The house was quiet as Jack stepped inside and sat down to take off his boots. Good. That told him Lisa was still sleeping, and after the restless night she had, she needed the sleep. He put down the box next to him and made quick work of his boots. It was going to be a warm day, and yet, it was amazing to think that in just another month or so, fall would be upon them. He welcomed that, preferring the cooler days to warm ones like this.

"Hey Dad," Marion greeted him, and he looked up to see she'd walked into the kitchen from the back. She hooked her hand over her shoulder, "I was just waking Amy. She wanted to take an early ride today before it gets hot."

"I think it's already hot," he grumbled, standing up and nodding at her. "But, I agree with you-better to get a ride in earlier than later."

"Did you want to come with us? I know that you enjoy riding the line by yourself, checking the fence, but I also know you enjoy a nice ride up to the ridge. Your plans to do that all summer with Lisa have been altered slightly," she grinned with a nod at him. "Still can't believe that, you old goat."

"Nah," he waved. "Thanks for finishing the chores for me-"

"Well, we share them, and you did your share. You usually beat me to the barn by at least a half hour, so asking for me to finish up today wasn't exactly a problem. Did you get what you wanted in town?"

"Yeah," he held up the box and opened it, offering Marion a pastry. "Lisa said those croissants Maggie had tasted good to her last week, so I was glad to get more. By the way, Maggie said to say hi."

"Oh," Marion grinned, accepting a pastry from the box. She started to eat it and hummed as she did, "Lisa wasn't kidding. These are great, but I shouldn't be surprised. Maggie doesn't allow very many homemade baked goods into that place, not unless they are amazing. I'll have to ask her who the baker is. How was she this morning?"

"Ahh, fine," he nodded and then as he stood, locked eyes with Marion. "She had a front row seat to my conversation with Val."

"Val was there?" Marion said, her tone clear as she made a face.

"Val was already there, I guess waiting for Jesse. He was finishing some driving training. I told her I wasn't going to stand for her being unkind to Lisa and that she had really disappointed me. I was not unkind myself, but I was firm with her that she wasn't going to mess with my family. I also told her we were very happy about the baby, and that I expected her to not have any rude comments. That is disgraceful, and she's not going to be rude about my wife and family."

"Good for you, Dad. Lisa needs someone in her corner with Val, and I'd love to tell her off myself. I cannot believe how awful she was to Lisa at that award program last week, and I'm sure it was worse. Lisa never gives us the nitty gritty, not with something like that."

Jack nodded, and the two made their way into the kitchen, "Yeah, well, I told you that I was waiting for her outside the bathroom. I hated seeing her sick and had gone to check on her, and if looks could kill, I would have been dead with the look she had on her face when she came out. She was really upset, and I'm just glad she and I could take a quick walk outside to ground her and cool her down before she accepted her award. I hated that it was tainted with Val being so vile."

Marion nodded in agreement as she plopped down on the chair with her pastry and coffee there in front of her. She waved her hand at Jack who had moved to the coffee pot and was preparing some coffee for himself and for Lisa, "Well, I'd say it was a presentation to remember, Lisa just telling everyone up there about the baby. You didn't know she was going to do that, did you? She was so stuck on waiting to tell everyone."

He grimaced as he turned toward her at the table and shook his head, "No, I didn't know she was going to announce it when she received her award, but since then, she's told me that with Val confronting her in the bathroom, she knew it would be all over Hudson, so she just on the fly decided to make it part of her acceptance."

Jack thought back to that moment.

"I want to thank the Town of Hudson for this honor," Lisa had said after accepting the award. "I've grown up here and watched my parents grow a successful business. I lost them much earlier in life than expected, and I made it my goal to continue their legacy. I've been honored to have done that, to have grown it as I have. To be honest, I thought I would close up the Canadian part of my horse breeding business and move all my operations to my stables in France. That has been a goal of mine for well, probably a decade. That never had anything to do with Hudson, but was more of a personal decision. Since meeting and marrying my husband, Jack, another pilar of this community," she smiled at him and continued, "I have very good reason to stay. Hudson is a wonderful small town, and it holds the values and traditions I cherish. I've had a lot of loss in my life," she nodded and looked down at the podium before she continued. "I've lost a lot, but going forward, I am hopeful for the future, my future here in Hudson. My husband, Jack, and I are expecting a baby, and I can't think of a better place to grow up. I really can't. I just ask for your prayers that things go smoothly and that instead of more loss, the future brings hope and well," she smiled somewhat bashfully, "a new resident to Hudson. Thank you."

