Carried Forward By Hope (71 page)

“Oh…” Rose moaned as she clenched her fists and lay back against the bed rails.

Carrie turned to look compassionately at Moses. “Your wife will be fine,” she said firmly. “Now go get that water and the rags. You are no good to me standing in this room,” she said sternly.

“Yes, ma’am,” Moses said weakly, turning and almost running from the room. They heard his heavy footsteps receding down the hall.

Rose smiled weakly. “
Men.
It’s a good thing God didn’t make them the ones who had to bear children. I’m sure the earth would have been unpopulated a very long time ago!”

Abby laughed. “That’s the truth of it.” She stepped forward and took Rose’s hand. “Is there anyone else you want here?”

“June,” Rose said immediately. “She was there with John — when I almost didn’t make it.” The look on her face was peaceful and confident. “This time is going to be a breeze. Oh, and I want Jeremy waiting with Moses. My twin has to be one of the first to see his niece!”

“And you know this time is going to be a breeze because…?” Carrie asked, praying Rose was right. She had heard the terrifying story of John’s birth.

“I just know,” Rose said casually. Then her face grew serious. “God took Sam, but he’s sending this baby as his Christmas gift.”

Carrie smiled tenderly. “A Christmas baby. I can’t think of anything more wonderful.” She stepped back as Thomas appeared with the blankets. “Leave them on the chair,” she directed. “Please wait outside. Knock on the door when Moses arrives with the water, and then I would appreciate it if both of you would wait downstairs. And please go get June and Jeremy.”

“Banished to the living room once I’m done being an errand boy?” Thomas said with mock disgust.

“Unless you would prefer the porch,” Carrie replied sweetly.

Thomas rolled his eyes and gave Rose an encouraging wink. “I’ll keep Moses sane until you have this baby,” he promised.

Rose nodded but immediately leaned forward as another rush of pain caused her to cry out. Suddenly fear pushed through her peace as she remembered the agonizing pain from before and just how close she had come to death. Was it going to happen again?

Carrie waved her father from the room and sprang into action. Moments later she looked up at Rose. “This little one is in a hurry. How long were you in labor with John?”

“Hours,” Rose whispered.

“Not this time,” Carrie promised her. “Relax. Everything is going perfectly.

Rose relaxed, knowing Carrie would never tell her anything but the truth.

A gentle tap sounded on the door.

Abby reached out to get the water basins, smiling encouragement when she saw Moses’s panicked eyes. “Go downstairs, Moses. Everything is fine here. It won’t be like the last time,” she promised.

Moses relaxed just a little. “Are you sure?”

Abby nodded firmly. “I’m sure.” Then she closed the door and carried the water to the bedside table to wait for Carrie’s orders.

A peaceful silence fell over the room. The wind picked up outside. The crackling of the fire as Abby fed it wood to keep the room warm was the only other sound. Carrie hummed as she made the preparations.

“This is so different,” Rose said suddenly. “When I had John I was in a tiny little cabin on a hard bed. I was terrified and so very exhausted.” She gazed around the room and then looked at Carrie and Abby. “I feel so peaceful and safe.”

“You should,” Carrie said calmly. “From what I can tell, you will have another child in about an hour.”

“An
hour
?” Rose asked with disbelief. She doubled over as another contraction gripped her. “Okay,” she gasped, when it finally ended. “Maybe an hour. That one was strong.”

Another light tap on the door announced June’s arrival. She chuckled when she entered the room and saw Rose sitting up in bed with a confident look on her face. “I guess Thomas was right — I really didn’t have to run all the way. You look good.” She sobered and took Rose’s hand. “I’m so sorry about Sam.”

Tears glistened in Rose’s eyes, but she brushed them away. “My baby will know all about Sam,” she said quietly. “He treated me just like his daughter from the minute I moved into the big house when I was only five. He never let on that he knew I was taking books from the library, and he managed to hide the fact that I was taking candles so I could read at night.” A smile trembled on her lips. “I remember all the times he covered for me when I was out teaching school in the woods. I found out from Annie the other day that Sam was the one who arranged to have Mr. Jamison from the Underground Railroad come through here. He never told me. And he didn’t leave because he had promised my daddy he would look after me.”

“He loved it here,” Carrie said quietly. “He’s been so happy living here in the house with Opal and the kids for the last several years. He told me it was better than being free because he didn’t have to worry about anything. He figured he was too old to run away and start over. He wanted to die right here.”

