Triple up

by Barkley Lady

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Part One

It was a stormy rainy night when an elderly woman, laying in the draughty small cottage, was feeling that the end was getting closer. Her body was thin because of the lack of food, her skin pale and with tired eyes she searched for the children that were there with her. Her movements in the bed caught the attention of the children and the oldest of them came up to her.

“Nana, can I get you some water?”

“No, child. Is you brother …?” The girl motioned to her brother to come to the bed. When the old woman saw him she gave him a small smile. “Woody, can you get Father Michael? Our Lord is waiting for me. So child.” She pattered the girl’s hand. “Ashley take care of your siblings and see to it that you stay together.” She closed her eyes, sighed deeply and fell into sleep. Ashley followed her brother to the door and helped him get dressed for the cold weather.

“Here, take my shawl too over your head. It will keep you warm a little bit, anyway.”

“No Sis. Your dress is too thin. I’ll manage. It’s only 30 minutes walk to Stockton and since I’m going to run it will go even faster.” He gave his older sister a hug before he hurried out in the rain.

45 minutes later Woody arrived at Father Michael’s house by the church. After several knocks his housekeeper opened and told the shaggy looking boy that the priest was visiting Father Pedro at the orphanage and wasn’t to be disturbed. The boy bowed politely to the woman and when he was sure she couldn’t see him, he ran towards the Catholic Church and the orphanage. That place scared him because ever since young childhood he had been told stories about what could happen to children who ended up there. He was honest to himself when he realised that most of it was perhaps rumours, just like the one going on about Nana that she was a witch. He knew that it was because of that rumour other children didn’t or weren’t allowed to play with him or that they weren’t allowed into school even if they could have paid the fee. The wind was even harder now than it had been when he left the cottage and he was wet to his skin. He had lost feeling in his feet even before he reached Stockton. When he turned around the last corner before the orphanage he stopped. Would he be let in, would Father Michael come with him?

It was a shaky young boy that knocked on the door. When the housekeeper opened the door, he quickly tore his cap off and asked if he could see Father Michael since it was an emergency. The housekeeper was well aware of whom the boy was but the wet little creature in front of her weakened her heart and she went for the priest after she had let the boy come inside. The boy stood waiting in the hall, noticing that a door or two opened to have a peek at him before it was quickly closed. Both Father Michael and Father Pedro came down the hall to see him. The Catholic priest put a protecting arm around him and led him to the kitchen where the housekeeper had been ordered to prepare a bowl of soup. Not before the boy was seated and had started to eat did the two men start to ask him why he was out in such weather.

“Nana needs to see Father Michael, Sirs. She says the Lord is waiting for her. Please we must hurry.” He hurried to the door without finishing the soup. Both the priests looked at each other and then back to the boy. With a small sigh Father Michael went for his coat.

“Pedro, we shall have to continue our game some other night. Right now someone needs me.”

“Why don’t I come with you? Perhaps I can be of some use too?”

“No, I shall see you tomorrow. You can’t leave the children tonight. Come child. Show me the way.”

“Amen.” The children stood around the grave watching the coffin at the bottom. Earlier that morning they had packed their few belongings as the priest had told them to do last night and they now wondered where they were to go. Ashley put an arm around her siblings and promised her grandma once again that they were going to stay together, she just didn’t know how. The children didn’t want to leave the grave until the earth covered it completely and when that was done Father Michael couldn’t see any reason for them to remain there at all. He had wondered what he should do with the siblings and had earlier that morning talked things over with his friend Pedro. The priest had only had bad news for him since he didn’t have room for any more, that the children were too old to be adopted and with the background they didn’t stand a chance in town. The boy might be able to get work somewhere but the girls. As for now it didn’t look too good for them. He looked at the trio standing beside the grandmother’s grave, hardly dressed in any clothes, no shoes, skinny and pale. He really needed to find somewhere for them to stay right away, a decent home. He though of the people in his parish as he led children towards the gate. Well, tonight I guess they can stay at my place but tomorrow I have to find them a home.

As they walked outside the churchyard Nick Barkley was getting off Big Duke. He had a habit of every once in a while stopping by to visit an old friend of his and see to it that the grave looked clean and tidy. Nick tipped his hat when he saw the priest and tied the horse to the railing. When he turned to walk into the yard he glanced at the children and his heart sank when he saw the loss in the faces. Poor souls. Father Michael took the children to his place much to his housekeeper’s distress and as he showed them where they could settle for the night he gave her orders to provide a meal for them. He told the children that he had an urgent meeting to get to and that he would be back shortly. As soon as he got out of the house he hoped Nick would still be at the yard and save him the long ride to the Barkley ranch. His heart gave a small jump as he saw Nick mounting the horse and he called out. Surprised to see Father Michael again he sat off and walked towards the older man.

“Take it easy Father. You are no longer a young man.” Nick had known this man since he was a toddler; in fact it was this man that had baptised him.

“It felt important to catch you before you left. Save me some walking.” He inhaled air. “But you are right; old men shouldn’t run, not good for the heart.” Nick led the man to a bench that was close by.

“Now what can I do for you that is so important that you nearly kill yourself for it?”

“Nicholas, you saw the children that were with me earlier.”

“Yes?”

“They are the Hexter children. Old Nana Hexter died last night.”

“She the one in the new poor mans grave?”

“You saw it?” Nick nodded.

“And after the look on their faces I guessed that it was from there the four of you came.”

“They didn’t want to leave until the hole was filled. Anyway, Nicholas …” Father Michael took another deep breath. “Anyway they haven’t got anywhere to go. I can’t leave them alone in the cottage, they haven’t had a decent meal for weeks, months if I understood things right, the orphanage hasn’t got any room and Father Pedro can’t place them anyway he says. The oldest girl Ashley has promised her Nana that they shall stay together; that she shall look after them and that doesn’t make things easier. And then there is the rumour …”

“Rumour?” Nick looked at the man and tried to follow his lead.

“People around here seem to think Old Hexter was a witch.”

“And was she?”

“Not more than you and me. She had her ideas and the hardship she had been through put a chip on her shoulder against other people, she kept to herself besides raising her grandchildren. To be honest I’m not even sure they are related but when the parents were killed when Woody, the boy, was 6 months she took the children in.” he looked pleadingly at Nick. “They are good children, Nicholas; they did her proud and …”

“Father Michael, what is it you want?”

“Nicholas, do you think the children can stay with you and your family until I have found a more permanent solution to their problem?” Nick stared at the older man. “The ranch is large; perhaps you have room in a bunkhouse or so.”

“Bunkhouse? Both Mother and Megan would first have my behind and then kill me slowly if I let the children stay in the bunkhouse. Father Michael, I want to help but …” Nick ran his fingers through his hair. “Let’s have a look at the kids. Mind you I’m not promising anything.” Father Michael smiled as he stood up. Nick went over to get the horse wondering what his wife would say if he came home with three children so close before their own was coming and while they were still getting the house in order.

