As noted, this is a sequel to 'The Flower In The Weeds' so I would recommend reading that story first. This story is AU and whilst I may reference canon events or use dialogue from episodes (credited, of course) the timeline and circumstances may not always align. Kudos and reviews are always welcome :)

Prologue

21 July 1870

Colorado Springs

It was a truth universally acknowledged that, when the sun was high in the sky and the weather blissfully warm with only the faintest of breezes in the air, man and woman must proceed to fornicate under the watchful eye of nature herself.

Or at least, it was a truth acknowledged by Hank Lawson.

Fortunately, he possessed a wife who was easily persuaded when it came to the delights of the flesh and so it came to pass that Eloise Lawson made no such physical resistance when her husband advanced upon her across the blanket laid neatly on the ground, casually pushing the remnants of their picnic to one side, entreated her to lie down and covered her body with his own.

"Isn't it too hot for this?" she queried good-naturedly as one hand skimmed expertly down her body and burrowed under the skirts of her cotton dress, fingers seeking the waistband of her bloomers.

"Bout to git a whole lot hotter."

"Someone might see us."

"Ain't nobody gonna be comin' out this way. S'ides, it's our land remember? Reckon the bedroom's gonna be right around here anyways so might as well git to christenin' it."

He kissed her gently, then more forcefully, gratified by her willing response, before moving his lips to the soft skin of her neck, causing her to giggle and pull him to her as he bunched her dress around her waist. Unclipping his gun belt, he tossed it to one side, unbuttoned his pants and pushed them and his underpants halfway down his legs.

"So romantic…" she sighed, wriggling her body as her bloomers descended, so that he could catch and discard them.

"Ain't never heard ya complain before." His hand slid up her bare leg and moved slowly inwards, fingers stroking and probing as she arched towards him, unable to hide her clear desperation for his touch.

"Ain't complaining now," she mimicked breathlessly, groaning as he grazed softly over her. "Please…"

"Please what?" he grinned, only marginally surprised by how slippery she already was. It never took much to get Ellie Lawson excited.

"I think you know."

"How long ya bin wantin' this?"

"Since about the time we left town."

"Should've said. Could have gotten to it sooner. Had half a mind to take ya over one of the saloon tables this mornin'."

"Why didn't you?" she gasped, arching towards him again.

"Reckoned a lady deserved more…idyllic surroundings on such a beautiful day. Figured it'd be better to wait to git ya out here."

"Next time…don't wait."

"Yes ma'am," he grinned again, increasing the pressure, delighting in the way she melted under him. "Ya like that, don't ya?"

"You know I do…"

Watching her experience pleasure under his touch was one of his most favourite pastimes. Working skilfully, he brought her quickly to a thunderous crescendo, the sound of her cries reverberating in the air around them, before pressing himself between her thighs, pulling her legs around his waist and sinking inside her.

Seven months of regular marital relations had been a revelation for both of them. He, being somewhat of the expert in the field, fancied he had taught her many lessons, but she had proved to be the most willing of students, occasionally taking it upon herself to attempt things that he would never have considered she had any knowledge or appetite for and which he knew he would have been able to charge handsomely for had she been a whore rather than his wife.

As it was, no man but he was privileged to have such experience of her, and no other man ever would, not so long as there was breath left in his body.

The act swiftly completed, and an appropriate amount of time spent laying together in post-coital bliss having passed, he helped her to her feet, his stomach flipping over at the sight of her flushed face, bright eyes and tousled hair.

"Always look beautiful after I've loved ya," he said once they were both re-dressed, pulling her to him, marvelling as he always did that she was truly his.

"Only after you've loved me?"

"Well, ya look even more beautiful." He kissed her gently. "And I would have never thought that possible."

