Addie appeared, Hagen at her side, and Alyce had to smile, for if she were right about the pair, it would no doubt create a problem, though she would side with Addie.
“She’s in labor?” Addie asked.
“I believe so,” Zia said. “We need to get her upstairs.”
Lachlan scooped her up and everyone cheered as he carried her out of the room and up the stairs.
Once Alyce was in bed, Zia attempted to chase Lachlan from the room.
“No, I won’t leave her.”
He turned when he heard his brother’s laughter.
Cavan entered the room. “I recall saying the same, but you’ll be coming with me just as I went with you, though I didn’t want to.”
“I’ll be fine,” Alyce assured him. “And if I should want you, I will send for you.”
Lachlan nodded and kissed her cheek. “That’s good enough for me, since I know nothing would stop you from getting me here even if you had to come get me yourself.”
“You truly do know me,” she laughed.
He nuzzled at her ear. “Every inch and breath of you, wife.”
Alyce gasped startled, and Zia hurried over and with one look said, “The sack broke, the pains will be close soon enough.”
Cavan rushed Lachlan out of the room and hurried him back to the festivities.
After an hour Lachlan snuck upstairs to check on his wife and his mother chased him away.
“She has no time for you now,” she said, shutting the door in his face.
By the third time, Addie had stationed Hagen in front of the door with orders that Lachlan was not allowed to disturb them. Surprisingly, the large man was sympathetic to Lachlan’s plight and took time to speak with him before convincing him it was better he waited downstairs.
It was just before midnight, the celebration worn down, a few stragglers remaining, mostly warriors with no women to go home to and a snowstorm raging outside.
“It could take the whole night,” Artair said. “It’s just the way of things.”
“That makes me feel good,” Lachlan said.
Cavan laughed. “He wasn’t that reasonable when Zia gave birth.”
Lachlan chuckled. “He wasn’t?”
“Not a bit,” Cavan said. “I remember that I had to hold him down from running to her near the end when her screams got bad.”
Lachlan cringed. “Damn, why did you tell me that?”
“It’s just the way of things,” Artair insisted.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Lachlan said, covering his ears for a moment, though his eyes turned wide and his hands fell to his sides when he saw Hagen enter the hall.
“I was told to fetch you,” he said to Lachlan.
Cavan stood. “Is there a problem?”
“Don’t know,” Hagen said. “Addie just told me to bring Lachlan.”
Cavan placed a strong hand on Lachlan’s shoulder.
“I haven’t heard a scream from her,” Lachlan said, worried as they climbed the stairs. “Why hasn’t she screamed?”
Artair followed but offered no sensible advice and that worried Lachlan all the more. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Why hadn’t he heard his wife scream while trying to deliver their child?
Hagen lead them down the hall to the bedchamber, Lachlan behind him and Cavan and Artair following. Hagen rapped on the door and when it opened he stepped aside.
Lachlan stood in the doorway afraid to enter, afraid to hear that he had lost his beloved wife or child or both.
“Mother?” he said as if begging her to tell him.
Addie broke into a grin. “Alyce delivered your son without so much as a peep.”
Lachlan near cried out with relief and joy, and he hurried to his wife’s side, stopping abruptly when he saw the bundle in her arms and peered over the blanket at his newborn son.
“He’s handsome like you,” Alyce said with pride. “And didn’t give me a bit of trouble birthing, and he smiled just like you when Zia placed him in my arms.”
“Just like you,” Zia confirmed with a soft laugh.
Lachlan was speechless. His wife looked radiant, not at all weary, and his son was a good size with a thatch of dark hair just like his own. He felt blessed, so very blessed.
Alyce held the babe out to him. “Hold your son.”
Lachlan didn’t hesitate. He cradled the tiny bundle in his arms for all to see. “My son, Roark Sinclare.” He announced proudly the name he and Alyce had decided upon.
Everyone took turns looking at the sleeping babe who in turn favored them with a smile just like his father’s, and they all laughed claiming like father like son.
Once Alyce yawned, Zia chased everyone from the room and ordered her to rest for the babe would soon wake wanting to suckle.