chapter 40

Riley enjoyed each day that passed with Liam and George by her side. She was continuing to monitor her labor and so far there hadn't seemed to be any progress. Finally deciding she should be looked at she hunts down Olivia. When she finally finds her she asks, "Olivia is there a midwife on staff?" Olivia replied, "I don't think so but I will check to see if anyone knows how to deliver a baby."

"Riley what's going on," Liam asked. She sighed saying, "I have been having labor on and off for a few days now. There is nothing that can be done until it's stable and progresses. I have emailed our doctor and she's recommending we stay here until after the delivery." Riley squeezed his hand saying, "I have had an easy pregnancy there is no reason to believe there will be any issues when I deliver. We will be fine but our doctor did say to call when the contractions are less than 5 minutes apart and regular." Liam pulled Riley close as he nodded his head. Olivia returned saying, "No I haven't found anyone. I don't think it would be wise to find someone local either. We can't let any of the sons of Earth members know the King and Queen are here."

Liam nodded saying, "I agree we need to keep our location quiet. However, I am not too sure staying here is the answer either. I don't want you or our child at risk without any medical help available." Olivia placed her hands on her hips saying, "I do have a private physician in the duchy he just doesn't specialize in pregnancy. I am sure should a doctor be needed he can handle things. Plus, your doctor could walk him through anything he doesn't know how to handle. The last thing you want is her delivering in a moving vehicle on the way back to the palace."

Riley decided it was best to change the topic asked, "What did Constantine and Regina say?" Liam blinked at the sudden change in topic but answered, "While he believes the country should remain united that perhaps it was time to redivide Cordonia. He was sure we could keep any nobles that were willing to give up the right of succession. The laws could easily be changed to reflect his children with the queen the only ones with a right to the throne. However, anyone who wouldn't sign would have to declare their independence from Cordonia. There people no longer being a part of Cordonia and they would have to govern their own territory. We'd have to create alliances with them to prevent war between Cordonia and them but he agrees that something needs to change. If that fails he agrees that then we should go for having a democracy. He likes things how they are and so does a large majority of the people."

Three days later the snowstorm had finally stopped. Riley was now in active labor they were just waiting for the contractions to come closer together. Liam turned on the TV in the room saying, "There is going to be an announcement from the palace today. This would make a good distraction from your labor for now." Riley nodded she wouldn't mind a distraction from the slow-progressing labor. Liam had been able to send a coded message to his father and was hoping the news conference was to cover that. Liam settled behind Riley rubbing her back and hips as he waited for the press conference to begin.

Soon he saw his father escorting Regina and Madeleine out of the palace and to the podium. Constantine waited for the crowd to die down before he said, "As many of you know the volunteers who left with my son to rescue the queen have returned. We thank them for their help and those who wish to join our military have been given the information they need to start the training right away. To put everyone at ease the queen has been rescued and is with Liam." He had to stop again to allow the cheering to die down again.

Constantine pointed to a screen behind him and soon Riley was on the screen in a prerecorded video. She smiled saying, "I'm safe with Liam unfortunately we are stuck here for a while. It seems our baby would like to come out and we aren't going anywhere until it's safe for us both to travel again." Riley thanked all those who helped her escape her captors before the short video ended. Constantine motioned for Regina to join him. Regina took the podium saying, "We got coded letters from both Liam and Riley. Riley asked me to handle hers. Madeleine would you come here please." Regina waited as Madeleine moved next to her. Once she was in position Regina smiled saying, "Anton confessed to having people chase you through your dutchy and destroying the property. Due to his confession, Riley wants your title returned and for you to receive assistance with the renovations of your duchy. Riley does have a caretaker in place and she's looking forward to working with you."

Madeleine brushed away the tears that fell as Madeleine composed herself Regina added, "I also have news for Kiara it seems Riley got you an interview with the Foreign ministry. Riley did apologize for it taking so long but with all the attempts to prevent an heir the investigation took up a lot of her time. I am sure you're watching the news broadcast so meet me later and I will go over the details with you." Regina takes Madeleine into the palace done with her portion of the news conference.

