Chapter Two

Grandma, I’m scared.” Five-year-old Jennifer sniffed, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her shirt. Her dark hair hung in a tangle around her face, and her blue jeans had a rip in the knee. Who knows what the little girl had been doing before Anna left for the hospital? “I want my mama.”

“I know, honey.” Charlotte stroked the little girl’s head and glanced at Bob, who was sitting across the hospital waiting room from her. Madison sat quietly beside him, her hands folded obediently in her lap, looking remarkably at ease for a seven-year-old. But Charlotte saw the pinched lines around her mouth. Madison was valiantly trying to be brave.

She could only imagine what might have gone through their minds while the girls waited for Bob and Charlotte to arrive.

Bob, never a fast driver, had been cautious on the snowy roads, and though it only took half an hour to get to Bill and Anna’s place, Charlotte didn’t relax until she saw Anna loaded on the ambulance and on her way to the hospital. After their previous scare with Anna’s pregnancy, Charlotte didn’t want to take any chances.

“What’s taking so long?” Bob grumbled, pushing himself up from one of the hard chairs that hospitals seemed to favor. He strode over to the window overlooking the parking lot and glared past it to the houses festooned with twinkling Christmas lights.

“Jingle Bells” played softly over the hospital intercom, adding its festive notes to the tinsel and lights draped along the walls of the waiting room. Emily’s cell phone, tucked in Charlotte’s coat pocket, started to ring. She pulled it out, flipped it open, and put it to her ear just as Emily had shown her. “Hello?”

“Mom! Thank goodness I got through.” It was Bill. “I called the farm, and Emily told me you had her cell phone. How’s Anna?”

“She’s in labor right now, but it’s early yet. The doctor says the baby is stable and Anna is progressing nicely but she expects it will still be several hours before delivery. She’s in good hands, Bill, and she and the baby are being closely monitored. Beyond that, she’s in God’s care.”

“I’m stuck here in Chicago. It’s snowing, and my flight is delayed. I won’t be there for at least four hours, probably more.” Bill’s voice sounded heavy with regret and consternation. “I should be there. I should be with my wife. And what about my girls?”

Charlotte bit her lip as she glanced at Jennifer and Madison, still holding the candy canes a hospital volunteer had given them. “They’re doing just fine, Bill. Don’t worry about them.”

“I should be there,” he said again.

“Just come when you can. We’ll take care of everything here.”

“I’m so glad you’re there, Mom. Anna’s mom would be ordering the hospital staff around, fussing over Anna. Just like she did when the girls were born.” Another sigh followed this.

“Like I said, you just relax. We’ll take care of things here. Do you want to talk to the girls?”

“Thanks. That would be great.”

Charlotte handed Madison the phone first. While the little girl talked to her father, Charlotte could see her visibly relax.

“Is that my daddy? Is he coming?” Jennifer sniffed and was about to wipe her nose again when Charlotte intervened, pulling a tissue out of her purse. “Use this, honey.”

“Daddy wants to talk to Jennifer now.” Madison handed the phone over, and Jennifer snatched it out of her hand.

“Are you coming, Daddy?” Jennifer asked, clutching the phone, her candy cane now lying on the floor. “Are you going to take care of Mommy, like she said? Why aren’t you here right now? Can we go to the farm with Grandma and Grandpa if you don’t come? I want to see Toby and the horses. Can I?”

Charlotte held her hand out. “Say good-bye to your daddy and then give me the phone,” she said.

“But I’m not done talking to him,” Jennifer pouted.

She never would be, Charlotte thought. Jennifer was a most loquacious young girl.

“You can talk to him later. I need to talk to him now.”

Jennifer’s expression turned mutinous, but she gave in and handed the phone to her grandmother. Under any other circumstances Charlotte might have gently reprimanded her, but today the girls’ lives had just been thrown topsy-turvy. They had seen their mother in pain and were now sitting in a cold, unfamiliar hospital. It was understandable that they were out of sorts.

“We’ll take care of everything, Bill. Just make sure you drive safely once you arrive, okay?”

“I’ll come as soon as I can. Say hello to Anna for me.”

Charlotte said good-bye and glanced at the phone, uncertain of what to do.

