I freely admit Geography isn't my strongest subject, so any errors in this chapter are entirely of my own making & I'm taking dramatic licence here!
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright – chapter 3
They'd been travelling on horseback for what seemed to Rachel like an eternity, her shoulder was aching from trying to stop her scrawny little pony racing ahead of Ling's. The little beggar was clearly the lead mare and resented being held to what she considered a snail's pace, especially behind another pony her mount considered her inferior! A quick glance over at Kara, perched unsteadily atop the equally scrawny pony they'd somehow managed to get her friend astride, showed Rachel that the young woman was struggling badly.
"Ling! A moment please" Rachel called out to their would-be rescuer, determined to stop for the break that her friend clearly needed, although how they'd get Kara back onboard the pony Rachel had no idea!
"We need to stop Ling, Lieutenant Foster is in dire need of a break, she's nine months pregnant and is in a considerable amount of discomfort, a break is clearly required here!" Rachel said firmly, her tone brooking little argument.
Ling stared at the petite doctor, realising that the Navy Captain who had orchestrated this rescue hadn't been exaggerating when he'd described Rachel Scott as an unstoppable force of nature. As tiny as she was, her tone of voice and body language made it quite clear that refusal wasn't something this woman would accept. Looking over at Lieutenant Foster, it was apparent even to him that the mother-to-be wasn't doing well at all, as Dr Scott had pointed out. Truth be told, Ling was impressed that she'd made it onto the back of the pony at all, let alone ridden it this far.
"Very well Doctor we will stop for a rest, and you will be pleased to know we are not far from our camp" he replied "I will see if one of my men can ride on ahead and bring back one of the wagons we use to transport our elders, we are far enough from the fools who took you to risk it"
"Thank you Ling, that would be wonderful!" Rachel returned, the heartfelt relief in her voice allowing Ling to see it wasn't just the pregnant sailor who needed rest. Close up, he could see the shadows under the British woman's eyes, recalling that Captain Chandler had mentioned the woman had been shot recently, only waking from her coma a few months ago.
Rachel directed her mount over to Kara's, reaching a hand out to caress her friend's arm, pulling her friend out of the misery she was clearly in.
"We're going to stop now Kara, Ling says he thinks we're close enough to their camp to risk it" she told her friend, noting the relief in her eyes "He also thinks they can send one of the others ahead to fetch a wagon you can ride in, that will be far easier luv"
"Thanks Rachel, I can't say that wouldn't be welcome!" Kara replied, wincing as the backache she'd had all day sharpened and intensified, making her gasp with pain.
"Kara, what's wrong luv? Are you ok?" Rachel queried, wondering if she'd been right to insist on this crazy pony trek across the Mongolian countryside.
"My back's been killing me since this morning, I thought it was just that I'd slept in a bad position last night, but its only got worse as the day's gone on" Kara replied, rubbing her back as if to illustrate her words "I've been having pains for the last few hours too"
At those words, Rachel reached out and gently touched Kara's belly, feeling it hardening under her fingertips.
"Kara? How long have you been in labour?" Rachel asked, her stomach dropping, things had just gotten a lot more serious than a need for rest.
"What? In labour? Is that what this is?" Kara replied, stunned. Never having had a child, she had nothing to compare it to and the thought of having this baby without Danny brought tears to her eyes "Rachel...I ...I can't do this without Danny.. I just can't !"
Rachel helped Kara to the ground with the help of another tribesman and enveloped her friend in a tight hug, allowing her to cry out her fears as she stroked the young woman's back tenderly, murmuring comforting sounds as she did so. When Kara's tears abated, Rachel cupped the younger woman's face in her hands and looked her in the eyes.
"You've survived being my guinea pig, faced down crazy Russian admirals, and Immune submarine captains hell bent on sinking your ship - you'll have this baby with or without Danny, mi hermana, and I promise you I will be right by your side the whole way!" Rachel promised her fiercely "No-one's delivering Baby Green but me got it?"
