An idea had been tugging at Marita’s heartstrings ever since the twins had safely arrived. She remembered vividly the first time it had occurred to her.
 
It was while in the case room: bright lights and whiteness were all around her. She was waiting with eager anticipation for that soul-
stirring moment when the nurse would finish cleansing the squirmy newborns, wrap them snugly in soft receiving blankets, then turn to place them one by one into her eagerly waiting arms.
 
Marita half arose on the bed her arms reaching out. Then she was holding them. For a long moment she had eyes for nothing more than those incredibly beautiful, incredibly precious rosy-red bundles of humanity-- and her heart melted.
 
To think they were really hers! Wonderfully, gloriously hers to love and to cherish as long as she lived. ! She felt a yearning protectiveness grip her as she gazed into those wide dark blue eyes, making an instant connection. A throb  of joy filled her heart. I may seem young for such trememdous responsibility, but oh I want to, I will  give them the best care possible, she vowed.
 
But then  a darkly unwelcome thought slithered into her mind. Will Randall try to be a good father? He hadn’t liked it when I got pregnant, and that was before I knew I was carrying twins! How how will he treat them? Can I trust him not to hurt these incredibly sweet treasures from Heaven?
 
“Mrs. Smith, are you alright?”
 
“W’what?”

“Youu seem incredibly pale. Maybe I should put the babies back in their bassinettes now.”
 
Marita looked at the young nurse blankly then down at the babies in her arms. She wanted to protest but felt so weak, so, so overwhelmed.
 
She stared at the retreating figure almost numb with fear.
 
My own darling babies! What is ever going to happen to them? What if Randall is cruel or unfaithful? The girls sure used to swoon whenever he went by.
 
Are there any doctors way out there in the wilderness? How can I care for the wee ones without any support? There is no one in this world who is more precious to me than they are! I will protect them with my life if needs be! But how can I, how can I, if I am in a log cabin somewhere and he comes home sloshed?
 
A nurse came in to check her pulse and temperature, encouraging her gently, to lay down. 
 
Later, when the doctor came around, and they thought she was asleep, Marita heard them conversing in low tones.
 
“Worried…distraught…No word from husband…”
 
Discharged dishonorably? No one knows for sure…”

“Kept hush, hush…”
 
When the nurse spoke to her, Marita pretended to be just waking up, but she felt sick to the stomach.
 
She counted the minutes, almost, until it was time to feed the identical twins again, then begged the medical staff to let them stay with her. The nurses were kind but said it was against hospital policy, something about cross contamination and Marita needing her rest.
 
I’d rest better if I had them close.  Tears came to Marita’s eyes as she pressed the little one they had carried to her first, to her bosom. The infant was making tiny mewling sounds while searching for her fist. Marita stroked her velvety cheek tenderly and pressed kisses into her bright, downy hair.
 
I’ll need to name them without Randall’s help or approval.
Is there any names sweet enough for such darling girls?
 
 Right from the beginning there had been a lot of pain mixed in with her feelings of maternal joy so she would cuddle them protectively, yearning to shield them from suffering, yet forlornly admitting her inadequacy.


 
Marita’s strength was coming back. The twins could hardly be considered fragile preemies any more. They were doing well.
 
She must make a major decision