He Was in the Course of Running Away From His Previous Life Chapter 4 Moving On?
Jamie is released back to civilian life a week later. I had managed to avoid him up until the day he leaves. He doesn’t speak as he walks past my, looking daper in his uniform. He just reaches for my hand and places a folded piece of paper in it. He squeezes my hand and then is gone. I stand with the tingle of his hand on mine, clinging tight to my last hold on him.
I don’t open it right away. I place it in my chest and go back to work. The bloody war is almost over, or so we have been told. But, it's end is horrible as the butcher’s bill gets bigger every day. We are busy from morning until an exhausted bedtime. I don’t forget about Jamie's letter, I am just to busy to deal with it.
Finally, armistice! The end! But, we still must treat the patients that are left. They include a young pregnant bride. Her husband lost to the vulgarities of war. She is very pregnant and in labor. Her name is Mary.
“If I die, ye will see the bairn safe?” her Scottish accent is deepened by the pain of her labor. I move to reassure her.
“I will not need to. You will be fine. The war is ended and you can raise your baby in peace.” All around us is the groans and moans of the wounded mixed with the shouts of tribute as the news of V-E day travels through the ranks.
“May the blessed Virgin make it sae but if---there be no one. Everyone is gone. Ethan, may his soul be at peace, was the last of my family. Please Claire.”
You tell them anything to keep them calm. So, I promise. I don’t foresee any problems. She is young and healthy. As she labors, I head back to pack. I am leaving in the morning. That is when I re-find Jamie’s letter. I finally open it.
My Dearest Claire,
I ken ye are scared. I understand the thought of trusting yerself again is overwhelming. But, I trust ye. I trust us. I trust the purity of our feelings for each other. I also trust that ye will get to that same point.
When ye do, ye will find me at Lallybroch, in the Scottish Highlands, near Broch Monro. I will see ye soon.
All my love,
Lt. James Fraser
Jamie
I am jerked away from his message by a more immediate one.
“Mary is ready to push. I fear trouble.” I hurry after Louis, after tucking Jamie's missive away to ponder later.
Trouble indeed. She is strong and healthy but small. The coming baby has a big head. I kneel between her legs and order, in my best charge nurses voice, her to push. She does. I give her credit. She pushes until she turns blue with the effort. “Breath! Deeply.”
It is a horrid hour as she and we, labor to deliver her child. No doctor is available( all are busy with the soldiers and airmen) so it is just Louis and I and Mary. She tears horribly. Will fix it later, I think as the babies head finally emerges. A red head, of course. Must get it from daddy as Mary is blond.
“Almost there Mary.Just one more push.”
“Claire, pull le infant out. The mamma is gone.” Louis states.
“Wot? She can't be.” But she is. I feel no femoral pulse under my finger as it holds her open. I ease the infant out. A healthy girl. She lets out a cry of rage and I feel like crying with her. The wee orphan.
I recall the promise I made to Mary. Can I keep it? Can I care for the baby alone? How can I not.” I explain to Louis what had transpired between Mary and I.
“Je will keep her then, le petite fille'?”
“I must. She has no one else.”
“God go with je Claire. Je do the angels work.” The baby lays in my arms. Her mum's body has been removed but, I can give her something of her.
“Your name is Maria. Maria Ethana, after your parents.”
The military is happy to have one less orphan to deal with and quickly approves me to adopt her. With the added approval of the Scottish government, we are soon clear to go home. But where is that?
