Baby Edyln makes an arrival.

Chapter 34 Baby Edyln

 Photo by pixabay.com

Melanie waited another week before she told her husband that she was pregnant. She needed time to process the death of her mother. Time was required for healing one’s grief. Time, Melanie was tempted to freeze time since her mother told her she had cancer. Their family had lost so many to darkness and evil, but cancer was a new one. Perhaps other generations did die from it, but no one knew what it was. Melanie was in her own darkness, she needed to come out of it. She needed to get her center back. Ireland! They would take a trip back to their cottage in Ireland. They would need to do it soon. After another few months, Melanie would not be able to travel. Lucious would start kindergarten in the fall too. She needed this trip; they would stay until the baby was born. Ryan had thankfully finished college and had made a successful business of tinctures, with his wife’s help, of course, that cured people of what ails them. It was all herbal remedies handed down for thousands of years. The business was up, his partner agreed to run it in his absence, and they all booked the plane to Ireland for the following month. They would finish packing up this place soon. They would move all their things into Melanie’s mother's brownstone. She had left it to Melanie and it was paid in full. It had more rooms and the baby could have her own bedroom. Her mother was always so generous. A thought flashed through Melanie’s mind, “I hope when I am gone people have only good things to say about me.” They would now leave it all boxed up in the new home and hop a plane. They would deal with it all when they came back. Ryan was so motivated to be a good father to his daughter that he went and bought all new baby furniture; he ever made a mobile from the natural material for the baby to be. He and Lucious were always whispering. Melanie’s heart was full and her belly was getting there also.

Ryan had been told everything about Ireland. Melanie would take him into town, forage on the hillside with him, and learn about the hearth and burning peat. He was going to have his hands full. Melanie would be delivering the baby in Ireland. Ryan was assured that they have great medical care and he only needs to make a call they would be whisked away to the hospital. Ryan did not want his wife giving birth outside laying in the grass and him catching the baby. He thought she was going to regret them all going to this remote cottage, but when he entered the cottage with Lucious asleep in his arms, he could feel they were home. He was not a Kellyn, but the sensation of home resonated deep in his bones. Even Ryan could tell they were home. 

Melanie and her men were held up for a week before the provisions they brought into the cabin with them had run out. Melanie told Ryan to ride into town and go to the market to get what they needed. Ryan looked at her in puzzlement and she handed him a list. He said, “We were dropped off, we don’t have a car honey.” She opened the back door and there stood her white steed. He neighed to say hello and Ryan looked stunned. Melanie told her husband the steed knew where to take him, to be gentle and encouraging with him and he would take care of him for her. Ryan needed food for his family, so slowly he shuffled over to the horse. The horse snorted and Ryan jumped back. Melanie walked to the steed and put her hand on his nose, she touched her forehead to the horse nose next and without any words calmed the steed down and assured him that her husband was worthy too of riding him. Ryan cautiously climbed up onto the steed and pets his mane and said. “Good boy.” The steed turned toward town and Ryan was last heard saying “Good boy, just don’t kill me, I really love those two.”

A few hours later and Melanie was getting worried. The broom at the hearth even seemed to be trembling in fear again. Melanie hoped it was just jumpy and nothing evil was coming again and then Melanie heard the steed. She ran to the backdoor and Ryan was standing next to the steed talking to it. He was telling him thank you for being there for him, but also for his wife the last time she was in the cottage. The steed trotted out the back gate with his head held high and then vanished into the night until they needed him again. Ryan was amazed at the magical creatures he had seen since marrying Melanie. A magical horse was the last of many things Ryan had to adjust to. He had taken it all in stride until he realized his daughter might have magical powers too. Then he had a meltdown. He came up to Melanie all jittery as a June bug and struggled to speak, “Witch, daughter, don’t know what to do, I’m mortal, I, I, I just don’t know.” Melanie sensed all his anxiousness about their child together and calmed him with a tight hug and whispered in his ear, “She is your daughter, you will know, you are here daddy.”

