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“Dae ye remember nae too long ago, I thought ye were dead? That Sionn has pushed ye off the cliff. I was ready to die, right then and there. I saw it so clearly in my mind that I would join ye in the after life. That promise, it is still strong within me. Ye go, I will follow.”
“That is nae helpin’,” the midwife scolded. “We need to get her to push.”
“Conner,” Olivia gasped as she lifted a weary, shaking hand. Conner shifted to the side table and grabbed the water for her. He brought the cup to her lips and helped her hold it up while she drank. It blew his mind how quickly and how much she had changed.
It was just this morning she was laughing and full of life. And now, here she was, weary and pale, resting on the edge of death.
“Dae ye remember what ye told me when yer faither died?” Conner asked as he brushed his fingertips every so lightly down her face. “Ye told me, at least he died on his feet. Well, ye need to ken that yer nae just fightin’ for yerself. Yer fightin’ for our child. Yer fightin’ for me. Because I cannae live in a world where ye daenae exist. Dae ye hear me? I need ye. So please, for me, just once give me everythin’ because I swear to ye, I will give ye everythin’ I have in return.”
“Good,” the midwife said Conner lost her under the sheet draped over Olivia’s legs. “Now. Wit’ everythin’ she has.”
“Come on my love,” Conner cooed. “Ye have always been the most stubborn person I’ve ever known. But ye may have met yer match wit’ our bairn. But ye got to push.”
Olivia’s face turned from pale white to an apple red in a matter of seconds. Her face scrunched with pain and exhaustion. Conner held her hand and squeezed it as her hand and body shook.
Olivia gulped in air and threw her head back into Conner’s chest. The sound of a baby’s wail filled the room as everyone let out a collective sigh.
“Get me more linen,” the midwife ordered as she bundled the child into her arms. Conner couldn’t help but stare at the small child, stunned by what Olivia brought into the world.
“Ye have a son,” the midwife said with a smirk. Olivia’s eyes fluttered as she lifted her arms out for it. Conner took the child from the midwife and placed it into Olivia’s arms. Tears swelled in his eyes as he stared at the baby.
“Look at him,” Olivia mumbled. “He’s got yer nose.”
“And he will have yer faither’s name,” Conner said as he stuck a finger out hoping the child would take it. Olivia looked up at him, her face was clear again save for the sweat causing her hair to stick to her face.
“Ye did wonderful,” Conner said kissing her on the forehead.
“Are ye sure ye daenae want to call him by yer faither’s name?” Olivia asked as she smiled at the child in her arms. There was a peace that flowed through Conner, one that he had never experienced before. It was as if the whole world stopped just for him as he shifted his attention from Olivia to he boy.
“Nay,” Conner answered. “He’s name will be Niel. After all, it was yer faither who saved ye first, who gave up his life so that ye and the bairn could live. Tis yer faither who should be honored here.”
“I love ye,” Olivia said as she brushed her fingers over the baby’s pudgy face.
Conner pulled away from watching Olivia and Niel and scanned the room. The eager faces of all those in the room stared at them with the same smile on their faces.
“Go,” he said. “Tell my maither and sister the lad has come.”
Without hesitation, the servants rushed from the room. Conner could hear their cheers as the news of the birth spread through the whole castle. In a matter of seconds, the door flew open.
“Oh, let me see him,” Astrid cooed as she rushed to the edge of the bed to get a better view. “Would ye look at that! How precious. And how are ye doin’ Olivia? Dae ye need anythin’?”
Olivia glanced at Conner before returning her gaze to Astrid. “Nay, I’m well. I’m sure after a few good meals and a lot of Tagger’s tea, I’ll be right as rain.”
“Want me to fetch that for ye?” Sadie asked, eager to help where she could. Conner gave the nod that sent Sadie back out of the room.
“I cannae tell ye how thankful I am,” Astrid said as she lovingly dropped her hand on Conner’s shoulder. “This is more than anythin’ I could have ever wanted. Ye ken a maither always hopes their children will live prosperous lives. And I see that ye have found yers. I am so proud of ye son.”
“Thank ye, Maither.”
“And what have ye decided to name him?” Astrid asked as her hands twitched, eager to hold the child.
“Niel,” Conner answered.
“Aye, that is a good, strong name,” Astrid said as Olivia slowly handed Niel over to her. Conner’s heart swelled as he watched his mother hold his son. He wanted to cry knowing that he had been so close to losing everything. Yet, here he was, having gained everything.
“If it is all the same to ye,” Olivia said. “I need to sleep.”
“Of course,” Astrid said as she carefully scooted off the bed with Niel in her arms. “Ye take all the rest ye need. I’ll have yer maither come in and check on ye. Niel will be well cared for, daenae ye worry one little bit.”
