Hey Folks! Carebearmaxi here! Just wanted to let you know that Eliza is near having her and William's child only that William is at the docks and sneaks out to take a ride to see how she is. Once there he is torn between remaining at home to somehow help his wife bring their child into the world and returning to the docks to lead a project that had been a long time in development and authorization. Through it all stands Ivy with her wisdom is keeping both Eliza and William calm remembering her own buried history.

Frightened

Chapter 11

While Eliza was laboring at home to bring their child into the world, William was waiting with his men at the waterfront. Since he had been informed of the change in strategy by not only Officer Carlyle but confirmed by Caroline McAlroy herself once she was brought after her arrest. William had to quickly change his strategy and gather more loyal men to circumvent and set a dragnet in order to come behind the gangs.

It was during this time that Officer Dunstan arrived back at the meeting point. Once William revealed the new strategy, Dunstan walked up to where his Chief stood in a raised patch of ground.

Officer Dunstan was in awe of his new Chief. William's reputation as a good leader and a fair boss had preceded him. Louis had been told William's story of his emigration from Scotland to England raising himself with a little help from his mentor, Henry Scarlet, from his basic beginnings to a place where he could help others. William eventually with his new wife (Henry's daughter) emigrated from London to New York City where he has left his mark as a good leader and a good man. Louis felt he owed it to William to tell him now that he was going to be a father.

"Chief?"

"Officer Dunstan. Do you have questions as to your assignment?"

The youngish man roughly a few years younger than William answered. "Everything was clear although I was a little late in arriving here."

William eyed the younger cop, "Oh why is that?"

"I had informed your wife that you were aware of the change in strategy as Lieutenant Carlyle had requested. Then I was busy returning your wife back home, sir."

Scowling and yelling 'ELIZA!' mentally into the distance, William shifted from one foot to the other turning to look at the Officer.

"My wife back home? Where was she going and how did you coerce her into going home?"

Officer Dunstan stood to his full six foot height as he responded, "Mrs. Wellington wanted to accompany me here so she could be with you."

"Thank you for convincing her to go home. The last thing I needed is for her to go into labor while she's here."

"Well, sir, that's how I convinced her to go home. She's in labor."

William's head actually did a doubletake and he stared fiercely at the younger man.

"She's going to have the baby? Now?" William's voice relayed an uptick in worry.

"Yes, sir. I have three children, so I know when I woman is in labor."

William paused.

"I thank you, sir. Now go back to your team. I will take it from here," William said in a seemingly unaffected demeanor.

On the inside, William was so worried and anxious that he was unsure for a moment how to handle that news. The last thing he needed to do was to leave his teams for this project for which he had fought long and hard. However, remaining here might mean the distraction was fierce that not only might he get himself killed but his men as well. William was determined to keep loss of life down to a minimum. William was not ignorant he knew what was most important. That was why he wrote the letter to Eliza before he had left the safety of the precinct. Should the worst happen, William had wanted Eliza to know everything in his heart.

William had for a long time now admired Eliza's courage. Many times he had to rescue her from her own fearlessness, so he was glad that this time Eliza chose the safer course in not continuing her trip to be with him. He was grateful to Officer Durant in his skill and knowledge to persuade Eliza to return home to have their child. William was well aware of her stubbornness.

"Lieutenant Carlyle,"William called to the young man standing at the head of another small team of men awaiting explicit instructions.

"Yes, Chief?"

"I just found out that Mrs. Wellington is in labor. I'm going to go home for a few minutes, but I will back in time before this event begins," William told Lionel in a hushed voice. "I do not want to make a scene leaving for reasons you can guess."

"But, sir, I can…." Lionel starting to say he could lead the men in his place but decided that would only make William even more stressed.

"Yes, sir. I understand. God Bless you and your family."

"Thank you. Remember do nothing until I return," William stressed and then walked stealthily to a waiting cab.

While William was rushing to get home, Eliza was now in bed and writhing along with every contraction. She still was not at the point where she had to push her child into the world, but she was still thoroughly uncomfortable.

"Ivy!" Eliza yelled as Ivy had left the room for a minute.

"Yes, Lizzie, I know you're in pain. It's just the way it is."

Eliza was breathing through a contraction because she read somewhere that she could breathe through it. It would help. Not really! Eliza thought. She tried to remain still and momentarily she could before another attack came on.

"Ivy, finish your story…maybe…that will help,uhhh" Eliza cringed through another contraction.

"Ok, I will," Ivy said as she put a cold compress on Eliza's head and helped her through a contraction. "The doctor will be here soon to examine you and see how much longer before the baby gets here."

"Tell me about your husband and child….(gasp)…what happened to them?" Eliza really wanted to know and listen, but the frequent pains were not aiding her in this endeavor.

