“Go,” Snow urged her husband. “My sisters will take good care of me.”
Tarass kissed her cheek once more and whispered, “I love you always.”
“And I you, husband,” Snow said and felt him reluctantly let go of her hand.
“Come on, Thaw. You’re coming with me.”
The pup looked from Tarass to Snow from where he sat on the floor with his chin resting on the bed on the opposite side from Tarass, reluctant to leave Snow.
“Go with Tarass, Thaw,” Snow said. “You will return soon.”
The pup followed Tarass and Ruddock to the door.
Ruddock slapped Tarass on the back after leaving the room. “All will go well.”
“I don’t recall you wanting to leave Sorrell’s side when her birthing time came,” Tarass said as they descended the stairs.
“And who helped remove me from the room?”
“Me and Slatter,” Tarass said, recalling how he thought he and Slatter would have to drag Ruddock away from Sorrell.
“How was it that Slatter left his wife’s birthing room with no help from us?” Ruddock asked as they entered the Great Hall.
“I have a more charming tongue than the both of you do.” Slatter laughed and handed tankards of ale to the two men. “Talk and drink will get you through the birth.”
Tarass took the tankard, turning his head to glance toward the stairs, while Slatter and Ruddock talked, his thoughts and heart with his wife. The memory of almost losing her when she had suffered the miscarriage still plagued him and there was that small stab of fear that he could lose her to childbirth. His worry would not end until this birthing ordeal was done.
“I can’t believe it. You’re so fortunate. Why couldn’t I be that fortunate and deliver my son so easily?” Sorrell complained, hugging her newly born nephew to her. “I labored for hours on end. I never thought the pain would end.”
Willow laughed. “You did not labor long compared to most.”
“But I struggled to get him out of me and she,” —Sorrell nodded to Snow sitting up in bed— “spits out this one, a good-sized bairn, with ease. I tell you it’s not fair.”
Snow stretched her arms out to Sorrell and she reluctantly surrendered her nephew to his mum. She hugged him to her chest, looking down with delight, so grateful to see his face that so resembled his da’s.
“He’s a handsome one,” Willow said.
“All the lads are,” Snow said and laughed softly. “Though, I wonder how three sisters with no knowledge of brothers or the like will raise three sons.”
“With lots of prayers and courage,” Sorrell said seriously, then burst out laughing. “If we can handle our husbands, we certainly can handle wee lads. Though, I don’t know about that husband of yours, Snow. He does like to dictate. It’s like he thinks he’s a King.”
Snow almost laughed at the truth to her words, but then realized the danger of the thought, and understood why her husband’s parents rushed him out of Scotland. But Tarass’s da had seen to it that no one had lived to tell the tale. Or had he? It was a question she knew would forever haunt her.
“You pale. Are you not feeling well?” Willow asked, concerned.
“I’ve just delivered a bairn,” Snow said with a smile, as if it explained all.
Sorrell pointed at Snow. “And color returns like magic to her cheeks. I was pale and tired for days after and here she is sitting up as if after a relaxing nap when she just spewed out a bairn.”
“The details of your son’s birth grows into a tall tale with each telling,” Willow said, grinning.
“I think what matters the most about each of our sons’ births is that the three of us were together, helping, encouraging, sharing, and loving as we always did. We’ve faced many things together and we’ll face more through the years to come… together.” Snow stretched her hand out and her sisters hurried to take hold of it.
“Always together,” Willow said, sniffing back tears.
“No one will keep the courageous Macardle sisters from one another, not ever,” Sorrell said.
Willow and Sorrell leaned down to Snow so the three of them could hug and when they parted, tears filled all their eyes.
“I believe we should let my husband know he has a son,” Snow said, wiping at her eyes.
“I’ll go tell him and bring him to you,” Sorrell said, running her arm across her eyes.
“Maybe I should—”
“No,” Sorrell said, not giving Willow a chance to finish. “I cherish the thought of—”
“Be nice, Sorrell,” Willow and Snow said in unison.
“I’m always nice,” Sorrell said and left the room mumbling.
Tarass paced the floor in the Great Hall, Thaw keeping stride with him.
“You’ll both wear yourself out if you keep that up,” Ruddock advised.
“It will be hours before the bairn arrives,” Slatter said. “Don’t you recall how Ruddock and I were so patient while our wives birthed our sons?”