Duncan’s mother’s words came to mind. “Dinna speak that evil into this room. Nothing but goodness is invited here.”
“I am so very tired.” Merry curled forward, wailing with the pain.
“Yer bairns need yer help, my lady,” Mrs. Danrahan told her with a calmness that helped them all. “Ye can do this. It’ll not be easy, but ye can do this. Ye’re a fine, braw woman.” As she settled on the short stool, she locked eyes with Duncan. “Help her proper or ye will be escorted out, ye ken?”
Duncan possessed no doubt whatsoever that the midwife would catch him up by his ear and tow him out of the room. He rubbed Merry’s shoulders as he held her in place. “Push, my love. Ye know ye can. Ye are the strongest woman I have ever known.”
“These babies have to be males. So stubborn.” She growled long and low with a trembling groan, digging her fingernails into his arms as she leaned forward and bore down.
He didn’t care if she shredded him to bits. The pain was nothing compared to hers. “Bear down again, love. Show yer sons that when Mama says,Come out,they must listen.”
“Ye can do this, m’lady,” the midwife encouraged her. “Ye’ve almost got that first one birthed. Push just a wee bit longer.”
Merry groaned again, growling like an enraged beast.
“I see a fine head of hair. Black as his lordship’s. One more great push.”
Duncan held tight to her as she trembled and shook, straining to get their babies born.
“And we have a fine laddie, we do!” The midwife laughed as the wriggling baby squalled and made his displeasure known. “Oh, just listen to him. What a braw, healthy lad he is.”
Merry sagged back against Duncan, struggling to catch her breath. “He is not happy.”
Wrapping him in a blanket, Serendipity held him closer so they could see him. “Your son, my lord.”
His son. Duncan couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. He simply shook his head, then rested his cheek against Merry. “Our son,” he whispered. “Look at our son.”
“He is perfect.”
“Indeed, he is. Just like his mother.”
“I believe the other one wishes to come out now.” She curled forward as much as her body allowed and groaned.
“This one should be easier, m’lady,” the midwife said. “Push that little one out.”
As Duncan held her, he strained and growled along with her, wishing it would help.
“And we have another laddie!” The midwife held up the second squirming babe, smiling as he yowled as loudly as his brother. After handing the child off to Serendipity, she pressed on Merry’s stomach several times, then nodded. “That be all, m’lady. Well done and congratulations on yer fine sons. Yer body will take care of the rest, and then we’ll get ye cleaned up and settled.”
Still out of breath, Merry motioned Serendipity closer. “Let me see him.”
“We’ll be able to tell them apart easily,” Serendipity said. “What little hair this one possesses has a reddish cast to it, whereas his brother’s is as black as a raven’s wing.”
“Then this one shall be Lorne,” Duncan said. “It meansfox.”
“And his brother is Lachlan.” Merry gave a happy sigh. “Lachlan and Lorne. Our sons.”
“M’lord,” the midwife said, “why do ye not go and spread the happy news whilst we make yer lovely wife more comfortable and help her feed the wee ones their first meal?”
“Is that what ye wish?” Duncan asked Merry. He would not leave her side until she was ready.
Joy and love beamed from her, filling her weary eyes. “Yes. Go tell everyone our wonderful news.”
As he rose, she caught hold of his arm and stopped him. “I love you.”
“I love ye more, my own.” Never in all his life had he ever known such love. “More than ye will ever comprehend.”
“My beloved champion.”