The Barkley buggy drove slowly through the landscape towards the house. Nick had gone into Jarrod’s office and informed him that he needed the buggy and that he left Big Duke for him at the livery. Since Jarrod sat in a meeting and didn’t have time to discuss this Nick had managed to get away with a “we will talk about this later.” The children still hadn’t said a word since they left the priest’s house and this started to worry him. His own two would have chattered all the way about anything they could think of or asked if they could drive. At the start of the drive he had tried to get a conversation going but they would only answer his questions and nothing more. He felt relieved when he saw the gates to his house.

Emily and Theo were by the paddock when he drove up by the front door and they came running towards him. They knew he had ridden of on Big Duke but now he came home in the buggy. Megan had seen him drive in from the window upstairs and she now opened the door for him. Curiously she watched him help the children down from the buggy before he got their three bags. Nick pushed on Ashley as he had understood that the other two followed her lead. Nick gave Megan a quick kiss on her cheek as he passed her without a word. When they were all in the parlour Nick looked at the people in the room.

“Megan, meet Ashley, Willow and Woody Hexter. They will be staying with us for a while.” He didn’t look at his wife when he said the last part. “Children, meet my wife Megan, son Theodore and daughter Emily.” Ashley walked up to Megan and curtseyed.

“Thank you Mrs Barkley for letting us stay here. I think you will find we are good workers and will do what ever you tell us to.” Her sibling quickly followed their sister. Megan first looked at the children and then to Nick. He just flung out his hands as he shrugged his shoulders.

“Children I assure you that you don’t need to work around here. You might get some chores to do but so do Em and Theo.” Megan turned to the two named and looked at them. “Children why don’t you two show them to their bedrooms. Theo Woody will share your room until we sort out the other wing, alright.”

“Yes Ma. Come Woody. I’ll show you were we sleep.”

“Em, show the girls the room next to yours and then you can go into the closet and get some sheets for the beds.”

“Em know, come, Em show room and make bed.” The girls followed the young girl who ran off. When the children had left the room Megan turned to Nick. He tried to look as pleadingly as he could.

“Nick, why didn’t you let me know before and who are these children?”

“Well, I didn’t know myself.” He scratched his head. “I met Father Michael just after they had buried their grandmother. The Orphanage wouldn’t take them and he needed a place for them while he looks for a home for them. To tell you the truth I think I was had but to say no to a man of the church.”

“Had? Why?”

“Apparently there is a rumour about the old lady and at least five people told me when we were leaving Stockton to be prepared for her witchcraft.”

“Wasn’t she dead?”

“She is.”

“Nick, they look like they haven’t had food for a long time, I mean, Theo looked better, I have seen street children that look better. How old are they? Where are their parents? And what …” Nick quieted Megan with a kiss.

“I don’t think they have had it so good Meg, I just couldn’t bear it when I saw them that’s why I figured they might as well come here for a start. Your good cooking, the company of our small brats, the ranch life, home might do them good. From what I understood Ashley is 9, Willow 8 and Woody 7 and their parents are dead. Now if they can’t stay here I can ask Mother if they can have our old rooms.”

“Nick, of course they can stay here. I just don’t like the thought of them being tossed around as a piece of luggage. Precious, I’m not angry with you.” Megan kissed Nick. “You did what I would expect from you.” Nick held his wife close, so close that he could feel the baby kick.

“Let us take a day at a time and see if Father Michael comes up with anything. Until then let’s feed and spoil them.”

Part Two

It was getting late so Megan saw to it that a large tea was prepared for them all in the warm kitchen. Now and then she had to stop, stretching her back before she once again could bend slightly to get the table laid. It was one more month of this and she quietly wondered if she would manage to have the house in order by the time the baby arrived. Everything took such a long time to do and as it was now only their bedrooms, one guest room, parlour and the kitchen were furnished and heated. Now with three more children, she realized she needed to get at least one of the rooms ready in case they got guests. It was a relief that they had decided to make the bedrooms into a decent size so that two beds easily could fit in them and with the boys so close in age she hoped they would find comfort and friendship in each other. She could hear Emily's chatter as she came down the stairs with the two girls in tow, leading the way to the kitchen as she told them where everything was.

"Ma, we make beds. Em find everything but no extra blankets. They cold if not got them."

"Don't worry Em, I know in which box they are supposed to be, and if we can't reach or find it your daddy will have to go to the big house and borrow some from Nanny. Em, please get the boys to come down. Theo must have forgotten about the time." Megan watched her daughter hurry off before she
told the girls to take a seat. "Now you will have to tell me if there is anything you want, if there is something you can't eat or so. And always remember if you are hungry and it's between meals there is plenty of fruit around the house and if you feel like you are starving, you can make yourself a sandwich. Now do you drink tea or coffee?"

"I don't think we have had any of them Mrs Barkley." Ashley studied the woman with the strange accent. "When is your baby coming?"

"Then I'll let you in on the tea first. It's still about a month I think."

"Ok, we shall have to move before then." Megan smiled.

"Not at all. You three are not leaving this house until Father Michael shows me a proper home for you and it doesn't matter if it takes a week or two months. Now you two start filling your plates because if your brother is anything like Theo there won't be much left for you if you want seconds.

At the ranch house

Jarrod stood by the desk in the parlour looking astonished at his brother by the hearth. Nick had just told the rest of the family about the children and asked them to look out for a good family for them.
Victoria sipped on her coffee as Jarrod started to pace.

"Are you out of your mind? Your wife is about to give birth, you have just moved into a new home which was mainly unpacked when I was there the other night and you bring home three children without even asking Megan first? For heavens sake Nick, aren't you going off for a cattle trail drive in just a week."

"I am but I'll only be gone for a week or so. Megan was alright with it and with the children too."
Victoria stood up and walked to him.

"I'm sure she is Nick but what I think Jarrod is worried about is how she will cope while you are gone with the extra responsibility." Nick glared towards Jarrod with a look that said "mind your own business". "You know what, tomorrow I'll drive over to your place and have a talk with Megan and
see what I can do, then I'll have a word with Vera. Pity Margaret isn't here but I think that between the three of us we shall manage the children while you are gone and as you said, you are taking the short trip but we all remember what happened last year."

"Don't worry Mother, I intend to be home when the baby comes. Nothing is going to stop me from that. I better get back, promised I would see to it that Theo does his homework before bedtime."

"Doesn't he do it? I thought he liked school."

"He does but he finds it so easy that he does the homework during breakfast. His handwriting is indescribable and the teacher complains about it. The only time he does it properly is if one of us sits with him and checks what he's doing."

"But what's the problem? Handwriting isn't everything if the boy does good on the subjects." Jarrod frowned.

"It is if the teacher wants to move him forward a few classes but can't because of it. She has pointed out that she doesn't always know what he has answered because she can't read it." Nick walked to the door, tipped his hat and left, leaving the rest of the family looking at each other.

"Mother, we need to help Megan. She will be the one that will have the responsibility of the children, Nick isn't home much during the day and with the ..."

