Disclaimer: see chapter 1 Notes: I borrowed a bit of the text from the book for a little part in the end of the chapter.

Chapter 16

A week after the illness, I was in the kitchen, stirring a nice thick stew for breakfast. Sam was busy in the front room, tending to the fire. The days were growing longer and the chill of winter was waning, but the weather was still cold in the mornings and the evenings.

Rosie entered the kitchen as I set the bowls on the table. She sat down at the table slowly and nodded at me politely.

"Good morning, Mira," she said softly. I took her bowl and filled it with some stew. "Breakfast looks delicious."

"I must say that my cooking has improved over the time that I have working for you," I replied.

"Your cooking has always been good."

I smiled and chuckled to myself as I set her bowl down. I then walked to the front room while wiping my hands in my apron. I stopped in the front room to find Sam on his hands and knees tending to the fire.

"Sam, breakfast is ready when you wish to eat."

He stood up from his crouching position over the fire and straightened his shirt. "What's on the menu?"

"A nice steaming coney stew."

"Sounds tasty. I'll be out in a minute," he stated simply and nodded. I returned to the kitchen to find Frodo filling up his own bowl. In the months that I had worked there, he had never been in the kitchen. I hurried over to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm a bit late in bringing you your meal. I was just fetching Sam," I apologized.

Frodo straightened up and turned to look at me. "It's alright. I was hoping to join you here this morning."

I saw Rosie behind his shoulder freeze in the midst of brining the spoon to her mouth. Sam entered the room and paused, a confused look crossing his face.

"Mr. Frodo, are you alright? Is anything the matter?"

"I'm fine, Sam. Better than I've been in a long time."

The sincerity in his voice warmed my soul, glad to see him with some of his grief gone. As he sat down at the table next to my place, I saw him briefly turn to me and look upon me out of the corner of his eye, a hint of a smile crossing in them. Frodo quickly turned back to his stew and ate it.

I brought Sam his bowl and then served myself a bowl, sitting down at the table once everything was taken care of. Sam and Rosie sat across from us, eating in silence and astonishment as few words were uttered through the meal. Frodo's presence lightened the mood, but we were all amazed to see him sitting with us, Sam more than myself.

And so the next couple days passed, Frodo joining us for breakfast and dinner. He remained in his study during the day light hours, but I knew Sam was glad to see Frodo up and around the house instead of cooped up alone.

One morning near the end of March, I was tidying up the front room while everyone else went about their business. Rosie was sitting in the corner of the front room, sewing clothes for her baby. I was dusting the mantle of the fireplace and arranging the objects on it when I heard a stifled noise come from Rosie. Turning to see her, I saw a pained expression cross her face.

"Rosie?" I asked, nearing her. She dropped a hand to her swollen belly and ran it in circles. I moved closer to her, kneeling partially in front of her. "What is it? Have your pains started?" I asked her, knowing the babe's time was near.

"I think so," she said softly after the contraction had passed.

"Let's get you into a nice bed," I said taking her sewing from her and setting it on the small table next to her. I took her hand and gently coaxed her forward, laying my other hand on her back as she stood. "How long has this been going on?" I asked her, trying to judge how close her time was.

"Since early this morning, but they've been getting more painful lately."

Being the oldest of five children, I had helped with the delivery of my two youngest siblings. I know I had to stay as calm as possible to relax Rosie.

After settling her down in her bed and propping pillows behind her, I exited Bag End in search of Sam. Luckily, he was in the front garden tending to one of the flowerbeds.

"Sam!" I said eagerly, running to him. He faced me.

"What is it, Mira?" he asked, setting one hand on his knee to steady his balance.

"You need to fetch Mrs. Boffin, the midwife right away."

"Rosie." he trailed off. "Is it time?"

"Aye, I believe so. Can you please go fetch Mrs. Boffin?"

"Yes, I'll find her." Sam stood up hastily and wiped his hands on his trousers before hurrying down the road. I retreated into the hours and to Rosie's room, comforting her again. After trying to assure her that everything was going to work out fine, I hurried around the house, gathering various items needed to assist in the birth.

"Mira? What are you doing?" I heard Frodo ask. I stopped in my tracks and faced him, shifting the bundle of towels underneath my arm. He stood in the doorway to his study. "I heard you rushing around out here."

"Rosie's having her child," I said in a rushed manner before turning to her room.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Frodo called after me. I turned back to face him.

"Just keep Sam calm when he comes back." With that, I ducked back into Rosie's room.

