Into the Woods (DeBeers 4)

training exercise that kept him away nearly a month. I

could have written to him. but I said to myself. 'Jackie

Lee, this is not the sort of thing you reveal in a letter.

It's too important, and the emotion of the moment is

something you want to share and remember for the

rest of both your lives.'

"So I kept it a secret. The day of his arrival I

went to the airport at the Navy base. They would let

me, as well as other wives, go there to greet our

husbands. One day a week earlier I had found this

adorable baby-size Navy uniform. There was even a

small cap to go with it. I bought it and put it in a gift box. There I was standing with the other women when he came down the gangway. He rushed to me and kissed me, and then I said I had brought him a present and handed him the box. I had bought him a few flamboyant shirts when we were on holiday less than a year before, and he was always teasing me about

that.

"Not another shirt made out of someone's

underwear. I hope,' he said.

"'I don't think so.' I told him, and full of

curiosity, he tore off the gift wrapping and opened the

box. When he lifted out the tiny uniform his face went

from surprise and confusion to utterjoy."

r /> "We've got it!' he cried as if we had won a

prize.

"'Yes,' I said. 'I'm pregnant.' and do you know

what he did. Grace, what that big, strapping.

handsome U.S. naval officer did right then and there'" I shook my head,

"He cried." she said. "He just let his tears come,

and then he wrapped his arms around me and held me

as tightly as he could until he thought he was doing

something that would hurt me and you and let go. "'I'm pregnant.' I told your father. 'but I'm not

made of breakable thin china.'

"What a wonderful night that was." she said,