Epilogue
Abby screamed, cursing her husband who, right at this moment, wasn’t beside her, so she could kick him in the face.
“Keep pushing, Abigail. The babe is almost here.”
She cringed, wanting to crawl out of her own body, to do anything to get away from the monstrous sized baby she was trying to push out. She didn’t need anyone to remind her she was having a baby, she could feel it well enough.
“I see the head!”
Abby glared at Gwen, who along with the clan healer, bent between her legs looking at the little rascal that surely was trying to split her in two. Another contraction tensed her stomach, and she pushed hard, feeling only the slightest reprieve from the pain when she worked with the contractions instead of against them.
“Keep pushing, lass. We’re almost there.”
“Oh God, it hurts,” she screamed, pushing.
“Stop, lass, the head’s out.”
She panted, trying to halt the need to get this baby out while her body wanted to be rid of it. The baby felt huge, obviously took after his father.
“One more push, lass, and it’ll be out. It’s almost over,” the healer said, nodding energetically.
Tears pooled in her eyes and for the first time in the year and a half she’d been living in medieval Scotland, she wished she was in her own time. A time when there were hospitals, doctors, and an epidural.
One last push and finally, relief poured through her with the announcement the baby was out. A small, gurgling cry sounded and she sobbed, both in relief and gratitude.
She was a mom.
“It’s a girl!” Gwen laughed, handing the small little person to her and laying her on her chest. Abby looked down at who she and Aedan had created, and a love, unlike any she’d ever known, assailed her.
There was no doubt she loved Aedan, hadn’t thought she could love anyone more with her heart and soul, but she was wrong. As the sweet cherub face scrunched and cried up at her, Abby knew she’d never love another more. She’d die before allowing anything to happen to this little sweetheart.
“Has Aedan returned?” she asked, not taking her gaze from their child.
“I’ll go and check,” Gwen said, standing and kissing her cheek quickly. “Congratulations, Abigail. She’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t she?” She sniffed, sitting up a little when the clan healer said she was okay to do so. Abby opened the wadding to check her daughter had all ten fingers and toes. Her little face scrunched up in annoyance at being unwrapped and she quickly covered her again lest she become cold.
The sound of shouts from outside, followed by banging doors and yelling downstairs made her start. She lifted her little girl up and kissed her, giving her a little cuddle just as her bedroom door burst open.
Aedan stormed into the room, his face one of worry and despair.
“I missed it,” he said, coming to sit beside her on the bed and kissing her quickly on the temple before gazing lovingly at their daughter. “Are ye well, lass? Is there naught anyone can do for ye?”
“I’m fine, Aedan. I’ll be sore for a few weeks, but otherwise, it looks like I survived my first childbirth.” She handed the baby over, chuckling a little as her brute of a husband made an awkward attempt at gentleness.
“What shall we call her?” Abby asked, reaching over to touch their little girl’s soft cheek.
“It’s a girl?”
He sounded surprised and she nodded. “Yes, it is. We’ll have a boy next time.”
“Just as long as you’re healthy, I don’t care what we have.”
He met her gaze, and her heart thudded hard in her chest. How she loved him so. Over the past year, he’d ensured her transition to Highland life was one of ease and enjoyment. And certain situations had improved since being here. She’d certainly showed them a few new ways to live, hints stolen from the future and put into practice here.
Abby watched him get to know their daughter, her little eyes looking at him, even though she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything for some weeks yet. “So,” she said, nudging him. “What shall we call her?”
“She’s as perfect as a pearl, how do you like Maisie?”
Abby clasped her daughter’s little hand, marveling at how small and precious she was. “I love it, and I love you. Thank you for making her with me.” Tears fell unheeded and she welcomed the comforting arm Aedan wrapped about her.
“You’re everything to me, Abigail. My life has never been more full or happy since the day you landed at my feet. And I promise ye, I will never let harm come to you or Maisie in my lifetime. I promise ye that.”
“I know you will.”
And Aedan kept his promise. Always.
Did you love this Select Historical book? Check out more of our historical romance titles !
Don’t miss more books by Tamara Gill! Sign up for our newsletter !