A Different Path: Chapter 3:
Alice had convinced him to take a break from Adelaide's side to take time to check on the baby. Adelaide still hadn't woken up yet and with every passing moment, panic was beginning to take root. That moment when he thought she might hemorrhage and the moments after, he began to realize more fully how much Addie did mean to him- and how he never wanted to let her go.
Julia and William were talking in low tones, Julia holding the baby when he came into the room. Both looked undeniably worried.
"Has she woken yet?" they both rose.
"No" Neil shook his head. "She lost a lot of blood. We just have to wait and see. She should wake soon"
"Are you worried?" William asked, frankly.
"I'll feel much better when she wakes, that's for sure" Neil told him.
"Why do you think she hasn't woken up?" Julia asked, the anxiety written on her features.
"I'm not sure" Neil replied honestly, "It could be the blood loss or just sheer exhaustion from delivering the babe the way she did. Speaking of the wee lad, I want to check him over and weigh and measure him"
"Of course" Julia handed the baby to Neil.
"I'll take him into the other room" Neil adjusted the blanket around him. He smiled at the babe. "He's a good weight, I can tell already"
"Do you need help?" Julia asked.
"No, we'll be fine" Neil said, "I'll bring him back shortly"
Neil laid him on a blanket on the kitchen table and began to examine him, weighing and measuring and listening to his heartbeat and lungs, causing Simon to immediately protest- his wail loud.
"Ye are just like your mama, aren't ye?" Neil chuckled as he picked up the babe again, wrapping him in the blanket to rest him upright on his shoulder, patting his back, "but ye look like your Papa that's for sure"
The babe settled down against him and Neil put him back down, "Aye, just like Mama...needs a little time to protest and a wee bit of soothin before settling down...it's actually healthy for ye, lad" He continued to examine him, talking to him in low tones.
"Ten pounds, two ounces"
Julia stood at the doorway, "Ten pounds?" Her eyes were wide, reminding him very much of Adelaide. "Adelaide and Christy were both so tiny- six pounds each"
Neil chuckled, "It makes a difference, I'm sure. Your daughter is a fighter through and through"
"She is that" Julia gave him a small smile, but he could tell her worry for Adelaide was clouding her happiness. "How is the baby?"
"He is entirely healthy as you can tell from his strong pair of lungs" He wrapped the babe back up and then tenderly picked him up to hand him to Julia. "I'm going to go back to sit with Adelaide"
"Doctor MacNeill" Julia's voice was soft, "It's the middle of the night. You look exhausted"
Neil shrugged, "It's my job and I won't be able to sleep until she wakes up, regardless if I wanted to or not"
Julia reached out to touch his arm, "Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter"
"You're welcome"
Adelaide woke to the baby crying in the distance and Neil's head on her covers.
"Neil" she rubbed his shoulder gently, not having the energy to do more. "Where's the baby?"
His head rose quickly, "How are you feeling?"
She took stock, "Not good"
"Do you need more pain reliever?"
"Possibly" she replied. "I thought you said it wasn't that bad. This feels bad. Downright awful in fact"
"It's not as bad as it could have been considering the babe's position and how big he is and that we had to use forceps" Neil said, "but your recovery is surely going to be difficult for you"
Adelaide frowned, "Can you tell me what happened? My memories are fuzzy"
"Do you want me to give you the patient version or the nurse version of the events?" Neil asked, his eyes on her.
"The nurse version, most definitely" Adelaide said, "I won't become mortified, I promise. Don't hold back. I want to know everything"
Neil nodded and began to speak to her candidly about what happened and her recovery. Adelaide asked a few questions, the blush only rising slightly.
"I'm very sorry, Adelaide" he told her, sincerely, after they finished talking about it. "I feel terrible about it"
"No" she shook her head, "it's not your fault. Simon would have done the same thing even with me harassing him to do otherwise. All that matters is the baby is fine- you were completely right to deliver him the way you did"
"Aye, but still, you've given me quite the scare" Neil told her honestly, "For a moment, I thought..." he stopped, but Adelaide knew what he was going to say.
Adelaide studied him, "You said I bled a lot. Did you worry that I was hemorrhaging?"