“Just close it,” Madison said. “It will go off when you do.”

Charlotte did, once more thankful that Emily had insisted they take her precious phone along.

She stroked Jennifer’s back and gave an encouraging smile to Madison as she picked up the discarded candy cane. “Can you girls just sit here a moment? I need to talk to your grandfather.”

Jennifer sniffed again but used the tissue this time; Madison nodded.

Charlotte tossed the candy in the garbage and walked over to Bob, who stood by the window, his hands shoved in the pockets of his winter coat, his shoulders hunched as he stared outside. “Bill’s not going to be here for a while. I’m wondering if you should take the girls back to the farm.”

Bob glanced back at the girls, and then at Charlotte. “But what about Anna?”

“I’m staying here until Bill gets back. Pete can come and pick me up later on.”

“But what if he’s late?”

“Then I might have to find a place to stay for the night. I can take a cab to a hotel.”

Charlotte could see the protest rising to Bob’s lips, and she wondered what would bother him more: her being away from the farm or the cost of staying at a hotel overnight.

“I guess I’ll take the girls back home. What about clothes for them?”

“I think I have some of their spare clothes in the hall closet. Emily can help you sort them out.”

Bob pushed his fingers through his thinning hair and then gave Charlotte a weak smile. “I don’t like leaving you here, but I don’t like the idea of Anna being alone either.”

Charlotte patted him on the shoulder, stood on tiptoe, and brushed a kiss over his grizzled cheek. “Thanks, Bob. I’ve got Emily’s phone; I’ll let you know how things are going.”

The girls looked up when she came back, Jennifer swinging her legs, looking hopeful. “Are we going to the farm?”

She’d heard. Charlotte had forgotten how intent children could be when there was even the slightest hint they were the topic of a conversation.

“Yes, you are. And I’m staying with your mom.”

Jennifer jumped off the chair, grabbed her winter coat, and slipped her arms in the sleeves as Charlotte spoke.

“But what about my daddy?” Madison said, her voice sounding small and afraid.

“He’s coming. I’ll wait for him here,” Charlotte assured the little girl. She knelt down beside her, stroking her hair back from her face. “Your mommy and daddy would want to know that you girls are comfortable and safe at the farm, okay?”

“And we can play with Toby, remember?” Jennifer chimed in. “And us and Christopher can play hide-and-seek in the attic, and maybe we can go sledding and make a snow fort again.”

Madison began to smile as her sister laid out the potential itinerary; and then she slipped off her chair and let Charlotte help her with her coat.

“And as soon as your little brother is born, I’ll call and let you know.” Charlotte zipped up Madison’s coat.

She kissed the girls good-bye and watched as they followed Bob down the hall, their shoes squeaking on the shining floor. With a sigh, she turned back to the dog-eared three-month-old women’s magazine she had been reading and was about to settle in for a long, boring wait when a voice interrupted.

“Mrs. Stevenson?” A young nurse wearing pink scrubs decorated with a Christmas wreath pin approached Charlotte with a tentative smile. “Are you Anna Stevenson’s mother?”

“Mother-in-law.” Charlotte put aside the magazine. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine, but Anna is getting a little panicky. She said her husband was supposed to be her coach …” The nurse fluttered her hands as her brown eyes scanned the room. “I’m guessing he’s not here yet?”

“He won’t be for a few hours.”

“Hours?” The word came out in a squeak of dismay.

Charlotte got up. “May I see her?”

“Please. Could you?” The nurse gave Charlotte a nervous smile and took a step back toward the room. “She’s quite upset, and she won’t settle down.”

Charlotte wasn’t surprised. Anna was a very intense young woman and could be demanding even when she was in a good mood. In pain and frightened—Charlotte could just imagine the scenario.

Anna was sitting up in the bed, tugging at her hospital gown, her cheeks flushed, her hair disheveled. “Can’t you get me something that fits better than this hideous thing? I had a perfectly good nightgown to wear here …” Her voice trailed off as she realized Charlotte wasn’t a nurse. “Oh, hello, Charlotte. Where’re the girls?”

“Bob took them back to the farm. Bill just called. His plane is delayed.”

