In the next weeks Mrs Bennet health started to show small improvements. She was spending less time I'm bed due to her dizziness and lightheadedness that lessened a little more everyday. It helped that she was back to spending time every day with her children. Henry and Jane were brought to her in the afternoons and Fanny brightened considerably everytime she saw her babies. She wasn't with them for hours and hours and before, now she could only have them with her for a couple of hours, but Fanny decided she was going to be thankful for the small blessings.

Thomas was happy to see his wife show improvements in the days after the doctor's visit and was confident that soon everything would go back to how it was before. Doctor Williamson cabe to visit every week to accompany Fanny now that she had a month and a half before it was time for the baby would come. But we was cautious about Mr. Bennet enthusiasm.

"She indeed much better than that first day I examined her." He said to Thomas one day after visiting when they were in Mr Bennet's study. "But she still show more signs of weakness than I expected. In four weeks she will deliver the baby and I say there's a good chance that everything will go smoothly, but I cannot guarantee this. Please, be cautious."

This was not what Thomas expected to hear from the doctor. In fact, he expected the opposite. "You say that we have four weeks? We will do our best to help Mrs Bennet to recover more of her strength. I am sure that my wife will recover." Thomas hopped that what he just said would be his reality in a few weeks.

~~TCS~~

Three weeks came and went faster than the Bennet family expected. But Fanny still was in the same condition as the previous weeks. She was definitely better than before, but the fact that there was absolutely no change in the last week's worried the doctor, and the family.

"Well Mrs Bennet, we expect that in about a sennight your baby will be here. How do you feel?" The doctor asked the mother on the bed

"Oh, I am certainly anxious, and more than ready to have this over with. I much prefer to have this baby in my arms than in my belly." Fanny said good humoured.

Doctor Williamson smiled. "We are finished here. Remember to rest aplenty and to eat well. When you feel well enough walk around the room or in the corridor. And if you feel any pain please have your husband send for me immediately. I wish you all the best Mrs Bennet."

"Thank you Doctor."

On the corridor Thomas asked for the Doctor's thoughts. "I believe your wife is was well as we can expect in these circumstances. We certainly shall do our best to see to her safety and the baby when her time comes. We did all we could Mr Bennet, now we must wait for the time and pray. I'll be here in a sennight with a nurse as we discussed and I will only leave after the birth of the baby. At the most, I believe it will take a few days. But If she start to feel the pains before this, send for me, I will come immediately."

"Thank you Doctor, I will. "

~~TCS~~

In the days that followed, Thomas spend all his time with Fanny. He kept her company, helped her walk about the room a couple of times and brought the children to spend time with them every afternoon.

Fanny seemed so well. He started to relax and believe that everything would be fine. Not even the dark and heavy clouds in the sky and the expectation of a storm that night worried him. His family would be fine.

It was already past six that night when he heard the sound of heavy rain falling and saw the lighting in the sky before he heard the first thunder. And it was just twenty minutes after that when he was helping Fanny walk in the corridor that he heard her first whimper of pain. This could not be happening. Doctor Williamson would arrive in two days and the guest bedrooms where he and the nurse would stay were already being prepared. Everything was going according to the plans. But now Fanny was leaning heavely on his arm clearly in pain.

After that everything was a blur to him. Servants were called to help. Fanny was back in the bedroom and a rider was sent to warn Doctor Williamson That he was needed immediately. But everything Thomas could focus on was how many miles where between his wife and the doctor in London and the storm that would make that distance even greater. The midwife was already here and the apothecary Mr Jones too. Although both were doing everything they could, Thomas could only hear Fanny's screams of pain on the other side of the dor as he stood paralysed on the corridor. He didn't knew how long he stood there. Maybe one hour. Maybe more. He was vaguely aware of Mrs Grant taking the children to sleep in the opposite side of the house where they couldn't hear their mama in pain. The children seemed so calm. even excited as Mrs Grant explained the great adventure they were going to create in the new bedroom they had never slept in. Thomas was grateful for everything she was doing. He certainly could not offer the reassurance his children needed right now when Fanny's pain was ringing and echoing in his head.

He didn't knew when but a footman brought a chair to him after Mrs Hill failed to convince him to leave to his bookroom os his study. He could not leave. It was impossible. Soon he could not remain seated and started pacing up and down the corridor. He stopped and stared everytime the dor opened at the same time dreading and hopping for news. And everytime his heart sank further and further in despair when he looked at the pale faces of the maids and nurses and the clothes soiled and blood stained the carried out.

His knees were about to give under him, so he sank in the chair and buried his face in his hands. Mr Hill came and informed him that the storms made the roads completely impossible to travel by carriage and even by horse it was dangerous. It could be many hours before the Doctor arrived.

Thomas could understand. Why? Would tragedy follow him his whole life? Was he destined to always loose happiness in his life? He despaired. He cried. He prayed. And he eas completely unaware that on the other side of the door Fanny was doing the same thing.

~~TCS~~

Mrs. Francine Bennet had no doubt that this was her last night on earth. She would never grown old with her husband. She would never see her children grow. She knew that everybody thought her silly and shallow. But she loved her family more than anything else. That's why, as she felt her strength fade, she prayed. But not for her life. For her family. For the child she was trying to bring into the world.

"Please, if I can't take care of them, if I can't live, let my baby live."

Maybe she was delirious from the pain. Or maybe she was holding on anything that could bring her comfort, even if just a thought, but for some reason she felt her heart settle. She didn't knew how much more she could endure, but she was going to do everything to bring this baby into the world. Even if she had to give her very last breath.

Now, the world is a very ugly place to live. It is full of pain and sadness and injustice. And mankind can be cruel and heartless. Sometimes good people suffer and they don't deserve it. But hope is the only thing we can't lose. And in the end we will receive in the same measure we give. That's why in that exact moment, there was a knock on the front door.

