The doctor came over.

"Miss Marianne?" he called softly.

Lewis gave her a gentle shake. "Marie, the doctor's here," he said softly, "He wants to take a look at you."

Marianne woke up and looked at them dazedly.

"So sorry for waking you, dearest." he said, sitting beside her. "I'm Dr. Crane, Alexis wanted me to look at you."

Lewis sat beside her. "You can go back to sleep as soon as he's done my dear," he told her.

She nodded and yawned.

"Actually, Lewis, I really should do this alone." the doctor said politely.

"Right," Lewis said, "I'll be downstairs with Alexis then. Please tell me when you are done."

He kissed Marianne on the cheek and limped downstairs.

Alexis glanced up when he heard the rythmic limp of the soldier.

"The doctor's looking at her now," he said limping across the room and sitting down beside him.

He nodded, not able to say anything.

Lewis looked down and sighed while they waited in silence.

About fifteen minutes later, the doctor came back down, humming a tune.

Standing up Lewis limped over to him. "All in order I assume?" he asked looking at him.

Doctor nodded.

"She'll tell you when she's ready." he said with a smile. "Good day."

"Good day," he said turning and limping up the stairs. "Marie?"

Marianne was buttoning up her blouse when she heard Lewis in the door.

"Oui?" she called softly, figuring he had seen it all before and wouldn't be too offended, especially since she was just at the last two or three buttons.

He pushed open the door and smiled at her. "So what did the doc say?" he asked her.

She gave a shy smile and nodded.

"I'm definitely..." she trailed off, embarrased to say the words and knowing he'd get it.

Lewis stepped up to her and kissed her before pulling Marianne into a hug. "I know you're scared," he told her, "And I'm a little nervous myself but now we'll have the family you've dreamed of."

She nodded.

"I know, I know love." she said, hugging him back. "I just wish it wasn't so hard."

"Nothing's ever easy," he told her, "We'll do this together."

She held him tight and nodded.

Alexis watched from the hall, hiding.

I could've been him... I could've been hers.

Lewis held her tightly, rocking her back and forth slightly. "I'm heading back to the town," he said softly, "I'm going to try and talk to your parents."

She looked at him and shook her head.

"Non," she plead. "I need you here, please, don't go!"

"Alexis will be here with you," Lewis said gently, "I have to try and deal with Robert again and I have to talk to your parents. I won't tell them about the baby but it is still important that I see them."

She held onto him, wishing he wouldn't leave her.

"Please..." she begged one last time, knowing it was of no use.

"I'll come back when I've done what I have to do," Lewis said, "I promise mon ami. It won't be long."

She finally nodded and looked down.

"Please be careful."

"I will be," he said, "I'll see you in a few days."

Lewis kissed her then let go and walked out in the hall where he saw Alexis. "I trust that you won't let anything happen to her," he said smiling, "I'll see you in a few days."

Alexis nodded and let him go, knowing that in a few minutes Marie would cry, missing her beloved Lewis, then go heart-achingly quiet.

Lewis slipped from the house to go back to the French town and to go talk to Marianne's parents.

((To Marianne's Parent's House))

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