The next day Melanie lay in bed. She had some bad pain through the night. It felt like labor but she was so early. She hoped the baby was ok. They phoned the doctor and later she came out to the cottage to examine Melanie. She told them both that Melanie is to remain in bed until the baby comes. That this was an easy complication to avoid, because Melanie needed rest and she would remain on bedrest till the baby came. The doctor had gotten the contractions to stop, but if Melanie became active again there would be difficulties that could cause severe consequences. Ryan waited on Melanie and enjoyed taking care of her. Lucious helped and carried in the food trays to his mom. He presented her with it three times a day and was so proud of the food him and Ryan had prepared for his mom. He loved spending time in bed with his mom reading, talking, playing go fish, and just snuggling.

Melanie was getting antsy to get out of bed. She had knit sweaters for her sweet baby girl. She made her hats and booties, and tons of blankets. She was nesting from her own safe nest. She wanted to go out for a walk, but was stuck inside. Ryan heaped blankets on Melanie and threw open her bedroom windows. It was brisk out with a blustery breeze, but Melanie inhaled deep and instantly felt better. She needed fresh air. With Melanie in the bed he maneuvered it around so that the bed was facing the windows. Melanie could watch the sheep on the hillside right from her bed. He climbed into bed with her and Lucious. Melanie shifted and rested on her husband’s chest. She could hear his heartbeat. She was truly blessed. She had an amazing man who loved her, a son who was coming into his own with his magic, and a baby girl who would be such a blessing to the whole family. A new Kellyn woman was coming into the world. Melanie knew Ryan was hoping she would be mortal and Melanie had no feeling of magic like she did with Lucious in her womb, but you never knew until the baby was born and did something extraordinary and magical that they possessed the gift of magic.

A month had passed by and the doctor visited again. She was happy to see Melanie doing so well on bedrest. She did not see or hear anything out of the norm and was confident that Melanie would go full term and give birth to a healthy little girl. Melanie and Ryan relaxed with this new news and gathered more for the nursery. They needed to do something to get ready; they were both going nuts being cooped up. Ryan made a mobile from natural elements outside and he and Melanie made a mobile for the crib. Ryan washed baby clothes and all the hand knits from Melanie knitting like mad while stuck in bed. He washed crib sheets, baby blankets, baby bonnets, and baby towels and wash cloths. Melanie sat up in bed folding, folding, and folding. They would be ready whenever Edyln was ready to come out.

Another month and another doctor visit. This time Melanie’s blood pressure was low, the baby’s heart beat was slow, and 

Ryan and Melanie were instantly worried. The doctor assured her that sometimes it happens, but there was no big concern. Both were in the just below normal range. The doctor promised another visit within the week and when she came back she found both issues had improved and that everyone seemed happy and healthy again. Ryan and Melanie resumed getting ready for their baby girl and then Griffin showed up. Melanie had such trepidation about him showing up again across the pond that she started to get up and freak out. He climbed into bed with her to stop her and nuzzled her. He assured her that no one was any danger, but he wanted to be here to protect the baby when it was born just in case. Griffin felt responsible for everyone in his family, even the baby that was yet to be born. Melanie’s fears subsided and she lay back down into bed and napped harder than she had since they arrived a few months prior. Griffin would let no harm come to their sweet and loving family.

The doctor returned within another week’s time and checked on Melanie. Again Melanie and the baby appeared to be ok. All vitals on both were good. This time the doctor had to inform them that she had to go out of town for a few weeks, but could be reached by phone always. Since Melanie and the baby appeared to be ok, Melanie was ok with her doctor leaving. She was not due for one more month and was having no contractions and was feeling better then she had the entire pregnancy. Everyone was content with how things had been progressing and the doctor said her goodbyes and headed back into town. No magic from her belly, no pains from her abdomen, no signs of trouble, until there were some.

and just like that a new baby. Magical? maybe, special, hell yes, cannot wait to share the ending with you :D

your story teller/poet

Debbie xoxo