Chapter 14

Unlike the endless waiting she had experienced with Randy and Trent, Marsha knew she was with child within only a few days. The nausea and fatigue became her constant companions. The home pregnancy test confirmed what she already knew and she was beaming when next she saw Dan. He seemed pleased but warned her she needed to plan out very carefully what would come next. She again asked if he would be the child's godfather to which he eagerly agreed. As she was leaving Marsha was taken by surprise when Dan took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.

She experienced the same closeness and warmth she had felt during sex with him. It was not the mind blowing sex of Trent but instead a feeling of belonging and of giving herself freely to him. The sex was exciting but perhaps "fulfilling" would have been a better word to describe it. She felt that now as if she were kissing the one man who could make her complete, who could elicit her true identity and make her safe and secure in who she was. She hated for the moment to end.

"You know we've talked about this and no one else will ever know. But you and I will know. I want that to be enough," she said.

"It will have to be, won't it?" he smiled ruefully.

"Dan, I wish I weren't..." she began, feeling the need to pour out her heart to him, but he put his fingers to her mouth, silencing her.

"I know, Marsha. I know because I feel it too."

Their eyes plumbed the depths of the other, then reluctantly he pulled back.

"You'd better go."

She started to protest but understanding she gave him a final hug and turned to leave.

"Wish me luck," she threw back over her shoulder.

"All the luck in the world," he replied and continued watching until her car disappeared at the end of the block.

Marsha's pregnancy went smoothly. Randy was certainly caught off guard by the news, but, as with his first wife, suspected that despite sneaking the birth control pills into Marsha's drinks (which she had only pretended to drink) lightning had struck again. Not enthusiastic at all, he nevertheless put on a good act and, to his credit, helped her through the pregnancy.

Dan kept in touch from a distance and twice came over when Randy was at work when Marsha called him, panicked or needing help of some kind.

Christopher Edward was born almost nine months to the day from her coupling with Dan. Marsha had toyed with the idea of naming him Daniel but Dan warned her that might be a bit too obvious even though Randy had had no objections to Dan being the baby's godfather. So Christopher it became, simply because she liked the name. Edward was Randy's choice, named after his grandfather.

Dan was present at the Christening and played his role of godfather well, visiting often and showering the infant with gifts.

Marsha worked hard at restoring her figure even though she had gained only seventeen pounds during the pregnancy.

"So, 'Mom, ' are you happy?" asked Dan.

He had come over at her request, played with Christopher a while and stayed after Randy left for work.

"Yes, I am. I can tell Randy isn't exactly excited about Christopher yet, but he's trying."

"How are things between the two of you?"

"Okay, I guess. I never mentioned the DVD or birth control pills in his tackle box and neither has he. I guess it's possible he found out about Trent and me and they were some sort of revenge."

"So you're putting all that behind you?"

"Yes, starting over. I have a wonderful little boy now and I intend for he and I and Randy to be the family I've always wanted."

"I do wish you well, Marsha."

"Dan, I know I've made mistakes -- lots of them, but I truly do want this to work out."

"I understand. You know you can count on me to help in whatever way I can."