Chapter 30: A New Life Begins

"It's too soon for her to be having the baby…it's a bad omen," Marcus commented, pacing in front of the fireplace in the library. He was raking his hands through his hair, and his usually well-groomed appearance was not so tidy. From the moment Lexie had woken him, feeling some pains, it had progressed quickly to the point that they were at now.

Derek was seated in one of the wing chairs, watching Marcus pace. Link and Lucien had stayed with them for a while, but soon decided they could leave to attend to other matters. Both of them had spent their share of time waiting on the birth of children and knew it would be awhile before anything would happen. There wasn't much point in all of them sitting inside, after all; the older boys could likely use some time outdoors sledding.

"Pacing is not going to help," Derek pointed out.

Marcus scowled. "I seem to recall you being rather out of control when Meredith was having your first child. You can't tell me that you don't feel the same way still. Hell, you didn't even wish for her to become pregnant again…"

"Ah, yes, but now I make sure to be there for the birth. At least I know how she is at all times."

"That is very unconventional, is it not?"

Derek shrugged elegantly, crossing one ankle over his other knee. "Perhaps, but I don't care. If Meredith needs me, I won't be shut out."

Marcus dropped into the other chair, rubbing his temples. "Maybe I should do that..."

"You have every right to be there. Dr. Wilding would likely not object. He is very forward thinking, from what I have seen of him."

"No, maybe not..." Marcus sighed. "I'm not sure if I'm ready for that either...but on the other hand...if something goes wrong..."

"Meredith is with her, she will be sure to communicate how things are going," Derek assured him, getting up to ring for Winston. "Now, I believe we could both use something to drink."

"Yes, I believe you are right." Marcus dropped his head into his hands. "What if something happens to the baby...if it's born too soon...?"

"In my experience with women and childbirth...they are stronger than we ever imagine, and babies are very resilient. There must be a valid reason for the birth to happen now, and it will all work out." Derek turned as Winston entered the room silently, bearing a tray with a crystal decanter of whiskey, and two tumblers. He hadn't needed a request from Derek; his experience in this sort of situation had prepared him.

"Thank you, Winston." Derek nodded at him. "Will you send word to Lady Meredith to join us if she is able to?"

"Indeed, my lord."

"Excellent."

Derek poured them both a strong shot of whiskey and handed the glass over to his old friend. "Here. Drink up."

Marcus took the glass thankfully and swallowed the strong drink without pausing. "I swear, this is the last time she goes through this."

"Do we really have any say in the matter?" Derek grinned, sipping his own drink. "If our wives want a baby, they have a way of getting around our objections. Trust me on this."

"Oh, I am well aware of that. Still...if it involves heartache if something goes wrong..."

"Do not cross that bridge yet." Derek refilled the empty glass in Marcus' hand. "Now, relax."

Upstairs, Meredith patted a cool cloth over Lexie's forehead, wishing there was something else she could do. Dr. Wilding seemed to think everything was going along well, all things considered. Somehow it all seemed different, not being the one giving birth; all of her memories seemed to focus only on the end result. She had forgotten about the long hours of waiting, and the never-ending suffering as the contractions came and went.

Lexie sucked in another breath, squeezing Meredith's hand as a contraction took hold of her again. "Good, you're doing good," Meredith murmured.

"That's it, Lady Alexandra," Dr. Wilding said, "it should not be much longer. This little one is very anxious to join you."

"Oh, my goodness I hope so..." Lexie panted. "I'm so thirsty...Meredith, is there any water?"

Looking around the room, Meredith realized the water jug was empty, and Rose had left for more towels. "I'll get some, all right?"

"Yes, all right...I will be here..." Lexie smiled weakly.

Meredith gathered her skirts and picked up the water jug. She could have called for Esme, or one of the other maids, but she needed to stretch her legs for a moment. Once she stepped out in the corridor, she saw Winston approaching from the other direction.

"My lady, let me take that." He took the jug from her hands. "His Grace sent word they are in the library, if you are able to spare a moment."

"Oh, of course." She smoothed her hair back. "Just send someone with a fresh pitcher of water up for Lady Alexandra."

"Very good, my lady." He paused briefly. "I should tell you that Henry was filching items again last night. I retrieved them all, should anyone be looking for them."

"Thank you, Winston. He is quite the thief, isn't he?" Meredith had to smile. "I'll tell the girls to keep a closer watch on him."