The day progressed slowly, Rosie's contractions coming closer and closer together. There was no sign of Sam or the midwife. I stayed with Rosie through most of the day, her body tiring.

Suddenly, I heard the front door slam shut. I left the room and entered the hall, to find Sam, out of breath and quite eager.

"I tried to find Mrs. Boffin but no one knows where she is. I looked all over town. Mira, how is she? May I go see her?"

I nodded and patted him on the back as he hurried towards her room. I paced the hall and put my hand to my forehead, trying to figure out what to do now. A hand grasped my shoulder and whipped me around so I faced Frodo. His face conveyed his concern over the situation.

"Are you alright?" he asked plainly.

"No," I replied, my nerves shot.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Sam just returned saying that he cannot find the midwife and Rosie won't last much longer."

"How do you know this?"

"I helped deliver my two youngest siblings."

"Then you can deliver Rosie's child?"

"I've only assisted and my mum dies while bearing Everard." Realization of the task at hand filled me mind and my calm exterior was gone. I started to panic, pacing around the hall again. Frodo put his hands on both of my shoulders and made me face him.

"I know you can do this. You have to."

"But I can't-"

"You can and you must." Frodo said sternly, staring straight into my eyes. "She needs you." His grip eased and his arms fell to his sides.

I gathered up my courage and nodded, turning to Rosie's door. I took a deep breath and entered the room, knowing exactly what I had to do.

A while later, I was handing a baby girl to Rosie. Joy spread over her exhausted face as she cradled her daughter in her arms. The babe had the same golden curls as her parents. Sam scooted closer to Rosie, in awe of the new addition to his family.

I exited the room, leaving them in peace. As I entered the hall, I untied my apron and put it up on its hook. My stomach rumbled slightly and it was then that I realized I had not eaten since breakfast. I entered the kitchen and saw Frodo sitting at the table with a mug of tea. His hands were around the mug and he stared in to it. His head lifted; his eyes intent on searching for information. I sat down at the table, finding a mug for myself and pouring some tea.

"How is she?" Frodo asked.

"She's fine, the babe too," I replied, taking a sip of my tea.

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam interrupted, entering the kitchen. Both Frodo and I quickly glanced up at him to see his beaming face.

"What is it, Sam?" Frodo asked.

"Well, I'm in a bit of a fix. Rose and me had settled to call him Frodo, with your leave. But it's not him, it's her. She's as pretty as any one could hope for. So we don't know what to do."

"Well, Sam," Frodo said, "what's wrong with the old customs? Choose a flower name like Rose. Half the maidchildren in the Shire have flower names."

"I suppose you're right, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, "but it must be a beautiful flower, because, you see, I think she is very beautiful, and is going to be more beautiful still."

Frodo thought for a moment. "Well, Sam, what about elanor, the sun- star, you remember the little golden flower in the grasses of Lothlórien?"

"You're right again, Mr. Frodo!" Sam said, delighted. "That's what I wanted." Same made as if to leave, but turned to back to us. "Would you like to see her?"

"Not now. Rosie needs her rest and you should spend some time with her," Frodo replied.

"Alright then." With that, Sam hurried back to his wife and child.

Frodo turned his gaze back to me and smiled softly. He eased himself from the bench and stood up.

"Thank you, Frodo," I said softly.

"For what?" he asked, his face curious.

"For encouraging me, leveling my head and all."

"You just needed a nudge in the right direction."

"I was scared, afraid I was going to loser her like I lost my mother."

"You didn't lose Rosie. She's safe and well. And do not blame yourself for your mother's death. Her time had come and there was nothing any one could do for her." The sincerity in his voice chilled me and soothed my anxiety. He sighed deeply and moved towards the doorway. "I'd better return to my book. All this excitement has left my mind unable to focus. Goodnight, Mira." He walked off to his study.

I was left alone, considering the events of the day and the joy that now filled the house. I picked up a slice of bread and began nibbling on it, letting my thoughts stew in my mind.

~*~

thanks for all the replies, again. I hope all of you had nice new years. As always I'll try to have more up soon, but no guarantee.

firefly: I know that chapter was short, and I hope that this chapter satisfied you a little more. When I had finished with the previous chapter, I looked at it and thought it was a bit short, but I couldn't think of anything else to add. Again, I thank you for your praise. It helps.

Kimmy-Sama: thanks for the wonderful reply. I'm glad that you think that highly of it.

Anora: sorry for the abrupt ending to the chapter, please don't kill me *hides * I'll try better in the future.