A/N
I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and will enjoy this last day of the year.
I am sitting in the middle of Sweden in a lot- a lot! - of snow and enjoying the quiet and time with my husband.
I will post the last part as soon as possible.
Happy New Year!
Sabrina
Part 3 Evening
The receptionist groaned but recovered immediately. He then waved at one of the lobby boys to come to him.
"Oliver, please hurry to get Mrs. Nicholson. Tell her to hurry up, and she needs to take everything we need for a baby. Tell her I know about the emergency bag."
"Mr. Alder, I am sorry, but Mrs. Nicholson is out of town. I saw her leaving yesterday. She is visiting her daughter," the 15-year-old boy replied.
"Well, then, you need to catch Dr. Nobbs. Hurry, boy!" As fast as his feet could, the lobby boy ran toward the entrance and disappeared in the dark.
Nathan turned around on the staircase and returned to the young couple, who looked helpless and overwhelmed. He took Mrs. Hathaway's hands in his and said calmly:" So, Mrs. Hathaway, we will need to get you settled. I need to go up and pick up my belongings and tell my friend that we need to move into another room. It will not take more than 5 minutes, okay? I will be back soon to get you there."
Nathan raced upstairs to fetch his bag and Gabriel. He found him, already changed into his dress uniform, on his way to Lilian's room and informed him of the newest change of plans.
"All that madness today and now a baby on its way. Can this day get any weirder?" Gabriel said before turning around to go back to the room he just left to pack his bag. Nathan followed him, grabbed his bag, too, and both left the room with a sigh, knowing that their night's accommodation might not be that cozy and comfortable anymore.
When they arrived back at the reception, they saw that the young father-to-be was entirely on the edge. One moment, he held his wife's hand; the next, he ran a few feet away as if he wanted to catch something or someone or do something before returning to his young wife. He always muttered her name and "No, no, no. This is too soon, too early. Berta, please stop this. We first need to be in Regina at your uncle's house."
"OK, Gabe, can you get Lilian and ask her to take care of the mother? Get them into the room, and the two of us will take care of the father," Nathan said, looking at his friend. "I'll try to find a place where we can wait and calm him down," Nathan added.
Gabriel looked at his friend, nodded, and returned upstairs, taking two steps at one, leaving his bag in front of the reception desk.
Mr. Alder looked relieved not to be alone in this situation. He then called the other lobby boy:
" Mark, please get those two bags in James's old room. The two gentlemen will be staying there," he gave the key to the lobby boy, who took it as well as the Mountie's luggage and left the lobby through a hidden door behind the reception.
"Gentlemen, would you like? to follow me?" Mr. Alder addressed the three men. He rounded his desk and went in the opposite direction of the ballroom. "We have a little private parlor here, which I think would serve perfectly for the young man to wait with you. There will be any refreshment you want. Just ask one of the lobby boys. They will take care of it," with these words, he opened the door to a little parlor with several settees and some small tables in it. The room was done in light green colors and had a big window looking out to the hotel's backyard garden with the greenhouse.
Nathan softly pushed Mr. Hathaway into the room, but just when they tried to close the door, the nervous man said:" No, I need to go back to Berta. She needs me now," and tried to pass Nathan to go back to the lobby.
"No, Mr. Hathaway, you can do nothing for now. You already did everything you could. Now let our friend and the doctor do the rest," said Nathan, assuaging. "Here, sit down while I try to find something to drink. Coffee? No, I think maybe chamomile tea would be better."
"Nathan, get that man a drink!" sounded from the door. Gabriel came into the room, smiling. "There is no need to be anxious, Mr. Hathaway. Your wife is doing great. Doctor Nobbs just arrived, and my fiancé is with your wife, too. So, she is not missing female support either. Mr. Hathaway, giving birth is as old as humankind. She will be alright. By the way, what is your first name?"
"Rupert," came meekly from the nervous man.
