chapter twenty-five

The birth

My darling Meg,

Yes, your writing is improving very much. Regardless, I will save and treasure everyone of your letters. I miss you so very much, especially at night. I'd slept alone all my life and I'd grown to treasure your warmth beside me. I read every letter before I go to sleep.

"Meg?" Marian asked sitting beside her. "Are you all right?"

Meg sniffled and nodded, "Yes. It's Guy. He's miserable."

"Are you sure? Maybe you're reading the letter wrong."

Meg shook her head. "I know him."

Time seems to move very slowly and I'm counting the days until I'm with you again. I trust no one's been bothering you. If they have, they'll have me to reckon with when I return.

Well, one man had approached her. But after little john gave him the beating of his life, nothing ever happened again. She hadn't mentioned the incident to Guy and she figured that it wasn't worth mentioning.

I wonder what the house looks like now. I can imagine I won't recognize it when I return. It's cruel of you to withhold details from me, but I can understand you want me to be surprised. My business is longer than the king anticipated and I fear I may be detained.

"What!" Meg shrieked.

"What?" Marian asked. "Is the baby coming?"

"Guy's going to be late! If he misses the baby coming…I'm going to…oh, I don't know yet."

Now calm down Meg. It's not good for you and the baby. Meg smirked. Oh, he was smart! I must help here. It took a little over two months to clear out prince john's troops, but its villages that need our help. People have been starving and many are ill. My men are cross because we spend our time rebuilding destroyed houses, repairing roofs, even watching children if the parents are too ill. There is so much to do here and as you know, I must repair the wrongs I've made.

I pray you understand that. I love you so much Meg. I can't wait to see you. I can only imagine how beautiful you must look with your stomach round with our child. I thank you for posing for the sketch, but how I wish I could see you in person. The nights haunt me; at times I can hear your voice and almost feel your presence.

Meg gasped as she felt liquid gush over her feet. She gripped the letter. "Marian? I think my water broke."

Guy looked up from the fence he was repairing at a man who came in on a sweat soaked horse. He dropped the hammer and approached. "Guy?"

"Robin?" His heart stopped. "Is it Meg?"

Robin nodded. "Marian just sent me out. The baby's coming."

Guy stared. "It's….early."

"Djaq confirmed it." Robin said. "The baby's coming now."

Guy's heart sped up and he jumped up and went to his second in command who was repairing a roof. "Hey!" he shouted. "You're in charge! I've got urgent business to attend to. I shall be back in a few nights." He turned and ran to his horse and waited for Robin to change to a fresh horse. "Hurry, if I miss this, she'll kill me."

"WHERE IS HE?" Meg screamed. "I'M GOING TO GIVE THE KING A PIECE OF MY MIIIIIIIIIIINNNND!" she clutched her stomach and leaned against the wall. "Oh!"

"Easy," Djaq said. "you still have a few hours. Guy will make it"

"I WANT HIM HERE!" She clutched her stomach and exhaled. "Oh Djaq, I'm so scared."

"Shh," she soothed. "you're going to be all right. You're strong and the baby will take after both parents."

Marian nodded. "I sent Robin, so he and Guy should be here in two hours."

Meg moaned and resumed walking around the room with Marian and Djaq. "I want Guy."

"He's coming Meg. He'll be here soon."

Guy and robin dismounted. Guy stared at the house he'd purchased for Meg. He almost didn't recognize it. Flowers were blooming and there was a garden growing on the side. The air was full of the sounds of-

"AHHHHH!"

Meg screaming. Right.

Guy pushed past Robin, up the stairs to their master bedroom. He didn't even knock, just pushed the door open as Meg let out another scream. Her head jerked up and her eyes gleamed. "Guy! You made it!"

"What are you doing out of bed?" he asked rushing up to her. He rested his hand on her huge stomach and jumped as he felt the babe move and Meg groaned and clutched his hand. "Meg?"

"iIt hurts!" Guy shifted uneasily. He felt so helpless.

"It's almost time." Djaq said pushing him towards the door. "Go."

"Go?" He bellowed. "I just got here, I'm not leaving my wife!"

"You cannot stay." Djaq said.

Meg shrieked as another pain hit her. Something hit Guy and everything went black.

Guy stirred to find his head ached and he was propped up in a chair. "What?" he slurred when Meg yelled. He jumped up and tried the door, but the door was barred and the room swayed.

"Easy." Robin said. "Sit down. You've got a long wait."

Meg screamed. She'd been in labor for almost nine hours and her body felt like it was being ripped to pieces.

"Almost there." Djaq said. Meg screamed and cried as tears ran down her cheeks. Djaq's eyes widened and she stared. "Oh my goodness!"

"WWHHHAAAATTTT?"

Djaq laughed, "You won't believe this!"

The sound of a baby crying made Guy jump up out of his chair. "Meg?" he pounded on the door. "Meg?"

All he heard was another yell and more encouragement from Djaq and Marian. He groaned as the yells continued for almost another hour and finally, there was silence, other than the baby crying. "Meg?"

"Just a minute Guy." Marian said, it sounded like she was crying.

"Is Meg all right?" He shouted. "Is she?"

"She's fine." Marian said. "Believe me."

Guy smoothed his hair and leaned against the door. Robin grinned. "Boy or girl Gisbourne?"

He shrugged. "I don't care."

Mr. Bennett chuckled, "It's going to be a girl."

"Why not a boy?" Robin asked.

"Just a feeling."

Guy groaned. "I have a feeling if that door doesn't open it, I'm going to break it down."

Robin laughed and tapped on the door. "Marian? The father is freaking out on this end. Could you open it soon?"

"All right." She said. "just a minute."

"You said that all ready!" Guy held his breath as the door unlocked and he came in the room. It was a mess and Meg looked exhausted and beautiful. He hurried up to her and smoothed her hair back. "Meg?"

"Guy." She whispered.

He kissed her forehead and smiled. "How are you feeling?"

She frowned. "Tired. What do you think?"

"I guess that means…you're not hurting."

She smiled. "My back's a little sore," She reached up and draped her arms around his neck. "but not that sore." Guy leaned forward and kissed her. Meg moaned and he broke the kiss, fearing he'd hurt her, but she smiled at him. "Say hello to the babies."

Djaq and Marian came forward and handed him the babies. Babies? He stared. "twins?"

Meg nodded. Robin clapped him on the back. "Way to go Gisbourne!" Marian kicked him. "Ouch!"

"Both boys." Meg said. "Twin boys."

Guy stared at them and her father chuckled. "They're beautiful Meg. Favor Guy in looks go."

Meg yawned and her eyes drooped. "Tired."

Guy handed a baby to Mr. Bennett and he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well beloved." She was asleep already. He whispered. "I love you. See you in the morning." He went out holding Hugh. He looked at the other baby boy and exhaled. "Now, your mother has to argue for another hour to find you a name."

"Call him Robin." Robin suggested.

Guy scowled. "Anything but that name!"