Today's Battles Are Tomorrow's Triumphs: The Jacob Noah "Jake" Ingalls Story

The Stunning Revelation

The next morning as the older girls were doing their chores and as Baby Grace was still sleeping, Charles and Caroline took that as an opportunity to discuss the pregnancy and the potential risks involved. "Charles, I know this may sound silly, but I'm scared," cried Caroline. Charles brought Caroline into his loving, protective arms and said, "I don't think it sounds silly and it's okay to feel scared because quite frankly— I'm scared, too." "You are," questioned Caroline. Charles replied, choking back his tears, "Umm-hmm. I... I'm scared of losing you and the baby."

Caroline stroked Charles' cheek and hair. Charles said, "Caroline Ingalls, I have loved you since we were two kids running around and about together in the big woods of Wisconsin. You were and still are the prettiest thing I ever did see. Ever since I laid eyes on you— running around barefoot with your pigtails and freckles, I knew we were meant to be. Caroline, you, the girls, and our baby are my world. I'd fall apart if something or someone took any of you away from me." "Oh, Charles," sobbed Caroline, embracing Charles. Charles said, "About the risks and precautions that Dr. Baker mentioned, we need to make sure that we abide by those precautions in order to ensure the safety of you and the baby." "What risks, Pa," questioned Hannah as she, Mary, Laura, and Carrie came in from doing their chores. Charles replied, "There's nothing to worry about, Darlin.' Your ma and the baby are doing very well. It's just that Doc Baker would like for us to take some extra precautions to ensure that it stays that way and in order to keep both Ma and baby safe." Mary asked, "But, Pa, Ma, how can you both be so sure that everything is alright and that it will continue to stay that way? Aren't you scared of the risks?" Caroline replied, "Yes, Mary, but you can't go through life being fearful all the time, you have to kick all fears to the side because the payoff is huge."

There was a knock at the door— it was the Edwards', the Garvey's, and the Simms', there to check in on Caroline. "I'll get it," said Carrie. "Thank you, Darlin'," said Charles. Carrie opened the door and invited their guests inside. "Pa, the Edwards', the Garvey's, and the Simms' are here," she called out. Charles approached, shook the Edwards', the Garvey's, and the Simms' hands, and said, "Hey, what brings you all out here?" Mrs. Garvey replied, "We came to see how Caroline was doing." "I'm doing much better today," said Caroline as she exited her bedroom. Mrs. Simms said, "That's great. I'm glad." Charles, now grinning like a cat who ate the canary, said, "Everyone, Caroline and I have something we'd like to tell you." "Well, don't just stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat," said Mr. Edwards, "tell us what it is." "We're adding a new addition to our family in October," announced Caroline, smiling broadly. Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Garvey, and Mrs. Simms wrapped their friend and mother-to-be in their warm, loving embrace. As the ladies released from their hug, Caroline had a look on her face that gave Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Garvey, and Mrs. Simms the impression that Charles and Caroline weren't telling them everything. Mrs. Simms questioned, "Caroline, is there something wrong?" "I... was...l... I was told," Caroline cried, then paused for she couldn't go on.

Charles said, "Doc Baker said that this pregnancy wasn't going to be easy on Caroline and that the pregnancy was indeed high-risk." The Edwards', the Garvey's, the Simms', and the girls felt their hearts sink to the pits of their stomachs at the sound of the troubling news. "I thought you said Ma and the baby were fine, Pa," scolded a teary-eyed Laura, "but what you said isn't true." Charles said, "Halfpint, I said what I said because I didn't want to upset you or your sisters." Laura, with tears streaming down her face, hurried up the loft's ladder, and hid under the covers of her bed. Charles started up the ladder when Caroline stopped him and said, "Let me talk to her, Darling." Charles nodded. "Laura, I want you to come out from under those covers right now," said Caroline as she climbed the ladder and sat at the foot of the bed. Laura came out from under the covers and laid her head in Caroline's lap. "Ma," sobbed Laura, "I'm sorry for what I said to Pa downstairs. I didn't mean it." Caroline replied, stroking Laura's hair and back, "Oh, Sweetheart, I know you didn't mean it." "I'm scared of losing you and the baby, Ma," said Laura. "Laura, there are things in this world that you just can't control. You have to live your life and hope for the best." Laura said, "I love you so much." "I love you more, Dear," Caroline gushed, placing a kiss on Laura's forehead.