Neil nodded, unable to speak at the moment, unusual for him.
Adelaide reached and slipped her hand in his. "I'm sorry I put you through that. I was selfish to ask you to be my doctor considering..."
"No" Neil shook his head, swiftly, "I wanted to provide your medical care and it is my job... I just...you are a good friend, Adelaide. It wouldn't simply be the lost of a patient, even though that in itself would have haunted me"
"I understand" she swallowed hard. "But I wasn't in danger, was I?"
He shook his head, "I don't think so, but you passed out which concerned me too"
"Probably a good thing considering how much you had to fix me up" Adelaide said, giving him a wry smile, "even my braveness would have been lacking at that moment"
"I doubt that" he squeezed her hand, "Do you want me to get you more pain reliever? And some food? We need to begin restoring your strength"
"What time is it?" Adelaide saw the dim light in the dark room, "It's nighttime, right?"
"4 am, I think, but I want you to eat anyway" he told her. They could continue to hear the baby fussing in the distance.
"May I see the baby first?" Adelaide said, "And nurse him? He's screaming. He needs me"
"Of course, lass. I'll get him for you" he rose.
"Him?" her face absolutely lit up at that pronouncement, "Do I have a son?"
"Ye do indeed" Neil smiled, "He's a fine lad, Adelaide. Looks like Simon" He leaned down, "Let me help you sit up so you are all ready for him." Adelaide winced as she realized exactly how sore she was. Neil was right- this was not going to be pleasant.
"There we go" he pushed her gently forward and placed some pillows behind her back, then eased her back again. "Does this feel alright?"
She bit her lip, "No"
"It's not going to be comfortable" he said, his hand on her shoulder, "but do you feel light headed sitting up?"
She thought about it, "No"
"Good, then I'll be right back"
Adelaide felt like it was an eternity until Neil came back- she was so excited to meet her son. Neil came back in, the baby not fussing any longer.
"Did he stop crying?"
"Aye" Neil grinned, "right when I picked him up. I knew I made a friend during the storm"
"I think you did" She grinned back and Neil put him in her arms. "Oh my, he's so precious. Look at his dark hair. Just like Simon"
"Or you" Neil pointed out.
"True, but he looks so much like Simon" she reached to unswaddle him a bit so she could see his hands, "His hands are so tiny. Look at them. They are so sweet. Have you ever seen sweeter hands than these?" She moved the blanket again, letting out his feet, "And these baby feet. Nothing is more precious than newborn baby's toes"
Neil smiled at her awe over the little life she gave birth to. "Ten wee fingers and ten wee toes, Adelaide, like most babies"
She looked up at him, to meet his twinkling eyes, "I'm being a bit silly, aren't I?"
"No" he chuckled, "You are being a mama and it is a fine thing to behold, lass"
She smiled at him before looking back down at the baby, "He's just perfect. Thank you, Neil, for saving him"
"He is perfect" Neil agreed, sitting on the bed next to her.
"He's healthy, yes?"
"Aye, I checked him over myself. It annoyed him to no end, much like I do his mama while I'm doctoring her" he confirmed.
She laughed, "Well, he has to inherit something from me"
"That is true" Neil acknowledged, "I'm sure he's inherited a lot from you"
"I hope he inherited more from his Daddy. Simon was an infinitely better person that I am"
"Simon was a good man, for sure, but don't sell yourself short either. The lad is lucky to have you"
"He's actually on the big side for a newborn" Adelaide said, looking up at him, "You were right. How big is he?"
Neil's eyes twinkled, "Don't get worked up about it"
Her eyes widened, "How big?"
"Ten pounds, two ounces" Neil said, "A strapping lad for sure"
"Oh, Lord, well" She paused and looked down at him, "I'd rather him be big than too tiny, right? Even if that does make my recovery harder..."
Neil chuckled, "That's a fine way of looking at it. What's the lad's name?"
"Hum" Adelaide still held the babe's hand as he opened his eyes to look at her. "What do you think little one?" She looked up at Neil, "His name is Simon"
"Of course, it is" Neil smiled, "After his Papa is a fine idea, Adelaide"
She nodded and then gave him an odd look.
"What is it?"
