She’s Having My Baby
Thoughts from Laura and Almanzo’s POV
She's Having My Baby
HE
Almanzo was reluctant to go over to his side of the bed. He walked over to Laura’s side, bending down to look at her. They had been married for almost eight months now. It was then that a feeling came over him, that beautiful feeling of love and tenderness which filled up his heart. His love for her made him whole, complete. There wasn’t anyone else in the whole world like Laura and there never would be, not for him anyway.
He had fallen for her so quickly that it shocked and surprised him. It was the last thing he ever expected to happen. He knew he had feelings for her, but he never knew how much until that day he picked her up in Currie after her first week of teaching. She went from a little schoolgirl to a poised confident young lady. She was not only beautiful, but she was smart and feisty and fun to be with. She was the only woman who loved horses, knew about farming and was interested in him. And Laura made him feel confident and comfortable at the same time. There was nothing he couldn’t do with her around. Almanzo had no idea where he’d be without her by his side.
He smiled and touched her cheek. He loved to watch her sleep and this was no exception, but he was really sorry that he hadn’t come upstairs sooner.
He wanted to apologize for falling asleep downstairs in his chair by the fireplace. Almanzo had spoken to Mr. Anderson at the bank yesterday and he told him everything was perfect now. He had just paid off the two new cows that he bought and some chickens. He had to watch his spending though. If he skipped a few payments, he might be in trouble, especially if he bought anything new. That barn was going to have to be patched up again and the house needed some repair work.
Almanzo never wanted to tell Beth about his money problems He always relied on credit to carry him through, but she never agreed with him and warned him against doing that. All due to her father’s experience. But it was different with Almanzo. He hadn’t thought twice about it.
And the only reason that he went to the bank in the first place because of the baby. And what a shock that had been. Beth told him yesterday that she was pregnant and he was so excited that he fell through the Ingalls’ roof, literally. He had no one to blame but himself, actually. When you’re in the middle of fixing up a barn roof, you shouldn’t be jumping up and down on it, no matter how excited you get.
But Almanzo was no worse for the wear and, being a little embarrassed that he had fallen, everything was fine. Oh, he was excited, but in a good way. He wanted to start a family and he was finally getting his wish. But, first and foremost, he was going to take care of Beth and his new little girl as well.
And he had a funny feeling that’s just how it was going to turn out. And that wouldn’t be so terrible. He loved Beth’s little sister Grace. She was so adorable. And he knew that if his daughter looked anything like Beth…
But enough of that, he thought, and shook his head to clear it.
He looked at his wife, bent down and kissed her cheek. He stood up, moved to his side of the bed and climbed in.
“I love you, Beth,” he whispered, as he lay down next to her. He inched a little closer, his arms encircling her waist. And Almanzo stretched out and cuddled into her, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
SHE
Laura had woke in the middle of the night and found Manly cuddled next to her, his arms around her waist and sound asleep. She didn’t want to wake him up; it was very rarely that he slept the whole night through. She did manage to separate herself from him so that she could visit the outhouse. She quickly ran down the stairs forgetting that she promised Almanzo she’d be careful.
Laura ran up the stairs as fast as she could. When she entered the bedroom they shared, she found him in the same position, closer to her side of the bed than his own. And as she got closer, Laura noticed how calm and at peace he was, a look of contentment on his face.
It was only yesterday that she had gone to Doc Baker’s office. Her stomach was upset; she wasn’t quite sure what it was. And so, at her Ma’s urging, she had gone and he confirmed what she already suspected.
She was going to have Manly’s baby.
And she realized at that moment how much she loved him, how much she wanted a family and how she couldn’t wait until this baby was born. At first, she wanted to wait, but when she found she was with child, she couldn’t believe how quickly she changed her mind.
Laura secretly wanted a boy, she was pretty sure that all men wanted a son to carry on the family name. But last night, before they went to sleep, Almanzo told her that if they had a girl he’d love her just the same. Oh, he told her, there were plenty of things he could do with a son, but daughters were special. There was a certain bond between a father and daughter. He saw it within his own family. But the love he had for Laura and her sisters, well, that was something else again.
Almanzo’s favorite was Grace, he adored her. She was so cute with her blond hair and shy ways. She hardly ever spoke and when she did, you didn’t get much out of her and sometimes you just couldn’t understand a word she said. Almanzo told her once he couldn’t wait until she was fully grown. He knew she would be beautiful.
But enough about that, Laura thought as she continued to stare at his face. It was so calm, so serene. He was so beautiful, inside and outside. Oh, they had their differences and they had their quarrels, but she was used to that now. It wasn’t like the fights they had before they were married, who had been right and who had been wrong and who would be the first to give in.
No, now it didn’t matter who started it, she was the first to end it and he was eager to make up, which he hadn’t been before they married. And sometimes, Manly surprised her; he’d be the one who gave in. Eliza Jane had been right, at least, about that part. She told Laura to give it time and that Almanzo would come around. He was the peacemaker of the family; she had told her while they were having tea one night. It was during the short time they had all lived together for three days, right after Laura and Almanzo’s spur of the moment wedding. There really wasn’t too much that she had in common with Almanzo’s sister, in fact, it was usually touch and go with both of them. But Almanzo loved Eliza Jane and Laura was determined to make it work.
She smiled, thinking about the first day they met, the love she felt every time in her heart and soul every time she looked into his eyes. It was hard waiting for him to notice her, but she forced herself to do just that. She always knew that someday she would be Mrs. Laura Ingalls Wilder no matter what came their way. She had been determined to make Almanzo see her as a woman and her dream came true. It took a year, one whole year, but she had done it.
Manly had fallen for for her like a ton of bricks. And she was determined more than ever to keep him as off balance as possible, even if it would take the rest of their lives.
Now, as she watched him sleep, she felt certain calm, a certain peace and love she had never felt before. For the first time in her life, she knew where she was going and who she was going to get there with. It was a great feeling and it was something she could understand and latch onto.
Laura loved him and she knew she’d be with him forever.
“Beth?” She heard him call as he reached out for her.
“I’m right next to you, Manly,” Laura answered as she took his hand in hers.
He squeezed her hand tightly as he opened up his eyes. He smiled at her and pulled her close. “Stay with me, Beth. Please don’t ever leave me. I need you here with me. “
“For as long as we both shall live?”
Almanzo smiled. “For as long as we both shall live,” he repeated, looking in her eyes.
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