With that, she had stepped away, not looking anyone in the eye, and as she had taken her seat next to Jack, he'd wanted to say so much, but he'd just clasped her hand. Apparently, that had been the right thing to do. She'd clasped his and squeezed it, both commenting later they had felt all eyes in the place on them. Several from Hudson had spoken to them afterward, no surprise Val had dodged them.

Since then, Jack had been met with mixed reactions in town, some very happy and congratulatory. Some of the old cowboys just grinning and chuckling at him, with the "you old dog" kind of comments. He could take any of it because as crazy as it was, he was actually excited about the baby and knew Lisa was still feeling terrible.

"Dad?" Marion asked, and Jack snapped his head toward her. He had walked back to the coffee pot, waiting for it to finish brewing a fresh pot.

"Sorry, Marion, daydreaming. What was that?"

"Lisa," she waved her hand at Jack. "How is she really doing, Dad? I mean, emotionally? I know she's barely keeping food down still, which isn't good, but she keeps telling me she's fine. I know her better than that. You know she's terrified of losing the baby."

He nodded, sighing as he walked back to the table and put his hands on the chair. He met her gaze, "I know. She's really worried, which I think is part of the reason she can't keep food down. She's in knots. I wish she could start to let go of some of the worry and enjoy the pregnancy."

Marion huffed, "Well, I wouldn't say enjoy. I certainly did not. I don't get the women who are all about the amazing experience of pregnancy. No, not me. I mean, I'm glad I have the girls, but I hated every minute of it-"

"You complained about not being able to ride-"

"Exactly, and as much as it might pain you to hear this, your wife and I are similar in a lot of areas." She grimaced, "Kind of creepy as I say it, not that you married someone who reminds you of your daughter-"

"I did no such thing!" Jack said, huffing as he did.

"I know, but you know what I mean. Lisa loves to ride and enjoy wine. She can't do either of those things. She's had two miscarriages, so the thought of losing this baby is real. She loves with her whole heart, and I know she's afraid to want to love the baby. Dad, it's real for her. I hope you know that and are there for her."

"I am," he told her, gesturing to the box on the table. "I just went and got food she enjoys and am going to make sure she eats. I'm very invested in this, Marion. Yes, it's completely insane that at my age, what turning 67, that I'm going to be a father again. Completely insane, but I've embraced it and as I said, excited about it. I'm worried about Lisa, about her health and that of the baby. I'm not sure she would recover if she lost this baby, so yes, I know it's quite the burden on her. I think hearing back from the doc will help. I just know this baby is going to be okay, but I need Lisa to start believing that too. I want to give her the world," he paused and met Marion's gaze, "and while that doesn't mean traveling the world for me, it does mean the baby and the family she's wanted her entire life. I was an idiot to think that breaking things off before we were married was a smart idea. I love her too much, and while a baby wasn't in the plans for us, well, I hope it happens now because I see the hope in her, and I cannot wait to see her as a mother."

Marion smiled warmly at her dad and nodded at him, "That's really sweet, Dad. You almost made me cry. People in town sometimes ask me about you, about Lisa, even saying things like they don't see it. Some of the guys have been crude, I'm sure you have heard it too, suggesting that you're only after a younger woman for well, things we don't need to discuss here, but things that have lead to your pregnant wife now," she smirked. "I know a lot of people in town don't see it, mostly because you two are private and don't parade around Hudson, but I see it. I know you love her."

"I really do," he met her gaze. "It surprises me how much I do, Marion, and that's no disrespect to your mom. I loved her too. I guess I never imagined having room to love two women."

