Ellie breathed through the contraction, then sighed with relief as it eased. The pains were coming more frequently now. Childbirth hurt, but she was fine. She was strong and she could do this. She couldn’t wait to hold the baby—hers and Reuben’s—and to calm her worried husband.
“You’re doing fine, Ellie,” the midwife said.
“Is my husband downstairs? I want to see him.”
“He is, but I don’t think it’s a gut idea to have him come in.”
“Please? Just for a moment.”
“Just for a moment, then.”
The midwife left and Ellie was overcome with another sharp contraction. She breathed through the pain, and once again it dissipated. Soon, there would be no relief as her labor progressed.
Reuben burst into the room, looking anxious. He leaned in close. “What’s wrong? Are you oll recht?”
Ellie smiled and waved him closer. “I just have a moment but I wanted—needed—to tell you that I love you, and I’ll be fine.”
“I love you, Ellie.” There were tears in his eyes.
She reached up to caress his cheek. “I love you. Now stop worrying and go back downstairs. Mary will come get you as soon as our baby is born.”
He left but only after glancing back over his shoulder at her several times. And not a moment too soon. Her contractions began in earnest. Less than an hour later, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She smiled at the midwife, then gasped as she felt another sharp pain in her abdomen. “What’s wrong?” she asked Mary. If something happened to her, Reuben would take the blame and never forgive himself.
“This is a surprise, Ellie. Looks like you’re having twins, as there is another baby about to make an appearance. Your baby is in the right position. Go ahead and push.”
Three pushes later and out came a baby boy. “You have fraternal twins!” Mary said with a grin. She opened the door. “Missy, can you come in here?”
“What’s wrong?” her mother asked.
Ellie smiled at her mom. “Nothing. But we need your help.”
Mam looked confused until Mary handed her Ellie’s daughter. “Your dochter has given birth to twins.”
“Twins!” Missy smiled. “Our family’s been doubly blessed.”
Mary cleaned and wrapped up the babies, then placed one in each of Ellie’s arms. Mary and her mother left the room.
A few minutes later, Reuben entered, looking anxious.
“Hallo, vadder,” Ellie said. She had a tiny baby cradled in each arm. He blinked, then gazed at her with wonder. “Come say hallo to our babies.”
“Twins,” he breathed. His blue eyes filled with love and happy tears. “You’re well?”
“I’m fine.” She smiled. “Never better.”
“Praise be to Gott!” He placed a gentle kiss first on his wife’s forehead, then on his babies. “I love you,” he whispered. “So much.”
“I love you, husband. Forever. I hope you’re ready for a busy life.”
“Absolutely.”
Ellie laughed. “You sound so sure.”
“I am.” He grinned before he bent to kiss her. “Time to share our babies with the rest of our family.” He gazed at her sharply to make sure she was ready for visitors. “A short visit only.”
Her father and mother came into the room first. After expressing their happiness, her father said, “I was thinking, soohn. What do you say you and I exchange houses? You need the room that we have, and we’d like a smaller place as we’re getting older now. Your house will suit us better.”
Ellie glanced at her husband, who looked thoughtful but not upset. “Reuben?”
He smiled at his wife, the mother of his children, before turning a grin on to his in-laws. “Sounds like a fine idea to me.”
Their visitors left. Ellie gazed at her husband, overwhelmed with love for him. She saw him blink back tears as he cradled their tiny babies. “Are you oll recht?”
He lifted his gaze, his blue eyes shining with joy and love.
“You’ve given me everything, El. I love you so much.”
Emotion made her voice hoarse. “I love you, husband. You’ve given me all I’ve ever wanted and more.”
If you loved this story, check out the other books
in Rebecca Kertz’s miniseries
Women of Lancaster County:
A Secret Amish Love
Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart
Her Forgiving Amish Heart
Her Amish Christmas Gift
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from Her Oklahoma Rancher by Brenda Minton.
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