𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙺 𝙼𝙸𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 || Original Story

13 - baby

A fortnight passed and brought a day where everything changed.

I'd awoken slightly later than usual, experiencing a looming and indescribable feeling that puzzled me immensely. The weather was fine. I was to have a quiet day at work. Helena was making lemonade again. So I wasn't quite sure why I was feeling this way. yet it soon became apparent.

Just after lunch, I was with Mr Walsh who had come to see me for a checkup after a recent operation when Albert burst into my office, his face ghastly pale.

"Arthur?"

"Not now," I said sternly. "I'm busy with a patient."

"I'll see to your patient. You need to get to Whitemarsh; Maddilyn's in labour."

I froze. I hadn't realised that those two weeks since Liesel's birthday party had passed by so quickly. Maddilyn was so thrilled to be having her baby and now that the day in question was here I imagined that she was experiencing a whole tangle of emotions.

"Can't you go?" I then asked Albert.

He shook his head. "She's insistent on having you there."

In a frantic hurry, I apologised to Mr Walsh and as I packed all the necessary items into my bag, Albert explained that the midwife had raised some concerns and wanted a doctor in attendance. So during my drive to Whitemarsh, I grew anxious. I was uncertain about what to expect, but I prayed that things would be okay.

Upon arriving at the Hall, I heard cries of pain echo from inside and once Liesel had come to let me in, a strange sensation- something like a chill or a hot flush when one is sick- washed over me.

"Brandie, thank goodness you're finally here," Liesel said with relief as she closed the door behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I briefly caught sight of Florence standing in the doorway to the drawing room with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

"Follow me," Liesel then instructed, hurrying across to and then up the staircase. I followed close behind and when we reached the top, Liesel pointed to the furthest door on the left.

"Maddilyn and the midwife are in there," she said. "And if there's anything else you need, please shout us."

I nodded before heading off to the nearby bathroom to scrub my hands with soap and hot water before heading to the room in question.

The midwife was stood by the bedside, muttering something to Maddilyn and looking rather worried. Maddilyn herself was sickly pale and breathing heavily and rapidly, no doubt in excruciating pain.

"Oh, Arthur!" She cried, reaching out for my hand when she saw me enter. "I'm so glad you're here. So, so glad."

I gave her the most reassuring smile I could muster as I took her hand. "It's alright. Save your breath."

The midwife, who then quickly introduced herself as Sarah, looked undeniably young and bewildered as if to be merely a teenager. She was white in the face, almost as pale as Maddilyn, but was clear and concise in telling me why I'd been summoned.

Maddilyn had been bleeding severely after her waters broke. I suspected it was a haemorrhage of some sort, but right now the most important thing was delivering the baby.

So I rolled my sleeves up to just above my elbow and reached into my bag for the apron I'd brought along (I had a feeling I was definitely going to need it) and the other relevant equipment.