The McKinnon (40 page)

“I will be fine, go, go find her. Rea said that she was going to see the Newton twins in the village. She said she would not be long and should be on her way back by now. Go!”

Another contraction was coming. They were getting closer.

Nic shot out of the room like a bullet intercepting the housekeeper. “Mary! Lady Morgan is delivering. Go to her quickly. I am going to go find Reagan.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Mary watched Nic hurry down the stairs and out the front door in search of the one person whom they all trusted explicitly to deliver this beloved baby.

Approaching the stables, Nic found Connor and Cullen engaged in debate about the qualities of the black verses the white Arabian horse.

“Nic will settle this for us won’t you?” Cullen asked. However, the look on Nic face stopped the bantering at once. “Jesus, Nic. It’s Morgan, isn’t it?”

Nic nodded.

“Where is Reagan?” Connor asked, knowing he personally had not seen her since very early dawn the day before.

“Morgan said Rea went to look in on Mrs. Newton and her new babies this morning and should be on her way back. I am on my way to get her.”

Connor was already in the saddle. “No, you stay here. I will go. Go back to your wife. And for God's sake do not look so grim, Nic. She'll be fine. You'll see. It is childbirth, not battle. Now, go back to Morgan.”

Connor was out the gate in a flash and on his way to find Reagan. He found her not far from the stronghold carrying a squirming bundle in her arms. He was sure it was the babies judging from the weak cries. Reagan was surprised to see him and knew it could only mean one thing. Morgan was in labor.

He slowed his pace, riding up to meet her. It was the first time he had seen her look unguarded since the night they'd met, and their encounter in the hallway outside Nic and Morgan’s chambers.

Her eyes could be so full of warmth when she look at others, and yet cold and flat when she looked at him. He told himself he didn't care.

“It would seem you have a double burden to carry. Here, let me have one.” Connor reached over and took one of the babies before she had the opportunity to protest. “Morgan has gone into labor,” he said as he settled the baby in his tunic for added warmth.

“I figured as much. How long?” she asked solemnly.

“Nic did not say.”

He could see Reagan was hurting. Something had happened and it had nothing to do with Morgan.

Reagan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well, there is time for us not to have to rush. I do not want to risk injuring the babies with a gallop. Nic is with her?” she asked, rearranging her precious cargo.

“Yes.” Connor did not say any more, sensing she needed her space.

“I had a feeling Morgan would go into labor soon. I knew I should have stayed put, but Mrs. Newton was not well, and I was afraid she would not make it through the night.” Reagan paused as the lump in her throat kept her from speaking. “I was not able to save her. Two were just too much for her body to take. She was dead when we got there this morning.”

Connor waited for her to speak again. He knew she was just composing herself.

“Marcus and I did the best we could with the burial. I left Marcus there. Could I impose on you to send a man or two back with the priest to make sure it is done right?”

“Consider it done. What are you planning on doing with the babies? You cannot think to keep them.”

Her silence was answer enough.

“That is exactly what you were planning, isn’t it?” Connor asked softly, knowing her well enough by now. Her heart was sweet and giving, and leaving the children to die would never be a choice for her.

“No, not exactly. I could not think of anything else except to bring them with me. All I know for certain is that I could not leave them there. I’ll manage something,” Reagan said softly crying. Hot tears were silently streaming down her lovely face. Twice Connor had seen her cry, and both times it unnerved him. He leaned over to her and lightly squeezed her upper arm.

“You did the best you could. It was not your fault, Rea. Sometimes you just cannot save them no matter how much talent you have, or how many prayers you pray. You are a good woman Reagan O’Riley. I have gravely wronged you and I know that. You do the best you know how with the ones under your care. I thank you for the care you have shown my people.”

Reagan hoped the shock she was feeling did not show on her face. She had never hoped for an outright apology.

“Your people deserve that care. I can give no less than my all. It is just not in me to do otherwise.”

“I believe that. You have the soul of a warrior and the heart of a woman. Somehow the combination suits you.”

