Love Comes Softly Page #4

you have to tell him to read it to ya.

My father passed away

a couple years ago.

What about your mama?

Actually, she's...

gone too.

So, who will you spend Christmas with

when you get back home?

Well, I used to have it

with Aaron, of course.

I have an aunt

that I'm close to...

and... and I have

friends there...

you know, back home.

You can certainly have Christmas

with your friends, can't you?

I mean, there's no hard, fast rule

that it has to be with family.

Well, you'll have

your baby now.

You could spend Christmas

with it...

Missie. [Clears Throat]

Your supper's gettin' cold.

How about a little less talkin'

and a little more eatin'?

Anyway, the joy ofthe season is...

It's a gift.

It's right there for everybody,

right for the takin'.

Doesn't matter

where you spend it or...

or who you spend it with.

[Laughs]

One, two...

[Indistinct]

Yes, that's right.

[Door Opens]

[Indistinct]

- Mery Christmas, Pa.

- Mery Christmas.

Thanks, Pa.

[Reading Quietly,

Indistinct]

"Where is he who has been born

the King of Jews?

"For we have seen his star

in the east...

and have come to worship him."

[Continues, Indistinct]

[Bird Hooting]

- Marty?

- Hmm.

Where'd this baby

come from?

Well, you know, from...

Hasn't your pa

ever told you?

No.

Maybe you should ask him.

Don't you know

where your own baby come from?

Came from.

And, yes, of course I do.

[Sighs]

Well...

it's the same as you.

My husband Aaron

loved me so much...

it spilled over

and made a baby.

- What spilled over?

- It.

- What's "it"?

- The love.

- I think that button is still loose.

- Wow.

- What?

- I'm just thinking about...

all the brothers

and sisters Clint has.

There's been a lot of love

spilling over at the Grahams'.

Indeed.

I wonder if my pa could ever feel that way

about someone again.

He could, I guess.

Give me your hand. Feel.

What's that?

That is someone who's getting

pretty impatient to get out and meet you.

Marty?

I thought it was just back pain that I was having,

but now I'm not so sure.

You're having regular pains?

- Just starting to.

- Uh-huh.

I think it's time.

I'm gonna go get Missie.

[Marty] There is no way Iam letting you be my...

my midwife. Find someone else!

- There ain't no time for that.

- Isn't!

And it's okay.

I'll make time.

- Did you deliver Missie?

- No, no. There was Sarah.

But Pa's delivered

plenty of calves.

Oh, that's good.

I feel so much better.

We're gonna need plenty of hot water.

Run to the barn, get my shears.

- We'll need to sterilize 'em.

- Missie, don'tyou dare!

Go on.

I would rather give birth in a field

than have you in here!

Birth is a...

is a natural event, Marty.

Oh, you feel what I'm feeling and tell me

how natural it is! Now, get out!

[Groaning]

Oh, God,

I can't do this alone.

Please help me.

Please, please help me!

[Groans]

[Marty Yelling]

[Clark]

Push. You're doin' fine. You're doin' fine.

- Push. Push.

- [Groaning Continues]

- Come on, push. You're doin' fine.

- [Marty Yells]

You're doin' fine, Marty.

Come on.

[Baby Crying]

[Baby Cooing]

[Whispering]

I t's a boy. Come here.

You were mooing louder than Gertie

when her baby came out.

Have you got a name?

Aaron Luke.

Aaron after his father,

Luke after mine.

- It's amazing, isn't it?

- What's that?

- This...

- [Cooing]

Powerful love

that just sweeps over you.

It's amazing.

Weather's mighty temptin'.

I thought the fresh air

might do us both some good.

- Yeah. You warm enough?

- Mmm.

- He seems to be enjoyin' it.

- [Chuckles]

Hey.

[Whinnying]

- Looks like we got company comin'.

- Pa.

Go ahead. You can

do your chores later.

[Ben]

Whoa. Whoa.

Hi, Clint.

Let's go play.

Whoa.

- Howdy.

- Ben, Sarah. Welcome.

You're lookin' a little more rested

since the last time I paid a visit.

I can hardly believe he's already a month old.

It just doesn't seem possible.

[Chuckles]

Yeah, they grow when you're not lookin'.

Blink and you just

might miss it.

That's what Clark said

about Missie.

Clark understands

and appreciates that.

He seems to be right fond

oflittle Aaron.

I think he is.

[Sighs]

I bet little Aaron has you thinkin'

on his pa a lot lately, huh?

He would have been

so happy...

and proud to have a son.

Babies are a testament

to love.

They're livin' proof of what

you and your husband share together.

Nobody can ever

change that.

I still see Laura's dad

every time her curls are bouncing in the wagon.

Ben had blond curls?

Not Ben, Marty.

Laura's daddy.

He was my first husband.

Thornton.

I was a widow.

I had two little ones.

When I met Ben Graham,

he had two young uns of his own.

I guess you might say we joined forces

out of sheer need.

But, Sarah, I...

You and Ben,

I just assumed you loved each other.

Oh, we do.

Now.

I got more love in my heart

for that man...

than anybody

oughta be allowed.

I can't even tell you

when it happened.

You know...

sometimes love

isn't fireworks.

Sometimes love

just comes softly.

If you two are through gabbing,

it's time we best be gettin' on.

I will come when

I'm good and ready, Ben Graham.

That's fine, then. Can't say for sure

if the buggy'll still be here when you're ready.

Enjoy your pie.

[Both Chuckle]

Orney old goat.

- [Groans]

- [Giggling]

[Chuckles]

Oh!

[Screaming]

[Yelping]

No! Clark, stop!

Stop! Stop!

Pa. Pa.

[Laughing]

Stop.

You gotyour laugh back.

I think I did.

[Baby Cries]

Aaron's cying.

[Baby Crying]

- Marty. Marty.

- What?

The barn's on fire.

Staywith the children.

Please, God, if you're really there

and listening to me, take care of Clark.

Please let him

come out all right.

Please, God.

- Come on! Come on! Hyah!

- [Sighs]

[Missie]

Marty, what's happening?

[Groans]

Marty...

you realize

you lost your wagon...

and all your possessions

in the fire?

I know.

I made you a promise last fall,

and I intend to keep it.

I'll be going into town soon

to replace that feed.

And if you're wantin' to...

we could see about

your way home.

We should put some

ointment on your hands...

and wrap them

so they won't get infected.

- Here's some coffee.

- Thankyou.

What are you

going to do?

The neighbors have offered

to collect some logs and raise a new barn.

Ben said he'd take care

of the milk cow...

feed her in exchange

for some milk...

until I get my feed

built back up.

I think it's gonna be fine.

Pretty much got it worked out.

Just keep praying

for answers.

- Why do you think he'll answer your prayers?

- He always answers my prayers.

Really?

Did you pray for this?

Marty...

Did you pray to have Ellen

taken away from you?

Did you pray that little Missie

would grow up never knowing her real mother?

I just don't understand

why the god that you pray to...

would let such unthinkable things

happen to decent people.

Come with me.

Where?

What about the children?

Missie can watch Aaron

for a little while.

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