Author's Note: First this chapter talks about several adult themes and might not be suited for little ears. Also there is a major steam alert in this chapter, which is marked.

Chapter 359 – The End of a Long Night

Carson put a hand on Robin's arm.

"I am not judging you." Carson said. "I am just concerned."

"First." Robin said. "How did you figure it out? I just figured it out myself this week."

"I know a pregnant woman when I see one." Carson said. "Besides, the strong ginger tea was a give away."

"Bridget doesn't want any more children." Robin said. "But Emmett has needs and desires. Bridget gave him permission to approach me. We have been together several times. I hadn't planned on getting pregnant, but it happened."

"What are you going to do?" Carson asked.

"Carry on as normal." Robin said. "Both of my older two children, Paddy and SJ, both know what is going on. They were upset at first, but I explained to them that we were consenting adults. They might not be happy about my and their uncle, but they have accepted it."

"How far along do you think you are?" Carson asked.

"I am assuming it happened in July." Robin said.

"You wear a wedding band." Carson said. "Where do people think your husband is?"

Before Robin could answer, Faith came over.

"I am going up to my apartment for a bit." Faith said. "Robin, are you still good staying?"

"I will be fine." Robin said. "My sister-in-law took my children home, but I have a feeling that my son is next door because he got caught smoking again."

"Do you want to go deal with that?" Faith asked.

"I am going to let him sit there until morning and think about his behavior." Robin said. "He doesn't have to be at work until Monday, so he can sit there."

"Okay." Faith said. "Have a goodnight, see you in the morning."

"See you in the morning." Carson said.

"Night." Robin said.

Robin waited until Faith went out the back door before turning back to Carson.

"Honestly." Robin said. "No one has really asked. Most assume that he is working. Some of the other women I first met had husbands who worked out of town at another mine, so I think people just assumed Carol and my husbands were among the group that comes and goes with the other miners. We have never corrected people."

"I won't say anything." Carson said. "But you need to be careful. How about I check you over just to be safe."

"Fine." Robin said. "But let's wait until Mr Thompson leaves."

Carson nodded, stood up and went over to the other room.

… … … …

… … … …Steam Alert… … … …

Jack went to his room, grabbed his pajamas and headed to wash up. He took a few moments to gather himself as he washed his face and poured some water over his hair. He was towel drying his hair when he heard Elizabeth bring the twins. He heard her talking to them. Jack finished up and changed into his pajama pants. He walked back into his bedroom in just his pajama pants. He dropped his clothes in the basket and went to check on the twins. He knew that Elizabeth had just checked on them, but he needed to as well.

Elizabeth had caught sight of Jack's bare chest as he walked to check on the twins and she smiled to herself because Jack hadn't seen what she was wearing. She knew that they should probably wait a bit longer, but she was feeling good and missed her husband.

"Jack, can you come brush my hair like you used to?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course." Jack said.

Jack kissed Amber.

"You go to sleep now, little one." Jack whispered.

Jack then turned and walked over to Elizabeth. As he looked at her sitting there at the vanity, he inhaled sharply. Elizabeth's smile grew when she heard him. She was sitting there in the short white negligee that she had worn on their wedding night or at least one very similar to it. Jack thought it was the same one because it was quite tight across her chest and the cleavage it was showing was close to driving him to distraction alone.

"That is not fair." Jack hissed as he took the brush from Elizabeth.

"I feel fine." Elizabeth said. "While Carson suggested that we wait, I miss my husband. I already locked the door."

Jack smiled. He brushed Elizabeth's hair, then leaned down and kissed that spot behind her ear. Elizabeth turned and ran her finger up Jack's bare chest as she stood up. As she stepped in his personal space and wrapped her arms around her husband, she could feel his excitement.

"A month was long enough to wait." Elizabeth said. "I want you to love me tonight."

"You wish is my command." Jack said, capturing Elizabeth's lips with his own.

