It all happened so fast… the searing pain, the final push, the wet mass slipping through her legs right into Lee's outstretched hands.
"It's our darling! It's a girl!" He called out and she had never heard a more joyous announcement.
Instantly, her body relaxed. She had done it! Somehow, someway, only by the strength God had supplied, she had birthed their first baby. Her body began to shake with relief just as a warm, small bundle was placed on her chest. Her little girl. Tears instantly gathered in her eyes. Skin on skin, mother and daughter embraced for the first time. The moment was so surreal, Rosemary felt as if she was seeing it through Heaven's eyes.
Her baby girl. Amazingly small. Smooth skinned, light brown hair. With eyes squeezed shut she let out a hefty wail. What color were her eyes? And oh, look at what sweet little hands and feet she had. Would she be ambitious and a seeker of adventure like her mother or would she be more level headed like her father? Rosemary felt her heart melt into a puddle on the floor, just as a pain settled again in her midsection.
"Lee—" she called out, as the urge to push manifested once again. "It's time—" she groaned and handed the baby girl over quickly as the shudders in her midsection took over again, for the final time.
A short three minutes later, the second baby was handed to her, considerably smaller than the first, and darker in both hair color and skin tone.
"It's a boy! Our strong boy."
Once again, a small, warm and wriggling bundle was placed on her chest, and this time, instead of wailing, the baby quietly looked her in the eyes as if somehow comprehending that he was in fact looking at his mother. Lee came close, the baby girl snuggled in a new blanket in his arms. "They are just precious." His eyes misted over as they met hers.
"Our little family," her voice couldn't contain all the gratefulness she was feeling in her heart.
Over an Hour Later
Rosemary blinked her eyes open. Why, she must have taken a little nap. The searing pain in her back and lower region quickly flared, quickly reminding her of the momentous event that had occurred earlier. Her babies… her babies were here. They arrived safe and sound. And Lee, he had made it in time for the singlehanded most important moment of their lives. Tears pooled in her eyes and thankfulness bloomed in her heart.
She looked around the room, her eyes instantly landing on her husband as he sat in the rocker, his eyes glued onto the baby he held in his arms. He was quietly singing, and although she could not make out the words, the tune sounded much like their song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart".
After the last stanza, his head shot up, his kind light blue eyes meeting hers. Within a moment, he was by her side, baby in arm.
"Darling," His voice was filled emotion and his eyes filled with tears as he sat down on the edge of the settee. He took her hand in his, and gently stroked the back of her hand again and again in a loving manner.
She gave him a smile, albeit a tired and worn one. "They are precious aren't they?" She caressed the cheek of the little one he was holding. "This is our girl, right?"
He nodded. "Yep, and the little fella is sleeping just over there." He motioned to the cradle just a few feet away.
"You have no idea how happy I am you made it," she said. "I don't think I could have done it without you."
His eyes instantly clouded. "I never should have gone with the men. You were all alone. And those criminals here… with you in the closet." Anger flared through his features. "What if they hurt you, or the babies? What if the ladies didn't get here in time?" He covered his grief-stricken face with his hand.
She interlocked her fingers with his.
"It was terrifying." She tried to think of something to ease the tension, the pain he was feeling, but it was quite a drastic situation she had been in, and she came up short.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, "I should have been here for you. You know… before the final moment."
She shifted on the couch, pain searing her midsection. She grimaced and sought a more comfortable spot, all the while Lee's eyes observed her.
"I know you think I was alone, but I truly was not."
Lee looked up, curious. He looked so distraught she couldn't help but reach out and stroke his cheek, his whiskers scratching her fingertips.
"I wasn't alone," she continued, "because, you, my dear, taught me that God is always here. His infallible hands have held me all my life. Why wouldn't they hold me now?"
Lee's eyes cleared, bright sapphire blue replacing the worried steely blue. "You are absolutely right. And I'd do well to remember that." He looked down at their interlocked hands before meeting her eyes again. "I am so proud of you, Rosie. I love you." His eyes centered on hers, the deep ocean of love in his eyes threatening to swallow her whole.
"I love you, too, Lee Coulter." This time sentiment choked her voice. She kept her eyes locked on his, a moment she'd always remember passing between the two of them. After a moment, her voice returned. "I mean, just look at that little fella—" she motioned over to the handmade cradle where their son was sound asleep. "He's a spitting image of his father. He even sleeps with his mouth open." She laughed and Lee frowned playfully. "But really," she continued, her voice more serious, "I fear I have fallen in love again."
"As have I." He nodded towards the girl. "She's the oldest by three minutes, you know. A full three minutes. She will hold that over her brother all their lives I'm sure." He looked down at the baby, "Won't you, you precious little girl?"
