Big thanks to My-Little-Emmilette for getting me off my lazy ass. I have no excuse. I think I just got discouraged or writer's block. Who knows. Anyways I am truly sorry, and I hope you all like the chapter.
Lucky skidded into the camp, hearing singing and cheering. Odd, she thought to herself before making her presence known. Her eyes scanned the group quickly before falling upon Luke. He smiled softly and blushed.
"Hey Chloe," Robin bounced his daughter in his arms, "look who came to see you."
Marian smiled at her husband before walking over to the teenager, "is everything alright, Lucky?"
The gang listened intently as she told her story with shock and worry. All eyes fell upon Robin as they tried to figure out what to do. It was finally Allan who spoke up. "Well if the Sheriff wants to use one of our ideas, why don't we borrow one of his?" Everyone looked at him oddly and he continued, "We start bringing bags along with us, and we make the guards load 'em up. That way we are never close enough to get hurt."
Will shrugged, "it makes sense."
"Well that is sorted," Robin nodded happily. "So I suggest we finish with the party." He turned to the young girl, "we would be honored if you would join us Lucky."
She smiled brilliantly, "well I suppose I could stay for a moment or so." She walked over and sat on Luke's bunk next to him. His cheeks turned crimson. There was a girl on his bed. Not just any girl, but Lucky. His fingers moved slowly, taking her hand in his.
They all laughed and cheered as the small child unwrapped her present. Chloe was definitely a very spoiled girl. She was clutching the small doll that her Uncle Will had so carefully carved for her. Eve had been kind enough to sew a tiny dress for the toy. Marian couldn't believe the kindness that everyone was showing her baby girl. She had the most amazing family. When Much brought out the cake tears stung her eyes.
Much looked terrified as he noticed Marian crying, "I know it is not much, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances." He looked pitiful. "Oh it's awful. Who was I kidding? You can't bake a proper cake in the forest. I told Robin, but you know how he is." He whimpered, "I tried. I really did."
"No, Much," Marian smiled and tried to wipe her tears. "It's amazing. You are all so wonderful, and I just don't know how to thank you all for everything. You've all made Chloe's birthday wonderful."
Everyone looked silently from each other before glancing back at Marian curiously. "Um, Marian," Much started nervously, "is everything alright?"
"Everything is wonderful," Marian beamed as she hugged him fiercely and kissed him on the cheek. "It's Chloe's birthday, and our whole family is here, and you have all been so amazing. Much when was the last time anyone truly thanked you for everything you do?" She hugged him again.
Allan scrutinized Marian carefully. "Wait one bloody minute!" He pointed his finger accusingly at the peculiar mother, "she's crying and getting all lovey with Much," Allan exclaimed before turning to Robin. "You told me no ale! So why is Marian completely knackered?"
Everyone stared at the woman who was now laughing. "Marian," Robin approached his wife, "are you okay?" Surely she wasn't drunk. Marian was not the type to drink, but he could think of no other way to explain her odd behavior.
"I don't know," Marian told him honestly.
"She's drunk," Allan supplied.
She turned and glared at him, "I have not been drinking. I'm pregnant."
Silence filled the camp as everyone stared in disbelief. Djaq felt like crying. How did this happen? Marian wasn't even trying to get pregnant. It wasn't fair, "but Matilda said, so long as you were breast feeding frequently that you would not get pregnant."
"Yeah well, Chloe has been eating solid foods more often," Marian shrugged. "I guess I didn't think about it."
"But you weren't trying to get pregnant," Djaq's voice squeaked slightly.
Marian smiled, "of course not. Who would in our situation? I mean we are stuck in the forest, and being pregnant with Chloe was far from easy. We didn't want to have another until after all of this was over."
Djaq felt anger bubbling up inside her. She didn't even want to have a baby. Will put a gentle arm around her shoulders, and she felt like his strength seeped through to her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She would not be jealous of her friend.
Robin was still in shock. Had Marian just said what he thought she had? They were having another baby? He was thrilled and terrified at the same time. Quickly closing the distance between them he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her passionately.
"Oi, isn't that what got us into this mess," Allan asked.
John just gave him a wary glance before shoving him in the shoulder. "Congratulations!"
Robin pulled away from the kiss, "are you sure?"
"I saw Matilda yesterday," she beamed.
Lucky was finally heading home from the celebration. "Can you believe that Marian is pregnant," she asked Luke.
"Honestly we all thought that if it happened to anyone it'd be Djaq," he laughed. "Maybe they really have been looking for honey."
Lucky pushed him gently, "Luke, that's awful," but she couldn't help but laugh.
"So, um," Luke looked down at his feet, "I guess this is where we part."
She smiled at his shyness, "not without a goodnight kiss, I hope."
Will had woken to an empty cot in the middle of the night. His hand smoothed over Djaq's pillow. It was cold, so he knew that she had been gone for sometime. Slowly and quietly, as to not wake the others, he crawled out of bed and pulled his boots on before heading out to find his wife.
It had been a crazy day at the camp. Not only was it Chloe's birthday, but they received big news from both Lucky and Marian. He knew that Djaq had not taken Marian's announcement well, but he had really hoped that she wasn't that upset. As he entered a small clearing the sight before him broke his heart. His precious wife was sitting on the forest floor crying into her knees. Her small shoulders were shaking with sobs. He made his way silently to her side and engulfed her petite frame in his arms.
She buried her face into his shoulder and breathed in his woody scent, "she is my friend. I should be happy." Her fingers gripped his shirt roughly, "and all I can think is that it isn't fair."
It tore him to pieces to see her like this. "Maybe we are trying too hard. It is obviously upsetting you," he whispered into her hair.
"No," she looked up at him with chocolate brown eyes, "I'm okay." Did he think that she was having doubts? "Will, I want to have your child. I want to start our family. I'm just… I'm just jealous of Marian."
Placing his hands on both sides of her face he pulled her in for a soft kiss. He tried to poor all of his feelings for her into that touch. "Saffiyah," his breath was warm on her mouth, "we will have a baby, and when we do you'll be a wonderful mother. I have no doubt about that. I just think that we should let things happen when they happen. No more worrying."