It was the longest thirty minutes as the frightened parents awaited Dr. Clarkson to arrive and hopefully save their child from sure death. In those thirty minutes Elsie had three more pains. The whole time Elsie was in complete Hysterics whispering I'm sorry and I love you so much every few seconds. Watching his wife break slowly was killing him piece by piece.
When Clarkson did finally arrive, he was rushed straight up to Elsie's room
"hmmmm well Mrs. Carson it appears as though you are in fact in the early stages of labor" Dr. Clarkson sighed
"oh God no not my baby oh it's all my fault oh my baby" She sobbed knowing her baby wouldn't survive being born this early
"But I can stop it I'll stitch your cervix to prevent it from opening don't worry I will remove it once we get closer to your due date and I will also administer a drug to stop the labor from progressing and I want you on be rest for a month then afterwards I want you sitting to do everything and if you can't sit to do it sit a soon as your done doing it" Richard ordered seeing the anguish in the couples eyes he soften "I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to save your baby Mr. and Mrs. Carson"
"oh, thank the lord please just save our baby Dr. Clarkson" Charles answered for his hysterical wife
"It's all my fault Charles I am too old to carry our child and now because of me our baby almost died or could die" Elsie sobbed. Ever since she found out she might be pregnant let alone that she was pregnant she feared something like this would happen and that she would lose her miracle life of a happy husband and a precious babe to call her mummy.
"It's not your fault love and you are not to old now I wish I didn't have to, but I should probably leave for this part" Charles said kissing her
"please Charles don't leave me I can't do this without you" she whimpered
Charles looked to Clarkson for an OK before looking at Elsie "very well then I will stay and hold you"
And so, he did he sat behind her with her cradled safely in between his legs as Dr. Clarkson positioned his wife's legs instructing him to hold her legs back because he couldn't have her moving about as he sewed her up because one wrong move could mean so many bad possibilities. She looked up into his eyes to try and block out the pain because of the circumstance she wouldn't take anything that would even pose risk to her child with a less than one percent chance.
Gripping at Charles' arm Dr. Clarkson started the procedure.
Eventually once the procedure was over Elsie had cried herself into a fitful sleep filled with nightmares of her baby dying just out of her reach and Charles turning on her and leaving her blaming her for the death of his son his one and only heir, her dying of the shear heartbreak at the end of each vile dream.
"thank you Dr. Clarkson I only hope that both my wife and our baby make it through this terrible ordeal" Charles said stepping out of the room and into the corridor leaving his wife to sleep even if it was fitful.
"you're very welcome I've known Mrs. Carson since I was a lad and I don't think I know anyone who deserves to have this baby more then she does she's had a lot of hardships in her life but I think if she where to lose this baby she wouldn't be able to bounce back like she once would be able too." Richard Sighed looking at the door that Charles had just closed behind him
"well let's hope it never gets to that. Shall I walk you out" Mr. Carson asked waving his hand towards the stairwell
"no that's quite alright Mr. Carson you go back to your wife. Speaking of wives, I should probably get back to mine she has taken quite the liking to our Mrs. Carson and is probably going mad with worry" Richard Chuckle softly before turning and walking toward the door that lead to the stairwell.
When Richard got home that night he wasn't the same happy go lucky bubbly man he was when Isobel was around, and it worried his wife. She suspected it had something to do with that emergency he got called away for some two hours ago. When they were sitting on the settee each enjoy their respective beverage.
