Chapter 29:

"Ma..Ma..Ma...Ma"

Adelaide groaned and rolled over to see Simon standing up in his crib, grinning at them. She rolled back over and poked Neil.

"Love, your son is calling"

Neil grunted. "I distinctly heard a Mama, Adelaide"

"Oh, really? My mistake" Adelaide said as Neil turned to face her. "Merry Christmas, Doctor MacNeill"

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. MacNeill" Neil kissed her. "We should have gotten more sleep last night with the babe's early mornings" he remarked.

She grinned. "Oh but staying up making love was far better than last Christmas Eve when I was birthing the baby"

"Aye" He chuckled. "Pleasure better than pain...though both ended well if I do say so myself" He rolled over and hopped out of bed. He walked over to Simon's crib, reached down and scooped him up in his arms. "Happy Birthday, wee one" He kissed his head.

He sat him in bed between them and Adelaide leaned over to kiss the baby. "Happy Birthday, sweet boy!"

Simon lunged towards her and she picked him up. He put his arms around her and gave her a big wet kiss on the cheek.

Adelaide giggled, "Thank you for my kisses sweet boy!"

"Can you believe it has already been a year?" Neil asked as Simon reached his arms out for him and Neil took him, Simon giving him a hug now.

"I can't. Time is flying by" She looked at Neil, tears starting to form as she thought about how quickly this past year had gone and how if all the years go this quick, how before she knew it Simon would be leaving them.

"No crying, lass" Neil told her. "None of this 'my baby is getting so old' or whatever nonsense you were about to say"

"You know me so well" Adelaide said, with a smile.

"It's a doubly happy day. No room for tears today"

"So true" Adelaide said, "And we get to open presents" She clapped her hands, excitedly.

"And who said Christmas was for children?" Neil chuckled as Simon lunged back for Adelaide who took him again.

"Didn't know me well" Adelaide retorted. "Special breakfast then presents" She stood Simon up, his feet on their bed, "and tonight, Simon, you get cake" she told him. "You'll love it"

"He'll probably get sick from it" Neil raised an eyebrow.

"Just a taste" Adelaide clarified. "It's his birthday!"

"Well, you are the mama" Neil said, conceding to her wishes. "And that doesn't have anything to do with you wanting cake?"

"Now, Neil" Adelaide said, "I deserve cake too...after all, I was the one who pushed him out. Do you remember how miserable it was? I sure do!"

"Aye" Neil chuckled. "Duly noted. You worked hard for that babe. It's partly your day too"

They fed Simon and all got dressed before heading downstairs, Adelaide frying up bacon and eggs and mixing up her scone recipe.

They had a delicious breakfast before Neil settled with Simon on his lap to read the Christmas Story from her Bible. He had taken to using her Bible since that fateful night that Simon was so ill. Neil had a naturally curious mind and they would often spend nights alternating between discussing religion and medicine. Neil even picked David's brain on a lot of it to get his thoughts. Adelaide loved that he was taking his new found faith so seriously, but she wasn't surprised by it. It was his way.

Neil finished reading it and shut it carefully, placing it on the table. "Well, Adelaide, it could have been worse. You could have delivered the babe in a barn"

She laughed. "Very true. And Joseph had to deliver the baby too...also awkward"

"Now, Adelaide, it wasn't that awkward" Neil said, with a smile.

"Well, the pain kind of superseded every other feeling I might have had. All I wanted you to do was hold my hand and tell me it would be okay, which you did. You are quite patient with your patients"

Neil cleared his throat. "You, my dear, need extra hand holding than most of my patients"

Adelaide chuckled. "Fair enough. But do you see what I meant now about the hope of Christmas?"

He nodded. "Aye, I do, lass. God is righting the story"

"He is indeed" Adelaide said, "Presents?" she asked, with a smile.

"The lad first?" Neil asked and Adelaide agreed.

"I can't believe you insisted on wrapping this up. It's a waste of paper considering he is a wee one and it is huge"

"Now Neil" Adelaide chided, "We can't be practical every day, especially not Christmas Day and our baby's first birthday" She sat on the floor next to the present and stood Simon up.

