Chapter 2.

A/N So sorry, I completely forgot about this little piece of fluff….! The final chapter as well, it was just a bit of fun.

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'Mrs Clarkson, please stay with me,' the young woman panted. 'It hurts so bad…'

'I'm right here love,' she said, giving the girl a drink of water and wiping her brow. Another contraction hit, she held her hands and the girl moaned and cried in pain, almost crushing her hands. She sobbed and Mrs Clarkson held her and comforted her when the pain lessened.

'It won't be long now,' Dr Clarkson informed them. 'I think you'd better go and fetch the new father to be, Mrs Clarkson.'

She rushed downstairs to inform the family. 'Where's Mr King? He should be the first to greet the babe,' she stated, and was happy to see the young father had just washed up and changed in a clean outfit.

'I'm here Mrs Clarkson, how is she?'

'She's doing fine, Mr King, and you're excused, because the baby presented itself a week early. Now, hurry upstairs to be the first to welcome your little one…it will be any moment now!' She took his hand and lead him to the chair she had already placed in the bedroom, next to his wife's head. He wouldn't be the first young dad to faint while watching his child being born after all…better to be safe than sorry. But he proved to be a tough one, he immediately took his wife's hand and gently wiped her brow.

Dr Clarkson patted the young mother to be' s leg. 'You're doing very well my dear. Just one more push at the next contraction… and you'll be a mum,' he told her.

Three minutes later the baby was born. 'It's a girl,' Dr Clarkson informed the young parents.

Tiny cries filled the room, Mrs King was in tears and Mr King was speechless.

Dr Clarkson cut the cord and Mrs Clarkson wrapped the baby in a warm blanket and laid her in her mother's arms.

'A girl…' the young woman smiled, and her husband positively beamed. He gathered his wife and daughter up in his arms and couldn't seem to decide which one to kiss more.

'A girl, a baby girl, thank you so much!'

Dr Clarkson smiled at his wife. 'Go on and tell them, dear.'

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

In the kitchen the mood had been tense. Mr Mason had poured his wife another cup of tea, it lacked Mrs Clarkson's addition but worked well, along with his calming presence.

They both shot upright when Mrs Clarkson entered.

'Et's a wee lassie!' she informed them.

'A girl?' Mr Mason checked, but his wife was more accustomed to Mrs Clarkson's brogue and nudged him. 'Yes, of course it is. Oh, Kevin will be over the moon!'

'Oh he is, he is, it's very sweet. Congratulations granny and grandpa,' she grinned, and Mrs Mason kissed her on the cheek.

'Thank you for being here for our Daisy, I know I'm useless at this...I'm just so nervous!'

'That's alright, lots of grannies are,' Mrs Clarkson smiled. 'I have seen a lot of them in the last couple of years…. Oh but Mr Mason, what's wrong?'

Mr Mason's eyes were filled with tears. 'Oh, it's nothing really…it's just that I never expected to have a family again and look at me now… a wonderful loving wife, a lovely daughter, a great new son and even a granddaughter! I am the happiest man. I am just so happy!'

'Then I believe you two should go up and have a look at your beautiful grandchild,' Mrs Clarkson said. She couldn't resist going with them and went all soppy watching Kevin lay the baby in her grandfather's arms, while Mrs Mason cuddled Daisy. Dr Clarkson had just finished all things medical and gave the all clear. He noticed his wife's watery eyes and knew what was going on in her mind, so he gently took her hand and lead her to the kitchen, where he wrapped her tightly in his arms.

'You will have a family yourself one day, my dearest. When Mr and Mrs Bates have their first. And have you noticed all children in my practice consider you their favourite auntie?'

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. 'And I already have a wonderful loving husband. I love you, you're the sweetest man, Richard Clarkson,' she whispered.

'I only am because I have the sweetest woman,' he smiled at her, 'my darling Elsie.'

They laughed and kissed until the Masons returned.

Mrs Mason made sure nobody left their home feeling hungry. Tea, cakes, porridge, sandwiches, even meat pies were served in abundance.

Dr and Mrs Clarkson left the house with a basket stuffed with home made jams and jellies, a fresh apple tart, a dozen eggs and a chocolate cake. The Mason and King family made a good part of their living by selling those goods and they did very well.

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'I'm so happy it's a lassie, Richard,' Mrs Clarkson smiled while curling up against her husband that evening. He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her brow.

'Have they named her yet?'

'Lily, after William's mother.'

'Not after Daisy's mother?'

'She doesn't know her mother,' his wife whispered against his chest, 'she was raised in an orphanage. Beryl really always was the closest thing to a mother she had. I used to feel sorry for her, but she's done well; the perfect mum and dad, a loving husband, and now a beautiful baby.'

'Thank you for coming with me, Elsie. If young Daisy hadn't asked for you to join me, I would have. You are the best help I can think of.'

'But I'm not a nurse.'

'I know. But you're a sensible woman who knows what to do when. That's priceless, my dear. And everybody loves you, haven't you noticed that?'

She smiled. 'I'm still getting used to you loving me, let alone anyone else,' she said.

'Are you now? Then it's about time I show you again how much I love you,' he rose from the sofa and pulled her up and in his arms. 'To bed, my darling Mrs Clarkson.'

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

THE END

A/N I always thought Elsie would make a wonderful doctor's wife… x george.