by Deb Kemper
Rabbi nodded, a smile in place. “Aye, I well remember the day we had the talk, Amalie.” He glanced toward the connecting door. “Did you find that with The Mackintosh?” He sat back and crossed his long legs.
She glanced down at her belly. “Aye, sir, and so much more. I knew from watching you with Kay-Kay, that married love should be full of passion. But what I found was a best friend, in my husband, as well. I love his daughters. There’s no difference in my love for Jessie and Mallow and my love for Ewan. I thought there would be, but no.”
Rabbi scrutinized her for a moment. “And what of your identity, Amalie? You hale from people who have history that cannot be shunned.”
“Aye, that was the blocks tumblin’ down, that my husband mentioned. I kept my Jewishness secret, to protect him. He kept my secret out of respect and honor, for me. But it never occurred to him that it would endanger our family. He was more concerned about revealing I came to him as a slave.” She plucked at the lovely embroidered duvet cover. “That quickly became the least of our worries, when his best friend challenged him, demanding I repent to satisfy the kirk ,or leave the vicars to deal with me. Garth would have neither.”
“I feared as much. But the practical problem of raising children in a mixed marriage arises. What of your children?”
“I’ve given the matter considerable thought, Papa. I’ve determined to share my faith with my children, while allowing the kirk to educate them as well. When they’re ready to determine what Adonai means for them to do, I’ll support their decisions. Am I wrong?” She frowned at her father.
Rabbi considered her answer, for a moment. “Though my heart aches, I believe you’ve resolved this approach through a great deal of prayer. Am I correct?”
“Aye, sir.” Amalie waited patiently. “It’s not as though I’ve turned my back on my heritage. Nay, I relish all we hold dear, as a people belonging to Adonai.”
He nodded his head slowly. “The most destructive thing would be to test your marriage, beyond its limits. It appears the most productive decision is the one you’ve settled upon.” He studied the carpet for a moment. “I will pray, with you, for this and we’ll see where Yah leads. To the right or to the left, we’ll follow. Do you agree?”
Amalie smiled. “Aye, Papa, I do. Now tell me why you and my brother wear your sidecurls tucked away.”
Rabbi grinned, as a red flush crept up his neck to his face. “Aaron brought up the fact that the hair makes us more noticeable. To travel, to a new place, secretly we must make a few minor—alterations. We found, after studiously observing the men of Dublin, that securing the sidecurls and leaving our black wool hats behind, would be a step in the right direction. Kay helped us with our attire.”
The connecting door opened to a damp, cleaner Mackintosh. His wife met his arrival, with a loving smile and patted the bed beside her.
“Join me, sir?”
He dropped onto the bed and leaned across for a kiss. “I’m starving.”
The hungry laird heartily welcomed a knock at the door.
****
Mallow held Ewan’s hand, as the whining toddler lurched on his way into the master’s chamber. “I’m sorry, Mam, he won’t stop crying, so Gerty said I could bring him to ye. Granny Mae said that ye do not pick him up.”
Ewan caught sight of Garth and snatched his hand from Mallow’s, sprinting to his da. Garth swooped him, into his arms. He laid his head on Garth’s shoulder and sighed, “Da.” His chubby hand patted the laird’s back.
Mallow followed him to Garth. “It’s good to see ye made it, Da.”
Garth grinned and cut a sidelong glance at his eldest. “Ye weren’t worried, were ye?”
“I always worry about ye.” Mallow rubbed Ewan’s back. “Mam, how are ye feelin’?” A frown creased Mallow’s lovely brow.
“I’m alright, darlin’, relieved your da’s home and my parents’ arrival has been uneventful.” Amalie adjusted the pillows behind her back and wiggled into place in time for her three year old to snuggle into a niche, under her arm.
“We finished supper before everyone else. I imagine ye’ll have a roomful of company, as soon as they’ve all eaten.” Mallow sat on Amalie’s side of the bed. “Da, if ye wanna go downstairs, with the others, I’ll stay wi’ Mam. Ye must meet her brothers.”
Garth stretched himself off the bed. “I think I’ll take ye up on that, fer a tick. Where have the lads been all day?”
“The library, studying, six to eight hours each day. My father’s a strict task master. Go eat supper and visit. It may be a long night.” She shifted again.
