by Glory Lennon

Created on: October 22, 2007   Last Updated: November 10, 2008

Annie was starting to show. Even her loose fitting jeans were getting snug around the middle. She didn't think it would happen so soon. Her sister was almost six months pregnant before anyone could tell she was having a baby. It was just Annie's luck she was so darn skinny. Any ounce she gained was clearly visible. It was purely a miracle Zach hadn't noticed yet.

But she couldn't tell Zach, not yet anyway. Knowing what a deplorable sense of righteousness he had he would insist they marry immediately. But she didn't want him to marry her out of obligation. She wanted him to want to, because he loved her. He did love her. She knew he did. He had told her many times. When he asked her to move in with him, she thought that meant they would marry eventually perhaps after his stint in the military.

He, like so many from their little town joined the Marines straight out of high school. Luckily he was stationed at Beaufort. It was close to home so they could always visit their families. It was perfect, almost anyway. There was talk, mere murmurings really, but it was a constant fear regardless of rumors. That blasted war! Zach's unit could be deployed at any moment.

Annie felt ashamed of herself. It was what he signed up for, to protect and defend our country from those intent on destroying our freedom. She should be proud of him and she was but she also selfishly hoped he didn't have to. She knew the drill. She knew what it was like. Her dad had been in the Marines. All her uncles on both sides plus her brother and many cousins were as well and Zach's entire family, too. It was just the way things were done around here. Pride in country was foremost and anyone worth their salt had to protect it.

She turned her head on her pillow and saw his profile relaxed in sleep. Such a good-looking boy, man now actually. The Marines really know how to transform a kid from an awkward teen to a strapping man ready to conquer the world. Annie didn't think she could have loved him more but there you are. Things change, intensify, become more potent as time goes by. They had been together for a while now. She still remembered so clearly the night she fell in love with him.

She had a crush on him since she was twelve but he never did notice her much. She was just his friend Paul's kid sister. They had spent it together down by the river, the whole gang and she was allowed to join them for once. She had just turned fifteen so they didn't consider her a kid anymore. It had been fun swimming

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