Chapter Seven

January, 1914

The fire crackled and hissed in the open fireplace in Olivia's sitting room. The warmth of it was hardly any comfort to her as she watched the flames dance in and around the logs. She placed a hand on her burgeoning belly when she felt the child within her move and kick. With only a few weeks to go she felt as large as a whale and as clumsy.

Nothing she did felt normal. Everything hurt; her back, her feet, her legs. She was sure she would never regain the figure she had eight months ago. How could she? Her body was contorted completely out of shape and it was all because Caledon Hockley had to have a son - an heir. She had never said anything to anyone, but she secretly hoped the child was a girl.

She closed her eyes at the unpleasant thoughts that invaded her mind. She didn't want to feel this way, but she couldn't help it. It seemed she was always irritable, so much so that Cal had taken to staying away from her for the most part. He came to check on her in the morning before leaving and came to check on her in the evening when he returned. He had insisted that she take her meals in her room now so she didn't even see him at dinner.

She sighed heavily as she plucked at the lace on her sleeve. She was tired of being pregnant and she was tired being treated as an invalid. She wanted to get out of this blasted room! With that, she scooted herself forward and rolled over to one side so that she could push herself to standing. She threw her hair back from her face as she padded over to the door and out into the hallway. She came to the top of the staircase and was just stepping down when she saw Cal ascending them toward her. His face immediately darkened.

"Olivia, what do you think you're doing?"

"I'm getting out of that room, that's what," she answered coolly as he neared her. "I'm tired of staying in there. I want to walk around outside, I want some fresh air."

"If fresh air is what you desire, then why don't you step outside on the verandah?"

"I don't want to step out on the verandah," she replied, matching his angry tone.

"You are being obstinate and unreasonable. It's far too cold outside to go for a walk in your condition. Let me help you back to your room."

"No!" she snapped. "I'm not going back in there."

His eyes glittered in anger as he stepped up to her. "You are trying my patience, my darling wife. This is getting rather tiresome, this irrational behavior you continue to exhibit day after day."

"I'm sorry you find me so disagreeable." She threw at him. "I'm sorry this pregnancy is such a burden to you that you can't even bring yourself to sleep with me anymore."

Cal's eyes widened at her outburst. He reached up and grasped her face firmly in his hand before lowering his own until it was only inches from hers. "You forget yourself, Olivia. I will not stand here and be berated like some lackey from my own wife. I can only assume it is your condition that is prompting you to act so irrationally. I would suggest that you do not push me further. Is that understood?"

Olivia wavered for a moment as she stared at him. She knew better than to come against him, it only served to enflame his temper. His grip on her tightened and slowly, her anger turned to trepidation as she dropped her defiant gaze away from him. Defeat lined her features as satisfaction came over his.

"That's better," he cooed complacently and let go of her face. "Now go to your room and I will have Angelina bring your dinner to you momentarily."

She closed her eyes against his smug smile and gripped the banister tightly. "May I please have my dinner downstairs tonight?"

He stared at her thoughtfully and then shook his head. "I don't think that would be wise. You will be more comfortable in your suite." As if that were the end of it, he stepped up onto the landing and brought her with him. She resisted for a moment.

"Please, Cal. I'm so tired of being cooped up. Please let me eat with you." She cringed at how pathetic she sounded but she was desperate to be out of that room. He arched a questioning eyebrow at her.

"Are you continuing to defy me? I have already given you my answer. Let that be the end of it." He took her by the arm and led her back to her suite.

Reluctantly, she entered her sitting room with him. Her movements were jerky as she walked over to the window and stared out at the barren landscape below. A misty haze had settled over everything, giving it a ghostly look. She felt him come up behind her and then he placed his hands on her shoulders. She tensed at his touch, but didn't move.

"You mustn't get yourself so worked up, my dear. It isn't good for you or the baby."

"The baby is fine," she answered snappishly. "You know that Dr. Covington was here yesterday and said everything is progressing normally."

"Of course it is. I have no doubt that our son will be perfectly normal and healthy."

"Would you please stop saying that?" she whirled around to face him. "This could a girl as well as boy. You don't know that this will be a son."