"Jarrod I know and as I said I will go over tomorrow. Besides it's not your problem. All we have to do is to keep an eye out if we know anyone that can take care of three children which Nick asked us." She moved towards the staircase. "Jarrod, I know you care and so do I but it's Nick's family and we have to accept it. I wasn't happy either when he told us about the house plans but I understand how it must feel for Megan to move and live here. I remember the first house your father and I had. Small, a little draughty but it was ours. And that is a very powerful feeling. So I understand even if I would rather have them all, the three extra too, live here. "

At the house by the waterfall

"Hallo, is anyone home?" Victoria walked in when she noticed that the front door was unlocked and got worried. For a house with many children it was very quiet. "Megan?" Her daughter-in-law turned up at the top of the stairs and started to slowly move down the stairs.

"Oh, come in Victoria. I though I heard something. Sorry it took me some
time."

"I think you grow for every time I see you, Love." Victoria gave her a kiss.
"Now Nick told me last night about the children, I thought there would be ."

"Em has taken them for a tour around the area. She has been chattering since they came and it wouldn't surprise me if they start complaining about aching ears." She smiled when Victoria did her best to hide the giggle. "Theo didn't want to go to school this morning since none of the others needed to go." Megan signed as she walked towards the kitchen.

"I though he liked it."

"He does. I guess he never had a friend his age and he and Woody got along so well." Megan shrugged her shoulders. "I guess Nick told you about the problems we do have with him and school."

"Don't worry Megan. Why don't we let Uncle Jarrod take care of Theo when Nick has gone for the week? But he is right, why aren't they in school?" Victoria sat down by the kitchen table as Megan put the kettle on.

"Same reason, I and Theo didn't go to school and I gather Nick told you about the rumour too." When Victoria nodded Megan sighed. "See, they don't stand a chance. Nick said he was going to talk to the school board today when he went in for supplies. Hopefully he can persuade them to let them in."

"But you don't think it will happen?"

"I have a very strong feeling that what will happen is that my dear husband, your son, will lose his famous temper." Victoria laughed.

"You are so right, Love, so right. Megan talking about the children. What can I help you with? Where am I most useful? I plan to meet with Vera later on today and I'm sure we can count on her too. There isn't any reason for you doing every thing by yourself even if I do understand why you want to. So put me to work. Unpacking? Shopping?"

"They need clothes Victoria. It's January and all they have are the things they are wearing and a change, no coats, no shoes. They need a haircut too but I haven't said anything about it. Just the hot bubble bath last night was traumatic, not to mention shampooing. I managed to pick bits and pieces
together, Woody is not much taller than Theo and neither is Willow. Ashley has gotten one of my dresses, much too large for her but better than the one she had. Emily, the sweetheart, brought the girls all the clothes she had but all too small, she so wanted them to have something "nice and warm" and she wouldn't rest until we had found extra blankets for them." Megan sank down on the chair and sighed. "I don't know what's best Victoria, to take them into town or ask Jocelyn to come here?" Victoria saw the dark rings under the young woman's eyes and reached out her hand.

"I think under the circumstances it's best to ask Jocelyn to come here. I know she won't mind seeing that you two have become good friends. I'll ask her when I go into Stockton to get the things she can't do. Let me get a piece of paper." She opened her bag and pulled out her note book. "We need
to measure them before I go. You Megan are going to have a rest while I'm gone or at least while Jocelyn is here, the choice is yours." The two women talked over what was needed and the list grew long before Victoria was satisfied. Just when they were ready the door burst open and Emily came
running in with the three Hexter children slowly following her.

"Nanny."

"Oh, my little Sunshine!" She pulled Emily into a hug. "Now introduce me to your friends."



Four hours later Victoria was on her way back to the house with the buggy filled with parcels. She knew that Jocelyn would be there by now and hoped that there hadn't been too much trouble up till now. While the horse moved in a steady pace she thought over what Megan had said to her before she left and she realised that she was worried over her daughter-in-law and the situation at the house. Perhaps she should suggest that she or Vera should move in with them while Nick was gone? Hmmm, Megan would never accept that and Nick would get so worried that things would get from bad to worse, better wait until he had left and see how things turned out.

Just as Victoria pulled up at the house Nick came fleeing out of the door. He pressed the hat down, pulled the collar up and was just about to mount Big Duke when he noticed her.

"Mother! I'm sorry I ..."

"You just wanted to get as far away as possible."

"That obvious?"

"Yes, Nick. Now before you do that, think you could lend an old woman a hand?"

"Old woman, huh." He grinned as he took some of the parcels she had. "What did you do? Buy the whole town?"

"No, I just spent some money on my grandchildren, the new ones that is."

"Grandchildren?" Nick stared at her.

"Yes, Nick, a long as they live in your house and are your responsibility they are my grandchildren. And I have enjoyed myself enormously today in the shops."

"I can see that. Mother I didn't ..."

"You didn't think. I knew Nick." Victoria stopped and touched his arm. "Nick I think that you did the right thing yesterday, so does your wife but please don't forget that the pregnancy hasn't been easy on her and that she still has a month to go. She is stubborn but she . "

"Mother you don't need to lecture me, I know. In a way I feel better knowing that Ashley will keep an eye on her. I noticed the girl doing it yesterday and today. She was up when I got up starting the fire in the kitchen. I had to force her back to bed after we shared a little breakfast and had a small talk,
telling her that it was my job to get the hearths going and her job was to enjoy the sleep in.

"Nick, she is too young to work."

"Mother, what do you take me for? We just settled her chores and her siblings too. She was a hard negotiator."

"Alright, let's hear it." Victoria put the things she carried on the table.

"What?"

"I want to know what they will be doing."

"Mother! Alright. Emily has to take care of her room and the chickens besides Eggan." Victoria nodded. "Theo has Dusty and Lucky besides the tack room, the pig and his own room. This is what they do today so no change there. Woody will do the stable and see to the horses and share the
responsibility of his room with Theo, Willow will see to the girls room and the upstairs while Ashley will take care of the downstairs and see to the hearths leaving Megan to do the cooking and shopping. I think it will work for the week I'm gone."

"Hmmm, perhaps it will. I still find it a little too much for them Nick. They are just children."

"I know but it's just for the one week, then when I get home we are going to have a new sitting." Victoria burst out laughing. "Mother, Ashley was very worry about not being able to pay for them and being a burden. Old Mrs Hexter has taught her that people never do anything for free. This was the
best I could come up with at five in the morning, before coffee, that made her calm. I'm sure that between you and Vera the workload on the girls won't be that heavy."

"Nick, it will be alright. We will see to it that they are taken care of. How did it go at school?"

"Not good, so I asked Jarrod for help. I'm on the way to his office so that we can together talk to the School board again."

"Daddy." Emily came running down the stairs. "Em thought you gone. Can come too?"

"Not this time, Sweetheart. I need to go and see Uncle Jarrod. I though you were trying out a new dress?"

"Only need one. Ash and Illow need many and other things. Em get new to Ollie too. Daddy, they not got book."

"Can't you lend one for yours until we got them some too? Why don't you pick out some and perhaps a doll or two for them?

"Em do that." She gave him a big wet kiss and hurried up again.

"She is a lovely child Nick.”

"She is. And so are the others too Mother. I'm a very lucky man." After a kiss on his mother's cheek he hurried off to see his brother.

