Ghosts of the Past Chpt2
Josh, Ben and Jeremy had settled in at a table at Lottie's awaiting the arrival of Swede and Rodger and any other male who might wish to await the birth of baby Gustavason. Jeremy placed three beers on the table and stated "It may be a long night, so I am starting with beer. Everyone okay with that?" as Josh began to take his first sip, the front door flew open and there stood a very distraught looking Swede, he growled "They kicked me out. They said I could be of no help,; I would be only in the way. I am the father how can I be in the way? They gave me one chance until I told the doctor that Essie might be more comfortable in a different position then they told me get out." Swede could not appear more pitiful as he practically dragged his lanky body over to the table. He flopped down into the chair with such force that Josh went and checked that there were no cracks in it. Josh placed both hands on Swede's broad shoulders and said "Essie is in good hands. We have a doctor now, many of the women have been trained as midwives." Jeremy passed a beer to Swede who responded, "I think I need a whisky?" Jeremy replied "I am the bartender right now for us and you get beer. We all get beer. This evening could be short or very long. I am not sending you home falling down drunk." Josh started laughing to himself. Jeremy's reaction "Do you want to share with us what is so funny, brother." Josh smilingly answered back while staring at Ben "I remember Ben the night his son was born. Ben, you have another baby due soon as well." Ben puffed his chest out "Emily is due to deliver in two months. This pregnancy is so stress free compared to the others. One, she delivered a healthy baby and two, we have a doctor in town. Someone needs to keep the Hale girls busy though." The table laughed and just at that moment Rodger came to join the celebration which resulted in louder laughter from the table. Rodger pulled a chair over as Jeremy poured a beer for him. Immediately, he inquired as to what was so funny. Josh patted his shoulder "" You might not find it funny, but we were discussing Ben Jrs. birth and the fact that Ben has a baby due soon." Rodger started to apologize, and Ben waved him off " Not necessary, it is going to be a story we tell for years. I have a live son that is the most important thing. Let's focus on the big guy here." Swede just stared into space when Jeremy snapped his fingers to get his attention. Jeremy said, "She is going to be fine,; I suggest you try and enjoy this night because you might not be out for a long while." Swede shuttered as he stated, "She screamed so as I was leaving, I wanted to go back to her, and they shut the door in my face." Jeremy sighed "I am afraid us men are considered in the way. Lottie told me that one time they let the husband stay and he passed out as the baby was being born. They could barely get around his body on the floor. Could you imagine your body sprawled out on the floor of your small cabin."?" Josh called across the table "Jeremy, when are going to announce a future Bolt." Jeremy sheepishly replied, "I don' t know." Josh picking up something in his tone questioned "Jeremy, is there something you want to tell us?"
Allyn was applying a damp compress to Essie's head,; she soothingly spoke to Essie "You are doing great and everything is fine. There is no reason to worry, it is better for you to breathe deep and try to stay calm. Unfortunately, this can be a lengthy painful process, but the reward is wondrous." At that moment, Essie screamed in pain as another contraction occurred. Allyn looked to Maggie who was timing the contractions and their lengths. Maggie announced the last contraction was 4 minutes and 1 minute long. Candy sat down next to her friend and took her hand "" We are all here for you." Essie looked up and smiled "Is Swede okay? He looked so unhappy when he had to leave." Candy reassured her "Swede is being taken care of by the boys. Jeremy said he would take care of drinks and it was going to be beer alone." Lottie was busy in the kitchen preparing some food for the ladies to be able to munch on as the night progressed. Allyn got up to stretch and talked a bit with Lottie and Biddie. Allyn said "Don't hold me to it but I don't think this is going to be that long of a night. It will be interesting to see how long this baby is." Biddie looked at Allyn "There has been a real baby explosion lately in Seattle. How many babies have been born since you arrived?" Allyn put her hand behind her neck to massage it and thought for a moment she finally replied "I have been here close to 1 year and 9 months, I believe this is my tenth baby and there are many more on the way." Biddie thought about 10 babies with more on the way, she exclaimed "We are going to need a bigger school and more teachers!" Candy turned around and added "There is talk that once all the brides are married of turning the dormitory into a new school. The downstairs for the younger students and upstairs for older children. Jason and Aaron are already on it. It is amazing how well they work together now considering I thought Seattle might go down in flames between their battles when we first arrived." Biddie suddenly blurted out "Candy, you and Jeremy are having so much sex that you might be pregnant soon." All eyes turned on poor Candy who was now beet red. All Candy could manage to say was "Biddie, please." Biddie continued "Has it occurred to you that you may even be pregnant this very moment?" Candy just stared at Biddie, but the silence was deafening. Lottie finally said, "Is there something you want to tell us, Candy?"
