Life Begins Anew

by Beth Lawrence

Someone was calling my name, disturbing my much needed sleep. I knew exactly who it was, too.

"Holmes," I moaned, as I rolled over on my side, "whatever it is, can it not wait until I wake up completely?"

"I am going out, Russell. I only wish to tell you I shall be gone for a few hours, so you do not wonder."

"Yes, thank you, Holmes."

"Do you wish anything?"

"I wish to go back to sleep." I hugged the pillows and closed my eyes. I felt the bed move, and Holmes' dry lips touch my cheek. I smiled and said, "Good bye, Holmes."

"Good bye, Russell."

Try as I might, I could not fall back into sleep. I sat up and looked out at the grey September morning. Rain fell in torrents, and the trees were lashed this way and that by monstrous winds.

What a cold month this turned out to be, I thought. It had begun rather like the lovely summer we'd had. The balmy, early Autumn weather had made me hopeful for an lasting summer. However, the weather had turned angry and wet. Now, as I watched the wind blew rain into my cozy room. Groaning, I slid out of bed and shut the window. As the months progressed, so too had my size. Now, in the final month of my pregnancy, I was having a bit of trouble moving around. This, however, had not decreased my independence. However much I needed from Holmes, I could not depend on him entirely. That was one of the reasons our marriage worked so well. I sighed, and moved into the bathroom to bathe . . .

Removing myself from the bathtub had become somewhat of a hassle. However, I always managed, no matter how difficult it was.

Once I was clean and dry, I made my way downstairs to get some coffee. As I sank gratefully into the sofa, I realized how much pain I had gone through the past few months. Nausea, stomach pains, anything one could imagine would accompany a pregnancy! Now, all that was left to endure were these wretched back pains, which were sometimes soothed by Holmes' strong, comfortable hands late at night.

As I sat with my coffee, I realized I had nothing to do today. I sat for awhile, watching the storm and feeling the movement inside me. My child had been kicking me from the inside for so long and I had been enjoying it. Not only did it remind me that soon I would be able to hold my baby, but Holmes also found it very charming. Some nights would find him sleeping with his hand on my belly, waiting to feel the precious movement.

Holmes. Poor Holmes. He had been so bored lately. No cases, no problems to solve for others. How harrowing it must have been these last few months to be stuck in this cottage with no one but a pregnant wife to keep him company. Only his bees kept him company now.

"Mary?"

I jumped and turned to see Mrs. Hudson standing behind me with a tray of muffins. "Thought you might be wanting a little something."

"Thank you. I am rather hungry."

She sat beside me and stared into my face. "Would you look to talk to someone, Mary?" I mean, another woman?"

I smiled, my intention being to say no, but Mrs. Hudson's loving concern changed my answer.

"Yes." I took her hand. "Mrs. Hudson, you know me well enough to know that I am not a hysterical woman, prone to worry."

"Yes."

"Then why am I so terrified of about what is about to occur?"

Mrs. Hudson laughed. "Mary, it's natural to be frightened of something you're unfamiliar with."

"Yes, but how can I feel better?"

"Mary, there is, of course, going to be pain. But once it's over, there'll be a perfect little person, and love that will last forever."

I felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. "Thank you, Mrs. Hudson." I hugged her tightly, as the last shiver left my body.

Mrs. Hudson patted my hand. "Mary, you'll be perfectly alright. You and Mr. Holmes will be wonderful parents."

Thank you. I do feel a bit better."

She left the sitting room, and I thought for some minutes about the conversation that had just taken place. After about an hour, the door opened and Holmes walked in, shaking rainwater off his coat in layers, and tracking mud into the sitting room on his shoes.

"Oh, Holmes!"

He stopped halfway up the stairs, and turned. "Is something wrong, Russell?"

"Yes!" He ran to my side, and took my hand.

"Darling, what is it?"

"You've left water and mud all over the carpet!" I reprimanded him. "You'd best clean that up before Mrs. Hudson sees it."

He seemed to relax considerably, relieved to see that I was alright. "Sorry, Holmes. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"It's alright, Russell. Now I shall clean up the carpet and then myself."

I smiled. I was turning my husband into a domestic. How very strange.

"Thank you, Holmes. Where have you been all this time?"

"I have been tending to my bees, Russell."

"And they are well, I gather."

"Rather well, I believe. They have been swarming all afternoon and they seem determined to swarm themselves into exhaustion."

"As I recall, that is the same activity they were engaged in when I first met you," I remembered.

He stopped in his work and came to me and kissed me softly. "By God, you remember that."

"Of course I do. I remember- everything we did together." I hooked my hands over my middle and relaxed.

Holmes and I spent the rest of the day together. We ate an early supper, and I, feeling rather fatigued, retired early.

