*Hey, guys. This chapter is much shorter than usual. I bet you're happy about that, haha. But, uh... it's going to be bittersweet.*

Linus pounded on Rasmodius' tower door as loudly as he could, hoping and praying the wizard would answer. The wind howled, the rain came down in sheets, and the thunder rolled as lightning flashed vividly in the nighttime sky. He clung the hood of his rain poncho to his head to prevent it from being blown off, and his feet and sandals were covered in mud. He continued to knock, his knuckles aching, and bellowed out his friend's name. At last, the door flew open, a sleepy and disgruntled Rasmodius standing at the entrance. Before he could speak, Linus pushed past him and entered the tower, looking around hastily.

"Linus, what on Ear-"

"You have to change it!" Linus blubbered as he wheeled around to look at the wizard. Rasmodius put his hands out in front of him as to try to calm down his old friend. "Welwick said this morning the spirits were displeased, and it's clear that they are! It's not good! Not now! You have to help!"

"Linus, please, you're making a fuss over nothing."

Frazzled, Linus threw his hands into the air. "It's not 'nothing'! She's in labor!"

Rasmodius' eyes widened at this revelation, and he hurried to his cauldron. Now wide awake, he turned to the desk beside the cauldron, opening the book that was on it and began to flip through the pages in search of something.

"When did she start?"

Linus fumbled with the strings on his poncho. "I dunno for sure. Gus had just fed me at the saloon, and I was on my way back to the tent. I saw Shane carrying her into Harvey's, and she was-"

"When?" Rasmodius repeated, urgency in his tone.

"Uh... about forty minutes ago? Took me a while to get here..."

Rasmodius stopped flipping the pages to his book, his finger on a page. "Bring me what I tell you. I'm going to try to contact Welwick. Maybe she can do something."

Every ingredient Rasmodius listed off, Linus procured from the shelves and delivered. With precision and deftness, Rasmodius mixed it together in his cauldron, the contents bubbling and steaming, the odor not exactly pleasant. If Linus had to put a distinct naming to it, it would have been old, sweaty socks forgotten under the bed for weeks. The steam's hue turned to a smoky blue, and within time, Welwick's face appeared in it, appearing disheveled and half-asleep.

"Rasmodius? It's almost ten. What is it?" she yawned. She then turned her head slightly. "Oh. Good evening, Linus."

Rasmodius shook his head, telling her it was not exactly a "good evening". "Welwick, we need a favor from you. A big favor."

Welwick's eyebrows lifted. "This, I am not used to. What do you need?"

"Remember Maeve?" Linus questioned as he stepped closer to the cauldron.

Welwick nodded. "Of course. Pleasant girl."

"She's in labor. And the spirits-"

"-are displeased, yes," Welwick cut off Rasmodius. "How long has she been so?"

"Perhaps an hour. Maybe a little longer," Rasmodius informed. Welwick's face disappeared, and they could hear her rummaging around. This went on for several minutes, the two of them silent as they waited. Even Rasmodius grew anxious. "Welwick, tell us you can help."

"Oh, hush, you know I'm already working on it," Welwick fussed, her face reappearing. "Had I known she was to give birth today, I would have been better prepared."

Rasmodius' nose scrunched up at the comment. "Yes, well... babies tend to not announce when they are to be born."

Welwick was gone again. "Is that sarcasm, Ras? Come now. And to the person who is trying to help."

Linus' face was wracked with worry. "He's sorry! He didn't mean it!"

Rasmodius waved him off. "I very well did. Don't apologize on my behalf."

Linus opened his mouth to argue, but Welwick had returned.

"Rasmodius, reach into the smoke when I tell you." She held what appared to be a brown, woven leather bracelet out toward him. "Now."

He reached up and into the smoke, his fingers wrapping around the bracelet and pulling it out. The leather was taut, woven in what a braid would be, but it was smooth to the touch.

"Welwick-"

"Get this to Maeve as quickly as you can," Welwick instructed. "Put it around her wrist. It will negate the spirits' ill will."

Linus at once took it from Rasmodius' and headed to the door. "Thanks, Welwick."

"Yes, yes," she sighed as she heard the door open and close. She then looked to Rasmodius. "I could tell he was beside himself. That should tide him over for now. But you and I have work to do..."

XXXXXX

Walking against the staggering wind was taking everything out of Linus, and the torrential rain stung his face. The lightning lit his way, and he was able to navigate his way through the forest without much difficulty. The bracelet secured in his hand, he was determined to get it to Maeve, come hell or high water. He hoped Maeve wasn't in too much pain; he had witnessed a couple of births in his lifetime and knew what she would have to endure. Without a watch to give him the concept of time, all he could do was move as swiftly as he could... until he slipped in mud, stumbled, and crashed onto the wet ground. He felt the bracelet fling out of his grasp, and immediately, he bounced up to his knees, panicked.

