"I had desperately hoped that I was wrong. I am completely unprepared."
"Your body has done all of the preparation."
"I don't want to do this today, or perhaps ever," Sister Hilda responds in a petulant tone.
"So you let everyone leave the two of us here, alone?"
"It's too early. I had hoped things would progress more slowly," Sister Hilda admits.
"But?"
"My mucus membranes ruptured whilst I was watering the plants."
"You know that I am too out of practice to help you. I will call the maternity home, and have one of them come retrieve you. I certainly hope we have enough time," Sister Monica Joan chides her.
"That is the worst plan I have heard in some time."
"Do you have an alternative?"
"Not one within reason."
As Sister Monica Joan heads for the phone the main entrance to Nonnatus opens. Shelagh enters carrying a basket of oatmeal raisin cookies. She grins as she sees Sister Monica Joan round the corner.
"I brought Sister Hilda some cookies. I wanted to drop them off before heading to clinic this morning."
"Shelagh they look delectable. Unfortunately you are going to have to abandon them. I must insist you get to work."
"Oh?!"
"Follow me."
It takes only an instant for Shelagh to recognize the look of a woman in labor from across the room. She maintains her calm demeanor as she and Sister Monica Joan lift Sister Hilda from the couch. She quietly guides them down the hall, and slowly up the stairs. After several brief stops they make it to Sister Hilda's quarters. Sister Monica Joan retrieves Sister Hilda's bag as Shelagh helps her onto the bed.
"As you know I am going to need you in a state of semi-undress. The habit is not conducive to any of the tasks we need to attend to at this point."
Sister Hilda simply nods. Shelagh, and Sister Monica Joan carefully remove the religious garments until Sister Hilda is down to a cotton gown. Sister Monica Joan swiftly, and skillfully secures Sister Hilda's hair into a braid. Without a single word exchanged between the eldest Sister, and the former Sister supplies are collected from the hall closet. Soon Sister Monica Joan sits next to Sister Hilda gently holding her hand as Shelagh examines her.
"Sister Hilda how long have you been in labor?"
She carefully examines the clock, "Three hours and twenty two minutes."
"It would seem that you are in the home stretch," Shelagh reports fully gowned, and gloved.
"That cannot be possible," Sister Hilda insists between pants.
"Then impossible is the word of the day. Your baby is ready to meet the world. I want you to push on your next contraction."
"Understood," she answers with a look of terror on her face.
Sister Monica Joan's calm voice turns her attention, "Sister I want you to look at me. Listen to Shelagh, but keep your eyes on me. You know sometimes I require supervision. Certainly this is one of those times."
"Okay," Sister Hilda agrees locking eyes with Sister Monica Joan.
The room is utterly silent as mother nature, and a few nurturers do their jobs. Sister Hilda literally pushes through the panic. After a few pushes Shelagh catches a newborn, securing her in a towel. Her slimy little body begins turning red as her wails interrupt the silence. No force of nature can prevent Sister Hilda from instinctively turning towards the source of the crying. She watches as Shelagh carefully secures the brand new baby in Sister Monica Joan's arms. Tears flow from her eyes despite the fact that she isn't sure if they are tears of fear, or joy as Shelagh once again commands her attention. Several minutes pass, and Shelagh looks at Sister Monica Joan expectantly, as an alarming amount of time has passed.
"Shelagh you are not awaiting a placenta."
Shelagh's eyes widen as her glance locks on Sister Monica Joan. Sister Hilda's face is beaded in sweat. She is notably writhing in pain. Shelagh palpates her uterus which proves not to be empty.
"I need to move," Sister Hilda insists, groaning.
"Both of us have done this in some form or fashion countless times. Get comfortable. I can do the work regardless of your position."
Sister Hilda shifts onto all fours. Shelagh repositions herself. After a brief examination Shelagh offer guidance.
"Baby B is in a slightly unfavorable position. I am not going to go into details. I simply want you to give me small slow pushes."
"Understood."
After some delicate work, and several additional minutes a second newborn joins the room. Baby B chimes in nearly instantaneously. Shelagh secures a second newborn in Sister Monica Joan's arms.
Soon enough the placenta has been delivered, and all eyes shift to Sister Hilda. Sister Monica Joan is the one who chimes in.
"While we all know I am quite content to hold these ladies all day I have to ask where I would best attend to the task."
"Can I see them?"
Shelagh offers a toothy grin, "You did all of the work here. Of course you can see them." She lifts the first infant into her arms.
Silence once again befalls the room. Sister Monica Joan, and Shelagh exchange tense looks as Sister Hilda examines the tiny human. Despite the presence of plenty of bodily fluid red hair is clearly noticeable atop the little one's head. Sister Hilda carefully traces a pair of plump pink lips. Long tiny fingers wrap around her index finger as she does. A pair of eyes stare up at her.
"Who are you looking for precious girl?" Sister Hilda queries. The newborn resting on her chest squirms, and presses the palm of her hand against Sister Hilda's chest in response. A wail from the safety of Sister Monica Joan's arms interrupts. The elder carefully rises. Sister Hilda meets her expectant glance as the pair of babies cry in unison. She offers a subtle nod, and a second baby is placed on her chest. The second baby is identical to the first. The crying is mollified once they are able to touch each other.
