summer-fall 1941

There was a lonely period of adjustment between Heinrich's departure and James' return; Felicity was grateful for the time to sort out her feelings though. She knew that James would accept the situation, but he surprised her by how devoted he became. He now needed Felicity's love as much as she needed his forgiveness. Prison had been difficult; he clung to Felicity at night and let her soothe his nightmares. It was not the forbidden passion that she had shared with Heinrich, but Felicity and James shared a mature and abiding love. They were settled; they would stand by one another.

James couldn't go back to work at the senate, so he tried to stay busy with odd jobs around the estate as Mr Brotherson once had (and just as ineptly, Felicity might add). But more often than not, he remained at Felicity's side.

Felicity was grateful that Angélique showed up with some government documents for him to review- sub rosa, of course- on the day that her pains started. She had been so frightened the first time she gave birth, confined to bed for nearly two days as Philip had taken his time in arriving. She did not want James or anyone else fussing while she was only experiencing mild discomfort, so she was glad that he would be ensconced in his office for hours.

Felicity had kept herself hidden away inside her wing of Sous les Chênes for months now because she did not want others to know of her condition, but suddenly, remembering her confinement with Philip, she wanted nothing more than to get some fresh air. She decided to take a walk to move the baby along.

She had walked deep into the woods behind the orchard before stopping to be sick and coming to rest in a bed of pines. It was unseasonably warm for the fall; birds still warbled. Her senses were heightened in her current state, and she noticed that the forest was teeming with life despite the fact that winter loomed. Her pains were coming more regularly now, and she realised that her second labour would be faster than the first. The thought came to her that she didn't have to go back- that she could birth her baby her in the woods away from everyone's prying eyes.

But a particularly strong contraction came and she remembered how arduous and exhausting her labour had been with Philip. Surely she would need help after the birth to make sure the baby survived. Yes, she wanted her baby to live. That thought propelled her back towards Sous les Chênes, gaining as much ground as she could between the pangs that threatened to bring her to her knees.

At last back in her orchard, she paused for a moment at the tree stump that marked the spot where Eugène Lasalle had been killed. A new wave of pressure gripped her insides and she felt her waters rupture and begin to trickle down her legs. She prayed for Eugène's soul and the life of her soon to be born child.

Sneaking quietly around the back of the house, she entered the kitchen. Delphine took one look at her and flew to her side. Whatever misgivings Delphine had about Felicity were set aside to make way for the newest Dorr. "I'm fine, really, just help me upstairs, Delpine." Felicity panted, through a contraction.

Delphine guided her towards the stairs, where they had the misfortune of running into Obermeister Flach and Muller. Flach saw the women slowly progressing up the stairs in tandem and tutted, "Oh dear, Mrs. Dorr, shall I wire the Baron?"

Felicity bared her teeth at Flach. "You will do no such thing! You will find my husband in his study and tell him to send for the midwife."

"Do you dare to give me orders, Mrs. Dorr?" Flach barked.

Felicity bit her lip, trying not to scream, as once more she felt the pressure tightening within her.

"I'll notify Mr. Dorr, with your permission of course, sir," Muller said.

"Just go, Muller." Flach said dismissively. Delphine pried Felicity's fingers off the banister and helped her to her room.

Felicity was so entranced by bringing her child into the world that she barely noticed when the midwife finally arrived. She was sat up against the pillows, eyes clamped shut, sweating profusely from her effort. In both fists she gripped the bloodied sheet that was tented across her knees.

"I told her to lay back and try to relax until you arrived, but she wasn't having any of it," a panicky Delphine squawked in apology to the midwife as Felicity strained.

"Of course not. It is her time." The midwife said as she hurried to Felicity's aid. "Go get us a basin of fresh water and more towels."

Felicity did not hear the midwife's instruction- all she heard was the strains of Brahms' lullaby on a repetitive loop through her mind. At the end of each reprise she would let her head fall back into the pillows and gasp to catch her breath before pushing again. It was as if Heinrich was there with her, guiding her through her own physical war. She bore down in concert with her body's pulsating urges until she felt the fire of new life emerging between her thighs.

When at last she was delivered of the child, she opened her eyes, looked around the room, and then fainted from the effort. When she woke up, James was by her side cradling their daughter. She was relieved and reassured by his presence, though undeniably, a part of her was disappointed not to see Heinrich.