Vanessa closed the door behind her, taking in the sight of the room. Harmony was barely awake, her face pale and covered in sweat, but her eyes were open. “Nessa,” she groaned, and Vanessa moved to her bedside, taking her hand, “I'm here, Harmony. I'm here.” Harmony's face turned to her, “Nessa, I'm frightened.” Vanessa nodded, and wiped the girls brow with the last of the clean rags. “It'll be alright, Harmony darling. Everything is going to be alright.” she bit her tongue, and glanced down at Paul who was working feverishly by Harmony's legs. A knock came to the door and Vanessa stood to answer it. It was Adam with the water she'd asked for, “Where do you need this?” he asked as she let him inside. She pointed to the table next to the bed, “I'll need some clean rags also, Adam.” Her husband nodded and walked back to her, she noticed that he was careful not to look too much at Harmony. Once by her side again he grabbed her arm, making her look at him, “Nessa, I'm not sure I like you being in here.” His other hand caressed her belly, “What if something goes wrong?” she smiled gently and put a hand on his cheek, “I will be fine, my love. I promise, if I think something is wrong, I'll leave.” Adam nodded, taking her wrist in a firm grip and kissing her palm, “That's a promise you'd better not break, Vanessa.” then he left. Vanessa walked back to Harmony and sat again at her side, wringing out the rag and dipping it in the fresh water. “Nessa,” Harmony whispered, “Nessa...why are you so worried about me?” Vanessa smiled, settling on the bed next to her friend, “Joe worry's about you, therefore I worry about you.” Harmony almost chuckled, “No...Joe doesn't need to worry about me...” Vanessa put a finger over Harmony's lips, “Joe loves you. He was going to ask you to marry him tonight.” Harmony blinked, “He what?” Vanessa's lips curled in the image of a smile, “Yes, Harmony. He loves you, no matter what you think about him.” Harmony turned her head away, not wanting to look at the woman anymore. “He can't love me.” Vanessa had had enough of this; for the last few months as Harmony and Joe had grown close, Vanessa had watched Joe treat Harmony like a princess, reading her poems from books borrowed from her shelves, taking her on rides around the ranch, showing her the life that she could have if she lived with them. That she should have had from her own family.

Vanessa took a deep breath, “Now why can't he love you, Harmony? Do you still think that you are what your father called you?” Harmony shook her head, “It's not that, I know that I'm not. These months with Joe, with you, all of you Cartwright's has shown me that my father was wrong. I just...” she couldn't talk and just continued to stare at the wall, hissing as another contraction hit. Vanessa let Harmony grip her hand until the pain passed, thinking. When Harmony's breathing returned to normal, she spoke, “You love him, don't you?” Harmony didn't move, just kept taking those slow breaths that Paul had instructed her to do when they'd finally woken her up. “Harmony, answer me. You don't want to marry him, why?” Harmony's hand moved from Vanessa's grip to her belly, protectively, “I won't tie him to a ruin. He's too good a man to marry a woman like me.” Vanessa blew out her breath, again wiping Harmony's brow. She cast a glance at Paul again, who was now watching the clock, counting the minutes between Harmony's contractions. “And what kind of woman are you?” Harmony sniffed, and Vanessa could see that she was crying, “I'm a saloon girl, Vanessa. Don't you know what that means? I've had men buy me drinks and taken them upstairs to treat them to more than a conversation. I'm not nothing because of how my father treated me, I'm nothing because of what I had to become to survive. Joe says he loves me now, but will he still when he looks into the eyes of these children and sees someone else? These aren't Cartwrights, Nessa. They're the bastards of a slobbering drunk that couldn't even remember my name when he was done with me.” Harmony's eyes turned cold as she now looked at Vanessa, “Nessa I will not bind him down to a woman with a past like mine.” the hard look didn't last long as she talked about him, “Nessa, I can't...” her breath caught and the tears began to flow. “Nessa, Joe's a fine man, a good man. I don't deserve him.” A heavy knock came to the door, “That'll be Hoss,” Vanessa said, moving to the door.

