New Orleans: A Vignette January 1881
The past year had to be Victoria's best in her life so far. Thomas Alexander Barkley, 'Tab" was born to Katarina and Nick in early March. As easily as she had the strong and big baby, Victoria felt they would fill the nursery quickly. He was Nick made over all the way, down to his loud, lusty cry.
Isabella and Heath had a set of twins, Thanksgiving week. Heath Beaufort Barkley and Nicholas Jackson Barkley were born small but healthy. Beau and Jack as they were to be called, ate all of the time and were quickly catching up in weight. The tired mama was exhausted but thrilled to be nursing the two boys all day and night it seemed. Isabella had to bedrest the last two months of her pregnancy and Heath never let her out of his sight or that of others.
Nick referred to him as a mother hen behind his back but was just as concerned as his brother checking on her. He would come in sometimes when Heath was out on the range just to make sure Isabella and Katarina and Tab were good.
He overheard Bella asking Silas for ginger candy once to which he replied, "We are out of it". He immediately sent a ranch hand to buy some, "all they had" were his exact words. Heath came home to find two cases of ginger candy in Bella and his room. Oh Nick, the best heart in California and he's my brother.
Nick shook off the "thank you". "Bella just needed it." Heath smiled at him. They impulsively bear-hugged and went back to work.
She had been so worried knowing that carrying twins was difficult and they could lose them, she relented and let Heath bring in Rosa's niece to help out. They kept her on after the boys were born. Twins were not for the faint-hearted they found.
The first Isabella mare was born two weeks after the twins. Heath named the foal, ModocGal after his horse-raising Indian friends and his favorite pony he lost. Gal always would have a place in his heart.
Adrienne and Eugene were progressing nicely as a couple and she felt sure an engagement was in the works. She steeled herself to understand that they were likely destined for life off of the ranch. They had been looking for schools for Eugene on the East Coast and Adrienne would follow him and enroll there too. Doing research was his dream. It challenged him the same way the law called Jarrod. And the ranch called Nick and Heath and trading called Harris.
Julienne had married Harris Kirk in October and was quite the happy newlywed couple. Audra had broken off again a fledgling relationship with Carl Wheeler again and was spending time in Denver at her Aunt's home. She had written about a young banker she had met but as Victoria knew, it could end just as quickly for her daughter. She refused to settle thankfully.
Audra's situation was summed up by Daisy, a child. The intuitive child remarked after her last break-up. "I feel so sorry for Aunt Audra. It must be hard to find a husband with the Barkley brothers. He would have to be brilliant like my Pappy, kind like Uncle Heath, courageous like Uncle Nick, and adventurous like Uncle Eugene." The whole family laughed but Victoria thought she had a point.
Jarrod was heeding Dr. Travers's advice and keeping Lis on the ranch as much as possible. She had three seizures since they were married last January. One of which was in San Francisco, soon after they married. Jarrod had taken her to the city as he worked on a trial. It was "the city air", the doctor deigned. He immediately pared down the San Francisco practice and took on a new young attorney. He turned down more business than he could imagine this year. He only took those new cases pro bono for social justice causes. He could write those briefs from Stockton and work through the legislature in Sacramento.
The bad publicity and rumors in San Francisco had been completely squelched by the Medal ceremony, Bierce's five-part saga in The Argonaut on the Beaufort family's heroism, and his hard-hitting exposes on waterfront corruption. Hiriam's murder was still closed and blamed on the young clerk, Peter Jones. His mistress changed her mind suddenly and left for South America. Henry did curtail all of the harbor extortion with Bierce's stories. It was too much scrutiny now and his readership fell off with the advent of The Argonaut. He still hated Jarrod Barkley vehemently.
Lis suspected she was pregnant during early summer. Bouts of nausea and tiredness were her chief complaint. Her cycle was never regular and it was worse since epilepsy. Her pregnancy had gone well with two mild seizures. Both times she felt it coming on and lowered herself to her side. She had recovered within a few minutes of each; Dr. Travers said was a good sign. When she felt the baby move, she finally told Jarrod her suspicions. He was ecstatic.
And another mother hen was created in the family, according to Nick, the rooster himself. His brothers called him that since he liked to hear himself crow. Nick would retort privately, I am not the only rooster around here the way you chase your hens down all the time, "retiring early tonight" seems to be the only phrase you know." The brothers enjoyed their good-natured banter and enjoyed all being supremely happy in this season of life.
The drought finally abated in September with heavy rains. Jarrod and Lis's house was finished but the delivery of most of the furniture was delayed due to their tastes. They still spent most of their time at the big house for meals and company. Beds, the few pieces from the New Orleans home, and Jarrod's office were the only finished portions of the house.
