And so here lays chapter nine! When I realized it had been over a year since I updated this story I was blown away. This past year has flown by and been filled with so much craziness that I hadn't even thought to update any of my stories.
Anyway LET'S get on with the show. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and diving into the characters mind to find the write words and gestures and I think it turned out pretty well. Comment any questions you have or something/someone you might like to appear in this story. I will do my best to upload the next chapter by the end of two weeks.
HAVE a wonderful day everybody!
Cora and Edith's POV:
"Edith?!" Cora called with enthusiasm as she entered the sun room. Out of all the things Edith could have chosen to pick up as a hobby during her pregnancy, Cora was surprised at her choice of gardening and planting. Though Edith had seemed to thoroughly enjoy her time at the drake farm before the war Cora, had never expected Edith to have a green thumb. On the contrary, the expecting mother was quite good with the life forms. The sun room had become Edith's safe haven since she had arrived in New Port. Cora rounded the corner and saw Edith completely lost in her own world as one of her hands rested gently over her now round belly as she watered and tended to the flowers with the other. She stopped for a moment and began soaking in the peace that emanated from Edith. There were so many things Cora had imagined over the years as she watched her daughters grow and become women of their own. Individuals who thought for themselves without the help of anyone and had been for quite some time. She needed her children just as much as they needed her...there was no doubt about this. "Edith darling," Cora called more softly now not wanting to startle Edith as she walked closer.
The expecting mother turned her head towards Cora and gave her a welcoming smile, "Hello Ma'ma." Edith was so deep in her world that she had not even realized Cora had entered the room. She knew by her mother's enthusiastic yet calm demeanor nothing was array but there was news to be shared. "What's going on?" Edith asked curiously as Cora walked close to her, placing a hand on one cheek and leaning in to kiss the other.
"I came to tell you that that your father and your sister telegrammed with news that are on their way and shall arrive in two days," the raven announced as she leaned back and smiled while she in a motherly instinct looked Edith over making sure everything was alright. Cora could not quite tell which emotion or how many emotions she was seeing on Edith's face but they were definitely there.
"It is in this very moment, I am extremely grateful that I was truthful with them before I left or this could be quite the predicament," Edith sighed in relief but then began chuckling. "Could you imagine Mary's reaction not to even mention Pa'pa would probably keel over." She quite oddly received more pleasure picturing this then she would like to admit.
"Edith you shouldn't joke about such things," Cora giggled herself once she started picturing the scene. "Though I do say I can picture it very well." Cora was glad to know the arrival of Robert and Mary didn't upset, the ever fluctuating soon to be mother's mood but she still wanted to know her thoughts about it. "How do you feel about them coming? They will be staying for a week."
Edith shrugged her shoulders slightly as she half turned away from her mother and slowly began watering the plants once more. "To be honest Ma'ma… it frightens me and excites me all at the same time," Edith replied quietly as she set the water pail down and moved her hands to support the small of her back. "It's hard to know what it will feel like when they see me-well when they see me like this..." Edith paused as she looked and gestured down to her stomach that was big enough now to make it a very nice resting place for all sorts of objects. Her belly had finally popped as people said and she did not believe it was going to get any bigger as she was entering the thirty-third week of pregnancy. She could not believe she had made it this far already. Cora and gone to and from America multiple times now and would be remaining after Robert and Mary departed to make sure this was no chance of her missing the birth.
Cora looked her daughter over once more as Edith gestured and found nothing but beauty albeit she understood where her daughter was coming from as she had been a first time mother herself once. "Darling you are radiant and yes it might be a bit of a shock seeing you in this changed state but my dear, you have absolutely nothing to worry about," Cora tried to reassure Edith as she grabbed both of Edith's hands, gave them a firm squeeze and looked her deep in the eyes.
Edith shook her head and laughed a little as she thought about her mother's words. "Yes but you are my mother..." the blonde looked back at Cora almost in the same manner she was did when she was a child. "How am I supposed to know if they'll react to seeing me the way you did... Not everyone can be as kind as you Ma'ma, or love me the way you do."
