More Than Duty Chapter 25
June 23, 1916
"Everything is moving along very well. It won't be long now Lady Grantham," Dr. Clarkson informed Mary after completing his most recent examination.
"That is what you said an hour ago and an hour before that," Mary grumbled. Time seemed to have slowed down. It seemed like much longer than the 14 hours that had passed. She had been awoken in the night by pains which quickly became regular. After ringing for Anna shortly before dawn, Mary was quickly moved to a room down the hall that had been readied for her delivery. The room soon became a hub of activity which had not ebbed all day as her mother, Isobel, granny, and both of her sister's remained with her. Mama had been reluctant to allow Sybil to remain as she was still unmarried, but Mary had laughed and reminded her mother that Sybil likely saw much worse at the hospital and should be allowed to stay if she wanted.
Mary winced in pain as another contraction gripped her body. "It's okay my darling, just breathe," Cora said as she wiped the sweat from her daughter's forehead with a cool, damp towel.
"How much longer?" Mary panted when the contraction had passed. The pain was getting much worse, the intervals of relied much shorter, and she didn't know how much more of it she could bear.
"You must be patient. Babies come in God's time my lady, not in ours," Dr. Clarkson replied. "It won't be much longer before you can start pushing, but for now, you must try to bear the pain as best you can. It will be over before you know it. Now if you will excuse me for a moment," Dr. Clarkson said as he exited the room.
"That is easy for him to say having never had to do this himself," Mary complained as soon as the door closed behind the doctor.
"It is always easier for men. Your grandfather could never understand why it took so long for a woman to deliver when his horse could do so in half an hour," Granny said.
"I think the wait can be equally hard on men. Robert nearly wore a hole in the carpet from his pacing during my first delivery," Cora said.
"What of your husband Isobel?" Mary asked.
"Well dear, he was a doctor so he delivered Matthew himself."
"Good heavens, I would never have allowed my husband in the delivery room, doctor or not," Granny said in shock.
Mary was inclined to agree with her grandmother, but before she could respond, she was hit with another contraction and doubled over in pain. This one was so bad that she screamed in pain as she tried to resist the urge to push.
"After enduring this, how does any woman let a man within ten feet of her bed," Mary wondered aloud when the contraction finally subsided.
"Thankfully my dear, God has blessed women with flawed memories. The memories of this pain will quickly dull, but you will vividly remember the joy of holding your baby for the first time," Cora said with a smile as she offered Mary a drink of water.
"Besides, you won't see Matthew for months. Trust me, when you do, this pain will be the last thing on your mind," Edith said with certainty of someone who spoke from experience.
"If you don't disappear with Matthew within minutes of his arrival on his next leave, I shall burn those pants Granny hates so much," Sybil said with a grin.
"Sybil!" Cora admonished her youngest daughter.
"Try very hard to resist Mary for I do detest those pants," Violet urged.
It was nearly three hours later when Dr. Clarkson finally announced that it was time for Mary to begin to push.
"It is about time," Mary muttered as her mother and Isobel helped her sit up and get ready to push, and Edith and Sybil hurried to position pillows behind her back to support her.
"Aright Lady Grantham, when you feel the next contraction, you must push with all your might. Take their hands and squeeze as you bear down. Scream if you must, but focus on pushing," Dr. Clarkson instructed as he positioned himself between her legs to deliver the baby. "Nurse Crawley, come stand by me. You can assist with cutting the cord when the baby arrives."
Normally, Mary would have been mortified to have anyone, even the doctor, observing her as he was, but at this point, she was exhausted and so ready for this pain to be at an end, that she could not bring herself to care. Soon enough, the next contraction was upon her. Gripping Cora's and Isobel's hands, she pushed as hard as she could. The pain was like nothing she had ever known, and she screamed loudly as she continued to push with all the strength she had left.
"Now rest for a moment and breathe deeply. You are doing very very. I can see the crown of the baby's head," Dr. Clarkson said. "One more deep breath and then push again."
