Later that day.....

Dinner over and the children put to bed, Heath tapped the small box in his inner breast pocket and smiled. He and Meg were finally alone. He watched as she walked out into the rose garden. She looked beautiful and her hair and her dress shimmered in the glow of the evening sun. She simply took his breath away.

Suddenly, he felt nervous and his hands turned clammy. 'What the... Pull yourself together, Heath Barkley, he remonstrated with himself. You're forty-seven years old, not some love-struck kid. Lord, we've been married twenty years, it's not like she's going to turn you down.

'Just tell her what's in your heart. How much you love her and how thankful you are that she came into your life. Tell her that you love her more today than you did yesterday and you will love her more again tomorrow.' Knowing there would not be a better time, he tapped the box again in his inner pocket and walked out to join her in the rose garden.

Heath had not taken two steps when Leah came from the Parlor carrying a crying baby Anna. "I'm sorry Mother," she said as she handed Meg's youngest child to her. "She doesn't want anybody but you."

Meg scooped up a very unhappy Anna from Leah's arms and instantly the child distress seemed to lessen until only muffled sobs could be heard and then nothing as the child took in all that was going on around her and forgot why she was crying.

Heath looked on so dejected as his plans suddenly became thwarted. He stood betwixt the Parlor and the Rose garden and at what seemed a crossroads. He did not know which way to turn.

The picture of Meg playing with Anna on her knee as she sat amidst the roses, was no less a treasured picture to him than the one of her before, when she had stood alone, beautiful and his.

She was not just his wife, his lover and his best friend, but mother to his children too, and the different parts to her would never become separate, not tonight, nor any night They would always co-exist and that was how it should be.

He let out a smile as he looked at his two ladies and made a mental picture of them together. He did not think there had been too many proposals made with a baby present, but there would be one tonight. Maybe Anna would thank them later by allowing them a peaceful, uninterrupted and romantic night.

Mrs. Winthrop was tired of being in bed. As much as the antics of the children had frightened her half to death, she found she missed their little faces and their chatter. It was a long day without their company and it also hurt her that Mr. Winthrop had not been to visit her that day. His indifference she brushed off to the family, but inside she hurt.

Turning back the covers, she got out of bed. Her ankle injury really was not that painful. After some battle with her conscience she had finally admitted that to herself, if to no one else, for she liked the attention she received from the Barkleys. They were indeed a kind family.

That nice Nick Barkley had replaced her wheelchair with a walking cane, and after putting on her nearby robe, she leant on it now as she hobbled guardedly over to the window to catch the last of this beautifully sunny day.

The bedroom she had been given looked overlooked the rose garden that had been started many years ago by Victoria Barkley and beyond up into the hills that surrounded this part of the valley.

Opening the windows she stepped carefully out on the balcony and listened to the evening sounds and the voices that drifted up from below.

"So Meg, my dearest love. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Oh Heath," Meg exclaimed. "You don't have to do this. We've been together all these years. I don't need a ring or a fancy ceremony to tell me how much we mean to each other. You and all the children are all I want, all I need."

"But, I want it. I want to show everyone how much you mean to me. We missed out all those years ago. It wasn't fair. You deserved so much more. And then, I don't know, all the children came along and the years simply passed by. It's time for us now, Meg. We deserve to have our own special day. You deserve it and to have this ring which I should have given you twenty years ago."

"Heath, I don't know what to say,"

"Yes, you do. Tell me you'll marry me. You'll make me the happiest man alive."

"The happiest?" she laughed, still overcome.

"The happiest!"

"Marry! Marry! Oh, My Lord!" Estellla Winthrop exclaimed as she put a hand to the base of her throat in utter shock. "They have all those children and they aren't even married!" And with that, Mrs.Winthrop fell to a dead faint on the floor.

Meg lay in bed admiring her ring, unaware that she was being observed by Heath who she thought was still sleeping.

"You caught me," she said, when she finally noticed him watching her.

"Happy?"

"Very," she said, turning over and giving him a kiss. "I lurve my ring!" she said, adopting her husband's southern drawl which she loved to hear.