"I think," Marion stood and patted Jack's hand as she gave him a soft smile, "it's a lot like having enough love for two kids. You have one and never imagine you could love anyone as much as you love that baby. Then, one day, you have another, and suddenly, you have enough complete love for both kids. You did have one wife you loved dearly. I know that. I saw the anguish when Mom died. You now have a wife I see you love too, love with your whole heart. I think it's like that." She walked over and gave Jack a quick hug. "I'm going to get a cattle prod to get Amy moving. It's heating up out there. You, go take care of your wife and make sure she does eat," Marion swatted at him. "Still waiting to hear if I'm getting a brother or sister."

Jack chuckled as Marion started walking out of the kitchen, dropping his head as he did. He looked up when Marion added one more comment.

"Oh, and Dad, that comment about loving two kids the same-I mean, that is how it is for most parents, how it is for me. I love Lou and Amy both with all I have, but I get it," she nodded with a wink. "You'll always love me the most, even if you just had to have another bundle of joy with the new wife. How could you not love this?" Marion gestured to herself and added, pointing at him, "Besides, you've had 47 years to love me, and that cannot compare to a new, screaming baby. It's okay," she winked with a grin, "I'll never tell the sibling I'm the favorite."

Marion flashed a grin and a wave of her fingers before she almost bound down the hallway, leaving Jack there laughing at her comments. He sighed and turned his attention back to his breakfast prep. He couldn't wait to sit down and enjoy a quiet morning with his beautiful bride.

Once he had the pastries and the coffee ready, Jack put everything on a tray and headed toward their room. It was now almost 9:00, and Lisa never slept this late. He knew the pregnancy was taking a toll on her, both mentally and physically, and there was still a long way to go. She was now at 14 weeks, so it really had just begun, especially since she didn't figure out she was pregnant for so long. However, the constant sickness and the tiredness seemed to be hitting hard now, as opposed to earlier on in her pregnancy, and Jack had his suspicions Lisa had been incredibly tired and probably not eating well in France and had just not told him how bad it was then. No, he didn't believe she had any idea she was pregnant then-she definitely did not with the shock she had finding out, but he knew her and knew she'd just push through and play it off as about anything else. Now that she was home from traveling, it was as if everything was catching up with her, and the pregnancy was hitting her hard. He took it as a good sign, as miserable as she was, that the baby was growing and would hopefully be born sometime in late January.

Once he opened the door and laid eyes on her sleeping on her side, facing away from the door, he gingerly walked to their new dresser to put down the tray. He hated waking her, but she did have a meeting before lunch and would want to get up. She rarely set an alarm because she was up early almost all the time, but this was not a normal situation right now.

"Hey," she said, shifting in the bed and flipping back to her back as she looked over at him. "Gosh, what time is it? The sun seems to be bright."

"Sorry to wake you, my dear," he told her, now bringing the tray over to the bed, "but I knew you would want plenty of time to get up. It's 9:00, and I know you have that meeting at 11:30."

"Oh gosh, 9:00?" Lisa sighed, now shifting to scoot up and sit up in bed. Jack sat down on his side and leaned over to kiss her.

"Morning, and you're fine. You're sleeping for two."

She kissed him back while he shifted to give her some food, and she frowned, "I suppose. I still just can't shake that something is going to be wrong, go wrong."

He shook his head as he handed her a cup of coffee, "Things are going right so far, Lise. I know it's hard for your to trust it's going to be okay, but maybe let me trust that, hmm? I know you're sick and exhausted all the time, and as frustrating as that is, remember all of that means things are going well. The baby is growing, and that's what we want. So, as hard as it is for you," he paused and smiled at her, running his thumb down her cheek, "try to rest as much as you can. I'm not complaining you slept in. Marion was glad to hear you were still sleeping. It's no problem here."

"Well, thank you for saying that," she said, wrapping her hand around Jack's wrist. She noticed the food and waved her free hand, "This is a nice surprise."

He winked, "Someone enjoyed these and kept them down last time she ate them, so I wanted to get you some breakfast. I know you have two meetings today, and I didn't want you passing out from starvation or exhaustion. I also didn't want you running out throwing up. I know you're a little worried about people taking you seriously at work being pregnant, but I think your staff and any potential buyers will be happy for you, Lise. If they aren't," he leaned toward her with a small smile, "they aren't worth your time."