"Richard you know you can tell me anything especially if it is troubling you" Isobel said before taking a sip of her wine
"yes, I know but right not everything is fine" Richard replied
"no, it is not Richie and you know it because you haven't been the same since you were called away for that emergency up at the abbey" Isobel replied curtly looking him in the eye
"the problem just hit to close to home that's all it nothing to get you knickers in a bunch over love" Richard answered
"what do you mean hit close to home Richard you've seen everything before so what makes this case so special" Isobel asked
"because it reminded me of my late brother's wife and the birth of their stillborn son" Richard yelled his face red with anger. Seeing the fear and upset on her face "I'm sorry that was rude and uncalled for of me"
"I didn't know you had a brother Richie let alone that he had a wife and a stillborn son I'm so sorry" Isobel said immediately forgiving him
"I was the one who was supposed to save their baby, but I couldn't and then two years later when their daughter was born he died four months later with her I haven't thought about it till now because Mrs. Carson went into early labor today just like my sister-in-law, but I was able to stop it" Richard explained
"oh, Richard I'm so sorry" Isobel whimpered tears brimming her eye thinking about how she almost lost her son to a car accident a few months ago
"oh Issy it happened so long ago and I know what you're thinking, but Matthew is home safe and sound enjoying his family and time with his son" Richard soothed taking her into his arms realizing how much his story truly affected her "what do you say we call it an early night and head upstairs" Richard asked pulling back from her to plant a kiss on her lips
"I agree" Isobel whispered into his lips before kissing him again
That night would haunt Elsie for the rest of her life the thought she almost lost her baby, her reason to live, for she was certain that if she lost her baby she would lose her husband also not because he left her but because she pushed him away. From that fay forward Elsie vowed to never let anything happen to her baby that she couldn't avoid, and from that day forward no one saw Elsie without a hand on her Stomach for the rest of her pregnancy and after her baby was always with her whether that be in Charles' arms or hers. Some even heard her either singing or talking to her stomach when she thought no one was around but Charles knew how scared she was. He only knew this because the two weeks following her hell on earth when she was on strict bedrest he often times would find her talking or singing to their baby with tears running down her cheeks or if she had fallen to sleep which she often would tear stains from having cried herself to sleep. His heart was breaking every time he saw her flinch when something would happen he hand flying to her stomach immediately.
Now seven months pregnant and a month since that terrifying day. She was at home for a few days' rest. She was sitting up in their bed when he found her she was off with the fairy's her hand drawing shapes and patterns onto her stomach humming a lullaby that she used to sing to Becky when they were younger, and Becky had one of her fits.
Popping his shoes off and dropping them along with his over shirt and vest and tie on the ground next to his jacket. He slipped onto the bed in between her legs that where already spread to accommodate her rather enlarged abdomen. Kissing her stomach in greeting "Hello love how are baby Carson and mummy doing" her gently rumbled into her abdomen knowing how it would make her giggle because the baby would squirm. His only reply was a silent sniffle and a hand moving to her face and one moving to rest above his head on her stomach.
"what's wrong love no wife of mine whether she be pregnant or not deserves to be sad" Charles asked popping his head up to look at her
"oh, Charlie it's all my fault if I wasn't on my feet all day and refusing to rest our baby would have never been in danger. I am a danger to our baby Charles and that thought alone kills me maybe when the babies born you should…… maybe you should leave me and take our baby from me for I'll only be a danger to our baby so I need you to protect them from me because I can't put my baby in danger anymore then I already am by carrying it" Elsie sobbed
"no" was all her said before he crawled up the length of her body being careful not apply any pressure on her abdomen.
"wh…what" Elsie sniffled confused
Without replying her simply took her hands in his and placed them on her stomach together they felt their baby rolling around and kicking.
"this, this right here is why I will not take our child away from you Elsie May Carson you are not a danger to our child. Do you feel that. That is the feeling of our baby moving and thriving within you, now do you think this child would still be living and moving let alone thriving within you if you were a danger to it. No, it wouldn't be, but it is it's thriving and that's all because it's mother is the best mother any child could hope for. You fought with everything in you to keep her inside you were she is currently happily snuggled safe and warm within her mummy where she belongs, away from any danger or harm, were she is loved more than anything in this world" by the time he was done they were both crying unashamedly
"oh Charlie, oh my baby mummy is so sorry that she ever thought you would be safer without her. Oh god Charlie I almost gave up my baby. Oh, Charlie please hold me I just want you to hold be please. I love you so much" she whimpered
"Always my darling lass let me be your steady rock" Charles murmured into her hair as he caressed her burgeoning stomach with his large hand smiling with tears in his eyes as he felt their baby move something he never thought he would get to feel. He was forever grateful for his angel and their child.
"Charlie" Elsie called it was Sunday evening a week after Elsie's break down.
"Els what's wrong" Charles called before barreling in scaring Elsie making her laugh
"look what your son is doing to my stomach" Elsie giggled as she unbuttoned her dress and leaving her in just her slip which she slipped off her body baring her naked abdomen to her husband.