"You lurve it, do you?" He teased, "Well, prove it to me," he said laughing as his arms pulled her close and their lips met again in their playful hold.

"Heath!" Meg remonstrated. "Mrs. Winthrop is still next door!" she said, attempting to quell his ardor.

"Don't remind me!" he sighed heavily as he reluctantly let her go and allowed her to get up. "I'll sure be glad when her husband comes to collect her and takes her home. How was she last night by the way?"

"I think she just over exerted herself. I'm not sure, Heath, she may have to stay with us a few more days, if Doctor Warren thinks she has had a set back. After what the boys did yesterday, and then her fainting like that, I would not be surprised."

"The boys didn't mean any harm."

"Oh, I know that, but even though they meant well, they gave her quite a start."

"I thought it was kind of funny," said Heath, sporting a smile as he pushed the bed covers back and rubbed his hair so that it stood up on end."

Walking around to his side of the bed, she affectionately brushed his stray tufts back down and suddenly found herself caught up in his arms again. "I want my wife back again," he said with earnest, as he held her close and buried his head deep in her breasts.

Caressing his greying blond locks for a moment before dropping a kiss to the top of his head, she breathed out slowly, "I know, my darling. I miss you too. It won't be long, I promise. Now, get dressed. I can't wait to tell the children we are getting married."

"In a minute," he said as he breathed in the scent of his wife, "I just want to enjoy a few moments alone with you. Ah, damn this!" He exclaimed, with frustration, "Mrs. Winthrop be hanged. This is our house, not hers! And we are married, after all!" And with that, Heath Barkley pulled Meg back on the bed and began to make love to her. As he slipped her nightgown off her shoulders to kiss the delicate porcelain skin underneath, she melted into his arms, no longer resisting.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort"

Heath's attentions to his wife suddenly stopped. "What was that?"

"Nothing," she moaned, pulling his head back down to hers and threading her fingers through his hair. "Don't stop, now."

Heath resumed his attentions and their passions grew stronger.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort, Snort, Snort"

"What the Hell is that?" Heath said, stopping again.

Meg listened along with her husband.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Snort"

"Oh no!" Meg exclaimed, putting a hand to her mouth to stifle her laugher.

"What?" Heath said puzzled, not happy that their lovemaking was being interrupted.

"Oh Heath, don't you know?" Meg said, continuing to suppress her laughter. "It's Mrs. Winthrop. She's snoring!"

Heath lifted his head and listened once again.

"Zzzzzzzzzzz Snort" There it was again.

Realizing his wife was correct, his face took on a look of frustrated passion and then graduated into a slow smile followed by a full blown laugh which lasted several minutes as he fell back to bed and listened to the undoubted passion-killer that was Mrs. Winthrop's snore.

"That woman," he said "has got to go!"

Heath junior, who really was not interested in being made to dress up in fancy clothes for his parent's wedding, was the first to speak, "But, why are you getting married again? You are already married, aren't you?!"

"Because it's important to us." Heath explained. "When your mother and I got married we eloped. We didn't have a fancy wedding. Now we want to renew our vows in front of our family. It means a lot to your mother and I and we want all our children present."

"Can't you just do that now?" Heath jr, was still not convinced that there was any need to get dressed up for the occasion. "You can tell Mama you love her and she can say the same to you and then we can get on with breakfast."

Heath laughed. "Don't worry, Junior. It won't be a real fancy affair. It'll just be in front of the family and you won't be required to get dressed up too much, just smart. We will invite the reverend and have the ceremony outside in the rose garden."

"Papa? Will Mama have a new dress?" Rosie said eagerly.

"I should think so, don't you?"

"Oh, yes Papa! Can I have one too?"

"And me?" all his daughter's chorused.

"Well, I don't see why not. Why don't you girls and your mother do some shopping and planning this afternoon."

"We ought to fix a date, Heath," Meg advised. "I would like it quite soon. There will be lots of organizing to do for Sean aand Libby's wedding and I don't want ours to overshadow their own plans. I just want a simple ceremony in front of the people I love."