"Okay, Rupert, now sit down, and we'll get you something to drink. Maybe they have some cards too? Do you play rummy, Rupert?" Gabriel pushed Rupert Hathaway onto a settee with these words while signaling Nathan to get the drink and some cards.
Nathan left the room and returned after a few minutes with a tray with a bottle of whiskey, three glasses, and two sets of cards.
"No, I need to be with her. It is too early. We did not expect the baby before mid-January. Something is wrong."
"You know I am the oldest of six. I have four sisters and a brother. And I remember my mom giving birth was always as uncomplicated as it could be. All will be fine, you will see,"
"Where do you come from? My name is Constable Nathan Grant, and this is Constable Gabriel Kinslow."
"Manyberries, constable," an unsteady voice said.
"Manyberries, I think I was there once. Some problems with cattle rustlers. It was shortly after I left the academy," Nathan said, smiling. "An arid and warm place, if I am not wrong. So, Rupert, have you ever played rummy? As a father, you should know the game. Keeps children out of trouble," with these words, he opened his serge's buttons, took it off, and rolled up his shirt sleeves to be ready for a rummy battle.
Gabriel's eyes lit up. "Nathan, if you think you will win this time, too, you are wrong. This time, it is my turn to defeat you without mercy," he said with a broad smile, filling three glasses with an amber-colored liquid and giving each one. "To the women we love!" he toasted.
With wide eyes, Rupert Hathaway looked at two Mounties, raised his glass, and emptied it with one go while the Mounties only sipped on it.
Meanwhile, at the ball, Magnolia Hargraves stood at the wall, still waiting for someone to ask her for a dance. Heathcliff danced with her the first two dances, then excused himself and stood aside to talk to the commissioner without much success.
'Another ball where I am just a wallflower, why am I doing this? And where is Constable Grant? I saw him in the lobby. If he is here, he must be somewhere.' ran through her head.
She was so deep in her thoughts that she almost missed the "Aham, Miss Hargraves, would like to dance?" Magnolia looked surprised when she saw Corporal Frank Hansson. He was her brother's right hand, a stout, short man with a friendly smile and hope in his eyes.
"Oh, ah, yes, of course, Corporal," Magnolia answered, surprised, and put her hand into Frank Hansson's, who held out his. Astonished, she realized that it felt somehow right, just right. She smiled back, and Frank Hansson's smile turned from friendly to happy. They started dancing, and although she was a real bit taller than him, she felt at home, protected, and held.
"You know, Miss Hargraves, I wanted to ask you to dance for a long time. All those Mountie balls in the last six years since I became your brother's assistant. I thought you would surely not want to dance with a little Corporal like me. Today, I took all my courage to ask you. Thank you for dancing with me, Miss Hargraves."
Magnolia felt the harmony between her and Frank Hansson while dancing; the smile on her face grew genuine and warm.
Hope raised inside the Corporal, and with the bravery hope can create, he asked:" "Miss Hargraves, I wonder if I might ask you to have dinner with me once we are back in Union City,"
"Yes, Corporal, I would love to," answered Magnolia, more whispered than spoken.
"Would you like to call me Frank, Miss?"
"Well, Frank, but then, please call me Magnolia," said Magnolia with a blush.
The two did not realize a ball was around them for the rest of the evening. All Magnolia and Frank saw were each other. They missed only one dance because they became thirsty. Frank got them two glasses of champagne and some snacks. Magnolia felt seen and cared for, for the first time in a long time in her life. They talked all evening and found that they had so many things in common.
Meanwhile, Heathcliff Hargraves tried to be seen by the Commissioner. He wanted to know what the commissioner had to do with Nathan Grant. But when the Commissioner wasn't talking to the assistant and deputy commissioners, he danced with his wife, Emma.
It was hard to get to speak to him, but as always, he just needed to be patient and wait. Finally, the Commissioner turned to him and asked if it was not his sister who was dancing with Corporal Hansson. Hargraves turned around to look at the unlikely couple. He saw his sister smile. She looked so happy; he had not seen her that way for a long while.