They rode into the gates, and were immediately surrounded by the guards and grooms who were awaiting their return. Reagan was tenderly trying to keep the baby she was carrying from being jostled as she tried to dismount. Two strong hands wrapped around her hips pulling her down without the slightest effort. Connor slid her down the substantial length of his body to keep her from tumbling. The feeling was shocking to both of them as they both felt the electricity pass between them. Quickly he stepped back and took the baby from her.

“Go to Morgan. I’ll see the children settled.”

Without a word, Reagan hurried off to find how Morgan was progressing.

Upstairs Reagan found Nic sitting beside the bed. Morgan looked well to Reagan’s experienced eye. She was worried about Nic, though. She might need the smelling salts, yet.

“Reagan, I’m glad you are here. She has been in labor now for over three hours. How long will this take?” Nic was beside himself with worry.

“Nic, go downstairs. There are two additions to the house and Connor needs your help. Morgan's delivery will be hours, yet and I will call you if she needs anything.”

Nic looked down at Morgan. She smiled and nodded her head.

“Go, my love. I will be fine. Just come and check on me now and then so I know you are still around.”

“You can count on it. I love you.” Nic kissed Morgan on the forehead, leaving Morgan in Reagan’s capable hands to go about his errand of helping Connor.

"I cannot stand it any longer. I have to go up.” Nic had been pacing the study in an endless back and forth.

Connor was trying to soothe Nic’s frayed nerves.

“No. You cannot go in there no matter what it sounds like to you. What you
are
going to do is
sit
and
have a drink
. Have several, in fact, while you are at it. It is a woman’s domain and Reagan is doing all she can, I feel sure.”

“It has been hours and I cannot stand this.” Nic dashed out of the study and took the stairs two at a time. He walked into a scene that was beyond his grasp. Sweat covered Morgan’s face and neck. Lines of stress, strain, and pain etched her face. She was in the middle of a very hard contraction.

“That’s right, Morgan, push, push, hold it, hold it, release. Good girl, you’re doing great, and the baby is progressing nicely. Now, sit back and rest for a few minutes. The contractions will be getting harder from this point forward.” Reagan encouraged her as she brushed back the strands of wet hair from Morgan’s face.

Nic had seen some bloody battles, but nothing had prepared him to deal with seeing his wife in such agony.

“Reagan, what is wrong? Why is it taking so long?” Nic was frantic and demanding as he pushed passed Mary.

“Nic, there is nothing wrong.” Reagan was reassuring him in her steady and solid way. “Babies just don’t pop out, you know. It is a process and it takes time."

"But..."

"No buts, Nic, she is doing fine. Trust me. Now, tell me how the little girls are doing? Has Connor gotten them settled?”

“Reagan, do not try to distract me from my course. I insist you tell me what has happened and what is to come. I’m staying and that is final.”

Reagan gently tried to push Nic back through the door. “Nic, you staying in here is not a good idea, and I’m not trying to distract you. I want to know how the little girls are doing. You were the last to see them.”

“Will you two shut up!” Morgan commanded.

Nic rushed to her side and made the mistake of taking her hand just as the contraction began. She squeezed with all her might. Nic was sure she had broken the small bones in his hand. But if that was what it took to get her through this, he would gladly let her break every bone in his body.

“Nic, you really should not be here, but if you are going to stay, you might as well help. Support her back and neck as she rolls forward through the next contraction.”

“Love, how are you doing?” Nic asked.

“How do you think I’m doing? I feel like I’m ripping into pieces," she snapped at him. "Never touch me, again! Ever!” Morgan was going into another contraction.

Nic helped her. His world felt like it was closing in on him. Maybe he should not even be here. Men do not usually witness the birth of their children, but after everything they had been through, he could not stand to leave.

Reagan broke through his thoughts. “It is just a matter of time now. Do you want to stay and see your child born or do you want to step out?”

“I think I’m upsetting her. I should leave.”

Morgan reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “Nic, no don’t go. Stay with me, please. I want us to share this moment. Please, say you will stay.”

