"N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons", by Gratiana Lovelace (2013-2014) (Done)

Ch. 65: Baby Names

“N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 65: Baby Names,  June 13, 2014 Gratiana Lovelace

(An original fan fiction copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace;   All rights reserved; Based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, North & South and its  2004 BBC adaptation; No copyright infringement intended) 

[I will illustrate my story using my dream cast from the 2004 BBC production of “North & South” and other actors for additional characters:   Richard Armitage for John Thornton, Daniela Denby-Ashe for Margaret Hale, Lesley Manville for Mrs. Maria Hale,  Tim Pigott-Smith for Mr. Richard Hale, Sinead Cusack for Mrs. Hannah Thornton Ogilvy, Jo Joyner for Fiona/Fanny Thornton Ogilvy, Brendan Coyle for Nicholas Higgins, Graham McTavish as Dr. Cameron Ogilvy, Holliday Grainger for Angharad Ogilvy MacIntosh, Simon Woods for Baird Ogilvy, and Emma Ashton as Mrs. Dillard, John Light as Henry Lennox, Tim Faraday as Watson, Gillian Anderson at Carlotta Quint Watson, Jeremy Northam as Dr. Miles Houghton, Gerard Butler as Lord Jamie Ogilvy, and Juliette Lewis as Lady Thistle Ogilvy, etc.]  [(1) story logo, top right] 

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons” is a story with mature themes of love and relationships set within a period drama of the 1850’s.  As such there will be heartfelt moments of love and sensuality (S)--as well as other dramatic emotions (D), including some violence (V)--and I will rate those chapters accordingly.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read that chapter.  This is my disclaimer.

Author’s Recap from the previous chapter:  Margaret was relieved to learn from her loving husband John that he would not wish her to suffer through another agonizing childbirth as this one was for their daughter.  She cried in grateful relief.  Then spent from her exhaustion and pain, Margaret fell into a deep recuperative sleep.

“N&S: John Thornton, Love Lessons”, Ch. 65:   Baby Names

As Margaret sleeps in their guest bed chamber at Airlie Castle, John sits on the bed next to her, cradling their baby daughter in his arms.  It is their baby’s birth day--her being not even two hours old.  This new little life that his and Margaret’s love has made is a wonder to him--more so because he vowed to Margaret not to see her suffer through childbirth again.  They can always adopt should they want more children. And though John would not admit to Margaret--for fear that she would think that he is making a sacrifice for her--he wants a son someday to follow in his footsteps.  

But for now, this soft bundle resting in the crook of his arm is where all of John’s loving fatherly concerns reside. His baby girl is  perfect--despite the trouble she caused her mother in bringing her into this world.  John and Margaret will cherish and nurture their daughter all of her life.  John leans down and kisses his baby’s forehead.  She moves her little lips and he becomes fascinated by her lips and her little hands that seem to want to grab onto something.  So for a good half hour, John [(2) right]  sits smiling contentedly watching his little baby girl sleep in his arms.

Eventually--even as Margaret continues to sleep--John realizes that he needs to stretch his legs.   John takes their baby daughter and begins to lay her in her cradle. But then, he smells an odor about her. It is faint, but he suspects its cause.  Looking for assistance, John carries his baby daughter to the bed chamber door and looks out into the hallway.  Empty.  His Stepfather Cameron and his mother and sisters (Fiona and his stepsister Angharad) must have gone downstairs for tea.  John looks down at his baby girl who is starting to squirm and make noises.  She is uncomfortable and needs changing into a fresh wrapper.