JESSIE

For the past several nights, I’ve picked up this habit of waking for some odd reason at the ungodly hour of 3:00 a.m. but this morning, the sharp pains in the middle of my belly were plenty enough reason for waking up. Glancing over at Lachlan snuggled deep into the covers and snoring softly, I fought the urge to reach over and touch him for reassurance. He worked late again last night, barely tucking down a plate of warmed up macaroni and cheese before climbing upstairs to kiss Amanda goodnight and stumbling off into bed. Careful not to wake him, I half rolled, half pushed myself up off the mattress and padded into the bathroom, grabbing Lachlan’s watch off the nightstand.

Wincing as the cold tile floor made contact with my bare feet, I reminded myself to stay calm. After all, I’d been through this before, so this time should be a piece of cake, right? I’ve had my overnight bag packed for the past two weeks, my mom was prepared to get a call at any time to look after Amanda, and all I had to do was remember my breathing exercises and keep track of the time intervals between contractions before waking Lachlan and sounding the alarm.

The overhead light cast my reflection in a sickish green glow as I went to turn on the shower; if this was it, I wanted to at least start off the adventure clean and scrubbed. Edging my way carefully through the wide glass door, the warm water felt soothing, but it couldn’t stave off another contraction.

“Oh shit.” I felt the popping sensation rather than heard it, then a sudden gush of fluid between my legs and the familiar scent of salt and rust…oh Lord, this was it.

Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm…”LACHLAN!”

JOHN

Sometimes you just know. Well, at least I just know. Something’s wrong with Riles and she won’t tell me what. Ergo … it must be something I did, or didn’t do, or forgot I was supposed to do or never realized I was meant to do. Wracking my brain here. God sakes, I guess it could just be post-partum blues but this seems a little worse.

She’s sad. Deeply sad.

“Baby, I’m not going in today.”

“You have to go; you have a meeting with that dragon lady from the resort about the train, Mr. Mayor. Go to work.” And she sighed.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was practicing acting lessons or something, it was that dramatic. I sat on the bed and took her shoulders in my hands. Poor Riles blinked like she was just waking up.

“Talk to me. What did I do?”

“Nothing! Of course you didn’t do anything.”

“Right, how could I? I’m never around, right?”

“Is that what you think this is about?” Her eyes went wide and a hand clapped over her mouth. Was she fucking laughing at me?

I shrugged. “Maybe”

Nope, not laughing. Her eyes went all glassy like she was gonna cry. “No, oh God, John. No. You’re wonderful. You’re great with the boys and you’ve always been here for me. Always.”

“But not anymore.”

“Christ, John. Do you really think I’m petty enough to be jealous because you have a job? This is an important job, you’re the mayor! I’m proud of your job.”

“All right, all right, all right. So if I didn’t do something wrong and it’s not me going to work everyday, then what the hell’s up? What has you so upset?”

Another sigh, this one a clue that what she was about to say, I was NOT about to like.

“John, I … uh … saw Cal.”

I blinked.

“Just for a minute and he was gone again.”

Okay, that feeling was getting worse, starting to make my chest feel tight. “Where?”

“In the left tower room, I –”

“Goddammit!” On my feet, pacing. “What the fuck?”

“Will you please calm down and listen?” Those tears were now spilling down her cheeks.

“Something bad happened to him, didn’t it?”

“I’m not sure, but something definitely did happen. See, he kinda, sorta found a way through the time portal. He’s someplace … in the past … and John, here’s the thing.” She scurried to the edge of the bed and stood to look into my eyes. “He’s really happy, like, centered or something.”

“McAffrey? That prick ain’t been happy about anything since the day he got here. Are you sure?”

“I am. Really John, I think … I mean … I’m pretty sure, he’s found a place … in another time … where just maybe … he belongs.”

“You gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. Come with me, we’re gonna go up there and drag his ass back right now.”

“No!”

I turned. “No?”

“No. John, remember Bud? What he did?”

My brother had no choice. It was escape through the time portal back to the 1950s, or get himself a life sentence for a crime he never committed.

“It ain’t the same.”

“It’s exactly the same. Bud needed a way to live out his life where … and when … he could make the most difference. John, have a little compassion. Cal has never been comfortable here. Maybe his personality just isn’t the kind to … adjust?”

“If fucking Marc Antony could adjust, Cal McAffrey can adjust.”

