"Come, my dear. Come and have your seat. You shouldn't be up and about yet. Let's…" She sniffled, "Let's be hopeful, my dear. I don't… I do not have a child that is meant to die young. He will live to see this baby in you. That boy loved you too much to just let go."

Tears filled Helen's eyes despite the reassurance she was giving her daughter-in-law. Marissa started crying and the older woman hugged her to herself, more to hide her own swimming eyes as she patted Marissa's back "You have to be strong, my dear. We need to be strong for him so that when he comes...