Marita  took a deep breath, and bit her lip to still its trembling. She could do nothing about the nervous feeling in her stomach. Her feet dragged. Would Randall want to see her?
 
Soon she would see the man of her dreams, was he still that? Marita hardly knew. She used to be so upset with him but,time, and perhaps the gentling influence of the Holy Spirit, had been causing her to realise there may be a reason for his actions, a reason she couldn’t comprehend. Marita remembered how warm and happy she used to feel in his presence, and besides they were married, she would have to make it work.
 
 My, what a dark, grungy interior.
 
“Here we are," her guide announced, unlocking the cell.
 
Marita didn’t know whether to take the baby in with her or not. Her father-in-law hadn’t suggested that he take care of her, and she certainly didn’t want to offer a baby, her baby, to the grizzled gaol-keeper, a stranger, to tend.
 
There were only three cells and in the last one was where Randall was, for what reason she still did not know.
 
Marita breathed an urgent prayer as the gaol keeper inserted the key into the lock. Lord, help me. Help me to know how to respond to him.  She recalled how much she used to love him.  No one ever set my heart to dancing like Randall. No one cared about me as much as he did.
 
The door was opening, the gaoler stepping aside. One last urgent prayer flashed heavenward; ‘Help me, help me, please!’
 
It was a shock to see handsome, red headed Randall clad in black and white stripes, his head shaved.
 
The lock clicked grimly behind her. ‘I’ll be back in 15 minutes,”
 
 She was standing in the shadows and Randall didn’t look up at first.
 
“Hi Randall,” she said, clinging tightly to the bundle in her arms.
 
Randal’s eyes widened. “Marita! You came!” He leaped to his feet, arms outstretched, then dropped them stiffly to his sides, “W,what took you so long?”
 
Marita’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
 
“I was expecting you months ago. I was so worried, whatever happened? Maybe your boat had been torpedoed or something. Maybe you had never forgiven me for being so rash.”
 
“Oh, Randall,”  she took a step closer. “And I was wondering why you didn’t get in touch.”
 
Marita was amazed at the look of anguish in his eyes.
 
“I couldn’t. Dad refused to give me your address, he was that mad at me.”
 
“For, for marrying me?” Marita stammered.
 
Randall shook his head, “No, for ending up in jail. I haven’t even seen Mom since—“
 
Just then the baby woke up, arms flailing, and Marita laid her gently on the cot. She just hoped it was clean.
 
Marita turned to look at him staring so mutely at her and her eyes filled with tears. Suddenly she was aware just how deep her love  did go towards him. All the mixed up feelings of  the last few months were only surface turmoil, deep down she knew they were meant for each other and that she treasured him.
 
 They looked eyes: “You mean you couldn’t write," she asked?

Shock, anger and relief coursed through her veins. It was a relief to know Randall had wanted to write, but what kind of man was his father anyway?
 
“I’m sorry, Marita. I’m sorry I got mad at you, I’m sorry I ended up in here,” now he did enfold her in his arms.
 
Marita laid her head on his shoulder. She could feel all her fears melt away there in the security of his strong arms while the tears flowed. When she removed her hanky from her pocket to dry her eyes, he took it from her and wiped her cheeks.
 
“Oh, Marita, I didn’t mean to do this to you,” he continued. “Will you forgive me? And please, please forgive me for the way I talked the last time we were together.I was overwrought--with worry. I do love you.”
 
“Yes, Randall, yes, of course. Please, let’s not talk about it.”
 
“But I have to,” he pursued. “It was that cursed drink, and—“.
 
Marita lovingly placed her finger aginst his lips. “Please, Randall. This is our first time together for a donkey’s years. We will have the rest of our life to discuss it.  Let’s just be cheerful tonight.”
 
He stared at her uncertainly for an instant, then lowered himself on to the bunk beside Emily and watched her.
 
“Do you mean it, Marita? I truly am sorry for all the heartache I’ve caused.”

 Marita nodded mutely. Her heart ached, his voice was quiet and subdued, so unlike the self-assured Randall of by gone days.
 
 “Randall, you’re mine,” she said gently, looking into his face.
 
As her heart overflowed with love and compassion, she felt she could understand a little better how God felt towards His eering children.
 
 Her eyes darkened with concern. Randall, I’d give anything to see the mischievous sparkle dance back into your dull, gloomy eyes once again. I don’t know what you did, but I forgive you with all my heart. We all make mistakes.
 
Not being able to understand Marita’s expression, Randall dropped his head into his hands and groaned.
 
“Are you terribly disappointed in me? You’d have a right to leave me, you know.”
 
Oh, Randall, Randall if I had known how hard this was on you, I’d never have left Alice with Margaret. Alice, my darling little girl!  Not wanting some forbidden message to flash to Randall, she whirled around and flung her arm over her eyes.  Out loud she said, “we’re in this together, Honey. I married you for betteror for worse,”but her voice trembled and he didn't know why.
 
Randall looked at her searchingly, then down at the baby.
 
“Do you mind if I hold her?”
 
“Mind?? She’s your own daughter: Of course you may.” She tried to keep her face composed so he would never know how torn her heart felt.
He studied Emily. “No I think I’d better not.”
 
 Marita stared at him.
 
“I didn’t realize a baby could be so pure and innocent,” he continued after a moment. “I feel too unclean to hold her, to be a Daddy.”
 
Marita bit her trembling lip, mutely she lifted the babe and placed her in Randall’s arms. He gazed at the small, sweet face for a long time without uttering a word. Marita wondered what he was thinking.
 
“She has coppery hair like you,” she offered.
 
 Randall nodded but otherwise didn’t respond. Finally he handed her back to Marita. As Marita pressed the soft cheek against her own, a tear slipped out unbidden. There’s another baby somewhere that has bright hair just like her Daddy’s also.
 
Just then a loud knock sounded at the door, startling them both.
 
“Times up!” A gruff voice announced.
 
After kissing her tenderly, Randall released her. Marita felt like clinging to him, her arms felt so empty now.
 
At the end of t the dark, quiet hall was a clock. Marita was surprised that they had been together much longer than 15 minutes. Why had the gaol keeper been so considerate?