Jack

They were honest and hardworking, not a lot of money, but they got by and were happy. He worked down at the Co-Op with all the farmers and the days were long. He started before the sun came up and left after it went down. She always had dinner ready and the house was clean, if a little small, but it was theirs and no one could take it away. The grass was lush and green and a small white picket fence enclosed the front yard. The big oak already had a swing in preparation for the children they so desired. The little half acre of land felt like their version of Eden and neither could wait to enhance the beauty of the place with children.

One day he came home and the dinner was different, special in some small way. The good plates were out and there was a candle on the table. He knew something was going on but had no idea what. She sat him at the table and served his dinner with a little extra tenderness in her motions. He did not pry; rather he waited for he knew she would tell him when she was ready. Dinner passed quietly with small discussions about the upcoming weekend and his fishing trip with his best friend, Billy. Dessert was served with a little flair has she had made his favorite, lemon cake with lemon frosting. He actually began to think he may have forgotten his own birthday and the anticipation of learning what was in store threatened to cause his limbs to explode.

After the cake she looked at him with her crystal clear blue eyes wide, took a deep breath and said, "I'm pregnant." The silence that followed was deafening. The shock spread through his body as if ice water had been injected into his veins. As his head swam with the news he had no idea what to say so he told her, "I love you." They ran around the table and embraced in a kiss that slowly carried them to the bedroom.