'Aaagh!' Margaret screamed and leaned forward as another contraction wracked her body. She fell back on the pillows panting, awaiting and fearing the next contraction.

'Here, have another sip.' Hannah said as she brought Bessy's cup to Margaret's lips and wiped her brow with a cool damp cloth.

'Aaagh!' another contraction. They were getting closer together. Margaret leaned back and thrashed about on the pillows.

'John! Where is John!' Margaret said sounding somewhat delirious.

'He is waiting downstairs with Watson,' Fanny said with a flourish, 'as the expectant father should. My Watson knows all about these things ever since our Ophelia was born. He will take care of John. You need not worry about him.'

'Aaagh!' Margaret screamed again. The contraction having passed, panting she said, 'I am not worried about John! I want John! Get him NOW! Aaagh!'

Fanny's jaw hit the floor. The request was unheard of and most improper, but when Fanny thought about it she realized that such a request would be typical of Margaret. Fanny looked to her mother with a plea toward maintaining propriety.

But Hannah just nodded and said, 'Call him up - but do not alarm him! There is no emergency.'

Fanny turned on her heel and huffed out the door. Hannah offered Margaret another drink.

A few minutes (and a few contractions) later, John appeared on the threshold, 'Margaret?' he asked.

'John!' she exclaimed reaching her hand out to him, 'Aaagh!'

John crossed to her side and took her hand in time to have his squeezed so tightly he winced. He slipped in behind her before she leaned back on the pillows again, supporting her against his strong chest. Margaret seemed relieved to have him there and was able to relax more between contractions. John reached for Bessy's cup and offered Margaret a drink. He lovingly whispered encouraging words into her ear.

Now that John was there to help tend to his wife, Dr. Donaldson called Hannah aside to confer with her about Margaret's progress or lack thereof. It seemed that Margaret's labor had stalled and the doctor was discussing what to do. Sensing something was wrong, John turned his attention to their conversation. He could clearly hear them but noticed that Margaret seemed oblivious while she dealt with the pain. Fanny came and wiped her brow.

John began to apply his mechanical mind to the situation. After a few minutes (and a few unproductive contractions) he had an idea.

"Margaret, love, do you think you could stand up?' he asked. Hannah and the doctor heard him and began to object, but Margaret trusted John above all.

'With some help, yes,' she replied.

'Let us try and see if gravity can help,' John suggested.

'It is not unheard of. If it doesn't help we'll know soon enough,' the doctor said to Hannah.

So with John's assistance, Margaret stood and remained holding on to his arms. With her next contraction Margaret cried out and gripped John hard. The baby began to crown. A few short contractions later the child was born. A perfect baby girl with lots of raven black hair and a good set of lungs.

John returned Margaret to the bed. The doctor took the baby to clean and examine her and gave her to Hannah to bring to the happy parents.

Fanny came forward to see the babe and asked, 'Do you have a name for her?'

John and Margaret looked lovingly at each other and replied in unison, 'Hannah Maria.'

John reached a hand out for his mother's and gave it a squeeze as tears filled her eyes.