Adopted By Polly Gray

Chapter 8: The Coppers

The car pulled up to the house and Esme and Starlene helped Ada into the house while the boys sat outside and talked about their cars while Polly started lecturing them. Ada was terrified, rightfully so, he husband wasn't here with her, this was her first time giving birth, and she was feuding with her family. Emse started to get things needed to deliver the baby while Starlene stayed by her side.

"Ada! Ada!" Polly yelled with a cheerfulness laced throughout her voice.

"Pol what is it?"

Polly started taking off her jacket, "I spoke to Tommy, he said that Freddie can come home after sunrise tomorrow! Your baby will have it's father after all."

"That's great!" Starlene cheered.

Ada went to celebrate when she yelled out from the pain of another contraction hitting her.

"Star, go to your room. I'll come get you when the baby's been born."

Starlene went to get up to leave when Ada grabbed her arm and pulled her back down. "Pol, I need her here. She's keeping me calm, I don't have my Freddie, don't take her from me, please."

Polly helped Esme set everything up, "Ada no, she's just a child herself. She doesn't need to bare witness to this."

"Me mum had me see childbirth from a young age, it was a way to keep me sisters and I from having 'em too young ourselves."

Polly glared at Esme, "Well, my daughter isn't one to get into trouble. So she doesn't need this life lesson anytime soon."

"How about the child in question gets a say, hm?" Starlene spoke up as she grabbed a wet cloth to put on Ada's head.

"I read a little about childbirth in a book from the library, I was considering being a nurse when I was old enough but I think that path isn't fully right for me due to how much death you can encounter."

Polly let out a slight laugh, of course her daughter would already be plotting out her future.

"If Ada wants me here, then i'll be here. I can handle a lot more than anyone tends to give me credit for in this family."

Polly went to fight her daughter but as Ada began to deal with another contraction she saw how Starlene immediately jumped into action helping her to breathe and relax.

"I know it's my place to say but I think Starlene should be here." Esme spoke as she checked on Ada.

"Pol, please." Ada groaned out. "I can't."

Polly caved, "Fine. She can stay. But Star, if it gets too much you can leave. Got it."

"Yes mum, thank you mum."

With that Ada was soon ready to have her baby. While pushing they discovered that the baby was wrong way round and she had to be put up on her hands and knees to help with the birthing process. Moments later with some screams, tears, and blood Ada gave birth to her son, Karl Thorne.

Ada was cuddling with her son while Esme finished cleaning up and Polly started making tea for everyone.

"He's so small." Starlene sat infront of her cousin. "Do you want to hold him?" Ada asked looking up from her son to bring her attention to her niece.

"I don't want to take him from you."

Ada started to hand her baby over, "I'll be fine for a second without him. Plus, it'll give my arms a break."

Starlene held the newborn just as her mother returned into the room.

"She'll make a good mum one day, don't ya think." Emse asked while leaning in the doorway watching her new family come together.