The fights between Zechariah and Sarah became more frequent.  Then one day, Sarah pulled Zechariah into the bedroom and set him on the side of the bed.  She knelt down in front of him, leaning gently into his legs.  She grabbed his hands with both of hers and pressed them to her lips.

Zechariah looked dumb struck, and I felt that way, too.  What was Sarah about to say?

“Zechariah, I’m pregnant.”

To his credit, he moved his mouth to try to say something, but no sound came out for a while.  Finally, he said, “Sarah, my darling!  That’s wonderful!”

“Are you truly happy?”

Zechariah slid off the bed to kneel beside his wife.  It was his turn to kiss her hands.  “Yes, Sarah.  I’m very happy.  However, I have some news to share, too, and this has made it a little more difficult.”  He paused, and Sarah’s eyes grew a little wide. 

“My mother’s brother has a plantation in Virginia.  He has taken ill and is not expected to recover.  I have been asked to move there as soon as possible to begin to learn the trade from him while he’s alive, then take over operations after he passes.  My aunt will remain the owner, but they have no children, so we will inherit everything when she passes.”

“We get to live in a big plantation house?”  Sarah’s eyes shone. 

“Yes, my love.”

“You’ve been given a good job?”

“Yes.”

“Are you happy about it all?”

“Yes, I think so.  …Are you?”

“Oh yes, Zechariah.  Yes!”  She threw her arms around his neck and they sat there like that for several long minutes, though it probably did not feel long to them. 

I hoped that this would be a turning point in their relationship, and that they would be much happier going forward. 

They began the process of moving the very next day.  Sarah started packing while Zechariah began making sure they had a reliable team of horses or mules to get them all the way to Virginia.  I could never figure out which they decided on, but they argued about that for several nights, and Zechariah said time and time again that his aunt was sending them money on the stage. 

Sarah started to get tired more frequently.  She’d come in often and fall asleep on the bed, sometimes without taking her shoes off first. 

But at last, the day came!  Swarms of people were in and out of the house to help load all of Zechariah and Sarah’s things into a wagon. 

I had not been loaded yet when Sarah told Dear Elizabeth that she was pregnant.  They were in the bedroom, unmaking the bed and folding the quilts.  Dear Elizabeth dropped the bedding in her arms, her hands flew to her mouth with a little shriek.  Her eyes danced as she rushed to hug her daughter-in-law.

It was so good for me to see my Dear Elizabeth one more time.  And how joyous to see her get such wonderful news!  To watch her almost bounce with excitement.

“Please write to me as your time gets closer,” Elizabeth said.  “Please, may I come stay with you after the baby is born?  This will be my first grandchild, after all.  Oh, I am so, so happy for you!”

Sarah seemed happier than normal, for that I was glad.

“We would love to have you stay with us,” she said.  “I’m afraid I’ll need all the help I can get!”

“That’s very normal for new mothers,” Elizabeth said, with a smile.  “And for experienced mothers.  Never be too proud to ask for help.  All mothers understand.”

“Thank you.”

The two women hugged again, then resumed packing away bedding.  Now, though, there was a new, excited energy.  They talked baby names, baby care, baby, baby, baby.  I was very happy to listen to it all.  I had already experienced a few births, and the joy after the birth was an absolutely beautiful thing to witness.  It was worth having to watch the birthing process.

I was loaded into the wagon not long after Sarah shared her news.  I watched Dear Elizabeth’s face for as long as I could.

I was not loaded gently, nor was I tied down well.  The ride to Virginia was very rough and very long.  My glass rattled and drawers shook.  Wood knocked against wood.  I tried to remind myself that at least I wasn’t in Sarah’s position.  I obviously had no idea what it was like to carry a child, but I had watched Dear Elizabeth go through it, and it was not an easy or comfortable journey.  The turbulent wagon was probably quite difficult for Sarah.

We finally made it, though, and through the legs of a dining room table, I saw our new home.  It was, quite simply, a mansion.  It was three stories high and made of brick.  Tall windows lined the front and sides of the house that I could see – I assumed they went all the way around the house.  A large patio covered the front door, and four white pillars held up a second-floor balcony.  It was beautiful, and I heard Sarah exclaim that as well from the seat up front.

Zechariah drove the wagon team – I still didn’t know if it was pulled by horses or mules.  My excitement of having seen Dear Elizabeth again made me forget to look – up to the front door of the house.  Fortunately, he parked so that I could see the front door.

A man with dark skin, smartly dressed, came out to greet us.  I had never seen a man so dark before.  Was he okay?  He bowed low.  “Welcome, Masters.”

“Hello.  Is Uncle Frederick feeling well today?”  Zechariah didn’t act like anything was wrong with the man, so I assumed it was just something I had never seen before.  After all, Jedidiah had tended to get darker during the summer than during the winter.  Maybe it was similar with this man.

Zechariah jumped down from the wagon and lifted a hand to assist Sarah.

“Doin’ as well as can be, Sir.  He’s in a mighty bit o’ pain always.”

“I hate to hear that.  Is he able to see me now?  And Aunt Carrie?”

“Yes, sir.  I was instructed to bring you as soon as you was able to come in.  Please follow me.”

I watch the threesome walk up the white stairs onto the large porch, then walk through the double front door. 

Not long after, more people with dark skin came out and began unloading the wagon.  I was carried into the house and up one flight of stairs.  I was carefully positioned against one wall of a large bedroom.  Three windows let in a generous amount of light.  I could easily imagine a baby rocker next to the large bed. 

Yes, we were going to be quite happy here.

Or so I thought.