Another several weeks came and went, Rebecca and Norrington were moved to the same chamber to rest. Groves and Carver did their best to take care of the couple, Carver had made a miraclous recovery over the past weeks and felt well enough to help around the house. Norrington and Groves had also recovered, but Norrington still had symptoms of exhaustion and was told to relax. However, it was to be short-lived...
"Darling?" Rebecca shook the sleeping Norrington by the shoulder, it was almost midnight.
"Yes?" Norrington replied, he was half-asleep.
"I believe you need to fetch my mother and sister." Rebecca winced
Norrington suddenly found himself wide awake, he turned to his wife.
"Are you sure?" Norrington asked.
"I'm certain." Rebecca moaned.
Norrington quickly got out of bed and draped his nightrobe around his body, Rebecca was in too much pain to remind him that he was only dressed in his undershirt and breeches. Before Norrington left he placed a kiss on Rebecca's forehead and ordered one of his lady servants to stay with her. Groves and Carver heard him open the foyer door and were wondering what had happened, when they figured out that Rebecca was in labor they nearly fell over backwards. They to had been looking forward to this blessed event.
Norrington arrived at Worthington manor, it was pouring down buckets of rain but Norrington had to ignore the blasted weather in order to retrieve Amelia. He had finally made it to mansion, soaking wet and weary from all the running he did. Nelson opened the door and shined a candle in Norrington's face, the young man was so frantic and so excited that he couldn't make the out the face of the older gentleman.
"Mr.Worthington, it's Rebecca! I was wondering if your wife was at home." Norrington explained
Amelia came downstairs upon seeing who was at the door, she had a pretty good idea why he was there.
"How much pain is she in?" Amelia asked.
"Quite a deal, Mrs.Worthington." Norrington panted.
"Take me to her!" Amelia ordered as she grabbed her cover.
The three headed off together in the rain, and went back to Norrington manor, which took about fifteen minutes to reach. The ladyservant who was staying with Rebecca came to the top of the stairs and ushered Amelia up the stairs and to the bedchamber. The door slammed directly in Norrington's face, as the young man stood there in shock and anticpation.
"Um...James? How about we retreat to the parlor downstairs?" Carver suggested
Norrington nodded and followed his friends and father-in-law downstairs. The men sat down in the parlor but not before Groves found a blanket to warm Norrington, he thoughtfully placed it over his friend's shoulders. Norrington acknowledged him with a head nod and began to rapidly tap his fingers against his knee.
"You know, I can recall when both Emily and Becky were born. How I hated waiting, always worrying for Amelia's sake as well as our child's. I kept telling myself, being a cleric at that time, not to worry that the pain that is given is a good pain. A pain given by God himself. Any pain given by God is a gift..." Nelson was cut off when the men heard Rebecca yelling.
"However, any pain given by the Devil is like the stinging of the thorn." Norrington remarked
"James..." Carver sighed "You must think about the reward that lies ahead..."
Norrington was startled when Rebecca let out another moan, he buried his face in his hands.
"...and live in the torment that is the presence." Norrington finished.
"Believe me, James. This will all be over in a couple of hours." Groves assured.
So the gentlemen waited for six hours, there was no rest throughout the last portion of the evening. Norrington's eyes were beginning to close when they all heard a wail from upstairs, Carver and Groves smiled at each other as Nelson silently murmured heavenly praises. Amelia came downstairs, wearing a weary smile and rolling her sleeves down.
"You can go up, James." Amelia said.
Norrington ran upstairs as Amelia went to hug Nelson.
"Our first grandchild." Amelia whispered into her husband's ear.
Norrington quietly entered the bedchamber, Rebecca was laying in bed, dressed in her snow-colored nightgown, her hair was damped with a cold sweat. All Norrington could see was a small bundle in her arms, covered by a yellow quilt.
"It's okay to come closer." Rebecca said in a weary voice.
Norrington approached his wife's side and was finally able to see a small face, two small eyes laid close, two small hands sat still. Norrington could not believe how fragile and beautiful his newborn child was, he placed a kiss on Rebecca's lips out of gratitude for birthing such a delicate creature.
"Darling, I am so proud of you." Norrington whispered, as two tears streaked his face.
"She really is beautiful, wouldn't you say?" Rebecca asked
"She? We have a daughter?" Norrington asked, Rebecca nodded slowly.
"Now all that is left is to name her." Rebecca said softly as she laid back on the pillow.
"How about Amelia, after your mother." Norrington suggested
"Well, me and my mother were pondering this situation when we came upon a solution..." Rebecca began.
"What is the solution, my dear?" Norrington asked.
"I wish to name her Georgiana Amelia Norrington." Rebecca finished.
"Georgiana?" Norrington repeated.
"After the aunt that she will never know, but the aunt that was so beloved to her father that her mother wished to carry on her namesake." Rebecca stated.
"May I?" Norrington offered, Rebecca carefully handed the man his newborn daughter.
Norrington cradled baby Georgiana in his arms and gave Rebecca another kiss, this time on the brow.
"Thank you. Thank you." Norrington murmured
Norrington turned back to Georgiana and smiled down on her, allowing the infant to grasp onto his index finger.
"Georgiana...Welcome to this world." Norrington smiled as another tear rolled down his face.
Back at Beckett manor, only a few short hours later. Beckett was reading a book in his study when Emily came rushing in, wearing a grin and a certain level of excitement.
"Oh Cutler, Rebecca has just given birth to a healthy girl!" Emily squealed
"How...exciting." Beckett said in a tasteless tone.
"Oh, it is. I only came to tell you because I will be staying with Becky for a few hours during the day for the next month. Infact, I was only about to head towards Norrington manor but I felt I should have given you the news first." Emily stated.
"It has been recieved." Beckett said simply.
Emily kissed Beckett and left the manor, he let out a slight chuckle when the door finally closed.
"Step one is in motion..." Beckett said with a smirk.
What is a tragedy? Is tragedy a death? Is tragedy...Worse than death?