Constantine steps forward to the podium. He says, "Riley is very concerned that the Cordonian people are unhappy. She believes all the kidnappings and attempts to keep her from having a child are your cries for change. So tell your queen you don't want democracy and want her to continue to rule and improve Cordonia as a nation." Shouts of Long live Queen Riley and King Liam monarchs of the people. Riley brushed a tear from her eye as Liam murmured in her ear, "I told you so. They love you as much as I do." She squeezed his hand as another contraction hit focusing back on the TV to keep her mind off of the pain.

Constantine took a deep breath saying, "I have made mistakes as King but my intentions have always been good. I have been strict and harsh in an attempt to keep all the threats to the crown at bay. I think I may have made as many new threats as I got rid of old ones. I know Riley and Liam are taking our country in a good direction. Cordonia was five nations once upon a time and we joined as one. Maybe all the threats to the crown are the desire to return to five nations by the members of the nobility I honestly don't know. What I do know is that Cordonia can't keep going with the constant worry of losing the royal family. So I am proposing that there be no more right of succession for anyone other than my line. I feel this will end the power plays since there will be nothing to gain. I don't want to split up the country but if that is the only way we can all have peace maybe that is the right choice. Liam would like your opinion so feel free to let us know."

Constantine ended the press conference and went back into the palace hoping that Liam and Riley's ideas would work out. He couldn't wait for them to return with his grandchild. Riley got up and started walking around since she was feeling uncomfortable. Her doctor said she could walk until her water broke. Every so often she stopped and leaned against the wall rocking her hips. Liam walked with her massaging her lower back whenever she needed it. Riley made her way to a bedroom figuring it would be good to be close to a bed. She had only made it three steps when her water broke.

Liam picked up Riley and carried her to the closest bedroom yelling, "Bastien her water broke we're getting close to delivery." Liam gently laid her down on the bed climbing in right next to her. Bastien motioned the king to follow him out the door as Olivia entered the room with staff that had supplies that had been gathered for the birth. Liam reluctantly left his wife's side following Bastien out the door.

Bastien placed his hand on Liam's shoulder saying, "I have the most delivery experience here. I will be delivering your child. Since this is natural childbirth your wife may say things she doesn't mean when she is experiencing pain. There also will be blood this is normal and you need to remain calm. After the baby is out I will hand it off to you to wash while I help Riley deliver the after birth. Once the baby is clean and in a diaper you can bring it to your wife. Once the afterbirth is out I will have to check to ensure any bleeding is slowing down."

Liam nodded and headed back into the room. He found Riley changed into something comfortable. He sat behind her and kissed her forehead. Bastien placed his coat on the chair near the door. He rolled up his sleeves and moved to the end of the bed. Bastien looked Riley in the eyes before he said, "I have to check on your progress."

Riley nodded and pulled up the nightgown she was wearing. Liam held her hand as another contraction hit Riley. Bastien pushed the material up until he could get a good view of where the baby would come out. Every time Riley squeezed Liam's hand Bastien could see some hair that would disappear once the concentration was over. Bastien looked up with a broad grin saying, "Next contraction push real hard and hold it as long as you can. The sooner this baby is out the sooner the pain will stop."

Riley nodded her head waiting for the next contraction to hit. As soon as she felt it she grabbed Liam's hand and pushed hard holding it as long as she could. Every time she felt a contraction she repeated her effort to push the baby out. Liam murmured words of encouragement as she worked hard to deliver their baby. Any frustration she felt towards Liam she focused on pushing rather than lashing out at him. Bastien looked up saying, "The heads out Riley a few more good pushes, and your baby will be here."

Riley bore down taking strength from Liam. Liam was now helping her by helping her into a near sitting position from behind her. Riley gave one more really big push and a loud cry was heard in the room. Bastien held his granddaughter tying off the umbilical cord before handing the baby to Liam. Liam looked at Riley saying, "We have a daughter." He then took the baby to be cleaned up. Once their daughter was clean and wrapped in a blanket he brought her to Riley. Bastien had helped deliver the placenta and was satisfied his job was done. He got up saying, "I'll let you three bond while I take care of this." He left the room placenta in hand.