"I have a suggestion for a middle name" Adelaide said, softly, "but we are already in so much trouble with the others, I don't know if it will make it worse for us, but it is what I want"
"Okay" Neil said, slowly.
"I want to name Simon after you too. You saved my life, Neil, in more ways that you will ever know. I truly want Simon to carry your name as well. I think Simon would have wanted it to, but if you object of course, I won't"
"I'm honored, Adelaide" Neil said, reaching to smooth the baby's hair, "do what you want and don't worry about what the others say. I don't think it will make it worse"
"There we go" Adelaide looked down at the baby, "Simon Neil Napier, welcome to the world, sweet one"
The next morning, Neil came in to check on her. He consulted with Alice about her recovery, talking about her but not to her, much to her annoyance. "You know you can talk to me about it" she said, "instead of talking to Alice. I am a nurse and I do know what is going on...we just talked this over yesterday"
"Hush" Neil retorted, "I'll talk to you in a moment"
"You do know this habit of doctors is quite annoying" she told him. "I even worked in maternity hospital"
"I recall you mentioning that once or twice" Neil answered.
"I know more than I would ever want to know about childbearing and the aftermath and complications and all the particulars... even more than you do, I'm sure..."
"I hear you, Mrs. Napier" Neil said, his eyes twinkling, knowing she was trying to goad him into talking to her.
"Don't you generally leave post partum care to nurses?" she frowned at him.
"Not the patients I'm called to fix up as much as I had to fix you up" Neil said, bluntly, "And I'm not going to be the one who overlooks anything when it comes to you"
"Why is that?"
"Good nurses are so hard to come by" Neil retorted, dryly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Now settle down and let me finish talking to Alice. Drink more water" he commanded.
"Very well" she reached for her water and began to take sips. "But if you start talking about my bodily functions in front of me, I will throw something at you"
"Just as long as it's not the babe, lassie, we'll be fine" Neil chuckled.
She laughed at him and while their frank conversation would usually cause a rise in her color, she remained pale, a fact that was well noted by the good doctor.
He continued to talk to Alice in low tones before going to sit next to her.
"Your color is poor" he remarked.
"I'm not surprised" Adelaide commented. "Are you?"
"No" he took her water and sat it on the table. "Alice told me that you are ate a good breakfast"
"I could have told you about what I had eaten" She frowned.
"Are we still talking about that?" Neil chuckled.
"Yes"
"Well, I'm not" Neil replied, "How's your pain?"
"I feel alright" she responded, "as long as I take the medicine you left and don't move"
"Let's see how you are healing" Neil said, helping her scoot down. "Just a quick look" he said, as she grimaced.
"I'm never having another baby again, that's how I'm healing" she said, adamantly. "This is barbaric"
Neil chuckled, "You must be feeling better" he commented.
"No, I feel horrid" Adelaide told him, honestly, "but I'm trying to be positive about it"
He quickly examined her, "Is this you being positive?"
"Um, yes" she replied, "and if you were me right now, this would be your positive too"
"Well, you are typically more positive by nature than me" Neil said. "I'm a realist through and through"
"No, Dr. MacNeill, you are just cranky" she retorted and Alice chuckled.
Adelaide looked at Alice, "I suppose Miss Alice is the genuinely positive person here"
"That she is" Neil helped her scoot back up, "I want you to get up and walk around some now" he told her. "But only when one of us is here and only for short amounts of time. Otherwise, I want you to stay in bed for a week"
She frowned, "That's a little excessive"
"I would rather you stay in for two, but I know you" he told her.
"I think I will leave thee to argue it out" Alice said, "Adelaide, would thee like some soup for lunch?"
She nodded, "That would be lovely, thank you, Miss Alice"
"Thee is welcome" she said, leaving the door open.
"What were you saying?"
"I want you to get out of bed for a bit"
She sighed at the thought of moving, "Neil, I'm not sure" she cringed.
"It will be fine" he assured her, his hand on her shoulder, "the more you can move now, the better you'll feel later"
"I know you are right" She swallowed, "I'll need help to do so"
"Sure, I'll help you" Neil replied, easily. "Come on, now" He bent down to help her sit up again and scoot to the edge of the bed.