Garth rounded the bed and reached to rub the spasm in her back. His strong fingers found the knot and massaged for a moment. “Is it easing?”
“Nay, I think I’ll hie to the privy.”
“I’ll take ye there, then go down fer supper. Come along.”
She threw back the covers. He wrapped his arms around her hips, locked his hands together, and pulled her across the feather mattress. When she reached the edge, he lifted her to her feet.
“I think I can walk.” She took a few steps and he followed, to the tune of their toddler singing Three Blind Mice.
Mallow held Ewan’s hands as he danced on the bed. “Three blind mice see how they run….”
Garth closed the door. “Amalie, are ye really alright?” He seated her on the privy.
She nodded. “Just feel a bit odd right now and my back won’t stop hurting, like it was when Ewan was born. Oh!” She straightened, as a contraction gripped her and she felt a warm gush of water. She glanced up. “Gather the delivery party, milord. We’re having the bairns tonight!”
****
Mallow scrubbed her arms, praying for grace. “Lord, I don’t wanna throw up, helpin’ birth the bairns. Please, keep me from makin’ a fool of myself, before company.” She pulled on a boiled shift, with Gerty’s help.
Gerty fussed over wrapping Mallow’s hair into a bun. “Now, ye’ll be fine, lass. Just do wha’ ye’re asked and no more. They shan’t put too much on ye, the first time.” Gerty nodded agreement with her own words, as she tied a kertch over Mallow’s hair. “Of course, ye better not let on to Granny that ye’re weak or she’ll dose ye wi’ the worst of all jobs. ‘Ye learn to swim by gettin’ in the water’, is one of the old gal’s sayin’s.”
Mallow glared into the mirror at the gray-green young woman looking back. “I gotta learn to do this, Gerty, if I’m ever to have bairns myself.”
“Aye, lass, that ye do. We all do, sooner or later. There’s a price to pay fer passion, ye ken.” Gerty finished pinning Mallow’s hair. “Now, ye go to it and I’ll help nurse tend the younguns.”
Mallow made her way down the corridor, to her parent’s bath chamber, transformed into the birthing hall. She timidly turned the doorknob, as she heard Amalie yelp. She inched through the doorway of the room, where her father kneeled behind her mam and everyone else waited expectantly in front of Amalie.
Of course! Tha’s where the bairns’ll land.
She hesitated, but Kay saw her. “Come in, lass.” She waved her arm and reached to pull Mallow in, to her side.
Mallow let Kay hug and direct her. “The pain’s part of this miraculous journey that Adonai designed for women. Accept the pain and learn to endure, it’ll strengthen you, in ways you don’t understand yet. There’s nothin’ to fear, pet. We’ll watch and if you have questions, ask them. If you get sick, it’s alright. It’s your first time.”
“I ken. Thank ye kindly. I’m scared, Safta.” Mallow lifted her eyes to Da’s. Garth grinned and winked. He thinks if I can be The Mackintosh, I can do this.
Amalie moaned and leant as far forward as her belly allowed. She reddened, with the effort of pushing. Tears coursed down her cheeks. Mallow watched and prayed. Lord, I don’t wanna lose another Mam. Please help her get those bairns out!
Amalie hurled back into Garth, her body rigid with a contraction. She panted and took a deep breath when it passed.
/> Mallow whispered to Kay. “Why’s Mam breathin’ like that?”
Kay whispered back. “You have to keep a lot of air in your body so you don’t get dizzy and pass out. She takes a deep breath.” Kay made an upward motion with her hand in front of her ribs. “Then she lets it out, in short spurts, to keep as much air inside as possible.”
Garth checked Mallow again and readied himself against the next thrust of Amalie’s body.
Mallow watched her da, and for a fleeting instant saw herself in Amalie’s position and…Edmund Livesey in Garth’s place. She shook her head to clear the vision. I’d as soon marry a Campbell, as an Englishman.
The room’s tension ratcheted up a notch, when Amalie yelled and pressed into her husband’s strong body. She stiffened, struggling.
“His head and one shoulder’s through, milady.” Granny Mae waited on her knees, to one side. Her well-worn hands prepared to guide the bairn into the world.
Garth held onto Amalie, his mouth near her ear. Mallow wiped a tear away. I wonder what Da says to Mam, to keep her so calm.