As they moved the bed, still kissing, Elizabeth danced her fingers along Jack's waist. When they reached the bed, Elizabeth pulled the string on Jack's pajama pants and let them drop to the floor. Jack in turn pushed the robe off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor in a puddle of silk. He quickly pulled the negligee over her head and let it drop to the floor. He then carefully laid her on the bed and climbed over him. Jack was already so close to going over the edge, he knew that he couldn't wait long. Elizabeth danced her fingers along Jack's hips.

"I need you now!" Jack whispered.

Elizabeth opened her legs and gave Jack access. He tried to be careful, but his body took over and caused a moment or two of discomfort in Elizabeth when he thrust deeply within her. It only took a couple moments and they were falling over the edge together. Jack rolled off Elizabeth and captured her lips again, kissing her soundly.

"Thank you." Jack whispered. "I didn't realize how much I needed that."

"You weren't the only one that needed that." Elizabeth whispered as she danced her fingers on Jack's chest.

After a few moments, she pushed Jack on his back and moved to straddle him. She teased him until he couldn't stand it any more and demanded relief. They came together a total of three times before Andrew woke up demanding to be fed.

… … … …End of Steam Alert… … … …

… … … …

Carson knocked on the partially open doorway.

"I don't mean to interrupt." Carson said. "But Esther and the baby should get some rest."

"Okay." Issac said. "I will be back to get them in the morning."

"Just checking you are in a house and not a tent?" Carson asked.

"Yes." Issac said. "We got into a house a few weeks ago."

"Very good." Carson said. "So did you decide on a name for the little guy?"

"Benedict Francis." Esther said.

"Good choice." Carson said. "Benedict is Latin for blessed or miracle. I will make a note of that in the chart."

"Then I will leave." Issac said. "I need to go collect my daughter and head home."

"You will be able to take your wife home before services." Carson said. "Nurse Carter and I need to be at services at ten, so before that please or it will have to wait until after."

"I will be here by nine." Issac said.

"Thank you and see you in the morning." Carson said.

Issac left to go get his daughter and head home. Carson checked on Esther and settled little Benedict in the crib that was still in the room.

"You rest." Carson said. "Robin and I will be here for a bit. One of us will be here overnight. Probably Robin, but I might stay for a bit."

"Thank you again." Esther said.

Carson stepped out of the room and pulled the door shut. He looked around and didn't see Robin.

"Robin." Carson said.

"Behind the curtain." Robin said.

Carson walked around the curtain and saw Robin sitting on the exam table in a gown and draped with a sheet.

"Let's get this over with." Robin said. "No offense, but I don't particularly like doctors, especially when I am the patient."

"No offense taken." Carson said. "Let me grab my stethoscope and clipboard."

Robin nodded. Carson went to grab the things he needed.

… … … …

Jack and Elizabeth weren't the only ones taking advantage of the alone time they had. Wynn and Elizabeth Rose had enjoyed a romantic roll in the hay before laying in each other's arms.

"You know." Wynn said. "We really should talk about some names. I don't know how much time we will have to talk, if you are coming back here."

"What about Nathaniel as a first name?" Elizabeth Rose said.

She turned to face her husband. He laid his hand on her middle again. He knew that they should also talk about girls' names, but his wife was convinced it was two boys.

"What about a middle name then?" Wynn said.

"What about Jackson?" Elizabeth Rose asked, giving her husband a feather light kiss on his nose.

"Nathaniel Jackson Delaney." Wynn repeated a few times as his wife tried to distract him with kisses.

Wynn finally captured her lips with his.

"Keep that up and I might have to have my way with you again." Wynn teased as he pulled back from the kiss.

"Kind of the idea." Elizabeth Rose teased.

To make her point, Elizabeth Rose ran her finger down Wynn's bare chest and abdomen until she tapped his manhood making it jump.

"Woman." Wynn said in a harsh whisper.

Elizabeth Rose giggled and did it again, causing Wynn to hiss. They continued to talk about names and tease each other until Wynn pushed his wife on her back and quickly took her as he couldn't wait any longer.

… … … …

Carson came back around the curtain with not only the clipboard and stethoscope, but a few other things he needed. Carson started with a set of vitals, including a temperature and blood pressure. Carson ended up giving Robin a full physical. He asked questions and got more of a history with her. He made sure to pay close attention to her abdomen, including getting a baseline measurement for future reference.