She tilted her head, "Thank you for saying that." She patted her stomach, not really visible below the pile of sheets, but she gave Jack a sad smile and nod to it, "I can't stop worrying."

"I know," he said, moving his hand to clasp hers. "So, let's try to just have a lovely morning, one day at a time, right? Baby is still getting bigger and stronger, and we're going to be happy about that. Now, here's your coffee," he told her, handing it over. She'd tried cutting coffee completely, but it wasn't working. While the smell had bothered her the first couple of weeks after finding out she was pregnant, that had improved, and after a call to her doctor, she was drinking it again. He told her if it helped settle her stomach, it was fine, as long as she wasn't drinking it all day. She'd limited herself to two cups-one in the morning and one in the evening, and that seemed to be helping. She leaned over pulling his shoulder toward her as she kissed him again.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me."

"Way I look at it," he said quietly and almost sheepishly, "my day will come too. I'll be old, and you'll have to spoon feed me mashed potatoes."

She chuckled, shaking her head and then with a smirk, a hint of fire behind her eyes, "Maybe you and the baby can enjoy them together, and I can knock out feeding you both."

"Ugh, don't remind me," he winked at her, kissing her again in their close proximity. "Now, have that coffee and one of these pastries," he said, nodding to the tray. "I need you to eat. How are you feeling this morning? Your coloring looks a little better, to be honest."

"Ahh," she thought a moment and nodded, "maybe not as tired, but I did just wake up. Give me an hour," she sighed. "Coffee and the pastries actually sound good. Maybe by Week 15, I'll be eating more. 14 weeks already," she said with a shake of her head, "wow."

"Moving right along, Lise. One of these days it won't seem quite the shock, but still does. That doc should be calling with your results soon, shouldn't he?"

She nodded while she sipped at her coffee, "He said a week or so. We're at that now, so I suppose any day. Great, I can start worrying about that again."

"How about you focus on the good part of that call, finding out if it's a boy or a girl?" Jack asked, running his thumb down her cheek. "I know things will be okay. I just know it."

She shook her head, "I just," she paused. "Jack, I know women have miscarriages even later than this, some even have a stillborn. What if-"

"What if you deliver a perfectly healthy baby?" Jack leaned in now, his head touching hers as he kissed her softly. "You have to just breathe, Lise. One day at a time," he said, and she nodded, kissing him back. Jack smiled into that and winked at her.

"I can think of a way to distract you," he told her, and she chuckled, kissing him back.

"I think that's how we ended up here," she teased him, shrugging her shoulders. "That and my complete stupidity about pregnancy and menopause at my age."

He shrugged, "At this point, would you go back and change anything?"

She didn't have to think but shook her head right away with a soft smile, "No, I wouldn't. I never thought this would be possible, and through all the exhaustion and the throwing up constantly, I'm so hopeful, even if it doesn't seem like it, that we'll have a baby, our baby."

"See, that's what you need to focus on-it's happening. You're growing a baby," he winked at her. "I'd probably go back and change this young thing conning me into a kid at my age, strapping me down," he chuckled at her, and knowing he was totally kidding, she laughed too, shifting to lean over and kiss him.

"Love you," she said. "I really do." They grew quiet, but then Jack stood and shifted, stretching out on the bed. Lisa didn't have to be asked; she shifted over and nestled up against him with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Soon, she started to laugh. "You know, it was so quiet in here just now, I finally heard the clock again."

'What do you mean?" Jack asked, looking down at her, shaking his head.

"Remember the first time I stayed over?"

He raised his eyebrows, "How could I forget? That was kind of a big night for us. I won't forget it, Lise," he chuckled, kissing her head.

"No," she swatted at his chest. "I mean, yes, it was a wonderful night, after, of course, we got over our little fight from earlier. Remember though, when I woke up in the middle of the night, you woke up, and I was complaining about your alarm clock?"

"Oh, yes, right," he nodded, running his hand up and down her shoulder. "As I recall, you called it ancient, couldn't believe it kept perfect time, and you wondered how in the world I didn't notice it."

