Deep in the middle of an autumn night in Locksley, Robin leaned over his wife in their bed, concerned for her unhappy state.

"You're beautiful, Marian."

"I'm not."

Smiling adoringly into her solemn face, Robin tenderly kissed first one eyelid, then her other one, and lovingly insisted, "You're beautiful."

"I'm not."

Marian couldn't smile. She felt huge and ungainly, great with child, a child who too closely followed the birth and immediate death of their last one, their lost baby Richard. His death raised fears for the child she now carried, and as the birth approached, she retreated further and further into herself, much to her loving husband's concern.

Robin spoke gently, still smiling adoringly at her. "You lose this argument, Marian. You are beautiful. In fact, you are so lovely, I can't think straight, and I can't get the figures in the ledgers to add up."

At that, she smiled.

"Is that what this is about, Locksley? You could have just asked me for my help."

"I could have, but where would be the fun in that?"

"You call this 'fun?' "

"I was able to kiss you, and see you smile. It was fun."

He heard her utter a sad little sigh as she turned away from him. Concerned, he wrapped her in his arms and gently asked, "What is it, my love?"

Marian didn't answer. She merely lay still, uncomfortable and brooding.

Robin had never seen her like this, not even after the death of her father. He correctly guessed her mood was brought on by their expected child, but he wasn't sure what he could do to help her. He supposed she worried about the birth, remembering how Richard had died so quickly. Even so, this wasn't the Marian he knew and loved...the Marian who always tackled her problems head on, with boldness and courage.

"Much as I hate to admit you've been right when I've been wrong," he murmured into her hair, "it's good to talk about your problems, Marian, rather than bury them inside you."

He couldn't see his words had made her smile again, but he heard the teasing in her voice, and he silently rejoiced.

"So, after all these years," she teased, "you've finally learned, have you? Took you long enough."

"Maybe I just wanted to spend more time with my teacher."

"And you fancied yourself 'Teacher's Pet?' "

"I fancied my teacher. I still do, and if she can't see that, she needs to teach me how I can do better."

Clumsily, Marian rolled over to gaze lovingly back at Robin. He was so relieved to see her smile, he silently breathed a prayer of thanks.

She sighed.

"Alright, Handsome. I'll talk, since you've been so good lately unburdening yourself to me."

He waited while she searched for the right words.

"Robin," she began haltingly, "what if our baby...?"

He reached out to hold her closely, relieved it was nothing he had said or done to upset her.

"We can't worry about that," he softly reminded her. "We just need to trust. 'We serve a good Master,' you said so yourself." With infinite tenderness, he stroked her cheek and empathized, "You're still grieving for Richard, aren't you, my love?"

Marian broke down at his words, and cried quietly, lying in the strong shelter of his arms.

When her tears were spent and she felt better, he heard her sweet voice requesting, "Pray with me?"

"Of course."

He helped her out of their bed and eased her gently to her knees by their bedside. Kneeling side by side, they prayed together for a healthy child, a swift and safe delivery, and peace of mind.

Marian felt a tremendous load lifted from her, as Robin helped her stand again.

"Now that we're up," he stated, "do you want to go back to bed, or go downstairs, or...?"

"I want to peek at the girls, then help you unscramble those figures you're so good mixing up."

He smiled and kissed her. "You're incredible as well as beautiful, do you know that?"

"I am," she agreed, really feeling it was so.

They were halfway down the stairs when her pains began.