The two went as fast as they could to get home they saw the midwife cart there already. Halt slid to a stop and dismounted in the same movement he ran in the house quickly knowing Crowley would handle the horses.
Halt ran in the house and to the bedroom. Pauline looked exhausted already her mother was at her side holding her hand.
"Halt thank the gods he found you... what's happened to your face?" Her mother said.
"Later" he said.
"Halt?" Pauline said.
He went to her side her mother moving to get more hot water from the kitchen.
"I'm here" he said caressing her cheek softly.
"I'm so sorry" she started to say "I didn't think they would come so early."
"Don't apologize I'm here now" he kissed her hair softly "I shouldn't have left."
Pauline's body wracked with a contraction and she let out a slight yell of pain. She would be in labor for another two hours before the midwife finally spoke.
"The first child is almost here" the old woman said "one more good long push and the first will be here."
Halt held her hand as Pauline pushed until she couldn't anymore at the end there was the crying of a baby.
"A healthy albeit a little on the small side baby boy" the midwife said as she cleaned the child.
"oh thank the gods" Paulines mother said from the living room where she sat with Crowley having heard the cry and the news.
It was another long hour before there was another cry. The small group of people that had now been summoned for the birth peeked up at the sound. Pauline's father and aunt had now joined her mother as well as Gretchen, Thomas, and Micheal. The Baron was also there by this time and some friends from the fief.
"Hey there we are" Crowley said holding up his cup
"A little healthy little girl" the midwife said as she cleaned the child.
Each was now wrapped in a blanket and one handed to each parent.
"And you though completely tuckered out I'm sure will be just fine with a few days rest" the midwife said patting Pauline's shoulder.
"Thank you" Pauline said.
"And you Ranger I'll bring you a poultice tomorrow for that shiner of yours when I come to check on her and the children" she said wagging a finger at Halt.
Halt nodded his thanks completely entranced by the little bundle in his arms.
"Have you settled on some names?" Halt asked softly.
Pauline nodded "William and Alyss."
"I like it but William is a little to formal I think" Halt said.
"Will then, Will and Alyss" Pauline said "yes I like it."
Halt nodded sitting on the edge of their bed next to his wife and kissed his daughters little forehead. Pauline smiled at the sight happy tears falling from her eyes. Halt wrapped his free arm around her and will.
"We are a family now" he said softly.
"And it is more than I ever could have hoped for" Pauline said softly.
She leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss as the door creaked open.
"Are you two love birds ready to share your new editions with us?" Paulines mother asked softly.
Pauline looked at Halt gently and he nodded. The little group of people filtered into the room taking in the two little bundles.
"Meet Will and Alyss O'Carrick" Pauline said.
The whole group fawned over them Pauline smiled at her husband. For not wanting to get married things had turned out quite well for her, she had a loving husband who would go to the end of the earth for her and now she had a beautiful daughter and handsome son. What more could she ask of the world?
"What's happened to your face?" The Baron said indicating Halt's now very black eye.
The End.