Chummy woke to the warm sun peeking in the window, and Peters arms wrapped around her. His warmth and scent to her was once again intoxicating, she laid there taking in the rare quiet moment. She untangled herself and stood up to use the lav when a bolt of pain hit her. She let out a gasping yep and clenched the edge of the bed, waking Peter in the process.
"Camilla? Are you okay?" He jumped up and rushed to her side, his voice was shaking and weak from fear, but he rested a hand on the small of her back hoping to help.
"I'm-fine. Just a strong cramp that's all." She managed to straighten herself up and rest on Peter for a moment before slowly making her way to the bathroom. When she returned to her bed he was waiting and another pain hit.
"Oh!" She leaned over the bed and reached for Peter.
"Camilla?" Worry struck across his face, catching him off guard and turning scarlet.
"No-nna-tus" she breathed out with great effort.
Peter leans in closer to hear as she continues while still holding her fingers tightly, "Not-nor-mal-cont-trac-tions." these were the last words spoken beforeā¦
Knock knock
"Midwife calling" Nurse Lahey called, opening up the door and stepping in.
"Thank God you're here! She's had a seizure!" Peter said running down the stairs.
"Call for Doctor and another midwife please."
"Right away!"
"So?" Nurse Lahey asked, looking at Doctor Turner.
"Eclampsia, I would have her taken into hospital but she is fully stable. For now. But if she doesn't go into labour soon I will admit her for cesarean." Doctor Turner had a stern look on his face, trying to figure out the solution.
"Ahh, well then I've got this one. Here smell." She held a bag up to his nose, and let him take a whiff of the sweet aroma.
"Scotch Broom with a hint of Vanilla, helps it go down."
"A weed?" A smile stretched across her face, taking a sniff of the aroma herself.
"A weed the good Lord made."
"Well we can try anything, desperation is setting in.'' Nurse Lahey was off as fast as she spoke, fetching a glass of water for Chummy.
"So?" Doctor Turner asked, returning to the room after reassuring Peter.
"Contractions! Four fingers, and moving like clockwork."
"Thats just tickety-boo and marvelous!" It wouldn't be long before a new Noakes joined the family, or so they thought.
"Peter? Where's Peter?" Chummy asked, coming too a bit more.
"Calm down Chummy, we'll get him." Cynthia stepped out of the room only to meet Peter face to face. He heard his name, and no one was going to keep him away from her. He sat down on the bed next to her and picked up her hand in his own.
"Camilla." He softly asked, brushing a trill of hair from her face.
"Peter, I'm scared."
"Don't worry, you are in perfectly good hands." Peter kissed his wife just moments before she pulverized his hand.
"Breathe dear, that's it. In-out. See not so bad just yet eh?"
"Don't leave me, I need you." The poor woman was practically shaking, fear running through her every bone. That is before he immediately moved himself closer and took a soft hold on her head.
"Peter be careful, just let her ride it out. Don't let go, she might hurt herself." They just had to let the seizure ride its course, nothing they or hospital could do at this point. That's when Peter began to sing, his tone was soft and he was so calm.
"You are my special angel
Sent from up above
The Lord smiled down on me
And sent an angel to love"
After the spell had ended she was exhausted, her every move was slow and sluggish, but the spell didn't seem to affect her other than temporarily. Another two hours passed and she had moved into second stage.
"Peter if you tell anyone of this I swear I will end you!" Sister Evangelina griped, waving her finger at him.
"Sit behind her now, there you go."
"Alright Chummy, now on the next pain give 'er a mighty big go eh?" She nodded at the stern but kind hearted nurse, and gave her all. Pain ripped through her body, and Peter blinked back his tears knowing there was nothing he could do for her this time.
"One, more and baby will be here!" She patted her knee, for reassurance.
Nurse Lahey's smile quickly faded, and she picked the baby up immediately. She began blowing on the baby's face and rubbing it's back.
"Oh Lord, please." She whispered, voice trembling and shaking. As she tried to move air into the baby's small lungs, sweat dripped off her nervous brow. Her eyes were doing all they could to hold back the tears ready to flow. She loved Chummy, Peter too, but this was too much for her to bear.
"Placenta coming." Cynthia said, finishing and quickly examining the matter.
"She's gone white, what's happening!" Peter asked, seeing his wife slump down onto his shoulder.
"Doctor there's a piece missing!"
"No no no! Ergometrin now nurse!" He belted, trying to use abdominal pressure to control the bleeding.
"Here's the rest. She's hemorrhaging!" Patrick dosed a second dose, hoping he could control the bleeding before he lost both of them.
"Chummy girl, stay with me! Call the Obstetric Flying Squad, tell them we need blood stat"
"Doctor Turner, she's out of theater and doing well, she's in recovery five." Cynthia reported, nearly losing herself at his heartbreaking question.
"And the baby?"
"Stillborn..."