“Here it is, Nessa.” Hoss said, hefting the heavy pail of steaming water. Vanessa waved him towards the small fireplace in the room, and he followed her orders. Paul was rolling up his sleeves, “Nessa, we've got a minute between those contractions. If you're planning on working a miracle, it'll be soon.” Harmony groaned on the bed, and Hoss turned to look at her. Harmony looked like death warmed over, her hair was in strings around her face where the the water and her own sweat had soaked through it onto the pillows beneath her head. Her face was a mask of pain as another contraction hit, her mouth releasing a scream that rang through the room. The blankets had been loosened from the end of the bed, draped over Harmony's bent knees. The room was warm, but not stifling, like some of the ones Vanessa had walked into back in New Orleans...it was a sight she was used to, but now...now as she stood beside Hoss, and walked him to the door, she saw the true horror of it. “Hoss? Hoss.” she shook his arm and the great loveable man looked down at her. His face was pale, and a fear was in his eyes that she'd never seen before, “Hoss.” she pushed against him, and he finally moved to the door. Once he was past the cross beam she slammed it in his face, shocking the other occupants of the room. Hoss turned around to where Joe was pacing in front of the bench where Adam sat, both their faces were showing the strain. Joe glanced over at Hoss, “What's going on in there?” he asked. Hoss shrugged his shoulders, “Doc said something about contractions being a minute apart...” Adam leaned forward on the bench, his elbows leaning on his knees, “She's really close then. If Nessa can just keep her alive long enough to...” Joe stopped moving, his hands falling to his hips and he looked at Adam.

Ben watched his sons stare at each other; the tension from before had returned, making the air feel thick. His wise eyes fell to the man seated across from him, a man that only an hour ago all three of his sons would have gladly shot on sight. “You're lucky you know.” he said, making Zachariah jump and his sons turn their attention to him. “And how am I lucky?” Zachariah spat, his eyes roving to the closed door where Vanessa's soothing mumur could be heard. Ben smirked as Zachariah continued to speak, “How can you possibly know what it's like to bury a wife? To look at the children she gave you and know that she'll never be able to hold them again, she'll never see them smile.” All three of the Cartwright boys looked at each other, then back to their father. Ben was watching Zachariah, “You're wrong again, Zachariah. I know exactly what you're describing, I've had to bury three wives.” Ben glanced at his boys, who were now staring at the floor. Zachariah 'humphed', “You ain't nothin like me, Mr. Cartwright.” Ben shook his head, “No, no I'm not. Because instead of blaming someone else for my troubles I accepted it, and I moved on. You have to move on, Zachariah, otherwise it'll eat at you from the inside, like a poison.” Zachariah's lip curled in a sneer and he was about to say something when all five men eye's moved to the door, Harmony was screaming.

Harmony's screams reached a higher pitch, and all conversation stopped. They could just hear Nessa's soft whisper, then Doc Martin said something and Harmony screamed again. They all drew a heavy breath as a tiny wail snuck through the closed door. “There's one.” Adam whispered, finally standing to go to his younger brother. Joe's back was stiff with fear as he closed his eyes. Adam put a hand on his shoulder, waiting for Joe to move. Harmony let out another wail, and he spun around, wrapping his arms around Adam in a way he hadn't done since he was really young. “Nessa will save her, won't she?” he asked, and Adam didn't know how to answer. It was so similar to when Hannah had been born that the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. 'She will live through this...won't she?” he'd asked his father. Ben couldn't have found it any easier to answer. “I don't know for sure Joe, no can really.” Adam glanced at Ben, who was still working on Zachariah. Harmony's voice came through again, making them hold very still. Joe's breath caught in his throat, he was scared. Scared of losing someone he loved very much. He'd told Harmony that he loved her before tonight, and every time he did, she'd scoffed at him. “You don't love me,” she'd said, “You love an image that you have of me. I'm not the innocent you believe me to be.” He'd shaken his head, he didn't care about that. It wasn't her fault that she'd been sold to that saloon. It wasn't her fault that she'd gotten pregnant either, she'd only been eighteen when that had happened. All her life she'd been treated like dirt, how was she supposed to know how to stand up for herself? Her brother had tried, she'd told him, “But Pa beat him for it.” her face had gotten a really sad look on it when she thought about her twin, “Lerato tried to hide it from me when he came to tell me good-bye, but I knew what had happened. Pa gets angry really easily when he's had anything to drink. Ret shouldn't have gone after him when he was like that...”