"Yes, Nick you are lucky and so am I."

Part Three

"Mummy, when Daddy come home?" Emily was helping Megan in the kitchen while her brother and his new friends were studying, as Jarrod had gotten Theo to introduce the Hexter siblings to the school world. Emily found it boring to sit and be quiet while the four were all working on their separate projects: Theo on his homework and the others on the basics, so she helped Megan with what she could instead.

"I don’t know Sweetheart. He had to go with Uncle Jarrod to Sacramento to meet someone at the Education board. I hope he gets home soon so that he gets a day or two with us before he has to go on the cattle drive." Megan whisked the pancake batter together. "Why?"

"Think Em can go too?" She kneaded the bread dough as much as she could.

"On the cattle drive?" When Emily nodded Megan smiled. "I don’t think so, Love. It’s only for men like Daddy and Uncle Heath."

"Theo too?"

"He is still much too young, besides he has school."

"When Em older she go?" Megan looked at her daughter.

"Why Em, do you want to follow your father on a cattle drive? It’s hard work, dangerous and you have to sleep on the ground, no clean clothes for days …"

"Daddy likes." Megan stroked away a hair lock from Emily’s face.

"And …?" Megan could hear that there was more to it so she waited.

"Em not little when Daddy home." She wiped away some hair getting flour on her face. "Em not alone."

"So that’s it," Megan thought to herself remembering what she had overheard the day before when Theo told Emily that she was too young to be with them, that they didn’t want any babies around when they were studying. Emily hadn’t answered and Ashley had tried to defend her but Theo hadn’t taken his words back. It had taken her by surprise and she had been thinking of it ever since wondering how to solve it.

"You are not too small Em, you are going to be five later this year. Next year you will be going to school too and I’ll be all alone here at home."

"No, you have baby." Emily placed a messy hand on Megan’s tummy.

"Sure, it will be me and the baby, how could I forget?" Megan rolled her eyes before she pulled the girl into her arms. "But I’m going to miss my big girl during the day. Who is going to help me around the house?"

"Em come home every day. Make bun now?" Emily changed the subject and Megan didn’t want to press her anymore so she kneaded the dough a few times.

"There now you can make the buns, make them very large."

"Daddy buns?"

"Yes, Daddy buns." Emily rolled the buns as large as she could and placed them on the baking-sheet, singing while she worked with Megan joining in when she recognised the tune. When the girl was done she stood looking at the table for a while before she looked at herself.

"Oh, Em messy. She all white." Megan dipped a finger in the flour and touched her nose.

"Now you are all white. You had missed a spot." Emily’s giggle filled the kitchen. "You know what, Em. Tomorrow, if nothing happens unexpectedly, why don’t you and I take a trip into town and have a shopping day? We could have lunch with Auntie Vera?"

"No Theo?"

"No Theo. Only us."

"OK." Megan watched the girl get down from the chair she had been standing on and walk over to the sink to wash her hands as she took the sheet and placed it in the oven.

"Em, is something wrong between your brother and you? Normally you would want to wait until school is over so that Theo can come too." Emily looked at her mother and bit her lip before she turned and ran out of the kitchen. Megan sighed and walked after her as fast as she could. She found the girl laying on her bed, crying. Gently she sat down beside the girl and caressed her. "Sweetheart, tell me what’s bothering you?"

"He … not … like … Em, … only … others. … Em … baby." The girl spoke between the tears.

"Oh, Love, I’m sure he still loves you. I have a feeling he feels he is all grown up just because Uncle Jarrod suggested that he should help them learn a little before they start at the school, but nevertheless he is still a child and counting years Emily, there are exactly the same amount of years between you and him as there are between him and Ashley." Megan continued to sit by Emily’s side until she remembered the bread. "I’ll be right back or I’ll have burnt your hard work."

At supper that evening Megan made sure that Emily got praised for her buns.

Megan sat by the hearth working on her embroidery when she noticed Ashley watch her from the doorway. She pulled her things together and motioned the girl to join her.

"Aren’t you supposed to be in bed and asleep, Love?"

"Yes, Mrs Megan but …" Ashley continued to watch Megan’s hands work. "What are you doing Mrs Megan?"

"It’s called White Embroidery. See, here is the pattern." Megan held it out so that the table cloth could be studied. "It’s called that because you sew with white thread on white linen. Want to try?"

"Can I?"

"Sure. Tomorrow I’ll get you started on something small, like a handkerchief. A lady should at least have one in her purse and it should have her initials on it. And I think you can start with a coloured thread, it’s easier. Or you could have a look at what Emily is doing? It’s a cross-stitch picture after a drawing she has done." When Megan mentioned Emily’s name the girl next to her pulled back a little.

"Hey, tell me." Megan placed her hand around the girl’s shoulders.

"Are you angry with us Mrs Megan?"

"No, why? Is there a reason?"

"Well …" The girl pulled out the answer. "I sort of guessed that Theo normally would be with Emily when he comes home from school and now he spends all his time with me and …"

"And your brother and sister?"

"Yes." Ashley looked down on her hands in her lap.

"Love, it’s not your fault if Theo acts badly towards his sister and it’s my job to sort that out besides you all do play with her during the day when he is in school."

"I like her, she … she is ... I don’t know what to say Mrs Megan … She is Emily."

"She is, Ashley and she is in many ways a small copy of her father, in the way she acts and I hope she stays that way."

"Me too. Good night Mrs Megan."

"Good night Love." Megan sat with her embroidery resting on her tummy, looking into the fire so deep in thought that she screamed when she felt two arms surround her and lips touch her neck. Nick quieted her with a soft kiss before he nuzzled his nose into her hair.

"Sorry, Beloved didn’t mean to scare you." Megan leaned back into his arms.

"Precious I didn’t expect you home tonight." Nick climbed over the back of the sofa and sat next to his wife.

"I know but as soon as I could get out of that board room I left. Jarrod is fixing the last bits and pieces but it looks like the school board here in Stockton has to accept three more children or they will have to pay a very high fine."

"But if they choose to?"

"Pay? Then there is a boarding school in Sacramento that is willing to take them. The headmaster came up to me today and told me so and gave me some leaflets about the school. Looks good."

"Nick, we can’t send them to boarding school."

"I know Meg and believe me when I say that they are going to school here. How is our own teacher doing?" He took her embroidery and put it on the table before he lifted her up on his lap. "Missed you."

"Fine job in teaching." She nuzzled against his body and slipped her arms around him.

"But?"

"What?"

"I could hear a but."

"My job to handle."

"Huh." They sat together enjoying the closeness until Nick’s tummy grumbled. Megan gave it a gentle stroke.

"When did it get filled last time?"

"At lunch. I just grabbed a quick bite before the train left this evening. Any food left from supper?"

"No but we have some cold meat and Em baked buns today, daddy buns."

"Still just a bite, right?"

"They are large for her Nick but just a bite." Megan pulled away from him. "I’ll get something for you. Where do you want it?"

"If you take it upstairs I can catch up with the mail and eat while you get ready for bed, where you should have been by now. Megan, you promised me you would take care of yourself."