When the bairn slipped free of Amalie, the noise it made sounded like a croak, then a wail. As Granny Mae lifted the babe to Amalie’s lap, Mallow saw it was a girl.
Granny Mae looked up at Garth. “Gotta lass this time, sir.”
As he reached for the boiled knife Millie held, Garth grinned at Mallow. “Another fine daughter.”
The babe squirmed and loosed a squeal. Amalie gathered her to her body as Millie knelt, beside her, to wrap boiled flannel around the babe and scoop her close to her own chest.
Amalie drew a few deep breaths waiting for the next contraction. When it struck she yelled, as she slammed into Garth’s chest. He held the arms of the chair and whispered into her ear.
“Doin’ fine, now milady. Keep up the pressure. Sir, press down on the top o’ her belly. It may help some. This un’s not near as anxious to be barn.” Granny Mae watched, for the babe’s head.
Garth slipped one hand under Amalie’s heavy breasts and pressed toward the floor. Amalie panted and sighed. She shook her head.
“Get a breath and keep going. Ye canna stop now!” Granny scolded.
Amalie took a monstrous breath, and pushed with all her might, Garth pressing the top of her belly to encourage the bairn to position properly.
Granny Mae reached for a foot, clucked, then glanced around. “’Twas what I feared, this un’s back’ards. We gotta get ’im turned around. Who’s got the smallest hands?” Her eyes landed on Mallow. “Come ’ere, pet.” She waved the lass to her side.
Mallow looked at Kay, who grasped her arm and led her to Granny. “It’s alright, Mallow, you can do this.”
Mallow shook her head. “I canna!”
Granny barked orders. “Aye, ye can and ye must. Otherwise they’ll both die. Now get ’ere.” She snapped her knobby fingers and pointed to the front of Amalie’s chair. “Kneel. I’ll guide ye through it. There’s nothin’ to fear, lass.”
Mallow paled, with fright, but knelt before Amalie. She glanced up to see tears coursing down both her parent’s faces. Garth nodded to her. Amalie’s eyes closed.
“Now, gimme yer hand.” Granny grabbed Mallow’s wrist.
****
Mallow held her new brother, swaddled in boiled flannel. He sucked on his fist and yapped. Millie placed the first bairn at Amalie’s left breast and motioned Mallow forward with the second.
“Here, darlin’, lay ’im to yer mam just so.” Millie instructed.
Mallow bent and laid him to Amalie’s right breast. She kissed Amalie’s cheek, tears running freely. Granny Mae still knelt below pressing Amalie’s deflated belly and cleaning out the afterbirth.
Granny glanced up at Mallow. “Ye did a fine job, lass. I’m about finished.” She pressed pads until she caught a fresh red flow. She made a dressing for Amalie and applied it.
Garth reached for his new daughter and scooped her into his arms. She gurgled and hollered. He handed her over to Mallow. His son didn’t yell, but sucked his fist, when he lost his mam’s breast. Garth handed him to Millie.
He squatted in front of Amalie and lifted her straight up. He helped her to the bed.
Kay had pillows propped, on the head of the bed. “I best go and tell your papa the results. He’s anxious for you.” She slid out the door to the tune of her new granddaughter wailing.
Garth laid his daughter at Amalie’s breast. “She’s a loud one.” He laughed, as the fledgling searched for the nipple already in her mouth. He took his son from Millie and studied his face, while the infant sucked his fist. “Ye’re a content feller, handsome too.” The bairn turned his face toward Garth’s fingers, mouth working. “Aye, let’s get yer mam to ye, then.” Garth lowered the lad to his wife’s breast. He brushed his hand over her hair. “Ye did well, my bonnie lass. I’d’ve lain down beside ye, and died myself had we lost ye.” His chin trembled. “We have five lovely, healthy children. It’s enough.”
Amalie’s eyes spilled tears down her face and she had no hand free to wipe them. She nodded. “I agree, sir. But we must find a way….”
Garth laughed and leaned to her face for a kiss. “Ye almost died, had Mallow not been there….” He dried her tears with his fingertips. “There’s a way, lass. Leave it to me.”
