It was the last Wednesday of April and a little over two weeks before the baby was due. Cecily was immensely behind on spring cleaning this year. Time was quickly running out to get the house clean before the baby arrived. She knew she had to get the cleaning done now, though, as there would be absolutely no time at all after the baby was here. Cecily took the twins over to their Grandpa Ben's place for the day so could finally take advantage of the mild mid-spring day to get several chores checked off her list without the added distractions.
The entire morning found herself catching up on the laundry including washing all the bedspreads and sheets. It was a mostly tedious task, but one that needed to get done if they wanted clean clothes for the next week. After hanging up the wash to dry in the warm spring breeze and helping herself to a light mid-day meal of a simple ham sandwich, she decided to tackle the dust that had steadily built up on every surface of the house over the winter.
She pulled out the short step ladder that was kept in the kitchen and dragged it into the main room. She was so preoccupied with dusting the bulky bookcase that she failed to hear the sound of horse's hooves and the jingle of harnesses from the doctor's buggy outside.
"Anyone home?"
"In here!" She shouted to the mystery visitor while keeping her attention on the dust.
As Dr. Martin stepped into the house and headed in the direction of Cecily's call, he was shocked at what he found. "Cecily!"
Cecily gripped the top of the ladder and looked up at the somewhat harsh call of her name before pushing back a stray lock of hair. "Oh, good day Dr. Martin. I had forgotten all about our appointment today."
"Cecily, you should be taking it easy. You're too close to your time to be teetering on top of a step ladder."
Cecily rolled her eyes at the doctor being too cautious. She wasn't a porcelain doll after all. "Really, doctor. You worry too much. I've not had any problems yet. I did exactly this kind of cleaning with my other children and never ran into any issues then either."
"That may be so. However, you are now in your 40s which adds a new level of risk to this pregnancy. I worry you may be in for a difficult time with this one. You must rest more. I don't want to see you have any more problems than you might already be facing in the next couple of weeks."
"Well, I have quite the list of spring cleaning chores that must be done before the baby arrives and unfortunately the house won't clean itself." Cecily began her careful descent from atop the small ladder.
The doctor gave a small chuckle at Cecily's response. "I admire your energy and ambition, but I'm serious Cecily. You're too far into your pregnancy to be engaging in such strenuous chores. You're not as young as you were when you had the twins."
She had reached the safety of the floor and turned to properly address the doctor. "Oh, honestly, doctor. I feel even younger now than I did then."
"You may feel that way, but your body knows how old you are. You need to be resting and taking it easy from now on. I'm going to make sure Adam knows that as well and makes you follow it."
The doctor gave her a pointed look before turning and heading out the front door in search of Adam.
Adam had just finished putting the children to bed when he returned to the main room. Cecily was sitting in her favorite chair close to the fireplace working on some shirts that needed mending that she found while doing the laundry earlier that day.
He settled into the chair across from her watching her silently for a minute as the light from the fireplace danced across his face then cleared his throat. "Cecily, we need to talk about a few things."
"Can't it wait? I'm in the middle of sewing these shirts."
Adam knew the mending had to be done, but he also couldn't forget about what Dr. Martin had told him today. "How about I talk while you listen and sew?"
"Sure."
"Dr. Martin told me he found you fully engaged in spring cleaning this afternoon."
"Uh-huh." Cecily kept most of her focus on her sewing while still letting Adam know she was indeed listening.
"You know you are supposed to be relaxing, not cleaning the house from top to bottom. First, you're making long trips to town and now you're wearing yourself out by cleaning the entire house."
"The cleaning has to be done. It won't get done unless I do it and that's all there is to it."
"Well, the doctor gave me strict orders to make sure your rest these last few weeks. No more cleaning. No more trips to town. No more household chores. Either the children or I will help you with the cleaning as well as the cooking and anything else that needs to be done around here."
At this statement, Cecily finally put down her sewing with a huff giving Adam a fierce glare. "You can't expect me to lie in bed all day."
"No, but I don't want you doing any housework. You are to read or sew or anything else that's non-strenuous."
"And just how are you going to stop me? You go to work most days. You will have no idea what I do while you're gone."
"I've already talked to the ranch hands. I've set up a schedule with them to have one of them with you if I'm not here."
"Don't be silly, Adam! I'm not a child that needs someone watching me all the time."
"No, you're not, but you do need someone around to remind you to take it easy. Plus, I'd feel more comfortable with someone here in the house when I'm gone in case you go into labor."
Adam could tell Cecily did not like this arrangement. "Honey, I know you're not happy, but don't look at it as a restriction for you, but something to help me. You know all I want is for you to be safe and healthy. It will put my mind at ease to know someone is here with you."
