Sir Anthony and Lady Edith Strallan remained in Ayr for a fortnight before they made their way across to Ireland and slowly worked south through the island. From there they crossed to southwest England and finally settled in the village of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. There were many craftsmen in the area and the couple enjoyed poking around in shops when the weather was agreeable. Edith went to the local doctor to introduce herself. After a quick examination, he suggested that she needed to rest more. Her time would be upon her soon, he assured her.

"But I don't understand why you aren't at home in Yorkshire," Dr. Gordon said as they finished discussing her condition. "Surely you would be more comfortable in your own home with your own doctor?"

"Yes, of course. I just… that is, my husband and I… we thought to travel a bit while the house was being repaired but the work is taking far longer than we thought it would. It really isn't livable right now."

"Oh, I see," he replied but Edith could tell he didn't. Still, he let it drop and told her that he would like to examine her again in a week before opening the door to his consulting room to let her escape.

Anthony, who had anxiously awaited her return from the doctor's chambers, greeted her at the door to their rooms. "Is everything alright? What did Dr. Gordon find? You are alright, aren't you… and the baby?"

Edith found his apprehension both amusing and reassuring. He was really behaving as if this were his child. "I'm fine…we're both fine; although he says the time is near. He said I should rest more and…"

"And what, dearest?" He looked at her with such intense worry that it warmed her in a most pleasant manner.

"He couldn't understand why we are here and not at home."

"Oh," Anthony said as his face fell.

A pang of regret shot through her as she saw his expression change. The doctor's confusion brought back the reality of their situation; this was not Anthony's baby. It was that fact that drove them here. "I told him that the house was undergoing repairs and quite unlivable at the moment but I don't think he believed me. Still, I don't believe he will take it any further."

"Good," Anthony responded absently, his mind clearly focused on the possible ramifications of the doctor's disbelief.

"It will be alright, Anthony. Really," she told him.

His blue eyes turned to her, the panic drifting away as he looked at her. "Yes," he smiled awkwardly. "Of course it will. Everything will be alright," he said as if he were trying to convince himself.

"You'll read more poetry to me through my enforced rest?" she purred, believing that changing the subject might help him.

"Of course, my sweet," he replied.

Anthony did read poetry to her, along with the daily news, new short stories in the magazines, and a few of her favorite books. He read to her every day until the day arrived that changed their lives forever.

Edith awoke that morning feeling pain in her back. As the day progressed the pain became more intense and her tummy felt out of sorts. About tea time the pain moved to her abdomen and instinctively she knew: it was time. "Anthony, I need you to take me to the doctor."

His tea cup clattered as he set it back in the saucer. "You….you… it….it's time?"

"I believe it is," she replied calmly.

"But… don't you want him to come here?"

"No. After what happened to Sybil, I'd rather be there, at the hospital where if something goes wrong…"

Anthony's face went white. "No, nothing … it can't…"

"I don't believe it will, Anthony," she said in a rush to comfort him. "But if it does, I want to be in the best place for him to help me. I just… I remember what happened with Sybil and Dr. Clarkson saying she needed to be in hospital. I think I'll feel safer there."

"Yes, of course. I'll just phone his office then? And then we'll meet him there."

"Yes."

Edith's concern proved to be unfounded, much to Anthony's relief. Seven hours later, Dr. Gordon informed him that he had a daughter, a very healthy daughter with a healthy set of lungs, the man quipped.

Dr. Gordon returned to Edith's bedside chuckling. "I've seen many an anxious husband in my time but I think none more anxious than yours, Lady Strallan. He's quite literally wearing a path in the waiting room with his pacing and I thought he would jump out of his skin when I appeared."

"His wife, the first Lady Strallan, died in childbirth after several miscarriages," she replied weakly. "He was very worried for me, especially since my sister died from eclampsia."

"Ah," the doctor said darkly. "Well, I assured him that everything is fine and that both mother and daughter are well. But he is quite insistent on seeing you."

"Yes, please… as soon as possible. I… I want to see him too," she answered as she straightened up in her bed, trying to look more presentable.

"How about we let Nurse Simmons help you freshen up a bit and then she'll fetch him for you. Meanwhile, I'll go see that your baby is ready to meet her father and have her brought back to you as soon as she is."

"Thank you, Doctor. Yes, that would be lovely."

In a few minutes, Edith found herself waiting. The nurse said she would find her husband and bring him to her. The baby had been taken to be cleaned while Edith had the help of the nurse to recover from the birth. Now she waited for the two most important people in her life to return to her.

She'd only had a brief moment with her daughter before the baby was whisked away and Edith wanted her back, wanted to hold her and look into her sweet eyes. They were dark, much like her own and completely without focus as the tiny girl had wailed at the cruelty of the harsh world. And now all Edith could think was how much she wanted to hold her baby.

She looked up with anticipation as the door opened and her husband barreled past the nurse. "Edith," he exclaimed as he approached her, his hair mussed and his face lined with worry.

"I'm alright, Anthony," she said softly. "We both are…"

"Oh my dearest, I am so relieved to see for myself. But where's our daughter?"

As if on cue, the door opened and another nurse came in carrying a small bundle. "Would you like to hold your daughter?" she asked Anthony. His eyes lit and a crooked smile jumped across his face. "My daughter…" he whispered reverently. Then he frowned. "But … my arm… I can't…"

The nurse chuckled. "Every father feels that way, Sir. But we'll find a way. Here, just hold your other arm in a crook," she instructed, "and I'll place the babe there. You'll do fine." The woman was so reassuring that Edith could see Anthony beginning to accept that it was possible.

Self consciously he held his left arm up, bent at the elbow, ready to accept the treasure. The nurse carefully slipped the baby into his custody and with a minor adjustment was satisfied that he had the baby firmly in his care. Smiling, she nodded her approval and quietly slipped away, leaving the little family alone.

Edith watched as Anthony gazed down at the baby, his eyes sparkling. Her breath caught when he looked up at her. "She's beautiful, like her mother." Gingerly he sat on the bed beside her, holding the little girl close to his body but at an angle where Edith could see her face. His face had a gentle, somewhat bemused, and completely besotted expression as he watched their baby girl yawn.

As Edith looked from her daughter's tiny sleepy eyes to Anthony's brilliant blue ones she knew the darkness that had shrouded most of her life had dissipated. She also knew that Anthony had finally found his way out his own darkness and together they would bask in the light of their new life with their new family for the rest of their days.

And so concludes the story. I'm sorry it took so long to get the final chapter up but life is just being kind of brutal these days between work, less than happy holidays, illness, and just plain ole bad weather. I've got a couple of other stories bubbling in my brain but I think I'll get them mostly written before I start posting. That way there won't be such long gaps between chapters. I do appreciate all the nice reviews and kind words you all have left along the way. I hope the ending to this little voyage on the Andith ship doesn't disappoint too much. Sail on...