"Edith..." Cora breathed out as she let go of one hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "No one may love you the way I do and that is exactly how it should be. I am your mother and therefore no one has the ability to love you as much as I do. It's simply impossible. But with that said your father loves you much more than you think he does and Mary will always be Mary. Her bark is worse than her bite if you get my meaning," the mother expressed with a warming smile, hoping to ease her now youngest child's worry. She was under no false pretense that things were going to simply soar without hiccups along the way but she knew they could get to the other side it they remained steadfast in each other.
Edith replayed Cora's words in her head multiple times but couldn't disperse her fears. She searched her mother's eyes to make sure they portrayed the same thing her mouth spoke and indeed they did. Edith could see how much Cora truly did love her and her soon to be living, breathing grandchild but this somehow brought about all together new feelings in Edith's heart. Her emotions everywhere, Edith did not relax at Cora's attempt to calm her nerves. Edith quickly began feeling very overwhelmed and felt her heart start beating faster as bile made it's way up her throat. She felt like the world was shaking beneath her and she couldn't tell if she physically felt sick or this was just her overthinking all of this.
Cora saw the quick change in Edith's demeanor and how her words did not have the affect she had intended. She felt Edith's grip loosen on her own and could see the color leaving her face. "Edith?" Cora reached behind to place a steady hand on Edith's back. At no response from Edith and she could clearly see Edith's eyes drifting away from her own she became very alert. "Darling are you alright?" Cora uttered for the second time sense being in the sun room.
Edith's head slowly shook no as she quickly closed the small gap between her and Cora by leaning forward and resting her head on her mother's chest. She sniffled trying not let tears fall as she brought her hand to her mouth and let her body melt into Cora's.
Cora was surprised at Edith's reaction and was stunned for a moment as Edith rested against her like she couldn't even stand on her own in the moment. "Oh Edith..." Cora had no idea what to do or say as she could feel all the things Edith was chewing on. She quickly wrapped one arm around Edith's back pulling her in closer and rested the other one on Edith's head.
"I feel so weak Ma'ma..."Cora heard barely above a whisper. "I can't-I can't," Edith stopped as her body shivered like there was a chill in the air as the words stuck at the end of her tongue.
"You can't what?" Cora pushed softly as she started stroking Edith's golden, silky hair. She did not know where this was coming from but she guessed she would most likely have many more of these with her daughter in the months to come. When Edith shook her head again as an answer and burrowed her face into Cora's chest more, Cora couldn't help but want to simply gather Edith up and take her for a stroll and not turn back till she had her little one convinced everything was going to be alright. "Can't see your father and sister? Or you can't have a baby?"
Edith pulled away from Cora and began looking around her at all the many different plants that thrived there slowly making a full 360 back to facing her mother. She met her mother's gaze right as a tear slipped from her eye and made a trail down her cheek. "I don't know if I have enough love for this child Ma'ma..." she breathed shallowly as another tear silently fell from the other eye. She reached up wiping them away as she nervously chuckled. "I'm scared she'll be like me and push me away at my first mistake and it will be all my fault because I didn't love her enough. I'm scared that I am falling in love with the idea of having this little human around and I might not be good enough...I might fail her."
Cora's head tilted to side as she read her daughters face, trying to find the right words for her own little one. As a mother herself, Cora knew there was no way to escape parenthood without any mistakes or struggles. Sometimes the days seemed heavenly and without a hiccup and then other days felt as if the world was crumbling down because of your own incompetence to do even the little things. "My dear everything in me would love to assure you with the fact that everything will work out splendidly but I'm afraid I would be lying to you..." Cora stopped for a moment as she was once again closing the gap between them, outstretching both of her hands so that they were gently resting on Edith's belly. "Edith yes you will fail her-more times than you will like to admit most likely," Cora chuckled softly as she could feel the baby kicking at her words almost like she was trying to tell her mother everything was fine.. "But its what you do with those failures that will prove your love to your child not your shortcomings themselves." Cora reached up with her thumb brushing a tear of her daughter's cheek making the bracelets on her wrist slide down with chime like sounds. "I know you better than you think and you learn from your mistakes. I have seen you step over things with great strength, not mention how fiercely you love this child already. Oh my darling one please, do not let your doubt cloud your capability. There is so much happiness in store I just know it," Cora reached out taking Edith's hands again, giving them a firm shake of reassurance.
