"Dawns Prelude" - читать интересную книгу автора (Peterson Tracie)

Chapter 17

Lydia awoke on December twelfth to a great deal of pain and an unfamiliar wetness making her cold. She sat up carefully, and as her head cleared of sleep, it came to her that the baby was on its way.

KjcII had already gone to work, but Zerelda would he nearbyprobably downstairs working. Lydia stood as soon as the pain passed and made her way slowly to the door.

'Lerelda%

"I'm down here, making a cake. Kjell said it had been ages since he'd had a spice cake. I don't know if you remember or not, but your grandmother prided herself on her spice cake recipe."

"Zcrclda, I think the baby is coming."

There was dead silence for a moment, followed by the sound of rushing feet. Zerelda was up the stairs just as another pain hit Lydia. She took hold of her niece and steadied her while the contraction ripped through Lydia 's midsection.

"How quickly are the pains coming?" Zerelda asked.

"I don't know." She panted and doubled over. Why did this have to hurt so much? She gasped for air. "I woke up… hurting… and the bed… was wet."

"Your water has broken. How long ago was the last pain?"

Lydia said nothing until the contraction finally started to case. She straightened. "Just before I came out here to call for you."

Zerelda frowned. "They're coming awfully close together. Could be you've been in labor most of the night and just didn't know it. Come on, let's get you out of this wet nightgown and then I'll change the bed."

After Zerelda had seen to Lydia 's comfort, she got her seated on a chair before quickly pulling the sheets from the bed and checking the down-filled mattress. "The fluid is clear that's good. I'm glad I put the towels under the sheets," she told Lydia. "The mattress is barely damp. I'll just flip it over."

Again pain gripped her, and Lydia couldn't reply. The pressure she felt was enough to make her cry out, and in doing so she immediately had Zerelda's attention.

"There's no time. Maybe you should come to my bed." Zerelda tried to help Lydia to her feet, but the pain was too much.

Lydia moaned and doubled over. "I can't walk. I can't move. It hurts too much."

"Stay here," Zerelda instructed.

In record time she had turned the mattress and thrown down a clean sheet. Next she took up several towels and placed these atop the sheet. Then without warning, she all but carried Lydia to the bed and helped her to lie down.

"Let's see what kind of progress you've made." She quickly went to check on the baby's position. "Goodness and mercy," Zcrclda declared. "The baby's head has crowned. You're just about to deliver."

Unable to keep from crying out, Lydia gripped a handful of the towels and felt the urge to push. "Can't… can't you… pull him out?"

Zcrclda laughed. "So it's a boy, is it?" She shook her head. "He has to come naturally-it's best for both of you. Look, I need to Oct my birthing hag. It's in my room. You'll be alone for only it minute. If you have to push, go right ahead, but don't get up."

Lydia wanted to laugh. Get up? She could hardly manage to breathe against the pain, much less move. True to her word, Zcrclda was hack just as the next contraction hit. Lydia screamed as the pain escalated.

"Here he comes," Zerelda said, taking up her position.

The urge to push hard hit Lydia, and she found herself bearing down with a strength she hadn't known possible. She felt the baby slip from her body and marveled at the way the pain ended. Closing her eyes, Lydia felt a rush of blackness engulf her.

There was a gentle tapping on her face and the sound of something else as Lydia came to. She looked up to find Zcrclda looking down at her, beaming from ear to ear.

"Can't you hear your son crying? He doesn't like it that his mama chooses his birthday to try and sleep."

"A son?" Lydia smiled wearily. "I knew it was a boy"

"What are you going to call him?"

" Dalton. Its a name Kjell and I both like."

Zcrclda placed the tiny baby in Lydia 's arms. "It sounds strong. Here you go, Dalton. Meet your mama."

Lydia looked into the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. The darkhaired infant gazed up at her with his tearful expression and began to cry anew. Instinct took over, and Lydia bounced him gently in her arms.

She thought of the other children she'd lost and of Floyd. This child had been conceived in violence, without any love whatsoever. His father had been a cruel and vicious man, but Kjell his papa would love him completely Of this Lydia was sure.

"There, there, little one. Everything will be all right."

The baby calmed at her voice and turned his face to her breast. Zerelda laughed. "He's looking for a meal, Liddie. You'd best help him out."