Anna pressed one hand to her mouth, as if holding herself in. “He has to come. I didn’t have the girls on my own. He needs to be here for his son. He needs to be here for me.”

“I know he feels terrible, Anna, and he’s coming as quickly as he can.”

“I want him to be here. This is his son that’s getting born.” Anna’s mouth drooped, and Charlotte suspected she was close to tears. She felt bad for her daughter-in-law, but the reality was, when Charlotte had gone through labor and delivery she’d been thankful Bob wasn’t at her side.

She was about to leave when suddenly Anna arched her back, clenching her fists and reaching toward Charlotte. “Don’t go!” she cried out. “I don’t want to be alone. I can’t do this alone.”

Charlotte thought of the harried nurse who had brought her here and for a split second wondered if she really wanted to stay. Then she chided herself for her un-Christian attitude. Her daughter-in-law needed her. So she hurried back to Anna’s side and gently grasped her arm. “Just lie back, Anna. Don’t fight it.”

“I just want them to give me some drugs. Why don’t they just give me an epidural?”

Charlotte didn’t know the answer to that question. She’d never had anything like that when she was having children. Right at that moment a young woman strode in wearing a lab coat with a stethoscope hanging out of one pocket, flipping through pages on a metal clipboard. Her name tag said DR. CARSON. She glanced at the board, then at Anna.

“How’s Mom?”

“I’m in pain,” Anna growled, clinging to Charlotte’s arm, her manicured fingernails digging in. “I want an epidural.”

The doctor shook her head. “I’m sorry, Anna. You know you’re not far enough along in labor. We don’t want it to wear off too soon. But when you’re a little closer to delivery, I’ll definitely order you one.”

Anna tried to sit up, grimacing again, and Charlotte caught her by the arm. “Just relax, Anna. The more you fight it, the worse it becomes.”

Dr. Carson shot a grateful glance Charlotte’s way. “She’s right, Anna,” she said. “You’ll have to breathe your way through this first part. And try to relax. You can do it. You’ve done it before.” The doctor gave Anna a pat on the shoulder and then left.

“Try to relax. Is she kidding me?” Anna snarled, dropping her head back on the pillow. “Where is Bill? Why isn’t he here?”

Charlotte poured Anna a cup of ice water and handed it to her. “Here. Would you like a drink?”

Anna took a few sips and then handed it back. “The girls are okay?”

“They’re fine,” Charlotte assured her. She glanced around the room, wondering how she could distract her daughter-in-law, but all she saw was Anna’s coat thrown over the back of a chair and her shoes on the floor. “Where’s your bag?”

To Charlotte’s surprise, Anna’s mouth trembled and a tear slipped out of one corner of her eye. “I didn’t have time to pack one. I thought I had time to get ready. I was supposed to have a couple more weeks. I don’t even have the baby’s clothes here. And I had such a cute outfit for him.”

In the confusion of getting Anna to the hospital, Charlotte had forgotten to remind her to get her things together. “I’m sure we can get all of that to you before you come home.”

“My mother knows where everything is. If she were home, she could just pop down to our house like she always does. What’s the use of having a mother live so close by if she’s not there when you need her?” Anna seemed to grow more agitated and breathed heavily as Charlotte tried to think of how to distract her.

Anna closed her eyes and another tear escaped. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “This hurts way more than it did with the girls.”

“Each pregnancy is different,” Charlotte said, doubting the words soothed Anna but not knowing what else to say.

Anna sucked in a quick breath and arched her back again.

Charlotte stroked her arm. “Don’t fight it. Loosen your shoulders. That’s good. Now your hands. Breathe in really slowly and out really slowly. Now relax your feet and your legs.” She pitched her voice low, and softened her tone, just like she had done when she put her children to bed all those years ago.

As she spoke, she saw Anna’s fists unclench and felt relieved that she wasn’t fighting as hard as she had been.

“I need to be distracted. Tell me about the kids. What are they up to?” Anna asked, breathing more normally. “Tell me about Sam, Emily, and Christopher. Has Sam figured out which college he wants to go to?”

“Sam is working on college application forms, though he seems to be dragging his feet on them. Emily is absorbed in fashion magazines, as always, and Christopher has taken up drawing.”