Simon reached for the paper, tearing it with his hands. Adelaide helped him and exclaimed enthusiastically, "Look what Papa made you, Simon! It's a horsey"

Simon laughed as Adelaide put him on the horse holding him as he rocked. "In no time, you'll be doing this all by yourself and it will keep you entertained for ages"

"Because your birthday is partly Mama's day too, lad" Neil whispered, conspiratorially to him as he sat next to him. "And your present should benefit her as well"

Simon reached out to grab his face. "Ba Ba"

They all froze. "What did you say, lad?" Neil asked, patting his back.

"Ba ba" He cooed. "Ba ba"

Neil plopped him up. "That's a papa if I have ever heard it!" He said proudly, hugging him tightly.

"What a great Christmas present for Papa, Simon!" Adelaide sniffled. "Can I cry now?"

"Womanfolk" Neil whispered to Simon. "You'll learn soon enough, wee one"

"Oh just hush" Adelaide reached under the tree to hand Neil two presents. Neil sat the baby down next to him and let him play with the paper.

"See, we can keep the paper for him and he'll be entertained for hours with it" Adelaide said with a smile, "Indulgent and practical all rolled in one"

"Until he eats it and has a belly ache" Neil said, rolling his eyes.

"Oh just open your presents, will you?" Adelaide retorted, smacking him lightly.

He tore open the first one and grinned. "Adelaide MacNeill, did you make this for me?"

"Guilty" Adelaide smiled as she reached to wrap the scarf around his neck. "Opal helped"

"I should say so" Neil said, lightly. "I saw the sweaters you attempted to knit for the poor babe before he was born"

Adelaide laughed. "I'm getting better"

"You are" Neil kissed her. "I love it"

"That's not your real present" Adelaide said, softly, "this is"

He opened the second present, "Oh Lass"

"Do you like it?" Adelaide asked, sheepishly. "I wanted to get you something special and since you don't have one... I thought it would be good. I'm really bad at gift giving. I wrote a note inside"

He opened the leather Bible up and read the letter she wrote for him in the inside page of the Bible. He gulped and reached for her, pulling her towards him for a kiss. "I'll treasure it always, sweet wife"

She nodded. "Good" She tried not to cry, smiling brightly instead, "and now I can reclaim my Bible" She said with a grin. "I think it is time to save Simon's Bible for the little one here"

"He'll love that one day" Neil agreed. "A part of his Daddy"

"I think so" Adelaide smiled. "Alright, so...me next"

"Now what makes you think that you have been a good lass this year?" Neil said, shaking his finger at her.

"But Doctor MacNeill" Adelaide faked a pout, much to his amusement. "It was only that one time I climbed up on the schoolhouse roof and fell, otherwise I've been quite perfect this year"

"Perfect?" Neil raised an eyebrow.

"Practically perfect?" Adelaide offered.

Neil inclined his head.

"Okay, I've been a right fine mess as they would say in the Cove" Adelaide said, with a grin. "But you love me anyway"

Neil laughed and put her two presents in her hand. "Open this first" he pointed to one. Adelaide unwrapped it and smiled as she opened it. "It's a journal"

"I wrote a note inside too" Neil said, quietly. "You know great minds think alike"

"They do, don't they?" Adelaide laughed as she read the note. "Thank you, that is perfect"

"You are gifted writer and life in the Cove is interesting to say the least. I think it would be fun for you to record your thoughts" Neil inclined his head. "Plus, you get pensive when they are all rolling around in your mind and that is when you tend to get into trouble"

"True enough" Adelaide said. "That was completely thoughtful, Neil. I'm not the least surprised"

"Okay, enough" Neil pointed to the next one, "Focus"

She tore open the next present and gently undid the box. "Oh, it's so shiny" Adelaide said, admiring her new stethoscope. "I never had one of my own before"

"Save Simon's for the lad" Neil said, "you deserve your own for listening to all those wee ones' heartbeats"

"That's too much, love" She knew he must have worked hard to figure out a way to save enough to purchase it for her and knowing that made her love him even more.

"Nah" Neil shook his head. "You are worth it. I wanted you to know how much I value you as a nurse and as a wife"

"Thank you" Adelaide threw her arms around him. "Love it" She pulled away and then scooped up Simon. "Time for your nap naps baby boy"

Neil raised an eyebrow. "Is it now?"