Lydia remembered what Zerelda had told her of breastfeeding. She carefully eased the nightgown out of the way and directed Dalton 's rooting. When he latched on, Lydia jumped in surprise. She looked up at Zerelda and found her aunt watching in amazement and awe.

"What a strange sensation," she said, shaking her head.

Zerelda smiled and leaned down to kiss Lydia on the forehead. "What a gift you've created. You did a good thing here, Liddie. You could have chosen to hate the child because of his father, but you didn't. I'm proud of you for that."

"He can't be faulted for Floyd's actions," Lydia said, still fascinated by this new life. "I was just thinking of all the other babies I lost. I can't imagine what it would be like to have them all here now." She gently ran her fingers along the baby's head. "He's just so precious."

Kjell made his way home at ten-thirty, nervous that something was amiss. All morning, he'd been unable to keep his thoughts from Lydia and home. To ease his mind and get any work done, he would have to see for himself that all was well. Lydia would think him silly, but he'd just tell her he'd come home for lunch. Never mind that the morning was only half over.

He brought the wagon to a stop just outside the main house. With the brake set, he hounded out off the seat and hurried up the porch steps. The house was strangely quiet. There was no sign of Zee. He went into the kitchen and noted that nothing was cooking. A mixing bowl and a variety of ingredients sat on the counter. It was as if something had happened to take Zee away from her work rather abruptly.

A strange sensation came over him. What if Gray had shown up? What if something had happened?

"Zee? Liddie?" he called out. He made his way to the large living room but found it empty.

"Zee! Lydia!" The urgency to see them heightened. Returning to the front door, he noted that their coats and boots were there waiting. They hadn't gone out, or if they had, they hadn't worn these things.

He raced up the stairs just as Zee appeared at the top. "Where's Liddie? Is she okay? Why didn't you answer me when I hollered?"

Zee grinned. "Calm down. Liddie's in bed and doing quite well. I believe she'd like to see you."

"I've been half sick with worry. All morning I had a feeling something wasn't right, and when I got home and found the place seemingly deserted… well… I guess…" He let the words go unsaid and drew a deep breath. "But she's all right."

"Why don't you go see for yourself? I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

He looked at her a moment and saw the twinkle in her eyes. "The baby?"

Zerelda laughed. "Go on."

When Zee opened the door and pushed him through, he found himself staring openmouthed at the sight of Lydia nursing an infant.

"It's a boy, Kjell," Lydia said with a weary smile. "Oh, I'm glad you came. I prayed for you to come."

He sat down beside her on the bed and shook his head in wonder. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. Every time I tried to focus on my tasks at hand, my mind kept going back to you. I thought maybe something was wrong. I feared that… Well, never mind what I feared. Oh, Liddie," he sighed and leaned down to kiss her lips.

There was such joy in her expression as he pulled away, Kjell thought his heart might well burst from the happiness he felt. He examined the baby, who by now had fallen asleep. "He's so little."

"Zerelda says he's a good size. He's healthy and has all of his fingers and toes," Lydia said, laughing. "I know the latter because I counted them myself."

Kjell chuckled. "I would have loved him even if he'd been missing some of each."

"I'll go prepare something for us to eat," Zerelda suddenly announced. "Liddie never got any breakfast. She woke up in labor, and things progressed fast. I think some nourishment would be good for all of us."

After she'd gone, Kjell stretched out on the bed beside Liddie, careful to keep his hoots over the side. He pulled her into his arms and held her for a long while. "I love you, Liddie. I love you so very much."

"I know you do. I can feel that love in ways that I never knew before marrying you," Lydia replied softly. "I never even knew what it was to really love another until you came into my life. I find that I care for you more and more every day… and sometimes it really frightens me."

Kjell lifted her face to his. "Don't be afraid. God is our Father and the keeper of our days. We needn't fear."

She nodded and stretched to press her lips to his mouth. Kjell lost himself in the moment and kissed her with a passion that he'd not expected. It seemed to surprise Lydia, as well. Shaking her head, she grinned. "You are very good at that."

He laughed. "I intend to get much better with practice."

Marston Gray had let word get around of his departure for home. He had left the company of the priest and chosen instead to take up residence in a small shack, well away from the town proper. The Sidorovs had found the place, and with Marston's money, they had purchased it. It had set him hack fifty dollars, but he still had plenty of the cash he'd brought to Alaska, at least enough to see to his plans for Lydia and the child.

