Chapter 33. Her Fear

The bedroom window let in the evening sun's gentle radiance, which illuminated the space in a warm palette. With her hands softly cradling her expanding tummy, Mary perched on the side of the bed. As a continual reminder of the priceless treasure developing inside her womb, she could feel the small fluttering motions of the life inside her. A delicate balancing act between optimism and dread was going on inside of her.

Sam walked cautiously and with gentle feet inside the room. His eyes were full of love and worry as he walked up to Mary. With a compassionate tone in his voice, he said, "How are you feeling, Mary?"

Mary moaned and kept looking at her stomach. "Emotionally, Sam, I'm a mixture of confidence and fear," she said. "Physically, I'm okay."

Sam sat next to her and took her hand. What's on your mind, Mary? You know you can talk to me about anything, so tell me.

In order to find the courage to express her deepest anxieties, Mary peered deeply into Sam'