"Yes. I love you, Phillip. I'm not always sure why, but I can't seem to help myself where you're concerned."

"Then I am the luckiest man in the entire world. Now, will you come to my bed?"

From the gleam in his eye, she knew he wasn't thinking about sleeping once they arrived. "How can you find me desirable in such a state?"

"You're beautiful, Jane. More beautiful Than I've ever seen you." He rose to his feet, gloriously naked before her and reached out his hand. "Come."

"What of Emily? What if she stirs?"

"I'll hear her and wake you. You can go to her."

"All right, but you'll have to help me with everything. Sometimes I can't even climb into the bed without assistance."

"It will be my pleasure."

Later, much later, Jane lay on her side, watching her husband. Moonlight bathed his face, and he looked so young, so handsome and vulnerable. She ran a hand across his hair, his shoulder, his chest. She loved him beyond all thought, all reason, but if, at that very moment, someone had asked her why, she'd have been hard pressed to answer. Who can ever truly know the way of the heart?

There were still problems to work out, difficult topics to discuss, arrangements to be made, but she wouldn't worry about that now.

Now, she would lie beside him and relish how wonderful it felt to be back by his side where she belonged. Tomorrow, they could begin working on figuring it all out.

Her hand rested over his heart, and she felt its steady beat. Thinking Phillip slept soundly, she was surprised when he reached out and covered her hand with his own.

In a sleepy voice, he whispered, "Don't ever leave me again. Promise."

"No, I never will. I will always stay right here."

He patted her hand, then drifted back to sleep. Jane smiled and joined him.

Chapter.

Twenty-Nine.

Emily lay in her bed in the small cottage and stared up at the ceiling. Across the hall, her new baby sister, Mary, gurgled and cooed. It was still dark outside, but through her window, she could see the first hint of dawn in the eastern sky, meaning Mary was now five hours old.

Jane's contractions had begun the morning after Father arrived. She'd labored hard through both days, all of one night and a good share of another. Because of the full moon, several women had gone into labor at the same time, so the midwife hadn't been able to come until the very end.

Father had panicked, but not Emilya"for Emily had known what to do. The midwife had previously coached her and given her supplies just in case the babe came quickly before help could arrive. While Father went running around frantically wringing his hands, Emily patiently set up the room, helped Jane change clothes, prepared the herbal brews.

After a few hours of worrying and pacing, Father had calmed enough to help. By the time the midwife showed up, they'd been at it for so long they barely noticed her arrival or assistance as the slippery girl spilled from Jane's body.

Jane had cried. Emily had cried. Father, too, had cried; Emily still couldn't get over it. Right there in front of everyone, he'd cried like a baby. And he'd said he loved them all. Over and over. He'd said it right out loud, just like that so everyone could hear. Emily was still amazed at how he'd hugged and kissed her. She'd let him do it, too, and it felt good. In between tears and embraces, he'd told her that she'd have to show Mary the way of things because she was the older one, and that he was glad Mary would have such a grand big sister to teach her and care for her.

A bright star gleamed on the horizon in the fading night. It seemed to be shining directly on her. She closed her eyes and made a wish that everything would always remain just as wonderful as it was at that very moment.

Mary stirred again. Jane had just fed her awhile ago, so she couldn't be hungry. Emily had heard Father get up and bring her to their bed, had heard her parents whispering while Mary suckled, so she didnat know why Father didnat get up again. Perhaps he and Jane were simply too exhausted to hear her.

The midwife had said Jane's experience had been a particularly harsh one, and she shouldn't get out of bed for several days. The days and nights of labor had also been so hard on Fathera"he'd not rested during any of it and had seemed overcome with emotion afterwarda"that it was almost as if he'd done the birthing himself. Emily smiled. Who would ever have imagined that her stern, serious father would put on such a passionate display?

Sighing with happiness, she silently rose from her bed and tiptoed to the room across the hall. In the small cradle, Mary's eyes twinkled, much like the stars out in the night sky. The two sisters gazed silently at each other, and it seemed to Emily as though she could read the babe's mind.

Please pick me up. I don't like being alone.

"Neither do I," Emily whispered.

I'm scared of the dark.

"So am I."

Their parents didnat stir as Emily reached into the small bed and lifted the bundle, returning with her to the other bedroom. Emily lay on her side, and Mary snuggled next to her. Propping the babe's head in her hand, Emily smiled down at her little sister. "Father says I must show you the way of things," she whispered again. "There's so much to learn, we'd better get started."

Yes, I want to know everything.

The words rang as clearly in Emily's mind as if Mary had spoken them aloud. Emily held out a finger, and Mary wrapped her tiny fist around it and squeezed hard.

Emily swallowed back a flood of tears. "Let me begin by telling you all about Father. And about Jane. Let me tell you about our family ..."

end.