She nodded. "Oh yes. I'll be back" Adelaide tucked Simon in with a kiss and then went back downstairs.

"I want to try out my new stethoscope" she declared. "On you"

"Uh oh" Neil said, smirking at her. "Okay, Nurse Addie. I'll be a good patient"

"See that you are" Adelaide said, with mock-sternness as he unbuttoned and shrugged off his shirt, allowing her access.

She warmed the stethoscope and put it over his heart and listened. She grinned as she heart his heart beat.

She looked at him in wonder. "It's so strong" she said.

"Naturally" Neil said, wryly as Adelaide moved around him on the couch to sit behind him. "Breathe" she commanded as Adelaide listened to his lungs.

She lowered the stethoscope and began to kiss up his back and to his neck, kneading his back with her hands. Neil inhaled sharply as she did so.

She moved back around him to sit in front of him to and pulled his face towards her, kissing him, passionately. They kissed a few minutes before Adelaide pulled back, mischievously. "I want another listen"

Neil chuckled. "I see what you are getting at lass. Do you want to know how much you move me?"

She bit her lip and grinned. "Perhaps" She listened again. "Wow, very rapid, Doctor MacNeill. You must have a very desirable wife"

"You have no idea" His eyes were blazing. "Enough of that" He gently untangled the stethoscope from her hands, carefully placing it on the table before pouncing on her, causing her to squeal and pinning her down to the couch. "Let me show you how desirable you are, wife"

She sighed. "Be my guest"


Adelaide was called to the mission on January 8th, Christy having labor pains two weeks early. William and Julia were there, but Doctor Shaw wasn't due to come for another week. Neil had a busy few weeks after Christmas, but happened to be home at the time, so he came with her and Simon to provide support to David and William and also watch Simon at the mission for her.

Miss Alice and Julia were both with Christy when Adelaide arrived.

"I heard you are having some pain, Christy" Adelaide said.

"Is Neil close by?" Christy said, worried.

"He's downstairs if we have a problem" Adelaide assured her. "He's already trying his best to keeping your husband sane. David is looking awfully pale" she smiled. "Short of moonshine, I'm not sure what will help him"

"Adelaide MacNeill, that is a horrible thing to say about your brother in law who is a minister of God's word" Julia scolded, but Christy and Miss Alice laughed.

"Thy daughter is quite the sense of humor, Mrs. Huddleston" Alice said, putting an arm around her gently. "Let's go fetch some more water and towels while Adelaide talks to Christy"

"Thank you" Adelaide mouthed to Miss Alice, who smiled at her. They closed the door behind them.

"How far apart are your pains?" Addie asked.

"Five minutes or so" Christy said as another one gripped her. Adelaide reached out to hold her hand, allowing her to squeeze it tightly.

"Focus on breathing. In and out" Adelaide coached her, calmly. She waited a few minutes before she saw the pain lifting. "Better?"

Christy nodded. "Does it get worse?" she asked, wearily.

"Unfortunately" Adelaide replied, honestly.

"Why didn't you tell me it hurts so bad?" Christy demanded.

"Because being a mother is one of the best things in the world" Adelaide told her, gently. "And if I can get through it, you can too, Sissy. I promise." She rose. "Now, let's see how far along you are before mother and Miss Alice come back"

She checked her. "Doing great" Adelaide said, "baby is down. Heartbeat great. You have a while though"

Christy sighed as Julia and Alice came back in the room.

"David wants an update on Christy" Alice said.

Adelaide nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes" She went downstairs to find the men. William was bouncing Simon, who smiled to see her.

"How is she?" David jumped up. "I didn't realize the pain was so bad."

"She is doing great" Adelaide said, brightly, patting David's arm gently. "But unfortunately, this is going to take a while"

David frowned. "I hate seeing her like this"

"Which is why you are out here and us womanfolk are in there" Adelaide said, with a smile. "I'll keep you updated."

Neil stood and guided her out of the room. "Is the babe in a good position?" he asked.