She grimaced. "Okay"
"Go ahead and push yourself up" he said, patiently, "I know you feel weak and miserable, but we have to restore your strength"
"Okay" She managed to get off the bed and take a step before grabbing Neil's arms, "The world is spinning"
"How bad?"
"Quite"
"Are you going to faint?" he held her steady.
"I don't know" she admitted. "maybe"
"Okay" Neil gently eased her back on the bed and pushed her head forward, his hand steady on her back. "Let me know when it stops"
"I've never passed out so much in my life" Adelaide said, grimly. "What is happening to me?"
"Well, you haven't had a baby before, have you?" Neil retorted, "It doesn't make you weak. It's just how your body is dealing with the stress of carrying and delivering the babe. Don't be hard on yourself. Still feel woozy?"
"Yes" she said.
"Take your time then"
After a while, she lifted her head, "Okay"
"Take a sip" he told her, as he handed her the water. "Better?"
She nodded.
"Try again. Take it slowly"
She took a breath and stood again, her knees shaky.
He gripped her arms, steadying her. "Are you dizzy?" he asked.
"No, it's better"
"Good, here, hold my arm" She walked around the room twice, trying not to wince as she did.
"Okay, that's enough for now. You look exhausted" Neil said. "Back in bed"
He helped her back in bed and she rolled on her side and curled up as he put the sheet over her.
"All tucked in there, lass?" he asked, amused.
She sighed, "Yes"
"How do you feel?"
"Sore" she wrinkled up her nose.
"It will get better" Neil reached to smooth down her hair. "You need to rest"
At that moment, Simon began to fuss from his cradle.
"Does he need to feed?" Neil asked as he picked him up for her.
"I just fed him before you came in" Adelaide said, shaking her head. "Let me have him"
"No" Neil shook his head, "You rest" He unswaddled the blanket. "His diaper needs changing"
Adelaide groaned and attempted to scoot herself back up, wincing as she did.
"No, lay down" he insisted, "I can change his diaper"
"Call my mother" Adelaide said, "Or Miss Alice"
"Honestly, Adelaide" Neil chuckled, "I'm a doctor. Don't you think I can handle a diaper change?"
"Most doctors I know have no idea how to change a diaper" she said. "Most men I know have no idea how to change a diaper"
"Well, at times I have to be more than a doctor out here" He reached for a clean diaper and a wet cloth, "We don't need them, do we lad?"
"Neil" Adelaide protested, "he will probably mess on you, trust me"
He chuckled, "It certainly wouldn't be a wee one has done that to me" he turned to her sternly, "I said to stay lying down. You exerted yourself walking, and you can't sit up without wincing in pain. You need to rest, Addie, understood?"
She frowned, "You are quite the bully when doctoring"
"You appreciate it" Neil smiled at the baby as he began to change him on her bed.
"Not when I'm the patient" she watched him.
"Hush now. You are using up your energy being argumentative"
He made quick work of the task. He swaddled him back and put him back in his cradle, rocking him until he fell asleep. He then went to sit down next to Adelaide.
"You are really quite good with babies" Adelaide commented, "did you and Margaret want to have lots of children?"
"No" Neil shook his head, swiftly. "She was upset when she learned she was expecting. She felt trapped already and growing the baby made her feel more so"
"I can somewhat relate" Adelaide said, softly, "it's not easy, that's for certain. I felt trapped at times"
"I wasn't the most sympathetic to those feelings" Neil admitted.
"I'm sure you were more than you thought you were" she said, "you were to my feelings about it"
"No, I'm fairly certain I wasn't" Neil said, his voice low. "It's different- she blamed me for it and I reacted to that"
"Of course you did" Adelaide said, "that's understandable"
He nodded, "What about you and Simon?" he changed the subject, "Did Simon want a whole bushel of young'uns?"
"Oh yes" Adelaide chuckled, "Completely not accepted in our social circles but he wanted a large family- I think to make up for his family not being around any longer. Being the only child was tough on him, I think"
"What about you?" Neil asked, lightly.
"After this? I'm done having children" she said, adamantly.
