Chapter Seventeen: The Arrival
I spent two days in my room, obsessing over what to do about my brother. Several times William came to check on me, but I feigned illness, saying that I didn't want to see him for fear he would catch what was ailing me. Of course, what was ailing me was nothing contagious. I knew that there was no way I could betray William, and at the same time, by being with him, I was betraying my brother.
Finally, on the third day after my encounter with my brother, something happened that I could not ignore.
I was laying on me bed, flipping through the pages of the book that William had given me so long ago. I wasn't really reading anything, as my mind was currently otherwise occupied, but it made me feel as though I was doing something.
I heard a sudden knock on my door, which jolted me back into the room, and out of my thoughts.
"Who is it?" I called. I knew it wasn't William. He had stopped at my room the previous night just long enough to tell me he hoped I got well soon, and that he would be gone for two days on raids along the coast.
"It's Peter," came the reply.
I was somewhat puzzled. Why would Peter visit me? I was his wife's friend, yes, but he had never had any reason to come and see me. However, the sense of urgency relayed in his voice told me that he was not here on a social visit.
I went to the door and let him in.
His face was pale and a little sweaty, and he was wringing his hands furiously.
"Peter, what is it?" I asked, my mind suddenly alive with speculations as to what was troubling Peter.
"It's Abigail," he panted. "The baby's coming!"
My voice caught in my throat. Abigail wasn't supposed to deliver for another month or so. I had heard of babies coming early and not making it, and I said a silent prayer that this would not happen to Abigail and her family.
"I'm coming," I told Peter, once I had regained my ability to speak.
He nodded, and led me to their quarters, where I could hear Abigail moaning in pain.
"Can you do nothing for her?" asked Peter. He had obviously never fathered a child before.
"I'm afraid the only cure I know for this kind of pain is to deliver the child," I told him. "Try to calm down, Peter."
Then I hurried into Abigail's quarters, wishing that someone would help me to calm down.
Twelve long hours later, Abigail was tired, but happy. She had delivered a tiny baby girl, somewhat smaller than I would have liked, but seemingly healthy, nonetheless.
Abigail smiled up at me. "Get Peter," she said, quickly returning her loving gaze to the face of her child.
I did as she said and went into the hall to retrieve Peter, who was pacing nervously.
"It's alright, Peter," I told him. "You can go in now."
"Then the baby is okay? Abigail's okay?" he asked, his tired face brightening slightly.
I nodded. "Your wife and daughter are both just fine," I informed him.
He nearly fell over. "A daughter?" he said, grinning. "Good Lord…I have a daughter!"
A young soldier whose name I didn't know walked past us in the hallway and Peter grabbed the man by the shoulders.
"I have a daughter!" he cried once again, obviously delighted.
The soldier got an uncomfortable look on his face and nodded, patting Peter on the shoulder.
"Congratulations," he muttered. Then he scurried down the hall.
"Peter," I said gently. "Go in. Your wife is waiting for you."
He nodded, his head bobbing up and down. "Yes," he said. "And my daughter, too!"
I couldn't help but chuckle as Peter hurried through the door into the quarters he shared with Abigail, and now with their child as well.
Author's Note: Sorry this is such an incredibly short chapter, but it seems my writer's block has returned with a vengeance. Not to mention, there are some things, such as childbirth, that I just don't want to write about in graphic detail. I promise there will be a longer chapter to follow soon!
