Posted April 21, 2022
Laughing lightly, Emeline turned in his arms, looking up at him. "Did you ever think that I didn't have a say in what we were doing?" she asked sweetly, batting her eyes, then gasping. "Oh, goodness, I think I've given away my secret!"
She hugged him, resting her head on his chest as he peeled away the layers of clothing. "You played right into my hands, you know, and I don't regret it for a minute. Now, my say is put me to bed and hold me, and tomorrow will be a new day. I'm sure I'll feel better after a good night's sleep."
They really had been moving at a brisk pace, not that she wasn't having a wonderful time, but it was time to slow for a day or two so she'd be rested for the trek to Virginia City.
Posted April 21, 2022
"You've always had a say in everything we do. This is a shared life we're living, you, me, and the future of us. Be it kids by the score, or just a couple. No matter Em, none at all. We've not seen the hard times that are out there, and we may never see them, but whatever we'll see, we'll see it together." That was pretty deep for Barnabas 'Pronto' Pike, yet it was how he saw things, and how he felt.
They, the two of them were the most important thing in his life. Children would just be the bonus to their life. He grinned, "Now Misses Pike, it's off to bed, and we'll deal with tomorrow when it get's here, preferably after breakfast. Now, into bed with you."
Posted April 22, 2022
Emeline was glad to be free of the confining clothing...yes, it helped give support as long as she had to be out and about, but once it was time to be done being out and about, it was a huge relief to just be in her soft nighty, and even better, to be swaddled in a warm, safe embrace!
Thoroughly exhausted, she slept well, dreams, if any (she didn't remember), were pleasant.
When she awoke, it was abruptly, and it was only the awareness that Barnabas' arm was around her that kept her from leaping out of bed. But, she needed to move quickly, so it was only for a few seconds that she tried to gently squirm away from her husband.
In the end, overwhelming nausea forced her to spring from the bed and dash to the night stand, where she grabbed the pretty porcelain bowl, and gave in to morning sickness.
Posted April 23, 2022
Not the most pleasant way of waking up, the sound of his wife being sick in the morning, though he had heard her in the water closet, as they called it, before. This morning she was unable to make it that far.
"Get it up girl," He stated as he tried to get up, but the night shirt had him trapped and was unwilling to yield, or so it seemed. He'd be glad to forego the shirt in favor of sleeping in his long johns, which did not ball up around him, making any movement difficult. But now, his feet were on the floor. "Not sure this hangin' around is in the best interest of how you're gettin' on."
He knew that later in the morning she would be feeling better and wanting to do things that for the moment seemed out of the question. Lunch on the beach with the seals, well, there was that. He would go along with whatever it was she wanted to do. He could, and would make the stay in Virginia City no longer than absolutely necessary.
Barnabas walked over to her and guided her back to the bed where he sat her down. "And you want to go through this how many more times?" Of course he realized that her condition was not solely her doing, he had his part in it, and it was his child as well as hers that was developing inside of her. He knew that much just from living.
Posted April 25, 2022
"It's the penance women pay for Eve's indiscretion," Emeline sighed, resting her head on his chest, "but it's worth it in the end." Sighing, she smiled. "I suppose it's for the men to suffer as they watch their ladies suffer."
Looking up at him, she asked, "You do suffer with me?" Then she chuckled. "When I get to Heaven, I'm going to have a good, stern talk with Eve! In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy myself when I'm not feeling ill. This should pass in a couple weeks anyway."
Her past experience with morning sickness hadn't been unbearable, and she knew it was just a matter of riding it out, and she surely didn't want to ruin the rest of their honeymoon.
"Maybe we can have some tea and toast sent up? And whatever you might want for breakfast?" Yes, there was a picnic in store, but that was later, so something light would do for now.
Posted April 25, 2022
"It's the penance women pay for Eve's indiscretion," Emeline sighed, resting her head on his chest, "but it's worth it in the end." Sighing, she smiled. "I suppose it's for the men to suffer as they watch their ladies suffer."