Mary's scream filled the room as she pushed again. "Now another big push. That's it. You are doing exceptionally well," Dr. Clarkson said as Mary's face contorted in pain. "The head is out. One more push and you will be done. Now push," Dr. Clarkson instructed.
Taking a deep breath and steeling her body for the pain, Mary pushed again, her head thrown back as the pain rushed through her body. A few moments later the pain subsided and a new sound fill the room - the cry of a baby. Mary fell back against the pillows, her eyes closed in relief that the pain was over. "Is it a boy? Is he healthy?" she asked seconds later, her eyes opening again as she tried to get her breathing under control.
"You have a perfectly healthy daughter Lady Grantham," Dr. Clarkson said as he handed the baby to Sybil and reached for scissors to cut the chord as the baby wiggled and continued to cry. "Yes, very healthy - especially her lungs. Congratulations to you and Lord Grantham," Dr. Clarkson said with a smile as he took the baby back from Sybil, wrapped her in the blanket that he been laid out, and handed her to Mary.
"A daughter," Mary said softly as she held the baby. She had wanted a boy so very badly despite Matthew's urging for her to not pin her hopes on a son. She wanted a son so badly that she thought she would have been disappointed in the extreme if she was to be presented with a girl instead.
The crying infant ceased howling as soon as Mary reached for her and held her close. As soon as the cries ceased, the baby opened its eyes and Mary was met with the most beautiful pair of blue eyes that looked so like Matthew's that Mary choked back a sob. Reaching out a shaky hand, Mary stoked the baby's soft cheek, feeling only love for this precious bundle that she had been given.
"She is beautiful," Mary said in awe as she touched the dusting of blond hair on the baby's head. "So very beautiful."
"Indeed she is," Cora agreed, smiling in relief that Mary did not seem too disappointed.
"She looks so much like Matthew," Isobel commented, reaching out a hand to touch her granddaughter.
"You have done very well, my dear. Very well indeed," Violet said with a smile.
"What will you call her?" Sybil asked.
"Matthew wanted to name her Elizabeth," Mary said, never looking away from the baby.
"What a lovely name," Edith said.
"Mama, will you ring for Carson? I want to have a telegram sent to Matthew right away," Mary said, as she lifted the baby up to kiss her upon the forehead.
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"More troops arrived today," Ned commented as he took a seat next to Matthew.
"More seem to arrive every day all along the Somme. It can't be long now before we get the order to go over. A week at most," Matthew said.
"Judging by the numbers, it will be one hell of a battle," Ned replied.
"Pardon me Lieutenant Crawley," a private said as he entered Matthew's quarters.
"Yes, what is it," Matthew replied.
"A telegram for you sir, from England," the private replied, shocked by the speed at which Matthew was on his feet and grabbing the telegram from his hand.
Ned laughed at the shocked look on the boy's face. "You must excuse him lad, he is anxiously awaiting word from his wife."
My dearest Matthew, I am so pleased to tell you that Lady Elizabeth Violet Crawley was born this evening. She is healthy and beautiful. We are both doing well and send our love. Mary
"Good news I assume," Ned asked, noting the wide smile that lit up his friend's face.
"I have a daughter," Matthew said in wonder.
"Congratulations!" Ned said, slapping Matthew on the back.
"Mary said she is beautiful and that they are both doing well," Matthew added, thinking he would trade anything he had to be at Downton right now with his wife and daughter.
"Then we must celebrate. Just a moment," Ned said as he rushed from the room. When he returned a moment later, he had to laugh that Matthew was still standing right where he left him, looking stunned and grinning like an idiot "To celebrate my friend. I bought them on my last trip to Paris," Ned said as he handed his friend a cigar.
TBC
Author's Note: So I had not expected to finish this part today, but when I did, I had to decide between posting it - a first for me to post 2 chapters in one day - or waiting until tomorrow as most of you may not have even read Chapter 24 that was posted only a few hours ago. I decided to go ahead and post it. I hope you enjoyed it and will take the time to let me know what you thought.
Next up - trying to decide if I will write Matthew at the battle of the Somme or jump ahead to his November leave following the battle. Thoughts are appreciated.