Levin was down on one knee in the muddy road. He held Penny's hand in his. It was now or never. His heart raced like a runaway mule. The words caught in his throat. Fear of rejection rose up inside him, trying to break his resolve and melt him into the ground.
"Will you marry me?" his voice was hoarse, little more than a croak.
She put her hand to her mouth, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her hesitation was an icy knife through Levin's heart. It was starting to rain again, and his damp hair was becoming plastered to his forehead. He had been agonizing over this moment for days, and this wasn't how he'd imagined it. He thought that she'd be overjoyed, and immediately throw herself into his arms. He'd wanted to surprise her, but not to the point that she was struck dumb.
"Yes!" she said, and his heart started beating again.
He stood up and hugged her. Tears and rain mixed on her cheeks.
"Yes, yes, yes," she whispered in his ear.
This was the happiest moment of his life. He had picked out the spot where they would live. He would continue to stay with his parents, and she with her brother, until he finished building their house. He would begin right away, this afternoon, he couldn't wait to get started. Penny could help him plan the layout of the house, and even help with the work when she had time. Levin was a carpenter by trade. He'd worked under master Erry, for the last five years, and he'd helped build several houses in town. Master Erry had gone to meet the Weaver a few months ago, so Levin was the master carpenter of Brookville now. Erry had been like a father to him, and putting the old man in the ground had been hard on Levin, but time healed all wounds and life must go on.
The next several weeks went by in a blur. The gods had never seen two people more in love. Their marriage was a happy affair, with drinking and dancing. The revelries lasted for three days. Afterward, Levin spent most of his time clearing the land for their house, and all remaining time with Penny. She was the heart and soul of his life, nothing else mattered except her happiness. She loved him more than she'd ever imagined she could love. He was a good man, down to his bones. He worked hard and treated her with gentle respect. After working all day, he would come to her brother's house to rub her sore feet with his strong calloused hands, and tuck her in for the night. They stole private moments in the hay loft of his parents barn, or in the small grove near the place that would be their home. Everything was right with the world, and the future looked even better.
One day, an average day, an ordinary day, a day like any other, she asked him to come to her brother's house for lunch. He showed up when the sun was high in the sky, remembered to shake the sawdust off of his shirt, and knocked on the door. Penny greeted him with a broad smile and sat him down at the new table that her brother Remy had just built. Her sister-in-law, Tilda, was in the kitchen doing dishes. Penny sat a steaming bowl of venison stew in front of him. It smelled delicious. Meat, potatoes, celery, and turnips, with a chunk of crusty brown bread. It tasted even better than it smelled. Penny sat down across from him and smiled as he ate.
"Do you like it?" she asked.
"The Weaver knows I love it. It's delicious," Levin said, blowing on a hot spoonful.
"Levin," Penny said. "I have something to tell you."
He looked up from the bowl and asked, "What is it?"
"I'm pregnant," she said.
The spoon stopped half way to his mouth. His lips froze in an O, as he was about to blow on the stew. Only his eyes moved when he looked up at her. Her guts knotted. It was too soon. He would be upset, and she knew it. He didn't need this responsibility before the house was built. She was sorry for him, and absurdly angry at herself for doing it to him, as if she'd actually done something to him. She loved him so much, and she didn't want to see him stressed out, trying to finish the house before the baby was born.
"Are you sure?" Levin asked?
"Pretty sure," Penny said.
"Yes, we're sure," Tilda said from the kitchen. Penny gave her an irritated glance, and she went back to washing dishes.
Levin dropped the spoon into the bowl with a "plop," and stood up quickly, knocking the chair over behind him.
"Thank the Mother!" he said. He looked up at the ceiling and said it again, more quietly, "Thank the Mother."
Levin rushed around the table and wrapped his arms around her. He hugged her tightly, with all the love in his heart. She could feel his wet tears on her neck, and she began to cry as well.
"We're going to be a family," he said. "I love you so much. I love you more than everything!"
"I was afraid that you'd be angry," she admitted.
"Huh?" he said, pulling back to look at her. "Why?"
She shrugged uncomfortably, and looked down at her lap.
"I don't know. I thought that it was too soon. You are so busy building the house, and I wanted you to be able to take your time."
"You make me happy. Not a house, not time, or carpentry, or my job. As long as we are together, I am fine. A baby is a gift from the Mother. I am proud and happy, anything but angry."
"I told you," Tilda said, and earned another sharp look from Penny.
"I love you," Levin said, and hugged her again.
That's when the door flew open and all three of them turned their heads to see two large heavily armored men entering the house.
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