"All of that is true," she laughed. "I just realized that it's not bothered me. I just heard it in the silence of the room, which is funny because I'm in here alone all the time. Right now, it just hit me," she said with a shake of her head. "I heard it."

"And?" Jack raised an eyebrow as he looked down at her. "Bother you?"

She thought a moment and then gave him a warm smile as she shook her head, "No, not at all. I found it comforting, and it reminds me of you. I like it," and at that, she leaned up and cupped his face, kissing him tenderly. Their kiss only intensified, and Jack paused, meeting Lisa's gaze there, their heads touching.

"We can stop. I know you're really worried about the baby even though the doc said there was no need to worry. Marion and Amy were going out on a ride."

She snaked her hand around his neck and shook her head, "I'm finally feeling up to this." Jack smiled and with that encouragement, he took their coffee cups from their free hands and put them on his nightstand. He rested that hand on Lisa's stomach, the two pausing as he did to look at each other, and he gave her a soft smile feeling her rounding, hard stomach. The couple returned to their lazy, but intensifying kisses, only to have Lisa's phone interrupt them.

"Whoever that is, I'd really like to tell them they are interrupting a very lovely morning with my wife," Jack grumbled as Lisa shifted back toward her nightstand.

"Sorry," she patted his hand as she moved to get her phone. "Try to reign it in, Cowboy, at least until I get whoever this is off the phone. It's business hours, and you know it could be something for work."

"Well aware," he sighed, dropping his head back against the headboard. "It's like someone has a camera and saw you and I were reconnecting since you've found out you're pregnant." He reached for and sipped at his coffee again while Lisa answered the phone.

"Oh," she smacked him from behind as she reached for her phone. "Jack, it's the doctor's office right now."

Jack about choked on his coffee, put it down quickly, and he started to shift across the bed to sit next to Lisa as she shifted her feet to sit on the side of her bed and answer her phone.

"Hello," Lisa answered, and Jack took her hand in his, noting it was shaking. He pulled it tightly to his and brought it up and kissed it. "Yes, this is Lisa Stillman. I'll hold for the doctor." She looked over at Jack and then thought a second, "I'm going to put this on speaker."

"Good," he nodded. "We're in this, Lise. If I could take your exhaustion and nausea off your plate, I would. Since I can't, I'm here for whatever you need, whatever the doc says."

"Mrs. Stillman?" The couple heard, and Lisa bit her lip before answering.

"Yes, I'm here."

"Dr. Tippet," he said into the phone. "I have your genetic results and wanted to call you between patients." Jack watched Lisa's expression, and she started to tear up. He squeezed her hand, and she nodded, but was unable to speak.

"Doc, it's Jack, Lisa's husband. I'm here too. She's trying to hold it together. So, what did you find?"

"You two really are striking gold with all things considered," he told them. "Baby is perfect, no issues at all. All the testing was normal."

"Wait, what? Are you sure?" Lisa asked, now, the tears flowing down her face, her voice wavering. Jack's face broke into a full smile, and he kissed her hand again.

"I'm holding all of the results right here. I know you're still fearful of something going wrong, and yes, that is always a risk, but you are really in the clear here with these results at least. With both of your ages, genetic issues are more common. Baby is perfect, which brings me to the next part."

"Wait, what's wrong?" Lisa asked, her eyes widening as she looked over at Jack, now panicking.

"The gender," he told her. "I'm glad I caught the two of you together. Do you still want to know the gender? Sometimes when I just get the mother on the phone, she wants to wait, but you're both right there?"

"We're both here, Doc," Jack answered, and he looked over at Lisa. "Your decision."

She wiped at her face and nodded profusely, "I really want to know. Until right now, I wasn't sure, but I really want to know. Are you okay with that?"

"I've wanted to know," he told her. "New to me. Never thought I'd have another baby or find out the gender before the birth."

"Yes, we want to know," Lisa said, and Jack squeezed her hand again. She looked at him as the doctor spoke again.

"Things are going very smoothly so far, even with your nausea and exhaustion," the doctor explained. "You're having a girl."

Jack smiled and then chuckled, dropping his head. He looked over at Lisa who appeared somewhat stunned as she sat there, holding the phone.