It was daybreak on the ocean and Clancy had requested to have a breakfast with Jason and Aaron in his cabin. Jason asked Aaron if he had any idea about what this was? Aaron just shrugged his shoulders. Jason stood on the deck staring out at the ocean, it was choppy today and there were plenty of white caps. There were times he had wondered what a life at the sea would have been like, at this moment in his life he imagined it was lonely. Jason found the transition from bachelor to husband extremely easy. Life was happy on his mountain with his growing family. Clancy came up behind the men and placed his hand on Jason's back when he turned around Jason saw a Clancy he had never really seen. Clancy looked distressed, tired and sober. Jason concerned inquired "Are you ill? What is this about?" Aaron responded in kind. The old sea captain asked them to follow him to his cabin where Jemma had a table set with eggs, bacon and potatoes. The three men sat down with Jason and Aaron exchanging concerned looks at each other. Clancy started " I love this ship. She has been good to me. Granted she is not a fine lady like many of the new ships you see today but she did her job and she did it well." Aaron interrupted "Why are you talking in the past tense? You are not telling us that there is a problem out here in the middle of the ocean?" Clancy chuckled "No, we are not sinking, Mr. Stempel." Jason finally asked "Why are we here? You look as if you didn't sleep at all. You are totally sober. Something is going on with you and we want to know. Can we help you in any way?" The old captain sighed "It is hard for me to believe but I am thinking of retiring, settling down with Lottie in Seattle with all of you whom I consider my family. I was wondering if the two of you were still interested in purchasing the Shamus. What do you think of that?" Jason response " I am speechless." Aaron laughed "Well, that is a first." Both men sat straight back in their chairs and stared at each other for a moment. Jason started "First, are you certain that really want to do this? If we did this transaction, there is no undoing it. We could hire you to captain it, but I am certain both Aaron and I would want you sober when you are commanding anything under our names." Aaron inquired "What is the time frame that you would hope we would purchase your ship?" Jason added "Forgive me, Clancy. You don't look like a man overjoyed with the prospect of selling the Shamus." Clancy agreed "It is hard a decision. I have found myself happier and happier when I am in Seattle with everyone. I would like to be the grandfather to your children as Lottie is the grandmother. I love this ship, but I am going to say this only once, I love all of you more." Jason acknowledged what he said by wrapping his long arm around the captain's shoulder followed by "We love you too, Captain Clancy. We all need time to think about this especially you. We will discuss further on the way home. Okay"
Allyn was situated at Essie's feat with her hands ready to grab the baby, giving the command "PUSH." Essie was tired but more than ready to get that baby out of her. Allyn stood up and said "Sorry, probably next time. Within a few minutes we will know baby girl or baby boy. Maggie are you ready to go fetch Swede but tell the rest to stay put until they are told it is okay." Candy was wiping Essie's face and encouraging her. Biddie was verifying that everything was ready for the new baby the fiftieth time. Lottie was reviewing everything with Allyn. Essie started to scream again and in unison everyone else in the room yelled push. Finally, Allyn announce that a baby boy had just joined the Seattle society. Lottie took the baby and cleaned him and placed him in the blankets arranged by Biddie. Maggie took off for the bar to tell the anxious father, Swede. Maggie charged through the door and screamed "It is a boy." Without further instructions, Swede jumped up and ran to his home where his wife and new baby awaited him. After cleaning up, all of the ladies left except Lottie who would help until the morning and the women would come in shifts to assist for a few days.
Candy, Biddie and Maggie entered Lottie's after all their tasks were completed at Essie's home. Everyone was exhausted included the men who were feeling no pain from the beer. They weren't drunk but they weren't exactly sober either. Maggie was the only one who did not appear worn out, she had never participated in a birth. She threw her arms around Josh and informed him of all the details; she was so excited. She suddenly grew quiet and asked "We have never discussed children. I hope you want them and how many do you wish?" Josh, a bit overwhelmed by her onslaught of information, answered "I never really thought about how many. I love children so how everhowever many God sends us is fine with me." Maggie kissed him "We are going to be so happy." Candy approached Jeremy a bit sheepishly. They both said at the same time "I have to tell you something." Jeremy said "Let me get this over. The guys guest that you may be pregnant. I didn't intend to." Candy stopped him and admitted the same thing happened with the women. Candy was concern that they have to tell Chris and Molly now. As they started to leave for the cabin, Candy stopped abruptly. Next, she ran outside and threw up.
Jason stood on the deck in deep thought when Jemma joined him. At first, he was not even aware of her presence until she inquireinquired "Where exactly are you ?" He was jolted out of his thought and turned to her and said "Oh, you." Jemma took his arm and rested her hear against it, "," You really aren't angry with me?" Jason wrinkled his brow, slanted his eyes and pursed his lips in his best effort to appear upset with her. His effort only resulted in both laughing and he admitted "You know I have never managed to remain angry with you for any length of time. Pixi, you are my kid sister and will always be just that no matter how old or who you have married or how many children you have. I'll always be there if you need me, but I do have my family now so maybe we could stop with some of the games." Jemma agreed "You were always our security and I don't want to lose that." Jason hugged his sister and began to stare at the ocean once again. "Okay, where are you exactly?" questioned Jemma. Jason pensively answered, "I am thinking how randomly one finds things and people that they end up loving." Concerned Jemma asked, "Are you referring to Kathleen." Jason shook his head no but responded "Clancy and this boat/ship are to what I refer. I suppose Aaron informed you that he asked if we want to buy the Shamus. I love this ship; I have great memories, but it is not exactly in the best of shape. I love Clancy and I wonder how he may react if we decide not to buy. Aaron and I asked him in the past about buying, we even researched the cost of refurbishing it. The cost of fixing it would cost as much as the ship itself, but I love this boat. This honeymoon is almost turning into a working trip. I am worried a great deal about Clancy."Jemma admiringly peered at her brother and assured him "I am certain that between you and Aaron the right decision will be made with consideration given to all the parties including yourselves. " As she walked away she said "Love you, brother."
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