"Got it! Thank you Rachel, I mean it" Kara said, hugging Rachel again, thankful once again for her friend's calming presence and stalwart support. She really hadn't allowed herself to think about having this baby during their captivity, but it would appear this child wasn't willing to wait for its daddy to ride to the rescue! Rachel walked Kara over to the shelter of a nearby tree, helping the younger woman to sit down and get comfortable. Leaving her friend for a moment, she hurried over to Ling, impressing on the young tribesman the added urgency for the cart; fortunately for her, Ling had himself just become a father and agreed to send their fastest rider back to camp. Rachel wished there was a more private setting to allow her to examine Kara, see just how dilated she was, but apart from the tree they were sheltering under there was nothing available. They both prayed that Ling's colleague was as good a rider as the young man had assured them he was and that the cart would arrive at their location with equal speed. Rachel hoped the old wives tale that first time babies always took their time arriving was true for Kara, but Rachel's experiences with Doctors Without Borders had seen her deliver babies in far worse locations than the one they found themselves in presently. This however was different, none of those women had been her close friend, a close friend who was far from the safe, warm hospital she ought to be having her baby in - this was personal. Seeing Kara breathing heavily, Rachel wracked her brains for whatever natural birthing techniques she could remember, as there was no access to drugs or equipment out in the middle of nowhere, so she added a quick prayer that this would also be a trouble free labour!
As the afternoon wore on, Kara's contractions grew more and more frequent, Rachel began timing them, focusing her attention on helping her friend find a comfortable position. Quietly, she tried coaching her through the use of the birthing techniques she'd recalled being used. They even found a nearby stream that was deep enough for Kara to sit in, allowing her to use the pain relief the water provided. When Kara's contractions dropped to under 5 minutes apart, Rachel became convinced she was going to have to deliver Kara's baby out in the middle of the meadow, suddenly the cart Ling had sent his colleague to fetch arrived. Quickly, Rachel helped Kara into the cart whilst Ling and his tribesmen remounted, as the young tribesman who'd brought the cart took up the reins of the carthorse and moved off, the rest of the party following behind. It seemed to take an eternity to get there, but thankfully, the evening saw them finally arriving at the tribe's camp. Getting down from the cart, Rachel was grateful to see that not only had Ling's fellow tribesman brought the cart quickly, but had ensured a tent, Urts they were called Rachel thought, had been set aside and prepared for Kara to deliver her baby, with several of the senior tribeswomen standing by to help. Kara glanced over at the group of tribeswomen, and grateful as she was that these women were so willing to help her, a complete stranger, it was the last thing she wanted.
"Rachel, please, I...I really... I just want you there...I know those women mean well, but can it just be you and I?" Kara whispered, her face creased with concern.
"How about just one luv? I'll need someone to act as my assistant, would that be ok?" Rachel replied, her heart going out to the young mother.
Kara glanced over at the group of tribeswomen and then back to Rachel, nodding, a look of resignation on her face as they went inside the urt set aside for her use. Rachel smothered a sigh as she stepped over to the group of women, motioning to Ling to translate Kara's request. She'd promised Danny and Kara she'd deliver their baby, the young couple felt more comfortable with Rachel as their doctor/midwife. They'd formed a close friendship over the last few months, and Rachel had been touched when they'd asked her to be the baby's godmother. This was so not what they'd envisioned for this moment, but then none of the events of the last few months could've been predicted if Rachel were totally honest with herself. Ling translated the request to the tribeswomen, who to Rachel's relief nodded in understanding, leaving Rachel with a woman who introduced herself as Mei. Even better, Mei had trained as a midwife before the flu had hit this part of China in one of the region's larger cities, and spoke some English, certainly enough for Rachel to work with her without needing a translator.
Together, she and Mei walked into the urt with Kara and set about making the young sailor comfortable, the women had brought a cot into the main living room and had thoughtfully left a loose, gown-like garment for Kara to wear. As the night wore on, Kara's contractions grew stronger and more frequent, and Rachel's examinations showed that the young woman was now 10 cm dilated, Baby Green was determined to make his or her appearance soon! When her friend's waters broke, that put everything into inevitability territory, this baby was definitely on its way! Just as dawn was about to break, and Kara had been pushing for a good hour, Rachel heard a ruckus outside the door of the Urt. Furiously she marched over to the door and yanked it open, determined to give whomever was disturbing Kara's labour a piece of her mind. Rachel was stunned to be greeted by the equally stunned face of Lieutenant Danny Green, his face creased with worry, and stood just behind him was a face that brought a joyful smile to Rachel's face - Tom Chandler!
