that was greedy, wanted more than a whore should (which I understood was a man that didn't love her, but just liked how she did the trick). Hell, reckon I'd prefer Tolbert with Jessa, but only for the fact that it'd destroy that Vance Bastard, Shaw. Would cripple the Hatfields in a way too.

I was sweepin' up my small kitchen when I heard the sound of Tolbert's shine wagon pull up. Ah, so the prodigal's home. Not waitin' for him to come inside, I went ov'r to the door an' flung it open. Steppin' right onto my porch, holdin' my broom in one hand, I looked at Tolbert as he climbed down from his wagon an' told him, "Congratulations, cousin, I hear you're gonna be a pap."

"What?" Tolbert asked as his feet touched the ground, givin' me a lost an' knitted look.

"Allie came by the other day lookin' for ya, but left me a message instead. See, Jessa's expectin' and it's yours." I explained to my cousin, who should've figured out that Jessa was pregnant as soon as I told him he's gonna be a pap. Good lord, I swear sometimes the men in my family ain't too bright.

Realization hit him as he declared in a dazed tone, "I'm-I'm gonna be a poppy."

"Yes, seems that way." I nodded with a thin line of a smile on my face. I could careless, but needed t'seem supportive. Especially wit' the advice I was 'bout t'give him. Puttin' on a sympathetic look, that was as fake as could be, I remarked solemnly, "Reckon only way t'keep Jessa an' your baby safely 'way from that Vance-blood, Shaw Eldridge, is to kill the miserable bastard."

"Jesus…"

"If he learns she's pregnant, well only god knows…"

"I gotta go see my brothers, 'round 'em up t'help me dispose o'that Vance Bastard." Tolbert told me, unhitching his horse from his wagon. I didn't saw a word, just watched him take his horse over to the stable, grab his saddle, and place it onto the horse. I pretended to sweep my porch as I watched Tolbert mount his horse and ride off towards Kentucky.

Ah, seems like a Vance's gonna die today. Too bad it ain't Jim, but his nephew Shaw's good 'nough. In time Jim Vance'll get his too, but today's Shaw Eldridge's judgement day by the hands of McCoys.

Meanwhile On The Other Side Of Logan County…

Jessa POV:

Shaw had come over for breakfast and to talk business with Todd since he had the day off today, meaning that he was out from underneath Uncle Jim's icy blue hawk eyes for the day. So, I was stuck handing over the head seat at the table to Shaw, since he was symbolically the head of the family even tho he wasn't living in the house. God…

So, all of us were croweded around the table eating bacon, eggs, and biscuits. Well, my family was eating while I was just sipping on some tea. My morning sickness (yes I'm pretty sure I'm a few weeks pregnant) was flaring up this morning along with some dizziness, so the only thing I can handle is tea right now. Shaw kept eying me slightly from the corner of his honey eyes as he ate, no doubt his wheels turning at the site of me sipping on tea.

"So, what's on the schedule today, Todd?" Shaw asked his brother between a mouthful of eggs.

"I don't got any delieveries, but I gotta go see Floyd about some piglets. Price 'em and such even tho they ain't old 'nough t'ween from their mama yet." Todd answered in between eating some bacon.

"I don't want you goin' out there. He's neighbors with the McCoys; that ain't no place for you to be ridin' out to."

"But Shaw-" Todd began to protest only for Shaw to sternly interrupt him with, "No, buts, Todd. You're not ridin' out there. I'll go instead."

"Is that wise, Shaw? The McCoys hate ya." Todd pried, in a way trying to point out that he'd be the better one to go to Floyd's since he didn't have a red target on his back.

"I'll swing by Johnse's and ask him to ride out with me to Floyd's." Shaw told hid brother. Reaching for his coffee mug, he assured him, "I'll be fine." Sipping on his coffee, he went on to say, "You better think 'bout gettin' to the livery soon. Don't want to be late openin' up shop." Putting down his coffee, Shaw looked at his sister and told her, "Mary, you oughtta think 'bout goin' to school too."

Looking between Mary and Shaw, Todd rose from the table and told his little sister, "Come on, Mary. Let's go."

"But I'm not done with my biscuit." The little girl protested, looking at the buttermilk biscuit that was on her plate as she sipped on her milk.

"We'll take it with us." Todd assured Mary, grabbing a napkin and his sister's half-eaten biscuit; wrapping it up for her.

"Okay." Mary relented, placing her glass on the table and getting up.

"Mary, honey, your lunchbox is on the counter." I told the little girl, rubbing my head as a sudden dull headache began to take over my consciousness, since I didn't feel up to getting up and fetching it for her.

"Okay, Jessa." Mary chirped, going over to the counter to grab her lunchbox while her brother walked out of the house.

"Have a good day, honey." I told the little girl, watching her grab her lunchbox and walk away from the counter.

"I will."

"And don't give Sully too much trouble, you've only got another week or so left of school." Shaw told his sister as she walked over to the door.

"I won't." The little blonde girl assured her big brother before walking out of the house.

Reaching a hand over to rest on top of the one I had on the table, Shaw softly smirked, "Pregnant again?"

"Yea." I nodded since I very well couldn't deny it. I mean I could, but come late summer or early fall I'll be starting to show so no use in lying. The truth'll come out eventually.

"I'm happy 'bout havin' 'nother baby. It's something we need considerin' everything we've been thru and all." Shaw told me, his tone oozingly with delight, as he gave me this look that silently portrayed that his next sentence would be one detailing his thoughts on us and our family.

"Shaw, I'm not in the mood to be havin' this discussion right now." I told him, ending any and all talk about getting back together cause I was knocked up. Hell, if he really knew who my baby daddy was he'd have a stroke.

"Of course, you're havin' a bad case of mornin' sickness right now." Shaw muttered under his breath, but I still heard it. Patting my hand, he assured me, "I'll by over for dinner tonight and we'll discuss the new development in our family then." Great, he would want to talk later about my pregnancy. Just what I didn't needed. "I need'a head out to Johnse's." Shaw told me, rising from the table. Looking at the kids, he told them, "Be good for mama, she doesn't feel good this mornin'."

"Okay, daddy. Me be good." Silas nodded his head while Lydia just gave Shaw a silent look that portrayed a sense of annoyance at him. Sheesh, she was nearly 14-months old and she was already irritated at her daddy. Oh my, I hope she doesn't grow up to be one of those rebellious girls.

"Bye, babe, try to get some rest." Shaw told me before making his way over to the door.

As soon as he walked out the door, I had a sudden feeling of dread wash over me. I don't know why, but I just felt like some type of hell was going to be unleashed; that this dull headache would only grow into something bigger by the end of the night.

AN:

It's official, Jessa's pregnant and both men know. Yikes. Next up is Tolbert and the McCoy boys kidnapping Shaw and Johnse.