| Having It All Part 6A Catherine sat back against the cushions. �I guess I�m just scared because Vincent isn�t here.� Catherine looked up at her again. �Oh Mary I can�t have the baby without him!� Mary rose from her kneeling position. �I know that your bond has been disturbed since your pregnancy progressed.� Catherine winced as another pain hit. �Yes, most of the time Vincent can�t feel me the way he did before.� Mary moved toward the library door. �I�ll go below and put a message on the pipes for Jamie to go down to the work site and get him.� Catherine looked at her over her shoulder. �Thank you for everything.� The older woman moved quickly to the secret entrance into the tunnels and placed an urgent message on the pipes. She reentered the house and walked back into the library. �I�m going to call Peter he is at home today.� Catherine looked up again. �I�ll just lay here until you are done.� Mary moved into the foyer and had just picked up the receiver when Father and Olivia came through the secret entrance. Father looked down a moment contritely. �I heard the message and thought I would come see if I could help.� Catherine heard his voice and sat up. �Father?� He moved into the library. �Are you all right?� Catherine nodded as she lay back again. �I�m having the contractions faster than I thought I would.� She looked at Olivia. �Is Jamie going to the lower tunnels to get Vincent?� Olivia took her hand and squeezed it. �Yes, she ran out of Father�s chamber just before we came up here.� Father came over to her again. �May I examine you?� Catherine looked at him and smiled. �Yes of course.� Olivia helped her loosen her maternity dress so that they could raise it. Father placed the stethoscope on her stomach and listened for a few moments. He smiled at Catherine as he took the stethoscope off her stomach. �The baby�s heartbeat is very strong.� Catherine relaxed. �Just like Vincent�s.� Father patted her hand. �Yes my dear, just like Vincent�s.� Mary came into the library and spoke to Catherine and Father. �Peter had an emergency and is tied up at the hospital his housekeeper told me that she would get hold of him as soon as she could.� Catherine looked at Father worriedly. �Do we have time for that?� He took her hand. �I�m not sure Catherine your contractions are very close together.� Catherine gripped his hand as another pain hit. �Father, will you deliver your grandchild?� The older man felt a lump build in his throat. �Will that be acceptable to Vincent?� Catherine was just about to answer when Vincent stepped into the foyer. �I would be honored to have you deliver our child.� Father looked up at him and smiled. �No, Vincent I�m the one who would be honored.� Vincent removed his cloak laying it across the bench beside the secret door then he moved into the library. Father rose from the sofa as he approached. �Can either of you ever forgive an old fool?� Vincent shook his head as tears came to his eyes. �You are not a fool.� Catherine let her own tears fall as she watched the Father/Son reunion. Mary and Olivia were also crying despite their smiles. Vincent released Father after a moment and knelt down beside the sofa. �Are you all right, my angel?� She reached up and wiped his tears away. �I�m fine now.� Father hated to interrupt but placed his hand on Vincent�s shoulder. �We need to get her somewhere more comfortable.� Vincent looked at Catherine again and gently picked her up. �We want our child born in our bed.� Father smiled. �That�s very appropriate.� Vincent moved by him and carried her upstairs as Mary, Olivia, and Father followed behind. A couple of hours later Catherine was lying in their bed bathed in sweat. Her contractions were coming even closer now. Vincent sat beside her and tenderly washed her face with a cool cloth. He was keeping busy because he knew that if he just sat there he would just be frightened for Catherine and their child. Father and Mary were working at the end of the bed preparing Catherine for the birth. Olivia was seated on Catherine�s left side holding her hand. Catherine opened her eyes and looked at Vincent. �Can I push soon?� He looked up at Father questioningly. The older man moved toward them and patted her knee lovingly. �In just a few moments you can push.� Catherine looked up at him lovingly. �Thank you.� She closed her eyes again as another contraction started. Mary spoke softly to her. �Breathe like I taught you.� Father finished the preparations and looked at Catherine again. �You can push if you need to.� She opened her eyes and looked at Vincent. She sat up as Vincent and Olivia supported her. Mary counted to ten and told her to rest for a moment. Vincent and Olivia slowly lowered her back to the mattress. Olivia touched her shoulder. �You�re doing great.� Catherine looked over at her. �Did it hurt this much when Luke was born?� Olivia could not help but chuckle. �It was worse.� Catherine shook her head just as another contraction started. �I have to push again!� Father looked up at her. �Yes, push as hard as you can we are almost done.� Once again Vincent and Olivia helped her to rise while supporting her. Father looked down a moment then looked at Catherine and Vincent. �I can see the top of the head.� Catherine looked over at Vincent. He smiled encouragingly. �Now Catherine, I want you to push very hard this time so that the head crowns.� NEXT NEXT |