“Are you okay, Jade?” Aris asked me, “You are awfully quiet.”  We were halfway through our cigarettes.  “I guess I’m a little scared,” I answered.  “What are you afraid of?” he asked.  “That I’m not really ready,” I answered, “Are you scared?”  “A little,” he answered, “but I know that we will be okay.”  “Are you ready?” I asked him.  “Yes,” he answered, no hesitation.  That made me feel better, that he was so sure.

“Do you have any questions?” he asked.  “How long will I be pregnant?” I asked.  “About six months,” he answered.  “That soon?” “Yes, but do not worry.  We will be ready,” he assured me.  “We will?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “the sitting room that is right next to our bedroom.  We will make it into a nursery.  I will start shopping for baby furniture tomorrow.”  “Okay,” I smiled.  “We will have it done long before the baby comes,” he told me.  “Okay,” I smiled.

We put out our cigarettes.  “Are you ready for bed now?” he asked.  I nodded my head yes.  We stood up, he took my hand and led me to the bedroom.  We climbed back into bed.  I put my head on his chest and he took hold of my hand.  I closed my eyes and listened to the rhythm of his heart.  Before long, I was asleep.

“Jade,” Aris was saying my name softly.  I sat up and looked at his face.  “How did you sleep?” he asked.  “Great,” I answered, “and you?”  “Great,” he smiled.  I leaned down to kiss him.  He rose up to meet me.  He wrapped his arms around me and rolled to where he was on top.  I squealed, breaking us from the kiss.  “Do we have time?” I asked.  “We will make time,” he answered.  He leaned in and kissed me slow and leisurely.  We made love slow and leisurely.  Then we rushed around in the shower.  Done with the shower, we rushed to get ready.  We both had the skin put our hair up in buns.  The skin put our snowsuits on us and we were ready to go.

We rode the snowmobile to the main cabin.  Ripley met us outside for a cigarette, “We have about ten minutes.”  He lit me a cigarette, then one for himself and handed the pack to Aris.  “How are you feeling?” Ripley asked me.  “A lot better,” I answered.  “Good,” he said, “did your heat end, then?”  “I think so,” I answered, “I took a warm shower and am fine.”  We finished our cigarettes and went in.

Laura and Marie were seated at the breakfast table.  “Are you girls ready to go shopping?” Ripley asked.  “Yes,” they cheered.  “Eat up,” he told them, “we won't stop to eat until lunch time.  Besides, we need our energy. Lia will wear us out.”  “Hey,” Lia threw her napkin at him.

Just then, Antony brought platters of food from the kitchen.  Then went back to get more.  Aris got up and followed him.  They both brought more in.  It looked and smelled so good.  There were breakfast burritos, omelets, pancakes, bacon and sausage.  We waited until everyone was seated, then started passing around the platters.  I had a breakfast burrito and an omelet.  They were wonderful, but filling.  I pushed my plate away, done, “That was so good.”  “Thank you,” Antony accepted the compliment.  “Are you sure you do not want more?” Aris asked.  “Yes,” I answered, “I’m full.”  I nibbled on bacon while everyone else finished.

Antony finished and stood up.  He started collecting the dishes.  I stood and started helping without asking.  I followed him into the kitchen and sat my stack of dishes by the dishwasher.  Ripley followed me in with another stack and Aris followed with glasses.  Lia followed with platters and glasses.  I got a clean dishtowel, got it wet in his dishwater and started wiping off the counter tops.  Lia got another and went to the dining room to wipe off the table.  Ripley got the broom and dustpan.

“You all do not have to help me,” Antony started, in protest, “I can do this.”  “I want to,” I stopped him.  “Besides you will need to go help with the kids,” Ripley added.  “What are you going to do with the kids?” I asked.  “I think that I am going to take them to the pool.  Then, maybe, spar with them,” he answered.  “That sounds like fun,” I finished wiping down the counters and started cleaning off the stove.  “Are you cooking again tonight?” I asked him.  “I am cooking tonight,” Aris spoke up.  “What are you making?” I asked.  “It is a surprise,” he answered, helping Antony load the dishwasher.  Hopefully fried chicken.  That sounds so good.  “How did you know?” he asked me.  “What?  Fried chicken?” I asked, “I didn't know.  That is just what I’m hoping for.” “Fried chicken it is,” he told me.

I finished and took my dishtowel to the sink.  Lia came in and put her dishtowel next to the sink, “The girls are ready and waiting.”  “We are almost done,” Aris told her.  Ripley finished sweeping and we waited as Aris and Antony finished loading the dishwasher.  “All done,” Aris announced as Antony pushed some buttons on it to start it.  “Thank you for all of the help,” Antony told us, “I really appreciate it.”  “You're welcome,” I told him.

We left the kitchen and entered the dining room.  A bundled up Laura and Marie sat waiting.  “Are you girls hot?” I asked, “Sorry about the wait.  We are ready to go now.”  They both smiled.  We waited at the back door for Ripley and Lia to put on their boots and coats.  We stopped to have a cigarette.  “The girls are going to ride with Lia in a separate vehicle,” Ripley told me, then quietly, “I can not tolerate their music.”  I smiled at him, “Sounds good.”

We finished our cigarettes then loaded up on snowmobiles.  I rode with Aris.  Ripley and Lia drove the others, a girl riding with each one.  We made it to the shed a few minutes later.  Ripley picked the Lexus, knowing that we could smoke in it.  Lia picked a late model Ford Escape.  Ripley opened the passenger side door for me.  I started to get in.  Aris stopped me and pulled me into a bear hug.  He kissed my forehead, then each cheek, then my mouth, “I love you.  Be safe.”  “I love you too,” I gave him a kiss.  Then he pulled me back for a longer deeper kiss.  After a few seconds Lia started honking the horn.  We stopped kissing and he helped me into the Lexus.  He buckled my seatbelt and shut my door.

