Cindy stopped the convertible in front of the Dew Drop and turned to Toni.

"Go on," she said.

"Maybe I should wait till later?" Toni said,fidgeting in the passenger seat, still unsure if she was ready to tell her news.

"Now is as good a time as any." Cindy gently pushed her towards the car door. Toni sighed and nodded. She climbed out and walked to the entrance of the roadhouse, turning to wave goodbye before she disappeared inside.

Inside was pretty empty, as it normally was that time of the day. A few men sat at lonely tables drinking pints of beer, listening to the quiet music from the radio.

Jason looked up from behind the bar when the sunlight streamed into the otherwise dark room. He smiled and handed the man in front of him his change then crossed the room to Toni.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were going for lunch," he said, smiling.

"Just thought I'd call in. Can we talk?"

"Sure. Go on into the office. I'll get Sam to keep an eye out here."

Toni walked through the side door and looked around. There was an old beaten couch, a coffee table covered in shoe scuffs and a desk and chair. The accounts lay open on the desk and she peered at them. They'd gotten a lot better than the first time she'd seen them. The Dew Drop would never make them rich but it was enough.

"I think we're making enough to start saving properly," Jason said, coming to stand beside her.

"Good." Toni walked to the other side of the room. "We're going to need it."

"I was thinking we could go visit John Boy in New York," he continued, closing over the book. He looked up at her as she began to pace. "What's wrong?" He asked. She was nervous about something.

"Nothing… well.." Her hand was at her neck, playing with the necklace he'd gotten her for her birthday.

"Antoinette?" He walked forward, growing concerned, and took her hands. "Tell me?"

"Remember my birthday?" She started. He smiled and nodded. A double celebration. A birthday and the first anniversary of the end of the war in Europe. What was supposed to have been a simple walk had turned into something else entirely. "Up on the Mountain? Jason. I'm pregnant."

"What?" His eyes widened in surprise.

"We're having a baby," she said, rephrasing her words. Jason's face broke into the biggest grin she had ever seen and he twirled her around the small office.

"A baby!" He repeated. "You're sure?"

"Very sure," Toni laughed.

"When?"

"February," she replied.

"That's great," he said. This was the start of their family, the beginning of heir future was starting. She pushed his hands away and looked up at him seriously.

"Is it?" He looked at her, not understanding her doubts and nervousness.

"There's a lot we need to do?" She said.

"We'll manage. We have before," he said, optimistically. "I suppose we have to get married now?" His blue eyes twinkled with glee.

"Sooner rather than later," Toni answered. Maybe if they were lucky they could do things without raising too many suspicions. Then she voiced her largest worry.

"What will your parents think?"

"They be pleased. Surprised. But happy. Mama'll love you," Jason promised, squeezing her hand and pulling her to his chest.

"And honestly? I'd be more worried about Grandma," he said.

"Isn't she coming home next week?" Toni asked. Jason nodded and then had an idea.

"You know if Tom agrees to it we could probably do it next weekend?" He suggested.

"Get married?" Toni checked.

"Yeah. While Grandma's here. It might make it easier for her." Toni nodded in agreement and also knew how close he was to his grandmother. Of course he'd want her there.

"Okay then," she said. Ten days for a wedding. They could manage that. No problem.

"We can call Mama and Daddy now?" Toni shook her head, she wasn't ready for it just yet.

"Don't worry about it. It'll be fine," Jason promised. Though he knew his Mama. She was a proud Baptist, firmly against all sin and pictured perfect lives for all her children. She saw marriage and children as a blessing. But would she still be the same if the former came as a result of the latter.

She'd come to terms quickly enough with Ben's elopement and Jason only hoped that she'd quickly share their happiness as well.

For supper that evening the table was set only for eight – the six Walton siblings, Cindy and Toni; a much calmer affair than some evenings. All the better for Toni, who was still nervous about sharing the news. She had hoped to have a little more time before announcing it to everyone, but Jason's excitement had gotten the better of him. If it were up to him, he would have told each sibling individually and then called their parents in a frenzy of joy, probably within an hour. But they both agreed that sharing the news at supper would be the best way to go about it.

"What are you two whispering about?" Mary Ellen asked, nudging the blonde and dark girls, who had paused, whispering, as they lifted the food dishes over to the table.

"Nothing." Was the quick reply, as they exchanged a glance.

"Then hurry up!" Elizabeth called from the table, eager to begin eating.

"Sorry," Cindy laughed, lifting the meatloaf on to the table. Toni placed the bowl of corn in front of Elizabeth and then sat opposite her.

"It smells good," Jim Bob said, going to reach for a bowl.

"Wait a minute," Mary Ellen scolded with a smile.

"I'll say grace," Jason offered. As the table bowed their heads and joined hands he glanced quickly at Toni, who nodded and he smiled at her before quickly starting.

"Father, we thank you for this meal before you and ask your blessing on our whole family; those who are here, those who aren't and the little one who will be joining us soon. Amen."

Heads flew up and there were a few confused looks before Erin gasped, figuring out what her elder brother's words meant.

"You're?.. A baby!" Erin squealed with excitement. She jumped off the bench to hug the pair, followed quickly by Mary Ellen and Elizabeth. A crowd gathered passing hugs, kisses and congratulations and once the cheer settled everyone returned to their seats smiling.

"Do you know when it's coming?" Elizabeth asked, covering her dinner in more gravy as it had gone slightly cold with the news.

"February time the doctor said," Toni replied.

"That's only six months," the youngest Walton said, grinning. She couldn't wait for another niece or nephew.

"Boy or girl?" Jim Bob asked. The couple shrugged, it hadn't been something they'd discussed yet. The idea was still very new to them.

