Page 65 of Finding Limits
“Giving birth does not qualify me as a midwife, you’ve probably got more experience in this than I have, you've birthed hundreds of calves.
“Mitch, there’s another one coming already.” Everleigh looks worried as she clutches my hand.
“She’s got to be close to being fully dilated,” Savannah points out.
“You're gonna have to check.” Maisie looks at me.
“I’ll get the gloves.” Leia disappears into the kitchen.
“Maisie, this is very fuckin’ different to deliverin’ a calf, I know what I’m feelin’ for.”
“Mitch.” Everleigh buries her head into my side and screams as another pain wracks through her body.
“Breathe, just breathe.” I stroke her hair, and when Garrett rushes through the door I breathe a sigh of relief. He comes closer and screws up his face when he notices Everleigh doubled in pain.
“You sure she’s up to this?” he checks.
“Yes, she’s up to it!” Everleigh manages to growl at him, clutching at my shirt and nearly pulling it off my shoulders. “God, there's so much pressure I think I need to push,” she sobs.
“I think we should get her to the bed.” Maisie looks up at me and the urgency on her face has both me and Garrett helping Everleigh to her feet and moving her in that direction.
“What’s with the Sunday best?” I notice what he’s wearing as we help her lay down. “Maisie said ya needed me to marry ya,” he points out, looking serious, and I shake my head as I try to get Everleigh as comfortable as possible.
“OHHHHHH!” Everleigh clutches her stomach again, and Maisie lifts up her night dress to check what's happening.
“You better hurry up with those vows, minister.” She looks up at her husband with a worried look on her face.
“Not a problem.” Garrett clears his throat and pulls a Bible outta his jacket pocket.
“Where the hell did you find that?” I ask him.
“This just so happens to be the Carson family Bible, it’s been in the family for decades,”
“Garrett.” Maisie waves her hand at him, while Everleigh continues to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth like Leia reminds her to.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here?—”
“Cut the crap, we don’t got time for it!” I yell at him as Everleigh crushes my hand tighter and starts to cry out in pain.
“You have to push, now,” Maisie tells her, looking disturbed by whatever she’s seeing down there.
“Right. Do you, Mitch Hudson, take this woman to be your lawfully, wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and obey her as long as you both shall live?” he asks me.
“I do.” I look Everleigh in the eyes and smile at her as I make my promise to her.
“And do you, Everleigh, I’m not quite sure of your second name, take this man to be your lawfully, wedded husband? To have and to hold, for rich or for poorer, for better or worse, and all that other stuff?” I look up at him and shrug, wondering where he’s getting these words from. He’s got his Bible open on Matthew 26:17 which, if I recall correctly, is the last fuckin’ supper!
The face I get back from him tells me he’s making this up as he goes along but now’s not the time for me to be caring.
“I do.” Everleigh manages.
“I can see the head, the baby’s got hair.” Maisie looks up at us both and smiles excitedly.
“And with the power invested in me, your mayor, I now pronounce you husband and wife, so help me God. You may kiss the bride.” Garrett closes the Bible and lowers his head, and Maisie rolls her eyes. I take my new wife's chin and direct her lips onto mine.
“Happy now, Mrs. Hudson?” I ask her.
“Yes.” She manages a smile, but only for a second.
