Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas despite

the challenges in our world today.

I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year!

Thank you for following along this year and

for your kind reviews! I appreciate each

and every one. Xx

Chapter 58

A Labour of Love

1145 – London, UK

Georgie was stood in the doorway to her side room looking up and down the hall. She smiled at a man who walked past her carrying a lovely bouquet of flowers, presumably for a new mother. When she turned her head again, she spied Elvis approaching with a brew in each hand. He winked at her from afar and she hoped he would not get upset.

"Hey beautiful." he said handing over her cup.

"Thank you. Elvis, we need to talk." she said touching his arm and moving back into the room.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, concern lifting the cadence of his voice.

She fiddled with the plastic lid on the thermal cup. "The doctor does not want me to fly."

His eyes narrowed. "Did something 'appen in the short time I was gone?"

"No. She just feels that ground transportation would be better. The baby is lower. That means he's getting ready."

"Well maybe we shouldn't go."

"She is OK with me going back to Hereford. We have no lodging here Elvis."

"No lodging? You're in a hospital." he said, leery of everything now.

"Nothing is happening now. It could take days. If there was any direct concern they would not release me. Elvis I would feel more comfortable at home."

"Ok…fine. I can get us a train. I will simply check on departure times and book us first class so you'll be more comfortable."

"Ok, that would be brilliant." She took the lid off of the cup to make it easier for her to drink.

"I just hope we won't 'ave a long wait time." he said thumbing what he wanted into his mobile.

"Did you ever hear back from Debs?"

"Nah. I reckon they are off someplace. Laura will be startin primary school soon. Maybe 'at's better because depending on wha' I can secure I would not want to disappoint her."

"Yeah. You're right there." Georgie agreed. Her low back felt as though it had a kink and she flexed backwards to see if that relieved it. She watched Elvis study the mobile screen. "Any luck?"

Elvis looked at his watch. "Noon. 'At gives us two hours."

"We can book for 1400 hours?" she asked hopeful anticipation.

"Yes!" Elvis' thumbs moved quickly over the tiny keyboard. "At will give us time to get to the station by cab. You're up to it are ya George?"

"I'm fine." She said nodding. "I can't wait here indefinitely."

"Alright. We are set. I'll ring Spunks to let him know he is relieved of duty, but maybe he can pick us up at the station."

Georgie was anxious to deliver, but she really did not want to do so in London. The obstetrician told her she was not dilated but could not guarantee that subtle changes would not begin to occur. So far, everything seemed as usual except for the back discomfort. Georgie blamed it on the hospital mattress. It had taken her awhile to relax last night after her ordeal. She was certain Elvis had not slept well either so perhaps the train ride would afford both an opportunity to wind down.

Xxxxx

1330 – London, UK

They were making good time, already on the platform to board the train. Georgie was moving slower than normal and Elvis could see the pregnancy was taking its toll. She was a strong woman but it was difficult to fight the fatigue.

"Just a bit further babe. We…are…'ere." he said ushering her to their seats. The walking flared that discomfort in her back and as she sat, the faint grimace on her face subsided. She laid her head back and released a breath, puffing her cheeks as it went. He never took his eyes from her.

"I reckon wha' you'll say….but are ya sure we should be goin?"

"Yes. I am sure." She said nodding and swiping her hair back. "I hadn't slept well and I am just a bit under today."

"I wish ya would 'ave let me push ya in that wheelchair."

She huffed a laugh.

"I'm serious!"

"I know you are. But, I made it didn't I?" Her tone did not sound as fortified as her words.

Elvis stowed their bags away and plopped in the seat across from her, leaning in on the table top looking at her. She rubbed her forehead. "George, I will do wha'ever I need to. Just tell me." Elvis said, thoroughly concerned. She looked at him from between her fingers.

"I'm good. Literally."

His expression was doubtful. "They didn't want ya to fly…."

"That's because of the altitude or something."

"Well this is a direct route. No stopping. No changing trains…"

"Yeah. It will be fine Elvis. Direct is loads better, then I don't have to….." She caught herself as he picked up on what she was about to say. He leaned back as if to say: I told you so."

"You are taking good care of me Elvis, both of us." she said patting her bump. The call went out for final boarding.

