*Author's Note*

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December 23rd, 1881- Endor's Birth

Jessa POV:

It's been snowing nonstop this month. Every other week there was a snowy blizzard that accented the harsh cold chill in the air. This is the worst December I've experienced during my short time of living in the Tug Valley. The house was warm tho since a fire was roaring day and night. Shaw had plenty of firewood stacked up by the hearth, so when the flame started to grow weak a log or two was tossed into the fireplace to feed the fire.

The yellow-orange light from the fireplace filled up the entire main room and made the decorations on the Christmas tree (that was in a corner) shimmer and shine. It made the room look bright and cheerful. Festive and seasonal for the upcoming holiday too. There was a small pile of presents under the tree (you know the ones from family), but tomorrow night the ones from Santa would overpower the tree skirt under the tree.

I was resting on the sofa as the smell of cookies hung heavily in the air. Mary was in the kitchen baking cookies with Shaw. They weren't really talking, other then when he was giving her proper instructions, but they seemed to be getting along in the kitchen. Todd was sitting in an armchair by the sofa, keeping an eye on Silas and Lydia while they played with the dog in front of the fireplace.

All in all, it was a peaceful afternoon.

But the peace was short lived as I felt a sharp lightning bolt type pain shoot thru my belly and lower back. Oh god, it's starting. The birthing pains are coming; Endor's ready to come out. I took a dee breath and sat up. Placing a hand on my belly, I looked towards the kitchen and announced, "Shaw, it's time."

"Time for what?" My husband dumbly asked as he pressed a cookie cutter into a sheet of sugar cookie dough.

"Time for your kid to pop out, brother." Todd deadpanned before I could tell Shaw that I was experiencing birthing pains.

"Oh…you're in labor." Shaw nodded, realizing what was going on. Dusting off his hands, he chuckled, "Bout time the kid decided to come since you're overdue." Pointing to his sister, he ordered, "Boil water and gather towels, string, scissors, and bring them to the bedroom."

"Okay." Mary simply said before doing what she was told.

Shaw took his apron off and tossed it on the table while telling Todd, "Keep the kids entertained. Hell, get them upstairs if ya can."

"Sure." Todd nodded even tho he made no move to get up and actually go over to the kids.

"Babe, the snow's too bad for me to fetch Doc. Hell, a blizzard's on it's way so we're gonna have to do thise just you and me." My husband told me as he left the kitchen and walked into the main room.

Hell, I was afraid of that. I didn't really want to give birth with only my husband (and maybe my sister-in-law) for help. I wanted a doctor and midwives. People that knew what they were doing. Sadly, since the weather was so bad, I couldn't have that.

"Okay, just help me to our bedroom." I relented with a nod as Shaw appeared at my side.

"Come on, babe. Let's get'cha in bed; try to make ya comfortable." My husband told me, taking my hand and pulling me up to stand on my feet.

"There's nothing comfortable 'bout laying in bed during hours of labor and pain, Shaw." I retorted as my husband led me away from the sofa and towards our bedroom, which was on the other side of the kitchen.

"I know, Jessa. I know, but just try to relax or something." Shaw told me, rubbing a soothing circle in my lower back.

"It's not easy to relax when you're in pain." I deadpanned as we got closer to our bedroom.

Shaw didn't say a word, just nodded his head. I think he knew better then to say anything. I wasn't in the mood for it. I was starting to hurt and I knew it'd only get worse as the hours passed.

"How're ya feelin', baby?" Shaw asked me for the umpteenth time. Holy shit, why couldn't he just silently sit by my side and just keep my company that way? Why did he find the need to ask me the same thing over and over again every few minutes?

"Exactly like a did a few minutes ago, Shaw." I replied with irritation and annoyance thick in my voice as I laid propped up against some pillows in bed, gritting my teeth as a rough pain shot thru me.

"I'm sorry." Shaw softly told me as he held my hand in his, gently renning his thumb over my knuckles.

"Stop, Shaw." I ordered him as I yanked my hand out of his. I didn't need him hanging on my right now. He could do that later. I was hurting and didn't want to be smothered. Shaking my head, I told him, "I swear, if you don't shut up, I'm gonna make Mary throw you out."

"She can't throw me out. Out of the two of us I'm the only one that knows how to deliver a baby." Shaw said haughtily as he sat on the edge of my bed. Dear lord, he couldn't even sit in a chair.

"Have you ever delivered a baby 'fore?" Mary asked, giving her brother a skeptical look as she sat near the bed in a chair.

"No, but I've delivered cows and horses before. It's not much of a difference really." Shaw told his sister in a vert flippant way.

"Oh my god, you're really comparing me to livestock right now?" I scoffed; my brows raised in disbelief.

