Fort Liard [Due South]

Chapter 10

"What do you think I should wear?" Meg asked, searching through her functional, but not particularly flattering, clothing. She had not anticipated needing nice clothing, since she would be living in the Northwest Territory for a month, and she had packed lightly. She had left her business suits and cocktail dresses back in Hearst. She laughed at the thought of wearing a cocktail dress out here, and looked at the selection laid across the bed. She had the gray slacks and the white sweater that she had worn to the social; she just did not want to appear twice in the same thing, for a special occasion.

"Just be comfortable," Caryn answered, from the kitchen.

"I know; all of my stuff is comfortable. Should I go with the same thing as last time?"

"What size are you?"

"Ten."

"Hmm...I might have one or two things. I haven't been a size ten for years, though; I can't guarantee anything."

"Okay..." Meg opened the closet doors and looked at the clothing hanging there. A gray pant-suit over on the right caught her eye, and she pulled it out. "How about the gray suit?" she called out.

"Oh-wait a second," Caryn came into the bedroom, dishtowel in hand. Meg held up the suit on its hangar, inspecting it Caryn nodded.. "Mmm, I bought that for my first interview with my publisher a couple of years ago. It might do for you, but it might be a little...I don't know, try it on."

Meg held the gray jacket and pants up against herself and went over and looked at the full-size mirror, pushing the door closed slightly.

"I think it looks all right," she turned her head from side to side, judging it.

"I've got a pair of nice boots that might-" Caryn's words cut off with a moan, and she suddenly grimaced and clutched her abdomen. Meg dropped the suit and got to Caryn before she fell, helping her lower herself to the bed amid her cries.

"What is it, what can I do?" Meg heard the edge of panic in her voice, and told herself to stay calm. Caryn exhaled slowly, and the hand that clutched Meg's in a tight grip relaxed.

"Just...let me have a second-ahh!" She squeezed her eyes shut and rocked back for a moment. Meg let out a little moan, herself. A wan smile crossed Caryn's face.

"I'm not going to break, hon," Caryn said, opening her eyes. She hissed, and then blew the air out through her mouth. Paul pushed the door open and came running into the room, Maggie close behind him.

"Mommy, are you okay? Mommy, what's wrong?"

"M'okay?" Maggie asked, through a mouthful of oatmeal-raisin cookie.

"Nothing's wrong, honey, Mommy will be-ah-okay," Caryn smiled through the pain on her face. "Go find Daddy, and tell him I need him."

"Yes, Mommy!" Paul ran from the room, but Maggie, with wide eyes, stood watching the two older women.

"Go with Paul, Maggie. Go find Daddy for me," Caryn said, relaxing back for a moment.

"'Kay," the little girl said, and still watching with wide eyes, she made her way out of the room, and then turned and ran, shouting, "Daddy!"

"What is it?" Meg asked, beginning to feel frightened by Caryn's pale face and the force with which her friend was clutching her arm when the pains came.

"I think it's time...thank God..." Caryn exhaled, breathing slowly. "Though these are coming on very...quickly, very fast. Sudden." She frowned slightly.

"Is that bad?" Meg shifted her weight on the bed, trying to make Caryn more comfortable.

"It depends," she answered. "Ah!" She squeezed Meg's arm.