"It's never too late." he said and she knew he was adamant about her safety.

"I want to go home." she simply said. "Nothing is going to happen. Alright? And if it does, I want to be home." With that she leaned back and smiled at him. Of course he was concerned.

"I'm gonna ring the midwife." he announced.

"No need. They already talked to her this morning. Elvis I am not due for another two or three days."

"Two or three….does it always go to plan?" he said rolling his eyes.

"We'll have to wait and see." she said, touched by his reaction. He slowly rubbed his hands down his face. She chuckled. "You are my birth partner, yeah?" His eyes became visible above his fingers.

"Yeah."

"Just take a deep breath." she said.

He sniffed out a short laugh. "Ya wanna recline and lift your feet up partner?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

Elvis scooted around to help her position comfortably, giving her that I'm watching you look.

"Did I ever tell you I could never ask for a better husband?" she said reaching up to stroke his cheek. His face melted into an endearing smile and he leaned down to her for a gentle kiss.

Xxxxx

1800 – Hereford, UK

Four and one-half hours later the Hartes were home. Fortunately, Georgie was able to get some much needed rest on the train and able to move about periodically. Elvis on the other hand had been vigilantly wide-eyed. His consolation was that nothing happened on the journey back to Hereford. By the time the couple walked through their front door all they could think about was a hot shower and something to eat.

"You go ahead. I'll fetch something for us and bring it up to ya." Elvis said, kissing her cheek.

"Ok, thank you sweetie." She reached for the banister and slowly began her ascent. He watched her, as he turned to hang their jackets in the vestibule. When she reached the top of the stairs, she rubbed her lower back. Elvis swallowed pensively and waited until she was out of sight. Georgie shuffled into their bedroom, welcomed by the scent of the spiced potpourri she kept in a small container on the dressing table. She smiled at the rustic wooden wall plaque that read: Our Happily Ever After. She waddled to the wardrobe to pull out a soft night gown then headed towards the bath. The thought of warm water on her back was beckoning.

Elvis meanwhile heated left-over soup in the microwave. He watched the container spin around as his mind replayed the events of the past forty-eight hours. It was like his own personal debrief. At the end of the day he got Georgie home safely. He still could not believe Jason Speers approached him about MI5. Whilst the notion was enticing, Elvis knew now was not the time. Speers had given him a folder containing recruitment information. He never opened it. It was tucked inside of his Bergen along with the velvet box containing his Victoria Cross. Being decorated by the Queen was an unforgettable moment. Elvis had not felt that honored about his military service since receiving his SAS beret. He buttered a few pieces of crusty bread and grabbed two apples, then headed for the stairs. The love of his love would be expecting him.

Georgie studied herself in front of the full-length mirror attached to the bathroom door. The shower felt wonderful but now she had this cramping sensation. The night gown flowed over her but her bump was still prominently visible. She outlined it further with her hands. The baby was definitely lower. No wonder she felt that pressure. She turned this way and that, smiling thoughtfully. Nine months ago she was doing the exact same thing, checking to see if she was showing yet. "Oh Daniel, we cannot wait to meet you." she said softly.

Elvis was stood in the doorway captivated by her appearance. He thought she looked beautiful with her hair cascaded below her shoulders and her face seemed to be glowing in the evening light. "Feeling better?" he asked, entering with soft footfalls as if he did not want to disturb the moment. Georgie finger brushed her hair back from her face and smiled.

"Loads. Elvis…I reckon our son is getting ready to make an appearance."

"Wha'? Is it time Georgie?" Elvis said, taken aback by her revelation.

"No…..but things are beginning to happen." She answered with delight.

"Things? Wha' things?" His eyes scanned her from head to toe.

"I think the back pain is the start…but it will take some time."

"Should I ring the midwife?"

"No….no,,,not yet. What did ya fetch me?"

Elvis set up a small folding table and began to cater to her. "Soup."

"Ah, well done. This is perfect. Thank you." Georgie positioned herself on the stuffed chair and began to dip bread into the warm broth. Elvis crunched down on an apple and watched her. How long indeed? He wondered. He could just picture Georgie holding their infant son.