“But who are you to say? Who are you to insist he stay here and suffer if he’s found something more suitable? Just … who … are … you?”

She was right, you know. Who did I think I was, thinking like that? I feel responsible for them all, all the time. I can’t always help or make things good, but I can figure out a way to connect the right brothers and I can open my home to them. It’s what I did with Cal. What was so wrong with us? The Inn? The family?

Nothing. I knew it in a split second and it hit me like a bucket of cold water. There’s nothing wrong with what was offered; it just wasn’t the solution for him.

“Who do I think I am?” I reached out and pulled Riley close for a hug. “I’m the mayor and I gotta go to work.”

“So, you’re okay with it?” She snuggled closer.

“What choice do I have? Not like I want the man to be miserable, what would that serve? I’m just pissed he used the Portals. Did he say anything about Eric Northman? If that vampire had anything to do with this –”

“If Eric had anything to do with it I’d bet money he was forced into it, or at least bribed into it. Cal was determined to go, and he’s even more determined to stay. We have to honor his wishes.”

“Where? Where is he?”

“He said the past. He didn’t say where, but he was wearing a kilt … and had blood on his arm … and was dirty as hell. But he was fine, I swear. He was actually … happy. He promised to get word to me about when or if he’ll be returning.”

“Then that’s that.”

“That’s that,” she repeated and sniffled. “I hope he’s okay.”

“Me too, baby. Me too.”

SAMANTHA

Okay, over the last two mornings I’ve taken two home pregnancy tests; one came up positive, and yesterday’s showed negative. I’m trying not to slip into one frame of mind over another, but I’m starting to get annoyed. Why all the drama? Am I pregnant or not?

Applicator pee stick in one hand, pregnancy test instructions in the other, I squinted as I read the small print, half listening to Egan as he went on about all the positive things my being pregnant would bring. For a guy who says he’s okay with either outcome, he sure seems to want me to be pregnant.

“Now’s a perfect time for something like this to happen. Jacob’s settled and doin’ real well in school, and your switching to a desk job was really a stroke of luck. Talk about good timing.”

I let him banter on, realizing that he pretty much got cheated out of being a part of Jacob’s early life. Egan’s a wonderful dad, but I just don’t know if I’m ready for all this.

“We can get married right away, I mean, if you’re okay with that. I’ll foot the bill for your family’s airfare, or do you think we should go to Colorado for the wedding? We could all probably use a small vacation.”

My family. Oh Lord. What am I going to tell my mother? Wait, forget my mother for a moment, what about my grandfather? And what about this undercover job the Sheriff’s signed me up for? Damn, I hate this not knowing!

“It’d be real easy to fix that extra room and turn it into a nursery. You’d probably have a lot of fun buying all the baby furniture, and you know that Riley’s going to want to have a big old party to celebrate, especially if we have the wedding out of state.”

I focused my gaze over at Egan, smiling at his enthusiasm. He seems to have it all figured out and here I am feeling as if I’m being left hanging. I don’t know why this surveillance seems to feel so important, but maybe I just want one last dash of excitement before making the decision to settle down. But if I am pregnant, do I still go through with it? I’m not required to do much more than observe, but let’s just say that I am pregnant; what in the heck do I order to drink? No one goes into Kennedy’s Bar and sits at the bar nursing a Shirley Temple.

“Another boy would be nice, but I really think I’d love having a daughter. What do you think?”

It took me a moment to realize that Egan’s question was the kind that required an answer.

“Hey honey, are you okay?”

Darn it, that settles it. If I am pregnant, I just can’t in good conscience take this job. Even though I know it would feel great to be back in the field, I know that Egan’ll have none of it, considering the outcome of the dog napping case. I felt a sense of calm suddenly wash over me, and realized I had my answer.

I leaned over and kissed him softly. “Everything’s fine.” I squiggled out of his grasp and got up off the bed, heading for the bathroom. “Let’s give this bad boy one more try.”

Funny, but it was at that very moment that I realized that I’d be disappointed if it came out negative yet once again.

EGAN

Perhaps I’m being simpleminded about this whole pregnancy thing, but I really don’t see where this all causes a major life dilemma. Pregnant or not, I’m certain of my feelings for Samantha and I’d marry her regardless. Now the only problem, as I see it, is in getting her to realize that she feels the same way, but she has this odd notion that she needs to be in control of any situation. She’s been independent since the day she was born and she knows her own mind, but so do I. At this point in my life, an unplanned pregnancy with the woman I love is nothing but a win/win situation.