"You know, Jason, Reverend Marshall was just asking me if you planned on meeting with him soon," Mary Ellen said with a grin.

"Yeah, he's been asking me too," Jason chuckled, unsure if it was out of friendship or his duty as the minister.

Ben smirked into his glass and chuckled, as he realised what his big brother still had to do. Cindy raised an eyebrow at him and asked what was so funny.

"I'm just thinking back to when I called Mama to tell her we got married," Ben explained with a smile. That had not been an enjoyable phone call for either of them. The smile that hadn't left Jason's face all afternoon faltered - they still had one difficult task left to complete before officially tying the knot.

"At least Daddy will be there this time," he said hopefully, knowing his father's presence might make things a little easier. However, he also knew it wouldn't be an easy phone call by any means.

"Good luck," Ben added with a chuckle.

"So are you two getting married then?" Jim Bob asked curiously.

"Yes, we were thinking next Saturday. Unless you all have plans?" Toni confirmed, looking around the table.

"Grandma will be back home next weekend too," Jason added with a grin.

"We better start planning then!" Erin exclaimed excitedly.

"There's so much to do," Cindy agreed, already brainstorming ideas. As the two of them chattered on about wedding plans, Jason leaned in to Toni with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"It's not too late to drive to the courthouse tonight," he whispered teasingly. She shook her head, laughing and knowing that as tempting as it sounded, they wouldn't want to rush their special day.

Everyone at the table chattered excitedly about the upcoming wedding and the new baby on the way. Toni felt overwhelmed but happy, glancing at Jason whose eyes sparkled with anticipation. She knew marrying into the Walton family was a big step, but she couldn't help feeling like she belonged there already after all the bumps they'd overcome.

After the supper dishes were cleared the family opted to take their dessert out to the front porch, where the breeze was making the warm evening feel a little cooler. The only two who didn't join them were Jason and Toni, who sat at the desk inside; looking at the telephone.

"It'll be fine. Trust me," Jason said, picking it up. He placed the call to Arizona and a few minutes later his father's familiar voice could be heard.

"Hello?"

"Hello?Daddy?"

"Jason? How are you son," he asked.

"Good Daddy. What about you and Mama?"

"We're doing fine son. We're just sitting here enjoying the quiet."

"Do. You both deserve a rest."

"We'd both prefer being home," John said.

"Hopefully soon," Jason replied.

"How is everything?"

"Good. Grandma's coming home for a visit next weekend. It's hard to get her from Buckingham County now. She seems to love being with her sister," Jason answered. Every time they offered to go and get her there seemed to be another relative she wanted to visit. But it was keeping her busy and she was happy, so who were they to refuse.

"That's good for her. Getting up to date on everything I'm sure," John said.

"You know Grandma," Jason said with a laugh. "Daddy? Toni's with me. We wanted to talk to you and Mama about something."

"Is everything alright?" John asked, suddenly anxious at the change in his son's voice.

"Jason?" Olivia had joined her husband to hear the next part of the call.

Jason caught Toni's eye and took a deep breath. "Mama, Daddy. We're having a baby." There was silence as his parents processed the sudden announcement. Olivia had presumed it would be a date for the wedding; they'd been taking their time when it came to it.

"It wasn't expected. But it's good news," Jason continued when there was no answer to his news.

"It is son, congratulations," John said.

"Mama?" Jason asked, tentatively. "I know it's not ideal Mama. But we're going to speak to Reverend Marshall about having the wedding next week." He knew his mother was upset.

In Arizona Olivia Walton was speechless; faced with a mix of emotions - the joy of a new grandchild but anger and disappointment towards her second son and the mistake he'd made before being married. And also guilt; she wasn't there for her children. In the past few years she hadn't been there to guide them and now look where they were ending up.

"Jason.. I.." She knew she had to be gentle towards her most sensitive child. Could she say congratulations when it when against her moral beliefs.

"I'm sorry Mama." She saw the young boy with blue eyes full of tears after breaking the milk pitcher and knew she couldn't be angry at what was to be.

"As long as you're both happy," Olivia said finally, her voice soft.. Jason smiled, feeling relieved at her response.

"We are Mama. We'll come visit soon. I can't wait for you to meet Toni."

"Can I speak to her?" Olivia asked. She had yet to have a proper conversation with the girl who would soon become her daughter-in-law, despite all of the weekly phone calls and opportunities to chat with all of the other members of the family. Toni tended to stay out of the conversations, bar the odd quick witted remark in the background.

"Of course, Mama." Jason handed the phone over to Toni, who took it with a slightly trembling hand. She had been nervous to talk to Olivia, unsure of how she would be received in this unexpected situation.

"Hello, Mrs. Walton?" Toni spoke softly, her voice carrying a mix of apprehension and hope. The two had never had a full conversation. Something that's Olivia regretted. Another reason she should be at home, and not in Arizona. Olivia's heart softened at the sound of Toni's voice. She knew how nerve-wracking this must be for the young woman and wanted to put her at ease. "You don't have to be so formal. You can call me Mama," she said kindly, hoping to make Toni feel more comfortable.

"Yes, Mama," Toni replied tentatively. The name felt foreign on her tongue but also strangely comforting. It had been years since she had called anyone mother, but saying it now felt right.

"How do you feel?" Olivia asked.

"Nervous," Toni admitted. She looked at Jason who had stepped away. "But we'll manage."

"As long as you have each other and love each other," Olivia said. She could hear the truth in Toni's voice and knew that they were deeply committed to one another. In fact, when Jason had first mentioned his girlfriend to her, he had proclaimed that he was going to marry her.

Toni looked over at Jason as she replied, "And we do." Olivia could hear the sincerity in her voice and it brought a smile to her face. She was glad that her son had found someone who truly loved and cared for him.