"I am Nick. I just find it so hard to sleep when you are not here."

"Still too many scary sounds?" Megan giggled as she left the room. She hoped he wouldn’t ask again since that was one of the reasons she found it so hard to settle down in the night.

Part Four

Megan was cleaning the kitchen table when the Hexter girls came into the room after finishing their chores. With a smile she nodded towards the chairs and they sat down, quietly following her every move as she got out some paper and pencils. As Megan put them on the table the door was flung open and Emily came running in.

"What you do?" Megan picked a feather out of the girl’s hair and smiled.

"Sweetheart, when will you learn to open the door gently?"

"When Daddy do. What you do?" Emily looked suspiciously at the things on the table and Megan giggled softly.

"I’m going to show Ashley and Willow how to sew so why don’t you get your sewing and join us? Perhaps you also could bring your water colours down since I don’t think Woody will want to sew and he should be in any minute too." Emily stood hesitating if she should join them or not, not really sure of what to make of the situation.

"Please Em, join us. I would love to see what you are doing. I have never done something like this before. Nana taught us how to knit and crochet but never how to sew." Ashley smiled at the younger girl. Somehow she could understand why the young girl hesitated and she felt bad about it.

"Em get things. You need to do picture first." Megan watched her daughter climb the stairs up to the next floor.

"Thanks Ashley. Now Em is right, but since you are not doing the same thing as she is doing, you need to write your initials or just a first letter on this piece of paper instead of doing a painting. I know you have been practising your alphabet, so I don’t think it will be a problem. It has to be small, just like a dollar coin. Start with that and I’ll get some small things that I have done for you to look at." The two girls bent over a piece of paper each and started in deep concentration printing their initials, when Emily came down the stairs and since her small arms were occupied with her sewing and painting equipment she was having a problem with the stairs. While Willow hurried to help unload her, Woody came indoors too and went to the sink for a wash.

"Here things for picture. What you do?" Emily looked at the letters on the paper.

"Mrs Megan said we had to write our letters on the paper. What do you think?" Ashley held up her carefully printed AH.

"Nice." Woody joined the girls around the table and shook his head.

"You’re wasting time."

"Woody." Megan heard what the boy had said to his sister just as she returned and she sighed to herself. "This is no more waste of time than you and Theo fishing the other day. I don’t recall you catching anything. I do not want you to ever say such a thing to your sisters again understood?" Blushing the boy nodded. "Now why don’t you join us instead?" She looked up from the things she put on the table just in time to see the horror in his eyes and she burst out in a giggle. "Love, I didn’t mean that you should sew, heaven forbid, I just though you might want to try the water colours. Thanks, Sweetheart." She helped Emily place the small bowl with water on the table and then steadied her up onto the chair. Slowly Woody walked over and looked at the things while Megan turned her attention on helping her child get ready. Ashley stood up and walked over to look at the picture.

"It’s a horse." She was amazed that the coloured painting on the paper almost looked as the sewn horse on the linen.

"It’s Coco, Daddy’s horse. Daddy got it for Christmas but Em not ready." Megan gave her a stroke over her head.

"That is so true. I think it was his favourite present too. Coco was my husband’s first own horse and she is still in a pasture having a good time at the ranch. Emily painted the picture for him when he was away last year and when she wanted to learn how to sew I turned it into a cross-stitch pattern. It’s easier for Emily to manage cross-stitches than white embroidery. Together we made some of the threads and picked the rest of them out in the catalogue." Ashley looked at the painting and then to the Emily’s work.

"After I have done my handkerchief I would like to try that too, if I may Mrs Megan. It looks like fun."

"First do picture."

"Yes, Em, first she has to do a picture but I think she wants to do her AH first then paint. Of course Love, if you like to sew you should give it a try. Now everybody at their places and let’s see what you are doing?" Megan left the paper and colours in front of Woody, hoping that he would join them in some activity and she went over to the older girls as she noticed Emily already getting started. Showing them her own things she helped them change their letters from very straight and stiff into soft and elegant and it didn’t take long before they were tracing them onto a square piece of linen. During the time Megan was occupied with the girls Emily had looked up and noticed that Woody touched the colours but didn’t seem to know what to do with them so she put her things down and slipped down off the chair and walked over to his side. She reached for a brush and dipped the end into the water and gave it back to him.

"Put paint on." She pointed to the tray. He looked at her and did what she said. "Then you paint on paper what you want. When change colour you clean brush first in water." She stood by his side until she felt he knew what to do. Megan had gleamed at them during this and inside herself she smiled. For once her baby was the one with the knowledge.

The children had worked in deep concentration for almost an hour when Nick came in. After a look from Megan he closed the door gently before coming up to her, placing his arm around her body.

"Now this is a picture I like. Everybody quietly working."

"See Daddy, Em almost done." Emily held her sewing up. Smiling Nick studied the embroidery closely.

"And I know exactly where I’m going to hang it. Now what else is going on here?" He studied the girl’s neat stitches and Woody’s painting.

"It’s not work Sir but fun." Nick tousled Woody’s hair.

"Boy, for some it’s work. For others it’s pleasure and if you don’t have some pleasure now and then, then how can you enjoy the hard work you do during the day?"

"Mr Nick, do you paint?" Nick looked at Ashley.

"No, girl. I have other things that I do. Read, hunt, fish ..."

"A game of poker or pool." Megan joined in. "You see Ashley, a pleasure can be many things. Having a pleasure gives you a moment to relax, to do something you enjoy, to gain energy from. Nick here enjoys the things he counted up while I enjoy to sew and paint and lots of other things. Some pleasures will end in something useful like what you are doing now or be a decoration like Woody’s and Em’s."

"I don’t think Nana had any pleasures." Willow thought of what had been said.

"Poor people seldom do, child. For us it’s a struggle to survive but it shouldn’t be like that."

"You are not poor." Woody looked stern at her as she understood what she had said.

"Love, I was before I got here and met this cowboy." She leaned against Nick. "I grew up in one of the poorest parts of London and sold flowers at a market from the age of three." The Hexter children looked at her with wide eyes. "It’s a long story but with a lot of hard work I managed to get to here."

"And I’m happy you did come here." Nick kissed his wife’s head. "Would you children be able to handle yourself for a few minutes while I borrow Megan?" When they nodded he took her hand and pulled her towards the parlour.

"Nick, not so fast. I have a hard time keeping up with you right now."

"Sorry Beloved. I seem to forget that you are a bit slower than I’m used to." He winked his eye and grinned as he lifted her up.

"Nicholas!" The sound of their laughter filled the air and into the kitchen. Ashley looked up at Em.

"Em, are they always like that?"

"They love other, they play, they happy. And then Em happy. Please cut, Em not allowed cutter." Emily reached her embroidery towards Ashley

"Cutter?" Ashley looked at the girl for a moment before she reached for the scissors and held it up. "Cutter?" The younger girl nodded.

"Cutter." Ashley did what she was asked to and the group of children went back to their work, all in their own thoughts.

"Nick it’s marvellous but where …?" Megan stood beside the cradle. Nick stood beside her and run his fingers though his hair before he answered.