"Oh... oh no..." he groaned. He began to feel around, using the lightning to guide him. "Please... please, let me-" his fingers felt the leather, and with a flash of lightning, he could see the bracelet. He picked it up and wobbled to his feet. Covered in mud and grass stains, he trudged onward. Within time, he reached the clinic and entered, at once being greeted with Maeve's agonized cry. Without a word, he made his way back to the room to see her on the medical bed, Shane beside her with one hand around her hand and the other petting the top of her head, whispering words of encouragement that was only meant for his wife to hear. Harvey was examining her, and for some reason, Maru was not in the room with her husband to help him. Harvey realized after a minute or two that someone had entered the clinic-

"I will be with you as soon as I can," he spoke without looking back. "Unless it is an emergency, I must insist-"

"Ah, no," Linus interrupted. Maeve opened her eyes that had been squeezed shut due to pain to see him there.

"Linus?" she breathed. "Oh, honey... you're soaked and di-" she clamped her mouth shut, muffling the cry she made as she threw her head pack into the pillow. Linus saw her hold on Shane's hand tighten. The look on Shane's face alone nearly broke Linus. Shane was a man who felt helpless and did only what he knew he could do, but it wasn't near enough for him.

Harvey's eyes held kindness and empathy, but also a hint of impatience. "Linus, I'm sorry, but could you please leave?"

"Wait." Linus held up the bracelet. "Miss Maeve... please, put this on."

Both Maeve and Shane were visibly confused.

"What?"

"Welwick sent it. To keep the spirits' ill will from doing any harm to you or the baby," Linus further explained.

Despite Harvey's patience, it was apparent that he was becoming agitated. "Linus, I implore you..."

"N-No," Maeve stammered. She held out her wrist to him. "Go ahead-" she cried out again, but regathered herself and smiled. "Go ahead, Linus."

As tenderly as he could, he put the bracelet on her wrist and backed away. She kept the smile on as long as she could before the pain took it away, Shane leaning down and placing his forehead on top of her head, whispering something to her.

"Thank you, Linus," Harvey spoke. "But I'm really gonna have to ask you to leave. You can sit the waiting room for the storm to pass, but-"

"Actually," Maeve cut him off, her eyes moving from Shane to Linus, "I want him to stay."

The stunned look on Harvey's face expressed all, but that wasn't what shocked Linus. What took him aback was seeing that Shane was not surprised by Maeve's request at all. In fact, he more or less seemed as though he expected it.

"Are... are you sure?" Harvey asked.

Maeve nodded. "Linus..." she held her hand to him. "Stand by me?"

Linus' chest grew tight, he throat with a lump in it that he forced back down. Shane gave him a tender smile and a single nod. Linus choked back tears as he walked to her side and took her hand into his. He had never noticed how small her hands were, or how calloused they had become from years of grueling farmwork. She was small, but so strong that it times, it scared him. Gentle and kind, her strength could be forgotten until it was time for it to show. He felt that two nails from her fingers were missing, and he was reminded of Tyler's attack. She had been so undeniably courageous, fighting Tyler until what was nearly her last breath.

And then, there was Shane. He had changed so much, and Linus couldn't possibly be any more proud of the man he had become. Shane was thirty-one now, and those years he had been "wasting" were a distant memory. Before, Linus thought Shane was weak and tried to run away from life; yet, he realized that Shane had many demons he fought- the main demon being his own destructive self- that only Maeve was blessed and trusted with to guide him through. Years later, here he was, with that same person, ready to welcome into the new world the life they had created together. They were gracing him the chance to share it with them. It was nearly too much to bear, but he managed to keep himself in check.

Harvey muttered a curse under his breath. Had they the time, it would have been optimal for her to give birth in the city. Yet, time was a luxury they did not have. He could hear Maru moving upstairs, and within minutes, she was down with them with medical instruments that had been sterilized, readying them for the upcoming birth. Grateful for his wife's help, he dedicated his full attention to Maeve. Unfortunately, they were without the means to provide Maeve with an epidural, and upon giving Maeve this information, they could hear Shane take in a sharp breath through gritted teeth. Maeve, on the other hand, only shook her head. To say she was scared would be an understatement, but there was no other way. She had to be strong. She had to endure.

Ready or not, the baby was coming.

XXXXXX

Rasmodius exhaled deeply as he leaned back from the cauldron, sweat in droplets on his forehead. Welwick had a rather pleased look on her face, and after some time, Rasmodius smirked with her.

"Not bad," he praised.

