Lawless Love

Sarah woke to the late winter sun shining through the window of her home. She reached out to find an empty space where her husband should be. She should know that he would be up already but she pouted a bit. She sat on the edge of the bed to stretch. As she moved, so did the baby. She smiled and rubbed her belly. "Good morning my sweet baby boy!" The baby moved some more when she stood up. She went to where she kept her dresses so she could decide what she wanted to wear. The dress she chose was light blue with a lower collar and longer sleeves than the others she wore. It was also a bit shorter. She knew it was going to be a little chilli and she wanted to be as comfortable as possible. She took off her nightgown and looked at herself in the mirror. She had changed so much in the time she had been in Lone Bluff, aside from the obvious. She was tougher and more independent. She had Jake to thank for that. He taught her to shoot, and she was good at it. He also taught her how to harness the horses and hitch them to the wagon.  She slid the dress on and the fabric felt good on her skin. She decided to leave her hair down. It's my birthday and I will do whatever I want today proper or not. She took one last look in the mirror and liked what she saw. She went down to the kitchen to start breakfast for her and Jake. She took a peek at the new addition on their house. This is going to be the baby's room when it's complete. Jake and Lucius were almost done with the interior walls. She could see a rocking chair in the corner, a bassinet against the exterior wall and chest full of toys when the baby gets older. Jake and Lucius were also adding a third room that would eventually become a room reserved for Sarah's sewing or guests that came to stay. There was room for a small bed and a chest of drawers. There was also plenty of room for bolts of fabric, all of her thread and other things of that nature. Sarah was so happy that they were willing to do all of this for her. She was almost seven months along and she couldn't wait for the baby to come. She had dreams lately of Jake holding the baby and then teaching him how to do things only a father can. She placed a hand on her belly as the baby moved. "Yes, my love. I can't wait to meet you. Don't tell Daddy but I think you are a boy." She felt another kick. "That must be a yes." She laughed with the movement.  Jake was in the barn tending to the animals when he noticed that the dog was looking between him and the house.  He knew Sarah was awake and wanted to be with her but he also wanted to be a good dog and stay with his other master. Jake ruffled the fur on his head. "She's awake isn't she fella." Lafitte let out a little woof and stared at the house again. Jake finished with the animals and headed for the house with the dog hot on his heels. As they got closer to the house, he could hear her singing. He couldn't understand it but he liked it. He assumed it was something her friend, Lucilla, had taught her when they were together. He knew she missed her and he was planning on having her come to Lone Bluff before the baby came.  Sarah was busy in the kitchen when they walked through the door. Jake leaned against the wall and watched her for a minute. Lafitte walked to her and bumped her with his nose. She put down the biscuits and pet him. "Good morning buddy! How's my good dog?" He licked her and jumped a little. "Oh I love you too, Lafitte!" Sarah noticed Jake was watching her and she straightened up and walked to him. God, she has her hair down and she's wearing that dress she's been working on. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.  She wrapped her arms around his waist and he put his arms around her in return. "Good morning my husband. Did you sleep well?" God, he smells good. Why does he always smell good? She felt her knees go weak and she suddenly felt hot. He kissed her gently on the lips. "How couldn't I with an angel layin' next to me?" He winked at her and she blushed. She playfully hit him on the chest and smiled. "You, Mr. Redman, are a silver-tongued devil." She turned around to finish breakfast and he sat at the table. "Only for you, woman." She made him eggs, hot, the way he liked and placed them on the table. She made her eggs and sat across from him. They ate in a comfortable silence and Lafitte laid at her feet. He had become more protective of Sarah since she had become pregnant to the point no one could touch her but Jake.  Jake was the one to break the silence. He sat back and looked at her, "Well, seeing as it's your birthday I thought we could go into town today." Sarah looked at him with tears threatening to fall. She couldn't speak because she couldn't find her words she had suddenly lost. "You remembered it was my birthday?" she whispered.  Jake c****d his head. He couldn't understand why she was confused. "Of course I remember it's your birthday.  It's my job as your husband to know that kinda stuff. I know that today is your birthday, that your favorite color is blue and your favorite flowers are the ones that grow by the creek." She stood and went to him and sat in his lap resting her head on his chest.  "You make me so happy, Jake. I would love a ride into town. I need more yarn and a few other things." He kissed her on the top of her head. "Well, let's go get the horses ready and we can go." They walked hand in hand to the barn with Lafitte right behind them. Sarah was excited to be going to town. She had been writing her friend, Lucilla, monthly and was hoping there would be a letter waiting for her. Nothing could ruin this day.