He laughed, "Maybe I shouldn't ask you the morning after you have just gone through such a rough delivery"
"Perhaps" she laughed, "but...I don't know" she shrugged. "I can't imagine having another child with anybody but Simon, I can't imagine being married to anybody but Simon"
"You are still young though, don't dismiss it entirely"
She nodded, "I guess life is unexpected sometimes"
"That it is, lass" Neil replied, "That it is"
Adelaide moaned as she rather stiffly moved across the room to pick up the baby. It had been three days already- three days of nonstop care for the baby, even with her mother's and Alice's and Christy's help. She was sleep deprived and still in pain and her moods were all over the place, swinging for completely joyful to wanting to melt down in a puddle of tears. It was one of the moments when the baby was crying and she was trying to bounce him that she allowed her tears to fall too. A stab of pain again, which began to intensify as she moved and the tears increased. At this point, she felt like she would never recover again. And she missed Simon terribly, her grief seemingly stronger-with the arrival of his son, the loss felt fresh again.
A knock on the door interrupted her crying. She tried to wipe away her tears.
"Come in" she said, her voice shaky.
"Adelaide" Neil popped his head in. "I wanted to check on you. I just got back from Low Gap"
"How's the little boy?" she said, tears still falling and in spite of her best efforts, they were increasing now that Neil was watching her.
"Better. He'll pull through" he frowned and walked over to where she was standing and bouncing the baby. "What's wrong?"
"I don't feel good and he won't stop crying" she said.
"You are pushing yourself too much. I wanted you to stay in bed for a few more days. You can move around, but I want somebody in here with you when you do and I absolutely don't want you lifting the babe this much"
"I can't do that. I'm his mother" Adelaide said. "I have to take care of the baby. Don't you understand?" she began to cry harder as the baby refused to settle for her.
"Okay, hold on" he took the baby from her, him quieting down as Neil bounced and patted his back. "Has he been fed?"
"About a half hour ago"
"Good. I'll be back"
"What are you doing?"
"Giving the babe to your mother. There is a reason why she and your father are still here" Neil told her. "He'll be fine away from you"
"Neil, I have to take care of the baby" she said, her lip trembling.
"You have to take care of yourself too. Get back in bed, Adelaide" His voice was firm.
She knew that tone too well and she allowed him to help her back into bed and didn't argue further. He left her and she began to cry even harder, not being able to stop.
Neil was back in a few minutes, "Simon is fine with your mama. She's rocking him and he has settled right now. Hopefully she can get him to take a nap"
"Thank you"
He sat next to her, "How's your pain?"
"It hurts to move..."
He frowned, "That's why I want ye in bed" he told her.
"It actually hurts to not move, too" she admitted.
"When's the last time you took the medication I left?"
She shrugged. "I don't need it"
"Adelaide" Neil's voice was patient, "you obviously do still need it and there is no shame in that"
"It's been a few days. I shouldn't have to take anything more"
"Aye" Neil nodded, "It's only been a few days. It could be a few weeks until you feel like yourself again, especially considering the complications of your delivery. If you insist on pushing yourself, you will make things worse, I guarantee and if I get called to come fix you up again, it won't be pleasant"
"Don't scold me"
"I'm not trying to scold you" Neil said, "I'm trying to help you"
"By scolding me?" she asked, her voice rising.
He fought the urge to roll his eyes, "Just listen to me"
"You don't understand. I'm all Simon has. I have to take care of him. The pain reliever makes me groggy. I have to be alert if Simon needs me" her tears flowed faster.
"Your mother and Alice and your sister are all here. Let them help"
"But he's my responsibility, not theirs" she began to sob and bury her head in her legs. "They'll never think I can handle this and they are right. I can't do this. It's all hopeless"
"Oh, Adelaide, lass" Neil pulled her into his arms and she leaned against him.
"I don't even know really why I'm crying" she sobbed. "I just feel completely overwhelmed and out of sorts"
"That's alright" his voice was low as he held her tightly in his arms, "Just get it out of you. You'll feel better once you have a good cry"
She continued to cry for a few more minutes. "I'm not usually like this"
"I know" he said as she pulled away, "Some women are weepy after they have the babe. It's normal"
"But I tend to be so level headed and reasonable" she said as she took the handkerchief he offered.