“And Pete? Has he figured out where he and Dana are going to live?”

“I’m not sure. That’s something they’ll have to figure out together.”

Anna drew in a quick breath through her nose, her gaze suddenly focused on the ceiling. “Here it comes again. This is a bad one. I can’t believe they won’t—” She gasped and clenched the bed rails.

Charlotte looked around the room for a book. Maybe reading to Anna would distract her. She opened the drawer of the side table and found a Bible nestled inside. “Do you want me to read to you?”

Anna nodded, her lips pressed together.

“Just make sure you keep your muscles loose when you feel the pain coming on,” Charlotte said quietly. She opened the Bible to the Psalms and glanced over the pieces before she started.

“Let’s start with a familiar one,” she said, hooking her foot around the leg of a nearby chair and pulling it closer. She hoped the known cadences and rhythms would help soothe Anna. “Psalm 23,” she read aloud. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.”

As she read, Anna reached across the bed rail and clutched Charlotte’s hand, and in the quiet of the hospital room, Charlotte felt a connection with her daughter-in-law she’d never experienced before.

“I’ve always liked that psalm,” Anna said quietly when Charlotte finished. “The first time I heard it was at your house. I think Bob read it after supper. I thought that was so interesting.”

Charlotte frowned. “Really? That was the first time you’d heard it?”

Anna shifted on the bed, wincing as she did so. “My mom and dad seldom went to church. I really didn’t go regularly until I met Bill.” She gave Charlotte a careful smile. “I started going more often because of him. I never told you that before.”

“We never talked much about those things,” Charlotte said carefully.

She and Anna had never been especially close. When Anna started dating Bill, she was so different from the country girls Bill had dated earlier; Charlotte had always felt a bit uncomfortable around her. Anna was always such a fashion plate and a bit aloof. And, truth be told, Anna had a difficult personality that made it hard to get truly close to her. She prided herself on her honesty, which often translated to being blunt and outspoken. She and Pete had never gotten along.

After she and Bill got married, they moved to River Bend, near Anna’s mother. Anna naturally confided in her mother more than Charlotte, and when she did come to the farm, their visits were short.

And when Emily, Sam, and Christopher came, she initially saw them as rivals for Charlotte and Bob’s attention.

Now Anna gave Charlotte a careful smile, which was quickly replaced by a another grimace and a tight squeezing of Charlotte’s hand.

“OK,” Charlotte said in a soothing tone. “Just breathe. S-l-o-w-l-y in … and slowly out. Slowly in and slowly out.”

Anna followed her directions and Charlotte could see her visibly relax. She turned to Charlotte. “Can you read another psalm to me? The one about God being our dwelling place?”

Charlotte frowned as she paged through the Bible, trying to recall which one Anna meant.

“Bob read it one Christmas. There was something in there about generations,” Anna said, stroking her mounded stomach. “And something about establishing the works of our hands?”

“Psalm 90,” Charlotte remembered now. She flipped through the Bible, found it, and began reading, but decided on sharing only the first and last verses since they were the most soothing. While she read, she glanced over at Anna. A gentle smile played over her mouth, and her fingers rhythmically stroked her stomach, as if assuring the baby inside that all would be well.

As she read, on impulse, Charlotte reached over again and covered Anna’s hand with her own, creating the connection through the generations that she’d been reading about in the Bible.

Her son’s son was about to be born, she thought, hoping, praying that Bill would come on time to be there when it happened.

The next few hours slipped by as Charlotte alternately coached Anna through the labor and read to her. Talked to her and offered her ice chips when she needed them. And in that time they ceased to be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law; they were simply two women sharing the elemental bond of childbirth.

By the time the doctor came to administer the epidural, however, Anna was again struggling to stay on top of her pain with her breathing. Charlotte glanced at the clock one more time and sent up yet another prayer that Bill would come soon.

“You have to lie still,” the doctor was saying to Anna, who lay on her side, facing Charlotte.

Charlotte held her hand and talked to her and she could see Anna relax.

