Old Mary laughed. “Yes, flowers.” She continued laughing as she left the room.
Cree wiped Dawn’s wet cheeks as she hugged the small garment to her chest. “I have a gift for you, but I doubt it will be as wonderful as the one from your mother.”
Dawn’s eyes lighted with excitement, and she placed the baby garment on the table.
“A wedding gift for you,” Cree said and pointed to the package that lay next to the garment.
Dawn unwrapped the cloth-covered package and stared for a moment at the drawing material.
“I had told William to make certain he brought back what you needed to draw with and any new drawing implements as well. He has more to show you.”
Dawn almost laughed at the thought that he had rendered her speechless, but how did she let Cree know how very much this gift meant to her? She took his hand and placed it on her chest and looked at him with what she hoped he could see—love and appreciation for him being such a wonderful husband.
“The love in your eyes tells it all,” Cree said and brought his lips to hers.
The babe kicked hard just as they kissed, and Dawn winced as her hand flew to her stomach, though Cree’s hand got there first.
“He is awfully active today,” Cree said, stroking her stomach in hopes of calming the babe.
Dawn nodded with a sigh.
“You will sit and enjoy the festivities, and we will retire early tonight while the villagers continue to enjoy the celebration.”
She nodded and smiled, grateful that she would not have to endure a long night since she was already wishing for her bed.
Cree took her hand. “Let us go and be wed and enjoy this memorable day.”
~~~
Dawn smiled and enjoyed, as best she could, the wedding festivities. It had been several hours since the brief ceremony and she wished she could take her leave. The pain in her back had returned until finally it had refused to go away. She wanted nothing more than to take to her bed and rest.
She wished she did not feel so tired so that she could participate more in the festivities. But then there had been too many years of hardship for the village and this wedding celebration was, in a sense, a celebration of freedom from misery for all.
Dawn watched as Lila and Paul danced happily to the music and how Dorrie was teaching a reluctant Elwin to dance, and then there was Elsa and Neil dancing more jubilantly than the young couples. Her eyes widened when she saw Wintra attempting to pull Cree away from the warriors, he was speaking with, to dance.
“Cree won’t win against my tenacious wife.”
Dawn turned a smile on Torr as he took a seat beside her.
“You look tired. Are you feeling well?”
She faked a yawn to let him know she was tired.
“Perhaps you should retire now. We will keep the celebration going,” Torr said with a smile and concern for his sister.
Dawn was about to gesture that she would go soon when a stabbing pain hit her so hard that she grabbed her stomach and doubled over, her head almost hitting the table.
Torr stood and shouted, “Cree!” Before he could see to Dawn, Cree was there going down on one knee beside her.
“Dawn,” Cree said softly, slipping his hand under her chin to lift her head and when he did, his stomach clenched at how pale she was.
She grabbed Cree’s hand and patted her stomach.
“It is time,” Elsa said from behind Cree.
“Now? The babe is ready to be born now?” Cree asked as if he did not believe it.
Elsa reaffirmed with a smile. “Now. And it would be wise to get her to her bedchamber right away.”
Cree stood and eased his wife into his arms.
Cheers rang out for good luck and good fortune for the child that was about to be born and the celebration continued as Cree rushed through the keep to their bedchamber.
He sat Dawn on the bed once in the room, though did not let go of her hand.
“You may leave now, my lord,” Elsa said, Lila, Wintra, and Old Mary following her into the room.
“I am not leaving her.” He held up his hand, stopping Elsa from speaking. “I will not repeat myself.”
Elsa nodded. “As you wish, but I must ask you not to get in our way.”
He nodded. “I will sit beside the bed and hold her hand.”
Elsa looked none too happy, but she had no choice but to obey.
Elsa instructed Wintra as to what to do, but Lila knew what needed doing and went about doing it. Old Mary remained by the fire, Cree having heard her say that she was present for Dawn’s birth and she wanted to be present for Dawn’s babe’s birth too.
As the pain worsened so did Cree’s concern for his wife. It tore him apart to see her struggle in silence to give birth to their child. And he did not know how he would be able to put her through this again. But it would be inevitable, since he knew he would never be able to keep his hands off her. He promised himself that if she had to suffer then so would he. He would be with her through every birth, and he would endure the pain as if his heart was being ripped from his body as he watched his wife suffer through childbirth.