He sighed heavily and pinched his nose at the bridge. "I'm in no mood to listen to your ramblings, Olivia. It's getting quite trying to say the least. I'm going to take my leave downstairs and will be up to check on you before I retire for the night." With that he turned to leave but an abrupt gasp from Olivia stopped him.

She was suddenly pale and sweat had broken out on her face. A widening stain on the front of her gown began to form. She grabbed her lower belly and bent forward.

"Oh God, Oh God, something is happening," she whispered hoarsely. Instantly Cal was at her side. She gripped his hand fiercely as pain tore through her middle. "Cal, please help me!" she cried.

"Angelina!" he roared as he helped Olivia from the sitting room to their room and onto the bed. He lifted her bodily and laid her down. "Angelina, blast you girl! Get in here now!"

The door swung open and Angelina rushed in. One look at the situation and her hands flew to her mouth. "Good heavens! Is it time?"

"Yes, you idiot! Summon Dr. Covington immediately!"

"Yes, sir. Right away, sir." She answered as she practically stumbled backwards out of the room.

A scream rumbled in Olivia's throat as another pain gripped her. She threw her head back on the pillow and bore down as hard as she could. "Cal!" she cried again. "Cal, please help me!"

"I'm right here, darling. Dr. Covington is on his way," he answered frantic whisper. "Just hold on!"

Finally, the pain subsided and Olivia relaxed for a moment, breathing heavily as she did. "It's too soon," she told him shaking her head. "It's too soon, I know it is."

"It'll be alright, darling." He pushed her hair back from her forehead as he spoke. "It'll be alright."

Before she could respond another pain shot through her. She placed her hands on her stomach and let out a blood curdling scream. The pain was so intense she could hardly stand it. Sweat broke out across her body as the contraction rippled through her. "Oh God, it hurts, it hurts…" she moaned moving her head side to side.

Olivia didn't know when Dr. Covington finally arrived but suddenly he was there talking to her, soothing her with his voice. He immediately sent Cal out and summoned Angelina and Marietta, situating them on either side of her to wipe her brow and to brace her as she lifted up to push. By this time, Olivia was in a fog of pain and was oblivious to much of her surroundings.

The pains grew closer and more intense until she thought she would die but Dr. Covington told her it was finally time to push. Sitting between her legs he began to talk to her, to instruct her on what to do and when to push. With each searing pain she experienced knew the birth of her child was nearing. Each time she pushed, she pushed as hard as she could.

"Push, Olivia, push!" Dr. Covington urged. "We're almost there."

Olivia bore down with as much strength as she could muster, which wasn't much after nearly an hour of pushing hard.

"Okay, okay," the doctor muttered. "The head is out and now I'm pulling the shoulders. You're about to see your baby, Olivia my dear."

With one final pull, the baby came forth from her slippery and wet. Olivia fell back and took several deep, gulping breaths. After a few seconds it let out a healthy cry. The doctor laughed as he held it up. "You have a son. A healthy baby son."

Olivia sat up and looked at the red, wailing baby he held in his hands. He asked for a towel which Marietta held out and he gingerly placed the infant in it. Marietta then brought him over to her and lifted him up.

"Glory be, ma'am. But, he is about the handsomest babe I've seen born." She smiled approvingly.

Olivia pulled the towel away from his face and body to look him over. "A son," she whispered. Cal had gotten his wish, she thought. But, as she looked at him, she felt a strong protectiveness come over her. This may be the son Cal wanted so badly, but he was hers. He came from her, she bore him and she wouldn't let anything happen to him.

"I'm going to clean him up now, ma'am and I'll bring him right back over." Marietta said patting her shoulder.

Olivia nodded and lay back. As she lay there contemplating what this child would mean, another sharp pain shot through her. She grabbed her stomach as she felt it grow stronger.

"Doctor, something is happening." She panted.

Immediately he came over to her. When he did, his eyes widened. "Oh, my Lord, she's having another one."

"What?" she breathed sitting up. She gritted her teeth against the sudden pain that rippled through her. She bore down as hard as she could.

