Rosamund raced up the stairs with who she assumed to be Mary right behind her though she never turned around to to check. All she could think about was getting to Edith. When the maid relayed the news all hope that maybe Edith had just wanted to talk to Cora evaporated and she knew she was about to walk into...well she didn't exactly know but she knew it couldn't be good.
"Try and take a deep breath Edith," Cora encouraged as she got down bed beside her daughter so she could see Edith's face. "You squeeze my hand as hard as you need to till it passes." The only response Cora received was a small head shake as Edith tightened her hold on her hand.
"I can't do this," Edith whimpered as she tried her best to steady her breath though it felt useless. She didn't even know if this was real labor and it hurt like hell.
"Yes you can," Cora soothed stroking Edith's hair hoping to calm her down. The more upset Edith got the more intense this was likely going to be for her. "I am right here for you darling everything is going to be alright.
"Ma'ma ...I'm not ready," she cried in fear more than pain, turning her eyes towards Cora. Whether she could say it not Edith and Cora both knew this was no false alarm.
Before Cora could answer the door opened and in came a worried looking Rosamund and puzzled Mary right behind her.
Cora got up immediately going to Rosamund leaving Edith still on her knees trying to cope. "Got sit with your sister," Cora motioned to Mary who went to Edith without questions asked. She then closed all the space she could between herself and Rosamund hoping Edith would not hear her. "Something tells me this is it..."
"Are you sure?" Rosamund asked looking back at an already tired Edith.
"This is most likely pre labor but this is definitely the start," Cora took a deep breath. "Robert should have informed Dr. Edwards by now but who knows how long it could be till she's actually ready."
"What was I thinking?" Edith asked regretfully, to no in particular.
"You weren't," Mary said simply giving her sister a mischievous smile as she helped Edith get of her knees.
"Not funny," Edith shot down giving Mary a lazy smirk as she did her best to gain her composure while she had some relief.
Cora thought ahead and began telling the maid to get her this and that before going to Mary's side. "Rosamund I am going to need your help changing the bed sheets while Mary stands with her. The things we will need should be up any minute. Do you think you can to stand?"
Edith was sitting on the edge of the bed hanging her legs over looking up at Cora who stood in front of her. "I might as well give it ago while things are at a stand still," it was then that she leaned forward resting her head against Cora's stomach. "I should've listened to you..."
Cora could've easily gave into her feelings and scolded her pushing herself past the edge but instead she gently draped her arms around Edith's back and took a deep breath as she moved her hands up and down slowly. "Now is not the time to think about that darling, we are where we are and the only thing we can do now is try to remain calm to help your body and the baby feel safe of enough to give birth."
Cora felt Edith nod her head in acknowledgment before she pulled away pushing the hair out of her face as she took a deep breath. "You're right just help me through this."
"I'll be by your side the whole time..." Cora looked at Edith giving her a motherly look of encouragement. "Now let Mary and I help you up."
The afternoon had faded into early night and things had only gotten more intense as the labor intensified. Dr. Edwards had said to ring him again once things had progressed further so in the meantime everyone was taken shifts helping Edith through the different transitions; except for Cora who had faithfully stayed at Edith's side. Edith was currently walking back and forth, supporting her back with her hands trying her best to take her mind off what was happening. That she was hours away from meeting her child for the first time. Hours away from being a mother for the rest of her life. Hours away from being solely responsible for an innocent life. Her heart burst at the thought of seeing her baby's face for the first time and yet she felt hesitant that she could even make it there. She was trying not to think negatively and remain calm like her mother said but she was finding out labor was just as much of an emotional experience as it was a painful one.
"What are you thinking about?" Cora asked from the end of the bed watching Edith bite her lip as she slowly walked back in forth in front of Cora.
Edith slowed down a little bit, beginning to move her hands in circles on her belly, "things I should not be thinking about right now."
Cora smiled at her daughter empathetically understanding the up and down merry go round Edith was on. "Would you like me to talk to you? Help distract you maybe?"
"Anything to stop that," Edith chuckled weakly throwing a glance at her mother. "I feel like this is going on forever and I have this suspicion that I am not even half way through.
