Their Miracle Baby

“You have to be prepared for the mother to reject you. Birth is a woman’s thing around here, that’s why you haven’t come before. But honestly I’m a little nervous to be going on my own. I’ve never done this alone, I could use some support.”

“Then I’m your support. If I can’t help directly, at least I’ll be there emotionally,” he said, shouldering his pack. “Want me to carry yours?”

“Thank you, but I’m good. I’ve gotten used to hauling stuff all over the mountain. Let’s go,” she said, grabbing her pack and heading out.

The trip to the village was easier than she’d expected, certainly easier than getting to some of the other villages would have been. She’d been to the village a couple of times with Ronnie so she was accepted in her place immediately. After a quick examination of the woman, she concluded that it was a breech birth and that she’d have to turn the baby.

The thought that what she was going to have to do would mean the difference between life and death scared her, but she knew that if she did nothing death for both would be the only outcome. Giving orders for fresh bedding to be brought, she took a moment to collect her thoughts.

Walking behind the small hut, she looked into the forest, reviewing the procedure in her mind. She was concentrating so deeply that she barely noticed when Lewis’ arms came around her from behind. Instinctively, she leaned into him, taking a small moment of solace from his mere presence.

“You can do this. You’ve been with Ronnie when she’s done the procedure. Use your instincts, they won’t let you down. I have faith in you,” he whispered in her ear.

She took a deep steading breath, then pulled away from him. “Thank you. I needed to hear that,” she said, hugging him.

The birth went better than she ever could have hoped for. She was able to turn the baby on the first try, then he slid out easy as could be. The mother was exhausted but alive, with minimal injury to anyone. She still had major concerns about bleeding and infection, but they’d made it over the first hurdle.

Lewis had watched amazed as Venetia saved the woman’s life. He’d never doubted his love for her, but that had been a different kind of love, one born from passion not respect. Now standing here watching her clean the new baby, he felt a new kind of love, one filled with respect and admiration. He was beyond proud that this beautiful, capable women was his, and later he’d tell her that.

But for now they had a patient who needed their skills. It would be hours before the mother could be considered safe. He knew without even asking that Venetia wouldn’t leave her side for that time. She’d already begun to unpack the supplies she’d now use to treat the woman, and he was interested to learn about the plants he’d seen her fussing over for weeks.

He’d never given much thought to holistic medicine, but in neurosurgery there weren’t many plants that could do the job he could. But now that his eyes were open to enjoying the present, he’d do just that and learn something in the process.

Late that night, he finally left Venetia with her patient. They were both sleeping soundly, but he desperately needed someplace to stretch out and sleep himself. He found his way to the central fire and one of the men took him to a hut where he was asleep in minutes.

The next morning as he approached the hut, he could hear women laughing and the gurgle of a baby. He’d known long before he’d gone to bed last night that everyone would be fine, but it was still good to hear the happy sounds coming out of the open door.

There were so many woman standing around outside that he practically had to fight his way through, it was clear that there was a celebration going on after the birth yesterday. When he finally managed to get inside, he was greeted by smiling faces. The mother looked happy and healthy, a fat baby in her arms. Venetia looked excited and proud, but the exhaustion was still evident in the dark circles under her eyes. Still, she was high on the success of yesterday and probably wouldn’t come down until later in the day.

Before he could say much more than good morning, he was pushed out of the hut and in the direction of the central fire. There he was given a huge breakfast, which was quickly followed by a busy day of treating the villagers. He hadn’t expected that but was pleased that they trusted him enough to bring him their illnesses.

He saw Venetia a couple of times that day, but they hardly had time to say more than a few words to each other. The mother and baby were doing fine, but he understood her need to stay close. Three days always seemed to be the magic number, so she’d keep a close eye on her until then. In the meantime, he’d have to find something to occupy his time.

By late afternoon, he’d finished the last patient and slumped down exhausted by the fire, determined to wait until Venetia came out for a dinner break. His patience was rewarded an hour later, when she came slowly into the center of the village. She looked exhausted, the dark circles under her eyes clear even in the firelight.

He jumped to his feet and led her to where he’d been sitting, sat her down, then went and got her some food. She ate it mechanically, hardly noticing what she was putting in her mouth. When she was finished, he helped her up and guided her to the hut where he’d slept last night. He put her to bed, only taking her shoes off, before tucking the blanket around her shoulders.

He’d have to share the bed with her later that night, since the villagers seemed to think that they were married. He wasn’t sure how they came to that conclusion, but he’d been unable to convince them otherwise. As tired as he was, he left her and went back to the fire, knowing that this was going to be a long night; he’d never be able to sleep lying next to her, knowing he couldn’t touch her.