AND JILL CAME TUMBLING AFTER

"Quiet! Good Lord, you boys make enough noise to wake the dead!"

Another pan crashed to the floor. Lou jumped ten feet in the air. She whirled around again and glared.
Cody's hands instantly flew into the air helplessly. "Don't look at me, Lou! I ain't nowhere near the stove!"

Jimmy shrugged his shoulder, a sheepish smile on his face. "Sorry, Lou."

"If y'all wake that baby, I won't be responsible for the hell I raise."

"Lou, I *want* him to wake up. I wanna see my baby awake."

Lou looked at Jimmy and softened. "All right," she relented. "But if you don't want him to wake up screamin', I suggest you stop knockin' over my pots and pans."

"All right, Lou. All right."

The three of them crept up the stairs and into Jack's room. It was still dainty and feminine, like Jack herself, only now it was filled with a beautiful cradle hand-carved by Kid, baby clothes that were laid out all around the room, and the powerful scent of talcum powder.

Jack lay in the middle of the bed, fast asleep. She lay on her side, her head resting on her clasping hands. She looked small and frail, her pallor washed with white, her lips quivering as she exhaled. She was obviously sleeping the sleep of the exhausted. Jimmy stared at her in wonder, his breath catching in his throat, as it always did when he saw her again.

"I can't believe we missed it by one lousy, stinkin' day," Cody whispered in complaint.

"Better late than never," Lou said. "At least you're here now."

Cody looked to Jimmy and saw that he was still speechless. "Where's the baby?"

Lou pointed in the direction of the cradle. The window was open, bringing in the warm breeze of the afternoon. The baby's cradle stirred slightly but he made not a move. Cody let out a low whistle as he leaned over to gaze at the sleeping infant. "He's mighty fine, Jimmy. You done good."

Then Jimmy's gaze broke from his wife. He joined Cody, staring down at the baby boy, so beautiful Jimmy's heart did funny things inside him. Sensing his father even through his sleep, the baby suddenly woke, his tiny body jolting softly, as if wakened by the gentlest touch. For a moment he just stared up into the loving eyes of his father and uncle, both beaming down at him with unabashed joy. Then, at last locking his gaze with his father's, the baby's miniscule lips parted in a smile.

"He smiled at me," Jimmy exclaimed quietly.

"That's just gas," scoffed Cody, as if he were well-versed in baby knowledge.

He was rewarded by a slap on the back of the head from Lou. "Quiet, you fool."

"Can I pick him up, Lou?" asked Jimmy.

Lou laughed. ""Course you can, Jimmy! He's yours, ain't he?"

Carefully, Jimmy reached into the cradle, his large hands closing around the little back and cupping the small head. He lifted the baby, slowly, gingerly, and brought him up against his chest.

"What are they namin' him?" Cody asked Lou.

"Jonathan," Jimmy answered, cooing to the baby. "Jonathan James. Maybe we'll call him JJ."

Cody made a face. "Don't do that to the poor kid."

"Well, they can call him Jonny," offered Lou.

"I don't mean that. I mean don't name the poor kid after Jimmy, here."

Lou slapped him again, rolling her brown eyes heavenward. "Come on, Cody. We're not needed here. You can come help me with *my* younguns."

Cody rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Sure thing, Lou. I know they're dyin' to see their uncle Cody."

Jimmy didn't even notice they were gone, his eyes were so full of his son. He was perfect, little Jonathan James Hickok, from the top of his head of thick black hair to the tips of his tiny toes. His eyes were a dark, dark blue, just like Jack's, and his hair was the same black as Jimmy's mother's had been; he had a nose like Jimmy's, and his grandfather Ken's thin lips. And a beauty and wonder and special something that was all his own. Jimmy could not get enough of him. He settled down into the rocking chair Kid had
placed in the room, and rocked back and forth with his son, pausing every so often to bury his nose in the thatch of the baby's sweet-smelling hair. Baby Jonathan made no noise except coos and gurgles of delight. He blinked rapturously into his father's face and touched his face and nose with caresses as soft as a butterfly's wing.