"If I may say so, my lady, Henry is a consummate escape artist as well as a thief," Winston told her gravely. With a hint of a smile, he bowed to her and then departed with the empty water jug.

Derek heard Meredith's light steps and he turned as she entered the library. He put aside the book he had been leafing through, while Marcus alternated between pacing and drinking. "Ah, there you are, love," he greeted her, standing up to take her hands. "How are things going with Lexie?"

"Good, she's doing well."

"Will it be much longer?" Marcus asked hopefully. "What has Dr. Wilding said?"

Meredith patted his arm. "He is quite confident that the babe is well on the way to arrival, so it should not be a long labor."

"Thank god for that."

"Yes, you would be quite foxed if you had to wait all day," Derek grinned, looking at the now half-empty decanter on the sideboard.

Marcus closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair. "Maybe I'll just rest for a moment."

"Good idea. I will speak with Meredith alone for a few moments," Derek told him. He put his arm around her waist and walked with her to the corridor. Closing the library door behind him, they strolled quietly for a few paces.

"And how are you doing, my dear?" he asked. "Do you need to have some food or some tea?"

"I'm fine, Derek. My appetite is just not so good these days, it seems." Her own pregnancy nausea had been manageable, but watching Lexie go through labour was unsettling her. As they neared a secluded alcove, Derek pulled her against him, cradling her in his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, and closed her eyes. "I feel so helpless, and I am so worried about the baby..."

"Hush, sweetheart...you have gone through this yourself; you know it will be all right," Derek soothed her, rubbing her back gently. "Lexie needs you to be strong. Have faith in yourself, and your ability to help her through this."

"You're right," Meredith sighed deeply. "It must be my own condition that is making me this way; too emotional..." She lifted her face to him, and he brushed a kiss over her lips.

"And I love you the way you are, and I know that underneath the delicate emotional facade, you are stronger than any other woman I know." He claimed her lips again, a little more passionately, as she molded herself against him tightly. Desire for her hummed in his veins, fueled by the remembrance of their previous night's passion. Her tongue danced with his, as she returned the kiss, taking comfort and strength from him. For a few moments, they stayed there, until he lifted his lips away from her slowly. "Feeling better?" he asked gently, cupping her cheek.

"Much. You are the best medicine," she smiled. "Now, I should get back to Lexie."

He kissed her forehead. "I love you, now go...we will be awaiting the happy news of the birth..."

Meredith returned to find Dr. Wilding and Rose having a rather heated argument about the temperature of the room. There was a large fire going, and the curtains were closed as well, keeping the room in shadows, while candles flickered as the only light. It did feel rather stifling, but it was the usual custom to avoid chills, as Meredith recalled.

"It is far too warm in here," Dr. Wilding was saying, "the room needs more fresh air, and light. It feels like a dungeon in here."

Rose folded her arms over her chest. "You may be a fine physician, but that makes no sense…we have always kept the room this way during births. The mother needs to be kept warm."

"At least open the curtains, Miss Rose." He glanced towards Meredith for her opinion in the matter. "Lady Meredith, it may be customary to keep the room dark and hot, but the new thinking is to make things more bright and airy…perhaps not going so far as to open a window at this time of year…but no good comes of making poor Lady Alexandra sweat so profusely…"

Longing for some relief from the heat herself, Meredith nodded in agreement. "Of course, that makes sense to me. Rose, please open the curtains and let the fire burn down some before adding wood."

Rose opened her mouth to retort but thought better of it. "Very well." It wasn't her place to argue, even if she thought the good doctor was wrong. Also, if Lady Meredith was willing to go along with it, perhaps it was not that unreasonable. Her Grace was practical in that regard, she mused, as she marched open to pull the heavy draperies apart, letting the winter sunlight brighten the room.

From the bed, Lexie called out, pulling Meredith's attention back to her. "Just open the curtains…please…" Her hair was in a tangle, and her skin was damp with perspiration. "Please…tell me this baby is coming out soon…" She doubled over, her fingers clutching the sheets, as the pains swamped her again. "It must…it must be close…"

"If I may…" Dr. Wilding bent to examine her, mindful of the modesty of his patient. He was aware that not all women were able to deal with a male doctor for childbirth, relying on midwives for the most part. Lexie could only nod, holding onto Meredith's hand again. "Good, all right then…I can see the head now…just bear down…"

For the next while, the time passed in a blur, as Lexie concentrated on the delivery, while Meredith helped her as best she could. Holding her upright as it seemed to help, and wiping the sweat from her face, until finally Dr. Wilding looked up with a jubilant smile holding the slippery baby in his hands.

