Bethie tried to explain. “I am now the mother ofseven. There was a time when I feared that perhaps...”
His frown faded, gentle understanding dawning on his face. “Her bitter words hold no power over you. They never did. But even had you never borne another child, I would have loved you and Isabelle just the same.”
It was sweet to hear him say such a thing, sweeter still to know he meant it.
“How different our children’s lives are from the one I knew. They’ll never suffer poverty or hunger. They’ll never be beaten or abused. They’ll never be left alone to fend for themselves. If aught should happen to us, they have aunts, uncles, and cousins who love them and would provide for them and keep them safe. I cannae tell you how much peace this brings me.”
Nicholas stroked her hair. “I am glad to hear it.”
The baby pulled away from her nipple, apparently done feeding. She closed her shift, adjusted the baby’s blanket, and lay back against her pillow.
A light knock came at the door.
Nicholas answered. “Come.”
Alec and Cassie, whom Bethie now called Father and Mother, peeked in. Mother had dark circles beneath her eyes from a sleepless night, a smile on her face. “The children are most eager to meet their new little brother.”
Bethie shared a smile with Nicholas. “Aye, send them in.”
Emma Rose ushered in six children still dressed in their nightclothes. Belle, very much her mother’s helper at age eleven, carried little Mary, only two, on her hip. Behind her came her brothers—Alexander, nine; Nicholas, six; and Matthew, almost four. All of the boys were dark of hair and tall for their age, very much resembling their father. Catherine, on the other hand, was fair of hair and resembled Bethie. She entered last, a smile on her sweet face.
The children tiptoed across the room, noisily shushing one another, their faces alive with anticipation.
Bethie turned the baby, holding him so they could see his tiny face.
“Oh, Mama, he is beautiful—and so little!” Belle smiled brightly. “He looks just like you did, Matthew! Do you see the new baby, Mary?”
“Baby?” Mary peered sleepily at her newborn brother, but was clearly unimpressed. She popped her little thumb in her mouth and laid her head on Belle’s shoulder.
The boys drew closer, smiles on their faces.
Little Nicholas reached out and gently touched the top of the baby’s head. “He can ride my pony if he wants, Papa.”
Nicholas chuckled softly. “That’s most kind of you, son.”
Alexander nudged his little brother. “He’s too little to ride a pony! I shall help Belle read him stories, Mama.”
“I’m certain he will like that, Alex.”
Little Matthew looked up at Bethie. “Do you think he likes me?”
Bethie gave Matthew’s head a few reassuring strokes. He was no longer the youngest son in the family. “Aye, for certain, he does.”
Emma Rose drew closer. “Oh, Bethie, he is so sweet! I cannot wait to hold him!”
Nicholas’s father leaned forward, his wife beside him, and looked down at the baby. “He is a handsome boy. Can you fathom it, Cassie? Thirty-one grandchildren.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Your love has borne fruit, as it were.”
Then little Catherine reached out, took one of Benjamin’s little hands in hers, her smile broadening. “I do not know him well, Mama, but already I love him.”
And Bethie found herself blinking back tears.
***
Nicholas allowed the children to visit with their mother for a few more minutes, then nodded to Emma Rose and his parents, who shepherded them from the room.
“Come, children. It’s time for breakfast, and your mother must rest.”
