When news spread that Charlie was in labor, all the clan came to the fine new house. Ruth and Gertrude were above stairs with the doctor, the three Emersons below. Matthew was quiet, ignoring the teasing of his kin as he endured the sounds of pain coming from his bedroom.
He’d stayed by her side for hours, he’d seen her pain... until Gertrude shooed him off.
It was nigh on midnight when the first lusty screams of his firstborn filled the house. The dark glower on Matthew’s face crumbled, a delighted smile came in its place. He stood and walked right up the stairs.
Charlie lay in their bed, hair damp with sweat but face glowing. In her arms she cradled their bawling little boy. Pushing past the doctor and ignoring the women, Matthew sat by her and reached out a hand to touch the baby’s clenched fist, instantly quieting the little one as he always could.
The End