Already he was wrapped around their baby girl's little finger.
Lee raised his chin, the dimple appearing in his cheek. "I know we went over every name under the moon, but I truly think the names we picked out are perfect."
"I couldn't agree with you more," she said.
He kissed her hand. "You're sure?"
She nodded. "Let's tell the others."
At that moment Dottie chose to peek her head in. "I know I was just in here a good twenty minutes ago but I just cannot seem to stay away. Supper's in the oven, ready in about a half hour. Is it okay if I sneak a peek of the little sweethearts before I head home?"
Rosemary smiled and motioned her closer. "Do you really need to ask?"
Dottie walked over and gently touched the cheek of the baby girl, then patted the blanket of the sleeping baby boy in the cradle.
"You know, they are going to need an aunt." Rosemary remarked, and Dottie's eyes lit in surprise.
"Yes," Dottie's face took on that most regal look she always gets when she is about to say something of import. "I suppose the little dears will need an auntie. A very sensible, kind and caring aunt, who will spoil them rotten," she lifted her eyebrows in hope.
Rosemary looked at Lee, who gave her a brief nod, then she spoke. "We'd love for you to be the honorary aunt to our children, considering both Lee and I do not have any siblings presently in our lives."
Dottie's eyes warmed as she looked over the babies. "I was hoping you'd ask," her voice warbled. "I would be honored."
"Children, I want you to meet your Aunt Dottie." Rosemary whispered.
Dottie's eyes gleamed with unshed tears. "I will always, always be here for you two. Well, you four actually," she said giving a sweet smile to Rosemary and Lee.
Florence swept in from the kitchen, her cheeks pink with all the work she had been kept busy with. "So, what are the names?" She questioned. Rosemary couldn't help but notice she was wearing her fancy purple chiffon dress, which was now rumpled and wrinkled, originally meant for— she groaned— the bridal shower!
"Oh, I've ruined Elizabeth's big day," she lamented.
"Tish tosh." Dottie said, coming closer. "She was as pleased as pie. Said that now we have to add two more attendees to the wedding. She even wondered if we could complete two baby gowns before the big day."
"Oh," Rosemary laughed, "I don't think I will have the time."
Dottie scoffed. "Of course not. That qualifies as an auntie's responsibility," her smile lit up the room. "And with the wedding still two weeks out, we still have time for a make up bridal shower. But it will be a toss up who is the attention of the party: Elizabeth or these two little sweethearts." Dottie cooed over the babies just as an aunt should.
"So?" Florence put a hand on her hip. "You have already kept us waiting over an hour. What are the names?"
Lee nodded to Rosemary, giving her the permission to share.
"Our son—" she motioned to the sleeping newborn in the cradle, "is Micah—
"Oh such a strong name!" Florence interjected, and the ladies nodded their agreement.
"Micah Patrick Coulter," Rosemary continued. "In honor of the brother that was lost to Lee too soon."
The ladies nodded, murmuring their affection for the name.
She continued, "'Micah' means 'one who is like the Lord' and we will be pleased to grow both him and his sister in an environment that introduces them to our Savior at an early age."
The ladies again emitted soft pleasing sounds of approval.
She nodded to Lee. It was his turn to introduce their daughter.
He cleared his throat and displayed the blinking blue-eyed beauty to the group. "I am pleased to introduce you to our Princess Madeline. Madeline means 'strong tower'. Like her mother said, we will grow her in a family who honors the Lord, and in that she will be made strong."
The ladies outright clapped.
"The name 'Madeline' is just adorable," Dottie commented as the ladies echoed the same sentiment.
"And what of the middle name?" Florence asked, obviously on pins and needles about the matter.
"I was just getting to that…" Lee again cleared his throat in a dramatic fashion. "Madeline Avery Coulter."
All the ladies instantly shifted their focus to Harriet, the namesake.
"Avery," Lee continued, "of course after our own Harriet Avery who has come into our lives at such a time as this."
The group of friends oohed and aahed all over again except for Harriet who had turned abruptly toward the window.
"Mother?" Rosemary called out from her spot on the settee as the rest of her friends gave their full attention to the babies.
Harriet sniffled and wiped a tear from her face before turning to meet her eyes.
Rosemary was confused. "Does it not please you we named her after you?"
Harriet sniffled again. "Nothing could be further from the truth."
"Then what is it?"
"I… I am moved," Harriet dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. "You see, in all my greatest hopes, I never ever could have imagined I would be here for the birth of your babies. To help you welcome them into the world. Then to have your daughter as my namesake—" her voice broke and she took a minute to gather herself. "It's just my grandest dream come true. God truly does restore and mend that which was broken."