"Of course" he replied, trying earnestly not to laugh.
"I see that look" Adelaide scowled. "Do you not think I'm reasonable and level headed?"
"Most days, Adelaide" Neil said, "but we all have our moments"
"Including you" she told him.
"Aye, even me"
She hitched her breath, "I feel ridiculous"
"Don't" Neil stood and went over to the side table where the medication was being kept. "Let's give you more of this and don't argue with me"
"Alright" she said, softly. She took the glass from his hand and drank it. "I'm never going to be myself again" she said, despairingly.
"Aye, you will, It will get better. There is no permanent damage although I'm sure it feels otherwise right about now" he told her, "just be patient and allow your body to heal"
"I know you're right, just right now it doesn't feel like you are" she sighed, "it's just adjusting to the baby and recovering from the delivery...and" she clutched the handkerchief, "I keep thinking about Simon, Neil"
"Of course you are, how could ye not with his son just being born?"
She nodded, "I feel like I'm grieving all over again and I'm so alone"
"You are not alone" Neil told her reaching for her hand, "you have your parents and your sister and Alice and Opal...and practically the whole cove is on your side, which is really quite the achievement considering you are an outsider" He paused, "and you have me, lass. Whatever you need, I'm here"
Her lip trembled, "Really?"
"Aye" he nodded, "If you need a friend or just a shoulder to cry on. I know who you really want is gone, but you can't isolate yourself from the people that want to help you. And you can't control this situation, Adelaide. You will need help. There is no shame in that"
"Okay, I'll try to relinquish control and let people help" she squeezed his hand, "thank you"
"You're welcome" he stood, "I want you to lie down now and try to rest. I'll sit with you for a while until you fall asleep. When does the babe need to feed again?"
"About an hour and a half" she said.
"Alright, that gives you plenty of time for a nap" he helped her ease back down. "Doctor's orders"
"Make sure I'm woken if Simon needs to eat"
"Don't worry about that. If I'm gone, I'll tell Alice and your mother"
She rolled gingerly onto her side. They were silent for a few minutes and Neil thought that she was asleep, until she said, "Neil, I really don't know what I would do without you"
He reached out to stroke her hair, knowing she was half asleep, groggy from the pain medication, "I hope I can always be here for you, Adelaide. I don't know what I would do without you, lass"
"The Cove still wants us to marry" she responded. "Opal visited and said Uncle Bogg is still set on it, especially now the baby is born"
"I know" he said, his voice low, "but we didn't do anything wrong"
She sighed, "those days felt right. What does that mean, Neil? How can it feel right when I'm still grieving Simon and still love him so much?"
"I don't know, lass, but it felt right to me too" he continued to smooth down her hair, "don't worry about all that now, just go to sleep"
"I'm tired" she said.
"I know you are" he said, "you've been through a lot. Just rest now. Close your eyes, that's a good girl"
She fell asleep and Neil sat there for a while, contemplating the situation, before standing, kissing her on the head, and headed downstairs to check on the baby.
"How is Adelaide, Neil?" Alice asked as he came downstairs.
Neil beckoned to her and they headed into the kitchen.
"I didn't want to say anything in front of Julia and William, but she was completely weepy when I went into check on her. I know it's normal, but you and I need to watch her carefully for depression. I don't want us to miss anything, especially with Adelaide"
She nodded, "of course, did thee talk to her?"
"Aye" he said, "And I think she is just feeling overwhelmed. She also let her pain level get too bad, she's going to need encouragement to continue to manage it"
"Talking her into taking something is never easy, Neil" Alice said, "thee seems to be the only one who can do that"
"I don't give her much of a choice in the matter" Neil said, "and she knows it. I don't want to delay her recovery just because she is being stubborn"
"I don't think it is simply that" Alice retorted, "she feels the weight of this all now"
"I know" he said, his voice sympathetic. "but she is strong. She must allow for help"
"I know" Alice agreed.
"I'm going to go home now and get some rest. The babe needs to feed in an hour and a half, but if Adelaide is still resting and he is settled, push it back to two hours or so. She needs her sleep"
"I agree" Alice nodded.
