Hello everyone...I have been waiting to write this chapter since I began the fic. There is no 1970s in this chapter, because there is enough happening in 1920s that I didn't want to draw away from. But we will get to see them in 1970s again in the next chapter. Some questions will be answered here. Thank you!


Chapter 25

1920s Paris

Mary's eyes fell to the floor where she could hardly make out the wetness from Anna's waters. She flicked on the light next to them and could see that Anna's gown was soaking wet. Her eyes fell to the bed and she remembered that Johnny had been in the bed with them.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to put Johnny in the nursery, wake Brigitte and let her know, and call the midwife," Mary assured Anna.

As she went to reach for Johnny, Anna stopped her by grabbing her hands. She met her eyes with intensity.

"When she's born, I don't want to see her. Please make sure she's taken away. My heart won't be able to handle it if I see her," Anna pleaded. Mary swallowed hard. Anna only squeezed her hands tighter. "Promise me, Mary. Promise me."

"I…I promise," Mary replied. Anna nodded and let go of Mary's hands, to allow her to gather Johnny into her arms to take him back to the nursery.

But as Mary laid Johnny back into his bed, she felt overcome with sadness. This was it. Today was going to be the day that everything would change. She would have to watch as Anna went through more hell and she had to be the strong one. Anna needed her to be there to hold her hand and coach her through the painful labor, where in the end there would be no reward of a baby.

Mary gently brought the covers over Johnny and then closed her eyes. She gave herself just a moment to feel the sadness sweeping over her, before pushing it back and gathering her own strength. It was time to take charge.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna stood in the same spot as Mary went away to call the midwife and inform Brigitte that the baby was coming. Her eyes remained on the wet spot on the floor. It reminded her of the time she went into labor with Johnny. Her waters had broken right in Mary's bedroom.

A contraction hit her, the cramping starting in her lower back and up to her front. It wasn't too harsh, not yet. She knew the pains would grow. Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on the top of her belly and tried to breathe through it.

"Here," Mary soothed, rubbing her back with the palm of her hand. Anna hadn't even realized she was back in the room. "The midwife will be here shortly. The boys are still sleeping and Brigitte knows to keep them away. She said she might take them around town once they wake."

The pain subsided and Anna was able to open her eyes again.

"Let's change your gown," Mary then said, taking over. Anna was grateful. She was struggling to find her footing. She needed Mary here to help guide her through the next steps of today. She kept pushing the truth of what was to come in the back of her mind, trying to forget how this would all end.

Bending down, Mary lifted the gown up and over Anna's head. Then she assisted Anna in taking off her undergarments. She searched for a fresh gown and slipped it over Anna's frame, before brushing her knuckles over Anna's cheek.

"You are brave and you are strong," she told Anna with much conviction. "I will be here every step of the way."

Anna blinked harshly, letting out a shaky breath.

"I…I don't want to do this," she admitted, allowing her vulnerability to shine through.

"You have to," Mary sympathetically stated. "And it's going to hurt. But I am right here. I'm not going anywhere."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The labor was progressing, but slowly. Mary could see the pain stretched over Anna's features as another harsh contraction hit her. It was already dark outside again. Mary wondered if this baby would be born on Christmas Eve at this point.

"I…I can't…." Anna cried.

"You can," the midwife, Laurel, encouraged. Anna shook her head. The midwife stood and glanced at her pocket watch. "I am going to go and fetch more warm water. She's almost ready to push."

As the midwife left the room, Mary crawled up into the bed with Anna. Anna was panting through another contraction. They were coming in waves, almost on top of one another. Her brow was wet from perspiration. Mary gathered up the cloth and wiped the wetness, hoping to provide some relief to Anna.

"Mary…I can't…" She moaned, meeting Mary's eyes. "Please, I can't….."

"Anna, you can," she told her, placing her hands lovingly on her cheeks. "You are strong," she repeated. "It will be over soon. You just have to hold on a little bit longer."

Anna's head dipped, as a harsh sob left her lips.

Mary thought back to when she had helped to coach Anna through her birth of Johnny. Anna had been so strong and stoic, even through the labor pains. But Mary knew this wasn't a typical labor. Anna was struggling because once this baby was born, it would be all over. There would not be a baby to hold and cuddle after this big feat.

"Here," Mary soothed. She unbraided Anna's matted hair and redid it, pulling more of the hair off Anna's face and hoping to give her a bit of aid. Her fingers then rested on Anna's jawline and the two stared at one another. Mary could feel as tears slid onto her hand. She bent forward and kissed Anna, a kiss of support, nothing more and nothing less. Then she pressed her hand to Anna's cheek and kissed her once more, this time, more strongly.

"I love you, Anna," she finally said out loud. "I love you."

Anna's eyes shut tightly, as pain shot through her body. Mary just brought her arm around her back and pressed her forehead against Anna's.

"I love you," she repeated again, more sure than anything. "And you can do this. You are strong and able. I love you, Anna."

Slowly, Anna's hand came up to Mary's cheek and she gave her a chaste kiss, before resting back against the pillows.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

It was ten o'clock. Two hours until Christmas Eve and there still was not a baby. Mary was growing worried. This labor seemed to be lasting too long. Anna was so very tired. She pulled the midwife out of the room.