I waited quietly as she closed the bathroom door behind her, scootin’ down under the covers for warmth. A moment later, I heard my cell phone vibrating on the nightstand and smiled as I read the text message from Lachlan.

I texted him back: Bonzer job, mate. Give Jess my love and let us know as soon as you do.

No sir, no questions in my mind. Life is about family and being with the ones you love. When Sam came out of the bathroom a few moments later, I held her close as we both watched and waited.

I twirled a piece of her hair around in my fingers. “However this turns out, marry me anyway.”

Her hand slid across my chest and settled on my shoulder. “You’re not just talking, aren’t you? You really mean it.”

“Of course I mean it. I’ve meant it every time I’ve mentioned it over the past two days. You didn’t believe me?” I wasn’t angry at her doubting my words; some women just need a little more prodding than others and I was ready for the challenge.

“No, it’s not that; I guess this whole thing has just taken me by surprise. I’m not against the idea of having a baby with you, I just didn’t see it coming like this.”

I decided to take a chance. “Seriously, Sam. Marry me whatever the result. We make a good family and Jacob and I need you more than ever.”

“What if the test is negative and I never do manage to get pregnant later? Are you willing to take that chance?”

“I don’t want to marry you because you may or may not have a child with me. I want to marry you because I love you. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way about a woman, and at my age, I think I have a pretty good idea of what I want.”

“Okay.”

I smiled at her answer. Straight and to the point, with no nonsense to make a man start pullin’ out his hair.

She held out the little wand and I took it and held it up to the light.

“Looks like we’re about to join the ranks of the Currys and the Biebes, love.”

She grabbed the wand from my hand and smiled. “I’d better give the Sheriff a call.”

I didn’t press the matter, but up until that moment, I had no idea that she and Ben were on such close personal terms. Oh well, he is family, after all.

LACHLAN

After three hours sleep and a cup of hot coffee handed to me by Enid as I ran outside to start up the SUV, I was running on pure adrenalin.

“Don’t worry about us,” Enid called after me as I then ran back up the stairs to meet Jessie as she made her way down. “Amanda won’t be up for a couple more hours yet and I’ll just snuggle up here on the sofa.”

“Mom, you call Jeff and Matthew if you need anything.”

I slipped my arm around Jessie’s waist and took her overnight bag from her hands. “Watch your step … how far apart are the contractions now?”

“Ten minutes …oh gawd, here comes another one …” She took a deep breath as she tried to focus her breathing. “We’ll make it, but let’s hurry.”

The rest is pretty much a blur. I remember Jessie calling the doctor and strapping the safety belt around her when we got to the car, but luck was with us that night; I’m certain I ran every stoplight in town on our way to the hospital, but there wasn’t a police car in sight. The hospital staff took over the moment we reached the registration desk, and not fifteen minutes later, Jess was resting in bed with a baby monitor strapped to her belly and a couple of nurses taking her vitals. I felt an awkward and out of place; this is the sanctum of womenfolk, but when Jessie called out for me again, I rushed over to her side.

“Remember our breathing exercises,” I reminded her, not knowing anything else useful to offer, puffing my cheeks out, I tried to find a rhythm. “It’ll help you focus.”

Jessie’s eyes rolled back in her head as another contraction took hold. “The hell with focusing … I want an epidural!”

One of the nurses shook her head. “It’s too late, Mrs. Curry; you’re fully dilated. This baby’s not gonna wait that long.”

A scuffle of feet and the doctor showed up from out of nowhere, a cup of coffee in one hand and a clipboard in the other. I think Jessie snarled at him when he asked how she was feeling, but moments later I was suited up in green hospital garb, trying to keep out of everyone’s way. I vaguely remember a loud cry from Jessie as the nurses and doctor told her to push, but I will never forget the moment the doctor handed me the scissors and instructed me to cut the umbilical cord.

“Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Curry; you have a son!”

I quickly counted his fingers and toes and other important bits, smiling when I realized that everything was where it was supposed to be. Where Amanda was born with head of curly red hair, this little nipper was as bald as a billiard ball, with the familiar cleft chin and a wail of indignity that could wake the dead.

“He’s got a healthy set of lungs!” One of the nurses chuckled reassuringly as they placed our son on Jessie’s stomach.