Adelaide nodded. "Head down. 3 centimeters"

"So, it will be a while" Neil frowned. "Grantland is a mess"

Adelaide laughed. "I'll keep him updated. If Simon needs to eat, let me know and I will come back and feed him"

She leaned up to kiss him. "I love you"

"Take care of your sister" Neil said. "And tell her that I will take care of her husband"

"I told her that short of moonshine, I don't know if anything will help"

Neil chuckled. "I did try that before"

"You did not!" Adelaide exclaimed. "You got David drunk?"

Neil smiled, sheepishly. "Those were my mischievous days"

"How did you get him to drink it?" Adelaide asked, curious.

"Said it was medicine" Neil retorted, cheekily. "Did the trick"

"I have to admit, I would have loved to have seen that" Adelaide laughed before adding with mock-severity, "Well, do try to behave yourself today, Doctor"

"Yes, Ma'am" Neil replied, with a grin.


The hours passed slowly. They tried to keep Christy as calm and comfortable as possible, but with the intensity of the contractions, she was slowly becoming panicked. They tried different positions and things to help deal with the brunt of the contractions, but Adelaide knew that she was reaching the frustration point, much like she did when she was laboring.

"Soon?" Christy grunted and Adelaide reached to wipe her forehead. "Shouldn't be too much longer until you can push. These are the worst times, Christy. You are almost there though"

Julia was sitting on the bed holding her daughter's hand, Miss Alice in a chair at the foot of the bed.

"How did you do this?" Christy asked.

"Hmm?" Adelaide questioned, placing the cloth back in the basin.

"How did you cope with the pain?" She prompted.

"It was tough" Adelaide retorted, honestly. "There were moments, Christy, when I just cried and told Neil that there was no way I could do it for much longer"

"You did?" Christy said, surprised. "I just assumed you were fearless through it all"

"Not hardly" Adelaide laughed. "Neil was the sweetest though"

"Sweet?" Miss Alice chuckled. "He would probably take offense at this description, Adelaide"

"Probably" Adelaide replied, "but we all know under that gruffness is a really kind, caring man. I think the gruffness is the mountain man in him. I didn't quite understand that fully until we married"

"So what did he do when you cried?" Christy asked.

"He talked to me and tried to soothe my frustrations and worries. And in between contractions to take my mind off things, we talked...for hours on end. Religion, medicine...he told me stories about his ancestors" Adelaide said, quietly. "And he held my hand when it got too bad."

Julia looked at her, surprised. "I wasn't aware he was that involved"

"What did you think, Mother?" Adelaide asked, curiously. "That he just came in and caught the baby?"

"Something like that" Julia confessed. "I supposed it was easier that way than think otherwise"

"I'm not surprised" Alice spoke up. "He would have never let Adelaide face it alone, even then"

"As Neil said, when my water broke, there is a time for propriety and there is a time to push it aside"

"Were you at least embarrassed?" Julia asked.

"Give me some credit, Mother" Adelaide laughed. "Of course, I was. I was downright mortified at first. Neil is a doctor, but we were always such good friends, I could never quite see him as just a doctor doing his job until the pain got too bad and I didn't care anymore. It was quite the humbling experience for me though to rely on him for very private things" She stopped for a minute, "though those days snowed in with him were the days that my heart melted towards him. I don't think there was any turning back"

"Thee and him were bonded" Alice smiled. "Some humility, Adelaide, is good for the soul, and especially I would assume would be good preparation for a marriage"

"Indeed"

Christy looked at her. "Adelaide, I want David" she declared.

"What?" Julia asked, surprised by her sudden announcement.

"I need David" Christy said, determined. "I want him to hold my hand. He did this with me, he should be here. It's stupid that he gets out of this. Hang propriety. I need my husband now"

"No, no" Julia said, "It's the pain talking. The birthing room is not a place for a man"

"Miss Alice?" Christy begged. "Please?"

"Ask thy sister as she is thy midwife" Alice said, gently.

"Adelaide, please" She screamed as another contraction hit and Julia tried to calm her down.

"Christy" Adelaide took her other hand. Her voice was calm as she coached her through the contraction, soothing her panic.

"It's taking forever" Christy sobbed. "I need him. Please"

Adelaide stood up and Julia looked at her sharply, "Adelaide, no"

"Just to get her through until its time to push" Adelaide said, "She still has two centimeters to go. He can be here for a bit"

"It's highly improper"

"Maybe" Adelaide retorted. "But when my time comes, I want Neil. And nobody will stop me from having him. If I feel that way, I can't in good conscious tell Christy no. Don't worry. I'll prepare him"

Adelaide went downstairs where David was now full out pacing. He stopped and looked at her with hopeful expectation.