The door opened and Vanessa called out, “Joe! Get in here!” He tore inside, “Shut that door.” she hissed, and glared at him. Joe did as he was told, leaving the rest of the room in suspense. Vanessa motioned to Harmony, “Hold her hand, Joe. Keep her awake.” Doc Martin sat on the other side, holding a small bundle in his arms. Harmony tried to laugh, but it was cut short as her body tried to repel the other baby. Joe was instantly at her side, not only holding her hand, but leaning in close to talk to her, “Harmony.” he said, and when she looked at him, he couldn't help his smile, “You're beautiful, you know that?” Harmony's eyes rolled, but she didn't object. His pride bolstered, he brought his other hand up and caressed her cheek, brushing his fingers through her hair. “I love you.” he whispered, his eyes taking in her entire face. She bit her lip, and whispered, “Joe, I...” Vanessa glanced up from whatever it was she was doing, “I hate to interrupt this little scene, but Harmony, I need you to push one last time for me.” Harmony took a deep breath, and her fingers tightened around Joe's. He set his jaw, and let his other hand hold her shoulder, lowering his face to hers, “I love you.” he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Harmony Jefferson.” His neck tingled as she whispered back, “I love you too, Joe. Oh Lord do I love you.” She let out a shout, then the room fell silent. Joe looked over his shoulder at Vanessa, “Nessa?” Vanessa didn't answer him, her back was turned and she was bent over her knees, close to the fire and grabbing a rag from the pail of hot water. “Come on...come on, little one.” she was whispering, the urgency in her voice made Joe's arms tingle. Harmony's hand came up, gripped his arm and she tried to pull herself into more of a sitting position, “Nessa?” her voice was quiet, strained from screaming. Joe helped her, stacking the pillows so that she'd have support, “Nessa answer me!” Harmony managed to shout.

Vanessa continued to ignore them, her back still faced them as tears choked her voice, “Come on little one, just one breath. You know how to do it!” Her head bent and she wiped again at the newborns boys mouth, then flipped him over and slapped his small back. Once...twice...on the third time the boy took a great breath, and let out a cry to wake the dead. Quickly, Vanessa turned him over, wrapped him tightly in a moist warm cloth and covered that with another small blanket. These babies were two months early because of their grandfather. She finally turned around, and found that she was being watched uneasily by the new mother and her love. Tears of joy rolled down her face as Vanessa carried the still wailing child to his mother, “You've got two very healthy children here, Harmony. A girl and a boy.” Harmony's left arm was her good one, and the one that was nearest Joe as the child lay in her arms. Paul inched closer, showing that he held the other, the girl. He handed her to Joe, who lifted her carefully from his arms and cradled her against his chest. While Vanessa kept her busy, he moved to the foot of the bed again and quickly changed the lower sheet, having folded one beneath her rump as they'd laid her on the mattress.“What are you going to name them, Harmony?” Vanessa asked gently, smiling as she wiped her hands on the apron around her waist. Harmony looked up at her, then over at her daughter, “Gabrielle and ...” her eyes fell on her son, now quiet and wriggling against her chest, “And Rhett.” Vanessa nodded, and motioned for the door, “Paul, if I'm off my guess, I'm going to need your help outside.” Paul's brow wrinkled, but he followed the first Cartwright bride out from the exam room and into the waiting area. The four men in the room all stood as Vanessa entered, well, all but Zachariah, who folded his arms and stoutly ignored her. That was fine with Vanessa, she was trying her hardest to ignore him...and the questioning eye from her husband. Instead she walked to the not-so-secret secret cupboard, opened the door and removed the only weapon in Paul's house and office. Checking to see if it was loaded, she flipped it together, and stood again.