Cora chuckled nodding in affirmation as she knew Edith still had a ways to go. "If you ask me, the first child always takes the longest. The body has never done it before...doesn't know how to handle it. Where as the second child, the body knows what is expected of it. You came five hours sooner than Mary and Sybil came 6 before you. Though Mary was my longest birth, Sybil was my most difficult, and you were my scariest birth," Cora talked hoping to capture Edith's mind in something else.
"What do you mean?" Edith furrowed her brow as she paused and leaned on the dresser for support.
"You came into this world with the umbilical cord wrapped around your neck," Cora told as she looked Edith over all the while remembering the night and the fear she had felt. "I had never been so scared in my life. Your little face and lips were pale and you weren't crying. I thought the worst instantly but I should've known you were a fighter. I couldn't stop worrying though I didn't take my eyes off of you all night."
"I never knew that..." Edith tilted her head thinking about what her mother had told her. She wondered for a brief a moment if her child would go through the same thing. "How did you deal with the fear? "
"Fear is not something you deal with. I think the only thing you really can do is face it," Cora explained standing up to get rag from the water basin as she could see sweat beading at the center of Edith's forehead. "Here let me help." Cora wrung the rag out and began clearing the building perspiration as Edith closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
"My back is killing me," Edith whispered grimacing some.
"Do you want me to run you a bath?" Cora asked as she placed the rag down.
"Soon but not yet. I feel like another one might be coming on, will you help over to the bed?" Edith asked breathlessly reaching her hand out to Cora for support..
"Of course," Cora answered taking Edith's hand and guiding her to the bed.
"Oooo..." Edith groaned as she stopped walking and grabbed onto the standing bedpost.
"It's alright, keep breathing," Cora offered as she moved to rub Edith's lower back. "Do you wanna lie down and or keep standing?"
"Keep standing," Edith breathed deeply closing her eyes as she leaned over gripping the bed with both hands now. "Mhmmm-"
"You have this darling," Cora encouraged as she pressed in with her thumbs hoping it would help.
"I don't feel like I have it," Edith scoffed weakly, standing up slowly and turning to lean on Cora. "I feel like I'm being torn apart."
"Do you need anything?" Cora asked sympathetically as she played with Edith's hair.
"I think I would like that bath now and maybe some water my mouth is so dry," the laboring woman groaned in annoyance.
"Will you be okay if I go get your Aunt to help me?" Cora asked pulling back some and leading Edith to the bed.
"Yes just help me sit down," Edith replied squeezing Cora's hand tightly as the contraction worsened for a moment and she sat her water glass down.
"Easy does it," the raven mumbled as she lowered her daughter onto the bed.
Once her mother had left the room Edith began doing her best to keep doing the breathing techniques she knew and find her way to the next moment successfully. The further she progressed in labor the more real it all became. She was going to be a mother. She was going to have a baby. She was about to go through what was most likely going be the most painful experience of her life and yet she had a feeling the most beautiful. Though she was terrified she was also overwhelmed by the thought of finally belonging. She would belong to her child and her child would belong to her. She wouldn't be alone anymore.
When Rosamund and Cora entered Edith's bedroom they found her asleep on her side with one hand resting protectively on her stomach while the other laid loosely beside her head on the pillow.
"Were we gone that long?" Rosamund asked turning to Cora jokingly.
"Poor thing is exhausted already. I have been desperately praying this goes quicker for her than my first did," Cora answered softly so they didn't wake her. "She most likely won't have many more chance do this so I am glad she is getting some rest in."
Rosamund smiled at Cora in response as she turned to look at Edith. She looked quite calm especially to what she had been earlier. "Why don't you go get some rest yourself while things are quiet, you have not left her side for hours. You need your strength just as much as she does," Rosamund reached out touching Cora's arm. "I will stay with her don't worry."
"Are you sure?" Cora asked looking over to Edith hesitant to leave her daughter.
"Positive," Rosamund gave Cora a reassuring smile. "I will take care of her I promise."
Cora remained silent and moved her gaze towards the sleeping figure of her daughter and unborn grandchild. 'What if she needs me while I'm gone?' Cora silently asked herself. 'Or worse something goes wrong and I am not here-' her mind turned leaving Rosamund without an answer.
