"You have my phone number and address in Brooklyn, right?" Melinda asked for the third time as they waited for their luggage to be off loaded.

"We do, and your letter of recommendation and guarantee of gainful employment as well," Gaia said. "I've got them in my bag." She patted the large carpetbag on the bench beside her.

"I know my aunt and my mother will answer with a yes no matter what. We did this a year ago for another friend I made. She's running the kitchen at the family restaurant now. Graham has a job with the state of New York. Identifying the cause of death is fascinating. I think I might have to go back to school." Melinda's enthusiastic prattle made Gaia sigh. Her newfound friend was one of the most optimistic people she'd ever come across.

"I can't wait to meet your family," Gaia told the petite blonde. "I miss mine. I have cousins everywhere and even more now that I'm married."

"Then why did you leave?"

"I wanted to see the world. Our trip through Europe this spring was a marvelous adventure. The only thing that was sad, was the way Berlin is now two cities. Rail and air are the only way into the city now. If you watch out the window of the train car, you can see soldiers guarding the tracks. It's so sad."

"Russia was never truly an ally. That's why," Melinda said.

"Truer words never said. The border to eastern Europe is closed tight now. We considered trying to get to Moscow and Petersburg, but it isn't safe for anyone from the Allied countries. We would never get back out again."

"Here comes Graham. I can't wait till next time we're back to New York. I'll be done my three months and have three off. Johnny and his girl are on the same cycle as me. They're getting married before we get back on board."

"I'm sorry I have to leave you, dear," Graham wrapped an arm around Melinda, hugging her close and kissing her upturned lips.

"Never mind. We'll be back in seventeen days. Think of me while I'm gone," Melinda begged.

"Every minute of everyday. I see they're about to swing our luggage, down," the Doctor said.

"Where's Harry?" Melinda asked.

"Right here." Harry came out of the doors behind the funnel structure with Captain Kelly right behind him.

The dapper Captain was dressed in his white uniform. He turned toward Gaia, bowed, and kissed her hand before drawing her into a hug. "Take care of yourself my dear. I am grateful for your work shipboard. Things are more settled with our resident spirits."

"I can't believe the excitement. You have Amanda Fitzroy-Evans' death reported?" she asked.

"The report went ashore to the customs and immigration the moment we docked. They will communicate with Scottish authorities and let them know what Dr. Jenkins put together. An evil woman, that one."

"Good, at least the rest of her victims will be discovered. The drawings went with it?" She had to be certain her work brought certainty to the families of the children she drew.

"Of course, my dear. Harry made sure they were properly protected," the Captain reassured her.

"Thank you, sir. And thank you for the wonderful voyage. Give Johnny his promotion. I'm sure he'll do an amazing job with his new position." Gaia returned his hug, wishing her father was there with them.

"Time for you three to leave the ship. There's a special officer coming to deal with you. Graham, Gaia, Harry, I wish you all the best in your new country."

He gave them a crisp salute and Gaia turned to follow Graham down to the dock where a tall grey-haired man waited for them. A trolley cart carried all their luggage and two porters followed them as they went into the building.

Why am I tearing up? I don't usually get this easily upset. Harry and Graham are eager to get on with this, and I'm more than happy to be here, yet I can't seem to control my emotions? Everything is in order, there's no need to worry about being rejected. We have offers of employment. We have savings and can support ourselves if necessary, why is my stomach churning with nerves?"

"Miss Murphy? I understand you were recently married. Mr. O'Connor is your husband? Do you have your marriage certificate?"

Here we go. Father Patrick was right, we should have waited for a new passport for me before we left.

Gaia dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief before replying.

"Yes, we do. I'll just get them." She reached into her bag, pulling out the manilla folder with all their relevant papers. "I'll admit it was probably a mistake not to wait for a new passport, but we had to wait for ninety days before we could marry. The timing was not exactly good." Her tone was wry as she face the customs agent.

"Nothing worse than government red tape. I assure you; we won't hold it against you."

She scanned his chest looking for a name and spotted the badge on his left shoulder. "Thank you, sir." This wasn't the time for familiarity.

"Let's get you through this list of questions quickly. Then there is a quick medical exam, with a few blood tests. Once those are completed and you are cleared as healthy, you will be on your way. Until then you stay on this island with Lady Liberty."

"Our luggage?" Gaia inquired.

"In your room with you. Someone will come to inspect everything, and make sure you aren't bringing anything harmful into the country."

"Understandable. Thank you."

She waded through the questions, which repeated themselves in a devious circle, trying to trap her in a lie. The same thing in five different ways.

What do they think? I'm an idiot? That I would lie about anything when this is one of the most important things I'll ever do for myself?

"This is the sixth time you are asking me the same thing. The answer is the same as the last five times." Gaia tried to reign in her temper, but she slapped her hand down on the table anyway.