The door opened and the rabbi entered, his voice softened, in awe. “How’s my wee lassie fairin’?” He walked to the bedside and leaned down for a look at the babes. “Kay tells me Mallow saved your life, Amalie.” His eyes filled with tears and he kissed the top of her head.
“Aye, Papa. Scared as she was, she’s a heroine tonight.” Amalie glanced down at her new son and daughter. “Kay-Kay’ll have to teach me how to stagger their feedings. They’re an armful.”
Kay came in behind her husband and perched at the end of the bed. “If you gentlemen want to take a moment, let me help our daughter feed the bairns.”
Garth glanced up and shook his head. “I’ll remove myself to the other side, but I canna leave her.” He rounded the bed and climbed up, beside Amalie and kissed her bare shoulder, content watching his mother-in-law arrange pillows to prop his children, while they fed.
****
“So, ye see, Jessie, it wasn’t so bad at all. Come, let’s get Ewan washed up and we’ll go see the new bairns.” Mallow led Ewan to a bowl of water on the washstand. “Ye soap his hands, while I hold him still.”
Jessie complied. “I hope I don’t ever have to help birth bairns. I want no part of it.” She applied soap to Ewan’s hands and rinsed them off. She had the towel, about to dry him, when he finally squirmed free.
Mallow caught him around the waist. “Just a minute, ye wee wiggly lad. Jessie, quick, dry him off.”
Jessie complied and Mallow grasped the toddler’s hand. “Ewan, we’re going to see Mam and Da and the new bairns. Ye need to be good. Mam’s tired.”
The toddler pouted, but obeyed.
“No runnin’ off. Ye aren’t the babe anymore. Ye’re growin’ into a fine lad and I mean to see ye act tha’ way, ye ken.”
Ewan glowered. “I wan’ Mam.”
“The bairns have Mam now. Ye’ll have to be satisfied wi’ me and Jessie. Now, le’s go.” She stood and led them to the master’s chamber.
****
The next day the twins made their debut downstairs. “Isaac and Imogen Mackintosh, meet yer family.” Garth held one bairn in the bend of each arm.
Kay was first to reach for Imogen.
Rabbi gathered Isaac in his arms. “Well, you’re a fine lad, you are. Yes, Amalie?”
“Papa, will you perform brit milah?” She glanced at Garth. “I won’t be able to stand for that. He’s such a content babe. I can’t bear to bring him pain.” She propped her forehead on Garth’s hefty arm.
“Amalie, it’s a vital part of our heritage and to be celebrated.” Her father cautioned her.
“I know, Papa, it’s just….” Tears spilled from her lovely eyes. “I couldn’t bear it when my b
rothers went through brit either.”
Kay rested a hand on her husband’s arm. “’Tis true, do you not remember? She waited at home, helping with the feast, until we came back from the prayer room.”
“Aye, I do, but she’s no longer a lassie.” Rabbi argued.
“I’m still here.” Amalie reminded her parents.
“You’ll be in the room.” Rabbi demanded of her.
Amalie glanced at her husband, for support. He shrugged. “We all have to do things we’d rather not.”
“You’re absolutely no help, sir.” She smoothed the front of her gown.
“Ewan will need to be circumcised, as well.” Rabbi reminded her.
She covered her mouth with her hand and wept.
Garth wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. He kissed the top of her head, grinning. “Have heart, my sweet.”
“We’ll prepare to circumcise both boys in seven days. Then we’ll feast and celebrate them. Ewan was not properly welcomed, as a male member of our family; the feast celebrates him as well.” The rabbi made his declaration.
Amalie cleared her throat. Ewan clung to her leg. She brushed her fingers through his red-blonde curls. “My bonnie lads.” She swiped her cheeks.
Rabbi chuckled. “Well you know, daughter, Adonai gives us rules to live by, to keep us healthy. It’s all done for our good.”
“Aye, sir. I’ll go back to bed now, and die.” She turned away.
“No pouting!” Rabbi insisted.
Garth watched her leave them and turned to the rabbi. “Sir, may I have a word, in private?”
“Of course, son.”
“This way.” Garth swept his hand toward the library
Chapter 41
Heath Livesey sorted through the day’s mail. “It’s a missive from The Mackintosh!” He tore around the seal carefully.
“What does he report?” Edmund waited eagerly at his father’s elbow.