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Victoria said, truly pleased at their news and stopping to kiss her son's head.

"Thanks Mother," Heath said, taking his mother's hand and brushing it across his lips in a sign of affection.

"Now, if we could just sort our house guest!"

"Oh Lord!" Meg exclaimed, 'I forgot all about Mrs. Winthrop. She will be wanting her breakfast. In all the excitement I just forgot."

"And you can just keep forgetting for the moment." Victoria counseled her daughter-in-law, not liking how their guest had Meg running all over the place for her. "I will get Silas or James to take up her breakfast and I will go up too. "I think it's about time I had a talk with Mrs. Winthrop."

Nicholas, Matty, James and Max sat on the verandah steps looking extremely glum.

"I'm never getting married,' Nicholas said, with all the wisdom gained over his six years.

"Me neither," agreed Matty.

"When I grow up," Nicholas continued. "I ain't never going to kiss a girl either. I'll kiss Mama's because she's Mama and you kiss your mama, but not girls. Urgh!" He said pulling a face as though he swallowed something bitter.

"You got to wear a tie when you get married too," Matty observed.

"That's another thing!" Nicholas was in full vent now, "After I'm full growed I'm not wearing a tie either. When Mama ties it for me, I can hardly breathe!" he added with animation for added affect.

"Papa wants to marry Mama again," Matty observed. "He mustn't mind wearing a tie or a suit or marrying a girl!"

"Yeah, but Papa is marrying Mama. Mama's nice. Not like Becky Masters at school." said Nicholas. "She kissed me when we went on that school trip."

"Where?" said Matty, registering shock and yet more interest.

"Right there," said Nicholas much put out and pointing to his left cheek. "I had to go to the stream and wash it straight off, and then just as I did, she did it again. Girls are sneaky and their lips are wet.. Urgh."

"S'pose we will have to get dressed up for Mama and Papa's wedding." Matty observed.

"And have our hair brushed," Nicholas added.

"And not get our clothes dirty" James contributed.

"T'aint fair," complained Nicholas. All three boys sat in a row on the steps and crossed their arms in disgust.

"What's up boys?" Nick said, as he climbed up the steps and saw their glum faces. "You look like you lost a dollar and found a dime."

"Mama and Papa are getting married again and we have to get dressed up for it. It ain't fair Uncle Nick." Nicholas protested. "There ought to be a law that says a child doesn't have to dress smart until he's at least thirteen."

"Thirteen, huh?" Nick smiled. "Must seem a long ways of when your six years old. So what's this? Your Mama and Papa are getting married? Well, I better go inside and find out what's been going on. Don't get into any trouble now boys?

"Uncle Nick?" Nicholas asked. "Is Little Heath coming today?" he said hopefully.

Nick smiled, knowing how the little buddies hated to be apart from each other. "Not today, Nicholas. His mother felt like having his company today. Now move aside boys," he said, as he tried to step over his nephews, "and let Uncle Nick in the house to find out what's been going on."

"Mrs. Barkley? How nice of you to come and see me."

"Not at all," Victoria said, smiling, as she watched James place Mrs. Winthrop's breakfast tray on her lap. Estella Winthrop immediately attacked the morning repast with gusto to both Victoria and James' amusement. 'Nothing wrong with her appetite' both thought. "How is your ankle Mrs. Winthrop?" Victoria enquired, as she looked at James conspiratorially.

Estella expressed surprise at the question as she tucked into some bacon. "My ankle?" she said gulping as she swallowed it almost whole. "Oh, err....yes, my ankle." She adopted a wounded tone, "Oh, well, I must admit to it hurting a bit this morning. "It's so tiresome how it incapacitates me so."

"Yes, isn't it?" Victoria said with sincerity in her tone that she certainly was not feeling. "My son thought you had fainted last night. You were rambling about 'all those children' as he carried you back to your bed."

"Children? Well, yes, I mean they have so many, don't they? He carried me? Your son did? Back to my bed?"