"Congratulations, Lady Alexandra…you have a girl!"

"Oh…thank god…" Lexie sighed, falling against Meredith, tears of joy and relief on her face. "Is she…is she all right?"

"Just give me one moment…" He busied himself cutting the cord, before examining the baby carefully. "She looks perfect, in every way. She is tiny, but that was expected…" He handed her over to Rose to clean and wrap in a fresh towel.

"She's not crying…" Lexie said. "Why isn't she crying?"

"Ah, my lady…" Rose smiled, handing over the infant, "sometimes they are quiet…" But then the baby wailed loudly, and Lexie held her against her chest tightly, until the wail died away to a soft whimper.

"All is well," Meredith smiled. "She is precious, Lexie. Look how exquisite she is…"

"Yes, she is…" Lexie's eyes were shining, as she touched the tiny head, the little scrunched up face, and the small hand that escaped from the swaddling.

"She will need extra care at first," Dr. Wilding observed, "but I can assure you, she will be just as healthy as your other children."

"Thank you…"

"I'll get Marcus," Meredith said, patting Lexie's shoulder. "He will be so relieved!"

"Poor man," Lexie laughed softly, but she slumped against the pillows, suddenly very tired. Her eyes swept shut, and she seemed to fall asleep, still cradling the baby against her.

"Is she all right?" Meredith asked worriedly, getting up and shaking her skirts out.

"The labor took a lot out of her," Dr. Wilding commented, as Rose took over the task of looking after Lexie, sponging away the effects of the birth. Esme had arrived as well, with fresh sheets, and they worked on changing the bedding as Meredith spoke with Dr. Wilding. "You know yourself, rest is the best thing right now, for both of them. I will leave some herbal powders, if she needs some pain relief later, and do not hesitate to send for me if there seems to be something wrong." He washed his hands again and rolled his shirt sleeves down.

"Thank you again." They moved into the corridor, where the air was blessedly cooler. "Please, stay for something to eat, if you like."

"I should go." He adjusted his jacket and straightened his cuffs. "I trust you are still feeling well, Lady Meredith?"

"Oh yes…no problems."

"Good. Again, send for me if you need help, otherwise I will return in a day or so to make sure everything is progressing as it should."

"I appreciate that. Now, I must tell Marcus he has a new daughter…they have two sons and a daughter already, so now it evens out."

"Very good. Take care of yourself, my lady. I will see myself out." He gave her a quick bow, and they parted company.

Meredith hummed happily to herself, as she hurried away to the library – in a few months from now, she would be the one giving birth again, and despite the pain it would bring, she was looking forward to that moment of first holding the infant. As she passed the nursery, she took a moment to check on her own children. Most of them were busy with games, but James was there with Meggie. "Meggie, how is he?" she asked, picking him up, and kissing his chubby cheek.

"He is happy as usual, my lady, more so now that you are here."

"I will take him to see Derek. Lady Alexandra just delivered a healthy baby girl!"

"Oh, thank heavens…we were all worried, my lady."

"All is well, and a life begins…" Meredith smiled, as James giggled in her arms. "Let's go find Papa…and Uncle Marcus…"

Later in the evening, after Lexie had rested, and the baby had settled in and managed to take some milk, Marcus carefully settled beside Lexie on the bed. Their other children had been in to see her and been assured all was well with their mother before Amelia ushered them back to the nursery.

"You can hold her, you know," Lexie smiled.

"She just seems so much smaller than I remember the others," he admitted, as he carefully accepted the blanket wrapped bundle from her.

"I guess she wanted to be here for Christmas."

"She is the best Christmas gift you could give me, sweetheart." He touched her tiny hand gently. "What shall we name her?"

"Hmm...something festive? Holly...? Or Caroline, for carols?"

Marcus thought for a moment. "Why not Noel? Noel means Christmas and she is our Christmas gift. Also, what if her second name is Meredith? The two of you are so close and her as well as Derek have been nothing but kind to us."

Lexie leaned against him, and he slid one arm around her, while keeping the baby close. "Yes...Noel Meredith...what do you think?"

"I think...it's just perfect..."

Mark named his daughter, that's so sweet! What do you think about the baby's name?