“Vanessa, what are you..?” Adam said, taking three strides forward and standing in front of her. She looked up into his all knowing eyes and shook her head, “Something that has to be done, Adam.” Gently, she brushed past him, her focus now completely on Zachariah. “You wanted to shoot me, here's your chance.” she dropped the gun at his feet, and braced her legs, hands on her hips. Zachariah's eyes flicked between the gun and her face, “You're crazy!” he hissed, kicking the weapon beneath her skirts. She stepped back, revealing the gun again, “Maybe I am,” she glanced back at her husband, now ready to lunge and pull her out of the way of a bullet, “but then again, I've always known whom I could trust.” her gaze came back to Zachariah, “Your daughter in there never had that luxury. All her life the only thing she's known is hate and despair, not only from her sister, but you as well.” Zachariah's face showed the anger he was swallowing, “When Josephine died you blamed my father, blamed my mother, even blamed me. You blamed everyone, even yourself, for Josephine's death, and it's near destroyed you. But I saw your face when I told you that you'd shot Harmony. No matter how much you deny it, you love that girl.” Zachariah glowered at her, “Anything else?” Carefully, Vanessa bent and picked up the weapon. She turned it over in her hands, “You've always threatened to kill me if you ever got the chance. Well here it is, Zachariah.” she handed him the gun, barrel pointed at her chest. Before he could grab the gun from her, she said, “Or you can go in there and meet your grandchildren.” Zachariah froze in his place, his eyes moving to the closed door. “What do I have?” The chill in Vanessa's back warmed a bit as Adam stepped closer, his hands resting on her hips. Vanessa sighed on reflex, and the corner of her mouth curled in a half smile, “A boy and a girl. Gabrielle and Rhett.” Zachariah shook his head, “Gabrielle's the name I wanted to call her.” Vanessa raised an eyebrow, “So what made you change your mind?” Zachariah smirked, “Melody, Harmony. If she had lived, she wanted to name our next girl Aria...if I would have let her.” Vanessa smiled, “I remember, after all it was Josephine that taught me how to play.” Zachariah stood, and Adam pulled Vanessa against himself instinctively, his grip that gentle firmness that gave no quarter. “I would like to see my family.” he whispered, and Ben walked to him to the door. Knocking, Ben waited for Joe's response.

Joe was still sitting next to Harmony, Gabrielle's small form having fallen asleep soon after Vanessa left the room. Harmony's head was resting into his shoulder as she cradled her son, “Joe.” she whispered. “Yes?” she shifted slightly, “I think I need to sleep now.” Joe nodded, carefully slipping out from behind her and helping her slide further beneath the quilts. He could just hear the voices of his family on the other side of the door, then came a loud thud from something heavy hitting the floor. The sound made the babies stir, but thankfully they didn't wake. Harmony smiled gently, half asleep already, “Joe...Joe...” she whispered, and he bent closer, Gabrielle still in his soft hold. Harmony smiled at him, her eyes opening and closing slowly as she fought exhaustion, “I love you.” Rhett was snuggled against her side, but Joe lifted the small infant into his other arm and carried them to the overlarge cradle near the fire. Tucking them tight together with another blanket, he knelt next to them and nudged the cradle with his hand, just enough to have the motion without the moving too much. They were so small... he smiled to himself, half chuckling beneath his breath. 'Joe Cartwright, you've seen babies before! Nathan and Hannah had once been this small...' But somehow, this...these two were different. He knew it wasn't because they were babies, or that they were premature...no, the difference was that these were Harmony's children. Children that could be his if she agreed to marry him. Again he shook his head, 'If she agrees to marry you.' This must have been how Adam felt when he left for New Orleans two years ago. Rhett shifted in his sleep, yawning widely, and letting out a soft wail as the side of his mouth cracked. Joe smiled, and put a hand on the boys head.

