Chapter 12
John finished the wall with a final stroke of the paint brush. He turned to look at his wife, who was rubbing her swollen belly and wearing a slight frown on her face. She walked towards the wall to get a closer look. She turned to John.
"It seemed lighter in the can."
John sighed. They had already painted the nursery three times. The first time they had gone for a beautiful yellow, which Anna decided looked too much like the color of butter. So they decided on a pale cream, which Anna deemed too boring and not suitable for their baby's nursery. So finally they had picked a lovely shade of light green; which apparently wasn't light enough.
"Anna, I told you it would look different on the wall. I think it's lovely."
Anna did a slow circle. She still wasn't convinced. "I don't know it just doesn't seem warm enough."
"Well I think it is plenty warm, and really what choice do we have now? The baby is going to be here in two weeks. We don't have time to paint it again. This is my last day off before the baby comes, and you certainly are not going to be climbing any ladders in your condition."
Anna nodded, "I guess it will have to do. " She turned to walk out of the room. "Let's have some lunch and then we can start bringing in the furniture. "
John followed her out of the room and down the stairs. He started speaking as they entered the kitchen. "Why don't you sit my love and let me make lunch today."
"Thank you John, that sounds lovely. I am feeling rather tired today. And your son or daughter has been very active today." She sat down and watched as John put several sandwiches together. She couldn't believe the baby would be here in a few short weeks. It seemed like they still had so much to do.
John turned with the two plates and placed one in front of Anna and sat down with the other one. He picked up half of his sandwich and went to take a bite, but stopped when he saw Anna frowning down at her sandwich. "Is something wrong, Love?"
"It's just that the ham is too thick. I like it thin."
John sighed, "Anna I really couldn't get it any thinner, it would have fallen apart."
"Well I guess it will have to do."
John turned back to his sandwich, taking a bite and after chewing, spoke again. "Why don't you just relax this afternoon and let me bring the furniture in. It isn't all that heavy, I can manage it myself."
"No, I want to help. I can at least carry the light stuff." Anna picked up her sandwich and took a small bite. She made a face, "Are you sure you can't get this any thinner?"
John looked up at his wife and reached for the plate. "I'll see what I can do."
John finished carrying in the last piece of furniture. They had placed everything in the center of the room so Anna could decide where each piece would be placed. She was in the corner looking at the window.
"I was thinking about putting the crib next to the window. Can we try that?"
John nodded and pushed the crib over by the window. "What side do you want it on?"
"Let's try the left side first, and then put the rocking chair on the right." John did as he was told and left Anna to put the linens on. He began setting up the rest of the furniture. He heard Anna sigh. He turned to look at her.
"I don't think I like it. What if the sun bothers the baby's eyes? No I don't like this at all. No I think I want it where the dresser is. Can you move it over there?"
John took a deep breath. "Are you sure this is what you want Anna? I really don't want to spend the whole afternoon moving furniture all over the room."
Anna shot him a frown. "Well if the well-being of your child isn't important to you, then you can just go downstairs and I will do it myself. "
John frowned, "That is hardly fair Anna. I have been more than patient with your constant pickiness over the past few weeks, when everything I do seems to not be good enough for you."
Anna's mouth formed a deep frown. "I hardly think wanting the best for our child means I am being picky!"
John sighed; he never should have said anything. He knew it was just the pregnancy affecting Anna and really did it matter if he moved the furniture around a few times? "I'm sorry love, you are right. I will move the crib." Anna smiled and John realized he could put up with Anna's pickiness just to see that beautiful smile.
Four hours and five room changes later, Anna was finally happy with how the room was and John was exhausted. He just wanted a quick supper and a soak in the tub before going to bed. Anna had asked him to get a fire going while she put dinner together. John hoped it was something besides meat pie. Anna had wanted nothing but meat pies for dinner for the past month and John wasn't sure he could look at another meat pie, let alone put it in his mouth. He finished with the fire, washing his hands using a basin of water set up on the side table. He dried his hands quickly and headed for the kitchen. Anna was putting the plates on the table. John's stomach actually constricted as he took in the meat pie. Maybe he should plead illness and sneak down for something later. He looked at Anna.
"Meat pie, is it?"
"Yes, I had such a taste for it. I hope you like it." She looked up to notice a grimace cross John's face.
She frowned. "What? Don't you want meat pie?"
"No, it's fine." John sat down and reached for his napkin. He looked up wondering why Anna hadn't sat down yet. "Aren't you going to sit?"
"No, I want you tell me why my meat pie is not good enough for your dinner."
"Anna, really it's fine. Now please sit down and eat."
Anna threw down the towel she had been holding. "No I want to know why the meal I worked hard to make for you isn't good enough." John looked up in shock as Anna burst into tears and started sobbing.
He quickly stood up and walked around the table. He pulled Anna into his arms. "Shh, love. It's fine. I am sorry. I am a stupid stupid man. The meat pie is delicious. I could eat it every day." He kissed her head and stroked her hair until the crying subsided. Anna hiccupped and broke into a chuckle.
"And you have." She looked up at John. "Oh darling, I am so sorry. I know I have not been the easiest person to live with these past few weeks. I swear I don't know what has gotten into me."
John ran his hands up and down her arms before cradling her face. He used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away the remaining tears on her face. "Anna you have another life growing in you, you are allowed to feel and do whatever you want."
Anna smiled. "I guess this is where the 'for better for worse' part of our vows come in. Now be honest, do you really want to eat this meat pie?"
John shook his head, "I would rather read poetry to O'Brien."
Anna laughed. "You must be sick of them. Okay, you sit down and I will fix something else."