"OH MY GOD" Charles gasped as he watched his wife's stomach role and move about every now and then the shape of a foot or hand poking through "Is that normal" Charles chuckled
"it is rather normal especially late in the pregnancy when the baby no longer has that much room left" Elsie giggled at his amazement
Getting down on his knees in front of Elsie, Charles kissed her stomach "oh, my well hello my little princess daddy can't wait to meet you my love, but daddy can be ever so patient, so you stay warm and cozy inside mummy "he murmured kissing her stomach where ever a limb popped up.
"I want a home birth Charles" Elsie blurted out running her hands through his hair as if to calm him before he exploded
"No, I will not let you risk your health like that it is not safe love I couldn't bear the thought of losing either of you and you know that" Charles cried getting up to pace the floor
"I know that Charles but with my age and childbirth itself I will always be in danger of dying. I'm too old for this and we knew this from the beginning but, I want to feel comfortable when the time comes and I God forbid I do die I want to die in my home surrounded by my husband and all our lovely memories in this place please let me have this love. I want you and our son to be the last thing that I see" Elsie soothed walking over to her husband hand resting on her stomach.
"Oh, Elsie if you die I don't know what I would do I… I can't live without you my angel I'm so scared and if you die it'll be all my fault I shouldn't have pushed you into a fully intimate marriage" Charles cried as his shorter wife guided him to the bed where she sat his down before she held him to her breast his hands placed on either side of her stomach
"Oh, my big Curmudgeon I'm so glad our marriage is full I'm so grateful I got a chance to have our baby and Id I die I don't want you to blame yourself but, live on and show our love to our child a wonderful life let them know me love let them know how much I love them alright and don't be such an old curmudgeon" she soothed kissing the back of his head
"oh, my angel oh my darling lass I love you so much it hurts but I promise to do all those things, but I won't have to without you" Charles sniffled
"hopefully you're right darling now how about a nap then maybe we can go for ice cream, baby Carson is making mummy very hungry for some ice cream" Elsie giggled laying down as Charles wrapped the blanket around the both of them
They fell asleep that afternoon at peace with their life and the happy thought of their baby snuggled safely within their darling mother.
She dreaded this trip she loved her sister, but her sister never took change well and getting married and becoming pregnant where both big changes by themselves and in her condition, she couldn't very well fight her sister as per normal, and it was Charles' first time meeting her.
"Rebecca Hughes please" Elsie asked the new orderly at the welcome desk
"she is in the rec. hall now ma'am" she said glancing up to get a picture of the woman speaking to her
"thank you" Elsie said
She grabbed Charles' hands and led him down the stark white hallways
"well I'll be damned if it isn't Elsie Hughes with a man on her and Oh My Goodness look at you love you absolutely glowing" Margaret Anderson a nurse Elsie's age with bright fire engine red hair and reading glasses hanging around her neck on a beaded chain her granddaughter made her.
"Mags oh I've missed you I was so upset you couldn't make it to the wedding" Elsie squealed hugging the taller woman
"well obviously I missed a lot more than just a wedding look at you, you look like you're ready to pop" Mags giggles placing her hand on Elsie's stomach
Uncomfortable Carson cleared his throat to get the two women's attentions
"oh, sorry Charlie this is Margaret Anderson, Mags this is Charles Carson my husband. Mags is my oldest friend and Becky's nurse" Elsie introduced
"please to meet you Mrs. Anderson" Charles reached his hands out to shake hers instead she swung her arms around his neck hugging him startling Charles.
"Elsie lass you have to call me and let me know when the little one gets here I wanna come down to where you live to meet the little rascal" Mags said before hugging her friend looking towards the woman who was barreling down the hall towards them "looks like that's my que to leave"
"ELSIE" a younger version of Elsie with deeper red hair and green eyes instead of Elsie's brownish auburn hair and blue eyes.
"Becky baby" Elsie cried turning towards her sister "come here baby but be careful of my tummy darling" Elsie instructed
"Els why is your tummy so big" Becky asked pointing towards her sisters enlarged abdomen
"Becky baby why don't we go to your room for a little bit, so I can explain lass" Elsie replied ushering her toward the hall leading to her room
Upon arriving in Becky's room Becky ran to her bed and Elsie slowly waddled over to the edge of the bed where she perched herself ever so carefully with some assistance from Charles.