"You'll be of no use to her when she actually needs you if you don't properly rest now," Rosamund tried to persuade, seeing the lack of sleep and too little food taking it tolls on the worried mother. "You know I think of her as my own and I'll make sure she is properly looked after...you can trust me."
Cora turned to meet Rosamund's bright blue orbs and caved a little bit seeing all the kindness and affection that rested in them "I don't know what I would do without you," she choked a little bit. "Thank you Rosamund truly, for everything you have done not just for Edith but also for me. This has been more to take then I could have ever realized and I want you to know that neither of us could have made it through to this if it weren't for you, and for the record I trust you completely...and so does she and she needs you just as much as she needs me."
Rosamund sniffled looking down trying to blink away the tears as she patted Cora's hand that was holding her own. "That means the world to me Cora... since Marmaduke passed I have spent so much time alone only having to worry about myself and well let's just say it's nice to be needed again," she smiled briefly studying the features of Cora's face. "Now go take care of yourself before things speed up."
"Send for me if you need me at all, things are gonna get a lot harder here soon and I want her to feel safe," Cora smiled back in appreciation.
"I will make sure of it," Rosamund began walking Cora back to the door. "Now go."
After Cora had left, Rosamund took to reading a book next to Edith's bed hoping not to disturb her. She couldn't believe that after everything they were finally here. After all the talks, all the plans, all the struggle, and all the good things they had come to this moment. Soon Edith would be a mother and they could go to the next phase of the plan... getting Edith home and her story straight. She worried how the world would treat her niece, questioned whether or not Edith's resolve would be strong enough to hold herself up through the first year of whispers. She would give Edith her undoubted support through everything but she wondered if that be enough for the young woman. Though she had never bore children she understood the requirements and the strain. Raising a child on your own was going to be no easy task. But if anyone could take this on it was Edith and she had feeling she was going be a mother any child could be proud of.
"Aunt Rosamund...?" Edith's pained voice spoke up and Rosamund turned to find heavy eyes staring at her in questioning. "Where's Ma'ma?"
"I finally convinced her to go get some rest while you were sleeping about an hour or so ago," Rosamund smiled softly as she stood from her chair and moved to the bed. "How are you feeling after some rest?"
"More or less the same... how long did I sleep?" she asked trying to sit up some.
"Over an hour," Rosamund answered leaning forward to put an extra pillow behind her head.
Edith remained quiet as she laid back looking up at ceiling trying to wake up. Not that she had to try for long as a contraction grabbed her bringing her from the cloud of sleep in an instant. "Oohhhh," she moaned out as her back arched and her teeth bared down in pain.
"I am with you Edith," Rosamund assured as Edith faced the contraction. "Here take my hand." This being the first birth Rosamund had ever witnessed she was not familiar with intensity or the pain though she had heard of it. A second hand telling was nothing in comparison to how it actually was to watch someone go through it especially your own flesh and blood. She wanted to trade places with Edith but all she could do was try and help her through it.
"OH god," Edith whimpered as she reached out quickly taking Rosamund's hand and pulling it into her chest. "Ow ow ow!" she closed her eyes and turned her head away from Rosamund.
"You are doing wonderful darling," the older woman stroked the side of Edith's head that was towards her. "It's going to pass just keep breathing."
Edith only shook her head violently as a cry escaped her mouth. "We both know that is- is not true, this is far from passing.." she kept her head turned and cried.
"Edith look at me," Rosamund instructed gently as she rubbed the backside of her hand along Edith's cheek. She slowly turned her head meeting Rosamund's loving gaze with a pained one. Rosamund's heart broke to see how much pain Edith was in but she knew she had to remain strong for her. "I know i don't understand what you are going through but I do know you are going to make it thought this very soon with a beautiful child to show for all of this pain. You've got this," she squeezed the blonde's hand tightly. "Understand?"
"O-okay," Edith choked out as she she softly nodded her head. "Just come hold me till it passes..." she said like a child afraid to be alone.