"Yes. I'm afraid you were too much for Meg and I.......To carry you.... I mean," Victoria quickly added, suppressing a smile which she didn't think the slightly rotund Estella Winthrop would appreciate. "We found you by the window."

"You did?" Estella said, her interest in the food she was eating lessening as she wondered if her ability to walk had been discovered.

"You managed to walk to the window?" Victoria stated, confirming Estella's fear.

"Well, well, I'm not sure you would call it walking. I hobbled, my ankle was so painful, but it was such a beautiful evening I wanted to see a little of it."

"I'm sure," Victoria replied. "Is your husband likely to visit today?"

"Edgar? Err... yes, I'm sure he will want to. I'm sure he wasn't able to visit yesterday because he was just so busy with his campaign. My husband is an important man, you know Mrs. Barkley."

"Oh I know. After all, you do insist on telling me, Mrs Winthrop. Still, a little less concern for his campaign and more for his wife, wouldn't go amiss." Victoria said dryly. 'Or, unappreciated by us' she added privately to herself.

Estella, embarrassed, quickly turned the attention away from herself. "You must be excited about the wedding plans, Mrs. Barkley."

"You know about the wedding?" said Victoria surprised, knowing that it had not been discussed outside the family.

"Well, err... yes. I sort of heard, you might say."

Victoria did not enquire how and Estella was grateful for being let off the hook from which she so precariously dangled. But she was a naturally nosey woman and learning about the wedding peaked her interest to the extent that she took risks in upsetting her host.

"Yes, we are all very pleased." Victoria said, "It will be a happy day. It will just be a family affair. Heath and Meg are very private, but it is important to them both to do it now."

"Now?" thought Estella, "pity they didn't consider it twenty years ago. Oh my, all those children!" "I think you have been very tolerant, Mrs. Barkley. I don't mind telling you now, I would not have put up with it."

Victoria Barkley raised an eyebrow, "Put up with what? Mrs, Winthrop?"

"Oh it's alright Mrs. Barkley. I do know, you know?" Estella Winthrop said, not realizing the big mistake she was about to make.

"No, I don't know? You seem to be privy to something that I am not. Putting up with what? I assure you I have never had to put up with anything concerning my son."

"Well, put up with your son and his errr..... Well, I'm not sure how to put this... I mean the fact that they are only getting married now! I can't imagine how you have tolerated it all these years and under your own roof too! And with all those children coming along.. one after the other...so many children and...."

"Stop right there, Mrs. Winthrop!" Victoria Barkley said standing up and putting the palm of her hand up. Mrs. Winthrop stopped as if she had hit a brick wall. "Am I right in believing that you think Heath and Meg are not married!"

"I promise, Mrs. Barkley, I will not breathe a word to anyone. You only have my sympathy, believe me."

"Sympathy! Oh my stars! Estella Winthrop, you old fool! My son and daughter-in-law are renewing their vows, not taking them for the first time! What on earth possessed you to think that they weren't married!"

"I heard them!" Estella said defensively. "I heard your son ask Meg to marry him, last night, before I....!"

"Before you fainted?"

"Well yes, it was the shock you know,"

"You were eavesdropping?"

"Eavesdropping? No..."Well maybe," Estella said reluctantly."it was hard not to hear."

"Somehow I think you could have made the effort." Victoria observed as she paced the room with her arms crossed. "How's your ankle now, Mrs. Winthrop?"

"My ankle?" Estella suddenly realized with that statement that she had outstayed her welcome. "Oh I see. Well, you know I think it is actually better now."

"Glad to hear it," Victoria replied. "I think you and your husband have been separated far too long, don't you? If you'll get dressed, I'll be glad to help reunite you. I'll be waiting downstairs to take you back to town."

"You're very kind, Mrs. Barkley."

Victoria smiled and left the room, whereupon she clapped her hands at a job well done.

"It's awful messy," said Matty as he brushed his finger across a dirty windowsill.

"We could tidy it up," Nicholas enthused.

"We'll have to paint it, Josh advised.

"We may need the girls to help," Junior advised.

