Opposing Forces (37 page)

Maisie saw specks of blood.  She couldn’t leave Sabina. A text might get through to Steffen. 
Emergency, our private room.

“Oh God, Maisie.  It’s a whole new sensation. I want to push.”

Towels, people always call for towels and hot water.  At least she could get one of those.  Maisie grabbed the stack of white cotton hand towels from the toilet.  She propped Sabina up on the chaise so her legs were bent.

Steffen flew through the door, a gun in his hand.  “What the hell, Maisie?”

Both girls burst out laughing at the comedy of the situation.  “Emergency of a different nature, my love.”  She gave him a quick kiss.

Sabina squealed as another pain shot through her.  “Find Mum, Steffen. And Philippe.  And call a damn ambulance although it’s going to be too late.”

Steffen turned white.  He could look down the barrel of a gun pointing at him no problem, but a woman in labour was something else. He shot back out the door.

Maisie soaked a cloth in cold water and put it on Sabina’s forehead.  She was panting heavily, trying to delay the contractions.  “I’m so sorry. This should be your day.”

“Hey, I get married and deliver a baby on the same day. Not many brides can say that. Besides, did anyone really think I could pull this day off without something happening?”

“You’re right. You’re jinked. This is all your fault,” Sabina laughed, then shrieked again.  “God what I would do for some pain killers about now.”

“You and me both,” Maisie sighed, looking around hoping that the hotel might have left a bottle of champagne in the room.

Another ear-splitting scream emerged from Sabina just as Bettina burst through the door.  “Dear lord,” Bettina looked stunned. “I thought Steffen was exaggerating.  Clearly not.” She sat below Sabina’s legs.  “I can see the head, darling.  A couple more pushes and it will be through. After that, it’s not so bad.”  She jumped up to wash her hands before quickly resuming her spot.

Two deep guttural growls later from Sabina, the head was clear.  “Wonderful, darling.  The cord is not strangling the baby, so it’s going well.”

Maisie held onto her hand.  She had stayed this long, she wasn’t going to miss the actual birth. 

Philippe charged in at the exact moment his daughter came into the world.  Just behind him was the ambulance crew.  It was utter chaos.  Maisie slipped out whilst the paramedics cut the cord, delivered the placenta and checked Sabina over. 

Steffen was just outside.  He wrapped his arms around her.  “Please don’t panic me again like that, Mrs Grundberg.”
 

“Sorry, but I wasn’t exactly in a calm frame of mind. I’ve never helped deliver a baby before, especially in a bridal gown.”

“And do I have a niece or nephew?”

“It’s a girl.”

“I guess her birthday will be hard to forget as it is forever linked to our anniversary.”

“And if you forget that, it’s going to cost you heavy,” her eyes sparkled mischievously.  “Now how about we check on the new mother and father, before heading back to our reception?  Although I can guarantee, everyone is enjoying the champagne too much to notice we’re not there.”

Maisie popped her head around the door.  Sabina had been moved onto a gurney whilst Philippe held his daughter.  Watching him stare at his child was heart-warming.  “Is it alright if Steffen comes in?”
 

“Of course. Don’t be silly.” Sabina called him in.

Steffen kissed his sister’s head.  “Congratulations, she looks beautiful.”

“She needs a bit of a clean-up, like her mother. I’m sorry to interrupt your day.”

“It’s just added to it.  Now get off to hospital so they can check you both over.” He patted Philippe on the back.  “There is no escape for you now, Thevenez.”

Philippe passed the baby back to Sabina before the paramedics whisked her out to the waiting ambulance with him close behind.

“Did you want to go to the hospital too, Mother?” Steffen glanced at Bettina.

She flapped her hand.  “Philippe and Sabina need this time alone with their child. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to visit tomorrow.  Now, I want to carry on enjoying my eldest child’s wedding.” 

Bettina could not have been happier.  The baby made the bond between Sabina and Philippe even stronger.  He was such a welcome addition to their family and would give her daughter and grand-daughter all the support and love that they needed.  She secretly hoped there would be another Grundberg wedding within a year.

Estelle Thevenez was watching the late afternoon news channel when she shrieked loudly for her family.  “Quick.  Philippe is on the news.”  She could not have felt prouder as she saw her son, in full dress uniform, walking out the cathedral with the Grundberg family, his heavily pregnant girlfriend looking stunning on his arm.

Lauren was beaming as well.  “And Sabina Grundberg is looking absolutely exquisite in a stunning outfit designed by the talented Lauren Thevenez,” she hooted with delight.

The new cast showed shots of the Beau Rivage hotel and several clips of the happy couple arriving and various guests.  “And we’ve had unconfirmed reports that another Grundberg made their appearance today. Apparently the bride and groom’s mother delivered the newest edition to their family just moments ago,” the reporter announced and went to a shot of the ambulance at the side entrance.

“Oh my God,” Estelle reached for her phone. 

Maisie and Steffen stopped at the hospital on their way to the airport the following morning.  Philippe, Bettina and both Philippe’s parents were already there.   Maisie scooped up what was now her niece and cuddled her.  “She is gorgeous,” she cooed at the sleeping baby.  “Do you remember me?  I was the one screaming loudly for a drink?”

Sabina laughed.  “Yes, you’ll have to watch your language now and behave with decorum around your niece.”

“Nonsense.  I’ll be naughty Auntie Maisie.  Have you named her yet?”

“We thought Fleur,” Philippe beamed.             

“That’s a beautiful name.”  Maisie looked up Philippe’s mother.  “As the first grandchild on both sides, she is going to be totally spoilt.” 

Bettina threw a mischievous look at Maisie.  “It’s your turn next, Maisie, to provide us with another grandchild.”

“One step at a time, Bettina,” Maisie shuddered and handed the baby back to Sabina.  As Sabina took hold of Fleur, Maisie caught a brief flash of light.  “Bloody hell, Sabina, is that what I think it is on your hand?”

Sabina turned a lovely pink colour.  “Yes. Philippe proposed this morning.”

“About damn time,” Steffen grunted and extended his hand to Philippe.

“So where are you taking Maisie for your honeymoon, Steffen?” Sabina asked.

“That is a state secret,” Steffen grinned.  “I’m not even telling Maisie until we’re well on our way.” He kissed his mother and sister on the cheek. “We really need to leave if we’re going to make it to the airport on time.”

“I want pictures texted regularly,” Maisie instructed as Steffen dragged her away.  “I’ll see you in a week.”

Once seated in the back of the car, Steffen kissed her softly. “Now we can start our honeymoon, Mrs Grundberg. We’re on our way to Venice.  Our own private island in the lagoon.”

“Totally private?” Her hand started to head south.

“Apart from the staff who will be on call, yes.”

“I’m glad it’s not a long flight,” she murmured. “There are certain things I would like to do to my husband.”

“Did I not tell you? I’ve hired a private plane.  So whatever you were thinking can be brought forward.” His eyes smouldered.

“I guess we’ll be joining that exclusive mile high club,” she laughed. 

As the car sped through the morning traffic to the airport, Maisie wondered if life could be any more perfect.

THE END