Holmes spent many days looking after his bees. Life had been dull for him these past few months, and I, in my condition, could do nothing for him. I did feel rather guilty about that. I was grateful that Uncle John came to stay, or I fear he would have gone stir crazy. A few nights later, I awoke, feeling rather alone. Holmes was nowhere to be found. I lay alone, feeling my child and wondering when I would see it for the first time. I decided to try to get up and find him. I had just put my slippers on and I was going to put my coat on, when a slight pain interrupted me. I tried to ignore it, but it became more persistent and significant as the moments passed on. I decided to take off my slippers and get back into bed. It was then that I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Holmes?" I asked.

"Yes, Russell. What is it?"

"Holmes, I have to tell you something."

"Did I leave another mess to clean up, Russ?"

"No." I winced as the pain hit again.

His expression changed to one of concern. "What is wrong?"

"I think I just had a contraction. But that's impossible. It's too early-"

Another pain cut off all words. I doubled over (as much as possible) and kept silent, praying it would pass. When it did, I looked up into Holmes' worried face and said shakily, "Holmes, this is it. I am going to have this baby tonight."

PART II

"Oh, Russell, are you sure?"

"Yes, Holmes. I am- quite- sure," I managed to choke out between pains.

"Oh, my God, Russell! I don't know what to do! What will I-" Holmes seemed ready to go into another case of apoplexy, and could have, had Uncle John not shuffled into our room, asking what was wrong.

"Watson, Russ has gone into labor!"

He looked at me and then back at Holmes and said, "Have you called her doctor?"

Holmes took a look out at the stormy night and said, "It's too far a trip. He'd never make it."

I was troubled. "Holmes, I need my physician!"

"Russ, I cannot ask him to-"

"If it is alright with everyone, I should be glad to stand in as Mary's doctor," Uncle John interjected.

"Oh, would you, Uncle John? I'd be so-" I stopped to deal with another contraction.

"We'd both be very grateful, old fellow," Holmes answered for me.

"Of course. Go wake up Mrs. Hudson and ask her to boil some water. Then I need you to find all the towels you can. Also, see if you can find the scissors."

With Holmes sent off on his missions, Uncle John attempted to calm me down. "Mary, I need you to try and be as calm as possible. I need you to breathe deeply."

"Uncle John-"

"My dear, I know it hurts, but you must breathe. Believe me, it does dull the pain somewhat." He had taken off his dressing gown and stood in his shirtsleeves, prepared to assist me.

Holmes returned in a few minutes with Mrs. Hudson and the necessary items. They were both tremendous helps. Mrs. Hudson held my hand and reassured me that I would be alright. Holmes was rather nervous. At one point I asked him, "Holmes, are you doing alright?"

"Well, I-"

"Holmes I need you with me now. I cannot do this without you."

He brushed my cheek gently. "Oh, Mary, I will always be here for you. Always." He gave me his hand to squeeze in pain. I was stunned for a moment, as I always was when he called me by that name. He was as wonderful as a husband could be. At times, it seemed as if I could not go on, Mrs. Hudson's words echoed in my mind: "When it is over there will be a perfect little person and love that will last forever." Those words were my motivation; Holmes was my salvation.

After more than an hour, Uncle John told me that I had to push harder, that it was almost over. I tried very hard indeed and suddenly the room was pierced with the cry of a baby. Uncle John stood, cradling it in his arms. "Congratulations, Mary. You have a beautiful baby boy."

I felt happy, but at the same time, something did not seem right. Something still pained me . . .

"Oh! My mistake! Mary, you have a lovely boy and girl!"

I collapsed on the pillows, exhausted and overjoyed. I gave into my emotions and wept with happiness while I laughed. Holmes leaned in and kissed my forehead and then my lips. "It's-it's amazing!" he whispered. "I'm overwhelmed."

"Twins! Oh, Holmes, I can't believe it! Well, now you've got your male apprentice."

"Russell, don't be silly. I've got two apprentices."

"But-"

"I would be honored to teach our daughter the art of detection. After all, I do want her to turn out to be just like her mother. Now, as to names-"

A thought dawned on me. "Holmes, I should like to name our daughter after my mother, Judith, who never lived to see her grandchildren."

"Of course. Now, as for our son, I should like to name him John, after my most trusted friend, Watson." Turning to him, he said, " Had it not been for you, I should have been lost tonight."

Uncle John was surprised but flattered. "It would be an honor, Holmes," he said, as he came to lay the babies, wrapped in towels, in my arms.

Holmes and I, along with Uncle John and Mrs. Hudson, stared down at the infants, which had fallen asleep in my arms. "Well, Judith and John, life has begun."

"And," Holmes added, "it promises to be very exciting, indeed."

THE END