"Doc, I think you left her speechless, which is not an easy thing to do," Jack said. "Great news, Doc. Thank you for the call."

"Umm, yes, thank you," Lisa said.

"I'll let that sink in with you two, and Mrs. Stillman, I'll see you in three weeks. Take care of yourself and that baby girl."

Lisa dropped her hand with the phone in it into her lap, and Jack, still with a giddy smile, leaned over, put both hands on her face, and he pulled her toward him, planting a big kiss on her.

"How about that, a girl, Lise?"

She looked at him and started to cry, shaking her head as she did so.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I don't know," she cried, shaking her head. "I mean, I've got so many thoughts in my head. Of course, I'm really happy-shocked even-the baby is okay. I really am. I don't think I knew how much stress that lifted just now. I'd never imagined the baby would actually be okay, and I know I should just be really happy about that, but I can't help but-" she started to cry again, and Jack, who was holding her into his side, pulled back to look at her.

"What, Lise? We're having a healthy girl," he said with a warm smile. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know," she said between sniffles. "I am very glad there are no genetic issues, shocked honestly because pregnancy and I have not mixed well ever, but I suppose as soon as the doctor first asked about gender, I started to think about it and wanted to give you a son."

"That's why you're upset?" Jack asked, horrified, shaking his head. "Lise, I don't care at all. I really don't, and to be honest," he said, stilling her face with his hand cupping the side of her face as he smiled again, "I love raising little girls and am pretty good at it with the houseful that has been around here. I told you having a little girl who might look just like you," he winked and whistled, "pretty great."

She nodded dropping her head, as she mumbled, "I'm happy. I am, but I can't figure out why I'm crying about this. I am crying all the time," she sniffled, Jack chuckling slightly as he pulled her into his side and kissed her head.

"You're pregnant with our daughter, that's why, and man, it was strange to say that, but," he pulled back and looked into her eyes, a small smile on his face, "I really liked saying that. I'm surprising myself how happy I am about all of this, and I really am. I hope you are too."

"I am, or I want to be but still worry something will go wrong. Things don't go right for me," she said taking a deep breath. "I hate being a mess. I'm not a mess for work. Why can't I get it together? I'm sorry. I'm not upset at all about a girl. I guess deep down, I had convinced myself it was a boy, and that if by some slim chance he was okay, I was giving you something you've never had, just as I've never had a baby."

"I've never had a baby with you, and that is a pretty amazing gift, especially at my age. I worry about something happening to me and leaving you with well," he smiled again, "her. Really strange to now know it's a girl, a very healthy girl. I'm going to look like an idiot going to school things for her at my age. No one will believe I'm her dad. I'll always be mistaken for a grandparent or great-grandparent," he rolled his eyes. "I'll embarrass her at every turn."

"No, you will not," she said with a shake of her head and pat of his chest. "She'll love you, adore you actually, just as all of these girls here do, myself included," she told him with a single nod. "Gosh, a little girl. Oh, she has to be okay, but I can't even get my hopes up yet. We could still lose her. It's all the more real now, a girl-"

"Lise," he said quietly, cupping her face again, "stop spiraling down the path that all is doomed. One day at a time, right? Today we found out she's healthy, a girl," he leaned in softly and pecked her lips. "Let's enjoy that today, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded with a long deep breath, and her phone rang again, both almost jumping as it rang. She reached around for it and answered it, clearing her throat.

"Yes, oh, ahh, I can shift to, what 4:00? That's fine. Thanks," and she hung up, looking back at Jack, gesturing to her phone. "That was my 11:00 meeting which got moved." Jack's eyes perked up, and he pushed her hair from her face.

"Well, before we were interrupted with some very lovely news, you and I were having a great morning. The way I see it, Marion and Amy are out, your meeting got moved, and we have plenty of time before your next meeting."

Lisa's face broke into a warm smile, and she shifted, moving to kiss Jack, "Better seize the moment while we can-no one around, and I don't feel like I'm going to throw up on you."

Jack chuckled, pulling her in for a long kiss, saying before their lips met, "Charming. You're so good with the romance, Lise, but I'll take it."