Heart Of Stone

Four

Jolene was miserable. Her eight month belly weighed heavily on her restricting her activity. She had noticed how much harder and longer it took to just cook dinner. Jolene gently stirred her chicken and dumplings as Ezra came through the door. He smiled at his wife who still stood at the stove. Jolene smiled as she heard his spurs click through the room before wrapped his arms around her belly, rubbing it gently. She leaned against him as he kissed the side of her neck. She couldn't help but smile wider as she said,"How's my husband?" She felt him shrug and kiss her neck again before pulling away. She spooned out two bowls as he said,"The same as always. Had a bar fight and some kids stole from the general store again." She just nodded as she handed him his bowl. He took it and placed it on the table. He stopped her from serving herself a bowl and walked her over to the table. He sat her down and said," Now relax. I'll get you a bowl. I don't want you cooking and cleaning much till the babies come. I know that will be hard for you but I'll be home more and try my hardest to do what you do." He labeled her out a bowl and placed it in front of her. She kissed his scruffy cheek before he sat beside her, saying a quick grace.
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A week later Jolene and Ezra laid in bed half asleep. Jolene had started having contractions yesterday evening, slowly getting closer together. He gently rubbed her belly trying to help her rest. She winced as another contraction started it's way through her belly and down her legs. She took his hand on his and took long deep breaths like Mary Ann had told her. She groaned as the contraction went on longer than the last few. She looked towards Ezra with gritted teeth and said,"Go get Mary Ann." Ezra just quickly nodded as he stood slipping on his pants and a dirty shirt. He gave her a quick kiss before running out the door slipping on his boots.

Soon Ezra was back with Henry and Mary. Mary ran off to their bedroom and Ezra was quick to follow her. Henry stopped him, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. Ezra grew mad and turned to look at his father. Henry frowned and said," I know you wanna be in there son but it's best you stay out here. Trust me, okay?" Ezra just nodded as he heard his bedroom door shut. Mary Ann looked in the room to find her sitting at the edge of the bed, holding her belly. Mary quickly came to her side and said," Has your water broken yet?" Jolene just shook her head 'no' as before she let out a slight yelp. Mary smiled and helped her lay back. Mary had only had two children. Ezra and his brother, Joshua. Poor thing had passed away when he was barely nine with a winter's cough. But Mary had helped brought all her sister's children into the world and even Jolene and her brother. Mary instructed her to bend and spread her legs. Jolene quickly obeyed and felt Mary quickly examine her. Mary frowned seeing she wasn't close to pushing yet. They had to fix that and quickly.

Mary sat on the bed as Jolene squatted in front of her, using Mary's hands to keep her steady. Jolene looked up at Mary and said," I would do anything for my mother to be here right now. She always said me and Ezra would be married and having babies one day. I just never thought it would be like this." Mary nodded and kissed Jolene's temple as she looked out the window and looked up at the beautiful blue sky. She nodded towards the window and said," Oh but she is, Jojo. She's looking down from them clouds right there. Smiling at her little girl. And those are babies are you and Ezra's babies. They will hopefully never know what happened to you that day but Ezra will be their daddy. Only Henry knows this but I myself was conceived the same these babies were." Jolene's eyes widened as she looked up at Mary. She teared up as she said," And my daddy was a man who married my momma to save her face because he didn't want to ridiculed or cast out. They learned to love one another the same way you and Ezra have. But my daddy told my momma that I was his baby girl because he was the one who caught me when I came into this world and he will be the one to raise me in this world. The same thing applies to Ezra-" Mary was cut off when Jolene fell back on her butt, holding her belly as she let out a low groan. She felt water trickling out and wetting her gown and the floor around her. She gasped as the pain only grew. Mary was immediately in front of her examining her once again. She put down the front of her gown and said,"Well your water broke and were getting closer to show time. Do you feel the need to push?" Jolene nodded as Mary walked around her and wrapped her hands under her arms, helping her from the floor to her bed. Jolene laid back in bed as Mary said," Okay, I want you start pushing with the contractions." Jolene nodded and took Mary's hand in hers. She grunted as she began bearing down and pushing. She took long breaths as looked up at Mary. She squeezed her hand and said,"Thank you for confiding in me, Mary. I needed that more than you know. But like your Pa said, I want Ezra to bring our babies into the world." Mary's eyes widened and quickly nodded. She just hoped her son, could handle it.