"Well, Father made it for Audra. Mother and I discussed it a few months ago and I had our carpenter check it out while Mother made new sheets and covers for it. When I was over this morning we talked about if I should bring it over or not, but since you had decided to start preparing a bed for our baby I figured I might as well get it home. Just hope it doesn’t mean bad luck." Megan sneaked her arms around her husband’s waist before she kissed him.

"Don’t think so, there is only Barkley luck in this house. Nick, it’s lovely but won’t Audra mind?"

"Nope, her children have laid in her husband’s and since I didn’t have a cradle," he shrugged his shoulders "I figured this one was the closest thing." He put his arms around her and held her as close as he could while his face nuzzled against her hair. "I long for the moment the baby is born and I can cuddle you as close and tight as I want." Megan giggled.

"You are aware of the fact that is exactly why I’m as large as I am right now." She kissed him. "But I know the feeling because I miss you too." A knock at the door made them pull apart and Nick went to open the door.

"Boys? Something wrong?" Outside stood two of his hands, Joshua and Thad with Duke, the ranch foreman.

"No Mr Nick. We have a suggestion to make." Nick inhaled when two of his best and closest hands called him Mr Nick.

"Nick, the boys come up with something and I think you should listen."

"Alright, step right in."

"Ma’am, Mrs Megan." The men smiled at her.

"Hello, I’ll leave you all alone." Megan started to leave the room when Duke touched her arm.

"Perhaps you should stay and listen Megan, you might be needed and besides it concerns you too." Both Nick and Megan raised a brow while Megan turned and went to the couch to sit down. The two hands looked at each other before Joshua started.

"Nick, why don’t you let me and Thad take the drive next week alone together with four of the others. I know we can do it and you are needed here at home with the children and the new baby coming any week now." Nick inhaled.

"Nick, I think it’s a good idea. The men have talked it over and all know and understand that it’s here you should be, not out on the roads." Duke held up a hand as Nick was about to protest. "Son, I have known you since you were a toddler so no arguments will affect me. Why do you think I decided to join these two now?" He nodded towards the men. "It’s only a short drive and they have been on several with you and know the routines. What you need to do is to wire to the buyer and let him know they are coming and see to they have all the papers they need to be able to handle the sale."

"I … it’s just that I have never missed a cattle drive and …"

"But you haven’t had a baby on the way either before. What Nick if things go as wrong as last year and we are delayed or if the baby decides to come early?" Thad looked at his boss. He and the other men admired Nick Barkley deeply and would do anything for him. He also had become fond of Megan and knew, like everybody else, that things hadn’t been so smooth during the pregnancy. For the past week Thad had been looking for a new home for the Hexter children hoping that at least he could do something to lessen the burden on Megan but when he had been unsuccessful he had talked about the drive with his friends and come up with this plan instead. He now watched Nick as he paced back and forth thinking the situation over.

"I would lie if I said it doesn’t solve some issues for me. I haven’t been happy leaving Meg but are you alright with it? Are you sure you can handle it?" He stopped in front of them.

"We are Nick. Besides Jonas, Andy, Danny and Steve will be the ones joining us. A strong team." Nick nodded his approval before he turned to his wife.

"It seems that the boys have decided that I’m not needed on this trip, how do you feel being stuck with me?

"Oh Nick." Megan smiled with relief.

Part Five

The sound of someone bouncing down the staircase made Nick rush out of the study and into the foyer. Horror struck him as his nine months pregnant wife tried to get up from the floor and within seconds he was at her side, just as his daughter came running out of the kitchen. He kneeled down beside Megan as she crouched on all fours.

"Megan, for heavens sake woman what are you doing?"

"Just taking the stairs in one." She gleamed at him "What does it look like? I’m trying to get up from the damn floor." Her anger and tears were obvious to him so he reached out for her and stroked her face.

"Meg."

"Mummy, what you do? You hurt?" Emily placed a hand on Megan’s back and bent her small body so that she would look her mother straight into her face.

"I’m alright, sweetheart. I just tripped again."

"Again?" Nick didn’t manage to stop the growl, earning a hard look from his wife.

"Yes, again." The sudden pain that went through her stomach made her lose her breath and she grabbed Nick’s thigh as support, digging her fingers into his leg. After he inhaled painfully, he took one look at his wife, stood up and lifted her up in his arms.

"Em, run upstairs and pull the bedspread off Mummy’s bed." As the young girl rushed as fast she could Nick carried the most precious thing he had gently up the stairs, noticing that every step, every move he made increased the pain for her. When he reached the top of the stairs the front door opened letting the sound of children in. "Theo, ride back into Stockton at once and bring Doctor Merar, then get your grandmother." The young boy dropped the books he was carrying and hurried out again as fast as his crutches would let him. Woody ran after him and also got a horse ready.

"Theo, I’ll get the doctor, you get your grandmother." Theo nodded. He was frightened, he had never seen his father so worried, his mother so pale and in pain before.

The two girls walked cautiously up the stairs, they weren’t sure what to do but decided to see if they could be any help. Just as they entered the room, Nick was gently placing Megan on the bed and he looked up at them.

"Girls, please take Em with you and wait downstairs. Perhaps Ashley you could make the three of you some tea?"

"No, Daddy. Em stay."

"No Darling. I want you to go downstairs with Ashley and Willow and wait for grandma. Please Em, this is no time for argument." Nick hoped his voice sounded more firm than he felt. A moan from Megan pulled his attention back to her and he gleamed at Emily. "Now Emily." He growled. The young girl backed away from her father and ran out of the room and into her own. Ashley motioned Willow to leave the room with her and after closing the door the two older girls looked at each other. Ashley’s eyes gazed at the shut door before she turned her attention to another door.

"Willow, you start downstairs I think …"

"We will both go to her." Willow looked at her older sister. "Just because you are older than me doesn’t mean you are the only one. Come she needs us." They hurried to Emily’s room and after a knock walked inside. They found the girl on her bed; crying and both of them joined her, placing their arms around her.

"Em, she will be alright. Perhaps the baby wants to come today and not wait." Ashley tried to smooth the distraught girl. "Every thing will be fine when Mrs Barkley comes and the doctor."

"She hurt, she fell, not baby." Willow reached her hanky to Emily. "No, that’s your special one." The young girl rubbed her face against the pillow as the tears and now also her nose continued to run.

"It is but you can borrow it and I’ll wash it tonight. Emily, Ash is right, Mrs Megan will be alright even if she fell. Shall we go down and make some pancakes for tea." Both the older girls had learned how to make pancakes since they had come to the Barkley household, they both knew that the younger girl loved the dish so when she shook her head they again looked at each other but now pain and worry were in their eyes too. "Emily, please."

"Em want to be with Mummy. Only Mummy likes Em and plays with her." Ashley pulled the girl as close as she could, feeling the smaller but healthier body tremble against her own.

