Nan's Jewel

Nan's Jewel~ Chapter 41 <3 Zillah

AN: This chapter is very descriptive on the birth, but if you think it should be, let me know! I'm not a mind reader!

PS: You are thinking of tacos! ;D

Chapter 41- Zillah

It had been about a month and a half since Edward had disappeared. I was eight and a half months pregnant, and felt like crap. My large stomach stopped me from sleeping well, and my child was very active; lucky me. Father had left a few weeks ago on a Navy ship to find Edward. The house was fairly quiet with just Mother, Abigail, the servants and me. The house fell into a routine that mostly centered on me. I didn't like it, but Mother said it was due to my pregnancy. I longed to go for walks down by the beach, but Mother said no, and I had to settle for my garden. This was where my life began to change, yet again. I was walking around in the mild March sun, when a man came through the garden.

"Good day miss."He said.

"Good day, can I help you?"I asked.

"Yep, I am looking for a Lady Zillah Taffton, she has a letter."The man said.

"That is I."I said, taking the letter.

I tipped the man and he left. I sat down on the bench where Edward had proposed, and opened the letter. The contents shocked me beyond belief.

"Dear Zillah, you have every reason to hate me, but I need you to understand that I was drunk, and not in my right mind. I am sorry."Here the handwriting seemed smudged, like with tears or something. "Please except my apologies, and understand that I was only doing my job in finding you and Edward. I know of your close relationship to Abigail, and I think you should know that it was her who tipped me off." The letter was signed Captain Aaron Dalton of the Mary Rose.

The letter fluttered to the ground as the words settled in my head. "Abigail was the one who told him! It's all her fault." Fourteen years of friendship went out the door with those words. I took the letter, and hurried up to the house where I found Mother, and showed her the letter.

"Oh Zillah, come, let us talk with Abigail now."My mother said, leading me to the kitchen, where Abigail was.

"Abigail, we need to speak with you."Mother said.

"Of course Mistress."Abigail said. For some reason she was always more quiet and proper around my parents. "What is it?"

"You told Captain Aaron where Edward and I were."I said bluntly.

Abigail had been my one and only friend besides my brothers. The thought that she could have betrayed me was too much for me to bear.

"Who is Captain Aaron?"Abigail asked.

"The captain of the Mary Rose."Mother answered.

"I do not know him."Abigail said.

"You were in town that day Abigail."Mother said.

"Yes, you sent me to get more fruit."Abigail said.

"We have proof that you told Captain Aaron where Edward and d Zillah were. I'm going to have to let you go, and hope God can save you."Mother said, turning to leave.

"Zillah, I do not know of this man."Abigail protested.

"Abigail, I have known you my entire life. I would think this to be below you."I said, following after Mother.

"Please Zillah, I didn't do it!"Abigail cried.

It hurt to block out her voice, but I knew I had to do it. I couldn't even look her in the eye because of the pain I knew I would see there. I couldn't believe Abigail would do something like that, but she did, and for that it would take the power of God for me to forgive her. I was walking after Mother when I felt a pain in my stomach.

"Ow!"I moaned, causing Mother to come running.

"Zillah, are you okay?"Mother asked, helping me into a parlor chair.

"Yeah, it just-."The pain came again.

"God has a plan for Abigail."Mother said. "Abigail, help me get Zillah into a bed."

Abigail came running and together they managed to get me arranged in a bed.

"Giving birth?"Abigail asked.

"Yeah."Mother panted.

Every few minutes I felt the pain again, and Abigail lent me her hand to squeeze. Abigail and I stayed like that for a day, with Mother making sure everything was okay, and bringing the midwives and doctor. Towards midnight the next day I felt the pain come back stronger and quicker. I felt pressure on my lower back, and the midwives and doctors were gathering around. After six hours, I was able to curl up and sleep, the pain, childbirth, and everything else finished.