She felt so good against him again.  It felt natural and nice and it smoothed off some of his worry.  He chuckled a little to himself as she took the pot back from him.  They were real . . . he and Irene.  They’d just each taken a moment of comfort with the other over a chamber pot.<br/><br/>His gaze followed her as she took it into the tub room.  She worried him some more as she stood apart from him and gazed blankly, it seemed, out of a window.  As he listened to her he felt his throat tighten and his eyes moisten.<br/><br/>He walked over to her quietly and stood behind her as she leaned against the wall.  His arms slipped gently around her middle and he kissed the top of her head.  In a low quiet voice Sam spoke to her from his heart.  His voice was a bit shaky but he pressed on.<br/><br/>“Awe Darlin’ . . . you more than subtly hinted that last night and I thought about it before we went out on our ride.  I’m sorry baby that you feel poorly and all.  There’s nothing silly or funny about it and what you said was about the best compliment anybody’s ever paid me.  I’m a bit sad too . . . but Irene it all means that we’re real . . . and whatever crap comes along we’ll sling it together . . . okay?”<br/><br/>He turned her gently to face him and drew her close. His hand caressed her back as the other settled her head against his chest.<br/><br/>“On the brighter side of things . . . once your insides are back in order we can get some more practice in.”  He chuckled quietly and his hand slid down her back to squeeze her beautiful ass cheek.  “I surely do love our practicing Darlin.”<br/><br/>Sam lifted her chin up gently with his knuckle under it and he softly kissed her lips.<br/><br/>“The thought of us having a baby is pretty exciting you know . . . and besides it puts us where we gotta a few things to sort out . . . about our jobs and where the heck we’re goin’ to live.  I don’t want that being worked out while you’re pregnant . . . for sure not if it means being on the trail to some wheres else.”<br/><br/>Sam rested his cheek against the top of her head.<br/><br/>“I love you Irene . . . more in this little moment, I think, than ever before.  I’m so sorry for your sadness over it all . . . but a bit happy too.  That darn well seems like it makes little sense but I’m not sure how better to say it.  We’re real baby . . . no more pinching needed to know it.  God dang it but I love you.”  He hugged her tightly to him and then loosened his arms as he thought about her cramping.  “You okay Darlin?”<br/><br/>Sam sighed.  He’d never felt so grounded and content as he did when he held Irene in his arms.