Laughing, she moved away from him and lifted the blanket from the ground whilst he checked Cherry's reins and harness, the roan snuffling against his arm in the process. "Git outta it," he said, pushing her away good-naturedly, often surprised at how fond he had become of her. Shielding his eyes from the sun he looked down across the valley view, once more pleased with himself at being able to make such a sweet deal with old man Miller and secure the land. In a few weeks, construction would hopefully begin and, by next year, their home would be complete.

"Hank…there's something I've been meaning to tell you." He turned back to where she had folded the blanket and was placing it and the picnic hamper into the back of the wagon.

"What?"

"Well…I'm late."

"Late fer what?"

"No…I mean, I'm…late. I missed my monthly." She looked at him meaningfully. "In fact, I've almost missed two."

A slight panic rushed through him. "Ain't sick are ya?"

"No, not yet at least, but I understand that sickness may come, eventually."

He paused, it taking his brain a minute or two to work out what she was saying, his stomach dropping as a slow smile spread across her face and the meaning of her words finally hit home. "Ya think…ya think yer pregnant?"

"Well, I'll need Michaela to confirm it but…yes, I'm fairly certain that I'm pregnant."

"Yer pregnant!" Rushing towards her, he pulled her into his arms, lifting her from the ground and twirling her around, causing her to scream, before righting her again. "Sorry, guess I shouldn't be grabbin' ya like that in yer condition."

She laughed. "You're happy then?"

"Happy?! Told ya before that the day ya tell me yer carryin' my child would be the second-best day of my life after ya marryin' me proper." Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her again, his head still spinning at the news.

"Well then, I'm glad I was able to tell you today. After all, it is something of an anniversary."

"Anniversary?" he frowned, mentally counting backwards. There was another four days to go until the anniversary of their first wedding and more than eight months before the anniversary of their second. A strange thought, when he happened to have it.

"We first met, exactly one year ago today."

In his mind's eye he saw her, at the back of the saloon, hurt and terrified after being set upon by the wayward customer. It wasn't a memory he particularly enjoyed revisiting but, had it never happened, she might never have become to him what she had. Wouldn't be standing in front of him, his wife, telling him he was going to be a father. "Guess yer right," he said softly. "Would never have wanted ya hurt but…kinda glad ya needed me that night."

"And I've needed you ever since," she replied, stretching up to brush her lips against his again. "If I'm right about being pregnant, then I should be due sometime around February."

"Just in time fer this place gettin' finished."

"I hope so."

"Ellie…" he felt the thickness of emotion in his throat and the smart of tears in his eyes as the realisation of all she was saying settled on him. It was all so different from how it had been before. So different from the night Clarice had told him she was pregnant with Zack. He was so different. Back then it had been an inconvenience, a potential barrier to business. Now…he'd never thought it was possible to have a second chance until he had met her.

"Don't," she said, her own eyes reddening, "otherwise I'll start crying too."

"Reckon yer entitled. Probably gonna be doin' a lot of cryin' over the next few months." He pulled her tightly to him." I love ya."

"I love you too," she mumbled against his chest.

"Gonna be one heck of a surprise fer yer folks."

"Oh Lord, yes," she pulled back and wiped her eyes. "I'm only sorry I didn't know to be able to tell them when they visited last month. Well, hopefully they'll be happy at the prospect of becoming grandparents."

"Sure they will. Fact is, if it's a girl and she's as pretty as her mother, everyone's gonna love her."

"And if it's a boy, I'm sure he'll be as handsome as his father."

"Well," he shrugged with false modesty, "ain't gonna argue with ya on that score. Already got one handsome son. Stands to reason all others would be the same." With a final kiss, he helped her up into the wagon and then climbed into the driver's seat, snapping Cherry's reins and urging her to walk on.

"You'll need to write to Zack."

He nodded. "Nana too."

"Of course. And you should suggest that she come and visit us sometime. I'd love to finally meet her after all you've said about her."

"Maybes I'll do that," he said, sliding his arm around her. "Family's important."

"Yes," she said, pressing herself snugly against him. "There's nothing more important than family."