I Am Not Cinderella

Chapter 25

A storm howled outside as rain lashed against the building as thunder boomed and lighting flashed.  A roaring fire blazed inside the hunting cabin as Barrie cried out in pain.  The baby was coming and she was afraid.  Winter had passed and early spring showers were blanketing the land with much needed rain.  Barrie was glad that her baby was coming during the Rain Month because that meant her parents weren't able to travel.  She had been dreading their impending visit so this was a welcome distraction. 

Another labor pain came and it took Barrie's breath away.  She bore down as pain lanced through her stomach.  The urge to push passed and Barrie collapsed against the bed and panted.  CInderella sponged her sweaty forehead with a cool clothe soaked in lavender water.  Grekken stood between her legs giving her helpful hints on what to do to get through the pain.  Across the room stood Beau and Claude.  Grekken had banished them to the other side of the room because Beau was making Barrie nervous. 

"You're doing good Princess.  A few more pushes should do the trick.  I can feel the baby's head.  The hard part is almost over."

Barrie grunted in pain as another contraction ripped through her body.  With Cinderella's help she was able to sit part way up and bare down.  Sweat ran down her body in rivulets and her hair stuck to her damp skin.  A rolled up piece of leather was clamped tightly between her teeth.  An agonized groan escaped her body as pain lanced through her swollen stomach.  Barrie's fingers clutched the sheets on the bed hard enough to cramp her fingers. 

"Beau," Barrie panted after her contraction passed.

Beau was instantly by Barrie's side.  Anxiety was written all over his face as he looked down at her.  "I'm here cousin.  What do you need?"

Barrie was unable to say anything as another pain ripped through her and the urge to push was strong.  Barrie grabbed Beau's hand and held on tight.  Grekken had a hold of her knees and was gazing with sharp eyes at her nether regions.

"I can see the head.  Claude!" Grekken snapped as she turned and pinned Claude with a sharp eyed look.  "Get the blankets ready and bring the cold bowl of water over here."  Grekken turned back and looked Barrie in the eye as she gave her gentle instructions.  "Push hard with the next contraction.  Once the head is out, the baby will come out quickly.  Ready!  One, two, three push."

Barrie bore down and pushed for all she was worth.  The pain intensified before before with a rush the baby came out and the pain stopped.  Barrie flopped back onto the bed and panted in relief.  Barrie raised herself up one her left elbow and tried to catch a glimpse of her silent baby.  Claude stood silently by as Grekken worked with the baby.

"What's wrong with the baby?  Why isn't it crying?"

Cinderella worked on calming her down while Beau looked over Barrie knees to where Grekken and Claude were busy working on the baby.  Barrie was just beginning to panic when the clear loud cries of a newborn baby rent the air.  Barrie collapsed back down onto the cold sweat soaked sheets and cried tears of joy.  Grekken walked to Barrie's left side and laid a blanket wrapped bundle into her arms.  Tears shone in Grekken's eyes as she handed Barrie her child.

"Congratulations Princess.  It's a baby girl."

Barrie cried as she held her daughter.  She couldn't help but wish that Arthur was here to hold his daughter.  She missed the Arthur that she'd grown to love, but not the man he'd become.  Beau and Cinderella were right by her sides and they basked in the joy of their new adoptive daughter.  Barrie let both of them hold the baby girl.  Sadness swept through her as she watched Beau and Cinderella with her daughter.  How she wished she could raise her as her own, but that was going to be impossible.  Cinderella handed the baby back to Barrie.