"Are you sure they wouldn't prefer to go to a hotel, like other couples do on their honeymoon?" their Uncle Nick cautioned.

"Now, Uncle Nick. Why would Mama and Papa want to go to a hotel when they can stay at home, well near home anyway." Nicholas rebuked his uncle.

Scooping the young lad up in his arms, Nick sighed, "Oh, no reason I guess," he said, looking around the unused line shack which the children had made him drive them out to. It really was in a sorry state. But it was a solid building, no windows were broken and with work it could be made presentable and the boys were so enthusiastic, particularly the young ones whose idea it had been.

"Well, if you children are willing to work to clean it up, I'm willing to help too," Nick said finally, "but mind, we have just a week to get it ready and it is going to have look pristine when it is finished."

Happy, Nicholas twirled around in his uncle's arms and then screwed up his face to ask a question that had been puzzling him since he knew his Mama and Papa were going to go away for a few days after the wedding. "Uncle Nick?"

"Yes, Nicholas," Nick said with patience.

"What do people do on their honeymoon. I mean why would Mama and Papa want to go away on their own."

"That my boy, is a conversation for when you are older, young man. Now how about we start on cleaning this place up."

Nick looked at the children in the wagon and then at the color of the paint chosen by Clara.

"T'weren't our fault" the boys grumbled, feeling totally embarrassed.

"I think it's really pretty," Clara said, undaunted and pleased with her choice.

"You weren't suppose to get pink," Junior said incredulously, holding his head in his hands in disbelief. "Whoever heard of a pink line shack?"

"It sure is pink, Clara." Nick observed. "You like it, huh?"

Clara nodded eagerly.

"Well sweetheart, as much as it's a really pretty color, I think we are going to have ask old Mr.Sharman to change it for something a bit more practical."

Clara began to cry.

Nicholas tugged his uncle's shirtsleeve. "Uncle Nick! See, you made her cry."

"I made her cry?"

Nicholas nodded. "You outta do something. It ain't nice to make someone cry."

"It isn't, is it? And just what would you recommend, young man?"

Nicholas shrugged his shoulders.

"Ah sweetheart," Nick consoled his niece. "Look I'm sorry. It's just that a pink line shack...Well... I don't think there ever has been one before." His words were having no affect. He turned to the boys in desperation to see if they would relent. "Come on boys, what do you say? Perhaps pink ain't that bad. Shall we use it anyway?"

"No way!" the boys chorused in disgust.

Nick looked on his army of helpers. Heath having such a large family came in pretty useful sometimes. The older one's took on the heavier work and moved what sparse and basic furniture the line shack contained out into the open and then set about cleaning the inside. Then the older one's paired with a younger one to each paint a part of the walls, the longer arms reaching up to the top and the shorter one's focusing on the area below.

Though considered a little one himself, Little Nicholas rebelled and chose Little Heath as his partner. The two little ones remained ignorant of the fact that Heath Jr had to stretch above Nicholas to paint higher as they each began painting a section with brushes almost as big as they were. Nicholas did quite a good job, as did Matty further down the line. Even James was doing well under the guidance of his older brother, Josh. There was one problem though. Every time Little Heath got distracted he forgot he had a wet paintbrush in his hands and when he turned he caught whoever was on either side of him with a dab of paint.

Nick kept a fatherly pair of eyes on his son. In fact he was busy watching all the young ones, especially when the squabbles began. But when his son squatted down to put his hand in the paint pot, he knew it was time to intervene. "Oh no you don't, son." he said scooping up his beloved son. "You've done a good morning's work, but I reckon it's time to get you cleaned up and for you to have your nap." Little Heath giggled and brought his paint covered hand down to wipe it on his father's hair, leaving shocks of pink amidst the once jet black hair that had grayed a little over recent years..

All the children held their breath as their Uncle Nick raised one eye to see what his son had done to him. His son, who thought it was amusing tried to do it once again, but his father stopped his hand just in time. .

As they left to go outside and get cleaned up, the giggles of the children followed them outside.

