All of my memories(Jasper Hale+You)

Part-2

It had been a little over 4 months since you last held your beloved. Major Whitlock and his men were permitted to come home for Christmas, and during that visit, you were blessed with an unexpected guest. You rubbed your small but extended bump as you made your way to the local market to purchase some fresh stationary and ink, to write to your darling Jasper and tell him the wonderful news.

You walk up to the counter, where old Mr. Meade stood on a stool,  stocking his candy jars on the high shelf, his back turned to you.
"Hello, Mr. Meade." You greeted
He jumped in surprise, almost falling off the stool.
"OH! Careful!" You shouted, as he held on to the shelves.
"Is that you Mrs. Whitlock?!" He asked, shakily.
"Yes it's me!" You giggle, gliding behind the counter to help steady him.
"You really must start making yourself known Mrs. Whitlock! Every time you come in here you're like a ghost! The bell doesn't ring, and I never hear your footsteps." He scolds, climbing down from the shelves and adjusting his glasses.
"I know, I'm so sorry! I promise I'll make a racket every time I come in, I'll stomp the floor if I must."
He looks at you, irritatedly, with a heavy sigh.
"Yes, well...what can do for you?"
"Alright, um...I'd like some stationary. The expensive kind, that doesn't bleed, and some black ink."
He reaches beneath the counter and pulls out your items.
"Also, would you happen to have that perfume I like so much? The one that smells of honeysuckle?"
"Yes, yes, I just got a shipment in." He says making his way to the back. He reemerges with a small teardrop shaped bottle filled with amber colored liquid.
"Going to write another letter to Major Whitlock,eh?" He smiles handing you the bottle.
"Yes, This particular letter is very special." You rub your bump, as you speak, barley containing your excitement.
"Ah, such a beautiful thing, becoming a Papa. My prayers are with you, I hope this war doesn't take him from you."
Your heart sinks a little at the thought.
"When will this end? 4 years is long enough! I can hardly bare it." You sigh.
Mr. Meade pauses thoughtfully.
"Wait right here." He says before making his way to the back again. You do as your told, and feel a gentle flutter in your stomach. "Don't worry baby...daddy is strong. I know he'll come back to us, just you wait and see."
Mr. Meade comes back carrying a small wooden cradle and places it on the counter in front of you.
"Oh my...this is beautiful!" You exclaim, taking in all the stunning details. The wood was a deep red mahogany with delicate carvings of what looked like 2 sparrows at the head of it with and a perfectly carved heart shaped opening in the middle. "Oh Mr. Meade...it's beautiful, but... there's no way I can afford this at the moment."
He smiles at you before placing two beautiful crocheted blankets neatly folded in the bottom of the cradle. One blue, one pink.
"Mrs. Meade made these for you, Consider them a gift from us. For you, the Major, and your growing family."
You were speechless, this cradle alone had to be worth close to $10 at the very least. "Thank you so much, Mr. Meade!" You squealed, joyfully.
"Do you have any names in mind?" He asked, taking the cradle and the rest of your purchase from the counter and carrying it toward the door.
"I really like Clara, for a girl. Henry if he's a boy."
"Those are very fine names, Mrs. Whitlock. Very fine."
Mr. Meade places your belongings in the back of your small single horse carriage and helps you up into the drivers seat. "You sure you're alright, driving this thing all by yourself?" He asks, concerned.
"I'll be just fine, Mr. Meade. A lady has to watch out for herself in such troubling times. It's not like I have anyone to drive it for me." You sit up straight, and thank him again for the gifts. With a swift tug of the reigns and a gentle jostle, you were homeward bound.