My Name is Rapunzel(42)

How had I not known? “You're already married? Why? We could have had a party, even if just for the family.”

“I am…well. You know.” There was that blush again, this time more beet red than rosy.

“Ahh. I see. Well, congratulations. I’m truly happy for you both.”

“Thanks so much.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Suzette.”

“I’m Rapunzel. Good to meet you, Suzette. I’ll leave you to your gardening now.”

I grinned as I climbed the steps to the tower. I did hope they'd be happy. And it would be nice to have another woman on the grounds. Maybe we could be friends. How much had Tom told her about me? I'd have to find out.

***

What was that? I sat back on my heels. It sounded like panting. An animal?

Seconds later, I heard frantic rustling in the hedges. Would I be attacked by a rabid badger among my roses?

“Miss? Miss Rapunzel?” I heard the voice before I saw the face.

“Tom? Is that you?” I stood and dusted my hands.

Tom burst through the hedge, his face white with panic and mottled red with exertion. Sweat dripped from his curls.

I rushed to him. “What is it? Is it Suzette? The baby?” That must be it. Baby Cavanaugh on its way and poor Tom didn’t know what to do. I offered a slight smile. All would be fine.

He gasped for breath and held up a finger. “It’s…it’s…b–bad.”

“It’ll be fine, Tom. Babies are born every day.” I patted his hand. “This is a beautiful day.”

Tom whipped his head from side to side. “So…much…bl–blood.” His eyebrows furrowed in desperation. “Come? Please?” He turned and ran back the way he came, never minding the hedges that likely tore at his flesh.

I followed close at Tom's heels as he rushed into his little stone cottage. I glanced around briefly. A new generation of Cavanaughs was about to enter the world. Would this one keep my secret, too? This was my one connection to the outside world.

“Where is she?” God, please let her live. Where had that come from?

Tom jerked his head toward the back of the house where the bedroom was. “Come.” He stormed into the small room, his face draining of color as he stared at the gray pallor of his wife.

It didn’t look good…even I could tell that. “Don't worry, Tom. I'll do what I can for her. Go get lots of water and towels.” Forget boiling the water, no time for that.

Tom rushed from the room, seemingly grateful for something to do. I put my hand on Suzette’s forehead. Fever raged. She had an infection already. There was nothing I could do for her.

Suzette's eyes flew open and she locked her gaze with mine. She released the sheets she’d been clenching and reached her trembling hands for mine. “Please…save my…baby.” Her hands fell to her sides in exhaustion.

I lifted the blanket that covered her shivering body. The blood. Oh, so much blood. What was that? Feet? Legs? The baby, a boy, was half in, half out of the home where he’d been so safe for the past months.

“Okay, Suzette. You need to focus. Once we get him out—”

Her eyes flew open. “Him? Him? It's a boy.” A smile settled on her face and her eyes glinted with satisfaction.

“Yes, it's a boy, but we have to get him fully birthed. When we have him out, we can help you.” Though I had no idea how. “Okay, this is the hard part. He’s breech so I've got to help him be born. You have to be strong, mama.”

She nodded, the determination in her eyes unmistakable. “Just…do…whatever you have to do.”

Woman to woman, we locked eyes. She knew as well as I did that she’d never hold that baby, but she would give him life. That was the best gift she could give her son.

“Okay, with the next contraction, you need to push with everything you've got, Suzette.” I lifted her chin to focus on my eyes. “Do you hear me?” This was it. The baby had to come out or they would both die.

She nodded. “Go.” Suzette scrunched her eyes closed and waited for nature.

“Okay. Here we go. I want you to push.” I placed my hands around the baby’s knees and tugged.

Tom looked over my shoulder. “Are they going to be okay?”

I ignored him. What was there to say? “Suzette, push! Tom, get behind her. Help her.” He knelt on the bed behind his wife and supported her with his body as he held her legs up. Suzette reached her arms around and clenched his forearms as she gritted her teeth. She bore down with every fiber of strength she could muster. Evidenced by the curling of her toes and the blood pooling in her eyes, it was all she had to give.

I worked my fingers among the baby’s shoulders and twisted as she pushed. Finally, one arm and shoulder popped out free with a noise like the vacuum seal on a jar. The other came more easily and the head came right out. A perfect baby boy, bloody and full of life, lay squirming on the towel between his mother’s legs. I rubbed his face with one corner of the towel and scooped the mucous from his mouth. A hearty cry filled the cottage.