"Anything you need," Rosamund reassured as she instanly gathered Edith up in her arms so that Edith's head was resting on her chest while one arm held her and the other remained firmly clutched in her grip. "I am right here," she mumbled against her niece's hair and placed a kiss. Rosamund felt Edith's back arch and her body tense as the contraction only worsened. Edith's head dug back into her chest muscle and she could see sweat building between her brow. "You are doing so good Edith."
Edith opened her eyes and looked up into her aunt's eyes almost searching for the strength to continue as she let out a weak sob. "Do you promise to be there for her like you were for me?" she asked barely above a whisper.
Rosamund was taken aback by this question and tears gathered in her eyes. "You listen to me and you listen to me very closely little one," Rosamund choked as a tear fell from her eye and she grabbed the sides of Edith's face looking down at her. "I love you more than life itself and I will love your child just the same. You are my heart you hear me? Nothing in this world matters more to me than you and this child," she finalized as she reached her hand down and placed it gently on Edith's stomach.
Edith breathed out heavily at her aunt's words and turned her head into the older woman's neck for comfort, "I love you," she sniffed softly.
Cora woke to Mary shaking her and Edith's distant wails and was immediately alert and sitting herself up.
"She's asking for you.." Mary stated skipping straight to the point. "I think she transitioned it might be time to ring Dr. Edwards."
"Hand me my robe," Cora stated as she slipped her slippers on and stood.
Cora quickly exited her room and thankfully did not have to go far thanks to the switching of rooms. As Cora reached the door the wails grew louder and her heart sped up. She burst through the door to find Edith panting on all fours as Rosamund massaged her lower back.
"Edith darling I am here now..." she gingerly spoke as she knelt next to the bed so Edith could see her face.
Edith twisted her head to look at Cora with a tear stained face.
"Oh baby..." Cora murmured as she reached up wiping some of the tears away. "How are you holding up?" she asked.
Edith was breathing heavily and her hand came over quickly grabbing Cora's hand squeezing it tightly. "I'm not ready for this..." she whimpered as her face scrunched up in in pain.
"No one is ever ready to become a parent love but trust me when I tell you if anyone is prepared for it, it's you Edith. You are so strong and you have such a beauitful heart that is going to love and care for this child fully and deeply," Cora leaned down and kissed Edith's hand. "I believe in you, now it's time to believe in yourself and if you can't do it for yourself do it for your baby."
Edith nodded firmly and sniffled as she let go of her mother's hand and grabbed the sheet again. "I want to get into the bath for a little bit..." she winced as began getting off all fours.
"Let me help you poppet," Cora replied with a smile as she began helping Edith off the bed. "Rosanund and Mary will you go draw the bath and get everything ready?"
"Of course," Mary answered as she headed straight for Edith's bathroom. Rosamund kissed Edith's head before she followed behind Mary.
"Go slow now," Cora stated as Edith held onto her shoulders and she supported her, walking her towards the bathroom.
"Ooooo-aaaaa-," Edith moaned pausing as she went down some giving way to the contraction.
"Keep holding onto me it's alright," Cora comforted as she got under Edith's elbows to try and hold her up. "Lean on me as much as you need to."
Edith took a deep breath through her nose as she grabbed onto Cora's forearms firmly trying to get through. "Let's walk again-" Edith winced through gritted teeth as she pushed forward.
"You've got it," Cora supported
Just as they reached the bathroom Edith let out a deep groan as she reached down clutching her belly. Rosamund came over quickly helping Cora support her as her knees started to bend. "Maybe this isn't a good idea..." Mary spoke up. "Shouldn't we just get her back in the bed?"
"No!" Edith looked up shaking her head. "I want to get into the water," she said blatantly.
"I think it will help her most likely," Cora agreed looking at Edith sympathetically as she brushed the damp hair out of her face. "Mary would you go get a new nightdress out and ready for her and the covers stripped to the sheet but leave the pillows. Rosamund help her stand why I get her dress off." When Cora went to let go Edith stopped her and let her head fall forward so her forehead was resting on Cora's chest.
"Wait I need a minute..." she panted hard.
"Take all the time you need," Cora responded softly placing her hands on the back of her head as Rosamund rubbed her back.