"What….should we take her to a hospital?" Mary rung her hands in front of her. All she could think about was when Sybil nearly died in birth. Had they been naïve to try and have the baby at home?

"She's doing great," the midwife promised her. "Some labors take longer than others. But she's progressing well."

"You said that hours ago!" Mary was growing frustrated.

"And she was progressing well then too. I promise she's in good hands. Why don't you go make some tea and take a break," the midwife suggested. "You could use a break."

"No," Mary stated. "I promised her I would stay by her side."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

By eleven thirty, it was finally Anna's time to push. She was overwrought with exhaustion. Mary could only rub her lower back and hold her hand during the contractions, as she pushed. Despite how long it had taken for the labor to progress, the pushing took little time at all. After three pushes, the baby was out. The cries filled the room.

"It's a girl!" The midwife called out. Mary couldn't help but smile. Her eyes darted to the little pink squirming baby in the midwife's hands. She could see the dark hair on top of her head and the little hands reaching out for someone.

Mary's eyes moved to Anna and saw that she was back against the pillows, her head turned away from the baby. She was completely still, dejected. The smile from Mary's lips immediately fell. She had to keep her promise.

"We need to take her into the other room," Mary began. "There is a bassinet for her."

"But her mama…." The midwife was confused. Mary realized they should have informed the midwife earlier of their intentions. Mary just nodded and led the way to the small room right outside of theirs. The plan was for Mary to stay with the baby until the couple arrived, but she hadn't even told them the baby was on its way.

When they were in the room, Mary told the midwife to place the baby in the bassinet to rest.

"Anna is not keeping the baby," Mary said, her voice cracking slightly.

"Oh." She placed the baby into the bassinet and then went back to deliver the placenta and to check in on Anna.

Mary was now alone with the baby. She reminded herself that there were things she needed to do. The number for the couple was right next to the door. They had told her to ring no matter what time of day. She knew they were prepared to take the baby the moment she arrived. There was already a room for her, one they had put together for years, and they had bottles and the milk she would need. It was what needed to happen.

Making her way to the number, Mary heard the baby fuss. She turned and glanced at the bassinet. The baby's hand was up in the air. Instinctively, Mary walked toward her, placing her finger out. The baby wrapped her little fingers around her own and then glanced up at Mary with her bright, big eyes.

Unable to walk away, Mary gently lifted the baby from the bassinet. The baby cooed and Mary knew then she was a goner. Love swept over her.

"Hello," she whispered. Mary rocked her gently and pressed a kiss at the top of her head.

She then knew what she needed to do. She walked back into their bedroom where the midwife was just walking out. Mary told her to give her a moment and she would be back.

"Anna," Mary said. Anna was curled to her side with her hands tucked under her cheek. She was closed off from everything around her. "I remembered what you said when you thought about leaving- about Johnny being a ward. But why couldn't she be my ward? People do it all the time. No one would have to know, we could keep her."

"No," Anna weakly said. The baby cooed "Why is she in here? You promised me I wouldn't have to see her. Please take her away!"

But Mary ignored her. She sat down on the mattress. "No one has to know the truth, Anna. We can tell everyone we found her in an orphanage. But we will know the truth and she will be ours. She will be ours, just like you imagined and we can raise her together."

"We can't," Anna whimpered. "We already found her a family. Ring for them. Have them come…."
"Anna," Mary placed her free hand on Anna's shoulder. "They haven't seen her yet. Yes, it will hurt them, but they haven't met her. There isn't an attachment there. We won't be stealing her away. I promise we will even help them find another baby. But we should keep her. We can keep her, Anna."

Finally, Anna began to turn toward Mary. Her eyes peeked up and over the blanket to try and get a better view of the baby. Mary just helped her sit up and then placed the baby into Anna's arms.

"Oh…oh, Mary," Anna gasped in awe. "She…she's everything." Mary nodded, brushing her hand over Anna's brow.

"She is. What is her name?"

Without even a beat, Anna answered, "Philippa." Mary smiled and realized Anna had named the baby a while ago.

"It's beautiful," Mary replied. "An awfully big name for a little girl. What if we called her Pippa until she's a bit older?"

"Yes," Anna agreed, smiling. "I like that. What do you think?" She asked the baby. "Do you like Pippa?" The baby cooed loudly making them both laugh.

"Our Pippa," Mary strongly stated. Anna met her eyes and smiled, before bending over and kissing the top of Pippa's head. "It won't be easy, keeping this a secret, but you'll be able to see her every day."

Anna didn't answer. She just bent over to kiss the top of Pippa's dark hair, once more. Then her finger ran over the curve of the baby's jaw. Mary's heart skipped a beat and everything fell into place: Anna, the boys, Pippa, and her.

"Anna, I meant what I said earlier, I love you. I love you, I love your children, and I know that you love George. I want us to be a family, the five of us. I know it won't be easy, Anna. I know that we'll have to keep it a secret, but this is what I want, because I want to be with you and only you. We'll have our own unconventional family behind the scenes."

Anna blinked up at her and Mary could see just how exhausted she was.

"Here," Mary offered to take Pippa. "You rest." When Pippa was back in her arms, she bent over and kissed Anna's cheek. "Just sleep my darling. Pippa, the boys, and I will be here in the morning."


To be continued...

Thank you for reading!