"We can play if you want. You are right we have been awfully busy since we started school last week and with the extra lessons during the weekend I guess we didn’t spend any time with you. Sorry. But you see Em, we have never got a chance to go to school if it hadn’t been for Mr Nick and I think me, Willow and Woody want to do our best for him." She inhaled. "And to be honest, we don’t know if we will be able to continue for so long." Emily sat up, rubbing her eyes with her hands. Ashley noticed that they weren’t the cleanest hands she had seen and that the girl now had dirt around her face.

"Why you not go school?"

"You see, the next family who takes us in might not want to pay the fees. It costs a lot of money to have three children in school."

"Daddy say school ‘portant." Ashley pulled the girl into her arms. Willow watched them for a moment before she too put her arms around the couple.

Nick helped Megan off with her shoes and then started gently on removing her dress. Every time she moaned with pain he stopped and held her close. The feeling of helplessness ran through his body and mind when he noticed that the pain was increasing, he didn’t know how to make it leave her and it was clear to him that every movement he did also added to the pain. When he had managed to get her nightdress on he kneeled beside the bed, stroking her hair and face. He cringed when two very pain filled eyes looked at him.

"Megan, doc is on his way and Mother too. Is it the baby?" he gently placed his large hand on the swollen tummy and with the knowledge he had he slowly let it feel what was underneath. Suddenly his hand stopped. How had he missed that? He wanted to press a little harder to get a better feeling but as he slowly increased his wife’s pain grew. Even more worried than before he silently prayed that help was on its way. "Megan, will you trust me to check things over? It might hurt a bit." Megan nodded. The pain made her speechless and the worried look of her husband didn’t calm her.

"Not a cow." She managed to press out. Nick raised a brow and decided to follow her lead.

"Are you sure? From what I have seen you have been wobbling around like one."

"Sure." She dug her fingers into his arm as she bit her lip. Nick cringed at the pain. "Oh, Niiiiiiicccckk," He realised when she let go of his arm that there wasn’t any time to wait for the doctor or his Mother and he pulled up his sleeves and her legs.

Woody threw himself off the horse and ran into the clinic and straight into the arms of Mrs Merar.

"Doctor mrsmerar mrsmeganneeddoctor." His chest was heaving. "Pleaseneedto getthedoctor."

"Shhh, calm down and tell me what happen and what it is you want."

When she finally understood what the upset boy wanted she sat down. "Oh dear, Howard is at the Millers, it’s about three hours ride, back and forth. No, I’ll send some one else, you need to get home." She grabbed her coat and ran over to the livery while Woody stood by his horse catching his breath. Tears were running down his cheeks as he felt he had failed the Barkley’s. A gentle hand placed itself on his shoulder and the boy looked up into Jarrod’s face.

"Now what’s the matter with Mr Hexter then? Perhaps something a soft drink can cure?"

"No, Mrs Megan needs the doctor but he’s not in town and I can’t get help for her." Jarrod paled slightly.

"Come, that poor horse needs to rest, we will leave it in the livery and take the buggy home."

"No, I promised Mr Nick when he said I could have her that I would take care of her."

"You will, but we need to get you home and she needs the rest." He took the reins and they started to move towards the livery. The owner had seen Jarrod at a distance and remembering Mrs Merar’s request for a fast rider and horse he ordered the Barkley buggy to be hooked up. With a nod he took the tired horse and led her to a box that he provided with food and water.

"Grandma, grandma." Theo rushed as fast as he could into the large house and into the arms of his uncle Heath. "Uncle Heath, Ma needs Grandma now."

"I think she has gone over to the Pickwick’s, south of Stockton." The boy turned, almost tripping over his crutches. "Boy Howdy, hold on for a minute. What’s the matter?"

"I don’t know but Pa was carrying Ma up the stairs and she was in an awful lot of pain."

"Nick, I thought he would be half way to Modesto by now."

"No, Mr Thad and Mr Joshua took care of the drive instead. Please let me go Uncle Heath, I need to get Grandma."

"I’ll get a buggy and we will both go." Heath rushed out buttoning his shirt as he ran towards the barn. Duke was already hitching up a wagon as he had seen the young boy’s haste.

Part Six

Jarrod and Woody had just stepped into the house when a loud cry of pain was heard through the house. Both the males stiffened and were about to rush up the stairs when the three girls came running down and a knock on the door was heard. Woody went to the door as Jarrod caught his niece as she threw herself into his arms.

"Uncle Arrad. Mummy hurt. Daddy say leave." Em’s face was striped by her tears.

"Well, I think he was right, Love and I think someone needs to wash her face." He gave her a kiss and put her down and turned to Silas who walked in. "Silas, thank god you are here. Where is Mother?"

"Mr Heath and Mr Theo went to get her at the Pickwick’s. Now pray the Ladies didn’t go out on their ranch for the picnic. Mr Jarrod, this is my goddaughter Oprah. Mrs Barkley and I have thought she might be at service here with the children and all." Another cry caught their attention and Silas turned to the girl. "Oprah, go and get the water boiling, I’ll go up to Mrs Megan and Mr Nick. Then after you brought it up to us, perhaps you can see to it that tea is served."

"Yes, Uncle." She looked around the room when Ashley stepped forward.

"This way Miss Oprah. I’ll show you the kitchen and help you with the tea. Willow please help Em get …" She motioned her hand towards her face and received a nod from her sister.

After they had all had tea Emily crept up in Jarrod’s lap and he put his arms around her, surrounding her with love and protection. They were all in a state of tension, listening to the sounds coming from the bedroom upstairs. As the time slowly passed their worry grew and the more worried they grew the worse the tension felt. In the end Ashley couldn’t take it anymore and stood up to get something to do.

"Emily, do you want to do some sewing or painting while I do my homework?" Emily looked at her with wide eyes as she leaned against Jarrod’s chest.

"Em too little."

"Too little?" Jarrod looked down at the child. "Why, I think it sounds like a lovely idea. I could even join you with my own papers."

"Theo say Em too little, not sit with others."

"He’s wrong Em. Please join me."

"Us." Willow got up to get the schoolbooks from the foyer while Jarrod stood up and placed Emily on the floor standing up.

"Get your things Love, it will keep us busy until Granny comes."

"Then Em can’t do sew."

"You don’t have to tell her Em that the picture is for her."

"Have you finished the picture you did for Nick? Where is it? Show me?" Jarrod nudged her to move. With a little hesitation she took his hand and went towards the study were Nick had hung it over the hearth so that it would be the first thing you saw when you walked into the room.

"There!" Emily pointed as Jarrod walked up to it, studying it as he would study a painting in a gallery.

"Now how much does it cost?"

"More than this." Emily held her hands out as wide as she could.

"Now that’s a pity because I don’t think I have that much. I’ll just have to wait until something cheaper comes around." He gave his niece a soft smile. "Now Little Lady, get your sewing."

"But Granny …"

"Is it for Granny?" Emily nodded.

"For special day."

"Well, I won’t tell, Ashley, Willow and Woody won’t tell and I’m sure that Oprah and Theo won’t too if they are asked."

"Theo might."

"Then we sue him." Emily giggled. "Woody help me get the table from the foyer into the parlour and we can all sit there."

"Megan, I think the baby is turned the wrong way. I have to turn it around or there will be problems."

"No."

"Megan."

