[legendsport]

Egypt, GA: July 2, 1919:

It was official - Claudia Barrell was pregnant. Alice found the news made her both happy (a new grandchild!) and sad (one without a father). Rufus felt the same way.

As for Claudia, the news was a glimmer of joyful light in what had been a sea of sorrow. "The child and I... We will be in this together," she said firmly before quietly adding, "And a piece of Jimmy will live on."

Rufus, thinking of Marie, pressed his lips together and bowed his head. He wasn't sure keeping Claudia in the dark was the right thing, even if his wife and sons did.

Alice replied, "You can stay with us for as long as you'd like. You're a Barrell now and that's forever."

Claudia smiled and thanked her. "I am a trained nurse, Mother. I will find work." Alice gave her a hug.

Though they had expected it given the events of the days immediately following the funeral, the fact that Jimmy had a second child on the way was heart wrenching for Rufus and Alice. Jack had told them by telegram that he and Marie had gotten married. This was only a small surprise. Rollie had already confided in them that he and Joe had recognized Jack's feelings for Marie and encouraged him to act on them. "It was a win-win situation, really," Rollie told his mother.

And Marie had given birth the previous week. Now that she was legally Mrs. John Barrell, her daughter - Jimmy's daughter - had not born outside wedlock. Marie had named her Agnes, telling Jack that she was a "gift from God."

So far, Claudia did not know that Jimmy, and not Jack, was the father of little Agnes Barrell. Those who did know - Joe and Rollie, Alice and Rufus (reluctantly), Jack and Marie, had decided to leave it that way. At least for a while. The truth wouldn't help anyone was the consensus opinion.

"Three of our four oldest boys... married," Alice said to Rufus one night.

"And Rollie's next. Just a few more weeks," Rufus replied.

The whole situation was bittersweet. New lives beginning while another had been cut short far too soon.

-------------------------------------------

The next morning, Claudia came down to breakfast in a serious, business-like mood. Seated around the giant table were a bleary-eyed Rollie, Alice and Rufus. Following Claudia down the stairs as always was Danny. Harry tore through the room, chased by Bobby, who was shouting "Give it back!" Alice raised her own voice, yelling at them to behave.

"I swear it's like living in a zoo sometimes," she wearily told her husband.

Claudia sat down at the table. Danny. wearing an uncommonly rare, serious expression on his face, sat down next to her. Claudia looked at him and smiled, then turned to Rufus and Alice.

"Good morning. I have a suggestion," Claudia said briskly.

Alice really liked Claudia. She was resilient, determined, unblinkingly loyal and unafraid to take action. Much like herself, she thought and smiled at her daughter-in-law.

"Daniel and I were talking," Claudia began. Alice coughed down a laugh, causing Claudia to stop.

"Are you alright, Mother?" she asked with a concerned look on her face.

Alice waved her hand. She had nearly choked at Claudia calling Danny by his full Christian name. Her son typically wouldn't abide anyone calling him 'Daniel' and she found it hilarious. Across the table, Alice saw Danny glaring at her. He knew full well why his mother was choking back a laugh.

"I'm fine... Please continue," Alice said. Rufus, in on the joke, was grinning beside her. "Stop grinning like a rube, Rufus," she whispered at him.

Claudia frowned in brief confusion, then continued, "As I was saying, Daniel and I were talking. I know that the plan is for him to attend school in Washington. Why not allow me to accompany him? I can watch over him and he can keep me company while I am growing larger." She motioned to her still trim abdomen.

Rufus tiled his head and rubbed his chin. Alice knew this meant he thought it was a good idea but in his usual way was waiting to hear her opinion on it.

Alice looked at Rufus and asked, "Wasn't the plan for Dan to stay in the house you and Thomas share during the season?"

Rufus nodded - he and Thomas Potentas shared a brick townhouse in Georgetown. Potentas lived there year-round, on the ground floor, while Rufus had the entire second floor to himself when he was in town. The plan had been for Danny to live there while attending school with Potentas keeping an eye on him in Rufus' frequent absences.

"There's certainly enough room," Rufus said. "And I'm gone much of the time, so it might be nice for Danny to have Claudia around when I'm gone. Thomas is... a little different."

"He's weird," Rollie put in.

Rufus gave him a look. Rollie shrugged and said, "Just telling it like it is, Pop."

Claudia followed this and said, "So, this is a good plan?"

Alice was a little dubious. She knew her children better than anyone - possibly even better than they knew themselves. And Danny was plainly infatuated with his good-looking, blonde-headed, and newly widowed sister-in-law. Who was also a grown woman nearly five years older than her teenaged son was. She frowned.

"Oh, no. I know that look," Danny said in a moan. "Mom, it'll be better for everyone. Don't make me live alone in that big, empty house with creepy Tom Potentas."

"He's not creepy," Alice snapped, Rufus nodding in agreement. "He's Polish nobility for crying out loud!"

Several minutes of discussion ensued. Alice knew she was outnumbered, and discounting the fact that Danny had inappropriately amorous feelings for Claudia, the idea was not at all bad.

"We'll be there for each other, Mom," Danny had said pleadingly.

Finally, Alice had relented and gave her agreement. Privately, she vowed that she'd be having a long discussion with Danny before he left for Washington.