"Get back to work!" Nick barked.

"I told you pink paint was a bad idea" Heath jr, said. For once, Nick did not argue.

Jarrod returned from San Francisco with Felicity his wife for the small family wedding which none of them had been able to attend twenty years before.

"Really, Nick, it's not too bad." he said laughing.

"Oh don't be ridiculous! It's pink! There's no way I'm going to be able to disguise it."

"Oh my poor husband," Jenny mocked. "Jarrod, don't give him too much sympathy. I have offered to cut his hair but for some reason he doesn't trust me."

"Well, look at this way Nick," Jarrod offered, "It'll just be family tomorrow. You won't look anymore foolish than you normally do."

Nick fumed. "Jenny?"

"Yes dear," said Jenny returning to where they were all seated.

"Remind me why we allow Jarrod to stay with us when he visits,"

"Because deep down you really like each other." Jenny reminded him.

"I do?"

"You do."

"Just checking."

"That's fine dear, now refill his drink."

There really was no way to describe how Heath felt when he saw Meg enter through the rose garden, preceded by their daughters. There's a beauty that you can see with your eyes and a beauty that emanates from within and there is also a beauty that grows from being loved. Meg possessed all three. There really was no other person he wanted to spend his life with and today they would renew their vows among their family and children.

As Meg came to stand by his side on the arm of Jarrod, Heath took her hand and with a boyish smile, kissed her cheek and whispered he loved her. One look into his eyes and she knew there was no other place she wanted to be.

"It's a line shack?" Heath remarked getting down from the buggy which Nick had insisted driving for him and Meg. When they had missed the road to town and the hotel, he had grown increasingly suspicious.

"Well, that's true, but it's a special line shack."

Heath got Nick by his arm and pulled him away from Meg who remained in the buggy. "Nick, what the hell are you playing at? I booked me a suite in the hotel for tonight. No expense spared."

"Trust me, Heath. You will want to see inside."

"Nick! If you don't drive Meg and me to town, I swear I'll drive ourselves and you can walk back to the house!"

"Before you do that, Heath, you and Meg take a look inside."

"No! Look I planned all this so it would be special for Meg. We ain't staying in a line shack!"

"Heath! Please. It's important. You'll find out why when you get inside. Then if you are still not convinced, I promise I will drive you to town and the hotel." Nick pleaded.

"Heath? Perhaps we should." said Meg, confused.

Heath helped her down from the buggy, annoyed at his brother and the upset to his plans. He and Meg were to have spent a night in the best hotel in Stockton before taking a train to San Francisco the next day. What the hell was Nick playing at bringing them to a grubby line shack on their wedding day. Reluctantly he and Meg made their way to the shack and opened the door whilst Nick waited silently by the buggy for their reaction.

Inside, they had never seen anything like it. The walls were painted pink, gingham curtains hung at the windows, the bunk beds had been replaced with a large made up bed, and a small table supported a hamper in which a cold buffet had been prepared and a bottle of champagne stood ready to be chilled in the nearby creek.

"Who on earth?" Heath expressed.

"The children," Nick explained as he came to the door but did not enter.

"The children!" Meg exclaimed. "But when and how?"

"They wanted to do something special for you. It was Nicholas' and Matty's idea and all the children chipped into help. They've been painting and cleaning up the place all week to get it ready for you. Clara chose the paint. That's quite a family you two have got there."

Heath and Meg didn't know what to say. They were so overcome with the emotion of the day and what their children had done.

"Want me to take you to town now?" Nick offered. Even as he offered he knew the answer would be no. There was a look on Heath and Meg's faces that said they were going to stay. Slowly, he closed the door to the pink cabin and left the two of them alone. Getting into the buggy he smiled as he drove away.

Inside the cabin, Heath gently pulled Meg over to the bed and they sat down taking in the gift their children had given them. As parents they couldn't be more proud or more touched. "It's sure is pink," Heath commented with a smile. "It's beautiful!" Meg replied. "You're beautiful," Heath said as he pulled her down to the bed and slowly began to make love to his wife.