It felt so wonderful to be wrapped in William’s embrace again.  Bess relished the moment, enjoying his kisses and returning them with equal enthusiasm.  He had been gone so long, first with the army and then opening the new store.  They had only a week between his trips and that had not been long enough.  One day without him was too long for her.

“I missed you too,” she whispered against his lips.  “I finally feel like I am whole again.”  Many people had predicted that their marriage would be a disaster because they married so soon after his first wife passed away and they were fourteen years apart in age.  Yet, twelve years and two and a half children later, their relationship was stronger than it had ever been.  And she had every reason to believe that William felt the same.

Bess entwined her arms around his neck and pressed herself as close against him as possible, wishing she could be even closer.  But that would have to wait until tonight when the kids were in bed.  Once they found out their father was home, they probably wouldn’t want to leave him alone.  A lot had happened while he was gone that they would want to tell him about.

She smiled as he tilted her head up and kissed her once again.  “That would be divine,” she replied.  Pulling away slightly, Bess took his hand and placed it on her softly rounded belly.  It was still a bit too early to feel it kick.  “Has she grown since last you saw her?”  She always referred to their unborn child as female, as she was hoping for a girl this time.  However, she would still be thrilled with another boy.  All that mattered was that it was healthy.