"I'm sorry, miss, but I have to ask them all. But we only have two more questions."

"Thank God for small mercies," she muttered.

A small smile flickered across the official's face before he asked, "Where do you intend to live?"

"In New York City close to the employment I've found. I'll be waiting tables in a pub similar to the one I worked in, in Ireland. My husband and I will invest in businesses here in America as well. He has a job lined up as well."

"It seems we are done. One last question. Are more of your family planning on coming to the United States?"

"I highly doubt it. Harry and I are the only ones with wandering feet. We'll go back to visit, and they will come here as well, but unlikely any of them will leave the village where I was born," Gaia said with heartfelt conviction.

"Then we are done. Next is the medical, and the results of all the testing will be ready in approximately twenty-four hours. I'll take you over to the hospital."

"Where's Harry?"

"He'll join you shortly."

"Thank you."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"I've never been poked and prodded like that doctor did today," Harry said.

"Me either, and then they did an internal exam for me." Gaia shuddered. "Midwives do that. Not doctors. And then only when a woman is in labor."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there with you, love." Harry slipped onto the bed with her and under her arm to cuddle.

"I heard someone in one of the other sections say that women smuggle things there. Like illegal imports, or things they don't want to pay import taxes on. I found the allowance for personal belongings and household goods to be quite generous. Why hide anything at all?"

"Because there will always be stolen goods and black market goods. Always those who will work outside the bounds of the law. Everyone gets tarred with the same brush where those possibilities exist. Sad, but it's the way of the world." Harry knelt to frame her face with both hands. "Don't dwell on it too much, my love."

Gaia missed the quiet tap at the door when Harry kissed and rubbed her nipple. She hissed. "Harry that hurts. In fact, my breasts hurt and if you didn't notice, my bra is too small."

"Are you with ---"

The knock at the door became a thump.

"Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor, it's Dr. Drury. I need to speak with you."

"Child?" Harry asked.

"How? We've been married for a month, barely."

"Are you in there? Please, I have news for you."

"One moment. I'll be right there," Harry said.

Gaia grabbed her robe, slipping it on as her husband made his way to the door.

"Come in, sir," Harry's tone was polite, but cold.

"I can't blame you for being a bit upset at the interruption, but you need to know, so Gaia takes care of herself and the little one."

"We were just coming to the same conclusion," Harry said.

"Let me ask you a few more questions." The loose limbed man pulled a chair away from the desk in the corner and sat with a weary sigh.

"I bled last about four almost five weeks ago, and I've been very tired and nauseous for the last three weeks. My breasts are tender and getting larger," Gaia volunteered before he could speak. "I thought I was seasick, but the other symptoms add up to pregnancy."

Dr. Drury nodded. "You do understand with your husband being a dwarf, your child has a good chance of being one as well."

"They run in our side of the family. My grandfather was a dwarf, but I'm not afflicted by the bent thick limbs like he was. Just short. Barely four and a half feet in height. I'm actually at the very tallest end of the dwarf spectrum." Harry said as stood to pace a bit. "Thankfully, we will have a place to live and work. Friends in the Bronx have jobs for each of us and an apartment over the pub we'll be employed at."

"Then I'll leave you to contemplate the fact that you will be parents in approximately eight months. Ma'am, your tiredness should become less in two months, and you can tell others you are expecting after that. There is always a risk of losing a child that is greater for the first three to four months that you are carrying. I suggest you find a doctor to deliver your child as soon as possible and stay put here in New York until it is born."

The doctor pulled his long legs back from where they were sprawled in front of him and pushed himself up using the table.

"Is there any chance you might be able to help us there?" Gaia asked. "I found your gentle manner and respect for me wonderful earlier."

"I am busy here full time, ma'am. But I have a sister who lives in the Bronx. Do you have a piece of paper? And a pen?"

"She's a doctor?" Harry asked.

"Yes, she's my twin. We went through med school together, and she was top of the class. I'm sure she won't mind taking you on as a patient, Gaia. Or you Harold. You might have health issues as well. There are some problems which are associated with your small stature."

Harry pulled the paperwork file from Gaia's carpet bag. Flipping through the pages inside the folder, he found the page with Melinda's parent's address, and flipped it over. He pulled his fountain pen from his shirt pocket and handed both to the Doctor.

Gaia watched as he braced himself, half bent over the table and wrote the information they needed down in a swift scrawl.

"Thank you, sir," she said when he handed her the page.

"Good luck. I'll let myself out," he said when she rose. "Relax. Life won't be easy once your baby is born."

Dr. Drury let himself out, and Harry locked the door.

"Now what?" Harry asked.

"Do what the good doctor said. And try to figure out whether we will have a son or a daughter?" Gaia responded.

Harry nodded. His smile was brilliant as he kissed her, chasing all thoughts out of her head.