Reagan did not give Nic time to answer. The baby had determined he was coming into this world and the time was going to be now.

“One more big push when I tell you to push." Reagan waited then gave the command. "Now, Morgan! This is it. One more big one! Bear down and hold your breath!" 

A wail filled the room as Reagan quickly did an inspection to make sure everything was in order. "It’s a boy! Morgan, you called it! Oh, my, he is so long! Just look at these long legs!' Reagan said and smiled as she wiped his little face before wrapping him in a clean blanket. "And I didn’t have to use smelling salts on you after all. Congratulations, Nic. He is prefect.” Reagan smiled as she placed his son into his arms.

Reagan and Morgan were crying tears of joy. Nic did not even notice. The child in his arms had his full and undivided attention. He was in awe and it was love at first sight. This was his son.

“He is beautiful,” Nic said, never taking is eyes off the child in his arms. He finally looked at Morgan. She was his. The child was his and he loved them both, unconditionally.

“Here. Hold our son.” He tenderly placed the baby into Morgan’s outstretched arms, brushing the hair from her forehead and kissing her tenderly. “Thank you for this gift of my child. Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“I love you my husband.” An exhausted Morgan breathed out with a sigh of relief and contentment as she looked at her baby for the first time.

Reagan touched Nic on the shoulder. “Go down and share your good news. I would like to let Morgan rest. You can come back in a little while.”

Morgan ran her hand down Nic’s arm. “We will be just fine, Nic. Go. Tell the others we have an amazing son.”

“I will be back soon.” Nic smiled back at Morgan from the door as he closed it.

“Congratulations Nic.” Connor slapped him on the back.

Nic finally had that drink. “Jesus, Connor, now I see why they usually keep men out. I am so proud of her, and Reagan was amazing. I am glad she was here for his birth. She knows what she is doing, and she was very good. I don't know that much about births, but she seemed to know what she was doing." He shook his head in wonder at the events of the day.

Connor was about to step through the study door Nic just opened. “Have you ever wondered how Reagan has come to have such knowledge? Don’t you ever wonder about her, Nic?” 

"I think there are depths to her we have yet to even imagine, Connor. But, I do not think she is anything other than who she holds herself out to be.” Nic argued the point again, not for the first time.

“She has secrets,” Connor said, stroking his chin as he thought.

“So do we,” Nic countered.

“You still do not trust her do you, Connor?” Cullen said from the far corner of the room.

Nic had noticed he had become more and more detached as the months had rolled by. Nic knew the reason. He did not like Connor's distance, but understood it.

Connor was not going to deny there was still lingering doubts about Reagan O’Riley. “It is not a matter of trusting her. Of course, I trust her now. Otherwise, she would not even have the run of a cell much less the castle with her knowledge of medicines. Call it a hunch. I will find out eventually.”

“I would like to know how you propose to do that when you haven’t spoken a dozen civil words to her in three months.” Nic had also noticed their unsteady truce was still holding, and it was holding by the means of avoidance.

When they were together, it was usually an event to behold and would have been amusing if not for the fact he loved them both. He wished they could bridge the gap and mend the breach. Nic thought it unlikely. Reagan and Connor just rubbed each other against the grain.

“I have her new charges as an excuse to look in on her until I get the answers I’m looking for.”

“And speaking of new charges, I’m going up to see my beautiful wife and strapping son.”

“I think I shall go with you,” Connor was not far behind.

Leaving the study, the men make their way to the chambers upstairs. Connor shared his concern with Nic about the additions to the Featherstone household.

“I need to talk to Reagan about the little girls. I have not been able to secure a wet nurse for them, and I have the feeling she will not be happy about it. Neither is Cook at this particular moment.”

“Why?” Nic asked.

“He and Mary have done everything they know to try to get them to feed. They have met with no success. The girls are so tiny and need nourishment soon, or they may not survive."

"You think Reagan will think it is a means to annoy her that you have not been able to secure a wet nurse?" Nic asked, sensing his friend's concern.