Malmuira patted the wee’un’s head and then told her the wonderful news she had to share. “And just to get ye even more excited, ah’ll tell ye my news. Ah’m gonna have a bairn of my own.”
Siusan pushed herself down out of Mazey’s arms and jumped around the kitchen, bursting with excitement. She got so excited, she accidentally knocked a pot over. The contents of it spilled out onto the floor. She ducked out of sight, knowing how much trouble she was in. Garia came over and scolded all three for knocking the food off the table and shooed them out of the kitchen without hearing their excuses.
Siusan led the way. “Let’s go see Desmond. Did ye tell him his name yet?”
Mazey giggled. “Nay, maybe ye should be the one to tell him.”
Siusan stopped short and stared at Mazey with jaw slack and eyes wide. “Ye’d let me tell him?” she whispered.
Mazey nodded and Siusan whooped in excitement. They ran to keep up with her, but by the time they got back to her room, all three were giggling and trying to be the first person to touch the door. It was Siusan. Once inside, Mazey took her sweet son from Gilla and handed him to Malmuira. He was wide awake and cooed at her. She held him close, bouncing him gently. It warmed Mazey’s heart to see her friend holding her baby.
Siusan pulled on Malmuira’s dress. “Ah wanna see him.”
Bending down, Malmuira held the baby for her to see. Siusan whispered ever so sweetly in the baby’s ear, “Yer name is Desmond. It’s a good name. A strong name. Ah think ye’ll grow up good like yer mama wants.”
Prior to dawnthe next day, Mazey heard a knock on the door. She was in the middle of feeding Desmond, so couldn’t answer. Siusan opened the door.
“Mal!” Siusan yelled. She tried to tackle Malmuira and almost knocked her over.
Desmond startled. He went stiff and threw his hands up. Milk sprayed his face and then he cried.
“Hush little one. Siusan is just excited. It’s okay.” He was fine once he nursed again.
“Siusan, ye’re gonna knock me over one of these days.” The dress Malmuira wore was flattering. A beautiful emerald green made up most of the dress and accents of gold embroidery wound flowers around neck and cuffs.
Siusan laughed and ran circles around the room. Today would be one of those days. Siusan didn’t stop until she practically passed out at day's end. Her sister and the impending wedding were too much for the girl to process. Garia might help, but with how wound up she was, Mazey doubted that would stop her.
“Mazey, ah will help ye get ready for the wedding. Faither sent something for ye.”
Something draped over her arm. She held it up for Mazey to see. It was a brand new, beautiful dress. The clan plaid trimmed the dress. Small dainty lace and a beautiful sash adorned the top of the dress. Mazey tried to catch her breath, but a tear fell out of her eye. She was marrying Baile today. She wondered if she deserved such a man, but he chose her and that was what really mattered. She would love him until the day she died.
Desmond finished eating and pulled off her breast, his little mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ shape. His eyes fluttered open and closed. With a sigh, he fell asleep, content in his mother’s arms. She handed him off to Malmuira. She grabbed the blanket she recently finished and put it around her son. It was a small quilt she stitched with little flowers and leaves. Each stitch helped her work through emotions, the things that weighted her. She hoped, for her son’s sake, the stitches held none of the anxiety she worked through while making the blanket. “Here’s the blanket, ye put that just under his mouth and put him over yer shoulder. Aye, like that and then just pat his back here.” She took the dress from Malmuira and stripped down so she could try it on. “Ye’re a natural,” she beamed at Malmuira. Her sweet baby boy rubbed his nose into her shoulder, sleepy and satisfied.
“Thank ye, ah love holding…” Desmond burped loudly and out came half of what he ate, all down the front of Malmuira’s dress. It missed the blanket Mazey gave her.
Siusan almost fell on the ground in giggles. Mazey had a hard time not giggling herself. This happened all the time. She seemed to always smell of sour milk thanks to her son. Desmond saw that both Baile and Siusan were on the receiving end of his spit up. Malmuira joined in on Siusan’s laughter. Oblivious to everything, Desmond snoozed on Malmuira’s shoulder. Mazey hurried to clean up the mess before she took Desmond to his cradle.
Gilla entered her room. “Ye’ll be needing a bath,” she announced quietly, so as not to wake the bairn.
Mazey nodded. It would be best to smell good on her wedding night and she hadn’t taken a bath for a while. “Siusan, ye’ll bath after me.”
Siusan crossed her arms over her chest and stomped her little foot. “Ah don’t wanna.”
Mazey just gave her a look that said she better do it, or else. Siusan’s expression softened and her shoulders hunched forward in defeat. She went to find her needlepoint, crawling around the floor in search of the ever lost article.
By the time Malmuira returned,both Mazey and Siusan bathed and dressed for the wedding.
“Ah brought some flowers for ye both to tie into yer hair.” Malmuira handed Mazey yellow flowers to compliment the dress. Siusan got purple ones.
“Purple flowers!” Siusan squealed. The baby cried, and both women glared at Siusan.
Gilla swooped over and held Desmond. “Ah’ll care for him while ye get ready.”
“Thank ye, Gilla. Ye’re an angel.” Gilla left without another word.
Mazey’s hair hung around her face, a frizzy nightmare. “Ah dunno what to do with my hair. Ah wish it was straight or curly.”
Malmuira stood behind her, facing the small looking glass Baile gave Mazey. “Twists help with the frizz. Ah’ll do yer hair.” She tucked and twisted the hair until it piled up on top of her head elegantly.