~~TCS~~

Mr Hill was a modest and humble man, but he considered himself a good butler. He and his wife loved the Bennet family and they worked with excellence for them. That's why he would open the door and send whoever was knocking away, or maybe to warm on the kitchen if it was someone asking for help in the storm, as he knew his Mistress would wish to help. He could not understand why someone would be outside in such a weather, but it wasn't his concern either. Righ now the whole household was focused on the Mistress and the long hours of pain and praying for a safe delivery.

What he didn't expected was a small old woman, looking frail and curved and covered with a heavy coat and what looked like a fabric covered with wax to ward off the rain. What could a old woman like that be doing outside in such a storm?

"Good God, are you alright ma'am?! Do you need help?"

"No, but the young Mistress certainly needs help now."

Mr Hill was astonished! "How do you know about the Mistress condition?"

She smiled. "Bring me the Master, and I will explain how I can be of help now."

Under normal circumstances Mr Hill would do no such thing, but there was something about that woman, something eerie and mysterious. He felt compelled to ask he to enter and go to Mr Bennet.

On the corridor, he saw Mr Bennet on the chair with his head in his hands and cleared his throat. "I am sorry sir, but a woman knocked on the door and she asked to speak with you."

"What? A woman on the door, on this weather? Doesn't matter, tell her I am not at home for anyone, especially at this hour." Thomas sighed.

"Excuse me sir, but I believe seh spoke of a way to help Mrs Bennet."

Maybe it was the desperation he felt, but at that moment he decided there was nothing he could do to help his Fanny sitting in that chair and despairing, then he could as well her what thi woman had to say. At the worst, he would dismiss her and come back to his chair.

"Very well." He sighed and looked at Hill. "Lead the way."

The old woman was in the same place Mr Hill left her. Thomas looked at the small frail old woman and was confused about what could she possibly have to say.

"I was told you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes. You don't know me, bu I know a way to help your wife and child. Are you interested in hearing me?" She had kind yes, that spoke of wisdom beyond centuries, and spoke in such a warm and caring way, that reminded Thomas of his mother. He offered his arm to the frail old woman and led her into the parlour. "Yes, I would like to hear what you have to say. Hill, we will be in the parlour, I will call you in a few minutes."

"Yes sir."

Thomas Led the woman to a couch. "Please sit ma'am. Pardon me, but who are you and how do you know us and my wife condition?"

"Who I am is not important. You can call me Adelaide. And I know a lot of things son. Like how your eyes tell your story. You are afraid to loose everything again."

Thomas didn't knew what to say. "How...?"

Adelaide smiled. "It's not important. This is a story to tell you later. I am just glad to find you in time. You are a deserving family, and I can see that the star made a good choice."

"Star? Ma'am, what are you saying? I don't understand."

"We don't have time to loose. Your wife and child are in danger, but I have something that will help her. Take me to her son, and I will explain to you."

Thomas had no idea what was happening, but he could do nothing but take her to Fanny. Ther was... something about Adelaide.

They left the parlour and Thomas said to Hill that they were going to the mistress chambers and they required privacy. Hill understood that no one was allowed upstairs.

Once in the corridor, Thomas was assaulted by fear he heard just the faintest of grunts of pain from his wife instead of the screaming. He was afraid it was too late.

"Fear not son, nothing is lost." Adelaide said.

Thomas came up with a quick plan to explain Adelaide's presence and request privacy with Fanny. He called Mrs Hill and asked her to inform all those in the room that a older and experienced midwife came to help Fanny and ask the all to leave for a few minutes.

They al left. Mr Jones appeared relieved and the midwife expressed her worries about leaving Mrs Bennet but Adelaide assured her Mrs Bennet and the baby would be fine.

Whe they entered the room Fanny was propped up on pillows, her face pale and sweat dripping down, moaning in pain and barely conscious. Thomas reached for her hand and caressed her hair. She looked at him and blinked away tears.

"Thomas..."

"No my love, don't strain yourself. This is Adelaide, she said she can help you. Everything is going to be fine."

"Hello Francine. It's a pleasure to meet you. Your faith, love and loyalty are amazing to see."

Fanny looked a Thomas with questions in her eyes.

"Have faith my love." Was all Thomas said.

Adelaide asked him to bring a pot of boiling water as soon as possible and Thomas left immediately to find a maid in the corridor. and gave her the orders. The left running and he returned to find Adelaide on the foot of the bed between Fanny's kees as his wife pushed.

"How can I help?"

"Sit behind your wife with her back to your chest and support her."

He obeyed immediately. A couple of minutes later the maid returned with the boiling water and Adelaide took it from her. The maid letf and she put the pot in the bedside table.

"What you are going to see now is one of the greatest secrets of the world."

Adelaide then retrieved from a pocket a folded cloth. When she opened Thomas saw the most exquisite flower he ever saw. And it glowed in a silver light. He couldn't believe what he saw. Adelaide teared the flower and put the pieces inside the boiled water, as if she was making tea. In a few moments, the water started to glow the same silver light the flower glowed before. She poured the water in a cup and held it for Fanny to drink.

"What...is this?" Fanny asked weakly.

"It's the saving of your baby girl." It was all Fanny needed to hear. Thomas helped her drink holding the cup to her lips. It was like watching a miracle right before their eyes. Fanny's skin started to glow and is a few moments she felt an enormous contraction on her belly and she simply needed to push.

Adelaide positioned herself again by Fanny's knees with an agility that seemed impossible to her age. A few minutes was all it took. With a last mighty push and a scream, Fanny slumped against Thomas chest in relief and Adelaide lifted a screaming, pink baby in her hands.

"The last Star's Choice."