Sheona! Listen to me. You can draw your strength from me. Just listen to my voice and do as Isay.
“I cannot doit.”
You can and you will. I love you my darling wee lassie. I have missed you somuch.
“Mama?”
“Aye, you will be a mama, if you push harder next time. I can see the head, my lady. You made progress lasttime.”
The next contraction came fast and hard and was upon her before she could prepare. All she could do was pant through it. Fresh hot tears streamed down her face. She had never failed so miserably in her life and her heart filled with despair. Did hearing her mother’s voice after all this time mean she was nearing theend?
You must bring your head to your chest, Sheona. When the next wave comes, bring your headforward.
She could scarce understand what the voice was telling her. Yet, when the next pressure came, she did as she was told and brought her head forward when she pushed and focused on the midwife’sface.
“Aye! Your bairn has crowned, my lady. You’re doingit!”
That’s my brave lassie. You can do this, love. Listen to my voice and I will bring you throughthis.
On the next contraction, Sheona panted. Her arms could barely hold her knees any longer and shesobbed.
Almost there, Sheona. One more push and the hardest part will be over. You will love your new wee one. I have already met her and she is a rarebeauty.
A lass? Somehow knowing she was about to meet her daughter increased her resolve. When the next wave hit, she was already inposition.
“Push!”
Chin down andpush!
Sheona squeezed her eyes tight and put every last ounce of strength into it. Stars formed behind her eyes as she felt the baby’s heademerging.
“Wait, my lady. Just a second, and now! One more littlepush.”
The bairn slid slick from her body and with it a great release of pressure and pain. The sound of her cry was the most glorious thing she’d everheard.
“A wee lassie, mylady!”
Sheona looked down and watched the midwife tie the cord and wrap her daughter in linens before passing herback.
Sheona had no strength to hold her and so was lying on her side when the door burst open and Malcolmentered.
“My lord, she is not cleanyet.”
“I care not,” he said. “I have been in my own form of agony on the other side of that door for the last day and I want to see her. How does shefare?”
“She is exhausted, but all is well. The wee lassie appears healthy, but they have both put in a hellish night and will need theirrest.”
“Bring in the maids and have them both cleaned up. I will stay with her until you fetchthem.”
Sheona stared at the beauty before her. With puffy eyes and a puckered little mouth, she would surely melt the coldest heart. The bed dipped behind her and strong arms encircled themboth.
Malcolm pressed his lips to her temple. “How do you fare mylove?”
“Am tired,” shewhispered.
“Aye. Save your strength. You did well, lass. You have brought our first child into this world and you are bothsafe.”
“She gave me a hardtime.”
