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“Magnus will meet with him, he will try to straighten it out.”
“Good.”
“Where are your bairns?”
She laughed. “They are safe. They are with their nurse. I see them when I am up tae it. There are so many now, three, tis exhaustin’ tae think on it.”
“There will be a fourth soon.”
She widened her eyes swallowed some air. “I keep remindin’ m’self, every bairn is a blessin’.”
“I have been wanting to talk to you about something... I asked a great many questions of a physician that I trust and I have brought medicines. I would like to be here for the birth. If you will have me. I think I can help.”
“Ye hae been tae a birth before, Sister?”
“No, but—”
“Tis the kind of carryin’ on that might scare ye from the joy of motherhood for good. Magnus is okay with ye bein’ here for it?”
“He is, he knows I have some knowledge on it now.”
“Well, I would wish tae say I daena need ye, but Mildred Campbell dinna survive it nae three months ago. The physician attended her, he is more likely tae deliver one tae the grave.”
“Oh god, don’t say that.”
“I have tae be ready, Kaitlyn. Tis possible that these days may be my last.”
“Well, I don’t think we should be so dark about it. This might not be your last days, this might very well be some of your best days if I can help it.”
Lizbeth smiled. “Tis good tae have ye home, Sister. Tis ice cold outside and rainin’. What will we do with ourselves?”
30 - KAITLYN
Magnus knocked on the door. He set down a few boxes of my equipment and medicines and kissed me on the cheek. I gave him my chair and he sat down by the bed. “Hello Lizbeth, are ye well?”
She sprawled back her arms and said dramatically, “I am barely able tae manage, I fear my end is near.”
Magnus’s eyes went big.
She grinned. “Tis nae true, Young Magnus. I am fine, I am only in bed because Madame Greer is makin’ me intae an invalid because it will be better for my reputation tae barely survive the birth than tae be my mother’s daughter and survive everythin’ with the help of the devil.”
Magnus shook his head. “Ye scared me.”
She patted the back of his hand. “Twas nae fair of me, ye have had too much fear these days. I am sorry for it.”
He said, “Ye canna talk of leavin’ us, we need ye.”
“Sean daena, he has turned his back on the family.”
“I daena ken what is happenin’ with Sean, but I will learn it. Are ye havin’ a bairn this morn?”
“By the morrow, tis the new moon tonight.”
I asked, “Why? What does that have to do with it?”
She laughed merrily. “The moon has always got some mischief tae it, and will likely call the bairn out in the middle of a darkened night. Also Madame Greer told me the bairn would be born on the New Moon and I daena hae the will tae argue with her.”
We all chuckled about it.