"NO" She clutched her arms around her stomach to protect it from Nick when the pain cramped her again. Nick cupped her face with his hands and looked straight into the pain filled eyes of his wife.

"Megan, I will not lose the both of you just because you are so damn stubborn." He started to struggle with the blanket and had just managed to get it off her when a knock on the door startled him. When Silas walked in the disappointment showed before he could stop it. "Silas?"

"Mr Heath and Mr Theo have gone to get Mrs Barkley and Mrs Merar has sent for Doctor Merar. I can be of some help until they come. Oprah is in the kitchen getting things ready."

"Time before they come, huh?"

"Yes." The old servant looked steadily at the man he had seen grow up from a toddler to the rancher he was now. "We can handle this Mr Nick. You have helped little ones into this world before."

"I have, but not babies Silas, only animals."

"I’m not an animal." Megan growled through clenched teeth.

"What ever you say Mrs Megan, what ever you say." He walked over to the curtains and pulled them apart and opened the window. "A little breeze might make you feel a little better."

"NO" Nick felt a little relieved that he now wasn’t alone dealing with Megan and started to unbutton his shirt. "Mr Barkley if you think you are going to get into my bed …" Nick bent down and kissed her.

"I’m not my little cougar but you would kill me if I got my shirt all messy." He motioned Silas to the corner and there the men discussed how they were going to handle the situation.

The wagon with the Barkley’s arrived at the house just as Doc Merar came from the other way. A couple of hands had followed Silas over to Nick’s house and they now offered to take care of horses and wagons so that the travellers could hurry in. Victoria was pulling her gloves and hat off in the same movement when Emily came running and a baby’s cry was heard. Everyone stopped and looked at each other.

"Well, Mother nice to see you. Now from the sound of it Nick can’t say it’s not his." Jarrod smiled when he kissed his Mother on her cheek. "Heath, welcome home. Had a good trip?"

"Sure did Big brother. Almost missed all the action at home it seems."

"Mother, come here and have a sherry." Jarrod led her into the parlour.

"Jarrod, I need to go up there." She looked up the stairs, following the doctor with her eyes.

"Let Doc Merar deal with it and let Nick finish what he started up there without having the family around him."

"Nick? Is Nick up there?" Victoria looked stunned at her son. "Husbands are not suppose to"

"Mother, right now I think it’s a good thing Nick is there. He has been the only one in this house up to now, besides Silas, who have seen a birth before and knew what to do. And he can handle Megan."

"She’s been a problem?" Heath looked at his brother.

"Mummy hurt, she scream no" Emily looked seriously at him. "Sound like she fight." Jarrod nodded.

"Dear sister-in-law has a temper." Victoria took a sip from the glass her son had given her when Oprah turned up.

"Tea Madam or shall I prepare a small supper?" Ashley stood up.

"I’ll help you with supper. It’s getting late. Come Willow, let’s make the table." The girls headed out to the kitchen.

"Those two are lovely girls." Victoria took another sip. "And Oprah would be perfect for this household, don’t you think so Jarrod?"

"I do, but have you talked to Megan?"

"No, but she will accept. At least if I say it’s only for the first six months. What’s keeping them so long? I’m going up Jarrod."

"Mother wait." Jarrod placed his hand on her arm as he heard Nick’s voice.

"Come on Megan, just a little more. The worst is over and it’s laying as it should and I can see the head, Meg, I can see the head so PUSH."

"I hate push. I hate you and I hate push again." Megan growled as she pushed all she could. Silas held her hand as he wiped her face with a soaked cloth now and then. "Stop wiping my face, you, you, …" The pain overwhelmed her as she heard Nick yell push. And then a cry.

"Oh Meg, we have, we have a boy, we have a little boy." Nick’s face was sweaty and had marks of blood after he had wiped his face with his arm. The emotions when he stood there with the boy in his hands overwhelmed him and tears ran down his cheeks. Silas smiled at the man who couldn’t take his eyes from the baby. "Meg, see Beloved, isn’t he perfect our Adam."

"Adam?" Megan’s weak voice brought Nick back to the situation and he placed the boy in his mother’s arms.

"Adam, and I’ll explain to you why when we got the rest out of you and I have cut the cord."

"The rest?" A soft knock and Doctor Howard Merar stepped in.

"Howdy Doc. Now what?"

"Good evening Nick. Just wait and I’ll get my hands washed and I’ll take care of the rest, unless you feel like finishing off."

"Might as well." Guided by the doctor Nick cut the cord and finished the birth of his son. Megan lay after the final pushes quiet studying the baby next to her. All the strength she had was gone and she felt that she didn’t have much more to give.

"Now Megan, let me have the boy and I’ll examine him quickly. Nick will help you get cleaned and then into something clean while Silas does the bed.

"No. I just want …" Nick lifted her up while the doctor took the child and before long she was back in bed, between clean sheets having the baby again in her arms. Silas and Howard talked while the doctor sat making notes about the newest Barkley.

"Adam." Nick stroked his son’s head. "The night after you had told me that you were pregnant I lay feeling your tummy thinking of the creature growing inside you and I made a promise that if it was a boy he was going to be called Adam. He is our firstborn but also the Adams girls have given me so much more than I can dream of." Megan’s green eyes searched for his hazel and he reflected that she looked very pale. He placed a soft kiss on her nose. "There was Cathy that gave me Emily." Nick nuzzled his face into her hair. "And then there is my beautiful English rose Megan who not only is my life partner but also my soul mate and best friend. Without you life is nothing."

"Nick. I"

"Ssshh, you rest while I take our boy downstairs to meet his siblings." Nick waited a little longer while Megan slowly drifted off.

"Now Little one you are going to meet a lot of people because from the look of it everyone important is here." Nick smiled at the family gather in the foyer. "Woody, get your sisters. Emily, go and sit in the armchair."

"Daddy, Em look?"

"Better hurry then." Nick followed his daughter to the chair and when she was seated he placed the baby in her arms. "Emily, meet your brother Adam Nicholas. Adam, this is your big sister."

"He’s small, Em not smallest. He mine" The room was filled with a chuckle. "Daddy, keep him?"

"Oh yes, Em we keep him. Shall we let him meet the rest of his brothers and sisters?"

"And Grandmother!" Victoria reached forward. "Now I have been waiting long enough. May I Emily?"

"Not sure, he Em’s." Emily held onto her brother.

"Please?"

"Alright. Just little." Victoria picked him up.

"Oh, Nick. He is a copy of you. It isn’t just the lungs."

"Meaning?"

"Boy howdy, are you in for trouble Big brother." Heath took the child before he passed him on to Jarrod who then gave him back to Nick. Nick walked over to Ashley.

"Here Love, want to hold your baby brother?"

"Baby brother?" Ashley held the baby gently as she and her siblings looked at Nick.

"Yes, baby brother that is if the three of you want to stay with us?" The three siblings looked at each other and then back to Nick. Stunned but with glittering eyes Ashley nodded yes for them all. Emily had watched the scene in front of her and she understood what it all meant so with a deep sigh he said:

“So many brothers and sisters, poor Adam.”

THE END