Chapter 9

Close to the end of Anne's pregnancy she was becoming miserable. She could hardly stand up, she was becoming an insomniac and she felt huge, bigger than she looked at least. Within a few days they would have their first child and she was happy about it.

Gilbert was also excited about it. He could hardly concentrate on his work. He couldn't wait until they were a family of three instead of two.

The days passed more slowly and Gilbert started to hate leaving the house more and more. But Anne's mom was there, which was some relief to him, though not a lot. He wanted to be there and what if he missed it because he was working. He would never forgive himself, even if Anne did.

The day came and Gilbert was on call, as he had feared.

It was 10 P.M. and he was heading home, when Dr. Parker's carriage pulled up next to his.

"Gilbert, Anne has gone into labor."

"What?!"

"She started about a half hour ago. She's becoming upset that you're not there. She really wants you."

"Alright, I'm on my way home now."

They sped back to the house and rushed inside. Anne's mother was outside pacing the garden.

Gilbert opened the door to his and Anne's bedroom and walked in.

The next morning, after an excruciating 10 hours, Gilbert walked out onto the porch where his mother-in-law sat staring out at the sea.

"There is a little girl upstairs waiting to see her grandmother," he said.

"Oh, Gilbert. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. So it's a girl?"

"Yes, her name is Joyce."

"How is Anne doing?"

"Fine, fine."

"May I see them?"

"Oh, yes, of course." he said. He brought her upstairs to the bedroom where Anne and her infant daughter lay.

"Oh, Anne. She's beautiful," her mother told her. Though, Anne didn't need to be told that. She already knew.

"Isn't she though? She's perfect. And look! She won't be cursed with dreadful red hair. How lucky she is." Anne was enraptured in her daughter. She thought Joyce looked like Gilbert. She certainly had his hair color. Though Joyce had her mother's eyes, which her father was quite pleased with. Even if she didn't have red hair.