"Not yet" she said, apologetically. "Christy needs you to hold her hand"

"What does your mother have to say about that, Addie?" Neil asked from where he was feeding Simon some bread.

"Well, to quote you, I told her that now is not the time for propriety" Adelaide retorted. "And there is no way I would do this without you, so if Christy needs her husband to get through this last stage, then there we go" She looked at her brother in law sternly. "It's not pleasant though. Be sweet. Be encouraging. And for God's sake, don't be a man and get all squirmy about it. I'm not dealing with you fainting. Christy is doing all the hard work. You better be supportive"

David turned back to look at Neil and William, incredulous. Neil fought a chuckle at Adelaide's lecture.

"Go on with you, lass. Grantland will rise to the occasion, I dare say" Neil retorted, giving Simon another bite of bread.

"I wouldn't dare not to" David replied.

"Good. Just thought I should make myself clear" She grinned, patting his arm, affectionately. "Come on now. Christy really does need you. Birthing a baby is scary work indeed"

Addie came back with David and he immediately went to put his arms around Christy, comforting her. Alice ushered Julia out to give them a few moments, though Adelaide stayed in the room in case she was needed. David stayed with Christy for the next hour, keeping her calm, coaching her through the pain, until Christy was ready to push and Adelaide kicked him out of the room.

Adelaide helped Christy deliver her baby, catching the little one as it entered the world.

She tried to wipe the baby off as much as she could before wrapping the screaming one in a towel.

"Another Huddleston woman enters the world, Sissy" Adelaide said, with tears in her eyes. "You did so well. If she is anything like her mama, she will be a lucky girl"

"Catherine" Christy smiled, in wonder as she held her baby. "Here you are"

"That's a lovely name" Adelaide replied.

Christy snuggled the baby while Adelaide cared for her. Afterwards, she helped Christy with feeding the baby, before going to speak with Miss Alice.

"There is water warming on the stove" Adelaide said to Miss Alice softly. "We will clean both the baby and Christy up and I want Neil to look over the little one"

"She's fine, right?" Christy asked as she overheard.

"She's just perfect" Adelaide retorted with a smile. "But she is my niece so I want the best for her...Neil should have a look just to make sure everything is in order. Mother went down to tell David it will be a few minutes before he can see you"

She nodded. "I'm tired"

"Of course you are" Adelaide squeezed her shoulder. "I'm going to get the little one's bath ready to see if I can make her more presentable for her Daddy"

"She is kind of messy" Christy said, agreeing. "Though the most beautiful girl in the world"

"Of course" Adelaide agreed. "All babies are terribly messy at birth. I told you...it's not my favorite process in the world"

"I have to say now experiencing it, you are so right, Addie" Christy chuckled.

"I'll take care of Christy while thou gives the baby a bath, Adelaide" Miss Alice said."We will change thee and get thee some fresh sheets. Thee will feel much better then"

Julia came back in the room and sat next to Christy on the bed. "Doctor MacNeill said that he will get the bath ready if you want to take the baby downstairs"

Adelaide smiled. "He knows me so well. May I borrow the sweet one? I'll take the best care of her" she promised.

"Of course you will" Christy said. "I'll see you in a bit" she told the baby as she kissed her head.

Adelaide gently took the infant from her sister's arms, as well as some clothes, a diaper, and a fresh blanket from Christy's dresser and went downstairs with her, meeting Neil in the kitchen.

"Thank you, love" Adelaide said.

"You're welcome" Neil replied, easily. "I'll stay and help if you'd like" He took a peek at the babe. "Oh, she is a beauty. Has those eyes of her mother and auntie"

"Little Catherine" Adelaide smiled at the baby as she began to wash her off, her touch gentle.

"That's a beautiful name. It suits her. David is going to be through the moon when he sees her" Neil said as he stood beside her, holding the squirming baby for her, so she could get her thoroughly cleaned. Adelaide didn't look up, but she heard the want in his voice. It mirrored her own heart.

