A few days later.

"This is the longest I've ever been away from Arlo."

"Tomorrow's reunion should be fun!" Margene smirks.

"Ooh sister Brimm, I bet you'll turn into a wild woman!" Arvilla laughs.

"Oh stop it!" Carol blushes.

Just then there was a knock on their door.

"Ooh and there's your man!" Arvilla turns to Margene.

"Yep!  I'm coming mister!"

Arvilla laughs and places her hand on her stomach.

"How are you feeling?"

"Well the puke party lasted a little longer today, but it's all better now!  I'm feeling pretty good." Arvilla says with a smile.

"Good!  Have you scheduled your appointment with your OBGYN?"

"Yes!  Monday at 9:00 am."

"Great!  Margene and I will be there."

"Where will we be?" Margene asks walking in with Emmett.

"Arvilla's OBGYN appointment."

"Oh yes, we'll be there!"

"Thanks!  And welcome, Emmett!" Arvilla laughs.

"Hey!  Thanks for having me!  How are you beautiful ladies?"

"Great!  So what's the plan for tonight?  Are we partying hard?" Arvilla asks.

"Hah!  Right!" Carol laughs.

"Oh Carol Brimm, let loose!"

"I already drank vodka and gambled this trip, that's all you're getting from me!" She says making them laugh.

**

That evening they all had an amazing dinner.  After dinner they decided to go out dancing.. Well Emmett and Margene decided.  The other two just tagged along.

"Look at them." Carol says.

"I know, they're sweet together." Arvilla smiles softly.

"They sure are.."

"Yeah....
  Carol.. I wonder where Bo is.."

Carol sighs deeply.  "I don't know, but I hope he's somewhere safe."

"Me too.."

*
*
*
One week earlier.

The night the women met Bo, Arvilla laid out in Joe's car holding his ashes.

"I met the sweetest boy today, Joe." Arvilla says in her soft and beautiful voice.

"He reminded me so much of you.
  I hope he finds his father.  I hope he has a great life.. and I hope I see him again."

*
*
*

"Carol, do you think we could go ahead and go back to the hotel?  I mean if you wanna stay with the two love birds you can, but I need to go.  I'm so exhausted!"

"Of course!  Do you feel sick?"

"No.  I just need to get some sleep.  I feel like I could fall over!"

"Aw you poor thing!  You sit here, I'll tell them we're leaving."

"Thank you." Arvilla sits back and relaxes.

**

Arriving at the hotel.

"Oh gosh.." Arvilla stops and grabs her stomach.

"What?  What happened?"

"Now I feel sick.  Oh baby, mommy's tired!" Arvilla whines as she rubs her hand in circles.  She then turns to Carol and pouts.
"Did you hear me?  I said mommy!  That's me!  I'm some little baby's mommy, Carol!"

"Oh your pregnancy hormones have come in, haven't they?"

"Am I being annoying?" Arvilla sheds a tear.

"No, of course not!"

"Good..
  I'd hate to be as annoying as you were when you were pregnant."

"What?  Well thanks!"

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, sweetie!  I'm sorry, I just need to go throw up then get to sleep." Arvilla places her hand on her stomach.

"I'll be in to check on you in a little while."

"Okay, thank you."

**

30 minutes later.

"Arvilla?
.. You okay, sweetie?" Carol whispers as she slowly walks into her room.

Carol smiles at her friend peacefully sleeping.
"Make sure she gets a good nights rest, Joe."

***

The next morning they were back on the road.  This time their day would end in Pocatello.
Margene was excited to get home to show Emmett around.  Carol of course was excited to be back with her family.

As for Arvilla.. Well she had mixed feelings about being home.

Even though she and the girls were planning a trip to Argentina, that wasn't for another month!
Arvilla dreaded being alone.  She felt her sadness would overtake her.

The past few nights Arvilla has been staying up a little later to work on a letter she planed on sending to Joe's daughter, Francine.  As she drove, and Carol and Margene took a little nap, she went over her letter in her head.

'Dear Francine,

  I'm writing to inform you of a few things, as well as apologize.

I apologize if you ever felt I was trying to steal your father away.  I loved him, and will Always love him.  I know the age difference was huge, but that didn't matter to us.
  Joe and I just worked together so well.

I'm sorry there were holidays he missed.  Games, birthdays, dance recitals.  All of it!  I'm sorry.. but I never talked him out of anything.  Joe just wanted to travel, so I went because I loved traveling with him.  Heck, I just loved being with him, Period!

I'm sorry I went against what you wanted.  But I had to honor what Joe wanted.  This was his final wish, and I couldn't bare to take that away from him.

  Joe Holden loved to travel and be out in the world.  I couldn't do that to him.  I couldn't seal him up forever.

Next I would like for you to know that I have found your father's will he made after him and I were married.

I plan to stay in our home and raise our baby in a place we created so many memories.

Yes, you ready that correctly.  I am pregnant.
I hope we speak again.  I hope you will meet the baby.  You may not care for me, Francine.  But I'm having your father's baby.  His very last creation.  I would like for you to meet the baby when he or she is born.  But of course that decision is up to you.

I hope to hear from you soon.

  -Mrs. Holden.'