Chapter Forty Four

The next hour of arduous labour saw Anne Wentworth, with a little assistance from her husband, deliver a bouncing baby boy.

Tears of joy streamed down both the parent's faces and Frederick knew without a doubt, he would never regret his decision to defy tradition and be with his wife. Likewise, she was in no doubt she could not have done it without him. Mrs Allen was now held in high regard with both Anne and the Captain, who had been enthralled with her organisation and professionalism. She had led, they had followed without question, and the result was perfection.

They gazed down at the tiny bundle in Anne's arms struggling and seeking. "Ya can feed him if ye wants. I think we have a few minutes 'fore we have to do this all over again." Mrs Allen let her know.

"I will, thank you." Mrs Allen assisted Anne while she uncovered her breast and allowed her son to latch on. Frederick could not take his eyes off them. "Frederick, should you wish to return to our guests, I understand. I am sure I can do the next part alone."

"I am staying." said Frederick vehemently without a moment's thought, before kissing her on the head. "You are the most beautiful thing I ever saw."

The act of breast-feeding, brought on her contractions and before long Anne found herself in pain again. She managed to finish feeding her son, before Mrs Forbes took him off to the nurse who had arrived shortly before, allowing Mrs Allen to once again take up her role, in delivering Anne of her second child. Mrs Allen examined Anne and frowned. "This ones trying to cause us some trouble, he's not as low as he should be."

"What can we do?" questioned Frederick, already concerned.

"We can try some different positions and maybe walking around. He is the right way around, he just needs to move lower. If we get ya r'up walking, it may encourage him to move."

Anne was sure she would not be able to get out of bed for days, let alone walk, but Frederick was already getting her to her feet. She winced at the pain, but breathed through it. They had only managed one turn about the room when Anne's waters broke for a second time. They looked to Mrs Allen for confirmation this was normal. She shrugged her shoulders, "Two babies; two waters. Let me have a look at you now." She felt around Anne's belly and examined her again and smiled, "Yep he's ready now." Anne was already doubled up in pain and reluctant to get back on the bed. "Just do whatever you feel Mrs Wentworth, listen to your body. Women have been doing this for hundreds of years all over the world in the worst of places, you do whatever you want to do."

Anne fell to the ground on all fours. Frederick looked helpless. "Annie do you want me to assist to the bed, surely you-"

"No! Frederick! I want to stay right. Here!" she screamed again and he joined her on the floor. As he sunk to his knees. Mrs Allen was quickly on the floor too, at the back of Anne.

Frederick could not help but think this was not the way of a lady, and more associated with livestock, but one look from both Mrs Allen and his wife had silenced his opinion on the matter. And so it was, on the floor of her bed chamber, did Mrs Wentworth deliver her second child: a baby girl. Frederick was tearful when presented with his son and heir, at the sight of his daughter, a miniature Anne, he was rendered speechless.

There were no words to describe the over whelming need to care and protect these two babies, or the love he felt for all three of them. His life was truly complete. Once Mrs Allen had cleaned Anne up and she was back in a freshly made bed curtesy of Mrs Forbes herself, settled with her daughter attached to her breast, Captain Wentworth finally felt able to leave her. Without even stopping to replace his boots, he made his way downstairs, amazed to find it was still light outside. He felt for sure darkness should have fallen it had been such a long day. Upon his entrance both Sophia and the Admiral jumped to their feet. He could not supress his grin. "I am a father!"

Sophia rushed to him, embracing her younger brother warmly. The Admiral shook his hand.

"Well do I have nieces or nephews?" Sophia asked tearfully.

"One of each!"

"A lucky man. I have always said so." The Admiral stated.

"Up to this moment I have always disagreed, but after today, I have to agree. I truly am the luckiest of men."

"And how fairs Mrs Wentworth?"

"She was … is wonderful. Perfect." His voice broke and his family left him to gather himself while they went to meet the latest additions to the family.

Hours later when the midwife had left, the servants served a cup of something to wet the babies' heads and dismissed for the night, The Crofts retired, husband and wife laid in their bed and beheld their children.

"Thank you Frederick." Anne whispered.

He snorted. "I cannot think of any reason you should be thanking me. You have blessed me with an heir and a precious daughter to protect. Their mother is particularly high in my regard also." He leant down and kissed her softly. She yawned. "You are tired. Should I call the nurse?"

She held his arm. "No, please, just a few minutes longer. I want to savour this moment for as long as I can."

"We do need to decide upon their names, everyone will ask, we cannot continue calling them simply daughter and son."

"I know I should name her after me, or my mother, but another Anne or Elizabeth," she wrinkled her nose and shook her head, "I do not wish it. She should have her own name."

"Well the same could be said for our boy. Walter has already been claimed by young master Musgrove, thankfully. I do not think he should be named Frederick for my sake – perhaps as a middle name. His name will be Wentworth and that is enough for me."

"So what do you have in mind?"

He thought for a moment. "The Admirals first name is Benjamin." Anne let him continue knowing already her opinion on his suggestion. "It was upon his assistance I be with you, that I came. He has been such a force behind my career, he and Sophia do not have any children of their own, so have no one-"

"Frederick you do not have to continue convincing me. I believe it is perfect. Benjamin Frederick Wentworth."

They both looked at their newly named son.

"And how about our daughter?" Frederick asked.

"Hmm, that will take a little longer I think. We need to discover a name that is as beautiful as she –it will not be easy." Anne yawned again.

"Let us leave that until tomorrow. I want you to sleep." He carefully lifted his daughter from her mother's arms and carried her to the door outside which the nurse was waiting to take them to the nursery. After he had bid both his children farewell for the night, he kissed his wife and for only the second time since their marriage, he retreated to his own chamber. Knowing she needed rest, he thought it best. As Anne was already asleep, she would not argue with him.