Ivy, who tried to calm and help Eliza focus and breathe through her contractions, stroked her hand although Eliza continually latched onto it tightly as the pains gripped her.

"Eliza, Lizzie, breathe…" Ivy said quietly. "When I was in labor with my daughter…"

"You had a little girl? I bet she was beautiful," Eliza interrupted.

"My mother wouldn't stay with me through my labor. She was ashamed of me because I had defied her and my father's plans. My next eldest brother stayed with me until my husband returned home."

"Where was your husband?"

"He was at work. He worked for your grandfather in the bank. He was a clerk."

Eliza bit her lip as a pain gripped her. Her eyes welled with tears as she could feel the sadness in Ivy as she relayed her own story of giving birth. Eliza was momentarily mesmerized by this woman who cared for her, nurtured her after her mother died, and washed her clothes and cooked her meals. Going through her own journey of motherhood right now, allowed Eliza to love Ivy even more than she already did.

"So your husband was educated?"

"Yes, he loved me although I couldn't read. Much like William loves you although you share his profession."

Ivy was going to return to recounting this part of her life when there was a knock on the door.

"It must be the doctor. I'll just be a minute."

Eliza lay in bed shifting her body between contractions trying to alleviate some discomfort. She knew she was in for it when she became pregnant, but no one prepared her for the utter discomfort a woman in labor experiences. This was one job where she would have appreciated William's protection.

Thinking about William momentarily she vacillated between cursing him for putting her in this condition and worrying about his safety and healthy return. Writhing and stretching over to glance at the clock on the bedside table, she noted the time: 7:00 pm. Time for the raid.

Eliza inhaled a breath then mouthed aloud a prayer to a God that she was not really sure in whom she had faith. Eliza was not one for blind faith but in scientific fact and proven theory. Her faith was based in scientific research and educated deductions. She was taught about God as a child but to her it always seemed God had abandoned her. In her eyes, He took her mother away when she was only a child. Then much later, He took her father away by criminals murdering him.

As she lay there through another contraction her legs shifting and herself whimpering at the pain. She decided that prayer could not hurt.

Please God let William return uninjured, so he can see his son (Eliza was still convinced she was birthing a boy). By the way, God, if you need to decide between William and me, please leave William to go on. Our son will need his father. Wiiliam will be an excellent father. Eliza despaired of living through this ordeal attempted to bargain with God.

"Ok, Mrs. Wellington, let's see what's going on with that baby of yours!" Dr. Bradley greeted Eliza as he preceded Ivy into the bedroom.

William looked at his watch becoming more impatient the longer this ride home lasted. There had been an altercation between a couple of drivers and pedestrians, so William pulled the authority card and had his driver push through the jam.

Finally, the bumping stopped in front of his house.

"Bobby, if you can wait, wait here."

"Sir, what if you need to stay, I really should be getting back."

"Stay here! That's an order!" William commanded. He then realized his worry was coercing him to surliness. He apologized to Bobby.

"You're right, Bobby. I just need you to please stay. I will come out in a few minutes once I know my wife's condition."

"I understand, sir. I've got a few children myself."

William smiled and patted him on the shoulder and got out of the cab.

He ran up the small cement steps and let himself into his home. He heard moaning and crying.

"Eliza! I'm home!"

Ivy met William at the bedroom door closing it behind her. She raised her hands pleading William to not enter the room.

"I want to see my wife, Ivy. I have to let her know that I'm here for her."

"I know you do, but you cannot stay long, William. Come into the living room. When the doctor comes out after examining Lizzie, I am sure he will allow you to see her."

William's blue eyes and grim look accompanied a typical Scottish grunt of acquiescence as he took a seat in his living room. "Ivy, I cannot stay long. I just need to see her."

"I know, William. Lizzie has been in labor now for three hours and she isn't progressing. Now first babies can be very long in coming, so I wouldn't worry yet. Lizzie is very tired, so I am trying to keep her calm."

William rested his chin in his hand and tapped his foot impatiently as he sat in the winged chair near the cold fire grate. On a winter's day, he and Eliza would sit in front of the roaring fire and work on their joint cases or just sit and drink quietly in each other's arms.

The door opened and Dr. Bradley entered the living room. His round face wore a look of concern.

"Oh, Chief Wellington, I'm glad you're here."

William rose.

"How is she?"

"She's in labor, but she's not progressing. I wouldn't worry, though. It can be that way with the first one. I checked the baby's heartbeat with this." Dr. Bradley held up a stethoscope with an extra-long flute.

"The baby?"

"The child is tolerating the labor well. Heartbeat is strong. It's in a good position for birth. It is just that the contractions haven't been strong enough to do their work. Like I said, though, that can happen with the first one."

