Kate eased the new mother onto the mattress, and Maria, so recently at the mercy of her pain, held out her arms eagerly for her newborn son. Ma placed him there gently and Maria held him tightly yet gingerly against the sweat-soaked skin of her chest, the thick cord that connected them still pulsing with lifeblood. She gazed down at her baby, her face angelic in its rapture as she murmured sweet things against his still-damp hair as he continued to wail, his thin cries filling the room, telling everyone of his dissatisfaction at this new, harsh world. Kate’s eyes filled with tears. She had never seen anything so beautiful.
The door burst open admitting a bleary-eyed James. His face was awash with excitement, and straw and quickly melting snow stuck in his wild hair as he rushed to Maria’s side. “I couldn’t hear you anymore, and I got worried. And then I thought I heard—”
Maria looked at her husband with shining eyes. “A boy. A beautiful, healthy baby boy.”
“Praise the Lord,” James whispered, planting a featherlight kiss on the top of his new son’s head. “Such black hair! Just like his mama.” The baby squirmed and squawked, and they all laughed. James grinned. “Looks like it isn’t his pa he wants right now.”
“That’s right. You go on and wait outside a little longer; there’s much to do yet before you can hold him.” Ma shooed a reluctant James back out the door.
By the time everything was cleaned up and Maria was settled with her son nursing happily, and James nestled next to them, the sun had started graying the horizon. The excitement of the night was fading, and Kate’s eyes were grainy with fatigue as she helped Ma fix a big breakfast. They prepared dinner as well while Pa chopped firewood and stacked it next to the hearth. Everyone moved slowly, eyelids drooping and limbs dragging,but they made sure the little family would be well looked after until they could come back tomorrow.
When all was in readiness for them to depart, Kate knelt beside Maria. Her heart burst at the beautiful scene. James snored softly, and the little bundle of baby was wrapped all warm and snug, sleeping against his mother’s chest. Maria’s eyes drooped but she couldn’t stop smiling. Kate clasped her hand. “You did it, Maria. What a beautiful little boy.”
“All thanks to you and your ma,” Maria said softly, squeezing her hand. “I was so scared, but you brought the presence of the Lord with you, His peace and His strength. Thank you.”
Kate smiled warmly. “Do you have a name picked out yet?”
“Nathaniel David,” Maria murmured, tracing the line of his pink cheek. “‘God has given.’”
“God has given,” Kate repeated in a reverent whisper. “Beautiful.”
“And one day soon you’ll be having babies of your own. Then I’ll be helping you in the birthing room.”
“Yes,” Kate said brightly, “Andrew has it all planned out. I’ll be so busy havin’ babies, I won’t have time for anythin’ else.” But a mist of disquiet crept from the recesses of Kate’s mind and settled damply over her heart.
“Children really are the most amazing gift, Kate. The Lord gives them to us to hold for a little while, and even with all the pain that comes from lovin’ somethin’ so much, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” She looked at Kate with tears in her eyes. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
Kate managed a smile. “If I’m half the mother you are, I’ll be doin’ all right.” Maria just smiled and closed her eyes. “You rest now. Ma and I will be back tomorrow to check on you.”
Soon they were bundled up on the wagon seat. The sun finally crested the horizon in a riot of colors, glinting off the fresh snow that blanketed the hills. They had barely begun the journey home when Ma fell asleep against Pa’s shoulder, his strong arm wrapped around her, confidently driving the mules with the other hand. Kate stifled a yawn.
“Quite the night, isn’t that right, Katie-bird?”
“I’ll say.”
“Glad they’re all doin’ so fine.”
“Me too.”
He sighed contentedly. “Nothin’ quite like a newbornbairn. I remember holdin’ you like it was yesterday.” His eyes tightened and he paused for a long moment. Then he smiled and winked at her. “A wee little girl, so sweet and pink.”
Tears pricked her eyes. She didn’t have a single memory without Danny in it. How hard it must be for Pa to think of her own birth with her twin inextricably intertwined within it. She rallied her thoughts. “I’m glad the pink didn’t stick.”
Pa laughed softly. “You made it clear from the very start you weren’t like the other girls. Tryin’ to keep up wi’ your brothers from the moment you could walk. And now look at you, a bonny young lass about to be married.”
“No one could’ve guessed it,” Kate replied sarcastically.
“Sure, and you’ll be havin’ babies of your own soon. A whole gaggle of grandbairns for your old da to spoil.”
Kate sighed, looking down. “Apparently that’s all I’m good for now.”
Pa eyed her. “Whatd’ya mean by that, lass?”
She forced a brightness into her voice. “Nothin’, Pa. Don’t worry about it.”
“You don’t want t’ have children?”
“Of course I want to have children. I just”—she chewed her lip, trying to make sense of her tangled thoughts—“I just thought maybe, out here, I could do more.”