I looked over at my wife as she pulled him into her arms, not caring about the muck and blood.

“Oh Lachlan, he’s beautiful.”

I leaned down close and kissed them both. “Welcome to the world, Daniel Sean Curry.”

BEN

Biebe’s got a meeting this morning with that wildcat, Ms. Flaggler, and much as I think the Mayor can hold his own, I don’t think he’ll mind a little back up. She’s after more than his vote on the train issue, and she don’t look to me like a woman who don’t get what she wants too often.

I knew a madam like her once, a real hellion for protecting her purse before protecting her girls. I went to that whorehouse quite a few times. It wasn’t for the ladies, I could get me a lady anywhere I rode and almost never had to pay for it. I went there to watch Bessie Barker negotiate deals with prospective johns. She had a way of knowin’ how deep a man’s pockets really were. Even if that cash should’a gone to feeding a wife and young’uns, she knew how to get to it. A real master, Bessie Barker, but little Miss Flagler could push Bessie into a trough, or a nice steamy pile ‘o horseshit; she’s that much tougher. Needless to say, my brother needed me.

First time I popped into the mayor’s office, I pretended to have a reason, carried a stack of folders with me and stood actin’ like I forgot he had a meeting. Ms. Flagler was wearin’ a pair of those stretchy, tight black pants, the kind that look painted to her skin. On top was a black sweater, just as tight and cut into a real deep “V” at her neck. That girl got some … well, full breasts on her. John was having a hard time keeping his eyes out of the cleavage just like me.

“Ah, sorry, thought you’d be alone.”

“That’s fine Ben, what do can I do for you?”

Yeah, John needed me. “I found these files on the traffic patterns over the past three years, offences and tickets too. There’s a map in this one.” I glanced at Flagler. She kinda huffed and checked her red claws then rolled her eyes.

I made my exit, counted to twenty while I stood near his office. She’d slid her chair real close to John’s, was actually on his side of the desk. I noticed her hand inching toward his leg through the window. Biebe had purposely left the blinds up. Dispatch announced a call for me and John. I answered, told them to hold and counted to twenty again then walked back in, unannounced.

“Ah, sorry,” I growled when she hissed. “We don’t knock around here. Things happen too fast. John, there’s a call out at dispatch for you.”

John stood and left, rolling his eyes to show me he’d just about had enough of the woman. The call was important, Curry’s wife had gone into labor and I knew John could milk it into at least a fifteen minute conversation, so I took advantage of the time I had.

I sat and pulled my chair right up to hers, looked right at her tits then up into her eyes.

“Sheriff? Is there something you want?” Yup, she sounded a little scared.

“Yeah, there is. First, here’s the score where your ugly train and train station are concerned. Stowe won’t stand for it. You make the station match the rest of the town … and you get that train off Main Street. You find a way, don’t care how, but you want your train, that’s what you gotta do.”

“All right, so that’s your opinion. Mayor Biebe may have a different one, Sheriff Wade,” and she grinned real sweet so I leaned real close.

I took her manicured hand and plopped it onto my thigh. “That’s the closet your ever gonna get that hand to Biebe’s crotch,” I hissed. “See, the mayor, he’s a real married type. Seriously committed all the way. Me, now me I’m married too but …” I began to whisper in her ear, my hand tight on hers while she tried to pull it from my leg. “You might not know this about me but I used to be a bad man. A real bad man, a long time go. Some things never get outta a man’s blood, if you get my drift.”

I slowly pulled away just in time to see her shiver, scared like she should be.

“So, you wanna play whore around these offices, you might wanna start at my office.” I stood and tipped my black Stetson. “Pleasure to see you again, ma’am.”

I figured my work there was done.

Ms Flaggler rushed out a minute later and John popped his head into my door. “What did you do to her?”

“Got her off your married ass.”

“Yeah? Well, whatever you said, she’s bringing a new set of designs to the next zoning meeting. She said you gave her the specifics. Really, Ben, what did you do?”

“Put the fear of Lucifer in her,” I laughed. “Now, sit down. I just got a call from Officer DeLaCroix. She turned down an undercover job and I need someone to play a sting with me.”

He pushed a hand through his hair. “I thought Sam was on dispatch?”

