Blessed are the Peacemakers {[RDR2 Arthur X Reader]}

chapter 33; labour pains

- Trigger Warning -
Childbirth

Spring has arrived, thawing the snow and sprouting fresh green grass all over the homestead. Arthur and the boys finished building the two extra homes just in time for the first blizzard of the season. Everyone had warm fire places, cozy real beds and lots of work to keep them busy. So far, you had successfully evaded the law.

Tilly had found herself a man, a banker in Blackwater, though she now goes by Matilda Pierre. They were married within two weeks of meeting one another and she was now living a content life in a home of their own. Mary Beth wasn't far behind her, falling for a cowboy and chasing after him when he moved to work on a new ranch three towns over. He had to take her in when she revealed she was carrying his bastard child. As for Karen, aka Josephine Armeniox, she is now the owner of the local saloon, earning a fair share of the poker winnings and satisfying her self with a different stranger every night.

John Marston has become a vital part of the work that constantly needs to be done on the ranch. One evening, he and Abigail went to Blackwater where he sprung a surprise proposal on her. They were married as Mr. and Mrs. Milton, their chosen cover name. Jack just celebrated his 6th birthday and John surprised him with a little lab puppy who he named Cain.

You're nearing the end of your pregnancy and the midwife comes weekly to check on you. You've had no early signs of labor and the midwife assures you that you have at least another month to go. The news was relieving as you still had no crib or any other necessary needs prepared for baby's arrival. Miss Grimshaw spends her free time knitting with you, teaching you everything she knew both about the craft of knitting and home making. After all, she is the professional, having years of experience managing the hoodlums that now occupy your land. You only disliked that she had no advice to give in the area of bringing up children, never having any of her own.

Today, Susan was occupied bossing the men around on picking a spot for the garden. You sit in a rocking chair in your beautifully decorated bedroom, alone, your hands busily clicking the needles together, tying the yarn into a long yellow blanket. A fire warms the entire room, providing you with a content feeling of comfort.  A sharp pain stings in your belly, ruining the peaceful moment. You thump the spot harshly.

"Settle down, sweet boy, momma's trying to focus." You gripe, rubbing your big round belly.

The movement stills and you continue knitting. You hear the front door crash shut, followed by two sets of stomping feet. Struggling to balance your new heavy weight, you manage to stand and look down the hallway. In comes Dutch and Arthur. They're huddled together, preventing your eyes from seeing whatever is hidden behind them.

"What are you two up to?" You shake your head, crossing your arms on top of your swollen stomach.

"Dutch uh... has a surprise for you." Arthur steps aside and you look at the aged leader.