Chapter 59
Looking at both her and Vincent, Mary saw that both of them were extremely weary, but she knew that the baby needed help to come into the world. She instructed Vincent to reach around Catherine and place his hands under her bent knees. Then she told him to gently pull back on her legs and lean forward so Catherine's body would curl up, this would, in essence, be the same as Catherine bearing down.
Vincent could feel how exhausted and ready to give up that Catherine was. He felt it within himself because of going through the labor pains with her, as well as sharing it through their Bond. He also knew that he was the only one that could get through to her right then. Whispering in her ear for her to close her eyes and relax into him, Vincent said, "Catherine, tap into our Bond and use my strength. Feel it course through your body and let it help you bring our child into the world."
He had been prepared to accept the child that Catherine was carrying as his, to love and care for it as if it were his own. But now that he had gone through every stage of labor and delivery with her, there was no question at all that this child was his. He was about to be a father!
Several hard pushes later Father informed them that the head was clear and that one more push would do the trick. Catherine drew on everything she had and was ever so grateful that much of that came from Vincent through their Bond.
Mary offered her verbal encouragement as well, promising that it would all be over very soon.
Catherine screamed out her pain of the last push and Vincent felt that in his soul. He vowed that he would be using protection from then on, because he never wanted Catherine to have to go through this again!
On the heels of his vow the loud wail of the baby could be heard. Father proudly informed them they had a daughter. Mary quickly wrapped her in a blanket and laid her in Catherine and Vincent's arms.
As Mary was doing that, and Father was dealing with the afterbirth, Catherine gave Vincent an apologetic smile and whispered, "The next one we will have a son for you."
Vincent was still in shock that she could even be thinking about doing this again after such an ordeal when they saw their daughter for the first time.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks as Catherine looked down at the perfect little baby. "Oh Vincent, isn't she beautiful?!"
"Catherine, she is a part of you, how could she be anything else?"
"Have you two settled on a name yet?" Mary asked.
Vincent shook his head with a toothy grin, "I'm sorry Mother, I have told Catherine about the naming day tradition and she knows not to reveal the baby's name until them."
"Oh darn!" Mary replied, not really upset that they wouldn't tell. "Let me take the little Miss for just a minute and get her cleaned up. We can weigh and measure her a little later."
Catherine reluctantly handed over the baby. It was hard to let her go so soon, but she knew that Mary would be true to her promise and return her as quickly as possible.
"Vincent would you like to relay the news to the passageway sentry, or would like me to do it, so you can remain with your family?"
Seeing that Father was eager to be the one to pass the news on, even if he was trying hard to hide it, Vincent told him, "Please go ahead Father, I wouldn't want to disturb Catherine by getting up."
"Alright Vincent, if you are sure," Father replied, already heading for the door.
Moments later the pipes were ringing out with the news that Catherine and Vincent were the proud parents of a healthy baby girl. Not long after that, tapped messages of congratulations started and seemed to go on for quite some time. Catherine and the baby were both asleep long before the messages ended.
When Mary saw this, she took the baby with a tender smile and settled her in the same cradle that had been Vincent's when he had been brought to the tunnels. She suggested that Vincent move out from behind Catherine and take a nap himself, they had both been through a lot that day.
To be continued…..