Once Carson was done, he helped Robin sit up. He looked at her and still couldn't wrap his head around what she had said.

"While I didn't hear a heartbeat." Carson said. "I would day with about ninety percent certainty that you are expecting. From what you said, I would guess some time toward the middle or end of April. I am not going to lecture you because you know the drill. However, if you do want to qualify as a midwife, after this one is born, we can talk."

"Thank you." Robin said. "And you won't say anything."

"I won't say anything." Carson said. "But I am certain that some people in this town are going to be whispering and speculating. So be ready."

"I can deal with that." Robin said. "I am full blooded Irish. I can handle myself."

"Fine." Carson said. "I do want you to follow up with me in a month."

Robin groaned.

"I mean it." Carson said. "If you want Faith or even one of the other mothers there when you deliver, I won't object. But until that time, you will be under my care."

"Fine." Robin said.

"Good." Carson said. "Get dressed. I am going to make some notes in the charts."

Robin nodded. Carson left her alone and headed to his desk to make some notes. Robin sat there for a moment before she changed back into her clothes. She couldn't believe that she had told Carson, but then again, he had a way of making people open up. She knew that her, Emmett and Bridget were playing with danger, but Bridget wasn't interested in being with her husband and figured if he was going to be with someone, it might as well be her. Bridget had told her at least she didn't have to worry about him catching something. She had also told Robin it was better than him sneaking around with a woman of the night. Robin knew that her sister-in-law was right, but then again she hadn't planned on getting pregnant.

Robin also knew that many, including their priest back home would consider what her and Emmett were doing adultery, but she honestly didn't care. Her own husband hadn't touched her in over two years. When she lost the last baby because he had beaten her, he wanted nothing to do with her. He had berated her when their daughter Cara was born, because he didn't want girls. He said they were just problems. He had waited a year and half after she was born to be with Robin again and when she got pregnant, got angry because money was tight. He kicked her in the stomach one night and she ended up losing the baby. Robin lost three more before her husband declared that he wanted nothing to do with her because she was defective. He screamed that it was Cara's fault and now she couldn't give him more sons.

Robin didn't realize she was crying until Carson came around the curtain and saw her still sitting on the exam table with tears streaming down her face.

"What is wrong?" Carson asked.

"Just ten years of emotions." Robin said. "When I told you about the four that I lost, I didn't tell you what happened."

"Your husband." Carson said. "You didn't have to say it. I saw the scar from a tip of the boot on your stomach."

Robin nodded.

"He didn't want Cara." Robin said. "He called girls nothing but problems. It was eighteen months after she was born before he wanted to be with me again. I got pregnant and he was angry because money was really tight. He repeatedly kicked me in the stomach the night I told him. I miscarried and haven't been able to carry a baby since. He called me defective because of it and has refused to sleep in the same bed as me for the last two years I was living with him."

"I am sorry." Carson said. "I can see why you were open to your brother-in-law. As far as I can tell you are healthy and I see no reason you can't carry this child. I mean you know the risks, but as long as you take care of yourself, you should be able to carry it."

"Thank you." Robin said. "While I am surprised it happened, I am not sorry."

"Get yourself cleaned up." Carson said. "Then maybe you should go home. I can stay here tonight."

"No, I can stay." Robin said, wiping away the last of the tears. "No use crying about the past."

Carson nodded. He felt bad for the woman, but didn't know how to comfort her. Normally he would suggest a conversation with Frank, but figured that she would balk at the idea. Carson went back to his desk and Robin did get herself cleaned up that time. She got dressed and took a moment to splash some water on her face.

When she came around the curtain, Carson looked at her.

"Go next door and deal with your son." Carson said. "The fresh air could do you good."

Robin nodded and when she opened the door, Carson could hear the music drifting down from the saloon. He knew that the dance was still going strong. He had liked the feeling of dancing with Faith, but was still unsure about attempting to pursue a relationship with her. He loved the feelings she stirred in him, but at the same time he was afraid. Not only because of his own past, but also the little that he knew of hers. To give himself a moment, Carson poured a mug of coffee from the thermos Frank had given him.