"Fine, but what about the twins while you're gone? I'll still have to take care of them all day."
"I've already talked to my father. He's agreed to have them over at his house while I'm not here."
Cecily contemplated what her husband had said to her over the last couple of minutes. She liked to be busy, but resting for a couple weeks might not be too bad. Plus she could understand Adam's concerns and she didn't want to worry him any more than necessary. "All right. I guess I can live with this for a couple weeks. Don't think that I'm going to continue this sedentary lifestyle after the baby is born, though."
"We can discuss that later. It's not my intention to keep you resting forever, but if the doctor advises it for a few weeks after the baby is here, we will have to consider doing just that."
Cecily gave Adam another glare without another word. She then returned her attention back to her sewing as Adam got up to get himself a cup of coffee. He knew Cecily wasn't going to take his decision well, but all things considered, it went better than he had anticipated. However, he had a feeling this might be the longest couple weeks of both of their lives.
Fortunately for Adam, there were no complaints from Cecily about the new guidelines over the coming weeks. However, there were some complaints from his children. While the twins loved going to their grandpa's place, it became a bit tiresome. Nathan on the other hand was in school most days, but when he got home, he had to be quiet to let his Ma rest.
Adam saw the frustration start to build between his children and sought to keep them as occupied as possible outside the house after he returned from work. There were a couple days they went to the local pond to do some fishing and nature hunting with Adam pointing out various animals and plants to the children. He tried to make it fun by setting up a small scavenger hunt where they had to find certain nature items like pinecones, leaves, and stones that were in the small wooded area.
On another day he set up a cookout in the evening where they cooked their favorite campfire dinner of meat pies. This was probably one of the easier and least confrontational meals for Adam to make while Cecily continued to relax. There was no complaining that someone won't eat string beans or carrots or that someone wanted chicken instead of beef because each person picked exactly what vegetable or meat they wanted in their little pastry pie. Besides it being a fairly easy meal, it was just plain fun for everyone as it was a bit like a campout, yet the house was still within sight in case Cecily needed him or they needed to get back quickly.
Today, though, it was the weekend, and he wasn't just keeping them busy for a few hours before bed, he had to keep them busy all day. After telling Cecily to go lie down for a few hours, he told the children he had a special project for them to do today.
Out in the barn, he gathered his children around the now finished cradle. It was the first time they had seen it complete.
"Well, what do you think? Do you think the new baby will like it?"
The cradle was beautifully crafted with some decorative stars and moons carved around each edge.
"I think the baby will love it a lot." Helen praised while admiring the small item.
"Yeah, Pa. If this cradle is any proof, the baby is going to be truly spoiled."
"Yes, it will, just as each of you were when you were babies."
Clara hadn't said anything yet but had moved closer to gently touch the cradle. "It's so pretty Papa. Is it done?"
"Not quite. I need some help putting on some stain. Do you think you and Helen would like to help me?"
Adam received two enthusiastic replies before turning his attention to Nathan. "Over in the corner your Uncle Hoss carved some wooden animals for the new baby to play with when it gets a little older. While your uncle is good at whittling, his attention to details and painting small things isn't the best. He thought you might like to do that honor for him and make them look more realistic."
"You bet!" He instantly bounded over to the workbench to retrieve the wooden animals and extra paint that was stored in the workroom.
They all worked hard and diligently over the next several hours without any disagreements, much to Adam's relief. At the end of the afternoon, they had one finished cradle that looked like it could be used by a king and a whole collection of various farm and wild animals ready to be played with when the paint finished drying.
As they left the barn to head back inside to get dinner started, Adam got lost in his thoughts once again. Indeed, this was going to be one spoiled child, but as long as it was loved and healthy, that's all that really mattered to him.
Four days later, Adam was jolted awake at the sound of his wife stifling a moan of pain and rapidly sitting up in bed while clutching the bedspread.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?"
"Yes, I think so, but I think it's time to have this baby."
Even in the dark, Adam could see Cecily close her eyes in pain as another contraction gripped her body. He quickly got out of bed and put on his robe and boots. Making his way down the hallway to the stairs, he descended them as quietly as he could, so as not to wake up the children.
Stepping into the main room, he took a peek at the clock sitting on the mantle above the fireplace that was softly illuminated by the glow of the dying embers in the fireplace. It was a little after 2 AM. He stifled a yawn as he wondered why women always seem to go into labor in the middle of the night.
He reached for the handle on the front door but stopped just short of opening it. Although it was the 9th of May and the days were warm, there was still a chill in the air at night so he wisely put his coat on loosely not bothering to button it up. He then headed outside toward the direction of the bunkhouse.
