As they walked, Charlotte turned to take their usual path up from the beach towards the cliffs.
"Are you sure you want to go up the cliffs today my dear? I thought it might be too steep a walk for you in your condition?" Sidney asked pulling her arm to tempt her to the more level plains of the beach.
"Hmmmmm?" Asked Charlotte, who had been lost in her own thoughts wondering how their lives would change after the baby arrived, and more importantly, when that would be.
"It's a steep walk uphill, I do not want to exhaust you." Replied Sidney.
"Oh, maybe you are right. We shall keep to the beach for today." Charlotte said weaving her arm through her husband's and pulling herself closer to him. Truth be told she was tired, and not a little bit anxious. It was not at all proper for her to be out walking in public during her confinement but Charlotte missed the feeling of the wind in her hair and had given her husband an ultimatum, either he could accompany her on a walk along the beach or she would go alone, gossips be damned. Of course, Sidney argued the point, and informed her it was a ridiculous suggestion that she walk so far given the child could arrive at any moment. His arguments were drowned out by the sight of his wife pulling on her coat and bonnet without so much as a second look to him and he grumbled as he reached for his own coat and walking stick. But now as they walked their familiar route, Sidney felt relaxed for the first time in many weeks. He was an anxious father to be. He was determined to remain calm for his wife, although the practicalities of the birth scared him beyond measure. Lord Babbington had given him some well meaning but altogether useless advice several weeks prior - keep busy. Well that was all the more difficult now as it felt like all of his waking thoughts were absorbed with wondering how his wife was, when would the child arrive, and praying that all would be well.
Sidney noticed his wife's pace had slowed and she had turned her head away from him.
"Charlotte, are you tired?" He asked.
"Yes, I confess I am. Perhaps we can turn back? I am sorry I do not believe I am able for a long walk today"
"Of course." He replied. Looking at her again, her face appeared drawn and Sidney became concerned. "are you well?"
"I have an ache. Perhaps we have walked too far"
"Then let us return to the house immediately and you can rest. Do you want me to call a carriage?"
Charlotte laughed "all the way out here? I would be impressed if you could. No, I am perfectly capable, I can walk home."
They turned and began to walk back along the beach tracing their footprints as they went. After 10 minutes or so of walking, Sidney felt Charlotte again slow her pace almost to a stop.
"Charlotte, my dear, are you alright?"
Charlotte turned quickly and buried her face in his chest whilst clinging to his arms. Sidney staggered slightly backwards at the force of her and gripped her so as to prevent her falling to the ground as she leaned her weight on him.
"Charlotte, Charlotte, speak to me"
Charlotte let out a long cry into his chest and her whole body appeared to tense. Sidney desperately tried to see her face but her waves of brown curls pillowed over his chest. He braced himself and held her against him for what felt like several minutes before her body began to relax and she lifted her head from him. Her face was pale and her eyes were afraid.
"I…. I…. The ache….. it is in my belly. I think we should return home now."
Sidney's stomach fell from him and he pulled his young wife into his chest and wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. He desperately tried to calm himself as he assessed where they were on the beach, with likely a mile or so to walk back to their home.
"The ache…." he began to ask, not really altogether sure what to ask to ascertain whether the child's arrival was imminent or not.
"They are increasing" Charlotte replied. "It was simply an annoyance at the beginning of our walk, I thought i had remained sitting for too long and some exercise would relieve the pain. But I was wrong. The aches have increased and are now coming more frequently."
Her response did not soothe Sidney's concerns.
"Lean on me." He said. "And we will return as quickly as we can. All will be well, my love"
Sidney's eyes scanned the paths alongside the beach as they began to walk. There was no one around who could give assistance. He was comforted by the fact Charlotte's pace seemed to have increased and he paid particular attention to her breathing. Anything that could give him an insight into how she was feeling.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked as they walked.
She thought a moment. "No, I am not even sure what I should be requesting. I do not believe we had planned what to do when this moment arrived, if indeed this is the moment that the baby has chosen to join us." She thought back to her conversations with Mary, after she and Sidney had shared their happy news that they were to be blessed with a child.
"Mary. We should call Mary. Will you ask her to come?" She asked her husband. "And Dr Faughs."
"Yes, yes of course." He replied, "do we need to inform anyone else?"
