Wings Of The Morning Part 32

"Do they also see a man and woman who are going to become husband and wife?"

Smokey nodded "Yes, but I won't promise not to be overcome with fears again."

"I can deal with that as long as you promise to come to me."

"I promise."

Dallas kissed her again, and then stared down at her with childish wonder in his eyes.

"He was really your father?"

Smokey smiled in return. "Really."

"Wow," Dallas said in deep admiration, before he kissed her once again. When he raised his head, it was Smokey's turn.

"Wow," was all she could get out before he kissed her anew.

271.

fourteen months later dallas paced the small confines of the captain's cabin, imploring the ceiling in frustration as he moved '"Just a quick trip down the coast, Dallas,' she says to me.

'We haven't seen your folks since the wedding, and I miss them,' she says. 'The baby's not due for ages,' were her words."

He stopped and turned quickly toward the bunk, his expression going from frustration to worry until a small moan escaped his wife.

"I'm sorry," he spoke breathlessly as he knelt by the bunk and brushed the hair from Smokey's damp face. "I didn't mean any of that. I'll never say another sarcastic word as long as I live if you'll just wait until we get home to have this baby."

Smokey panted as the contraction died down. "I can't help it, Dallas. He's coming, and I can't help it."

"She's coming," Dallas automatically corrected her as he had done for six months. "We'll be there in less than an hour,"

he continued pleadingly, as though she could control the demands of her body.

Smokey opened her mouth to tell him she was trying, but another contraction hit. Dallas watched his wife's agony as the pain of seeing her suffer racked his own body. Smokey 271.

moaned low in her throat at that moment but said nothing; Dallas didn't think he could take any more.

/ don 'tknow the first thing about delivering a baby, Lord.

Please help us, Dallas began to pray. He continued to pray for the next hour.

Smokey didn't seem any more comfortable, but she was wonderful as each pain came and went. An hour later they had docked at Kennebunk, but not left the s.h.i.+p. Da.r.s.ey had gone for help. Just when Dallas didn't think he could go on much longer, someone knocked on the door and entered He breathed a great sigh of relief at the sight of Willa. The older woman checked Smokey with swift, practiced movements and p.r.o.nounced her too far along to be moved Dallas would have groaned at the news, but there was no time. The next 40 minutes pa.s.sed in a blur for the young husband, as Willa coaxed and coached and then presented Dallas and Smokey with a large baby boy. He was red and screaming and the enamored father thought him beautiful.

Smokey, in a state of near exhaustion, commented that he was rather wrinkly. Willa told her in a huff that he was the most beautiful baby on the earth, but Smokey only chuckled and closed her eyes.

Five hours later, after much careful maneuvering, Dallas had his wife and son at home. Smokey was tucked up neatly in their big bed, and the baby, who had just eaten, was sleeping beside her. Dallas sat down gingerly on the bed and looked into Smokey's eyes.

"Have I thanked you for my beautiful son?" Dallas asked her.

"I think you just did," Smokey told him, a tender smile on her lips. "Are you terribly disappointed that I got my boy?"

Dallas grinned "No. We'll have that girl next time."

272.

Smokey groaned, and Dallas leaned to kiss her.

"What are we going to name this little person?" Smokey asked, even though she had already decided she wanted another Dallas.

"Well, I think it's rather obvious," Dallas told her. Smokey sighed with pleasure, knowing he was going to agree with her.

"This," Dallas spoke as he lifted his sleeping son from the crook of Smokey's arm, "is Clancy Knight."

Smokey's eyes rounded, and her pretty mouth dropped open. Dallas, who was kissing his son, grinned in delight over the top of his silky head "Clancy?" Smokey whispered "Of course." Dallas' voice was low as well. "I didn't need to know your father to believe that he would have been thrilled with his grandson."

Smokey bit her lip, but tears still filled her eyes.

"And," Dallas continued, "it won't be long at all before our little Clancy understands what a special man his grandfather was, and he'll be proud to share his name."

"Oh, Dallas," Smokey sighed. "I think you're wonderful."

"Thank you, my love," he said simply, and he placed Clancy back in Smokey's arms. "I think you're pretty special yourself."

Fatigue was swiftly crowding in on Smokey, and she could only manage a contented smile before her eyes closed Dallas quietly took a chair near the bed and watched his family sleep. A letter had come from Sunny, telling Smokey that Aggie, who had been working at Bracken for some months, had come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dallas knew that Smokey would be thrilled with the news.

Tate, Jenny, Victoria, and their new little Carol had all come with a gift, but hadn't stayed when they'd learned that Smokey had just been settled in.

Dallas had forgotten to tell Smokey any of this, and now she was asleep. At the moment, however, none of it seemed to matter. G.o.d had given them a son so perfect and wonderful 273.

that Dallas couldn't, as yet, find the words to thank Him. He felt tears sting at the back of his throat every time he tried As Dallas watched them sleep, he suddenly chuckled to himself when he thought about how closely Clancy had come to being born at sea, and how fitting it was that he had been born aboard theAramis. The laughter quieted when his mind unexpectedly turned back to the last weeks, months, and years in which he had known Smokey. So much had happened, and G.o.d's love and provision had been so faithful.

Smokey's favorite verses from Psalm 139 jumped to mind at that moment. Dallas was feeling very tired himself, but before he drifted off to sleep in the chair, these were the verses in his heart: Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in h.e.l.l, behold, thou art there. If/ take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right band shall bold me.

end.