Storm Shelter

Chapter 7- A Winding Road

Chapter 7- A Winding Road

Mark was driving as fast as the little blue Toyota would go while trying to reach Julia on his cell phone, but reception was spotty out here on a good day, and he was positive a few too many towers were down on top of that. The storm was only getting stronger as the night wore into day. The sun would still be hours away.  He was praying with every breath he took.

He didn’t know much about birth, but he just had a gut feeling that God sent Annie to their barn for a reason. Was that reason only to help the baby be born? Mark didn’t know, but he knew he needed to get his sister as soon as he could.

Mark’s mother had been Dobios, Wyoming’s midwife for 20 years and his sister Julia had taken over when their mother died 3 years ago. There wasn’t a baby born on the mountain or around it that the Mason women hadn’t helped into the world. Mark wasn’t like other guys his age, he had been taught a reverence for women and childbirth all his life and he used to get choked up every time his mom would tell a story of a new mother and when she would meet her child for the first time. Matt used to tease him about it relentlessly.

But he didn't care, he was taught that all babiees were a gift from God. A symbol of the Creators love for his children. 

So he pushed the Toyota faster than he felt was safe, prayed harder than he ever had before, and held out hope in God’s plan. He prayed that they would get back in time. The rain pounded harder and the lightening lit up the sky. 

Julia's house was just up the hill.

 ***

"Anna. Anna? Anna, wake up!" Anna felt a gentle slapping on her face which annoyed her, she opened her eyes and saw nothing, then she felt the gigantic pain washing through her torso and screamed. What was happening? Was she dying? Mybaby!

"What's happening?! Something feels wrong! Actually, it all feels wrong, nothing about this situation is remotely okay!" How was she going to live through this?

"Anna! Focus! I need you back with me right now!" Matt was speaking in quick urgent bursts but his voice was steady.

"Oh Heaven! I feel like I've been run over by an eighteen-wheeler. Why is it dark in here?" She groaned and tossed her head, but it was still dark and fuzzy everwhere she looked. 

"The power went out as I was shifting the baby. Then you passed out." He was starting to come into focus for her. She picked a place on his face to stare at, she settled on a spot right below his left eye. He had a deep worry line there. She hoped she would get to see it as a laughter line some day. Now is not the time to be thinking about that!

His hands were still resting on her abdomen, and they rose and fell with each of her panting breaths.

"Did it work? Is she in the right position?" Anna was almost afraid to ask but she needed to know. needed tto know that there was hope.

"We'll find out shortly, its time to push." Matt shifted uncomfortably it seemed. "You will have to go really slow so I can turn her as she comes out."

"But we can do this right? She will live?" Anna needed confirmation. Of her fear or of her hope. Something to hold onto. PleaseGod! Don'tabandonmenow!

"Like I said before, we'll know soon enough. I will do everything I can. Give a strong push and keep pushing until I tell you to stop." He reached his hand out for hers and Anna grabbed on tight.

"I'm scared." Anna said looking up into Matt's face. Her knuckles were white and her eyes were bright with tears about to spill over.

"I know, Anna. But you can do this. We can do this. You ready to meet your child?"

Anna closed her eyes and nodded. Matt squeezed her hand once more and then let go, grim determination on his face.

"Okay. Here we go. Take a deep breath.... Push!"

A/N: Julia is inspired by Danielle Panabaker. Looking like she does in this picture. So pretty and warm hearted.