There came a knock to the door, and Joe stood. He opened it a crack, and saw his father. “Yes?” he asked, opening it wider. Ben turned slightly and revealed Harmony's monstrous father standing next to him, “Zachariah wants to see his grandchildren.” Joe huffed, “Well they're asleep right now, so is Harmony.” Ben gave Joe a look, and he quieted. Biting his tongue, Joe took a step backwards and let Harmony's father into the room. Ben tilted his head back, meaning for Joe to leave them alone, but Joe shook his head. Closing the door in his father's face, Joe turned around to see Zachariah standing at the foot of Harmony's bed, arms crossed, watching her sleep. “The protective one, aren't you?” Joe shook his head, “No, that would be my brother Adam... I'm supposed to be the impetuous one.” Joe looked at Harmony, now breathing evenly and sleeping soundly. “She's a beautiful girl, Mr Jefferson.” he said carefully, watching the man for any hint that he was in a violent mood. The man just stood there, looking at Harmony as though he didn't know what to do with her. There came a soft whimper from the cradle and Joe moved quickly to check on the twins. Zachariah turned a bit to see him kneeling next to the cradle, “Are they...will they be okay?” there was a tremor in his voice that made Joe look up at him, “Vanessa and the doctor seem to think so. And if Vanessa says they'll be fine, then they will be.” Zachariah nodded and turned back to his daughter, “You really trust Vanessa don't you?” Joe snorted, “Why shouldn't I? I've known her and her family my entire life and never once have I seen any hint of this so called witchcraft you blame her for. Sure she's got some know-how that I would never understand, but it's nothing magical.” Zachariah didn't look as though he was listening, but Joe knew he'd been heard. Clearing his throat, he turned back to the babies and said, “She doesn't blame you, for what you did.” Zachariah inhaled sharply and turned completely to the young man kneeling over his grandchildren, “Harmony always was soft that way, even when she had to grow a shell, every man that came into that saloon knew that if they wanted a sympathetic ear, Harmony was the girl to see.” He shook his head, “She's a lot like her mother, that one. I used to wish that her sister could have been as gentle.” Joe looked at the man, and couldn't figure it out. Why was he now so gentle after what he'd done to Harmony, and what he had almost done to his grandchildren. Joe was surprised to find himself not flying at the man in anger. Then again, maybe it was the fact that Harmony was asleep and defenseless on a bed that more than likely would have been destroyed in the fight. Then there were the two little infants next to him...no, as fiery as his temper could be sometimes, Joseph Cartwright knew when to throw punches and when not to.

“Why did you get rid of her?” he asked, sitting back on his heels to get a better look at him. Zachariah turned his back on him, and leaned his palms against the footboard, “Didn't she tell you?” Joe nodded, “Oh. Yeah she did, but I want to hear it from you.” Zachariah sighed, “After my wife died, I leaned heavily on my children, and the whiskey. It wasn't so much that she died, no I know that much about life. What hurt me the most was how much my eldest girl, Melody, changed because of it. I needed her help with Harmony and Lerato; maybe I asked too much of her too soon, I'll never really know, but it wasn't long before my little Melody changed from the gentle child she had been into a snarling, cantankerous bitch.” He took a sobering breath and looked over his shoulder at Harmony. “It wasn't me that spread those rumors about Vanessa or her mother. It was Melody, my little girl said that if it wasn't for the Warrick's horses that her mother would still be alive, and perhaps her own life would have run differently. That maybe she wouldn't have had to play mother to her own kin.” Joe opened his mouth, but Zachariah put up a hand, “Let me finish. What my Melody didn't understand or know was that the team of horses that Josephine had used that day were our own, not the ones from Hades. At first, I didn't think that it would make things that difficult for Jen. She was a good woman, married to a good man, a friend of mine and one that had lived in Johnston far longer than I had. I underestimated the strength of words, and it wasn't long before Jennifer could step foot on the main street without people hurling insults at her. By the time I learned what my girl had done, it was too late to help. I went to the Summerset one evening, tried to explain what had happened, that I had simply lost control of my family and I needed help. Jennifer was one of the most understanding and forgiving people that I've ever known, her daughter being a close second.”

