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baby,” she said, thinking of the boring life she would have lecturing full time at the university for the rest of her life while Shannon went off on all the adventures that they had planned.
    “People have babies in Africa every day.  They have for thousands of years,” Shannon said as though the idea of her leaving was the most ridiculous thing that she had heard.
    “Are you suggesting I have a baby in a hut and raise it on the road, traveling from country to country like we do?”  Though she knew the idea was ludicrous, it had a certain appeal that Grace could not argue with.
    “Yes,” she said plainly, as if it was the clear and obvious solution to the situation.
    “That is crazy”
    “No kid could ask for a better life,” Shannon said before checking her watch again. “Time to check.”
    “I can't look. You do it,” she said as she buried her face in her hands.
     
    Shannon crossed the room in what felt like slow motion to Grace.  As she lifted the test from the desk, Grace felt her nausea return in full force.
    “Well, we are in for our next adventure,” Shannon said with a small smile.
    “I'm pregnant?” Grace asked, though she already knew the answer.
    “Yes,” Shannon said, unable to think of a more graceful way to say it.
    “I never thought I would be pregnant,” she said softly, standing and crossing the room to see the test for herself.
    “Are you sorry?” Shannon asked.
    “No,” she shook her head. “I'm just shocked.”
    “I meant it; about having the baby here. We can do this,” Shannon said with confidence.
    “How can I do that?” she asked, clearly torn.
    “We'll find out who helps the local women during their pregnancies. Maybe this is where you are supposed to have your baby.”  Shannon wasn’t one who believed in fate, but neither of them could deny that there was a bit of an otherworldly tone to the whole situation. 
    “Can I really do this?”
    “We can do anything.”
    “OK,” Grace said, as solemnly as a vow.
    “OK, we're having a baby.” Shannon smiled.
    “Oh my god, we are having a baby!” Grace said as it finally sunk in.
    “Can you think of a more perfect life for a kid?” Shannon asked her, with a big grin.
    “If it turns out anything like us,” she laughed.
    “Well, we are going to be the ones raising it,” Shannon pointed out.
    “I don't know,” she said honestly.
    “I do. This is going to be something special.” She smiled then and wrapped her arms around Grace.
    “OK,” Grace said through her tears.  “Let's do it!”
     
    It did not take them long to find a local midwife.  The entire village told them to go and see Aria, an aged woman who had delivered nearly every baby in the area for more than twenty years.  They took the jeep to her little hut a few miles from the nature preserve.  The scent of flowers and the feeling of coming home greeted them.  Grace was instantly at peace and Shannon seemed to relax instantly. 
     
    When they parked the jeep, an older woman with greying hair and bare feet greeted them with a big smile and a welcoming gesture.

“Aria?” Shannon asked.
    “Yes,” the woman nodded.
    “Hello, this is Grace and I'm Shannon.”  The woman nodded while she spoke, as though she had already known that.
    “Oh yes, come in, come in,” she said, ushering them inside.  The hut was comfortable and cozy.  It felt like the sort of place where new life should start.
    “Is this a good time?” Grace asked hesitantly.
    “Yes, yes, it's always a good time for babies,” she said as she bustled about the room.
    “That you for seeing me,” Grace said with a tentative smile.
    “Of course.  When do you expect the little one?” she asked, getting right to business.
    “Another 8.5 months,” she replied with confidence.
    “You seem very sure,” the old woman noted.
    “I know exactly when it was conceived,” she nodded.
    “Well that is good knowledge to have. Sit down and let me feel your stomach,” she said