Page 90 of New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse

‘I need to push again.’

‘This baby isn’t hanging about, is it? My guess is it’s nearly here. With the next contraction push as hard as you can.’ Cam knew the contraction was coming by the pain in Molly’s face. ‘One last push.’

She nodded, and despite the pain in her eyes, gave it everything she had. ‘I need pain relief.’

‘It’s a little too late for that now. PUSH!’

Molly gave a scream and with one last push a beautiful baby girl slid straight into Cam’s arms. He quickly placed the baby on the bed, grabbed a handful of tissues from the bathroom and wiped away the mucus from the baby’s nose and mouth. The baby let out a cry. The relief in hearing that sound was instant.

Molly was worn out, tears running down her face, as she asked, ‘What do we have?’

‘A beautiful baby girl,’ replied Cam, giving Molly a kiss on the top of her head. ‘You did brilliantly.’

With a hasty knock on the door the paramedics arrived, stepping in to help Cam cut the cord and wrap the baby up in a towel so she could be passed to Molly.

‘She’s absolutely beautiful,’ she murmured, unable to take her eyes off her daughter.

‘Do we have a name?’ asked the paramedic.

Molly and Cam held each other’s gaze and Cam nodded. He knew exactly what Molly was thinking.

‘Lilian,’ she replied. ‘Lily for short.’

They both gazed at the baby. Molly couldn’t quite take in the fact that she was holding her daughter in her hands. She was perfect.

Just then the door was flung open and three pairs of eyes peered into the room.

‘Lily, let me introduce you to your older brother George, your great-grandmother Dixie and your Auntie Bree.’

George was soon by Molly’s side stroking Lily’s head gently. ‘You don’t think she will pinch my cars, do you? Because they’re my favourite.’

Everyone laughed.

‘I think it’ll be a while before you have to worry about that,’ replied Cam, ruffling George’s hair.

‘And you’ve called the baby Lily? After Mum?’ asked Bree.

‘After Mum,’ replied Molly with a warm smile. ‘I think she would be proud of all of us.’

Molly looked around the room, feeling so lucky to be surrounded by her family. Her heart swelled with happiness.

Hearing Dixie chuckle, Molly looked up. ‘Martha predicted right again: a letter, a death, scandal and new beginnings.’

‘And a baby girl whose name begins with “L”,’ added Molly, glancing out of the window. ‘Bree … look!’

All heads turned towards the window, through which the moon was visible in the late afternoon sky.

‘Loon moon,’ Molly and Bree murmured together.

‘Mum’s watching over us,’ Molly said quietly. Tears caught in her throat and a feeling of warmth flooded her body as she held her baby close. Gently kissing Lily’s cheek, she glanced up at Cam, her heart dancing with joy.

‘I have to say, this has been one of the best days of my life. Making Great-Uncle Ted proud, winning Baker of the Year and now we have a brand-new wee pudding that has arrived.’ Cam kissed the top of Molly’s head. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too,’ she replied. She nodded quietly towards George, who had slipped into a chair in the corner of the room and was biting into the winning Layers Treats chocolate slab.

‘Hey!’ joked Cam.

George looked up sheepishly then grinned. ‘I’m not sharing,’ he replied, taking another huge bite whilst keeping one eye on baby Lily.

Everyone laughed.

THE END