"Here we go round the mulberry bush," Jimmy sang under his breath, "the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush..."

So wrapped up in his son was he that he failed to notice Jack had awakened and lay on the bed staring at them with happy, tired eyes. The many hours of labor had drained her of much energy, but now, watching her husband with their son, she knew without a doubt it had all been worth it. Every second of it.

They were such a pretty picture, the big, lanky man and the tiny baby rocking together in the chair, that for a long moment Jack didn't have the heart to disturb them, and so she watched instead, drinking in the pleasure of the sight.

But something, some movement in the currents of the air, or some thought of love radiating from her, caused Jimmy to lift his head. He smiled.

"Hey there, beautiful."

"Hello, handsome."

"This is a mighty nice welcome home present I found waitin' for me here."

"Do you like him?"

"I love him."

"I knew you would." She patted the bed. "Bring the two of you over here. I want to see you both. It's been over two months, Jimmy, since I saw you last."

Jimmy kicked off his boots and joined his wife on the bed. "I know, sweetheart. We woulda been here yesterday but Cody's horse threw a shoe along the way and we couldn't find no one to fix it for us."

Jack shook her head and swatted at a strand of hair that fell in her eyes. She grinned. "You didn't miss anything. Just a whole lot of screaming and hollering and cursing your name."

"Gee, that's swell."

"You go through that kind of pain, James Hickok, and see if you don't curse the individual who brought it on you."

"Well, as you yourself pointed out, you had a hand in the startin' of it."

Jack laughed in outrage. "Shut up and kiss me, you fool."

For a few long minutes there was no sound in the room but the baby's soft murmurs. He watched with big eyes as his parents leaned over him, their lips meeting, touching again and again. They smiled and laughed softly, Jack's hands threading through Jimmy's hair. When they broke away, it was only to gaze into each other's eyes as if they were the only two people in the room.

Baby Jonathan quickly reminded them that they were not. He gave a sharp wail, flailing his little fists into the air, kicking his small, fat feet, pushing against his mother's chest. His mother and father both laughed and at last turned their attention back to him. Satisfied, Jonathan returned to his previously sunny smile, blinking up at them, basking in their love. He nestled closer to his father, contented.

Jimmy leaned back against the headboard. Jack leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, playing with the baby's hands, tickling his tummy. "Jimmy and Jack and Jonathan," she murmured with a smile. Jimmy kissed the top of her head. "The three J's against the world."

"It's all happened so fast, Jimmy."

"Well, nine months ain't all that long, I reckon."

"Not just our baby. Everything."

Jimmy felt a warm glow at the words 'our baby'.

She continued, "All of this, Jimmy -- from the time I arrived in Sweetwater to today, sitting here with you and Jonny -- it's as if it was all just one big blur. Some things stand out quite strongly, of course, but other things I stop and think, 'Good Lord? Did that really happen a year ago? It seems like yesterday'."

Jimmy kissed her again. "That's part of bein' grown up, I guess. Time runs away from you."

"I suppose," she agreed reluctantly. "I don't like it, though. I want the time to savor each moment. I want to look back on every day and remember *something* about it, good or bad. Now I just look back and wonder where it all went."

"It's been a fun trip, though, hasn't it?"

"Oh, Jimmy, you have no idea."

"And think of all the years we have ahead of us, honey. We can buy us some land, have a few more babies, and live till we're old folks in rockin' chairs, sittin' on the porch with our grandchildren."

"It sounds lovely. But let's not think of that just yet, Jimmy. Look at our baby. Isn't he perfect?"

"Perfect. A brand new little perfect person."

"He's got the whole world ahead of him." Jack brushed the baby's downy cheek with her fingertips. "And we have years to watch him grow."

"Honey, will you feel well enough to leave next week?"

She looked up at him with shining blue eyes. "I'll be just fine. I feel fine now, actually. Just tired. I'm dying to see Colorado."

