Wednesday, October 30, 1929

Rose sat Indian style on the couch watching her husband begin his nightly Gung Fu. Andrew played quietly on the floor, his eyes never leaving his Father's graceful form. Brandon lit the incense candle, and slowly bowed his head in prayer, long black hair falling into his eyes. Rose's heart about burst with love for the father of her son and unborn child due any day. Brandon was forty-four years old and looked just as he did the first time Rose saw him. He had not one gray hair; his body still rippled with lean muscles.

It was hard to believe they had been together almost sixteen years; sixteen glorious years and Rose loved him more each day. He was a wonderful father, supportive husband; everything Rose could have hoped for. But above all that, he loved Rose and his family more than life itself. He never once questioned her about her past or her close relationship with Molly Brown. He let her volunteer the information about herself and never prodded. Like many of Rose's friend's husbands, he never forbade her from having her own career or speaking her mind. In fact, he encouraged her to be her own person. Not one day went by that Rose didn't thank God for leading her to Brandon.

Life had treated the Calvert family very well. Brandon started his own carpentry business. He called it "Calvert's Carpenters"!

Rose had about laughed herself silly when he told her the name. "You are the only one in the business. Shouldn't it be 'Calvert Carpenter'?" she had asked in between giggles.

"No! No! No! No!" he had exclaimed. "I will be taking on two apprentices to learn the trade. So there, it's 'Calvert's Carpenters,'" he said, sticking his tongue out at his wife.

Andrew, who was just a week short of being two, was an adorable little boy, who seemed to have both his Mother and Father's adventurous spirit and zest for life. Brandon would joke and say, "He's the only red-headed, blue eyed, China man in existence!" This would prompt to Rose to playfully swat him over the head.

Rose loved her life, her family, and now a new little one on the way. She couldn't wait. She thrived at being a mother. She doted on Andrew and did something her own Mother never would have done; she encouraged him to be his own person. Locking eyes with Brandon, her beautiful husband smiled at her as he gracefully leaned down to steal a kiss and pat her bulging stomach, never once losing step with his routine.

"Oh Brandon," Rose said gently pushing him away. He winked at her, his eyes twinkling as he continued on.

Rose picked up the front page of the paper and began to read when all color drained from her face.