A Pirates Passion

Chapter 14

Elizabeth heard James yell and pushed the man out of her way. She hurried to the carriage. "Oh my God" She turned back to the man. "Hurry and run to the fort. Get the doctor." She looked at James and paled when she saw the blood on Maddy. "Will" She yelled for her husband.

Will was in his drawing room sketching some new sword designs when he heard his wife call his name. She sounded very scared. He ran out to her"What's wrong" he asked. He then saw the carnage and knew what was wrong. "Let's get her to Doctor Williams" he said jumping up to drive the carriage.

"No" Madeline screamed. "Take me inside James." She screamed as another pain went through her. James scooped her up in his arms. Elizabeth led the way to the room that Maddy used when she was at their house. James gently laid her on the bed.

Elizabeth looked at James and Will. "Out. Send for Tessy to help me." She said not paying them any more attention as she helped to get Madeline out of her bloodied clothes.

"You send for Tessy, I'm going to get Doctor Williams" James told Will flatly.

"Right" Will said and they both took off running.

Will found Tessy in the market shopping. He made the crowd around think he was kidnapping the poor girl and James jerked Dr. Williams out of his office so fast he was sure that Port Royal must be under attack.

Elizabeth helped Madeline change into a clean nightgown. She cleaned her face and got the blood off of her face. She didn't say anything, but knew Maddy would have a small scar on her cheek. "Maddy, who did this" She asked.

"Jacquette." She cried, wiping away her tears. She screamed in pain as another contraction came. "Where the hell is the doctor" she swore.

"He's coming." Elizabeth said watching her cousin writhe in pain. "Jacquette"

"Aye." Madeline said gripping the sheets in pain.

Will and Tessy got there about the same time as James and Dr. Williams; all four ran into the house. James ahead of them all he burst into the room"Dr. Williams is here" he said and literally shoved the man into the room.

Dr. Williams moved quickly towards Madeline. "The baby's coming." She screamed in pain.

"Let me have a look here." He said in a calm voice. He looked at her face and began to lift the sheet but turned back towards the two men. "Perhaps you better step out."

"No James, don't leave me." Madeline cried.

James moved quickly around to the other side of the bed and took her hand"I'm here Madeline, I'm here" he said gently. He looked at the doctor"Help her" he growled.

Elizabeth moved to the other side of her as Tessy began to heat water. "Will, go get some clean towels and sheets." She said trying to stay calm.

Dr. Williams lifted the sheet and looked between Madeline's legs. His eyes widened when he saw the amount of blood between them. "Mrs. Skye, do you know why you are bleeding" He asked looking at her above the sheet.

"I fell on my stomach." She said, clenching James' hand as pain went through her. "Fuck" she swore.

Will jumped into action and nearly ran over Tessy in the hallway"Sorry Tessy" he said and hurried to find what he was after.

"Someone tried to kill her, now do something" James growled angrily.

The doctor nodded and finished his exam. He cleaned his hands in the water Tessy brought in. "Alright Mrs. Skye, it looks like you're ready to push."

Madeline looked at him with wide eyes. She could do this. She'd done this once before. She sat up slightly with the help of James and Elizabeth and began to push. Bringing her child into the world.

She pushed for close to three hours. She buried her head in James' chest. She was so tired. "James, God it hurts so bad." She cried.

James put his body behind hers slightly letting her lean against him"You can do this Madeline, just a little more" he coaxed letting her squeeze the circulation from his hand.

Will paced in the hallway nervously.

“I can’t.” She cried, letting her tears fall. “It hurts too much. Damn him. Damn that bastard to hell for this.” She swore. Damn Louis Jacquette to the pits of hell.

James held her hand"Listen to me Madeline, you've got to do this. The baby is depending on you. Please darling, you can do this" he said hoping to encourage her. He looked at Elizabeth for some help.

She nodded and stepped out of the room for a moment. She saw Will’s worried look. “She can’t push anymore Will. She’s so tired.” Elizabeth said, feeling just as tired. “I think she needs all of us Will. Please come.” She said quietly reaching for his hand. She jumped when she heard Maddy scream again.

Will looked at his wife and went inside ahead of her"Madeline" he said gently but then he stopped dead in his tracks.

"What's happening, what the bloody hell happened" James snapped at the doctor.

Dr. Williams reached for the clean cloths that Tessy was holding. "She's losing too much blood. I don't know if either one of them will make it." He said in all honesty. He looked at Elizabeth. "Mrs. Turner. I need to ask you something very serious. If a choice is to be made, the baby or Mrs. Skye" he asked.

Elizabeth threw a scared look at Will and then at James.

Madeline had heard the doctor’s question and looked up at James. "The baby James. Save the baby." She said in a hoarse voice.

"No, you save Madeline" James said firmly. He looked at Madeline"I can't loose you, I can't loose you" he said and held her close as he could.

Elizabeth felt silent tears fall. "Madeline. Save Madeline." She whispered. Not even sure if the doctor heard her. She moved back to Madeline's side and Will went with her. She looked at Madeline and saw how pale she was. Her heart sank. She took Madeline’s hand in hers and kissed it. "Come on cousin. Where is that tough pirate I know"

Madeline looked at her cousin and felt James kissing the top of her head. "I can do this." She whispered. She sat up to push again.

"Alright Mrs. Skye. The baby is almost out. I can see the head." Dr. Williams said.

"I hate him." She growled as she pushed.

"We all hated him" Will said. "Come on Maddy, you can do this" he said.

James leaned into her a little helping her to push"That's it Madeline, you're doing it, it's almost here, just a little more and we'll have a beautiful baby" he cheered. He had never sweated more in his life.

Madeline gave one final big push and she felt her child slip from her body. She fell back exhausted, but raised her head. "Why isn't the baby crying? What's wrong" She asked and tried to sit up more.