Charlotte did not respond and Sidney felt their pace begin to slow again as Charlotte's breath became heavy. In a swift movement, Charlotte again buried her face in her husband's chest and she clung to him desperately. Her fingers dung into his coat and she felt like her knees would give way as the surge took over her body. Her legs felt weak and she felt her muscles contract and pull her forward. If she did not have her husband to lean on she was certain she would fall to the ground. As the surge gained in force, she closed her eyes and felt her husband hold her. She was so grateful for his strength. After a time the surge became weaker and she heard her own breath again, heavy and panting. She lifted her head to face her husband. Her beloved, thank goodness for him. He looked at her, eyes searching hers, trying to understand what was happening in her body.
"Sidney," she whispered "I am scared." A small sob came out and she buried her face in his chest again.
"My love, you are safe, I am here. I love you, all will be well." Sidney murmured, wrapping his arms tightly around her and feeling not a small amount of trepidation himself. "Are you able to walk again?"
She gave a small nod and he wrapped his arm around her back and under her arm before gripping her other arm with his hand and he supported her as they began to walk again.
"Is there anyone else we should notify when we return to the house?" He wondered aloud.
"No," Charlotte replied. "Not until we know that all is well. I do not want to be made a spectacle of." She said in a half laugh.
"Ah yes. So I shall send for Mary and Dr faughs and no one else." Sidney turned his head to look at his wife.
They continued to walk in silence. Each lost in their own thoughts. Sidney wanted to reassure his wife that all would be well, but knowing the risks of childbirth, he did not believe he could do that with any great certainty. But his wife was young and she was strong. He felt confident all would be well, but anxiety and the risk of loss clawed at him. He thought of all the things he should tell her, but each seemed inadequate. After a moment, he spoke from the heart.
"Charlotte, I am so blessed to have you. We are going to meet our child soon. Our child!" He broke into a broad grin hoping his words would focus her on the delightful thoughts of a child, rather than the daunting task of childbirth. "Such a thing I never believed I would have but for you Charlotte. You have given me so much and I love you with all that I have."
Charlotte returned his smile. "Yes I confess it does not feel real. The thought of our very own family. To think, the Regency ball was slightly more than a year ago, and now here we are, about to embark upon a life as a family. I am the happiest I have ever been Sidney and I owe it all to you."
Sidney leaned in and placed a delicate kiss upon Charlotte's lips. As he pulled away he smiled at her and let his forehead rest upon hers for a moment.
"Come, let us continue our walk" he said.
His eyes again searched the paths and beach to see if there was anyone who could assist in returning Charlotte to their home as soon as possible. There were people further down the beach, perhaps he could say Charlotte was tired and ask for a carriage to be fetched? Yes, he thought, that might work and would not give rise to too many suspicions.
As they neared end of the beach, Sidney was relived as he noticed Lord and Lady Babbington on a carriage ride. He turned to Charlotte and noticed her face drawn again. He knew what would happen next. This time, he would be ready. He turned his wife so she faced into his chest and she had her back to the carriage containing Lord and Lady Babbington. He wound his arms under Charlottes and leaned her into him. He felt her body tense and a small cry come from her just as Lord Babbington slowed his horse.
"Lord and Lady Babbington," Sidney began.
"Ah Parker, is Mrs Parker quite well?" Asked Lord Babbington
"Yes she is. Although she is quite exhausted, I have walked her too far. Could I trouble you for the use of your carriage to take her home immediately?" Sidney asked trying to feign nonchalance.
"Indeed Mr Parker she looks more than a little exhausted." quipped Lady Babbington "of course you shall take the carriage. My dear Babbington will help her in."
As Lord and Lady Babbington dismounted, Sidney guided Charlotte to the carriage. With Sidney and Lord Babbington taking an arm each, they lifted Charlotte into the carriage.
"Easy, easy" barked Sidney, believing his longtime friend was being far too rough with his precious wife.
With Charlotte safely deposited in the carriage, Sidney quickly moved to the other side before Lord Babbington stopped him and asked in a low voice "is everything quite all right my friend?"
"We will hopefully send word soon." Replied Sidney nodding before Commanding the horses onwards towards the house at speed that belied the urgency of the journey.
Lord Babbington offered his wife his arm as they began to stroll "well my dear, let's pray all is well in the Parker household tonight and that we may, god willing, hear word of baby Parker in the morning."