Then, just as the doctor finished, a woman strode quickly into the room. Her height was enhanced by her gray hair, which was teased into an immaculate bouffant; her elegant bearing was accentuated by her tailored sage-green suit.

Anna’s mother, Helen Adlai.

“Anna. Honey. I’m here.” Mrs. Adlai gave Charlotte a polite smile, but in the presence of such immaculate elegance, Charlotte felt keenly aware of her faded blue jeans and the frayed edges of her everyday shirt. Unconsciously she put one hand to her hair, adjusting her bob, fiddling with the bobby pin that held it back from her face.

“I think I can take over now,” Mrs. Adlai said, moving to the side of the bed where Charlotte sat. “You’ve been most helpful, Charlotte.”

Charlotte relinquished her hold on Anna’s hand and stepped aside and left the room to allow mother and daughter some time alone.

She felt suddenly superfluous, but at the same time, a sense of peace enveloped her. Being with Anna, helping her through this part of her labor, had been a precious experience, and she was thankful she had been there for her.

But now Anna’s mother was here, and Charlotte felt sure Anna preferred having her mother at her side.

Charlotte pulled Emily’s phone out of her pocket as she glanced at the clock in the waiting room. It was already 9:30, but it would take Pete only about half an hour to come get her. In spite of her brave words to Bob, she really had no desire to stay in a hotel overnight.

“Mom! Where is she? Where’s Anna?”

Charlotte spun around in time to see a tall man rushing toward her, his overcoat flowing out behind him, and she felt a pulse of thankfulness.

Bill.

She walked toward him and was, to her surprise, gathered in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, squeezing her tightly and then drawing away. “I feel so bad that I was gone.”

“You couldn’t have known,” she assured him, brushing a bit of snow off his topcoat. “Anna’s mother is with her now. You might want to collect yourself before you head in there.”

Bill sank into the nearest chair and shoved his hand through his hair just as his father had done only a few hours ago. “I can’t believe I was gone. I feel so bad.”

“I’m sure once she sees you, all will be forgiven,” Charlotte said with a smile.

“How did you get here?” he asked.

“Your father and I drove here together. I told him as soon as you came I would call Pete to come pick me up.”

“Sure. That’s great.” Bill heaved a sigh, and then pushed himself to his feet, shooting anxious glances over his shoulder. “I should go see Anna. See how my wife and my son are doing.”

“I was just about to phone Pete when you walked up.” Bill gave her an absent pat on the shoulder and then hurried away to be at his wife’s side.

Charlotte had to smile. When she’d had her children, Bob waited outside until the doctor came and told him what they had. Now, things were so much different. Epidurals, birth-ing rooms, family members present for the baby’s arrival.

Each had its own positives, she thought as she punched in the numbers for home.

She went downstairs to get a cup of coffee while she waited, not wanting to be in the way. She got back just in time to meet Pete sauntering down the hall. He wore one of his favorite hats—a replica of a World War I flying ace, the flaps hanging down, untied—and a stained, down-filled jacket over the top of his loose blue jeans.

He brightened when he saw her. “Ready to go?”

“Pete. Good to see you.” Bill came out of Anna’s room just at that moment, still wearing his topcoat over his suit.

Charlotte had to smile at the vast difference between her two sons.

Bill addressed Charlotte. “Anna would like you to come in the room. I came out before but you were gone.”

“I just went to get some coffee.” Charlotte slipped her coat on, tiredness falling on her like a cloak. She hadn’t realized how exhausted she was until now.

“Could you come just for a minute?” Bill asked.

Charlotte nodded as she buttoned up her coat, brushing at a stain and then laughing at herself. She was who she was. A woman who lived and worked on a farm. She had no need to feel ashamed of how she looked or dressed compared with Anna’s mother.

“Pete, you want to come in?”

A look of sheer horror dropped over Pete’s face, and Charlotte had to smile. He had watched untold births of calves and a number of foals and puppies, yet he blanched at the merest hint of human birth. He held his hands up, waving them dismissively. “No. I’m fine. I’ll stay here and …”—he glanced down at Charlotte’s half-full cup of coffee—“… make sure no one takes Mom’s coffee.”

Bill frowned, but Charlotte fully understood Pete’s reluctance. She took Bill’s arm, and together they walked into the room.