Xxxxx

0800 –

Elvis' eyes opened slowly, then squinted closed against the morning glare filtering through the Victorian-style curtains. He tossed the top sheet aside and propped himself onto his elbows. "At's right…it's Saturday…" he said to himself and immediately realized he was alone in the bed. He sat up to look around the room. The bathroom door was closed so he assumed Georgie was in there. He yawned as he swung himself out of the bed and padded to the window, splaying the curtain apart. He took a gander at the front yard bathed in sunlight. The warmth felt good against his face and bare chest. He thought he heard Georgie say something in the bathroom and tilted his head to concentrate. Nothing. He noticed a neighbor unloading boxes from his car boot and now, definitely heard Georgie's voice . "Babe! Did ya call me?" Elvis asked swiftly moving to the bathroom door.

"Yes! Elvis I need you!" He heard and immediately opened the door. Georgie was sat on the toilet, gown pulled up to her breasts. There was a puddle of liquid on the floor at her feet. She looked up at his startled face and said, "My waters broke." He gulped and grabbed towels from the rack, throwing them on the floor.

"You OK?" he managed to say.

She nodded and reached for him. "I had that crampy feeling again. Had it off and on during the night."

Elvis helped her stand. "More frequent?" he asked.

"Yeah." She answered with a grimace. "I reckon it's time." she said gripping the edge of the wash basin.

"Roger. I'll get ya moved out." He said, angling to get them both through the doorway. Georgie grinned amidst her discomfort. Only Elvis would make this a mission. But she knew that was how he coped best. "Ya need a fresh gown?" has asked as she waddled from the bathroom with him.

"Just grab me something." she said bending to lean against the wardrobe. He helped her change out and brought her slippers, helping her step into them whilst she was stood.

"I'll get ya to the car. You're bag is already at the front door." He said making certain the slippers were on properly.

"Elvis." He looked up at her. She grinned at him and tousled his hair.

"Wha'?" he asked standing to full height.

"Ya can't go like that…." she said eyeing his pajama bottoms. He looked down and chuckled.

"Shit! Yeah….nah. Just take a minute." Elvis grabbed jeans from the chair and one by one had his legs into them. In no time he was helping her down the stairs. "I will ring Amelia once we get in the car."

"Sounds good." Georgie said gripping his hand.

Xxxxx

0900 –

"It looks as though you have come to work." Amelia said, snapping nitrile gloves from her hands. "You are dilated four centimeters at the moment."

"Four?" Georgie said, looking up at Elvis.

"Is it all good?" he asked.

"Certainly. Because your waters have broken and you are dilated we will keep you here. Seems you lot had quite the adventure in London." Amelia said.

"The doctor there told us she was stable." Elvis said, looking from the midwife to Georgie.

"Oh indeed. Not to worry dad. Things are progressing as they should. Lucky for you two your travel was not delayed." Elvis gripped Georgie's hand and inwardly wondered if he truly knew what to expect. He had researched on the internet and attended the birthing classes with Georgie, but this was it…it was time to step up to the plate. "I will be checking you frequently Georgie. Elvis you can help time the contractions and help her breathing." Amelia said. "This is the mouthpiece for the gas that can be used to help control the pain. You can help her with this as well."

"Roger…..got it." Elvis said eyeing the equipment.

"The pain is not too bad now." Georgie said.

"It's available for when you need it." Amelia said. "You can still move about. Allow yourself to be as comfortable as possible."

Georgie shifted to get herself out of the bed. "I want to get up, yeah. It helps with the pressure." Elvis was there to steady her. "I'm OK…..I'm OK…" she said, gripping his hand but moving away. He sat in a chair, extending his long legs out. "You should get a snack or something. They have a little kitchen here. This is going to take awhile I'm afraid." Georgie said.

"Nah, I'm good. Do you fancy anything. Something to drink?"

"No, thanks." She leaned onto the overbed table and pursed her lips as she exhaled.

"Is there anything I can do?" Elvis asked, repositioning himself. He felt inadequate with this new experience and knew the best he could do was to just be here with her.

"Nope. Thanks." Her head dropped as she rode the wave of a new contraction.

Xxxxx

1700 –

"Awwwwwww, that bloody hurts!" Georgie whined, writhing onto her side.

