Now, Hiram and Bridget are talking about having their first child.
Chapter 2: Clover
Hiram allowed Bridget to stop working so she could rest and think about the baby because strenuous tasks were not good for the baby. This meant Bridget had to work less hours and do things that reduce stress. She also had to avoid certain foods that could make her and her unborn child sick like undercooked meats, so she could focus on the baby. Luckily, Hiram was the one to help her with what foods she could eat. It was hard picking the right ones, but their doctor recommended what foods Bridget was enabled to eat.
There were days when Hiram and Bridget went shopping to prepare for the baby, such as blankets, toys, baby bottles, diapers, and binkies. Hiram built a cradle and a carriage and Bridget stood, admiring his handiwork.
Bridget groaned in pain, feeling a baby kick in her stomach.
"What's the matter, Bridget?" Hiram asked.
"I feel the baby kicking inside me," she answered, "Can you get me some pickles, please?"
"Yes, my dear." Then the toymaker went into the kitchen to get a jar of pickles for his wife. He opened it for her and offered it to her. "Here you go. Cravings are common."
"Aww, thanks, honey," Bridget said, but then she started to cry because the hormones during her pregnancy took its toll on her.
Hiram bent down to comfort her. "Shh...it's okay, my sweet," he said softly, "It takes time to adjust to this big change, but you'll feel better once our child is born. I'll also be lucky to be a father and I'll be the happiest man in the world."
It took a while for her sobbing to decrease, but at least he was there when she needed him.
…
Nine months after Bridget's pregnancy, Bridget told her husband, "Hiram, I need to go to the hospital!"
Hiram knew just what his wife meant, so he called the doctor.
"We'll be on our way, Mr. Flaversham," the doctor assured him.
"Thank you," Mr. Flaversham said and hung up.
As promised, the doctors quickly brought Bridget to the hospital, so she could give birth to her child. They put her in a wheelchair to bring her to the delivery room. Hiram was with her to help her and see his child.
"Just remember to breathe, hon," one nurse told her and Bridget, who was in labor, did. "There you go."
"It hurts," Bridget whined and felt a contraction.
"I know, honey, but it's going to be okay," the nurse assured her, "You'll see. Your baby is going to be beautiful."
Motivated by the nurse's words, Bridget continued to breathe and shrieked as the baby was coming out of her body. A few pushes later, the baby's head was shown.
"Ah, we see a head," one nurse said.
Bridget continued to push.
"It's a beautiful little girl," the other nurse said.
"A girl?" Hiram asked, "She looks beautiful."
After a couple more pushes, the nurses were able to pull the baby out. Bridget cried tears of joy at her now born child. The baby cried once she was out of her mother's womb because of the cold world, but the nurses cleaned her up and swaddled her. Then, they brought the baby back to Bridget.
"It's alright, Mommy's here," Bridget soothed as she cradled her daughter in her arms.
"So, what are we going to name her, Bridget?" Hiram asked.
"We'll call her Clover," Bridget replied.
Hiram's eyes widened. "That's a lovely name."
Bridget smiled and giggled. "She looks like you."
"Oh, because of the hair?" asked Hiram, "I see."
Baby Clover yawned and fell asleep. Her mother did the same.
…
Hiram and Bridget placed Clover in a cradle. A few minutes later, Clover started to cry, so Bridget and Hiram came over to her to see what was the matter. "I think she's hungry," Hiram said and went to get her a bottle of milk. Bridget bottle fed her hungry offspring.
That night, Clover bawled, so Bridget had to come over to calm her by singing a lullaby.
How in the midst of all this sorrow
Can so much hope and love endure?
I was innocent and certain,
Now I'm wiser but unsure.
Bridget sighed in relief as Clover's sobbing quieted and continued.
I can't go back into my childhood.
One that my father made secure.
I can feel a change in me.
I'm stronger, but still not free.
It worked and Clover was fast asleep in no time. Bridget placed her back in her bed and went to her room.
…
The next morning, Bridget was bottle feeding Clover. Hiram watched his wife take care of their baby.
Then, Hiram and Bridget gave Clover a bath in a baby tub in case she were to drown in a tub. They just wanted their newborn to be safe and protected at all costs. It was hard for the little one to get used to bathing, but luckily, they were patient and gentle with her. Hiram tickled Clover's ribs, making her giggle. After the newborn's bath, Hiram and Bridget got her dressed.
Whenever Clover had a messy diaper, Bridget and Hiram each took turns changing and cleaning her.
As Clover grew older, she began eating softer foods. Hiram made silly faces and sounds as he fed her. Sometimes Bridget did the same as she fed Clover.
…
When Clover was a year old, Hiram and Bridget taught her how to walk. Clover stood on both feet and took baby steps. "Good job, sweetie," Hiram said.
Bridget clapped. "Good girl!"
...
One day, Clover said her first word. "Toy," she said, since she'd seen her father make toys.
"Hiram, honey!" Bridget called.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Hiram asked.
"Clover said her first word," Bridget answered.
"Let's hear it," Hiram said, eager to hear his daughter's first word.
"Toy," Clover spoke.
Hiram showed her a toy he held in his hand. "You're correct. I'm a toymaker and I make toys. Great job."
…
At age four, Clover started preschool. At the end of each day, she was picked up from school by either Hiram or Bridget, depending on who was busy. Clover's teacher thought Clover was a gifted student since she was good at drawing clovers and that was where she got her name. "Very good, Clover," her teacher said.
"Mama! Papa!" Clover said.
"What is it, honey?" Bridget asked.
"Look what I drew!" Clover replied, showing her parents a drawing.
"Looks good, sweetheart," Hiram said.
…
When Clover was nine, she wanted a little sister. "Mama? Papa?" she said.
"Yes, Clover?" Bridget asked.
"I would like a little sister," Clover replied.
"Don't worry, sweetie," Bridget assured her, "I've been wanting another child, so you don't have to feel lonely."
"And we're going to get another one in nine months," Hiram said.
Bridget chuckled. "Yet, we have no idea if the child is going to be a boy or a girl."
"Not yet, but when he or she comes, we'll know."
"Yes!" Clover cheered, looking forward to seeing her new sibling in nine months. She'll find out if her unborn sibling is either a boy or a girl soon enough.
Guess who will be Clover's sibling? Stay tuned and find out.