Anna was sitting up, her hair brushed and, of all things, wearing lipstick. Her mother was buffing her nails. “You want to look good for the pictures afterward, honey. I have the video camera as well …”

“I don’t think we’ll be filming this, Mother Adlai.”

Charlotte was pleased to hear the note of finality in Bill’s voice.

“But it is such a miracle …”

“It will stay an unfilmed miracle.” Bill brought Charlotte to the other side of Anna’s bed. “My mom is leaving now. She wants to say good-bye.”

Anna reached over with her free hand, a genuine smile lifting her lips. “Thanks for being with me,” she said, squeezing Charlotte’s hand. “I’m glad you stayed.”

Charlotte stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of dark hair away from her face. “I am too. You look much more relaxed.”

“The miracle of an epidural,” she said but winced momentarily. “Not entirely foolproof, but much, much better.”

“She’s doing very well now that I’m here,” Mrs. Adlai said with a polite smile.

“I’m sure she is,” Charlotte said, patting Anna on the shoulder and realizing where her outspoken and blunt daughter-in-law got those tendencies.

Charlotte bent over and kissed Anna’s forehead. “You take care, my dear. We’ll be praying for you.”

“Thanks.” Anna squeezed Charlotte’s hand just a bit tighter. “That means a lot to me.”

“Anna, darling, you simply must take better care of these cuticles,” Mrs. Adlai said suddenly.

Bill released a long-suffering sigh, and Charlotte felt a brush of pity for her oldest son. He might be bombastic at times and a bit full of himself, but he certainly had his hands full with these two.

“I’d like to pick up the girls tomorrow.” Mrs. Adlai said. “Would it be possible to have them ready?”

Charlotte couldn’t help a pang of dismay. She loved having all her grandchildren together. It didn’t happen very often.

“I was hoping they could at least spend the day with us,” she said.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Bill frowned, sensing his mother’s disappointment. “Why don’t you get them in the evening? The girls don’t often get to spend a whole day with their cousins, and they love being on the farm.”

“Mother might not have enough time then to go all the way to the farm,” Anna said.

Charlotte felt a pang of disappointment when Anna took her mother’s side. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but at the same time she thought the moment they had shared would have made a bit of a difference.

“I’d like the girls to have some time with their cousins,” Bill said firmly. “And I’d be willing to pick them up tomorrow evening.”

Mrs. Adlai held Anna’s gaze as if challenging her, and then lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. “Of course. I understand.” She gave Charlotte another polite smile. “Thank you so much for taking care of the girls. It’s much appreciated.”

Charlotte simply smiled and was thankful when Bill ushered her out of the room. She didn’t feel comfortable around Anna’s mother.

“As soon as the baby is born, we’ll call,” Bill said.

“We’ll be praying for Anna and the baby,” Charlotte said, squeezing his arm.

“Thanks, Mom.” He glanced over his shoulder and delivered a sigh. “I better get back in there before Anna’s mother figures she should give Anna a pedicure as well.”

Charlotte waved good-bye and as she and Pete left, she had to smile. Like mother like daughter, she thought. And yet, not. In the moments she and Anna had shared, something had shifted and changed for the better.

Please watch over her, Lord, she silently prayed as she and Pete drove back in the dark to the farm. Please ease her pain and let them have a healthy child.

The drive back to the farm was quiet. Charlotte was content to look at the Christmas lights of the town, and then, as they drove into the country, to see how other people had decorated their houses.

Christmas was such a festive occasion and now, with another grandchild on the way, Charlotte felt richly blessed and wonderfully satisfied.

Joy to the world, she thought as they drove along.

Half an hour later, Pete turned the truck onto their driveway, and the twin cones of light from his headlights swept over familiar landscape. He stopped in front of the house, and Charlotte made a mental note to ask Bob to put up their own Christmas lights.

Golden rectangles of light spilled from the lower floor of the house onto the snow, and inside, Charlotte saw Bob’s stooped figure bending over to look out the window. He was joined by Christopher, and then Emily.

They’d been waiting, she thought as a blessed sense of well-being settled over her.

Her family had been waiting for her to come home.