The Bairn of Brianag

I felt my own face go white. "Must you go, John? Can you not send someone?"

"I cannot wait!" he said, and ran down the stairs.

I tied the dress more tightly about me and went to Cathy's door. It stood ajar. I pushed it open, calling her name.

"Please, come in, Jessie," she said, and I breathed a long sigh.

She was on the balcony, standing at the railing. I went to her side.

"Are you well, Cathy? Is the child coming so soon?"

"Only the waters have broken," she said. "I have no pain as yet."

My heart slowed slightly. "Oh. John has gone for the doctor, and sent for the midwife."

"Yes. Poor John! I sent Susan to tell him." She looked down; wetness puddled at her feet. I stepped back, my stomach knotting. Her maid Susan came forward with a folded linen and Cathy moved one of her legs, reaching down to remove the linen that was already there. Susan tucked the clean one into its place.

The moon was almost blinding in its brightness. Cathy's face was serene in the light.

My face must have looked craven with fear; she touched my cheek and laughed softly.

"All is well, dear," she said. "It shall be over soon, and I shall hold my bairn at last!"

"Yes," I said weakly. "All is well."

I felt I must sit down; my vision was clouding. I moved to a chair, feeling behind me as I sat, fearful that I would mistake myself and sit on the floor.

There was no doubt in my mind now. Robbie's child, our child, was growing inside me. And at that moment, I could feel nothing except terror.

_______________________

The night was long. The midwife came, and Susan hardly left Cathy's side; but sometimes Cathy would call to me, and I would approach the bed or the chaise or the railing, for she would not stay in one place for long. The pains terrified me. Cathy panted and moaned as the pain took her and sometimes she cried out. When that happened I wished to be anywhere else in the world.

"You should not be here, Jessie," she said between pains, tears flowing from her eyes. "But I am ashamed to say that I am glad that you are."

"I am glad to be here," I said, and my stomach clenched again. "I shall be the first to greet your child!"