Rosemary reached out for her hand, clasping it. "He truly does. These two babies will always be my reminder of that."
The ladies held onto each other for a moment, the bond between them stronger then before.
Rosemary brushed a tear from her own cheek. "And as for today— I will always remember how you were there for me when I needed you most. Your timing was impeccable. I thought I was going to give birth to these babies on my own. I didn't have the strength. I was giving up, giving in… then, I heard you calling my name…"
"I never should have let you go alone," Harriet's eyes were misty and guilty. "If something would have happened to you, I never would have forgiven myself."
"But you came for me. Like I said, your timing couldn't have been more perfect. How did you know?"
Harriet smiled, the guilt dissipating from her eyes. "I guess it is the bond between mother and daughter. I know… our bond isn't a traditional one, but I'd like to think that perhaps we have developed one these past few months. At the church, I just couldn't get you out of my mind. One might even call it a nudge from the Holy Spirit."
Molly lifted her head from where she had been coddling the baby. "Oh yes, you should have seen her. At every turn she was mentioning your name, worrying."
Florence nodded. "Yes, while we prepared the place settings, while we hung the decorations. I guess it was for good reason."
Dottie smiled. "It surely was a good thing that Jonas let Anna bring the buggy to the bridal party. I am sure we looked a sight riding out here as fast as the horses would carry us— all our chiffon dresses and accessories swaying in the wind." The ladies laughed and Rosemary joined them.
"But we made it," Dottie said, "and I do believe we made a good birthing team, don't you, ladies?"
Rosemary nodded wholeheartedly. "I never would have made it without your attention and care. You four came riding in, giving me strength when I most needed it."
Lee cleared his throat from across the room, good naturally.
"Oh, of course, I wouldn't forget you my dear," Rosemary grinned. "I would never have been able to do it without my knight in shining armor that came in the door just in time."
Lee beamed and walked closer to her, the baby still in his arms. He swept a light kiss over her lips.
She scrunched her forehead and looked up at him. "I still am completely stumped how you knew to come for me— That it was my time."
Lee looked at the ladies, and then met her eyes, his eyes remorseful. "Well… actually… I was on my way for more ammunition. The men ran out at the range," he shrugged. "I'd like to say it was some kind of wonderful intuition, but that's the honest truth."
She beamed up at him. "Oh so now the true story comes out does it?"
Lee shrugged, "Can I still keep the title of 'knight in shining armor'? I think I rather like it."
She pursed her lips as if considering it. "I think that is fair—" she said and Lee nodded, "as long as I am referred to 'Rosemary the Brave' from here on. This birthing process is not for the faint of heart."
Everyone chuckled.
"Yes, it was quite a bit more intense than I had remembered," Dottie commented, shaking her head.
"Yes it was," both Florence and Molly echoed.
Harriet smiled, "But you handled it like the strong, brave woman you are. It truly is a miracle."
"Especially after those men trapped you in the closet!" Molly exclaimed.
Lee's eyes instantly clouded. "If I get my hands on those men— who defiled our house and trapped my pregnant wife in a closet, oh I will just—" his face reddened.
Rosemary tugged on his hand. "Just for the record… they didn't exactly trap me in the closet. It was my hiding spot. They… didn't know I was here."
The ladies gasped and Lee stuttered, "Well, imagine that."
Dottie's mouth dropped open. "Are you saying that even in the beginning stages of labor you were able to remain hidden?"
She nodded shyly. "I had Lee's tartan plaid coat close by for comfort… and somehow I was able to make it through without being discovered."
Lee clicked his tongue. "Miracle of all miracles."
Everyone nodded, in awe of the phenomenon they had experienced here, today, together.
Dottie picked up a fussing baby Micah from the cradle, "I think someone is getting hungry."
She gave him a few pats on the back before handing him over to Rosemary's awaiting arms. She accepted the baby joyfully. Her son. Although he was squirming and about to let out a big wail, his hazel eyes connected with hers.
The little bundle in Lee's arms squirmed as well, as if she could sense it was time to eat too.
Dottie gathered the women to her sides like a mother hen. "Let's give them their privacy." She said urging the ladies out of the room. "You know," she said as she looked back, "it doesn't amaze me that the babies were born in the fashion they were."
"Oh?" Rosemary shifted, working on loosening her shirt for a feeding session.
"Yes, just like their mother they seem to be drawn to pizzazz and dramatics. Wouldn't you all agree?" She addressed the women next to her just as Madeline Avery released a big scream.
They all laughed.
Dottie nodded. "What did I tell you?"