Joe was nodding, he'd seen how kind Vanessa could be. Almost as loving as Hoss was at times, and it bewildered him as much as it did Adam. Vanessa Cartwright was a warm hearted, caring person that was willing to do anything if she knew that she could be of help, even if it meant she herself would be in danger. Zachariah continued, “She let me bring Ret and Harmony by her home once a week so that they could get away from Melody, and perhaps know what love could do for a family. It was on those trips that Harmony and Vanessa became friends, and afterwards, before I sent Harmony to the saloon, Harmony would sneak away to the Summerset for meet with Vanessa. She'd just ride off on her horse and the two girls would disappear for days at a time. One time, when Harmony was about seventeen, Melody caught her coming back from one of these trips and almost beat the girl half to death. I couldn't let that happen again, so I went to Mike at the saloon and asked that he make up some story about me owing him money, and I would...sell... my youngest daughter to cover the expense.” Joe was stunned, and forced himself to speak, “You sent Harmony away, to a saloon, to protect her?” Zachariah's face went a shade redder as he explained, “I had hoped that Vanessa would catch wind of it and pull Harmony from the saloon before anything like this would happen. But I hadn't counted on the people's dislike of Jennifer being transferred to Vanessa. Even the sheriff was in on it, and when she complained to him about the contract I'd drawn up with Mike, he said that it was perfectly legal, and prevented Vanessa from being the savior that I hoped her to be, and instead reduced her to being the helpless bystander. I knew she sent in her hands from time to time to protect Harmony, but she could only do so much.” He smirked, “Their code phrase for seeing Harmony was 'You dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?' to which Mike would respond, 'Only if I don't have to look him in the eye.' He would take money from Vanessa's boys, and they wouldn't ask for more than a beer.” Zachariah turned around and crossed his arms over his chest, “I made a choice, young man. One that I'm not proud of, but one that if I had to do it again, I would. Harmony was better treated in that saloon than she ever had been at home, both by myself and Melody. My daughter deserves a life without pain, Mr Cartwright, and if me not being in her life means that, then I will leave her alone and never set foot in her sight again. From what I saw out there, you seem to be the one that loves her.” Joe nodded, his hand absently rocking the cradle, “I thought as much. I leave her to you, Cartwright, and I pray that you can finally make her happy.” Joe watched as Zachariah went to Harmony's side, bent to kiss her forehead and let the room. Once the door shut behind him, Joe stood and went to sit next to Harmony, “So that's it, love. Your father has given his permission for us...now if only I could get yours.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then let his fingers brush back a stray strand of hair from her face, “Maybe...just maybe I can make you as happy as you deserve.”