"See, now, I didn't know that. All for an apple too. Seems a shame every woman needs to pay for that moment. But then, what do I know?" Barnabas replied trying to be light about it.
Looking up at him, she asked, "You do suffer with me?" Then she chuckled. "When I get to Heaven, I'm going to have a good, stern talk with Eve! In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy myself when I'm not feeling ill. This should pass in a couple weeks anyway."
"You think it will matter by then? And yes, I hate to see you ill like this, I wish there was something I could do for you, but perhaps I've done enough already." She would not be ill, nor pregnant if not for him, so there was a shared responsibility and he did feel empathy for her and this morning bout she was having.
Her past experience with morning sickness hadn't been unbearable, and she knew it was just a matter of riding it out, and she surely didn't want to ruin the rest of their honeymoon.
"Maybe we can have some tea and toast sent up? And whatever you might want for breakfast?" Yes, there was a picnic in store, but that was later, so something light would do for now.
"Now there's a plan, Em. I 'll do that, but will the sight of my breakfast make things worse than they are already?" He had no real knowledge of what she was going through, so the question was an honest one. Although, according to her plan for children, he would learn soon enough on his own without her response. "If so I can eat downstairs and spare you any more discomfort. Really, it's not a problem."
Posted April 26, 2022
"I don't mind," Emeline murmured, although she didn't specify what she didn't mind! "How about this? You go on down to breakfast and I'll have Lillian draw me a bath, get cleaned up and meet you down there?"
A bath would assuredly help her to feel rejuvenated and ready for the day, and, as they were going on a picnic on the beach, she could wear something more simple and less confining.
"I'm looking forward to the day, and I promise, I'm already feeling better. Oh, and you can request the picnic food...surprise me!"
Posted April 27, 2022
"Alright, that sounds fair enough. I'll see what they can put together for us while I eat." He said easily. "I just didn't expect this trip would include a pregnancy, or the discomfort that appears to go with it. I mean I saw my Mother go through a pregnancy, but to be honest, I really didn't pay much attention." He stroked her cheek as he spoke, "So I'll go down and get this done for us."
He started for the door, then stopped and asked, "Lillian? Had you thought to invite her and her brother, or would you rather we plan that for another day?"
Posted April 28, 2022
"Oh, that would be a grand idea!" Emeline exclaimed. "I'll ask her while she's here, so plan on four." Smiling, she took his hand and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You know what causes pregnancy, right?" she whispered in his ear, "I'm don't know about you, but I'm not willing to give that up!"
Blushing hotly, she gave him a playful shove into the hall and closed the door behind him!
It was nearly an hour before she met Barnabas in the dining room, but she was feeling much better, and ignoring the looks she was getting in her simple skirt and linen waistcoat...today was not a day for bustles!
"Good morning again, Mr. Pike." She gave him a light kiss on the neck, then sat beside him. "I'm ready for our adventure, and Lillian and her brother are going to meet us out front."
Posted April 28, 2022
On his way down the stairs, as an alternate to the elevator, Barnabas reflected on his bride, their happiness and the coming child. He also took the time to consider the trip to Virginia City, this would be by rail, and far more comfortable. The mines had made a difference in the way people were able to travel from San Francisco to the Comstock. Some said out loud that it was the sliver from the Comstock Lode that built San Francisco, that might be true, he reflected, but it was certainly making a difference for he and Em.
Getting the baskets prepared was one of the specialties of the Palace, all he had to do was specify the number of those expected, the kitchen would take care of the rest, and that suited him just fine. And then he went to the main dining room, and ordered steak and eggs with coffee.
"Good morning again, Mr. Pike." She greeted, followed by a kiss on the back of his neck, turning his head mid bite.
"Well, Misses Pike! How grand of you to join me. Took the elevator did you?" He asked with his own greeting. "The baskets are being prepared as we speak, or before we leave, they will be ready. And Miss Lillian? What did she say?"