Edith searched Cora's eyes for falter but found none. She then looked down at Cora's hands holding her own and took great comfort from the warmth they brought. "Oh Ma'ma I could never guess how you rally these hope speeches," Edith couldn't help but smile at her mother. "However did you get here? How did you raise us three and become so wise doing it...how do you know what to say?" the golden haired beauty looked up at Cora with that lost puppy look.
"Trust me when I say I had plenty of my own failures along the way," Cora laughed as she pushed one of Edith's curls behind her ear. "I mean look how I failed with you..."Cora trailed off as her voice stumbled upon these words. "I didn't know what to say to you for over 20 years."
"No Ma'ma, you did know what to say...I just wouldn't let you say it," Edith shook her head as she was the one who now grasped Cora's hand in her own and pulled it to her cheek. "I was a foolish girl who thought she could take the world on all alone and I am so so sorry for shutting you out all those years," she finished barely above a whisper as she watched tears roll down her mother's cheeks.
Cora took in the immense remorse along with nothing but complete trust and love that Edith was looking at her with and how she had pressed the back of Cora's hand to face like a child would. "My sweet girl.." she choked out as took a small step forward and cupped Edith's face in her hands as she saw that her daughter's chin was quivering. "Your independent spirit might have made it harder for me to say it," Cora smiled softly as she let her own tears spill over. "But I am your mother and I could've pushed more; do you understand? You should have never felt like you were taking on the world all alone and I will never know how to make that up to you poppet."
A slight sob escaped Edith's mouth at her mother's words. She pushed this away for so long that moments like these when her mother touched her or loved her so raw and openly that Edith crumbled. It also didn't help that her hormones were flying about everywhere like ducks trying to fly away before being shot. She sniffled trying not to become unglued as looked Cora's face over and landed back to her eyes. "Just hold me Ma'ma..." Edith whispered. "Please just hold me."
"Oh Edith," Cora breathed out as she tilted her head slightly to the side and pulled Edith in her arms.
Robert and Mary's POV:
"I feel dreadfully sick," Robert complained as the ship hit rocky waves. They were set to dock in New Port in two days time and he still wasn't sure he was going to make it. He had always been a land dweller and would remain a land dweller especially for a few months after this trip as long as anything to pressing didn't come about.
"Oh Pa'pa try not looking out window and thinking about the all the things you don't like about being on this ship," Mary sighed as she flipped the page in the book she was occupying her time with.
"I am doing no such thing," Robert puffed up like a toddler being told they had taken the last cookie.
"You are too and don't deny it," Mary replied never looking up from her page. "Now relax and stop worrying so much."
Robert pouted away to the cart to pour a brandy as his daughter continued on with her book, "Would you like anything?" He asked
"I'll have what you are having," she replied with a small smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"Oh golly," Robert chuckled. "I think I should be scared. Next thing I know you will be smoking my cigars and being called Lady of the House."
"Not to mention running the estate with a firm hand," Mary raised the glass Robert handed to her.
"You are starting to sound more and more like my mother each day. I have feeling you might even give her a run for her money in the near future," he chuckled, proud of the woman Mary was becoming.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Mary scoffed playfully.
"I say, I can't imagine what things will be like when we land," Robert changed the subject.
"What do you mean?" Mary asked as put her glass to her lips with a furrowed brow.
"Oh I don't know, just thinking about you mother and Edith. Edith must look much different by now and Cora and is probably running herself into the ground with worry.
