The dishes are done and all the children put to bed. It is unusually early for everything to be finished, but somehow it is and I am glad of it. Sam put the children down, all seven of them. It was a number we had hoped for, and got surprisingly quickly. I am happy with our brood, but lately, Sam has been hinting for just one more.

I’m not looking to be pregnant again. I am a lucky one, finding it not that hard to carry. But it can be very uncomfortable, and taking care of such a large household makes the carrying hard. That’s why I squirm nervously when the familiar quiver runs up my spine.

His eyes are on me. I wonder how he had been standing there near the hearth watching me with me not realizing it. I do not turn. He will take when he chooses to. There is no escaping this night.

It is downheartening to even think this. I love Sam so deeply, and we waited many years to be together. I want to please not only as a wife and mother, but as a lover too. I take a breath, preparing myself, as two strong arms wrap around my waist and a kiss is laid on the nap of my neck. I don’t want to hurt my Sam. I’ll do what I must to please him. I want to enjoy whatever is coming next, even if I am dreading it.