"Ere, take some gas." Elvis said handing her the mouthpiece. She sucked on the plastic and panted several times before taking in more of the gas mixture. Elvis leaned over her to massage her back. "Well done babe, you are doing fine." he said soothingly.

"Glad you think so." she strained out grabbing for the mouthpiece again. He looked up as Amelia came in.

"Your contractions are getting very intense.."

"Yeah…they, they are, yeah…" Georgie panted as another wave painfully rippled down her abdomen. Elvis tried to wipe her brow with a wet cloth but Georgie pushed him away.

"You're doing a good job Elvis. She is simply focusing on the baby at this point." Amelia said and coaxed Georgie onto her back to do another pelvic exam. Georgie gritted her teeth but groaned loudly none the less.

"Breathe George. Just breathe, 'ere take this." Elvis said and gave her the mouthpiece again.

"Elvis…..it's killing me!" she panted, mercilessly gripping his hand.

"Hang in there….Georgieeee you can do this." He coaxed.

"I'm hot…..so hot…" she said panting whilst anticipating the next contraction. Elvis dabbed her forehead with a wet cloth.

"Breathe George. "At's it." Elvis coached mimicking the action. The perspiration was building on her face and he dabbed again with the cool cloth. She tried to suppress a whimper with the onset of another contraction then laid her head back, seemingly exhausted.

"Georgie I'm going to see how dilated you are." Amelia said.

"OK….OK…" Georgie panted. Elvis admired her. He knew she hated to show any kind of weakness but this was not weakness. She was experiencing a miracle, something he will never be able to. She was indeed labouring, it was a labour of love.

"Well done! You are fully dilated." Amelia announced.

"Oh my God!" Georgie cried out as another contraction seized her.

"Breathe babe…." Elvis said handing her the plastic mouthpiece. "Take some gas." She was beside herself and pushed him away, then grabbed the tubing for him to bring it to her again. She sucked in two inhalations and tightened her grip on Elvis' hand.

"Ohhhhhh…..ooooooo!" she whimpered.

Another midwife entered the room to assist Amelia. She folded the top sheet up and back. That agitated Georgie because she could not see what the midwifes were doing. But now the intensity of the contractions built as the baby was moving further down. All she wanted was for the pain to stop.

"Take some deep breaths Georgie. Now push!" Amelia ordered. Georgie let out a guttural groan as she beared down. "Well done. Again."

"Push and breathe George." Elvis coaxed. Georgie held onto his hand as if he were her lifeline. Elvis' heart was bounding from excitement and anxiety. He never expected childbirth to be like this.

"Come on Georgie…push!" Amelia ordered. Georgie panted several times and pulled her legs back, bearing down as hard as she could.

"High marks babe, you're doing great!" Elvis said, leaning over to see if he could see the extent of her progress.

"That's it…..keep going….push….push!" Amelia prodded. Georgie groaned and grimaced and practically squeezed the blood from Elvis' hand. "Aw well done mummy, we can see him now." Push Georgie! Well done!" Amelia said.

Elvis strained to look over the sheet. "His little head is pokin out!" Elvis said.

"Oh my God!" Georgie groaned and pushed.

"There you are…handsome boy!" Amelia said, cradling the baby's head in her hands.

"You can see him? You can see my boy?!" Georgie panted happily.

"Indeed. We need the rest of him though. Push again please…."

With a final groan Georgie pushed and Amelia expertly guided the newest member of the Harte family into the world. Elvis' face lit up at the sight of his newborn son. "Ya did it babe!" He gushed, bending down to kiss Georgie as she laughed and wept all at the same time. The midwives lifted the baby up and placed him in his mother's arms. Georgie wept the happiest tears in her life as she held her first born for the very first time.

"Awwww. He's beautiful! Look at him Elvis. He has your dark hair." she said kissing the top of the little one's head and fondling his tiny body. Elvis hugged her and kissed his head as well. Georgie examined him, fingers, toes…..he was their perfect little boy. Her face was radiant as she looked up at her husband. "Daddy…..meet Daniel." she said lovingly. Elvis put his arm around her and caressed the infant's cheek.

"Happy Birthday Daniel." he said and cuddled mother and son even closer to him.