It was only a couple of hours later when a surprised Elsa announced that delivery was near. “A short labor,” she said with a smile.
Cree glared at her. How could she think this was a short labor?
Dawn was relieved that the babe would soon be born, the pain having been more than she had imagined, though it was nothing compared to the pain she saw in her husband’s eyes as he held her hand and spoke softly and encouragingly to her. She knew of no man who stayed with his wife during delivery of their child. Cree was truly a remarkable husband.
“All right, Dawn, it is almost time,” Elsa said. “When I tell you to push, push hard.”
Lila stood beside Elsa, a towel in her hand ready to take the babe. Wintra stood behind them, her eyes wide and her face pale.
“Push!” Elsa said.
Dawn gripped Cree’s hand tightly and pushed with all her might.
“He is slipping out with ease,” Elsa announced with a pleased laugh. A sharp cry pierced the air, and Elsa laughed again. “The lad’s not even all the way out and already he’s crying.”
Dawn smiled and looked to Cree. He smiled and kissed her forehead, relieved that this ordeal would soon be done and thrilled to welcome a son.
“He is a good size and looks fit,” Elsa announced as she held him up for all to see.
Cree felt his chest tighten with pride at the sight of his son. He had barely a sprinkle of light fuzz for hair and he was long and solid in weight with a cry on him that rivaled his father’s roar. He did not think he could ever know such joy, and he leaned down and whispered to Dawn, “Thank you for giving me such a fine son.”
She smiled and her face suddenly contorted in pain.
“Oh good Lord, there’s another one in there,” Elsa said.
“What do you mean another one?” Cree asked.
“Twins,” Elsa said, handing the babe over to Lila.
She wrapped the wailing babe in the blanket and took him to the table to clean him up, a basin of warm water waiting there for her. Wintra remained next to Elsa in case she needed help.
“Twins?” Cree repeated as if trying to comprehend that there would be two babes.
“Yes, now leave me be,” Elsa snapped and looked up at a scowling Cree. “This one is having some difficulty. She needs my attention.” Elsa did not wait for a command. She got busy seeing to the babe.
Cree felt his chest tighten again, though this time with worry. He looked to his wife and saw the same worry mirrored in her eyes. “It will be all right.” But she cringed in pain, her head tilting back and he could only imagine the scream that echoed so silently inside her.
Old Mary was suddenly at the bedside. She patted Dawn’s head. “A gift, my child. A gift from the heavens.” She drifted away then.
“You need to push, Dawn, and hard,” Elsa ordered.
Cree held her hand. “You can do it. You are strong like my warriors.”
Dawn gave him a weak smile and pushed with what strength she had left.
“That’s it, that’s it—” Elsa suddenly turned silent and no cry was heard.
Dawn looked frantically to Cree.
“What’s wrong,” Cree demanded.
“You have a daughter,” Elsa said.
Dawn’s head fell back, and she wanted to scream for her daughter who would never be able to do so herself, just like her mother.
Cree felt as if his chest had been gripped by a mighty hand, the pain was so intense and when he looked at his wife, tears falling from her eyes on a day that should hold such joy for her; he wanted to roar out his anger. But he held it back like a dam trying to hold back an angry sea.
He took hold of his wife’s hand and she squeezed tight, her tear-filled eyes looking to him as if she was sorry. It tore at his heart and he leaned down and kissed her wet cheeks. “I love you and I love the babes you gave me this day.”
Wintra, fighting back tears, took the wiggling child from Elsa and held her high for Dawn to see. “She is a beauty like her mother.”
Elsa cut the cord while she fought back tears.
Cree let go of his wife’s hand and walked over to his sister who was wiping the babe clean. She had a thatch of dark red hair like her mother and the prettiest face he had ever seen, and she was so tiny, though wiggled fiercely in Wintra’s arms as if she was trying to break free. He took his daughter from her and her squirming calmed as he lifted her to rest her cheek against his. “I love you, little one, and I will hear you as clearly as I hear your beautiful mother.”