"Danny! Tom! When..how...god your timing couldn't be better!" Rachel cried in relief "Danny, you need to get in there, your son or daughter has decided today is the day he or she is going to make their appearance"
"Thanks Rachel...and I'm glad Kara had you here" Danny smiled in relief as he darted past her, and Rachel could hear Kara murmuring in relief at the sight of her fiancée, making her grin with happiness. Rachel looked back at Tom's face, her eyes connecting with his, taking in the face that had become so dear to her. Rachel darted forward and threw her arms around him, savouring the feel of his warm, hard body against hers, before she stepped back.
"I have to go Tom, Kara needs me right now" She started to explain, but Tom placed a gentle finger to her lips.
"Go help Kara, you're right, she and the baby need you , I'll be here waiting" Tom replied, kissing her cheek softly as he stepped back.
Rachel smiled back at him, there was so much they needed to say to one another, but it would have to wait. She darted back into the Urt and made her way over to the cot where Kara was panting through yet another contraction, Danny looking both terrified and excited. Smiling reassuringly, she knelt down and lifted the edge of Kara's gown to check her progress.
"You're fully dilated at 10cm Kara, the baby's head is crowning, it's time to meet your little one, a few more pushes and you'll be holding your baby" Rachel said encouragingly, trying to give off an air of calmness
Kara nodded, sitting up a little straighter, the tiredness and resignation gone from her features. She'd been in labour all day and most of the night, she was beyond ready to meet her baby, but Kara was overjoyed Danny would get to see his son or daughter enter the world. Keeping her tone soothing and encouraging, Rachel coached Kara through the contractions, keeping her tone relaxed and composed, knowing it would help her patient to relax too. "One more big push Kara, you're almost done luv!" She told the exhausted young mother. Kara responded and pushed the tiny baby into Rachel's waiting hands, listening delightedly to her newborn child's indignant cries. "Congratulations! It's a boy!"
Placing the baby onto Kara's chest, Rachel watched with joy as the new parents bonded with their new son, not wanting to interrupt them, but knowing she needed to dry the tiny boy off before he caught a chill. Quietly, Rachel handed Danny the scissors, motioning for him to cut the cord she'd just clamped off.
"I'm sorry, I just need to borrow him for a moment whilst Mei and I dry him off, check his vitals, then I'll have him back to you ASAP, ok?" Rachel said gently, lifting the newborn baby off Kara's chest, and over to the makeshift bassinet she and Mei had cobbled together. Quickly, they assessed the little boy, drying him quickly before returning him to his anxious parents, eager to hold their son again.
"Have you chosen a name for him yet?" Rachel asked, curiously. The last time she'd raised the question with Kara, her friend had given her several names that she and Danny liked, but confessed they'd been unable to settle on just one. Danny and Kara looked over at each other and smiled, before Danny turned back to Rachel and gave an answer.
"Franklin Scott Green" He said with a smile "He looks like a Frankie"
"Yeah, he does, doesn't he?" Kara cooed softly, unable to take her eyes off her son.
"He's beautiful, congratulations again to you both, you deserve it" Rachel told them, and meant it. Her friends had undergone so much just to get to this point, she was so happy they'd gotten the happy ending they so richly deserved. Without rushing the young couple, she and Mei helped Kara to wash quickly whilst Danny cradled his son, and resettled her in the cot, dressed in a clean gown. They stoked the fire that Mei had thoughtfully lit earlier, and went to leave, giving the new parents time alone with little Frankie.
"Rachel?" Kara called out, and Rachel turned to face them "Danny and I can't thank you enough...for everything you've done"
Rachel returned the smile, and walked back over to her friends, hugging them both delightedly, before dropping a quick kiss on her godson's forehead, catching a whiff of that delicious new baby smell. Silently, so as not to disturb the sleeping infant, Rachel left the urt, walking over to the other one set aside for her use that Ling had hurriedly pointed out to her before she'd dashed off to deliver little Frankie. As she stepped into the room a gorgeous sight met her eyes, there in all his sleeping glory, lay Captain Thomas Chandler. Wearing little more than regulation boxers and virtually naked as the day he'd been born, the man was every woman's fantasy, he'd certainly filled quite a few of hers Rachel thought. There was only one bed in the room, and Rachel was too exhausted to go looking for another one, so she stripped down to her knickers and pulled on a t-shirt, slipping under the sheets next to Tom. Her head had barely hit the pillow before she too was fast asleep, curled up next to the man who was rapidly becoming the love of her life.
