Chapter Fifty-seven
Nick was ushered inside to the parlor. Nate and Alice were seated by the fireplace.
"Never thought of you as a bowler man." Nate chuckled.
"It goes into the charity bag as soon as this ruse is over. What's wrong, Nate? Where is Maris?"
"Upstairs," he said with gravity.
Alice looked away and fiddled with a flower arrangement.
"Is she well?"
"Yes. We picked her up in Sacramento and got home this morning."
"And?" Nick said with impatience.
Nate and Alice looked uncomfortable.
"I know the way," and he saw himself upstairs.
He tapped on the bedroom door, "Maris?"
"Come in Nicholas."
She was sitting on the window seat in a dressing gown and robe. Her hair was pulled to the side in a long braid and she was looking out of the window.
She got up to meet him across the room and he noticed her red swollen eyes. He embraced her and could feel the wetness on his shirt.
They sat down on the bed.
"Nicholas, I am—-with child."
"What?" he whispered in surprise, "I thought you couldn't again—-"
"Me too. Midwife told me. But I am."
He pulled her chin toward him and looked into her eyes, "I am proud to be the father of our child. Just a mite surprised. But a good one,"
She could just nod.
He broke into a big grin and smiled, "I am going to be a Pa again. Oh Maris, I never dared to think that would happen. But a baby? Our baby."
She let out a deep breath and relaxed, "You are happy?"
"Absolutely Mare. I can't imagine better news."
"You promise?"
"Mare I promised to love and honor and take care of you the rest of your life. You are my wife. I am your husband. We just need to get a piece of paper."
She shook her head yes.
"Mare, I know this is a shock but things got a way of working out. We planned on waiting but now we can't. Making sure our baby has a proper name is the first priority. "
"Your family?"
"They love you Maris and pretty much see us married already. We just got the cart before the horse. They won't blame you. I may get a look or two or a few words but—I guarantee they will stand behind us. And spoil this baby more rotten than Benjamin. And I didn't think that could happen."
"Our boys."
Nick's stomach sank but he lied to Maris, "They will be just fine. Happy for a new young'n for them to spoil and such."
"Maybe they won't figure it out. They are pretty young for that kinda thing and it depends on how long Maris has been on the nest." And he counted back to their first time two months ago.
"Mare? Do you know when?"
She shook her head no, "I am never with the moon. It's been since the summer before I even knew you that I—you know."
He hugged her again.
"I thought it was the fish I never recovered my stomach from. Two weeks ago. The doctor couldn't tell in Sacramento."
"Doctor?"
"Yes. I still didn't feel well when I got to the hotel. I had a dizzy spell and sickness. Alice insisted."
"So they know?"
"Yes. Alice was with me when he examined me."
Nick nodded.
"We will be married before the week is out."
"Judge's chambers or a church or—"
"The ranch—-with our sons and your family and the Springers," Maris asked.
"You got it little lady. Got one more to invite. Grover. Already promised him he would be there for the big day."
"Oh yes, Nicholas."
"You rest your pretty head— and take care of our baby. Will be back tomorrow with all the details. Love you, Maris. This changes nothing, just the calendar."
"Thank you,"
And he kissed her quite passionately and took her breath away.
"Good night wife. Swans remember?"
"Swans."
He went back to the parlor, "Got a wedding at the ranch this week. Keep your calendar open."
"You got it, friend."
Alice kissed him on the cheek, "Congratulations Nick. I know when the dust settles it will be all you two ever wanted."
"Thanks, Alice. Got to do the right thing and fast."
—&—-
Nick headed to The Palace, his head full of thoughts. Worry about their sons, the legal proceedings, Maris's reputation if this got out—her health. The memory of Peg and their four lost babies. He shook with the memory and tried to put it out of his mind.
"I can't keep thinking about that or I will lose my mind. I just can't lose Peg too. Oh blazes, I mean Maris. Oh Maris-" He spat out aloud to himself as he went through the lobby.
David turned around quickly but saw no one, "I swear I heard someone say, Maris. My mind is playing tricks on me. I need a drink."
—&—
Jarrod was anxiously awaiting his return. He could read Nick's face like a book.
Chip and JT looked up from the chess game they were playing for an answer too.
"Maris and I will be getting married this week back at the ranch,"
All three had the same stunned look. Jarrod started to ask a question but promptly stopped realizing there had to be a backstory. He arched his eyebrow and waited.
"Whoop whoop," Chip hollered and JT clasped him on the back.
"Did something change? With the visitation?" JT asked.
"Nah, we just decided to go on and marry,"
Jarrod knew immediately Nick was lying but thankfully the boys accepted it.
"Boys, why don't you finish up your game? I want to take Uncle Nick down to the lobby for a drink. And making some plans it seems."
"Yep, you boys are headed back home for a few days, a couple of days late for term but we want you by our sides."
"Of course, Pa."
"What about James David?"
"We will get him there one way or another."
Jarrod and Nick wordlessly walked down the hall and to the elevator.
The doors closed and Nick blurted out, "She is carrying my child."
Jarrod put his hand on his shoulder and chuckled, "Hmmmm 'Nick, you still got it' comes to mind."
"I deserve that Big Brother." he laughed back for the first time since he got Maris's note.
"When? Looks like we will be raising another two together. Just like JT and Chip."
Nick looked over at him in the realization, "Hadn't thought that far yet but I like that idea."
"Once the shock gets over and you get a ring on her finger, I think you will be over the moon."
"I am already. It kinda decides the future. Instead of all the waiting around for JD to decide it or a blue blood judge somewhere. We still will fight for James David's visitation. I just hope the boys don't find out that the cart came before the horse."
"Surely not. Honeymoon babies happen all the time. Look at Benjamin."
Nick cut his eyes at his brother with a question in them.
Jarrod laughed as the elevator opened, "No but I made you wonder."