The hands were less than pleased to be woken up in the middle of the night. For the second time that night, Adam found himself silently cursing Mother Nature for not allowing his wife to go into labor at a more convenient time. Despite all the grumblings, his hands were more than willing to assist Adam with whatever he needed. He ended up sending this top hand, Hank, into town to get the doctor. He then sent Jesse to go to his father's ranch to inform them it was time.
Upstairs, Adam heard the arrival of his father, brothers, and Hop Sing. Adam smiled to himself at the thought that his father brought the entire family over. In all honesty, it was actually a comfort to know they were all here.
Several minutes later, Hop Sing and Ben were all gathered in his room, with Little Joe and Hoss hanging back near the door frame. Not getting up from his wife's side, he told Hoss and Little Joe to go into Nathan's room. The children had awoken not long after Adam returned from the bunkhouse and after herding them all into Nathan's room, he told them to stay there. While they had obeyed so far, he knew they must be worried about their mother. If anyone could occupy their time and keep them distracted it would be his brothers.
That left Ben, Hop Sing, and himself in the room with Cecily. Adam had been mentally keeping track of the time between contractions. He was no doctor, but he knew from previous experience that she probably had another hour or two before it was time. Gauging the time, he knew the doctor should also be arriving soon as well which will help put his mind at ease just a little.
"Mister Adam, Mister Ben. Go get hot water, clean towels, and blankets. Get room ready for doctor."
While Ben nodded in response, Adam was reluctant to leave Cecily's side and remained perched on the edge of the bed, holding his wife's hand tightly.
Hop Sing just stood there with his hands on his hips, waiting for Adam to comply.
Ben leaned down, placing a reassuring hand on Adam's shoulder and softly whispered in his ear. "Adam, she'll be okay with Hop Sing. Let's go get those items for the doctor."
Adam hesitated for a long second, before releasing Cecily's hand, giving her a kiss on the forehead, and following his father out the door. As they descended the stairs, Adam noticed that Little Joe and Hoss had moved the children from Nathan's room to the corner of the main room that contained many of the children's toys. The children sat on the floor while it appeared Hoss was telling an animated story to them. Each had a glass of warm milk and a small cookie near them as well. Adam smiled once again at how well his family knew just what to do and what he needed at the right moment. It was a smart move on his brother's part as it was out of the way and would keep them occupied for the time being.
Ben headed to the kitchen to get the hot water, while Adam went to the closet where they kept extra linens. They were both returning to the stairs when Dr. Martin entered the house.
"Oh good, doctor. You've made it." Relief stretched across Adam's face at the sight of the doctor.
"Where is Cecily?"
"She's up in our room. Hop Sing is looking after her while we got some supplies for you."
"Good, good. Bring them up for me." Dr. Martin led the way back up the stairs with Ben and Adam following close behind.
Back in the room, Dr. Martin did a quick assessment of his patient before shooing everyone out of the room except Hop Sing. The doctor had done enough births over the years to know that it was in the best interest of everyone involved if blood relatives remained outside the room.
Hop Sing on the other hand, while he was treated like family in Ben's house, at the end of the day, he was really only their cook and housekeeper. Plus, he knew Hop Sing had assisted with plenty of births in the past and would be a great help to him without the emotional ties that a family member might bring to the situation.
Meanwhile, Adam and Ben joined the rest of the family downstairs. Ben took a seat in one of the padded armchairs while Adam took to pacing back and forth across the room. The children were still enthralled with Hoss' story and didn't even notice their Pa or Grandpa had come back downstairs. Well, Nathan was still listening intently; the twins had started to nod off in Joe's lap.
Time seemed to slow down and what seemed like hours was only minutes. Adam couldn't help but continue to pace incessantly. He stopped every few minutes to glance up the stairs.
"Son, why don't you sit down. If you pace much more, you're going to wear the floor out."
"I can't Pa. It helps calm the nerves if I'm moving."
Ben nodded. He knew exactly how his son felt having been there three times himself. "I understand."
Nearly a half-hour passed before Adam finally stopped his endless pacing. Everything was quiet, much too quiet in his opinion.
"Are you all right?"
"Something's wrong Pa, I can sense it."
Ben took a moment, tilting his head to see if he could hear anything from upstairs. "Hmm…I don't want to admit it, but you might be right. I don't hear anything coming from the room."
"Exactly, babies are supposed to cry when they're born."
It was at that moment that they heard the bedroom door click open and Dr. Martin slowly appeared at the top of the stairs. One look at his face confirmed Adam's fears.
Adam waited for the doctor to make his way down the stairs before asking the dreaded question. "Doc, is everything all right?"
Dr. Martin frowned and then let out a shaky breath before moving closer to both Adam and Ben. "Sadly, no. Unfortunately, I ran into some complications during the labor. Why don't you sit down so I can let you know what happened?"