"Well I don't know why," Mary put her book down oblivious in her own world.
"Well I can't imagine watching you or Edith go through this can be easy for her after Sybil God knows it keeps me up at night."
"I apologize that was rude of me," Mary folded her hands in her laps realizing the carelessness of her statement.
'Oh it's alright," Robert responded as he got up and placed his glass down. " I due believe I will retire to my room."
Cora and Rosamund's POV:
Rosamund walked through the front door and sighed as the thought of hot tea and a book crept up her spine. She had been gone all day it felt like and she couldn't wait to sit down.
She quickly changed and then made her way to the the library but not without asking for tea to be sent in for her. As she made her way she thought about Cora and Edith, wondering what they might have done with their day. It was only early evening but the day had lulled by. She hummed softly as she walked into the library and found a sight that she didn't know whether she wanted to gush over or be worried.
Cora was resting with her back tucked into the corner of the settee reading a book as Edith was fast asleep with her head in Cora's lap and a book open towards the tips of her hands. They looked so perfect together like mother and daughter should. Like everything was alright as long as they had one another. "Well isn't this a sight?" Rosamund smiled at Cora as she picked up a blanket and and draped it over Edith.
"Oh Rosamund, how lovely it is that you are back," Cora said thankfully as she looked down at Edith and stroked her hair softly. "I thought I was going to be keeping myself company seeing as this one might very well be out for the rest of the evening. Poor thing barely got through the first page and was falling to sleep." After their moment shared in the sun room Edith was exhausted mentally and physically and Cora had insisted she take it easy for the next few days as she was so close to delivery time.
Rosamund came with her cup of tea and sat down on an ottoman that set in front of Cora. Smiling, she she looked down at Edith with love and yet slight concern as she could see the underlying stress etched on her face even in sleep. "Is she quite alright? Was there something amiss while I was out?" she asked making her earrings shake with the movements of her head as she spoke, sending tiny clinks through the air. Rosamund took notice of the way Cora was staring at Edith once she said this she had definitely missed something. "Cora dear?"
"Everything was going splendidly till I received a telegram from Robert." Cora began as she repositioned under Edith slightly and turned her attention to her sister-in-law.
Before Cora had a chance to go further Rosamund interjected, "would you like me to sit with her while you make yourself some hot tea?"
"Yes please and maybe with a dash of something stronger," the raven chuckled as she gently lifted Edith's head from her lap and began standing up after Rosamund grabbed her head to support and take Cora's place. Edith stirred slightly as Rosamond rested Edith's delicate head on her legs but as soon as Rosamund started playing with her curls and running her pinky down the bridge of her nose the young woman settled.
"Now what is this telegram from Robert all about?" Rosamund inquired as she twirled her foot slowly.
"Well apparently he and Mary will be here within the next two days or so to visit," she replied as she was now the one taking a seat on the ottoman and stirring her own cup of tea. She brought the cup close to her to savor the warmth is was giving off.
"Did it upset her?" Rosamund questioned as she felt Edith tense under her hand.
"I don't believe that fact that they are coming upset her but I think it overwhelmed her because when I came to go tell her she was tending to her plants and seemed lost in thought already," Cora spoke softly as she watched Rosamund sit with Edith. She took note of how much Edith actually did resemble Rosamund and how perfect they looked together.
"Do you wanna talk about what happened?" Rosamund poked as she took a sip of her tea.
"Oh I don't know..." Cora trailed off as she took comfort in seeing Editha sleep. "She seemed so fragile today I don't know how to explain it. In no way shape or form was she untethered like she was the weeks before and after leaving for here but she was lost in all the outcomes of this situation again. Doubting her ability to be a mother and her ability to love her child enough."
"Well that's ludicrous! It's quite clear she loves her child already," the red haired beauty fussed as she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"That's what I said to her!" Cora replied shaking her head. She reached forward, gently stroking Edith's cheek as she saw her nose scrunching some as though she was uncomfortable.
