“I promise, sweetheart,” he said, squeezing her hand and kissing her forehead. “I will not leave your side.”
Dr. Baker arrived within minutes as he was in the area. According to Mrs. Babble, the midwife, who’d arrived the day before in anticipation of the birth, staying with Selena was highly irregular. But Gerald refused to leave, holding Selena’s hand and whispering loving words whenever she needed comfort.
The verbal tug-of-war ended with a loud ‘harumph,” from the wiry, white-haired woman, who threw up her hands in frustration when Gerald threatened to send her packing. She chose, instead, to assist Doctor Baker—who had arrived and had taken over the midwife’s efforts.
~*~
Several hours later, a throaty cry sounded from Gerald and Selena’s bedroom. The room was abuzz with activity and Gerald was completely in awe. He marveled at the strength of his beautiful and delicate wife to push something the size of a pumpkin from her person. It wasn’t that he hadn’t witnessed births—but they had been horses or dogs. Never had he seen a woman give birth to a child—but Selena had just given birth tohischild. His love and admiration for her soared as he beheld her strength and courage throughout the labor.
Holding his son in his arms, he had to blink back tears.
“You did it, my darling wife.”
“We did it, my wonderful husband,” she replied in a tired but happy voice.
He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“I love you. Thank you for our son.”
“I love you too. Isn’t he beautiful?” she whispered.
“He certainly is,” he said.
The midwife took the baby from his arms and made shooing motions indicating they needed to clean up the bed and his wife. Leaning down, he kissed Selena again and told her he’d be back after he spread the good news to their family and friends. Gerald found them gathered in the family room around the newly decorated Christmas tree.
“We have a healthy boy,” he said to cheers and hearty slaps on the back. “We named him William Phillip Lawrence.”
“A fine name! You have honored both grandfathers,” Banbury said.
“And how is Selena?” Diana asked.
“She’s resting but she’s as happy and elated as I am. I’m so proud of her.” Just speaking of his wife and the birth gave him a jolt of euphoria. It felt good to release the tension and worry that had tied him into knots over the past several hours.
“I’ve never known a doctor to let the husband in the room,” Percival said. “That must have been an amazing experience to welcome your son into the world.”
“It was.” He couldn’t contain his excitement. “I plan to always be in the room if we are fortunate enough to have more children. Good God, I’ve never been so scared in all my life—scared for Selena and scared for the baby. And worried I wouldn’t be what she needed. It’s an experience I will never forget, Percival.” Gerald paused and took a deep breath. “If you want to see the baby, Selena should be ready to have visitors in a day or two. I know she’ll want to see all of you,” Gerald said. Selfishly, he was glad she needed a couple of days of rest—which he planned to spend by her side.
“Congratulations, my friend,” Wright said with a wry smile. “I always knew you had it in you. That’s a sterling name you’ve given your son. What will you call him—Phillip or William?”
“My guess is Phillip, but I’m sure Selena already has ideas on that. After all she did to bring him into the world, it’s her decision,” Gerald said.
He was happy to share the news with everyone, but he was anxious to get back to Selena and their son. He couldn’t wait to hold them again. He’d spent the last hour with his friends and their family, while Anna and the other women were making made Selena more comfortable. Anna came down to let him know that Selena was settled and asking for him. He excused himself from his family and friends and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Stepping into the room he found his wife and mother-in-law deep in conversation. Thinking he needed to give them privacy, he turned to leave.
“No, Gerald, please stay!” Selena exclaimed. “Mamanjust gave me some exciting news! Connery has askedMamanto marry him. They plan to marry on New Year’s Day, and they’d like to have Paul and Kat be part of their wedding. They will be so excited to be part of their new grandparents’ big day.
Gerald smiled down at his lovely wife. She was blissfully happy. To think, he’d spent half of his life resenting being engaged to her, only to find out marriage to her was the path to his happiness.
“Well, that tells me why Connery is suddenly consumed with getting the chapel refurbished. But now that I understand, I’m sure we can hire additional workers to see that’s it done quickly,” Gerald said.
And they did.
~*~
Christmas morning was magical. It was everything Gerald could have wished for, spending a quiet morning with Selena and their new son.
“How many children should we have, my dearest?” Gerald asked.
Selena chuckled. “We just got through our firstborn’s birth, darling. And we’ve adopted Paul and Kat. I think we’ll be busy for a while with three children. Besides, that decision rests with God.”
