Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29
Now that Courtney's pregnancy had gone past her due date, she woke every day wondering if today was the day she would give birth.
She started to wonder if she’d just get bigger and bigger until she burst. Could her stomach get any bigger than it was now? Courtney prayed every day that the baby would come, but still there was no sign—no little niggles or pains like Heather had said that she might expect.
Everything seemed like the baby was weeks away. From her calculations, she was nearly two weeks overdue. Although Heather told her that as much as three weeks early or late was normal, she couldn’t help but be concerned.
Still in her bed, she rolled onto her side and with her hands pushed herself to a sitting position. After she put her legs over the side of the bed, she slipped her feet into her slippers and then drank the rest of the water from the glass on the nightstand. When she stood, she felt water flow down her legs. At first, she thought she’d spilled some water, but she’d drunk it all. Then she realized her water had broken. She still had no pain, but she knew her baby would soon be in her arms. Excitement mixed with fear as she quickly gathered her thoughts.
She pulled on her robe, pushed her hair into her prayer kapp and hurried to the main house hoping Aaron was awake. When she pushed the back door open, Aaron was nowhere in sight, but then she heard him coming down the stairs. She stayed put and tried to remain calm.
When he walked into the kitchen and saw her standing there, he said, “What’s wrong?”
“The baby!” was all she could say with tears brimming her eyes.
“Now?” he asked.
She nodded. “I think so.”
“We’d better get you over to Heather and James’ haus.”
“I don't think there's any hurry. We could wait for awhile.”
“I'm not taking any risks. I’m getting you over there right now. I wouldn't know what to do if things progressed quickly.”
She nodded. Her head was in such a spin that she wasn't capable of making the slightest decision.
“Have you got a bag packed like Heather told you?”
“Jah. I’ve got it just inside the door of the cabin.”
“I’ll wake Jared and tell him where I'm going. I’ll take you to Heather’s now and come right back here. Don’t worry about the children I’ll stay with them today. They won’t mind missing a day of schul.” He walked a few paces until he was right in front of her and then placed his hands lightly against her arms. “Are you all right?”
“I think so.”
“Come and sit on the couch.”
“I don’t think I should sit.” Courtney was worried about messing up the couch.
“You’re not going to have the baby right now are you?”
“Nee not yet. At least I don’t think so.”
“Well, stay here; I’ll talk to Jared.”
Aaron spoke to Jared, and then hurried out to hitch the buggy. Courtney collected her bag from the cabin. Minutes later, they were off to the house where Courtney would give birth.
Courtney glanced at Aaron’s concerned face. “You’re not the one having the boppli.”
His face relaxed into a smile. “I don’t like the thought of you going through pain or discomfort and not being able to do anything about it.”
“It won't be for long—they tell me. I’m a little bit scared because I haven't done this before. I’d feel better if I knew what to expect.”
“Heather will be there to help you.” He wiped a tear from his eye.
His concern was of comfort to Courtney. It was nice to have someone in her life who cared so deeply. The last few weeks they’d grown close through their after-dinner conversations once the children had gone to bed.
The buggy came to a halt right at Heather’s front door. He rushed around to Courtney and helped her down from the buggy. With his arm through hers, he led her through James and Heather’s front door.
Heather had nearly reached the door by the time Aaron had opened it.
“It’s time?” Heather asked, standing in her robe and staring at them.
“It is,” Aaron answered.
Heather lunged forward and took hold of Courtney’s arm.
“I'll leave her in your hands, Heather,” Aaron said as Heather led her away. “Wait a minute,” Aaron called out. When the women stopped, he walked over to Courtney and put a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes and said, “I’ll be praying for you, okay?”
She nodded while she noticed Aaron glance at Heather before he looked back at her. He smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. She was sure that he wanted to kiss her or hug her, but such a thing would not be appropriate, particularly when Heather was standing right there.
“I’ll have James let you know when the baby arrives,” Heather said as she made shooing motions to make him leave.
“Okay.” He turned and walked out the door.
Heather took Courtney to the room prepared for the birth while asking her what signs she’d had that the baby was coming.
It was in the evening at fifteen minutes past five that Courtney delivered a baby boy—a healthy baby boy who weighed eight and a half pounds.
Courtney stared down at the baby in her arms—her precious gift from God. She kissed the top of his head. He had a smattering of fine dark hair, and his eyes were dark blue. Courtney was certain that he could focus right away as he stared into her eyes when Heather laid him on her stomach as soon as he was born. He even had strength enough to hold his head up which Heather told her was rare.
Tears streamed down her face, as Courtney was overwhelmed with great love for her child. Heather was there to mop the tears from her face.
“He is just so beautiful,” Heather said. “I want another one badly now. Although you could have had a girl since there are too many boys already.”
Courtney laughed while not taking her eyes from her baby. “Boy or girl it makes no matter to me. My baby is healthy and well; I couldn't ask for anything more. Mark was taken away from me, but part of him lives on through his baby.”
“What are you gonna call him?”
“I'm not certain. I want to choose a strong name—maybe Gabriel. I'll think of something over the next couple of days.”
“Do you want to try feeding him?”
“Try? Is it going to be hard?”
“Nee it shouldn't be initially, but it might be a bit painful for the first couple of weeks.”
Courtney groaned. “More pain?”
“Just a little bit. You could always give him a bottle, but breastfeeding is so much easier, and it's better for the baby and you. So if you can just get past the initial soreness it'll be worth it.”
“Easier sounds good. Denke for helping me with everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m happy to be here and watch your boppli come into the world. Now let's have a go at that feeding.”