"Who do you think you're talking to? Of course I'd get it to work." Her features then softened. "Ras... you're fond of that girl, aren't you?"

Rasmodius was silent for a moment before he shrugged, as though dismissing Welwick's observation. "Perhaps. But I believe my best friend cares about her more than I do. Seeing him distraught made me uncomfortable."

Welwick gave him a smile. "I see. Well, I had better be told the second that child is born. I want to know the product of my handiwork."

"Your handiwork? I think that was all Shane and Maeve's doing."

"You know what I mean," Welwick fussed.

XXXXXX

Shane held her hand now with both of his hands, the grip she had bone-breaking. Linus had let go of her hand, one hand on her shoulder and the other softly petting the top of her head. Drenched in sweat, Maeve pushed with all she had. She had been at it for about two hours, and the baby was being persistently stubborn. Shane kept whispering to her, words that neither Linus, Maru, nor Harvey could hear; yet, Maeve heard them loud and clear, and she was ever thankful to have his presence and assistance. He had no idea just how much it meant for her to have him there, helping her through this. Had he not been, she was uncertain she could have seen it through. The pain she was in was something she could not describe, but she knew that in the end, what was waiting would make it all worth it. When her water had broken at the house, she was exceedingly apologetic, as it had soaked the bed. Shane wordlessly got her ready and carried her to the clinic in the storm, making sure to keep her dry under her raincoat as well as keeping the hood over her face and head. He had slipped once, bashing his knee on the ground and skinning it badly; she had seen the blood on his pants, but he had said nothing. He told her a story about his drunken days, about how once he had gotten so drunk at the saloon, he began to strip naked in front of everyone because he "was too hot" and thought he was at home. It was why he stayed near the bar top, so that Gus could keep an eye on him. It had kept her mind occupied, and she laughed with him.

The words he quietly told her made her heart warm:

"You can do this. I know it."

"He's coming. I'm ready. Are you?"

"Keep it up. We'll get there."

"I know you're tired. I know you hurt. But as long as you don't give up, I won't, either."

"Keep pushing, baby. He's being stubborn, but I know you're just as stubborn as he is."

"I love you."

"I've got you. Feel my hand? It's in yours. I'm not going anywhere."

Somewhere along the way, in between Shane's words and Harvey's reports, she heard the storm cease, and she could feel the air around Linus shift completely. Even she could discern something felt different, and she gave Linus a reassuring smile. His eyes shined, and he met that smile with one of his own. The bracelet stayed on her wrist, and as far as she was concerned, it would always stay there. Linus had gone to see Rasmodius and Welwick to help her, and he had waged through the storm- there and back again- all to keep her safe. The thought made her nearly burst into tears, but her concentration needed to refocus on the baby. It was time to help him now. She persisted, biting back through the pain and tears, the anxiety and exhaustion, giving everything she had into welcoming their son into the world.

Around six in the morning, the cry of a baby filled the room.

Maeve couldn't keep the tears back any longer. They escaped at last, relief and bliss bursting out of her, as she felt Shane kiss her temple, whispering, "You hear that? He's here" to her. Once Harvey and Maru had cleaned him up and checked his vitals, they handed him to Maeve, who gingerly took him into her arms and held him close to her chest. Shane sat down on the bed next to her, his hand going to the baby's head and cradling it ever so softly, and she heard it. A sniffle. She looked up to Shane to see him crying, his eyes on their son, his thumb brushing against the head full of black hair. So small... he was so small, so wonderful, so beautiful... He was their love combined and made whole into a perfect being.

"Hi, sweetheart," Maeve wept happily, her finger grazing across his cheek. "You sure took your time getting here... but we're happy that you've come."

Linus peered over Maeve's shoulder at the baby, who was looking into Maeve's eyes. He smiled at the baby, his heart full of warmth and love for the tiny being. He looked to Shane to see him wiping away his tears, but more falling. He stopped and laughed at himself before leaning down and kissing their son's forehead.

"Hey, kiddo," he spoke, everyone finally getting to hear him for the first time since the labor began. "I'm your daddy. That amazing lady holding you is your mama. Isn't she beautiful?"

Maeve blushed and shook her head. "I'm a mess. Look at me."

"Nah, you're gorgeous," Maru beamed at her. "I'm so proud of you. You did so well."

Harvey walked up to Shane and put his hand on his shoulder. "Gotta say, Shane... you did good."

Shane couldn't hide his discomfort. "I didn't do anything. She did all the work."

Maeve leaned her head against Shane's arm. "I couldn't have done this without you. You were the best birthing coach I could ever ask for." She looked at their son, then to Shane. "Ready?"

