CHAPTER 48 — SEVEN

Fire.

Blue and red flames, casting off yellow sparks. It lighted up the room, keeping it warm and protected from the cold that came with winter.

Lily watched the flames from her position on the bed, her fingers curling around the white sheets. She mentally counted the sparks, her eyes following them as they rose and fell back into the fire.

Still, counting sparks did nothing to keep her mind off of the pain that rippled through her body, forcing her to clench her teeth and her fingers to tighten its hold on the sheets. She was nearly certain the sheets would tear apart under her grip, but she didn’t care, she thought as she watched a particular spark fall slowly into the fire. She didn’t care if she somehow ripped the entire mattress apart, as long as doing so would ease her pain.

The pain eased then, her body relaxing on the bed as a loud sigh of relief escaped her lips. She took deep breaths, knowing it was only a matter of seconds before the pain would be upon her again.

The door made a creaking sound, her eyes darting to it, and in that second, Raymond appeared. He carried a bowl in his hand and a towel hung on the crook of his arm. He hurriedly crossed the room and knelt by the bedside.

“Are you alright?” His voice trembled, his weary green eyes staring at her. She felt the rough fabric of the towel sweep her forehead, wiping the sweat off.

Forcing a smile onto her lips, she said, “It is almost time.” She gasped, pain washing over her. She knew the baby was coming, but she feared she would faint from so much pain before she gave birth.

Raymond nodded nervously, capturing her hand and squeezing it lightly. “I’m here. I’m here, Lily.”

She felt the dampness of his palm and the way his fingers trembled nonstop. Sensing his fears, she understood them, because the snow had blocked the paths to town, making it impossible to reach a doctor, the burden of bringing their child into the world rested on Raymond.

Tightening her hold on Raymond’s hand, her entire body jerked forward as yet another ripple of pain passed through it. The pain spread through her abdomen to her back, her waist aching. A loud cry escaped her lips as her tears broke loose and began making their way slowly down her cheeks.

When the pain eased a little, she fell back against the bed, gasping for air. Tears mingled with sweat, flowed down her face, neck and to the neckline of her dress, before falling off of her shoulders and wetting the bed beneath her.

Turning to Raymond, she saw the fear that reflected in his teary green eyes. She released his hand then, her free hand falling to the bed.

“It’s time, Raymond.” She clamped down on a loud cry that threatened to escape her lips. “Now,” her lips trembled. “we’re having a baby right now!”

Raymond hurriedly nodded, leaving her side. She spread her legs apart, pain vibrating in her leg muscles as she folded them until her knees were nearly touching her stomach and blocking her view of Raymond.

Clenching her teeth, she gave in to the overwhelming urge to push.

Pain rippled through every part of her body, causing her limbs to tremble.

Still, she pushed.

Her teeth clattered.

Still, she pushed.

Her teeth unclenched, her lips parting as a loud cry of agony resonated from her very being.

Still, she pushed.

Darkness threatened to overwhelm her vision.

Still, she pushed.

Sweat beaded her skin, leaving her drained of what little energy she thought she had left.

Still, she pushed.

She pushed and didn’t stop pushing until she heard the piercing new sound of life, the life she had finally brought into the world.

“Cut the cord, Raymond…” she whispered breathlessly, collapsing to the bed.

“It’s a boy, Lily,” Raymond said. “We have a boy.”

It was then that she finally gave in to the darkness, a smile settling on her face as she did so.

Seven...

Seven perfect children.

***

Raymond took the squirming, bald baby in his arms and wiped him clean before swaddling him in a blanket.

His arms trembled, threatening to drop the baby as he stared in awe at the perfection that squirmed and screamed in his arms.

Tightening his hold around the child, he cradled him in his arms and fought against the tears that threatened to fall down his face.

He was, once again, a father. He hadn’t imagined himself cradling another child; he had thought nothing good could come to him since Rachel’s death. Yet here he stood holding a baby, and not just any baby, but a baby he had helped to birth.

He had been certain he would fail in the child's birth, fear nearly crippling him as he watched Lily go into labor. But he hadn’t been given a chance to choose whether or not he wanted to help with the birth, he had just been forced into it by fate.

The baby in his arms stopped crying in that moment, snuggling against Raymond and falling asleep.

A soft knock sounded on the door, and he immediately remembered the children. Crossing the room with the baby in his arms, he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, six curious eyes aimed at him.

“Papa?” Scarlet finally spoke, eyes fixed on the bundle in his arms.

Nodding, he leaned down and held the baby out for all to see. Loud gasps followed his actions as all six children moved closer to the sleeping baby.

“Is Mama alright?” Millie stretched her neck in the direction of the room.

“Not so loud, Millie, you will awaken the baby!” James snapped.

“She’s asleep, Millie, she’s tired,” he said, rising to his feet, “and so is your little brother.”

“Brother?!” Millie gasped, standing on tiptoes to stare at the baby once more.

“Millie!” Lexie frowned then. “Do not awaken him,” she said in a loud whisper.

“I’ll take them downstairs, Papa.” Scarlet beamed as he nodded to her words. When she touched his arm, he leaned down slightly and waited until all six children had planted a kiss on his cheek.

“May we kiss the baby as well?”

“Later, Millie, you’ll have plenty of time to kiss the new baby.”

“Will we have plenty of new babies as well?” Millie eyes remained planted on the bundle in his arms as she spoke.

He opened his mouth to speak, but as he did so, Scarlet took hold of Millie’s hand and began ushering her siblings down the stairs, leaving him standing in the small hallway with the sleeping baby in his arms.

“Perhaps, Millie,” he murmured, “Perhaps a few more babies.”