He patted the top of the Lexus with his hand and stepped back.  Ripley put the car in gear and we took off onto the little access road.  Lia followed close behind.  We were headed to the small town that Ripley had taken me to previously to shop.  Most likely because Lia wanted to take the girls to her favorite boutique.

“How did you sleep?” I asked Ripley, breaking the silence.  “I slept good,” he answered, “and you?”  “I slept great,” I answered, “No dreams, just pure sleep.”  “Good,” he responded.  We drove for a little while in silence.  “Alright, out with it,” he said, “I know there is something that you need to talk about, so just say it.”  “What do you think about me having a baby?” I blurted out.  “I think that it is great,” he answered, “Why?”  “I’m not so sure that it is great,” I answered, “I told Aris that I’m ready, but I’m not so sure.”  “Jade,” he took my hand, “just tell Yaris.  I am sure that he will understand.”  “He said that I’m already pregnant,” I told him.  “Is that even possible?” he asked.  “I guess so,” I answered.  “Tell him anyway,” he told me, “So that he can back it up.”  “What does that mean?” I asked.  “The way he explained it to me is he can back it up to where you are not pregnant,” he answered, “not an abortion.  He can make it to where you were never pregnant at all.”  “Oh,” I said, not sure how I feel about it.  We drove in silence as I was lost in my thoughts.  “Jade,” he broke the silence.  I looked up at him, brought out of my thoughts.  “You need to talk to him about it,” he told me, “he will dispel any worries you have about it.  I can not give you the best explanation because I do not really understand.”  “Okay,” I acquiesced, “I’m probably worrying over nothing.”  He squeezed my hand comfortingly.

We arrived at the boutique a few minutes later.  Lia parallel parked behind us on the street.  We all got out of the cars and filed into the shop.  Lia went from clothing rack to clothing rack picking out things for the girls to try on.  Ripley and I sat on a small loveseat right outside of the dressing rooms.  Each girl went into a dressing room.  They would try something on, then come out to show us and we would give them our opinions.  Lia really does have amazing fashion sense.  Everything they tried on looked good.

We left the store with several bags of clothes, shoes, jewelry and hair accessories.  “We need to find a store that sells make up,” Lia announced.  “Lead the way,” Ripley told her, “We will follow you.”  Lia led us to the local Mall.  We got out of the cars and went in the Macy's entrance.  We went straight to the makeup counter.  Lia and the girls got their make up done, then Lia proceeded to by skin care and make up for the girls.  Ripley handed the girl behind the counter a credit card.  The girl swiped it and handed the bag to Lia.  Lia handed it to Ripley to carry.  We went to Old Navy and Rue 21.  The girls found some Jeans and t-shirts.  Ripley ended up carrying those too.

“Are you girls ready for lunch?” Ripley asked.  They said yes.  We decided to eat at a restaurant in the mall.  We were seated at a large booth by a large window.  Lia and the girls sat on one side.  I slid in on the other side and Ripley sat next to me.  We put the bags on our bench between me and the wall.  The waitress took our drink order then left us to look at the menu.  “So, what's good here?” I asked.  “I do not know,” Lia said, “I have never ate here.”  “I do not know either,” Ripley said.  “Well you can't go wrong with a bacon cheeseburger and fries,” I said, “That's what I will have.”  Everyone decided to have the same.  “I hope it is good,” Maria spoke up, “I am starving.”

The waitress brought our drinks and took our order along with the menus.  A few minutes later she brought our food on a large round tray, and a stand to put the tray on.  She set up then started passing out our food.  “Let me know if I can get anything else for you,” she looked directly at Ripley and licked her lips.  I felt a small jab of jealousy, “We'll let you know,” I told her.  She turned abruptly and walked away.  Fortunately she had already brought ketchup.  We shouldn't need anything else.

We ate our food.  It was actually pretty good.  I ate it all and pushed my plate away.  I waited while the others finished.  “Would you like dessert?” Again the waitress only looked at Ripley.  “Can I get the menu?” Lia asked.  “Just a minute,” the waitress walked away without looking at her.  “Does she make you as uncomfortable as she does me?” I asked Ripley.  “Yes,” everyone said collectively.  She came back with the menu.  We all ordered chocolate shakes.  She still stared at Ripley.  A few minutes later she came back with the shakes and passed them out.  She set the bill down on the table and walked away.  We drank our shakes and Ripley set the credit card down with the bill.  She took the card and the bill and came back a few minutes later.  “I hope you enjoyed your food,” again she only looked at him.  He filled out the slip and put the card in his wallet.

We left and decided to go home.  I was ready for a nap.  As soon as we got in the car I told him, “she was creepy.”  “Yeah.  She left her phone number on the bill,” he agreed, “I have never had that happen.”  We drove mostly in silence on the way home.  I just didn't feel like talking.  I was full from lunch and groggy.  I caught myself dozing a couple of times.  “You can sleep if you are tired,” he told me.  I did finally give in and sleep a little.

“Jade!” Ripley shouted my name.  I opened my eyes.  He had his arm out in front of me on instinct.  I looked and saw that Ripley had swerved the car and narrowly missed a deer.  He lost control of the car and we left the road.  A tree was swiftly coming at us.  There was a sickening twist of metal sound then a loud thump.  I hit my head and it was lights out for me.