Mail Order Maternity (Brides of Beckham Book 6) by Kirsten Osbourne Page A
Authors: Kirsten Osbourne
Ads: Link
cuts, and that type of thing. For anything big, you have to drive to the city.”
“I had no idea. I thought you were only the midwife.” Esther felt new respect for the woman who had cared for her.
Once they were finished eating, the four women did the dishes together while the men watched the children outside. From her vantage point at the sink, Esther could see Thomas playing with his nephews and nieces. He had Victoria’s youngest, Laura, on his shoulders, running around in circles with her while she giggled. She could easily see Thomas with their children and sighed with relief. She hadn’t been certain he was anxious to be a father, but watching him with his nieces and nephews, it was obvious he was good with children.
After the meal, she asked to speak with Victoria alone. She didn’t want to be rude to the others, but she wanted to make certain that everything was all right. They climbed the stairs to the bedroom she shared with Thomas, and she perched on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure I’m okay to return to all activities?”
Victoria eyed her. “I’m certain. I don’t want you to lift anything heavy, but other than that, I think you can do whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“What are you trying to ask me, Esther?”
Esther sighed. “I guess I just need to come right out and say it. Thomas is afraid to have relations because he’s afraid it will hurt the baby. I told him you said it was okay, but he’s insisting on taking me to a doctor in the city tomorrow just to be certain.”
Victoria smiled. “Thomas loves children. He’s not going to do anything to jeopardize the baby you’re carrying.”
“But he won’t hurt us!”
“Sexual relations are new to Thomas. I’m sure that he’s afraid he’s going to break you if you do anything. Go to the doctor and let him confirm what I’ve been telling you. It won’t hurt a thing.”
“I just don’t want to have to waste a full day and pay a doctor when I already know it’s okay for me to do what I want.” Esther shook her head, her exasperation showing in her stance.
Victoria shook her head. “Thomas needs to understand that as well. Samuel was really worried when I carried MaryAnn. After she was born and fine, he wasn’t nearly as worried. He wouldn’t touch me during the entire pregnancy. When she was born fine, he decided he was a little too strict with himself.”
“So I may have to wait until after the baby’s born?” Esther realized she sounded like a petulant child, but she’d really enjoyed relations and didn’t want to have to go for the next seven months without. Surely Thomas would be able to see she was fine and he was being too careful.
“Humor him and see the doctor. If it makes him feel better it’s worth it, right?”
Esther nodded slowly. “I guess.”
Victoria hugged her. “Let’s go join the others.”
When they got downstairs, Esther saw that the other two families were leaving. She’d hoped they’d spend the day, but apparently no one ever stayed long after the noon meal. “Will you stay?” she asked Victoria.
Victoria nodded. “Of course.”
Esther was thrilled to have the other family around and wished she’d waited to talk to Victoria until after the others had left. She’d have to make a point of visiting both of the other women and letting them know how happy she was to have them around.
After Samuel’s family left that evening, Esther fixed a cold supper for her and Thomas. After the prayer, he said, “We’ll start early in the morning for the city, as soon as the cows are milked and the breakfast dishes are done.”
Esther nodded. “If you think that’s best.”
“I’ll feel better after you’ve seen a real doctor. I know Victoria learned a lot about doctoring from her Pa, but she never went to school for it. I’d rather you saw a doctor who’s been to medical school.”
“Well, you
“I had no idea. I thought you were only the midwife.” Esther felt new respect for the woman who had cared for her.
Once they were finished eating, the four women did the dishes together while the men watched the children outside. From her vantage point at the sink, Esther could see Thomas playing with his nephews and nieces. He had Victoria’s youngest, Laura, on his shoulders, running around in circles with her while she giggled. She could easily see Thomas with their children and sighed with relief. She hadn’t been certain he was anxious to be a father, but watching him with his nieces and nephews, it was obvious he was good with children.
After the meal, she asked to speak with Victoria alone. She didn’t want to be rude to the others, but she wanted to make certain that everything was all right. They climbed the stairs to the bedroom she shared with Thomas, and she perched on the edge of the bed. “Are you sure I’m okay to return to all activities?”
Victoria eyed her. “I’m certain. I don’t want you to lift anything heavy, but other than that, I think you can do whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“What are you trying to ask me, Esther?”
Esther sighed. “I guess I just need to come right out and say it. Thomas is afraid to have relations because he’s afraid it will hurt the baby. I told him you said it was okay, but he’s insisting on taking me to a doctor in the city tomorrow just to be certain.”
Victoria smiled. “Thomas loves children. He’s not going to do anything to jeopardize the baby you’re carrying.”
“But he won’t hurt us!”
“Sexual relations are new to Thomas. I’m sure that he’s afraid he’s going to break you if you do anything. Go to the doctor and let him confirm what I’ve been telling you. It won’t hurt a thing.”
“I just don’t want to have to waste a full day and pay a doctor when I already know it’s okay for me to do what I want.” Esther shook her head, her exasperation showing in her stance.
Victoria shook her head. “Thomas needs to understand that as well. Samuel was really worried when I carried MaryAnn. After she was born and fine, he wasn’t nearly as worried. He wouldn’t touch me during the entire pregnancy. When she was born fine, he decided he was a little too strict with himself.”
“So I may have to wait until after the baby’s born?” Esther realized she sounded like a petulant child, but she’d really enjoyed relations and didn’t want to have to go for the next seven months without. Surely Thomas would be able to see she was fine and he was being too careful.
“Humor him and see the doctor. If it makes him feel better it’s worth it, right?”
Esther nodded slowly. “I guess.”
Victoria hugged her. “Let’s go join the others.”
When they got downstairs, Esther saw that the other two families were leaving. She’d hoped they’d spend the day, but apparently no one ever stayed long after the noon meal. “Will you stay?” she asked Victoria.
Victoria nodded. “Of course.”
Esther was thrilled to have the other family around and wished she’d waited to talk to Victoria until after the others had left. She’d have to make a point of visiting both of the other women and letting them know how happy she was to have them around.
After Samuel’s family left that evening, Esther fixed a cold supper for her and Thomas. After the prayer, he said, “We’ll start early in the morning for the city, as soon as the cows are milked and the breakfast dishes are done.”
Esther nodded. “If you think that’s best.”
“I’ll feel better after you’ve seen a real doctor. I know Victoria learned a lot about doctoring from her Pa, but she never went to school for it. I’d rather you saw a doctor who’s been to medical school.”
“Well, you