Shaw realized his mistake and quickly tried to backpedal with the rushed remarked of, "No. Just meant that birth's birth no matter what's havin' the baby."

"Just shut up, Shaw." I ordered in a frustrated sigh. God, now I know why men were banned from the birthing room. They can be annoying as hell sometimes.

"Yea, Shaw, ya better shut up or else you're gonna make her mad." Mary knowingly told her brother, a small smirk on her face.

"I ain't gonna make her mad, Mary."

Oh my god, my son would want to come during a goddamn blizzard. I'd rather have Doc in the room with me then my husband. At least Doc Rutherford's quiet, unlike Shaw. Seems that Shaw has to find something to talk about, whether that be asking me how I'm doing or just making random remarks. Hell…this is a stressful birth to say the least. To say the very least.

Snowflakes were pelting the window as I sat in bed, pushing with all my might and gritting my teeth. IT was bitterly cold outside cause of the blizzard underway as I was in the birthing bed. Oh god, I was in so much pain. All I could do was scream and push as Mary stood by my side, running a wet cloth over my forehead in an attempt to sooth me. Shaw was at the foot of the bed, acting as the 'doctor'. Well, whether he wanted to be there or not he was stuck since somebody had to catch the baby when it came out.

"Keep pushing, I can kinda see that baby's head." My husband told me, causing me to just roll my eyes at him. Of course, I had to keep pushing. Birthing a baby wasn't done in a couple of pushes like on tv.

"She can't push nonstop, Shaw. She does need to breathe." Mary told her brother. She was a smart girl, had some more sense then her older brother did too.

"It won't take me long to catch my breath." I assured Shaw and Mary in a pant. "Just don't fight you two. I can't handle the extra stress right now."

Shaw nodded and told me, "Just push when you're ready, babe."

Mary didn't say a word, just wiped my brow off with the cool washcloth. She was being as supportive as she could for her young age. Normally girls her age aren't acting as a midwife, but given the circumstances…well…she's my midwife and learning more things before her time. Girl's growing up to fast. Hell, and to think that in a few months she'll be turning 11-years-old.

I bit my lip, fisted the sheets, and pushed as hard as I could. I pushed and pushed until I heard my husband announce, "I see his head." I knew that I needed to do one more push, so I did. "Endor John's here." Shaw announced as he cut the baby's cord.

With my chest heaving wildly, I fell back onto the pillows that were propped up against the headboard. Shaw cleaned up the baby while Mary tended to me.

"Is something wrong with him, Shaw?" I asked my husband since he was just standing and staring at our swaddled-up son. He had an odd look on his face which scared me; made me think that something was wrong with my baby by.

"Why the fuck is he ginger?" Shaw asked me, his tone low and seething, as he stared at the baby he was holding. He looked like he was trying to piece together how the baby's hair could be 'ginger'.

Oh no…Endor's got Tolbert's hair.

Playing dumb, I shrugged, "I dunno."

"Redheads run in the family, don't they? Cousin Ellison's a redhead." Mary blurted out, coming to my rescue. Whether she was making an innocent inquiry or was covering for me, I didn't know. I didn't care either, as long as it made Shaw less suspicious.

"Far as I know Vance's don't carry a redhead trait. That's a Hatfield thing." My husband bitterly, but flatly, remarked.

"Shaw, give me my baby boy." I ordered my husband, causing him to look up from the newborn in his arms with a furrowed look. Holding my hands out and making grabbing motions, I expanded on my request with, "Give him to me. I want to hold him; nurse him."

Shaw didn't say a word, just silently came over to my side and placed Endor John into my waiting arms. Endor was a big baby, at least 10 pounds, and was wrapped up in the blue and grey blanket Tolbert had gave me for him. I smiled at my newborn son as I took in his features. He had his daddy's cheek bones, chin, and nose. He also had a copper patch of hair on his head. His eyes weren't the usual bright baby blue most newborns have, but was a richer, deeper blue. A blue I'm sure'll change into a stormy hue as he grows in the upcoming months.

Endor John was perfect. Yes, he favored his real daddy over me, but he was perfect cause he was my son.

I smiled at my baby and softly told him, "Endor John, I'm your mama."

Endor seemed to understand me instantly. He looked up at me in wonder. He was so precious. I undid the top of my shift and arranged my son so that he could nurse. Endor latched on quite easily and suckled his first meal contently.

When I looked up from my son, I discovered that I was now all alone in the bedroom. Alone, except for the son that I was nursing. What the meant, I don't know, but I'm sure it's some kind of omen for the future.

AN:

I know, this chapter's short, but I didn't feel the need for a 4-scene chapter just for the birth of Endor John. I hope you guys liked this chapter. How do you feel about Shaw's reaction to Endor's hair color? Hmm, is that gonna be a problem going forward?