"Yes, Sir, that is Magnolia. May I ask what you had to talk about with Constable Grant? You know he is under my…," Hargraves started but got interrupted by the Commissioner.
"Heathcliff, it is the Mountie Christmas ball; there is no business tonight. Where is Emma? Have you seen her? If I do not dance three more dances tonight, she will not be happy with me," replied Ayelsworth Perry, who started looking for his wife in the crowd.
"You know, Heathcliff, I do not like these balls, but Emma loves dancing. If I could get a dress uniform, that would be more comfortable… I hate that fabric. It itches so much. How I miss the dress uniform I had as a simple Constable. That fabric was so much softer. Ah, there she is…," and with these words, he went to his wife, who just looked out for him too, and led her to the dance floor smiling.
Hargraves stood there, left behind, and realized he was alone.
Dr Nobbs did not come directly into the hotel room. At the reception, he first asked
about fresh linen, towels, and hot water to be prepared. Mr. Alder, the receptionist, reassured him that this was already being made and would be in the room anytime they needed it. Dr. Nobbs looked nervous but tried to look confident and strong. He then went upstairs and knocked at the door of the room he was informed to be the one he was needed in. He could hear a woman groan in pain through it. A young woman in a ball gown opened the door, looking curious at him. He introduced himself and entered the room.
"OK, my name is Doctor Nobbs. First, we need to get you comfortable. Then I will examine you. When did your water break? What's your name?" The young Doctor asked. "And who are you?" he added, looking at Lilian.
"Berta. Berta Hathaway, Doctor," a shy Berta answered between two contractions.
"I am Lilian Walsh. I am here to help. I might not be experienced, but I am a quick learner and do not faint so easily."
"Well, good then, Lilian, Berta, let's get that baby out and show the world," he then explained what he was going to do, what was going to be expected, and how they would proceed.
Lilian saw the little beads of sweat on his forehead and how his fingers shook but decided to trust the young doctor. Anyway, what choice would they have? He was the only one available.
She assisted him, followed his orders, and grew more confident in him with time. Dr. Nobbs felt more confident, too. Berta felt it too, and when it finally was time for the last push, she cried out loud but felt in good hands.
"Good, you are doing good, Berta. Here he is. You have a son. A beautiful little son," he held up the little new man, and the three could hear the boy's first sound—a heartfelt cry, a loud and significant sign that he was all healthy.
After he was bathed and wrapped into some warm towels, Berta's son was laid into her arms.
"He is so small but so beautiful. He looks exactly like his father," whispered the new mother in awe. "Where is Rupert? Rupert needs to see him."
"Berta, we are not finished yet. You need to push a little more, then we can get the father here," Dr. Nobbs said.
It took only a few more minutes before Lilian could leave the hotel room to search for Gabriel, Nathan, and the new father. She went to the reception to ask about their whereabouts and was shown to the little parlor. When she opened the door, she saw a smiling Nathan Grant and a frowning Gabriel. Rupert Hathaway had flushed cheeks and looked no longer as sober as before.
"Nathan, you cannot win all the games. You must be cheating," Gabriel protested.
"No, you know what they say: Bad luck in the game, good luck in love," answered a smiling and, at the same time, sad Nathan. "You are a lucky one already, Gabe. You have Lilian," Nathan added.
"Gentleman, what have you done to Mr. Hathaway? It would be best if you got him sober, now!" said Lilian, putting all her authority into her voice. "He is needed upstairs to welcome his child."
"I have a child? How is Berta? I need to go to her now!" Rupert said a little slurred.
"I'll get him the strongest coffee I can get," offered Nathan, got up from his chair, put on his serge, and left the room.
Still buttoning up his serge, he stood in front of the reception and asked for the coffee; Nathan heard the commissioner's voice behind him.
"Constable Grant, why are you not wearing your dress uniform, and why are you not at the ball? Why are you not even dressed properly?"