"It's some of the most beautiful country ever nailed together. You'll love it." He paused. "You and Lou gonna be all right?"

Jack sighed. "We are now. She was upset at first. She tried to pretend she didn't care, but we finally talked it over and she admitted how lonely she was going to be. She's gotten used to having me around. I'm going to miss her so much, Jimmy. I'm going to miss everyone."

"Me, too, honey. But it's the way life goes. We've had a lot of good years together, but it's natural for people to move on. Rachel and Cappie are movin' --"

"I know," groaned Jack. "Don't remind me. It's about to kill Lou, losing Rachel *and* me. It's bad enough I'll be in Colorado, but to have Rachel all the way in Canada!" She sighed again.

"It's where Cappie's from, Jack. It's where his people are, his family, his friends. It's his home. You can't blame him for wantin' to go back."

"I know, but I do." She grinned at Jimmy's laughter. "I can't help it!"

"Rachel wants to go where her husband goes. I can't imagine a woman like that, can you?" teased Jimmy.

"I'm sure I can't."

"Don't worry about Lou, Jack. She'll be fine."

"I won't worry. But I will miss her."

He grinned. "You womenfolk sure do make powerful attachments."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "And men don't? I saw you six and a half months ago when you said goodbye to Kid. You two nearly hugged the life out of each other. And you definitely had tears in your eyes when you said goodbye to Teaspoon."

Jimmy ducked his head and flushed.

She poked his ribs. "And *that* was when you knew you were going to see them again! I can't imagine what it will be like when we say goodbye next week!"

"Me, either." He shook his head ruefully and suddenly looked lost and sad. "I don't wanna say goodbye, not to any of 'em. I've been powerful homesick these last few months. If it weren't for havin' Cody jawin' at me mornin', noon, and night, I don't know what I woulda done. He's like havin' a little piece of home with me wherever I go."

They laughed, amused at the thought of Cody bringing comfort to anyone, least of all Jimmy.

"But it's beautiful country, Jack. The people around us are real friendly. The house is nice. And I'll keep my promise: if you're miserable there, we'll move back to Sweetwater."

"I can't imagine being miserable with you by my side, Jimmy."

Pleasure coursed through him. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Jimmy."

Outside all of spring suddenly burst into song. The birds chirped merrily, the sun shone with warm, benevolent rays. The sweet, comforting smell of the air filled the little room where the newly-crowned mother and father paid rapt attention to their infant son.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Lou and Kid kissed like young lovers on their couch, giggling to each other, as if they were teenagers again instead of husband and wife. In the yard outside Cody was swarmed over by Ben and Hannah and Adam, as they jostled for piggyback rides and knee rides and more of Uncle Cody's stories.

Baby Daniel slept peacefully in his room while a doting Teaspoon watched over him and the toddling Nate, who wandered around on fat, unsteady legs, tugging at the old man's pant legs for attention.
Buck and May strolled slowly toward the house, their hands resting on May's burgeoning belly, murmuring to each other in delighted anticipation of their coming child. They were met on the way by Rachel and Cappie, who had paused in the midst of their packing to pay a call on the new baby. The four
continued along together, Rachel and May walking together side by side, their rounded stomachs competing for size.

And in the room with her husband and son, Jack was teaching Jonathan a new nursery rhyme.

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after...

THE END

CHAPTER 1 ¤ CHAPTER 2 ¤ CHAPTER 3 ¤ CHAPTER 4 ¤ CHAPTER 5 ¤ CHAPTER 6 ¤
CHAPTER 7 ¤ CHAPTER 8 ¤ CHAPTER 9 ¤ CHAPTER 10 ¤ CHAPTER 11 ¤ CHAPTER 12 ¤ CHAPTER 13 ¤ CHAPTER 14 ¤ CHAPTER 15 ¤ CHAPTER 16 ¤ CHAPTER 17 ¤ CHAPTER 18 ¤ CHAPTER 19 ¤ EPILOGUE