Chapter 27 - "Reading Frustration..."

April 1921

Clara's PoV

'And I'm in bed rest because?'

'Because your only days away from going into labour. I'm not having you give birth near the pigs. I'm a man of a farming world but even I don't want the unhygienic ness of a bloody farm for my child to be born'

'Fine. But will you read to me again then?'

'I really don't think that's a good idea' he mumbled.

'Please?' I begged as he picked up the book and sat in the chair in the corner of the room for a few hours a night - still learning to read.

He would read me any book that he felt like - and always complained about how incredible my patience were, considering he gets stuck on words and stutters over simple sentences.

I didn't care that he stuttered. I just enjoyed the simplicity of listening to his voice in my ear and making the baby feel relaxed, that was until he slammed the book shut and threw it
across the room.

'What was that for?'

'I can't do it. The words are to complicated. Their too big to read' he whined, stripping into his night clothes, and crawled into the bed.

'Life isn't easy John. If it was we'd all be good at it' I smirked, lulling his head on my chest.

'Quite frankly I don't know how you can just listen to me stutter and splutter. How are you getting any information from the book when I can't even read the sentence properly?'

'Because your my husband and I don't care and all I want to do is listen to your voice? Anyway it calms the baby right down. Settles them for sleep' I chuckled, kissing his mouth.

He took a moment to get into it but when he did, I smiled cupping his face even more, as he leant up and placed his tongue in my mouth - eliciting a small breathy moan.

Of course I hadn't planned on even kissing him in that moment but then I felt myself change.

He looked at my with open eyes and a raised eyebrow, and I just shrugged my shoulders. 'Did your waters really just break?'

'I think they did' I said nervously, as he gave himself 10 seconds before jumping into action and calling Doctor Brown.

- - -

'How much longer is it going to take? When can I get in there?' I heard John mumbled.

'Just let him in for goodness sake' I yelled out. I don't know why people insist on trying to protect me or be out of my way, but it's my life and I'm the one in excruciating pain right now so it should be my choice who I want in the room.

'You look terrible' John smirked running into my bedroom and crouching down by the side of the bed.

'Why you really know how to flatter a girl. This is all your flipping fault. Where's Lilly? Are they on their way?'

'Everyone is. Your Dads coming too' John mumbled.

'Great, can't wait' I sighed sarcastically crushing his hand in pain. 'Just send Lilly up as soon as she gets here' I demanded.

'Will do. I can't wait to meet our little one' he grinned, kissing my hand and running for the door.

- - -

'Lord Oswald. Lady Lilly. Clara's upstairs waiting for you. She's insisting she doesn't want to start without you - not she's got a whole lot of choice' John said pacing the room ever still.

The France house wasn't as big as the London house but has been where John and Clara had been residing over the last few months.

'Should we not be a little more worried? The baby is extremely early' Dave said worried, as the doctor gave a confused look, making John jump up and walk out the room with him.

'What on earth?'

'Look... Lord Oswald doesn't know she's 9 months pregnant. He has to believe that she is 7 months. We're paying you a lot of money to deliver this baby - all I want - all we want is for him to think that the baby is 7 months and that's it's healthy' John said.

'John!' A loud voice called as he dumped his jacket to one of the butlers and ran up the stairs.

- - -

'Lilly. Oh thank goodness your here' I whined, looking at the wall for something to hold onto through all this pain.

'I'm here Clara. Your Fathers here too. He's so excited'

'Where's John? I don't want him to miss this' I said looking into her eyes.

'What? You can't possibly expect him to be in the room while you give birth Clara? He's a man? I know your not for doing things completely properly but --'

'Get him in here now!' I scoffed, yelling at her making her panic just a little and run down the stairs.

'Miss Clara. How are you feeling?' Amy asked as she came into the room.

'Why the hell does everyone keep asking me that? I'm a woman about to have a bloody baby. How on earth do you think I'm feeling?' I scoffed.

I suddenly just felt the urge to push once again and hoped for the best.

All I could think about was if it was a girl or a boy, of course I didn't mind too much either way - but John was insistent it was a girl.

Things had been harder between us since that day in the village because the simpler things that we want to do together just can't be done within the public eye.

Plus - Amy wouldn't let me leave the house once I had started complaining of tiredness and blamed John for walking me too far but the walks had always helped me out and done me good.

Since then he's been keeping his distance. Of course that incident was only 5 days ago, and I went into labour about 24 hours ago - so it's only been a few days since we've really talked.

'Come on my Lady. Your made for this kind of thing' Doctor brown chuckled as I was surrounded by nurses and pushed my little heir into the world.