The baby began to fuss but she talked to her throughout it, quieting her down. "Will you take a look at her?" she asked as she wrapped the now clean baby in a towel.

"I thought you might want that" Neil said as he reached for his bag on the table. "Let me have the wee lass" Adelaide gave her to Neil and laid a folded towel down on the table, providing padding.

He gently examined her, taking her measurements and making sure her heart and lungs were strong.

"Tell Christy that she is perfect"

"I will do that" Adelaide moved to where Neil was standing and began to dress the baby, wrapping her in the blanket. She picked her up and snuggled her.

Neil looked at her and touched her face, his touch tender. "Soon, love"

"God-willing" Adelaide replied, softly. "Sharing this moment with you, I want it so badly for us, I feel like my heart could burst"

"I know" Neil soothed. "I look at you holding the wee one and I feel the same way. I want to give that to you again"

She cleared her throat, trying to get herself controlled. "How's my Simon?" she changed the subject, unable to continue with it.

"William got him to sleep" Neil told her. "He put up quite the fight though. Your father has quite a bit of patience with surly children"

Adelaide grinned. "If you are implying that he has had a lot of practice with it from Christy and I, you might not be too far off the mark"

Neil smiled back at her. "I offered to take him, but I think William wanted to bond with the lad. They don't see him enough"

She nodded. "He is asleep now?"

"Aye" Neil replied, "I think I will take him home now and you can return in the morning before his feed"

"I do want to help Christy through the night with the baby. She'll need her rest"

"Agreed" Neil kissed her cheek. "I love you"

"I love you too"


The scene was so sweet when Christy introduced David to their daughter for the first time that it brought Adelaide to tears. She slipped out to give the new family privacy. She found her mother in the kitchen pouring tea for them.

"I know it is bedtime but I'm too excited" Julia confessed. "Have some tea with me, Adelaide"

"I'd love that" Adelaide said as she sat down next to her mother.

"Are you staying the night?" she asked.

"I am" Adelaide responded. "In case I'm needed. Christy will need help through the night with the baby"

"Little Catherine" Julia smiled. "She is precious"

"That she is" Adelaide said as she sipped her tea.

"And Doctor MacNeill said she was healthy, yes?"

"He said she was perfect" Adelaide nodded. "And she is perfect, Mother. She is a beautiful little blessing"

"Adelaide" Julia reached for her hand. "I know you and Neil would like a child together"

"We've been..." Adelaide bit her lip. "Well, we have been hoping for one, Mother"

"I'm not surprised" Julia commented. "It hasn't been too long though"

"I know. It's just to see the way David was with Christy and Catherine just now" she responded, "I know Neil wants that. He loves Simon as his own, but he lost a little girl and I would love to be able to give him a child that is a part of both of us."

"He's a good father, Adelaide" Julia replied.

"He is the best father to Simon. Better than I could have ever imagined" Adelaide replied, fervently. "I love him so deeply and I know this is a desire of his. I just want to make it happen for him and I have no control over it"

"What does Doctor MacNeill say?" Julia asked, quietly.

"To be patient" Adelaide responded. "And not to put pressure on myself and if we only ever had Simon that he would still be content with me"

Julia smiled. "It's wonderful to see you loved by such a man, Adelaide. That was your father's and my greatest wish that you and Christy would find husbands like that"

"Different than what you expected for me, I'm sure"

"Different, but not bad" Julia retorted, softly. "Neil is right. Be patient. It took your father and I three years in between you and Christy"

"I know" Adelaide sighed. "I have never been good at patience though, mother"

"Now I don't truly believe that, Adelaide" Julia patted her hand. "You were quite patient today. I never quite understood why Simon and now Neil put so much stock into your nursing until today. You are a natural. I wish I had you when I gave birth"

"Mother, that is the sweetest thing you have ever said to me" Adelaide leaned over to give her a hug. "Thank you"

"Why you are welcome, Adelaide" Julia hugged her tightly. "And do remember what I said. I know you and Neil will have that baby you want. You have to have faith"

"You are right" Adelaide pulled away. "Thank you for the tea, mother"

"Anytime, Adelaide" Julia retorted, softly.

And Adelaide went to go rejoin her sister and niece.

A/N: do I sense some understanding between Julia and Adelaide?