“Push what?” Esme stood there blinking at them both.
“Just go!” Taggart rubbed Hannah’s back. “Remember what the woman said, dear one. Breathe. Ye shouldna push ’til she gets here.”
Septamus stuck his head around the screen. “I am going to the kitchen to ensure Esme returns with the midwife. I can bear this no longer.”
Taggart waved him onward. He had no time for anyone but his wife and child right now.
Isla rounded the screen from the other side, her expression worrisome. “You and I shall help dear Hannah bring my first grandchild into the light.”
“Where is Mrs. Macanurny?” Hannah asked through a long, low groan.
Isla stared at Taggart and barely swung her head back and forth in a quietno.
Hannah leaned forward as far as her great belly would allow. “Tell me! Now!”
“Esme telepathed that the woman is passed out in the kitchen floor. It appears she does not handle grog well.” Isla cringed as Hannah responded with a stream of curse words.
“Dinna fash yerself, m’love,” Taggart reassured. “As soon as we bring this bairn into the world, I shall snap Thaetus’s neck for wasting our time with that insufferable woman.”
“But I am afraid,” she sobbed through another pained growl. “I don’t know what to do. And I really want to push.”
“Then push,” he said. “Mother and I will help all we can.” He gave his mother a look he knew she would understand.
Isla sidled her large girth around, angling closer to the side of the bed. “We are here, my daughter. You are not alone.”
“Dr. Brimleyton said there was something different about the heartbeat on my last visit. An odd echo.” Hannah moaned out a hiccuping sob, her erratic breathing showing she teetered on the edgeof hysteria. “The ultrasound equipment at the local clinic was broken so, he couldn’t check. What if something is wrong with our baby?”
“Our bairn will be braw and heathy,” Taggart said while massaging her shoulders. They had planned a visit to the hospital today, but the onset of her labor and the storm had made risking such a trip unwise. “And if anything is wrong, not only my healing powers are at the ready, but those of the Goddess Isla herself.”
“That is right, my daughter,” his mother said. “This child will be fine.”
Hannah fought to sit higher, grabbing her knees again. Her face turned a fierce red, tears and sweat streaming down. “Help me stand,” she groaned. “Now!”
Isla caught hold of her arm and helped her off the bed. “I will hold her,” she said, while motioning toward the floor with her snout. “Get down there and catch my grandchild.”
“Hurry!” Hannah leaned forward while Isla stood behind her and held onto her.
Taggart crouched in front of her. “Push, m’love. Hand the wee one over to me.”
With her feet spread apart, Hannah bent her knees and screamed as she bore down. A head full of dark hair appeared first.
Filled with awe, Taggart touched the warm, wet head, supporting the baby. “Again, m’love. Push again.”
Hannah groaned with another long, low growl.
A little red face, pudgy yet wrinkled showed, then in a sudden rush, the precious miracle slipped into his hands, arms and legs squirming. And then she cried, for it was a daughter, howling and strong.
“We have a daughter,” he said, cradling the infant close while holding her higher for Hannah to see.
Hannah laughed while still crying. “And she looks healthy.”
“Very healthy,” Isla said with a grandmotherly chuckle. “Listen to her.”
“Oh, no.” All joy left Hannah’s face as she clutched her stomach.She grimaced and staggered forward to grab hold of the bedpost. “I think there is another. I feel movement.”
“Another?” Taggart stared down at the squalling baby in his arms, then looked to his mother. “Another?” he repeated louder.
Isla held out both arms. “Give me my granddaughter. I shall care for her whilst you help with the next one. I have called for Esme, too. She can help me properly clean them and see to their needs.”