Rosamund noticed it too and lowered her voice even further in hopes not disturb her niece. "The girl has always doubted things at the end of the day and most of all herself."
"I brought up the hard things from before this baby had pushed us back together and she seemed to believe it was all her fault that things were so terrible between us, which is what I think began the cycle of self doubt. I mean its normal for all parents to question themselves but she was making it seem like one wrong step with this baby will determine their entire relationship. I do believe she is scared her child will be like her in more ways than one ," Cora laid out what had transpired or did her best to anyways. "Oh Roz she seemed like such a child herself today. At one point she got so overwhelmed I thought she was just going to faint from it all."
"My poor dear," Rosamund cooed as rested her hand on Edith's shoulder. "Were you able to calm her or did she just shut down?"
"By the end of it all she just wanted me to stay and not leave her hence why you found us here. She was so exhausted I was worried for the baby and just wanted her to sit down and rest," right as Cora uttered these words Edith whimpered softly and her hands repositioned to her stomach.
Cora and Rosamund looked at each with concerned eyes as the raven sunk to her knees on the floor so she was right in front of Edith's face. With one hand going to rest on top Edith's own hand, she used her free one to trace soft lines on Edith's forehead hoping everything was alright. Edith's head pulled away almost like she trying to get away from something as she began to whimper again. "Edith? Dear are you alright?" Rosamund asked softly as Cora squeezed Edith's hand a bit.
Edith's eyes then shot open as she let out low groan and quickly grabbed a hold of Cora's hand tightly and pulled into her chest while her other one clutched her her belly.
"Honey what's wrong?" Cora choked out as she could see could clearly see the pain etched into Edith's features.
Her daughter's only response was more whimpering as her head tipped back into Rosamund's thighs as her hand left her belly and started grasping for the material on the settee, turning her knuckles white instantly.
"Try and take a deep breath Edie," Rosamund instructed as she looked down at Edith's face and could see fear. Edith only slightly nodded as she looked into her aunt's eyes. "Okay good, now breathe with me." Rosamund then began a deep breathing pattern as she met Cora's gaze with all the worry in the world. Cora though from having given birth herself had a feeling Edith might be experiencing a Braxton Hicks. Cora without hesitation placed both her hands on Edith's stomach and could feel the spasm's beneath her hands along with how tight everything was.
"Ma'ma what's happening?" Edith cried out as she arched her back some and grabbed Cora's hands even tighter
"It's going to be alright baby just keep working on breathing with your aunt Rosamund you hear me?" Cora said calmly hoping this was nothing more an intense Braxton Hicks. Edith nodded as she refocused on Rosamund's face watching her breath hoping her mother was right.
"Cora what's wrong with her?" Rosamund asked slightly frantic.
"If my suspicions are correct she is experiencing a Braxton hicks," Cora replied as she stood up quickly heading to ring the bell. "I think everything is alright but I am going to ring for her doctor just in case."
"Intense all right!" Edith chimed in as she buried her face into Rosamund's stomach trying to relax as she moaned feeling everything contract once more.
Cora hurried back over to them and began trying to help. "Edith do you think you can turn on your side for me?" Cora asked softly as she stroked Edith's hair.
Edith replied by turning all the way over on her side so her face was to Rosamund and her back to her mother. Cora helped roll her over and than began applying pressure to Edith's lower back hoping it would help. "Hold on baby it should stop soon," the worried mother tried her best to assure. "The doctor will be here shortly and then we will make sure everything is perfect with you and baby."
Edith nodded her head in acknowledgment but then began moaning as she grabbed on to Rosamund's arm for support. "If this is going to be what the entire birth feels like I am not going through this!"
Cora knew that childbirth would be just as intense for Edith and much more so considering how how strong her Braxton hicks was(lord willing that's what was happening.) "It's a little late to turn back now dear...this baby is coming out whether you want it to or not."
That concludes this chapter! I left you on a bit of a cliffhanger but I promise I will be updating soon.
RL:)