Shane nodded, and Maeve placed him in her husband's arms. Reality hit Shane again, with their son in his hold, and he started to cry again. Maeve smiled tiredly and leaned back into the pillow, her eyes on her family. Linus bent down and kissed the top of Maeve's head.

"So, what's his name?" he asked.

Maeve tilted her head up, her eyes on Linus. "Huh? You didn't see it at the shower?"

Linus was embarrassed. "I was too far away. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be, Miss Maeve."

Maeve giggled as she pat Linus' arm. "That's okay. His name is Ivan. Ivan Judah Russell."

Hearing the name, Linus' eyes were filled with shock as he processed it. The words echoed in his head for a moment, and he finally blinked and looked at Maeve... but her face was blurred. "I... He..." He struggled to find the words as he forced the tears back. He swallowed hard, a smile spreading on his face as his lips quivered. "Thank you. So much."

Maeve shook her head. "Shane and I talked about it... we should have asked you, but-"

"No," Linus cut her off, taking her hand into his own. "I'm happy. I'm proud. I can't... I can't find the right words to say, is all."

"You don't have to," Maeve reassured. "I'm glad. Thank you for being here, Linus. Really. It meant the world."

At this, a couple of tears leaked from his eyes. "I should be the one saying that, Miss Maeve." He then looked at Shane. "Thank you."

Shane nodded. "You're a part of this family, too, Linus. No need for thanks."

"Yeah, I..." Linus cleared his throat. "I think I'll give you some time for yourselves, though."

"Of course," Maeve agreed. "Thanks again, Linus."

Linus smiled, then gave an appreciative nod to Harvey and Maru for allowing him to stay. He walked out of the clinic and was greeted by the beginnings of a beautiful sunrise. The valley was still wet from last night's storm, but the skies were clear, and he could hear the birds singing as they welcomed the dawn. No one was out and about yet, and just as he started to head toward his tent, he paused... and headed to the cemetery. He was slower than usual, his body tired from pressing through the vicious storm and being awake all night. It was a short walk, and he found Judah's tombstone and sat down slowly, groaning as he muscles ached. He leaned back against it, not minding his rear getting wet, and let out a complacent sigh.

"Well, Judah," he began, his eyes on the rising sun, "I gotta say... you'd be real happy right now." He smiled and leaned his head backwards, feeling the coolness of the stone. "Shane and Maeve had their baby, and wouldn't you guess what they named it? Ivan Judah." He chuckled. "Yeah, you heard that right. Surprised me, too." He heard a bird in the distance, and he paused a moment to hear the song to its entirety. "You know they let me share that moment with them? Was a damn fine thing, it was." He shifted to get more comfortable. "Y'know, Judah... after you died, I didn't think I would ever be happy again. But, uh... I guess I was wrong about that." He blinked slowly, the tiredness catching up with him. His eyelids were heavy. "I've had a good life here, with these people. A good, fulfilling life. I can remember telling Maeve that if you could look back at life and say that it was all good, then that's all you could ask for." He closed his eyes. "It wasn't the same, not having you here. But it's still good. And that's more than I could have asked for." He opened his eyes and watched the sun as it continued to rise, painting the sky with brilliant colors. He smiled. "I think I'll watch the sunrise with you. I'm pretty tired, but this is something I haven't done in a while. Sorry about that." He let out another chuckle, then his eyes grew soft. "Oh... you know how Maeve asked me to be there? She said, 'Stand by me?' You said those same words to me so long ago. Remember?" He nodded. "Yeah. So do I."

XXXXXX

Gus walked out the saloon, his eyes focusing on someone at the graveyard. He smiled to himself, recognizing at once that it was Linus. He didn't visit Judah's grave as much anymore, so seeing him there was different. No doubt, it was because he had so much to tell him about Maeve. He decided to go talk to his friend, to hear his story as well. Knowing Linus, it was a precious moment for him, and he would want to tell Gus and Rasmodius about it. Rasmodius would act like he didn't care, but Gus was positive that the wizard would be happy for his old friend.

"Hey, Linus," he spoke as he grew closer. "I heard from Harvey that you were there during the birth. I bet you're on cloud nine, huh?" He walked around to the entrance of the small cemetery. "Judah, you listenin'?" Gus saw Linus' eyes were closed, so he smiled to himself. "Heh, did that adventure take a lot out of ya, old man? C'mon. Let's get some breakfast to wake you up."

Linus didn't stir. Gus shook his head and reached down to shake him awake-

And froze.

The sun warm against his back, he leaned back up, his eyes sorrowful, as gave a heartbroken smile at his friend.

"You old coot... you never were good at saying goodbye..." He swallowed, forcing the tears back. "He's in your hands now, Judah. Take good care of him. Okay?"

The smile that was on Linus' face was one of peace and love.