Edith took a deep breath before standing up straight and reaching for her aunt's hand. "I feel so hot..." she groaned.
"I know you are," Cora murmured as she could see the hair sticking to Edith's neck and face. "Let's get you in the water it will help cool you down," she said as she helped Edith slip the nightdress off.
"Come on dear," Rosamund led Edith over to the tub while Cora got rid of the dress. "Take your mother's hand and we will help you ease in to it," Rosamund instructed as Cora walked to the other side of tub.
"Mhmmmm," Edith breathed out as she slid down into the water, put her legs out and let her head rest on the edge. "What did I get myself into?" she mumbled moving her head side to side slightly.
"It's all going to be worth it in the end, I promise you," Cora smiled empathetically as she stroked Edith's hair. "You are doing so well... i couldn't be prouder."
Edith's lip begin to quiver as she looked at her mother. "You know you are the best mother I could have ever asked for," she reached out touching her mother's face.
Cora's smile went all the way to her eyes and a tear trailed down her cheek as she took her hand and placed it over daughter's. "And you are special you know that?" Cora chuckled admiring all the messy beauty that her daughter was.
Edith face quickly contorted from a semi relaxed state to one of intense pain and she cried out letting her hand fall from Cora's face. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" she yelled as her free hand reached for the edge of bathtub, her knuckles turning white instantly.
"Don't hurt your hand," Rosamund fretted as slid her thumb back and forth on Edith hand trying to help her through it.
"Well it's that or I break yours and Mama's ," Edith winced harshly.
"I wouldn't care if you did," Rosamund chuckled lightly prying Edith's hand off the tub and into her own.
"Now breathe with me," Cora proceeded with a breathing pattern and got her daughter's attention. "There you go sweetheart..." Cora cooed as Edith tried to follow suit.
Edith looked at Cora with big scared eyes trying her best to make it through to the next moment. She had never in her life experienced pain like this. "Mhmmmm, ahhhh ohhh god!"
"You just keep looking at me now," Cora stated as Edith's gaze drifted trying to deal with the pain. "There that's it just focus on me."
"Alright," Edith whimpered looking back to her mother for support. Edith did as Cora had said and soon the contraction had passed and she was breathing hard from the intensity.
"I think that was your strongest one yet," Rosamund stated taking a wet rag to Edith's face.
"I think I am going to be sick," Edith mumbled as her face turned pale and she shot up straight holding her mouth.
Cora grabbed the basin beside her in no time and had it under Edith while her free hand started rubbing soothing circles on her back as she begin to heave. "It's alright honey," the mother soothed. Edith gasped in between the heaves while tears poured from her eyes without her control.
Edith could feel her stomach rising and falling in waves of torture and she silently begged for sleep or at least a few moments of peace. When the retching stopped and she finally felt like she could breathe she moaned in annoyance and exhaustion.
Cora noticed how Edith's head was swaying some as she tried to gain her composure and she quickly took the bowl out from under Edith's face. "No one said retching was apart of this," Edith mumbled pushing her hair away from her face.
"I am afraid you get that from me," Cora smiled slightly as she began to wash Edith. "Once we get you cleaned up some we'll take you back to the bed."
By the time they had managed to get Edith out of the tub and dried off things begin picking pace. Edith's contraction started barreling in around every 4 minutes and Dr. Edwards rung to inform them he would be arriving shortly.
"That's it just like that," Cora murmured softly as Edith groaned out breathing through the pain as she clung to Cora's short. "Do you want to try and move to the bed?"
Edith's face was pruned up and eyes were closed tightly as Cora kept her steady standing in front of her. "Maybe I don't know at this point it is all uncomfortable," she shook her head.
"I know it is darling," Cora empathized placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Just went to go pull back she heard a faint trickling and felt something splash her feet.
"Ma'ma what was that?" Edith asked looked up at her in concern as her own hand shot to hold her stomach and she grimaced slightly.
Cora looked down and saw liquid dripping all down Edith's legs and the soaked carpet beneath her and knew in a instant what it was, "that was your waters breaking Edith which means not long now till this little one plans to make their entrance." She wasn't for certain but her motherly instinct told her Edith would be a mother by morning.