"Becky lass about in about two months I will be having a baby which means you'll be an aunt love" Elsie Explained
"did you eat the baby" Becky asked cocking her head to the side before picking up her favorite dolly and handing it to Charles she wasn't sure who he was yet, but she decided she liked him already.
"thank you, lass," Charles chuckled taking the doll from her
"no lass I didn't eat the wee babe" Elsie chuckled
"then how did it get in there" Becky asked
"you see love when a man and a woman love each other very much sometimes they make a baby" Elsie explained tapping her nose looking to her husband who's cheeks where redder then her sister's hair
"oh, Else who's that" Becky asked not enthused about this baby thing anymore wanting to know who the man was that her sister brought along with her
"that my baby is your brother in law Charles Carson my husband" Elsie replied
"Nice to meet you M'lady "Charles said bowing
"he acts funny Els I like him we should keep him" Becky declared
"I think I just might" Elsie giggled winking at her husband
"oh, Elsie why is your tummy moving" Becky yelled when she saw her sisters stomach contort in weird ways
"that's the baby love wanna feel them move" Elsie Giggled taking Becky's hand and gently placing it on her ever-protruding stomach. The second Becky's hand touched her stomach the baby gave a strong kick
"oh, bad baby you gon hurt my Essie" Becky cried ripping her arm away and preparing to her hit her sisters stomach in defense before Elsie stopped her soothing her
"no Becky Baby it tickles it doesn't hurt me your Essie is fine I promise" Elsie soothed taking Becky soothingly into her arms
"promise" Becky asked almost as if she was ashamed
"I promise baby" Elsie answered kissing her sisters head
That night Charles and Elsie where lying in bed one arm under her head and the other around her waist holding her stomach in his hand. They both silently vowed when they found out she was pregnant to cherish each and every moment with her pregnancy knowing it would their only chance.
"I knew you would make a great mother, but seeing you with Becky today just made me believe it even more" Charles whispered into her ear placing kisses just below her ear
"I'm scared I won't be there for them like most mothers. I should be too old for this Charles you heard Dr. Clarkson I can't have a home birth like we agreed upon because of my age. For the longest time I didn't want kids I had Becky to care for I raised her she was my baby for years, then I had to work to pay for her care, so I couldn't think about a family, so I ran from Argyll. Then I met you and everything changed. All I could think about was having your babies, but it took us so long to finally get married that I just didn't think I would happen but here we are me pregnant ready to pop in two months' time pregnant and I'm scared I won't be here for the rest of it" Elsie started to sob uncontrollably
"oh, Elsie lass I wish I wasn't such a coward back then, but I promise you now Elsie May Carson you will live to see our baby grow I'll make sure of it" Charles whispered kissing her head and holding her close
The day they got back Charles and Elsie got news they never thought they would get
"what do you mean you have to go with the family for the season Charles our baby is due in beginning of August and you promise you would be there for that. I can't believe this twenty years of service to this family and this is how they repay us by taking my husband away from me when I'm Heavily pregnant and can't do half the stuff I used to do without his help Hell I can't even bath without him" Elsie was screaming at this point they had reached their cottage and she was undressing for a bath when Charles told her
"I know your mad Elsie but there isn't much I can do I can't tell them no because then I will lose my job and you probably will to and with our job goes our house then how will we survive with a newborn" Charles argued
"and I get that Charles bet you couldn't leave for a whole weekend let alone three months Charles the baby could come at any time in the last six weeks of the season" Elsie cried her hand protectively placed over her stomach a habit she had picked up in the past nine months
"I know and I will be there they have Thomas coming down three weeks into the season but he requested a vacation to go see his sister and her newborn during the first three weeks of the season but you must know I have no say in the matter" Charles tried to point out her didn't want to go as much as she didn't want him to go
"well then you better be hope you can make it back in time to be there for our baby's birth Charles" Elsie said before slamming the bathroom door in his face before turning to start the tap for her bath.
The next day Charles had to leave immediately to make it to London before the families first party. Having gone to London when the family had already been there for three weeks being odd for Carson, but he didn't want to be going already as it was. Elsie kissed him goodbye in the morning it was a cold shoulder she offered him the night before but, in the morning, she woke him an hour before he had to leave to catch the train she was crying when he woke up.