“She was, that’s why I figured the undercover idea was perfect. She wanted it, I know she did, but she just called to tell me the rabbit died. Not sure what that means but I’m thinking she’s … in the family way with Egan. ‘Nother wedding in the family. Go figure. So, you game to help me out or what?”

“I owe you,” he grinned. “What’s up?”

“Gerry Kennedy’s being blackmailed and I got an idea how we can bust this thing wide open between the two of us.”

“I’m game,” he reached out and shook my hand. John used to be a sheriff and I really think he’s gonna enjoy this. “When and where?”

“Tomorrow. Six, six-thirty, ‘round dinner time. Meet me here, we’ll go over there together.”

JACOB

Dad and Samantha think I don’t know about this kind of stuff, but I know how to spell and I’m not a baby. I don’t understand all the whispering and how they both stop talking whenever I walk past the bedroom. They were still doing it when I came back from my skiing lesson, so I said hello to Bella and we both made our way into the kitchen for a snack. On the counter were three small boxes; E.P.T Early Home Pregnancy Test, Clear Blue Easy and First Response. If Samantha’s pregnant, then why does she need to take so many tests? Is she afraid she might fail?

I thought about it for a bit as I grabbed a couple of cookies from the jar and made my way back to my room. I think I’d like having a little brother or sister, or maybe Samantha will have twins! Wouldn’t that be neat? But then I began to wonder; just how did Samantha get pregnant in the first place and why was it supposed to be such a secret? My dad seems really happy about the whole thing, but Samantha just looks worried all the time. Grown ups are so weird sometimes, but I knew one person who could help explain things; Valerie. She knows everything. I reached into my pocket for my cell phone and some answers.

VALERIE

Boys are such dummies! I just couldn’t believe Jacob would call to ask such a stupid question. I pushed my bedroom door almost closed and huffed.

“Okay, here’s the score, now take notes. You know, I haven’t had sex education yet in school, but I know the score. Sometimes when dad’s out of town, I sneak and watch movies on HBO, so I know the score. Ready?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay, the mechanics of sex is … well, kinda complicated. It requires a man to get on top of the girl and bounce.”

“Like jumping? Why would Dad jump on Sam?”

“Bounce, I said bounce, you dummy. Now, when they do this … bouncing, sometimes they get all sweaty and roll around. Then she bounces on him. Anyway, the bouncing ends.”

“And bouncing is all it takes to make a baby?” Jacob gasped. “You and me better never play on the trampoline together.”

“No stupid. It’s not the bouncing. It’s the sweat. Because they’re bouncing and sweating so hard, they sweat all over each other. The woman … well … she sometimes licks the man’s … sweat.”

“Ew.”

“Yeah, ew, or it drips in her mouth or something. That’s how it happens. She swallows his sweat and she gets pregnant. Now you know. I gotta go, I have homework to do.”

I hung up fast. If he asked more questions I’d have to make up answers because I just don’t know anymore than that. You have bouncing, you have sweat and you have licking. Voila. Pregnancy. Right?

But when I looked up I was the one starting to sweat. Dad had one of those weird looks in his eyes. “Valerie?”

“Yes daddy.”

“It’s time we talk.”

PULLO

I’m not ready for this but is seems I’ve neglected yet another milestone in my young daughter’s life. I was one step ahead though. When Riley had her last baby doctor appointment, she picked up a brochure for me.

Learning Your Body and What it Can Do

I read through it. It was far more complicated than I expected. In my time, a young girl had seen animals mate as a common daily occurrence. Today, we shield our children from everything. Ah, that’s how to start. “You may not watch HBO again without my permission, young lady.”

“Sorry.”

I fingered the booklet. “Sweetheart, your body is changing and you need to know the truth about how babies are conceived and where they come from. I’m sorry, I’m not well versed in this kind of thing, your mother would have been so much better, but Riley brought this pamphlet for you and I want you to read it. We can talk about anything in there if you like … or Riley said she’d be happy to talk to you.”

“Oh. Um … it’s not from … sweat?”

“Or bouncing,” I grinned. “But you are a smart girl to get that far. Now … uh … I’ll just go and … leave you to it.” I stood to leave. Cleared my throat. “Uh, dinner is in twenty minutes … I ordered pizza.” At the door I just couldn’t leave. I turned.

“It’s okay, daddy. At least you want me to know.”

“I love you, honey. But keep in mind, knowing and doing … two very different things. We’ll talk. You read.”