Six Shots Deep

New Surprises

Arthur and I split ninety dollars for the capture of Elias Green. Afterwards, we headed back to Beechers Hope to join the Marstons for dinner. Little Jack was now twelve, and he was a smart kid. Loved to read novels. Arthur and I told him stories of the west the rest of that night. Abigail wasn't too keen on it, but John assured her it was okay.

I set up camp again at the edge of the property again and I did that for a couple weeks until I felt comfortable enough to join Arthur in the house. We slept in the shed connected to the house where Arthur had a little room set up. Most nights, I was up late planning out the bounties and reading while Arthur was tuckered out from work at the ranch.

Eventually, Arthur decided to build a house on the edge of the property. It was a two bedroom one bath house. I moved in, getting visits from old gang members. Mary-Beth visited. She was doing so well. She wrote romance novels and they sold for good money. Tilly also appeared. She was pregnant and married to a lawyer. I was so happy to see that they were doing good. We never heard from Karen, which was disappointing.

One night, as we were outside with Abigail, Jack, Uncle, Charles, and John, I felt sick to my stomach. I ended up throwing up near the gazebo. Abigail held my hair back as this continued for a few minutes. Arthur got some medicine from the house and Jack fetched some water. Meanwhile, Uncle and John just sat there with smirks on their faces. This made Abigail mad and she ended up throwing a rock at John, which he dodged in time.

After my stomach finally began to relax, I laid in the grass beside the fire, a warm damp cloth pressed against my forehead. Arthur knelt down next to me, stroking my cheek with the back of his hand. I let out slow and labored breaths as he looked up at Abigail.

Voices began to fade out and my vision became blurred. I heard Arthur's own faded voice fill with worry as Abigail's silhouette appeared above me. I heard her yell something and heavy footsteps around me. That's when I felt heavy arms lift me upward, and I was being carried. I looked around, trying to make out what the voices were saying and who was carrying me.

That's when all the voices faded out and my entire vision went black.

*****

I woke up, warm in blankets and on a soft and comfortable bed. My vision became less and less blurred until it was completely cleared. I blinked, looking around the small room. I saw a doctor talking lowly with Abigail and Arthur. Abigail seemed to laugh, but it was more of a sad laugh. Arthur let out a low sigh, rubbing his face. I looked over to see John and Jack sitting in chairs next to my bed. I cleared my throat, and everyone's eyes locked on me. Arthur's face relaxed as he joined my side, kissing my forehead. I tried to speak but my mouth was dry.

"Water," I croaked, pointing to a glass on the table. I watched as Arthur quickly turned to retrieve the glass, holding it to my face as I drank slowly. I smiled weakly as he took it away. "Thank you." I replied, not recognizing my own voice. I shook my head at the pounding sensation and sat up, dangling my weak legs over the edge. "What happened?"

"You came down with a fever," Abigail sat down next to me. "Doctor ran some tests, and we figured out that," she paused, looking at Arthur.

"Figured out what?" I followed her gaze, staring at the man I loved with wide eyes.

"Rose," he crouched down in front of me, "you're pregnant."

My ears began to ring with those words. I'm pregnant? I stared at Arthur, thoughts running through my mind but also nothing at the same time. I felt hands place softly on my thighs. I came back to reality, staring down at the hands in my lap. I shook my head, not believing it.

"No," I mumbled, "no, no, no." I stood, pacing the room. "No, I-I can't, no." I felt my body melt to the ground as tears began to flood down my cheeks.

Arthur quickly wrapped himself around me, rocking me in his arms. "Hey," he stroked my head, kissing it lightly, "hey, hey, it's okay." He lifted my head, "it's okay, baby, we'll get through this." He wiped away the tears.

I pressed my head against his chest. I was crying helplessly. I couldn't be pregnant. I can't bare a child. This can't be real. It just can't be.

The ride back to Beechers Hope was silent. There was nothing to say. I sat behind Arthur, my hands resting loosely around his hips interlocked at the palms. I didn't know what to say. His horse bellowed, becoming uneasy as we reached Beechers Hope. Arthur patted his neck, cooing him gently.

As Arthur tethered him to a post, I climbed down and headed straight for the front door of the small house. I slammed the door behind me in Arthur's face. I began to tread towards our room. I sat down on the bed, dropping my head into my hands.

My shoulders shook with pain and cries. I felt a body next to me as the bed creaked. I was pulled into a strong set of arms. Arthur cradled me, rocking my body against his. I relaxed in his arms, my cries getting softer and less violent until they stopped completely. I fell asleep in Arthur's arms shortly thereafter.

*****

I woke up in an empty bed. I was covered heavily with many blankets, my body being warmed instantly. I looked around the empty room, searching for movement. I finally noticed Arthur sitting at the edge of the bed, his shoulders shaking with tears. I quickly sat up, joining his side. I rubbed his back lightly, running my fingers through his hair.

Once again, his hair was long and overgrown, reaching over his shoulders. I smiled, remembering my comment from five years ago. I lifted his chin, wiping away the small tears that laced his cheeks.

"Would you be mad at me if I cut your hair?" I repeated the same words.

"What?" He mumbled.

"Would you be mad at me if I cut your hair?"

"Rose-"

I stopped him by pressing a soft kiss to his lips. My tongue laced around his bottom lip, leaving heated breaths in their wake. He pulled away, leaning his forehead against mine. He smiled, kissing my forehead as I let out a big breath.

"Not at all," he replied.

I smiled as he shimmied downwards to sit on the floor in front of the bed. I leaned over to dig into my satchel for a pair of scissors. Once I got them out, I began to clip at his long hair, watching it fall over his shoulders. I continued cutting it down until it reached just above his ear.

"Here, turn towards me," I said as I brushed the hair off his shoulders.

He flipped his body around so he was facing me. He smiled at me as I began to trim his beard and mustache. His scar on his chin poked out profusely as I cut close to his skin. After his beard was trimmed, I ran my hands over it, making sure I got all the access out. He reached up to me, pulling me into a deep kiss. I kissed him back, my hand feeding through his hair.

I pulled away and stood, brushing the hair that fell to my lap. I watched as Arthur slipped off his shirt and changed into a black one, rolling it to the elbows and keeping two buttons undone at the top. I leaned back on my arms, holding myself up on my elbows.

He leaned down, holding me by the base of my neck for a deep kiss. He dipped my head back, pushing his tongue to the back of my throat. His other slid underneath my shirt, running over my stomach up to my chest. I dipped my head back as he slid down, finding their way into my pants. I let a moan as his fingers found my entrance. He swiftly pushed two fingers in, thrusting them deep into me. My back arched as he did this, letting shameless moans fall from my lips.

In one swift motion, he undid the snap of my jeans and pulled them down. I unbuttoned his shirt, slipping it over his broad shoulders. I went for the buckle on his belt, pulling it down his legs. He unbuttoned my shirt, and I rolled it over my shoulders, throwing it to the side. Arthur climbed on top of me, lining himself up at my entrance. Once he thrusted inside me, my back arched and I moaned out loudly. He pulled out and shoved back in.

This continued for an hour, him being nice and slow due to my sudden pregnancy. He was careful, but still pleased me and himself. Once I felt him finish in me, he pulled out, laying down on his side next to me. I turned towards him as he wrapped his arm around my waist, kissing me soft and slow.

This was going to be a difficult reality to face.