Chapter 16 #2
“Very well.” Jane sighed when Blythe held out her hand to help her from the rocking chair. Before she was upright, Jane groaned. “Oh, no!”
“What is the matter?” Blythe asked.
“My waters have broken.”
Gabriel looked down. A dark stain spread across Jane’s shift.
Jane lurched forward and hissed.
Blythe said, “We need to get you into the birthing chair.”
Gabriel took Jane’s arm while Blythe retrieved the chair with an opening carved out of the seat. “This may be a quick birth. How long have the pains been coming?”
“Since midday.”
“Midday!” Blythe slammed the birthing chair on top of a sheet on the floor.
“Shall I fetch my mother?” Gabriel asked.
“No need. You and Blythe are more than capable of delivering the baby. Let the others enjoy the supper.”
Jane grimaced when he assisted her into the birthing chair.
Blythe kissed the top of Jane’s head. “I shall be back in a moment.”
As soon as Blythe left, Jane said, “You still love her, don’t you?”
Gabriel ignored the question, closed the windows and stoked the fire. “We must ward off the evening chill.”
“She still loves you too.”
Gabriel set the poker aside and straightened.
Blythe returned with a large porcelain jug. “Thank goodness I put a kettle over the fire earlier. I knew you were in more pain than you claimed.”
Blythe handed him a pair of scissors and a ball of string before pouring steaming water into the porcelain bowl on the washstand in the corner.
He untied the cuffs of his shirt and rolled up the sleeves. “Are you ready?”
Blythe nodded while scrubbing her hands with the soap, then stepped aside to allow him to do the same.
Jane groaned, and they returned to attend her.
Blythe rubbed circles down their patient’s spine.
Gabriel kneeled in front of the chair. “Brace your feet on my thighs.”
Jane complied.
He rolled her loose shift above her knees and performed an internal examination. “The baby is crowning. The next time the pain strikes, push.”
Jane nodded. Her knuckles blanched when her fingers tightened around the arms of the chair. “Here we go.” Jane bore down and groaned through gritted teeth.
“Keep going.” Blythe rubbed the labouring mother’s shoulders. “You can do this.”
Jane inhaled several deep, ragged breaths.
Gabriel looked down. “Well done, the head is coming.”
Jane panted for several seconds, then pushed again.
Gabriel cradled the baby’s slick head. “Good, the head is out. Wait a moment while I check the cord is not wrapped around the baby’s neck.”
Jane puffed and swiped her arm across her forehead.
Blythe stepped away before returning with a cloth and patted Jane’s glistening face. “Here, this is nice and cool.”
“All is well so far.” Gabriel offered Jane a reassuring smile. “Another push and the baby will be out.”
“It’s coming.” Jane bore down, and on a long groan she pushed the babe’s body from her own.
Gabriel caught the slippery infant, and a gentle squall erupted. After a quick glance, he smiled at its mother. “You have a daughter.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Jane wrapped her daughter in the skirt of her shift, holding the wrinkled pink bundle to her chest.
Blythe sighed. “Oh, she is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Jane sniffed while glancing between them. “Thank you both.”
Blythe kissed the top of Jane’s head, then met his gaze. Her eyes shimmered at the rims as they stared at each other.
Jane groaned, breaking their connection.
“Allow me.” Blythe gathered up her niece.
Gabriel tied the cord with two pieces of string, then cut it, allowing Blythe to take the babe to the washstand while Jane delivered the afterbirth.
The infant wailed, and Jane pushed up from the chair.
“Rest a moment.” He washed his hands, then headed to the bed where Blythe had laid the clean infant. The wriggling mass of deep-pink wrinkled skin squalled, hurling tiny fists above its head while he examined its limbs. “The baby appears to be hearty and in need of food.”
Blythe swaddled the babe’s bottom in a square of cloth, then wrapped it in a wool shawl. She picked up the child and handed it to him before turning her attention to Jane. “Let me settle you into bed.”
He turned away and focused on the blinking eyes of the bundle in his arms.
Liquid sloshed. Drawers opened and closed, and fabric flicked and fluttered.
“I have ruined the carpet.” Jane grumbled. “Your mam will not be pleased.”
Blythe said, “I will pay for a new one.”
Once Blythe had plumped up the pillows behind Jane, Gabriel handed the baby to its mother, who put it to breast.
Blythe perched on the edge of the bed and smiled when the infant suckled. “What name have you chosen?”
“I shall name her after her aunt, whom I hope will see a lot more of her than she did of her siblings.”
Blythe’s smile faltered. “I am honoured.” She stood. “I should fetch John and my parents.”
Blythe scurried from the room, and Jane sent him a pointed glance.
He darted after her, but she had already reached the bottom of the stairs. “Blythe, wait.”
She spun, swiping at both her cheeks. “My apologies, I forgot to thank you for delivering my namesake safely.”
He stopped before her at the foot of the stairs. “Think nothing of it.”
“Please send me the bill for your services.”
Did she really think he wished to discuss payment? “Blythe—”
“Do not suggest any nonsense about doing this for free. It is a wonder you have any income.”
“Blythe!” he said with an exasperated groan. “There are matters we must discuss.”
Blythe kept her gaze on the stone slabs beneath her feet.
“Meet me in the cowshed in an hour.”
Blythe nodded before she headed out to announce the news of her niece’s birth.