“I know,” Rose whispered. “Mama used to talk to me a lot about the circle of life. She’d tell me that every time something died, something else was being born.” She patted her stomach. “My baby is the circle of life for Sam. He would be so happy to know that.”

Abby smiled tenderly. “Oh, I think he knows,” she replied, taking Rose’s hand. “He knows.”

Rose gasped as another contraction gripped her. “Ohhh!” she cried, sweat breaking out on her beautiful face. Her eyes were wide when she looked at Carrie.

Carrie bent down for another examination. “I was wrong,” she said lightly. “It will be less than an hour.” She looked up with a grin. “I can see this little one’s head already. She’s obviously in quite a hurry.”

“You can?” Rose gasped, bearing down as another contraction ripped through her. She clenched her teeth as she fought to control the scream.

Abby smiled. “You scream if you want to. It will terrify the men, but they should have to suffer
some
. You’re the one doing all the hard work. They can deal with a little terror.”

Rose relaxed, laughed, and then screamed loudly as another contraction hit.

“Push!” Carrie urged her. “Your baby is almost here.” She locked eyes with Rose and smiled. “Push!”

Rose, taking strength from Carrie’s eyes,
pushed
, and then collapsed back against the bed, knowing her work was over.

******

Carrie worked swiftly. She cut the umbilical cord, cleaned the baby gently, and wrapped it warmly in the soft blanket Annie had sent up. A brilliant smile on her face, she carried the baby to where Rose lay staring at her.

“You have a daughter,” she said gently, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Rose reached out her arms. “A daughter?” she asked with awe. “I have a daughter?”

Carrie nodded. “You have a beautiful, perfect daughter.”

Rose pulled the blanket back and stared down at the miracle gazing up at her. “Hello, daughter,” she crooned. “My beautiful, beautiful little girl.” She paused for a moment. “Will you get Moses and Jeremy?”

Carrie nodded at Abby.

Moments later, Moses was standing over the bed. Jeremy and Matthew hovered at the door. He reached down and took his daughter from Rose’s arms. He held her gently, gazing down tenderly. “Hello, little girl,” he whispered. “Welcome to life.”

He turned and beckoned to Jeremy. “Come hold your niece.”

Jeremy moved forward, his face lit with wonder, and reached out his arms to gather his niece close. He smiled at Rose. “Well done, sister.”

Moses settled down on the edge of the bed and kissed Rose warmly. “Well done indeed,” he murmured.

Carrie watched all of them for a moment, her heart pounding with joy. “Do you have a name for her?” she asked.

Rose looked up, her smile as bright as the snow outside now that the clouds had cleared and the moon was gleaming down. “
Samantha Hope Samuels
,” she said softly. “Samantha because she is the circle of life for Sam. Hope because she is the symbol for the hope that keeps my people moving forward to a better life. And Samuels because freedom has allowed me to have a last name.”

Rose cuddled her baby. “Samantha Hope Samuels is proof God still has faith in humans,” she murmured as she looked at Abby. “It’s just like you told us.” She sighed as her daughter gurgled and pressed into her chest. “I believe it now more than ever.
We will be carried forward by hope…”

~ The End

Keep reading for information on Book # 7 – Glimmers of Change

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The Bregdan Principle
 

Every life that has been lived until today is a part of the woven braid of life.

It takes every person’s story to create history.

Your life will help determine the course of history.

You may think you don’t have much of an impact.

You do.

Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life.

Someone else’s decisions.

Someone else’s future.

Both good and bad.

The Bregdan Chronicles

Storm Clouds Rolling In 
1860 – 1861

On To Richmond  
1861 – 1862

Spring Will Come 
1862 – 1863

Dark Chaos

1863 – 1864

The Long Last Night

1864 – 1865

April – December 1865

Many more coming as the Bregdan braid of history continues to be woven…

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www.AVoiceInTheWorld.com

Author Biography

Who am I? Just a normal person who happens to love to write. If I could do it all anonymously, I would. In fact, I did the first go round. I wrote under a pen name. On the off chance I would ever become famous - I didn't want to be! I don't like the limelight. I don't like living in a fishbowl. I especially don't like thinking I have to look good everywhere I go, just in case someone recognizes me! I finally decided none of that matters. If you don't like me in overalls and a baseball cap, too bad.
 
If you don't like my haircut or think I should do something different than what I'm doing, too bad. I'll write books that you will hopefully like, and we'll both let that be enough!

  Fair?