Starting Now by PLK
I will follow you into the dark
I promised my son that I would keep her safe. We've done this before, Esme and I. Countless times, even once or twice with our own pups. It was routine, would be routine.
He really is a beautiful baby. Red curls, like cinnamon and soft as cotton on his little feet. If he'd just open those eyes of his…but he seems to be waiting for his mother. And she won't open her eyes either.
"Is she still bleeding? Eglantine!" I turn away from Rose and my grandson, my hands twisting a bloody sheet.
I check, and she still is. A sluggish, but steady flow of red seeps into the blankets, I nod.
Esme's crushing something green, squeezing the paste with her fingers. "Open her mouth. Pinch the jaw hinge." She says sharply. "Rose, put the baby down, and go and get some fresh water."
We both rush to do what she says. The baby doesn't protest being set in the cradle. He's warm and for now that's all he needs.
I pry open Merna's mouth, and Esme pushes the paste in, and helps her to swallow. Rosie's back with a pitcher of water and an armful of cream colored towels. Esme wipes her hands and lifts the sheet up off of Merna's legs.
With a wet towel she washes away the blood from a pair of limp pale legs. "Eglantine, help me. We've got to see where all this blood is coming from."
I nod again, even though, with her back turned to me, she can't see me do it; and grab a towel to start helping.
"How is she?" Pippin's face is flushed, his voice high.
Rosie jumps a foot, pulling away from the closed door, finished trying to hear something through the thick wood. There's been no sound for the last hour; the baby hasn't even cried.
"Pippin." Rosie says, breathless.
"Is it over?" He asks again, coming closer. Rosie spreads herself in front of the door, nodding. "Can I go in?" Pippin's face is open with delight, his eyes boring holes through the wood.
"No. Pippin, you can't." Her voice is a squeak. A whisper of doubt.
Pippin's face falls suddenly, worry brightening his green eyes. "Why? What's happened?"
Rosie just shakes her head. "They're handling it."
"I need to see her, Rose. I need to see that she's okay. How's the baby?" He swallows down a gulp of air. "Did….It make it?" he says, voice wavering with uncertainty.
She stands there, a worry line between her brows, biting her lip, and nods. "I think I know what will make you feel better, Pip." She says over her shoulder as she slides the door open, and goes through.
Pippin moves to follow her, but the door clicks shut as soon as she is all the way in. Rosie reappears seconds later, holding a green wrapped bundle.
"Say hullo to Faramir." She says softly. "He's sleeping." She puts the bundle into Pippin's arms.
"He's got my hair." Pippin thinks out loud, voice soft with wonder. Rosie smiles.
"You bet he does."
At the sound of their voices, Faramir opens his eyes. He looks up, wide eyed, and Pippin clutches him a little tighter.
For a pair of eyes so new, they bear a startling……no, an uncanny resemblance to Frodo Baggins'.
Faramir starts to cry. And from behind the closed, Merna lets out a shriek.
"Rock him." Rosie stutters breathlessly, turning to dash back inside the bedroom. Leaving Pippin clutching a squalling baby, standing in the center of a round little living room, all thoughts of a rocking chair long forgotten as he wishes desperately that Rosie'd taken the baby back with her.
OOO
"I want to start fresh, like a baby in a sink, scrub away all these thoughts that I think…..of you."-Ingrid Michaelson
Welcome to the Triquel Kitties. R&R for more. grins