"Call me if she is being bull headed and I'll come and talk her down"
"I will"
"Otherwise, tell Addie I'll come back tomorrow"
"Very good. We'll see thee tomorrow then"
"I should have been called sooner durin the birthin" Granny scolded as she bustled around the room, "The Doc completely destroyed ye" she told her, grunting, after she examined her, Adelaide consenting, knowing that she couldn't well afford to insult Granny right now.
She jiggled the baby and looked helplessly at Opal. "Where are my parents?" she mouthed.
"They went out for a walk" Opal whispered. "Mary must have told her from her visit yesterday"
Adelaide frowned, "Christy? Miss Alice?" she whispered.
"They are out too. That's why I'm here" she reminded her. She patted her hand, "Granny knows what she is adoin, Miz Addie"
Adelaide sighed as she handed the baby to Opal. She knew Opal thought so highly of Granny so she wouldn't have help there.
Granny started ruffling through her bag to retrieve some dried roots and began to lay them out, making a concoction. "This will be a healin"
Adelaide swallowed hard. She had no idea what she was going to do with the concoction she was making and she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Has ye milk come in for the babe?" she asked, frankly.
Adelaide shook her head, "Not yet"
"It should be in by now" Granny tsked, "if ye have been properly cared for. The Doc has no business with birthins"
"But Miss Alice has been so helpful" Adelaide said, softly.
"I know that. She be a right fine midwife" Granny said, "but on all these difficult ones, I need to take care of it myself"
Adelaide looked at Opal, helplessly.
At that moment, Neil knocked on the door. "Did everyone leave you..." he paused. "Granny" he cleared his throat, shifting, clearly uncomfortable.
"This be no place for ye" Granny said, severely. "What did ye do to poor Miz Addie?"
"Now Granny" he frowned.
"Doctor MacNeill saved my life" Adelaide said, sweetly, "And my baby's and I'm ever so grateful to him"
"Hurrumph" Granny responded, making up a paste. Adelaide craned her neck to look. "Opal, we need to brew them herbs to bring the milk in. Out with ye" Granny turned to Neil.
Adelaide shot him a desperate look and Neil stood his ground, "Not until ye tell me what ye are planning to do to my patient"
Granny remained silent and Neil went over to view what she was working on.
"This will burn her if you apply that" Neil said. "and affect her recovery"
"It will heal her, that's what" Granny retorted.
Adelaide's eyes grew wide, "Oh my" she looked between the two of them. "Granny, I'm not sure using that is a good idea" she said, calmly, trying to prevent Neil from saying something that he would regret.
"Now, ye look here" Granny said, "if ye marry the Doc, ye are goin to have heaps of trouble with as needy as he is"
"Needy?" Adelaide asked, "What does that mean?"
"Poor Miz Margaret look peaked half the time and there was only one reason for that" Granny said, adamantly. "Ye are goin to be in right sore shape unless we work on the healin now"
Adelaide's face flamed at the bluntness of the conversation. She reached for a glass of water, trying to tune it out. At the moment the babe started wailing and Neil reached to pick him up.
"Don't listen to her, Adelaide" Neil retorted, cuddling him against his chest and bouncing the babe up and down gently, "I was certainly not the only person with needs in my marriage, not that it is any of your business" he added, heatedly. "Did ye ever think that Margaret might have been the one to keep me up at night?"
Adelaide spit out the water, choking on it. Neil shifted Simon to one arm and reached over to pat her back, "Easy there, lass"
Granny snorted, her eyes dancing at that pronouncement and Adelaide's reaction, "ye shouldn't be so blunt in front of Miz Addie. She's gonna think ye are not proper like"
"Ye are the one who brought it up, Granny" Neil said. "And I'm pretty sure Adelaide knows I'm not proper like. She isn't either, by the way"
"Oh, thank you" Adelaide shook her head, "I have no idea what you mean by that, Doctor MacNeill"
"I just mean ye are a big girl and can handle adult conversations"
"She looks like she wants to ground to swallow her up whole" Granny said. "Ye need to marry her quick like before she runs, son"
He pointed his finger at her, "You and everyone needs to back off. Nothin happened those nights"
"Doesn't mean that ye won't be tempted if Miz Addie stays" Granny said, "It may not have happened then, but she is a pretty thang that looks just like ye dead wife. Ye are knockin on the devil's door, young man, that's what"
"This is absurd" Neil muttered.
