Page 112 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Rhia nodded, “Your mother says that is also labor. So, sooner than we think our child will be here.”
She looked over and saw Persephone and let out a relieved cry and hurried to where they were standing just in the doorway.
Persephone reached out and the two hugged. And Rhia let out a soft sob. “I thought you were lost. Are you all right?”
Persephone let Rhia go, “I am fine. Truly. Brooks saved me. As he always does.”
Rhia gave a small smile, “Aidan said you were injured.”
Persephone nodded, “I was. Reginald shot me in the back of my shoulder. But Lily, bless her; was able to stitch me up. She helped me. As did my mother.”
Rhia’s eyes grew wide, “When Aidan told me, I almost,” she let out a small whimper of pain and then Aidan was there, his hands around her from behind as she labored through another contraction.
When Rhia let out another breath and looked up at her husband, he let her go.
And she looked over at Charlotte and held out her hands. Which Charlotte took.
“Oh, to see you. To know you have lived, is something out of a fantasy. Persephone longed to know her parents. To have them in her life and here you are. It is a miracle.”
Charlotte smiled, “It is. I do not know what possessed them to keep me alive, but for that I am forever grateful. And I am free. Finally. To be with my daughter and to see the child she will bear someday. Thank you for allowing me to live in your home and to be part of their lives.”
Rhia pulled Charlotte in for a hug the best she could, “Of course. You are family now. Whether you are ready or not. You are loved and welcome here for as long as you wish. Our house is big enough for everyone and we want our family surrounding us. We have all gone too long without one. It is finally time to have the family we have all wished for.”
Charlotte smiled, and then the door opened, and Lydia bustled in with Rose and Lily not far behind.
Lydia had her medicine bag and Rose had an armful of clean linens and Lily had a large pot of warm water.
Lydia put her bag down and immediately enveloped Persephone in a hug. “I know Lily did surgery on your shoulder. May I check it over to make certain you are healing the way you should? Later I mean.”
Persephone smiled, and then Lydia turned to Charlotte and hugged her as well. “I have heard all about you. I hope you will love it here. And feel welcome here.”
Charlotte laughed, “I certainly have. It has been quite a long time since I have been around polite society, but Aidan has informed me that you are not that way.”
Lydia laughed and went to Rhia’s side, who was having another contraction.
“We certainly are not.”
Charlotte shook her head, “Is there anything I could help with?”
Lydia nodded, “If Rhia is all right with it, I would appreciate the help. My daughters are very capable, but with each also with child, I worry about them and if they tire easily.”
Charlotte nodded and rolled up her sleeves and Persephone was led to a chair next to Rhia’s bed.
Rhia doubled over and let out a small moan and then water rushed down her legs and onto the floor.
Lydia directed Aidan to put Rhia on the bed and Aidan had led her gently to it and had put her up on the big soft bed.
He climbed up behind her, refusing to leave the room and Brooks was led out after she mouthed that she loved him.
He smiled and winked and then the door was shut.
Rhia reached out her hand and squeezed Persephone’s and then held on tightly as another wave hit and she shut her eyes and breathed through it the best she could.
She let go of Persephone’s hand and squeezed Aidan’s.
He had both of his large arms around her and as the hour passed, and Rhia’s contractions grew closer together, Aidan held both her hands and their fingers were laced together.
He whispered in her ear and Rhia made a few tiny moans of discomfort and that was all.
