Sitting on the front porch he worked oil into the leather of a new saddle, John watched Mae and Wesley stroll back to the house. They'd kept their tradition of taking walks every day. Side-by-side the two loves of his life walked toward him. Mae seemed to be speaking to the boy while he listened intently. She gave Wesley lessons daily, from the basics like writing and arithmetic to history and other things. It worked out well that thanks to Miss Lady's insistence, Mae was well schooled. Wesley would grow up to be the same.

Each day John became more grateful for the beautiful woman he'd married. Now as she grew round with their second child, she insisted they refer to the baby as, claiming Wesley as her first, she was radiant.

Mae looked up and waved toward him. When their eyes met, his heart began to pound in his chest. The love he felt for her barely containable beneath his breast.

"You should not be moving around so much," John admonished when they reached the house's porch.

Mae rolled her eyes and accepted his help to sit. Elma materialized and brought with her a light blanket. "Senora Mae, you should rest. The baby will come any day now."

"If I left it up to you two, I'd spend my days in bed bored to death," Mae fussed, but accepted the blanket and placed it over her lap.

"Pa I go see the calf?" Wesley asked shuffling from one foot to the other with impatience. At almost four now, he'd began to shed his chubbiness. "Mr. Alan said I can help him."

John nodded and Wesley shot from the porch, sprinting toward the barn.

"I'm glad Alan remains with us. Wesley adores him," Mae said smiling and tracking Wesley's retreating figure.

John agreed. "Yeah, he's got a way with kids. I'm surprised he's not married and had some of his own."

Mae rolled her eyes. "Oh it's obvious, it won't be long until we celebrate another wedding and perhaps there will even be children of his running about."

"What are you talking about Mae?" John asked.

"The reason Alan remains here is the same reason Lucinda does. They care for each other, but they are taking their time, getting to know each other."

"Oh." John was glad Lucinda asked to remain when Miss Lady passed away. The solemn young woman claimed to have no reason to return to Virginia, especially since Mae sold the brothel to Butch Mason. "Now that I think about it, I have noticed certain looks between them. Heck I thought it was this land the reason they remain, everyone just falls in love with it."

She reached for John's hand and looked to the distance. "This place is beautiful, I can't wait to fill it with children, to see them run and play with Wesley and this one." She patted her stomach.

"Fill it?" John's eyebrows were raised and his mouth open in mock horror. "Where do you get the idea I want more children Missus McClain?"

Mae slapped at his arm. "I overheard you telling Joshua the other day. You've always wanted a large family."

His eyes lingered on her stomach for a moment. "I am looking forward to my life with you Mae. I love you more than life itself."

Tears sprung and she went to wipe them away but John leaned forward and took her face in his hands and kissed them away.

"I would have never taken you for such a romantic," Mae sniffed. "You were always so stern and rigid."

"Survival. It's how I could cope with everything I saw and had to do," He kissed her again softly.

"Oh!" Mae straightened and grabbed at her stomach. "That was a hard one."

John paled and stood. "Is it time?"

Mae's laughter ringed brightly. "No, the baby kicked me."

"I can't wait to spend time with our children and the Jacobs', the children become close friends. I just know it."

At the familiar speech, John kissed her brow. "It's amazing how they are expecting their first child just a few months after us isn't it?"

"It's another of many miracles in our life," Mae agreed and jumped. "Ooh another kick."

* * *

Three days later, John held his new daughter in his arms while sitting in a rocking chair he'd made for Mae. Moonlight from the window fell over his sleeping wife's face. Her golden hair spread over the pillow, lovely in her sleep, a soft curve to her lips, she was like he imagined angels looked like.

The baby squirmed and let out a soft whimper and even though it was a low sound Mae's eyes popped open and she looked to him. "Is Lady hungry?"

John smiled at her sudden alertness. "No she's gone back to sleep. And you should too, you need to rest."

Mae's soft emerald eyes met his and her lips curved into a slow smile. "I want to hold her. She's so beautiful. Looks so much like you. You make beautiful babies John McClain."

Warmth filled him and he got up and laid the child in her arms and then he climbed onto the bed next to his wife taking them both into his arms. "I will have to argue the point." John kissed Mae's hair. "Although her hair is dark like mine, her little upturned nose is much more like yours."

"Hmm, perhaps, but her eyes are a light blue. They will darken to a beautiful gray." Mae told him with a lazy smile.

"Is Lady 'wake?" Wesley's head appeared from the opening in the doorway. His eyes locked directly onto his sister. "Can I hold her?"

Mae shifted and gave the sleeping baby to John, and then she held her arms out. "Come here Wesley."

The boy giggled and jumped into the bed immediately snuggling into Mae's embrace. "It's hot in here Mama." He told her but John noted he didn't move away.

Mae sighed and kissed Wesley's face. "I love you so much my little boy."

"I the big brother." His son replied, his voice filled with pride.

"That's true you are," Mae told him.

John reached and tussled the boy's hair.

Each day that passed since marrying Mae, he'd been thankful for the gift of a family. The blessing of a strong brave wife and a life like one he'd never imagined.