Adelaide looked between the two of them, knowing that she must tread carefully and change the topic quickly, before it escalated further. "Granny, I'm worried that my milk hasn't come in yet and that's why he is fussing so" she said, as Simon began to scream more and Neil handed the babe to Adelaide. "Would you be so kind as to advise me on that?"
"I surely will" Granny said, "We'll get ye and the babe situated in no time"
"That's such a relief" Adelaide said, glancing at Neil, "as for the other situation" she swallowed hard, "since Doc and I work so closely with each other, I just wouldn't feel comfortable going against his medical advice. I have to trust his judgment otherwise he won't trust me to assist him"
"If ye want, Miz Addie" Granny said, "but don't say I didn't warn ye"
"I surely won't" Adelaide promised, solemnly.
"Let me see that" Adelaide said as Neil slammed the bowl back down on the nightstand after examining its contents. He had been banished to the downstairs while Granny tried her remedies to help her with nursing the babe, but Granny had finally left and Neil came back in the room, Opal downstairs- everyone still gone.
Adelaide frowned, "How bad would this have been? It looks innocent enough"
"Bad" Neil told her, "I can't believe you were letting her treat you. Your mind must be addled by the drugs"
"I'm quite coherent. And I wasn't letting her" she said, handing him back the bowl, "I was trying to figure out a way to get out of it when you came in. If I offend Granny, Neil, I might as well go home"
He put the bowl down and sat on the bed next to her, "Ye shouldn't let what she said bother you"
Adelaide's color heightened. "I don't, Neil" She shifted and winced, "It's none of my business anyway"
"This is the pressure I was talkin about. They'll give us no peace until I take you as my wife" Neil responded as Opal knocked, bringing in the stew, catching that last part of Neil's statement.
Neil took it from her and Opal glanced at Adelaide before leaving, sensing that Addie and the Doc needed some privacy.
He sat on the bed with her and handed her the bowl. "I don't think Ruby Mae made it" he said, with a smile.
She took a tentative spoonful. "No, definitely not" she grinned at him.
"There is that sweet smile of yours" He studied her, "Do you feel better than yesterday, lass? I can't believe they all left you this afternoon"
"I do and I told them to go" Adelaide said, "Of course, I didn't know that Granny would be making an appearance"
He sighed, "She gave me an earful downstairs- a right fine tongue lashing"
"Now, who is letting what Granny says bother them?" Adelaide retorted, "You should be careful. You know you have to tread lightly. You were way too forthcoming with your opinions about her treatment"
"I know" Neil sighed, "but I would intervene again. We have to be careful with your recovery"
She nodded. "Thank you for that"
"I still can't believe you let her do God knows what to you" Neil told her.
"Well, that seemed like the better alternative"
"When your milk comes in like ye are nursin twins don't ye complain to me" he responded, bluntly.
Adelaide flushed. "You won't hear one word about it, that I can promise you"
Neil looked at her sharply, before laughing loudly. "I suppose not, lass"
They fell silent before Adelaide spoke again, "Thank you for being here for me yesterday"
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm more hopeful today" she said, softly.
"Good"
She put the empty bowl on the nightstand, "How much trouble are you getting, Neil?"
"There seems to be somewhat of a reprieve since you have just delivered the babe" he told her adjusting her covers for her to help her lie back down. "But judging from Granny's words, that's not going to last long"
"I don't know what to say"
He brushed a stray piece of hair from her face. "Don't say anything. Just focus on recovering"
"But-"
"Please, Addie" he told her, "I can handle this for both of us. Allow me too"
"Okay" she nodded. "Of course I will. You know the ways here better than me. Do you think I should just leave?"
"No" Neil shook his head, swiftly. "I don't want that at all, lass"
"Are you sure?" her voice was soft.
"I'm positive" he retorted, adamantly, "that's the last thing I want. We'll figure out the way to go. Now, rest"
"Yes, sir" She smiled at him and he squeezed her hand before leaving her to her nap.