First one! Eliza won't ever want to have more children after this, I'm sure. William thought.

"Can I see her?"

"Yes. Surely. It may help," Dr. Bradley said patting William on the shoulder although Bradley had to stretch to reach it.

"Eliza!"

"William!"

Eliza had been standing and walking trying to get her labor to do its work.

Upon seeing his wife standing he trod fiercely over to where she was and helped her to a chair to which Eliza refused to sit.

"You shouldn't be standing! Yer having a bairn!" William's Scottish language becoming pronounced in his fear.

"William, I cannot bear to sit in the seat. Dr. Bradley said it was fine for me to get up and walk around. It's been more effective on some of his more recent patients. Uh…!"

Just at that moment, a contraction gripped her, and she hung onto William for dear life. She still refused to sit down or lay down as William tried to coerce her.

"You are lying in that bed…"

"William! I'm having this child, so you listen to me! It's not your body…here comes another….!"

"Eliza!...Eliza! William exclaimed worried as he saw what his beautiful wife was experiencing bringing their child into the world. William had been worried more than once for Eliza's continued safety and health the most recent being that horrible gunshot wound the day she told him she was with child. William's kind heart and deep love for his wife made him almost wish he could birth their child for her.

Eliza straightened for a moment and put her hands behind her back which made her belly protrude even farther. It poked William in his own lower abdomen. He smiled and he was happy to see that Eliza smiled back.

Eliza reached up a hand and brushed away from William's forehead some of his curls which had loosened during his activity.

William looked down at his wife and they both continued to smile.

"I do love you, William. Although I have been questioning the result of our this child was conceived and your part in it."

"I'd thought you'd hate me for getting you into this," William said as he kissed the top of Eliza's head which was moist from perspiration.

Eliza gave her husband a bit of cheeky look, but she then decided that she would have given William whatever he wanted because he loved her so much and had always done his best for her.

At least that was the thought until a deeper contraction took hold of Eliza and this time she really did sit down.

"William?" Eliza asked.

He knelt down in front of her and took her hand in his.

"Yes?"

"Could you please get the doctor? Then I need you to return to the docks."

William lowered his eyes.

"You know I shouldn't leave my men on their own, but I want to do the right thing. You are my wife! You're giving birth to our child!" William said emphasizing his words so Eliza would know she meant everything to him.

Eliza caught her breath and put her arms around William's neck.

"I know you want to be here, but this is my job. Something you absolutely cannot do. I really think the… baby will be… born soon."

William helped her into bed and called for Dr. Bradley.

Dr. Bradley said, "Chief Wellington leave the room while I examine your wife."

"Eliza!"

"It's ok, William. Go back to work. Our son will be here when you return." Eliza threw her head back with a pang.

She assumed a position easy for the doctor to see how she was progressing. The baby was not crowning yet from what he could see but the internal exam led him to believe the baby was no doubt engaged in the birth canal.

Ivy reiterated to William that he go back to work. His men needed him to lead the raid and rid the city of their ilk.

"I will get word to you as soon as the baby is born if you're not back by then."

"I admire your calm, Ivy. I know if one of my men's wives were in the same position I would say family comes first, but in this case…"

"William."

William became quiet and eyed Ivy.

"Having a child is definitely a job for a woman, so as Lizzie said you cannot help, and you will only worry her more if you stay."

"Ivy…"

"William, Lizzie has her job to do and you have yours. She would want nothing more than for you to be with her, but she knows that you are also a leader to your men, and they love you for your leadership. I know you're torn, but you must do your duty as Chief of Police."

William looked toward heaven. He breathed out a long sigh and then nodded.

"Yes, Ivy. I understand. I will return as soon as I am able."

"Don't worry. This is a what a woman's body was meant for, so Lizzie's body is doing what comes naturally. Leading a troop of men to rid a city of gangs and criminals is a man's job. Leading men and putting away criminals is your job. Not that I am sure Lizzie didn't help along the way. Lizzie is doing her job; you now must do yours."

"Ivy," William reached out and hugged her which was quiet unusual for the both of them. William had come to love Ivy like a mother almost as much as his wife had.

"You are wise, Ivy. I understand."

"Absolutely," Ivy said feigning straightening her hair to hide the unexpected affection from William. She watched from the uppermost step of the house as she watched William leave in the cab.

Ivy turned to shut the door of the house when Dr. Bradley came rushing out of the bedroom.

"Chief Wellington leave?"

"Yes, he had to go back to work," Ivy answered.

"Is he coming back soon?"

"I'm not sure. I am sure he will be back as soon as it is safe for him to return."

"Good," Dr. Bradley grimly stated.

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"Mrs. Wellington has started to push but the baby looks like it may be more than a few hours and she is losing stamina. She is calling for him.