Chapter 40

8 1/2 Months

Kate turned over in bed when she heard Agnes laughing down stairs, Red calling out to her, obviously chasing her around the room. Andrea opened her eyes to see Kate smiling, turning over, she leaned over to kiss the older woman.

"Same time every morning." Andrea said.

"He does enjoy playtime with her."

"I'm not complaining, it's nice to see."

"I never thought I'd see Raymond settle down, I'm glad he did."

"If it wasn't for you, it might never have happened."

"Just as well I was attacked then."

"Oh god, no I didn't mean…"

"Andrea just ignore me, I didn't sleep all that well last night."

"The baby?"

"My back, the pain's getting worse."

"Maybe you should stay off your feet today, relax."

"No, walking helps. Maybe we could go for a small walk around the island."

"A small walk?"

"Okay then, just around the estate, how about that instead."

"Sounds a little better, we don't want you to exhaust yourself. You hungry?"

"Not really dearie."

"It's not like you to pass up breakfast, in fact I'm sure you're the one who told me breakfast was the most important meal of the day."

"Do you hold me to everything I say."

"Quite often." She laughed. "Come on, just a little something?"

"Very well dearie."

Everyone was in the kitchen, Red and Kate were at the counter, making some eggs, while Lizzie was trying to get Agnes to finish her cereal.

"So, anything planned for today?" Lizzie asked.

"Kate wants to go for a walk around the estate."

"Well it's good weather for it, Red wants to try Agnes in the pool today so that should be fun."

"Oh good, I'm glad."

"Huh?"

"Well, I mean I'm glad you won't be far away."

Lizzie looked at her oddly before Andrea looked to make sure Kate wasn't listening to them.

"I'm just a little worried, Kate said she didn't get a lot of sleep last night. She's experiencing a lot of pain in her back."

"That's normal, I know I had a lot."

"I know it's normal, it's just…I don't know."

"What?"

"A lot of women experience labour in their back and I'm just worried that's what's happening with her. Yes, she gets back pain but I saw her when she was getting ready this morning, the pain was that intense that it stopped her in her tracks."

"You think she's in labour?"

"Certainly that start of it, I'll call the hospital shortly, let them know. I don't want to take any chances."

Lizzie and Andrea looked up when the heard the crash on the floor, seeing the spatula lying on the floor by Kate's feet, as the older woman leaned a little on the counter, Andrea seeing her eyes closing briefly.

"Told you?" Andrea whispered.

"Should we tell Red?"

"Not yet, he'll just panic."

They looked back to see Red picking up the spatula, rubbing Kate's back to see that she was al-right.

Red and Lizzie were in the pool with Agnes, the little girl laughing as she splashed around in the water, Red holding on to her tightly before passing her back and forth to Lizzie to get her used too the water.

"I wonder how Dembe is enjoying his lunch date with Gabby." Lizzie asked.

"You're a terrible matchmaker Lizzie."

"Well they needed a little push, anyway…he needs to get out there and meet people."

"I think that goes for all of us."

"True, we'll have to think about getting Agnes in to a kindergarten or something, somewhere she can meet kids her own age."

"No rush is there."

"It's only for a few hours a day Red, surly you can cope without her for that long."

"Of course I can, its just…nice, having a child around the place."

"Soon you'll have two."

"Not long to go has she?"

"Less than you think?" She muttered.

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing."

"Lizzie?" He warned.

"Nothing, come on…one more time Agnes huh." She smiled, as Red took hold of the young girl.

Andrea had her arm around Kate's waist as the older woman leaned heavily on the nearby tree as she tried to catch her breath.

"So when were you planning on telling me?" Andrea asked.

"What?"

"Kate, I'm a doctor remember. How long have you been having contractions."

"I'm not having…."

Kate stopped mid sentence as she lowered herself a little, the pain easing a little as she breathed in and out slowly. Andrea came down to her level, forcing Kate to look at her.

"Honey, you're in labour, and you have been for a few hours now."

"I can't be…it's too soon."

"You only have a couple of weeks left, it's not too early."

"Then why did you let me come walking then." Kate asked, beginning to panic.

"Because it's good for you, walking helps move along labour, but I didn't want us too far out which it why I suggested a walk around the estate. Do you wanna head back?"

Kate could only nod her head as Andrea helped her to her feet, slowly making their way back to the house.

To Be Continued…