John shook his head, "No you sit. I will find something. Enjoy your meat pie." He couldn't help but smile as his wife devoured the pie in front of her and chuckled as she reached across the table to eat his as well. Anna looked up at the sound.
"What? I am eating for two after all."
Anna and John had woken up the next morning and after seeing how beautiful it was out had decided to go for a walk. It was a rare warm day so they decided to take full advantage, and after stopping by the main house and sweet talking Mrs. Patmore into making them a picnic lunch they set out. They walked until they came to an open meadow. The trees and flowers were blooming and it was beautiful and the sun seemed to make everything sparkle. Anna watched as John set down the blanket and smiled gratefully has he extended his arm for her to lean on as she slowly settled on the ground. "I am afraid it is going to be a chore to get me back up."
John smiled, "I am sure we will manage to get you up just fine." He sat down and started setting everything out. He was reaching for the sandwiches, when Anna put a hand on his arm.
"Before we eat, can you just hold me for a little while? I am afraid we won't get many more chances like this once the baby is born."
John quickly closed the basket and adjusted himself until he was lying down. He opened his arms and Anna snuggled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and placed soft kisses on the side of her head. She sighed and snuggled in deeper. They both closed their eyes and in moments they were both asleep.
Anna opened her eyes, confused for a moment about where she was. She smiled as she remembered they had decided to go for a picnic. She was still wrapped in John's arms and he was snoring softly. She reached up to touch of piece of his hair that had fallen over his forehead. She smiled at how peaceful he looked. His face was totally relaxed and he was wearing a slight smile as if whatever he was dreaming was making him happy. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and just as she felt her body relax a sharp pain had her eyes opening again. She placed her hands on her stomach, waiting to see what would happen. It seemed to only be a minute or two before the sharp pain came again. She closed her eyes against the pain. She took some deep breaths and turned to wake John.
"John. John. You need to wake up."
John slowly came awake and opened his eyes, he looked up to see his wife sitting up, holding her stomach and grimacing in pain. He quickly sat up. "Anna? What is it? The baby?"
Anna nodded. "I think your child is ready to see the world."
John stood up as quickly as his bad knee would allow and looked around helplessly. "We are at least an hour away from Downton Abbey. Can you even walk that far?"
Anna started to answer but another pain ripped through her stomach, the pain was almost unbearable. She felt something give and felt wetness between her legs. She looked up at John with growing fear. "I don't think that is an option. Oh god John I think this baby is coming now!"
John looked down in horror. "I will go get help. I can get—" He stopped as Anna let out a yell. He fell to his knees, ignoring the pain it caused. "Anna what should I do? I don't know anything about delivering babies!"
Anna looked up with tears in her eyes, "I have a feeling you are about to learn." She let out a deep breath as the pain took over again. John took off his suit jacket and formed it into a make-shift pillow, then gently leaned Anna back until her head was on the pillow. He looked down at her helplessly.
"Anna, should I unbutton your dress? What should I do?' John hated hearing the fear in his voice. He had spent years fighting a war and in prison facing death, he should be able to handle the birth of a baby. He wiped the sweat that had suddenly appeared on his brow.
Anna looked up. "You better take off my shoes and stockings and everything else. Leave the dress on though." She stopped as another pain took over. They seemed to be getting close together. "John you better hurry. I don't think it's going to be too much longer."
It wasn't long, about twenty minutes later, the pains were coming very close together, and John kneeled next to Anna as she fought through the contractions. He held her hand and used his handkerchief to wipe at her brow.
"John I need to push. I can feel the baby coming. I need to push."
"Okay, love. Then push. I am right here. It's going to be okay. I promise you it's going to be okay." John tried to keep the fear out of his voice. What if something went wrong? He had no experience with this, but he had heard enough stories about births that had went horribly wrong. He had heard about the horrible way Lady Sybil had died. What if the baby didn't want to come out? What if Anna started bleeding? They were out in the middle of a meadow, what the hell was he supposed to do if something went wrong? He was pulled back from his thoughts by Anna's yell.
"John I think the baby is coming. JOHN!" Anna screamed as she pushed and John turned and looked between her legs. He was stunned at what he saw.
"Anna, I can see the head. I can see the head." John's voice cracked with emotion. This was his baby. His baby was coming. Something in him snapped and suddenly he felt calm. "Okay, Anna push again, just one more time." He reached down as Anna pushed and grabbed the baby's shoulders as they slipped out. One final push and John pulled the baby up an out. It wasn't moving. It was just lying there. John began to panic. "Anna, the baby isn't moving. What do I do?"
Anna was crying, "You have to find a way to clear the airway. She watched John as he looked for something to use. She saw him bend down to the tiny baby. She closed her eyes as she heard the first cry. She watched as John swaddled the baby in the button down shirt he had taken off before Anna had started pushing. She smiled as John looked up with tears in his eyes as he moved to place the babe in her arms.
"Say hello to your son."
Anna started crying harder as John spoke those words. She had a son. They had a son. Anna looked down at the swaddled baby. "Oh John; he is so beautiful." He had his father's dark hair, his eyes were still scrunched up but she noticed he had her nose. He was perfect. She looked up at John who was looking down at both of them with tears in his eyes. He placed a kiss on her forehead before doing the same with their son.
"Congratulations Mama. You were great Anna. I have never seen anyone so brave."
"I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, John. Thank you for our son."
"I think I should be thanking you." John put his arm around Anna and pulled her and the baby closer.
It was more than he ever hoped for. It was better than he had ever imagined.
His family.
I am like John, I know nothing about giving birth or babies, so I hope it at least made sense. I will be writing an epilogue over the next few days. As always please leave your reviews.
