" Maria I need you not to push" Sister Berthe says as her face takes on a serious expression
" What! You need to make up your mind. I can't stop. Not now" she says as she groans and begins to push.
"Maria! Stop! The baby" Sister Berthe says before she looks at Georg. Reverend Mother and Sister Margaretta look at each other as Maria screams.
" Maria listen to me. The cord is around the babys neck. I have to try and unwrap it. Captain do whatever you have to so that she won't push until I say" she says as she attempts to unwrap the cord.
" Darling look at me. I want you to take a deep breath" Georg says as he turns her face towards him. Maria opens her eyes and looks at him.
" Georg I can't. I have to push" she moans.
" Maria! No! You have to try and relax. I need to get my finger around the cord so I can slip it off" she says as she tries to find the cord.
Georg grabs her hands and breathes with her. His heart breaks as she turns her head to him and begins to cry. Though he can't imagine what she is going through he tries to ease the pain.
" Almost there Maria your doing great" she says as she manipulates her hand. Reverend Mother and Sister Berthe begin to pray silently. They watch Maria and marvel at the determination in her eyes. Maria takes another deep breath and cries out again. Georg holds her head next to his chest as he talks to her.
" Maria give me a big push" sister Berthe yells.
Maria sits up and takes a deep breath as they all encourage her. Maria cries out as Sister Berthe guides the babys head out. Maria looks down as she pushes the rest of the baby out. Sister Berthe wipes the baby off and slowly rubs its back. After a couple of seconds a cry breaks the silence. Maria and Georg look down as Sister Berthe places their son on Marias chest. Georg kisses Marias cheek as happy tears fall down her cheeks.
With Maria still leaning against him he places his hands on his son. Sister Berthe places a blanket over the baby. Maria places her hands over Georgs. They both look up at Sister Berthe.
" Thank you Sister. I don't know what we would have done without you" Georg says as he watches his son . "I think I owe you an apology Sister. I didn't mean to yell at you. I know you where only trying to help. I couldn't have done this without you" Maria says as she looks up.
" I understand. And don't worry I won't make you kiss the floor" she says smiling.
Georg takes the baby and wraps him in the blanket. He sits next to Maria.
" Well the doctor was a little off in his estimate of his weight" Georg says as he holds the baby.
" I estimate he is about six pounds" Georg says as he lays the baby next to Maria.
" That's all. I thought he was at least ten" she says as she looks at her son. Reverend Mother and Sister Margaretta walk over to Maria.
" He's beautiful Maria. Congratulations Captain. God has blessed both of you with a healthy son. I…." before Reverend Mother can finish Maria gasps as she feels a contraction. .Georg takes the baby as Maria turns to her side. Sister Berthe immediately checks Maria.
" Well Maria it looks like we have some more work to do. Did your doctor ever mention to you that their may be more than one baby? She asks as she washes her hands again.
" More than one? You mean twins. No all the doctor told Maria is that he thought the baby was going to be over nine pounds" Georg answers as Maria starts to push again. Georg hands his son to Sister Margaretta and goes to Maria. He gets in back of her again.
" I don't believe this. I thought I was done. I'm too tired for this Georg" she says between pushes.
" This baby is all ready half way here. Give me one push Maria" Sister Berthe says as she sees the babys head. Sister Berthe delivers the baby as Maria falls back into Georgs chest. Georg watches as the baby takes its first breath. Sister Berthe cuts the cord and places their second son on Marias chest.
" Another boy. Georg whispers in Marias ear.
Sister Berthe takes the baby and wraps him in a blanket. Reverend Mother takes him from Sister Berthe and places him in next to Maria.. Sister Margaretta places the other baby next to Maria.
Maria looks left and right and still can't believe she just gave birth to twins.