Writing a letter to his brother, Marston suggested that Mitchell arrange for all of Lydia 's records to he removed from Mr. Robinson s office. The obvious way to hide such a theft would he by a fireand perhaps Mr. Robinson could "accidently" die in the fire. That way, there would he no suspicion.

He continued by telling his brother he felt this was critical in order to make his plan work. If Robinson were dead, no one would know of Lydia 's whereabouts or her pregnancy. He smiled to himself at the news that had reached him only three days earlier: She had given birth to a son. A Gray son.

Marston tossed hack a hit of brandy before continuing to write. He informed Mitchell that plans were well underway to see things made right. Lydia might not be returning with him, but he would bring the infant.

Thinking of the future, Marston put down the pen and considered what was yet to he done. He figured to wait until the new year. This would give the child time to grow and give Lydia time to lower her guard. No doubt word had gotten hack to them that Marston was gone. He'd left a letter for them with the priest, informing him that he should have it delivered once he'd set sail.

Of course, when the ship left, it went without Marston, but the priest didn't know that. And with Christmas celebrations and church services pending, the priest would be too busy to concern himself with why Marston had left in such a hurry. At least that was Marston's hope.

You wanted to see us?" Anatolli questioned. He and Joann stood at the door to Marston's tiny room.

"Yes, I do. Stoke the fire, and I will join you in a moment. He checked to make sure the ink on the letter was dry before folding the pages. Securing the missive in his coat pocket, Marston made his way to join the Sidorovs. It was time to share his idea and plot the future.

Christmas had been a simple but joyous affair at the Lindquist house. Kjell had given Lydia a beautiful necklace of Russian silver that had once belonged to his mother. Zerelda had made them both a new sweater, and baby Dalton was given a lovely quilt that was just his size.

Lydia felt had that she had no gifts to exchange. Both her aunt and husband assured her, however, that the baby was blessing enough.

She understood their sentiment. Dalton was her own precious gift. The baby gave her such joy, such hope for the future, that Lydia had finally started to forget her ugly past. Now on the dawning of a new year, she felt that her life had changed for the better. Marston was gone, telling them in a letter that he wished them well. Lydia didn't believe his warm sentiments, but she was glad he was gone just the same. Life had finally eased back to one of peace and contentment.

"Happy New Year," Zerelda said, joining Lydia in the living room. "It's snowing again, I see."

"I noticed it earlier," Lydia replied. "Such beautiful flakes."

"It probably won't stay long, but it might. I thought I'd go to the Ranche and visit some of the Tlingits. Would you want me to bring you anything from town?"

"If they have fruit, I would love some. It's the one thing I really miss from my life in Missouri."

"I'll do what I can, but it will no doubt he canned or dried."

"I don't much care, so long as it's fruit." Lydia looked at the cradle and her sleeping son. "Otherwise, I think we have everything we need."

"Kjell did a nice job on that bed." Zerelda gave it a gentle rock. "I've never seen anything move so smoothly He's quite handy, that husband of yours."

Lydia smiled up at her aunt. "I think so. I think, in fact, he's very nearly perfect."

This amused Zerelda. "I think it's too soon to tell that, although I have known the man for many years."

"Well, he's perfect for me. I know now what I missed out on all of those years."

"Just don't dwell on the past," Zerelda cautioned.

Lydia shook her head. "I don't intend to. I'm happy to say that the memories fade a little more each day. Each time I take Dalton in my arms, each day I care for him, he seems to restore a part of me."

"I suppose I shall only know such feelings for myself through you." Zerelda's thoughtful words caused Lydia to frown, but she quickly admonished her niece. "Don't feel sorry for me. I'm happy with my life. I'm content in the work God has called me to do. Being single allows me to focus on others. I don't regret that calling."

"I hope not," Lydia replied. "I don't want you to ever feel alone or unloved. I know I would never have survived my marriage with Floyd had I not had your letters and love."

Zcrclda gently touched Lydia 's face. "You are more a daughter to me than a niece, and I find great joy in that. Even now, I feel as proud as any mother and grandmother might feel I'm certain of it. You have been a blessing to me, and I look forward to this new year as I have no other."

Lydia nodded. "I feel the same. The bad times are behind us now. We can look to the future with great joy and hope."