Guardian

XV.

Spring was finally and kindly a daily experience, with gentle warmth, budding greenery and flowery fragrance in the air. Winter, it's frigid harshness was now a fading memory. Seasons, lives were moving forward in God's plan. If only other things had become the fading memory that winter had. Unfortunately, her morning sickness had not. Some never experienced this joy from hell, where others like herself suffered unmercifully for what seemed like eternity. Hunger meant nothing when it hit, it demanded and remained in control. She was afraid Ian was going to get sick and tired of pizza because it was the only thing that she seemed to want and from time to time keep down. She'd never liked milk much but was trying to drink it. She added ice cream to a glass of milk to fake a milkshake just to get it down. One can't gain weight if one can't eat.

Ian was kept busy. He had put up the paintings for decoration and several pairs of carved angel wing wall plagues also adorned the walls. He had started filling shelves as he finished new pieces. Krysta had ordered the tables and stools and had them delivered. Once placed about the shop, Krysta draped them with pieces of lace before a piece was displayed. Ian had taken care of getting the license and other details for the shop. It was a very busy time.

Krysta took pictures of each piece that Ian finished and filled a binder to display at the counter. This was to allow a piece to be chosen and made to order if all the original pieces had been sold. They had also put several jewel boxes online for sale and they sold within hours. Ian also made a sample piece, a rectangle plaque decorated with angels and their last name Mann burned into it. This was also displayed on the wall, and in the book. Orders could be made for personalized plaques. She also added a photo of her owl to the book, though she would not part with the own for display. She knew it was only an angel to her but figured it wouldn't hurt. Ian worked so hard and so fast. It was amazing the things he accomplished. They were planning to open the shop soon. He was just trying to get some more pieces completed first.

They decided they each had a special job and each would put top priority on their own agenda. This was not to say they both were not committed to both or would not be involved in both. Krysta still helped with details in regards to the shop but Ian wanted her to take care of herself and the baby and to prepare for that beginning. It was just Ian still looking out for her, as always. Ian was like an old soul, old fashioned in emotion, and in some ways, lifestyle. However, no matter what, at the end of the day Krysta was the one importance in his life that out weighed all others. That of course now included the child to be. She was still the sole purpose of his existence, all the rest was just of importance to maintain the existence. He knew how strong she could seem but he knew better than anyone how fragile she really was.

Krysta pulled out knitting needles and bought yarn to knit baby things. Her mom had taught her how to knit years ago. She bought some baby patterns when she brought the yarn. With both, she started work on her own creations. It made Ian smile to see her at work.

Night time was still their time, Ian made sure of that. With everything else seeming to be moving so fast, nights were for standing still and holding tight to precious things. They shared their quiet evening meals which Krysta usually prepared, sometimes celebrated special daily accomplishments and held each other as they drifted off to sleep. Some nights as he held her tucked safely in his arms, they talked until the early hours of morning about everything and nothing. Then they'd drift into a peaceful sleep together. With the night, it seemed like it was just the two of them and no one else and it was okay.

Ian worked hard for a few more weeks, completing more pieces. Krysta thought it was time to pull out another one of her belongings that she thought was a timely asset to put into play. She had gotten her driver's license when she was sixteen. Her grandfather had taught her on the farm before he died. She got it to please him. She never cared for driving the truck they had back then and she'd never invested in a car for herself. She thought maybe now it was time.