Those in the waiting room stood suddenly again when Zachariah emerged from the exam room. Zachariah's eyes landed on each of them, resting last on Vanessa as she stood next to her husband, his arm protectively around her shoulders as Adam glowered at Zachariah. The new grandfather bowed to them, then turned to Ben and said, “I should return to the jail now, Ben. Tomorrow, god willing, I will set out for home.” Vanessa nodded to Ben, “I don't see why anyone should press charges against him, Ben. After all, how many times has your rifle misfired from neglect?” Adam hissed and shook his head, clearly not liking his wife's forgiving nature. “Nessa, you're willing to just let this man free after what he did to Harmony? What he intended to do to you?” Vanessa sighed and looked up into Adam's eyes, “Adam, you can't hang a man for an intent to kill, no matter who heard him or whatever evidence you may have against him.” she glanced at Zachariah, “Besides, it isn't him we have to worry about.” Zachariah nodded, and followed Ben out the door. Hearing it latch, Paul grabbed up his jacket and smiled at Vanessa, “You'll be wanting to stay here for the evening, I trust?” Vanessa nodded, “I don't think I'd want to move the three of them until at least tomorrow.” Paul nodded, “Well, you know where everything is, there are extra blankets in the far cupboard and there should be some pillows unclaimed by Harmony.” Vanessa nodded, and closed the door behind him as he left for home. She brought her hands up to rub her temples and turned back to the last two Cartwrights, “Knowing Joe, he's not going to want to leave her, so I'm telling the two of you to go home.” Adam crossed his arms and glared at her, “And what makes you think I'm leaving?” She sighed heavily and loked at Hoss, “Can you at least get your father and brother to the hotel for the night?” Hoss smirked, “Nessa, I'll be lucky to get Pa there, but Adam here, he's your problem.” she bit her lip and shook her head at him, “I was afraid you would say that.” she'd put the gun away earlier and now her eyes followed Adam as he walked to the cupboard and removed it again. Hoss chuckled, “Seems to me that he's planning on staying.” Vanessa nodded and smiled faintly, “There isn't much I can do to fight him on it either. Goodnight Hoss.” Hoss smiled and hugged her gently, as though he was scared of hurting her. She chuckled, “I've told you before Hoss, I'm not going to break from a hug.” Hoss nodded and let her loose, leaving them alone for the first time that night since before the shooting.

Vanessa collapsed on the couch, bringing one arm up over her eyes and the other across her belly, “I've been doing this for too long.” she said, and Adam chuckled, sitting down next to her and pulling her into his shoulder, “It's because you've been doing this for too long that Harmony and her children are alive right now.” Vanessa took a deep breath and nodded, closing her eyes as she snuggled closer to him. “That wasn't me, Adam.” her voice was a whisper, and he had to lean in closer to hear her. “Nessa? Nessa, honey...are you asleep?” she didn't answer, just took slow even breaths and sighed every once and a while. Adam smiled to himself, and carefully stood up, setting her head against the back of the couch and walking to the cupboard with the blankets. The floor wasn't the best place in the world, but it was better than a cramp from the couch. Paul was right, there were a few extra pillows that Harmony was using and he set them next to each other. Once satisfied that he and his wife would be at least warm for the night, he straightened up, went to where Vanessa was now curled around her belly to keep warm, lifted her into his arms and set her down on the makeshift bed. She stirred in her sleep and rolled onto her side, facing away from him. He grinned, and set about unpinning her hair as she slept. He was grateful that Vanessa knew ways to have her hair up and not have millions of pins and combs in it. As it fell free, he let his fingers run through it, remembering another time and another place... when she'd helped another woman birth a child. Once her hair was free, he covered them both with the last remaining blanket and pulled her close next to him, his arm draped protectively over her belly where his third child danced.

Joe heard Vanessa order Hoss to the hotel, and then heard Adam's murmurs and the opening and closing of the cupboard doors. Strangely, even though he was old enough to handle things for himself, it was rather comforting to know that Adam was right outside if he was needed. Joe knew Vanessa had stayed in case Harmony needed anything, such as help with feeding the children when the time came. Checking on the newborns one last time, tucking the blankets that much tighter to prevent them from rolling around too much, he stood and made himself his own little pallet on the floor near the banked fire. Who cared about propriety at the moment? Harmony was already asleep, his married brother was right outside the door, and there were two newborns in the room. Maybe two hours old, if that. Joe snickered to himself as he closed his eyes and wrapped himself in the blanket and closed his eyes.