JOHN AND MIRIAM
Chapter Four
Hours later, Miriam was still thinking about
the near collision. As she dressed for bed, she noticed John watching her with
concern.
"Are you still thinking about what
happened today?"
"Yes."
John sighed. "You know, if you're that
worried about it, we could try to get off the ship in Ireland tomorrow."
Miriam shook her head. "No. I've been
thinking about what you said about the Titanic being unsinkable. You're
probably right. They probably wouldn't have called it unsinkable if there
weren't a lot of safeties in place to prevent it from sinking. I've never been
very fond of ships anyway. I'd almost rather travel in one of those new-fangled
airplanes."
"An airplane?" John laughed.
"I wouldn't want to try to cross the ocean in one of those. I don't think
it would make it. You might as well try to fly to the moon."
Miriam laughed, too. "True. Although, it
might be interesting to try. Going to the moon, that is. It would be nice to
see if it really is made of green cheese, as my old nanny said, or if it's made
of rocks like some scientists think." Glancing over at Mary, she slipped
into the bottom bunk beside John.
John grinned. "She's asleep, is
she?"
"It's been a long day. She's probably
worn out."
John laughed. Then, sobering, he told her,
"If you want to get off the ship, we can try to do so."
Miriam shook her head and kissed him.
"No, I think that it's best to cross the ocean now and get it over with. I
want to get home to America and get settled as soon as possible." Her
voice was serious.
John turned toward her, pulling her into his
arms. "Why? What's going on? Is this about your parents?"
"No, not this time. I already know that
they won't approve of you at first, but I think they'll eventually come around.
After all," she said, grinning, "I did exactly what they wanted me to
do. They sent me off to Europe to find a husband, and I found one. You aren't
quite what they had in mind, but I'd rather be with you than any of the rich
men they would have liked me to snare. Once they understand that there's
nothing they can do, they'll come around."
"Miriam, are you sure this isn't about
your parents? You're not trying to shock them, are you?"
Miriam was surprised. The thought had never
occurred to her. "No, that's not it at all. I hadn't even thought about
that."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then why are you so eager to get
home?"
Miriam took a deep breath. "I just found
out...I was waiting for the right moment to tell you..."
"Tell me what?"
"I-I'm...I mean, I don't know how you'll
react..."
"Miriam..."
"I'm pregnant," she blurted out.
It took a moment for John to comprehend what
she had said. "Pregnant? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I saw the doctor just before we
left."
"That's fantastic! How far along are
you?"
Miriam was grateful for the darkness that hid
her blushing face. "About two months. This baby got started not long after
we were married."
"Miriam, this is wonderful. It'll be
good to have a baby around again. And Mary will have a little sister or
brother."
"I'm glad you feel that way. I was
almost afraid that you'd be angry or something."
"Why would I be angry?"
"I don't know...some men might not want
a child so soon."
John kissed her. "If I hadn't wanted children,
I would have taken precautions." He paused.
"Miriam, do know if it's still safe for
us to..."
Miriam snuggled into his arms. "I asked
the doctor about that. Yes, as long as there are no complications, it should be
safe."
John kissed her deeply then, and pulled the
blankets over them.