Watching Barnabas holding the tiny infant, Emeline felt her eyes tear up. The man was so strong and rugged, working to protect the town, chasing cattle all over the countryside, dabbling in mines, facing the wilds that Montana had to offer. Yet...there he was, so gentle and loving, holding their son with such reverence.
When the baby started to fuss, Emeline pushed herself up in the bed so she was sitting. "If you rock him gently that should calm him," she advised, then added, a bit teasing, "and maybe sing to him." It was going to be a treat to watch Barnabas grow as a father.
"I'll do that." He said softly without looking up. Barnabas then began the gentle rocking the chair provided and almost instantly Wheeler settled down. "I'll not sing to him, no sense in scaring the boy, but, I can hum to him." With that, Barnabas began to hum a long forgotten melody that returned to him.
There were things to be done, that could wait, supper to be brought up, that could wait. All that mattered at the moment was his time with his son, even though he knew that he needed to get up and get after it, he rocked gently.
As he and Wheeler rocked, and he hummed, in his mind's eye he could already see the boy growing, learning to ride, shoot, hunt, and fish. It would be a time unlike any he had ever known and he couldn't wait for it.
"You're a natural," Emeline murmured, shifting so that she was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Or do you have practice on calves?" she teased with a grin.
Slowly, she stood, giving herself a moment to steady herself, then walked over and caressed Barnabas' cheek and kissed him softly. "You're going to be an amazing father, you know. Our children are lucky."
The future was still uncertain, always uncertain, but she refused to think anything negative. She was going to embrace what she'd been blessed with, and not question it.
"I can make it down to the kitchen," she commented, "for supper, so our guest doesn't feel neglected. I'll be fine for a bit." It was starting to get dark, so it would be time for bed soon anyway.
Barnabas smiled, "Sure, sure. you're the best judge of how you feel, me? I'm just concerned for your well being. Now, the question is, are you saying' I'm to carry Wheeler downstairs since he's shy of walkin' ability on his own." A reasonable question, as she would need to steady herself on the handrail going down the flight of stairs.
"I can handle this little guy, I just worry about you, but, as I said, you are the best judge of yer own health." He added. "So lead on little lady, Pythias is hard at it over supper, so there's nothin' for you to do in the kitchen. You and the boy can just sit and enjoy the storm." Thunder picked that moment to roll across the heavens and a flash of lightning followed it lighting up the sky, as well as the room. "Thought the flurries was bad enough, now the rain."
"Sure, sure. you're the best judge of how you feel, me? I'm just concerned for your well being. Now, the question is, are you saying' I'm to carry Wheeler downstairs since he's shy of walkin' ability on his own."
"Don't you worry." Grinning, Emeline kissed his cheek. "Soon enough he'll be chasing his papa all over, a happy shadow." It was easy to imagine the little toddler running after his father, trying to emulate him in every way, even riding the range after cows! She'd have to pick a fine colt for him, come Spring, and start seeing to its training, so the boy and the horse would both be ready at the same time.
She slipped a light quilted robe over her night dress, not as good as a proper dress, but good enough, and she was too drained to care much...this concealed what needed concealing!
"Just remember not to drop him," she teased as she started down the stairs, moving slowly, clutching the railing.
"I can handle this little guy, I just worry about you, but, as I said, you are the best judge of yer own health." He added. "So lead on little lady, Pythias is hard at it over supper, so there's nothin' for you to do in the kitchen. You and the boy can just sit and enjoy the storm." Thunder picked that moment to roll across the heavens and a flash of lightning followed it lighting up the sky, as well as the room. "Thought the flurries was bad enough, now the rain."
"It's a celebration, don't you think?" She looked back up at Barnabas. "A symphony put on by the good Lord Himself!"
"Celebration? Without a doubt, Love, and I believe this little man would be our guest of honor." He replied with a smile, "And no worries, not a chance I'd drop this bundle." This was beyond any imagining he might have had about being a father. Beyond any joy he had ever known, aside from Em's acceptance of his proposal of marriage, this seemed beyond special to him.
Following a bit behind her, he could not remember being this careful descending a flight of stairs. She was doing just fine and using the rail, but then she was an intelligent, full grown woman who had just given birth and plenty smart enough to use the handrail. He needed to pay attention to what he was doing.
"It smells amazing in here," Emeline said as they entered the kitchen. "I'm famished, birthing is hard work!" Grinning she smiled at Pythias. "Your help is appreciated. And Bonnie, I know I've said it, but I'm so grateful you were able to come out to help."
She settled into a chair at the simple table in the kitchen, more intimate and casual than the larger one in the proper dining room, then sighed as she watched Barnabas with the baby. "We are blessed, no question. The house will be filled with laughter soon." She laughed. "But first, plenty of crying and no sleep!"
"Ma'am, that there's a fine lookin' lad you let that man hold, father 'er not. Best you keep a close eye to the both of 'em. They'll be ridin' off soon's you ain't lookin'!" Pythias Modeen said with a wide smile. "Now this here ain't much but it'll help makin' blood you've lost, an' make that milk young Wheeler there's gonna need."
Pike stepped over the chair and sat still holding his son. "Could be, Pythias could be. Might have a go after supper, 'cept for the rain, an' his ma's so close by. An' Miss Campbell, we certainly are in yer debt, an' I can't rightly express my gratitude for what you've done here this day."