"Elsie love what's the matter I'll only be gone for a month then Thomas will be taking my place" Charles soothed turning so she was in his arms
"I know but I'm so scared you won't be here when it happens then what will happen to our babies I die" Elsie cried
"Oh, Els love we've been over this you are going to be just fine, and I will be home before you know it and our little monkey will stay nice a warm inside mummy till I arrive home safely to welcome them with open arms" Charles replied
"I know what you say Charles, but you can't such things" Elsie sniffled
"well either way I will be there" Charles swallowed past the lump that was slowly forming in his throat.
"you better be now hold me till you have to get ready to leave" Elsie demanded
"Always" he murmured before snuggling up to her wanting to feel their child move when he wouldn't be able to do so for four weeks maybe even ever again depending upon when their baby decided to make their appearance.
"ok here is you suit case and you lunch for the ride there now you be safe and come home to me before our baby comes you hear me Mister" Elsie said holding back tears and forcing seriousness by pointing at him
"I will love now you be careful and don't stress to much love and fatten up our babies as much as you can a plump baby always means health or that what my mother always said" Charles said before dropping to his knees and kissing her bump "now you take care of your mummy little monkey and stay nice and warm inside mummy till daddy gets back I love you both so much you and mummy are my world" he placed one last kiss to her bump before standing with some difficulty to kiss his wife once more before he left to catch the train.
Once he left and the door was closed behind him she broke down her hand on her stomach "I guess it's just you and me for a little while soldier" Elsie sighed brushing her stomach and whipping her tears before getting dress for the day ahead
Ever since Elsie found out she might be pregnant she would stop by the nursery of the house to see the children but to also imagine herself sitting in a rocking chair with her babe in her arms as they nursed and she marveled at the fact that they were all hers to love and to cherish with all the love she had to give. That's where she was in the nursery of the Abbey her hand resting on her stomach as she imagined what her child would look like for the umpteenth time since the beginning on her pregnancy.
She had been feeling off all day, but she refused to think anything of it because Charles was gone for another week having gone to the family in London when Thomas had to leave for a family Emergency as he put it.
It was late evening when she could no longer deny that her baby was on the way. The pains had started a few hours ago but they were very irregular coming every twenty to thirty minutes. But not they came every ten to fifteen minutes. She finally gave in a decided her best plan was to get to the nearest telephone even though she was at the Abbey the phone there weren't working do to some repair the family had going on while they were away, so she had to get to the closest phone to call Charles. And the Closest phone happened to be that of Mrs. Crawley's well she went by Mrs. Clarkson now.
"just wait till your Da gets home love mummy needs your Da to be here before you are" Elsie instructed her unborn child before she started to slowly make her way towards Mrs. Clarkson's home. She made it five minutes down the road when she was hit with yet another contraction doubling over she groaned through the pain using a nearby tree for leverage. She had to get to Mrs. Clarkson's and fast a storm was coming she could smell it having grown up on a farm one learned to smell when a storm was brewing. "Alright settled down in there love, Mummy needs to focus on getting to Mrs. Clarkson's safely before this storm"
At this point she was forty-five minutes into her trek to the Clarkson house hold, the trip taking long then normal her size slowing her down enough but stopping every ten to fifteen minutes for a contraction was not helping in the least. Each contraction taking up another minute from her safe arrival at the Clarkson's door step. Her breathing had become greatly labored, she still had a quarter of the way to go before she would reach the gate that surrounded the Clarkson household. The stress of this whole ordeal was starting to take its toll on her body when she started to feel herself become faint she would push on knowing that the only way her baby would have a chance of surviving is if she was in the capable hand of Mrs. Isobel Clarkson.
Within the next two contractions she was at the gate of Crawley house her contractions being twelve minutes apart now. As she reached out to knock on the door of the grand home she was hit with another contraction this one peaking faster than the other but lasting longer than any of the others she had experienced throughout the day. Crying out in pain she clutched at the doorframe her hand pressed into the doorbell for so long Isobel came running to the door only to see a distressed Elsie doubled over in pain. Feeling a popping sensation Elsie looked down as she felt a gush then a liquid flowing down her legs. She cried "Help me" before collapsing into the arms of a very unexpecting Isobel Clarkson.