"Hold on, Olivia. Don't push yet."

"I- can't- help- it," she huffed. "I- have- to…"

Just as before, the contractions gripped her body and after several minutes of pushing, she felt the second baby slide from her body. She threw herself back and gasped for air.

"Olivia, my dear, you are an amazement. Look up and meet your daughter."

"Daughter?" she breathed heavily. Angelina helped her sit up and she looked down at her second baby. "I have a son and a daughter?" she asked in bewilderment.

"So it would seem. Twins. Little darling must have been hiding. I never suspected it for a minute." He laughed heartily.

Angelina brought her daughter over to her as Marietta brought her son to the other side. She looked back and forth at the two of them. Twins! A son and a daughter. She began to laugh at the irony of it. They looked to be perfect in every way. Marietta laid her son in her arms while Angelina went to clean up her daughter.

"I'll be getting Mr. Hockley now. He'll be pleased no doubt." Marietta told her.

"Don't tell Mr. Hockley about the twins. I want to tell him myself." She instructed her.

"Yes, ma'am," she smiled and nodded knowingly.

After the doctor finished up with her, Angelina washed her a bit and put a fresh gown on her. She was holding their son when Cal rushed in the room. He stopped when he saw them and then slowly walked over to the side of the bed.
"Is it…" he didn't finish the question, but only stared at the now quiet baby in her arms.

"Yes," she nodded and grinned at him. "Cal, meet your son." He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at him. He smiled as he lifted the baby from her.

"My son," he said proudly. "You did well, Olivia." He nodded with satisfaction.

"There's something else," she placed a hand on his arm. A questioning frown formed on his face at her comment.

"Look," she pointed behind him. He turned and saw Angelina come forward with another bundle. "We have a daughter, Cal."

He whipped around to look at her in astonishment.

"We have a son and a daughter. Twins." She laughed at his reaction. "I know, I could hardly believe it myself."

"Twins?" Cal said as he looked at her wonder. "But how… why…?"

"I don't know." She laughed again. "But, aren't they beautiful?"

Angelina settled their daughter in her arms and then stepped back. Quietly, she and the doctor left the room, leaving the new family together.

"I never imagined..." he whispered as he looked back and forth at them.

"Me either," she shook her head. "I guess we better give them names."

He smiled and nodded as he looked back at their son. "Nathaniel Charles Hockley the second." He announced firmly. "After my father."

Olivia frowned for a moment. She didn't know why, but she didn't want her son to have that name. But, she didn't protest against it. Instead, she slightly nodded giving her reluctant approval.

"And as for her," he smiled down at the sleeping baby in her arms. "Catherine Rose."

The gasp that came from Olivia surprised the baby and she began to squirm and mew against her. "No!" she cried with indignation. "I won't let you do that!"

"Let me?" he questioned with an arched brow. Then he smiled cynically at her. "If the name bothers you so much, you need not ever say it. But, Catherine Rose it will be."

Her lips quivered in hurt as he reached out and tenderly stroked the baby's cheek. "You did well, Olivia. I'm very proud of you. I knew I had made the right choice from the first moment I saw you."

It was as if the world had dropped out from beneath her. Oh God! Why was he doing this? Why? Did his cruelty know no bounds? How could he do this to her and their child? She gripped the baby tighter to her as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She glanced over at him as he lifted their son up and smiled at him as if the subject were dismissed and settled.

"I think he looks like me, don't you?"

A knot had formed in Olivia's throat, preventing her from saying anything.

"Only time will tell, I suppose." He shrugged and handed him over to her. "I'll have Angelina and Marietta bring them out to our parents. They've been waiting to see them. You rest, my dear." He bent over and kissed her cheek.

As he left the room, she looked down at her babies and felt like crying. What kind of mother was she if couldn't even protect them from having names she didn't want? Despair washed over her, but she quickly hid it when the two handmaids came in to collect them. As she watched them leave the room, she determined within herself that no matter what, she would protect them. They were hers no matter their names. Cal may have won for now, but in the end, it would be she who would win. She would make sure of it.