Nathan turned around and saw the commissioner, accompanied by his wife.
"Sir, Constable Kinslow and I attended a father-to-be while his wife gave birth to their first child. Now he needs a coffee before he can join his wife and the baby," declared Nathan.
"Ah, a baby was born while we had the ball here? Which room? I must check on the mother and the child," Emma Perry said. "And which room, Constable?"
"Room nr 24, Ma'am." That was all Nathan could say. Emma Perry went with fast steps upstairs to look for room nr. 24.
"So, you and Kinslow cared for the father before he went crazy? Good work, Constable. So, show me the young father, Constable," stated the Commissioner more softly.
Nathan led the Commissioner to the little parlor, opened the door, and let the commissioner go in first.
"Congratulations. So, son, have you just become a father? What's your name?" asked the older man. "I still remember when we got our first one. Kenneth. I was nervous and could not think of anything. I had some older comrades who gave me quite some whiskey to get me under control," then he looked closely at the young man and noticed the flushed cheeks.
"Constables, what did you give him? We need to get him sober," said the commissioner.
"I told them too. Constable Grant was sent to get some coffee, strong coffee," a female voice said from another corner of the parlor.
The commissioner looked around and saw a beautiful young woman in a ball gown standing close to Constable Kinslow.
"Madam, and who are you?" The commissioner asked.
Sir, may I introduce my fiancé, Lilian Walsh. I am Constable Gabriel Kinslow, Sir," said Gabriel with not too little respect in his voice.
"Where are you posted, Constable?" asked the commissioner back.
"Brookfield, Alberta, Sir."
"So, so. And you get along well with Grant in Hope Valley? But where are my manners? Congratulations on your engagement, Constable. Have you set a date yet?"
"No, Sir, we haven't. But we will surely talk about this when we are back home."
"Miss, you cannot do wrong with a Mountie. My men are honorable. Well, most of them," and with a smile, he turned back to the new father, who now had a cup of coffee and was slowly drinking it. His eyes were already looking more aware of the situation he found himself in.
The commissioner. was standing in front of Rupert, who had weak knees, and it was pure luck he was still sitting.
"I assume this was not planned to get the child here. Where were you heading to, son?"
"Regina, sir. I was accepted to the academy, sir."
"You became accepted to become a Mountie? How old are you?" asked the commissioner.
"Almost 20, Sir."
"We will talk later, son. Now, get yourself ready and get to your wife!"
Rupert Hathaway emptied his cup of coffee, got up, and went with not-so-sturdy knees to the door when he turned around and asked quietly: "Which room?"
"24," said unison Gabriel, Nathan, and Lilian.
"Come, Cadet-to-be, I will go with you and pick my wife up at yours. It is late. We older people need our night's sleep," the older man said, directing Rupert out of the room. Just on the threshold, he turned around, looked at his men, and said proudly:" Good work, Constables."
"Sir, if it would not be too much asked, but we would like to greet the new member of the Mountie family too," asked Nathan.
"Constable, that is not my decision," replied the commissioner.
"Rupert?"
Still, not all himself and insecure; after all that happened today and will happen, all Rupert could do was nod.
After giving the new parents a little private time and waiting in front of the door, Nathan, Gabriel, Lilian, the Commissioner, and his wife were let in to greet the new family.
Dr. Nobbs said goodnight and goodbye to everyone. He promised to check on mother and son the following day before he left the hotel to go home. This was his first time alone during a confinement without having Mrs. Nicholson beside him. He breathed out heavy and long. Now, he felt tired and exhausted and was happy to go home.
"Oh, he is gorgeous," whispered Nathan, not to wake the sleeping baby. "Have you picked a name?"
The new father cleared his throat, looked at his wife, and said shyly:" We thought Nathan Gabriel Hathaway if it is okay with you."
Nathan and Gabriel looked surprised but honored. Even the commissioner looked proud at his men, understanding that these two were exactly how he wanted his Mounties to be.