Page 13 of Love's Charity
“Yer supposed to tell us what?” Evander choked out, more than a little concerned about Marianna’s sudden pallor.
Hanna held up a finger. “I ’member now.” She resettled her feet and gave a firm nod. “Her said dinna worry. Little Gabriel will be just fine when he gets borned tomorrow. And so will Mama.”
“Little Gabriel?” Marianna whispered with another shaky gasp.
“Aye.” Hanna patted her mother’s large middle. “My little brother in yer belly. Her asked that ye name him Gabriel, since ye called me Hanna.” The little girl smiled big and proud. “Her said her name is Hanna, too. I’m glad ’cause her is so nice. Is it all right that ye call my little brother Gabriel?”
“Aye, m’love.” Marianna smiled. “Gabriel is a fine name.”
The tot yawned big and long, then gave them both a kiss on the cheek. “I go to sleep for real now. Ye can put my treats out now, if’n ye wish.” She paused on her way back to the nursery and shook a finger. “Be sure and put them out tonight because tomorrow when Gabriel gets borned, and ye get busy, ye might forget.”
“We willna forget, dear one,” Evander promised, trying his best not to tremble as he pulled Marianna tighter into the curve of his arm.
“Night, night, Mama. Night, night, Da.” Tiny Hanna scampered across the sitting room, slipped inside the nursery, and clicked the door shut.
“Gabriel,” Marianna whispered as she rested a hand on the shelf of her stomach.
“Aye, wee Gabriel,” Evander said, covering her hand with his. “Our son.”
“It appears Mistress Hanna always shows up when we’re afraid.”
“That she does.” He closed his eyes as he held her. “And I am thankful for it.”
The nursery door clicked open again. “Mama? Da?”
“What is it now, Hanna?” Evander called without opening his eyes. “Ye promised to sleep, ye ken?”
“I ken, but I forgot sumpin’. Her said to tell ye another thing.”
“And what did her…what else didshesay, my fine wee one?” Evander smiled to himself. He loved the way Hanna had with words and would be so sad when she changed and talked proper.
“Her said that Jennett sings really pretty.”
A wave of everything he had experienced when they lost their child knocked out his wind, and he could tell by the way Marianna clutched at him that she felt the same.
“Da? Mama?”
“Aye, love,” Marianna choked out.
“Dinna be sad. All will be well, Hanna says so. Her said to find joy in everything. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, love,” Marianna called out as she tucked her head against his shoulder. “And I will always choose joy. I promise.” She squeezed his hand. “I am ever so glad I chose the joy of loving ye.”
Evander kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes tight against all he felt. Joy. Sorrow. Love. Pain. He was a blessed man, indeed. “I love ye, dear one.”
“I love ye, my own.” She turned and kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas and blessed Yule to ye.”
“Merry Christmas and blessed Yule to ye, as well, my lady love.”