Lis painted a New Orleans wrought iron porch scene for her first work in the house. It was especially poignant for Jarrod thinking this was where it all began.
Daisy had asked for a bedroom suite for her thirteenth birthday and it was delayed for several months. She patiently waited and it finally came in January. The ranch hands took it upstairs for her and Lis. They decided to move it a few feet to the left and Lis tried to move it into place herself without thinking. She hurt her back and dreaded telling Jarrod. He immediately called the doctor.
Dr. Merar said "it was just a strain and she and the baby were fine". It didn't settle Jarrod and he lectured her on taking better care of herself and he brusquely put her on bed rest. The only arguments the couple had the past year centered on Jarrod's overprotectiveness and Lis's stubbornness. Those it seemed would continue the rest of their marriage born in love.
Daisy was set to sing her first solo on Sunday morning church and the household was getting ready for it. Lis was still on Jarrod's rest decree so when her back started hurting again during the night, she didn't dare tell him. He was driving her mad with his worrying as it was. Why in the world had it started hurting so badly?
Everyone headed off to church to hear Daisy. It was Rosa's day off and the first day the twins were to attend church so her niece went to help Heath and Isabella too. Jarrod was torn but Lis shooed him out of the bedroom. Silas was here and she would be just fine. "This is too important for Daisy for you to miss." and he begrudgingly left with the rest of the family.
After an hour, the pain was unbearable and she managed to get herself downstairs to Silas. She made it to the bottom step and her waters burst forth all over the majordomo's shoes. He didn't seem to mind but she was mortified. He helped her to the empty parlor and grabbed a pillow and blankets from upstairs. He boiled water in the empty kitchen.
" I am so glad, I brought some stuff over last month even though they had taken all their meals at Victoria's," he spoke aloud to himself.
"First babies thankfully take awhile" he had reassured Elizabeth. "Some of the ladies will be home right soon." He didn't want to leave her. He had called out several times from the porch hoping a hand would hear him to no avail. Surely someone would come soon.
After the second hour, Lis cried out to him. "I think I have to push"
Silas's eyes grew big but he could tell by her face and breathing, it was true. Several pushes later, a beautiful baby boy was born easily on the floor of the home. Silas sanitized a knife in the boiling water and cut the cord with trepidation. He cleaned up the newest Barkley and put him on his Mama's breast. He was mighty proud to have brought Mr. Jarrod's son into the world.
Lis was doing well and Silas sat next to her on the floor smiling with pride. He proudly announced that he has the Barkley's black hair and Elizabeth's dimples. It was too soon to tell about the eyes.
Church went overtime with the solos and all the congratulations on Daisy's fine showing. Jarrod was a proud Pappy.
Daisy and Jarrod rushed into their house eager to share all of the church experience with Lis. Silas stopped them at the stairs and pointed to the parlor. Jarrod's eyes were drawn to the blood on Silas's jacket.
"Everybody is ok, Mr. Jarrod. Delivering babies is pretty messy. Now that you are here, I best get cleaned up and share the news with the rest of them. " He left the foyer grinning.
Jarrod and Lis rounded the corner to find a baby boy latched on heartily to his Mother's breast.
"Jarrod, Daisy come meet the newest Barkley boy." Lis smiled wearily at them.
Jarrod's eyes filled with tears that he couldn't hold back. Daisy softly rubbed the baby's back at Lis's breast.
She gave him a satisfied baby after a few more minutes, "Meet your son." He looked at Lis with love and wonder. He promptly peed all over Jarrod's suit. All three of them got tickled. It was one of those moments you never forget in life.
"Well son, glad to meet you too, or is that your opinion of being taken away from your Mamere?"
Daisy bounded out to tell the family rushing into the house after seeing Silas.
"Are we going to keep the name we decided on?"
"Yes with one change, please." She whispered into Jarrod's ear.
"Of course, my love of course."
Victoria and Isabella were the first in the room. Victoria took charge, "Jarrod take your son to the others and let us get Elizabeth cleaned up. Poor thing."
Silas had done his very best but there are still some things only another woman can handle.
Silas came back into the house about thirty minutes later still beaming. Jarrod met him with bright eyes. "It's about time you came back to check on your namesake." Silas looked at him, in confusion.
Jarrod handed him the baby again, "Meet John Silas Barkley". He was speechless and proud. The rest of the family circled him with congratulations and thanks for delivering the baby.
Jarrod went back and sat by Lis on the floor and kissed her soundly as the family looked at his son.
To be continued ….