Déjà vu
Love Comes Softly inspired fan fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Disclaimer: This story follows the television movie characters, not the books. I do not own the Love Comes Softly television movies, book series, or any of the characters.
It had been nearly three years since Marty felt this way. She had forgotten how challenging it was to maneuver around the kitchen with a body swelling with a growing child inside. She rubbed her round stomach. Soon, Clark and she would welcome their first child together.
Missie was nine years old when Clark asked Marty to marry him. Several months later, she had given birth to Aaron, the baby she had been carrying when her husband died in a freak accident soon after arriving in Anderson Corner. Clark and Marty loved both of them dearly. They were also excited to add to their happy family.
For a while, she worried she might not be able to have more children. Their friends, Sarah and Ben Graham, had a house overflowing with children. But Clark and Marty had not been so blessed.
Marty groaned as she pushed up from the kitchen chair. Clark snickered from the doorway.
“You should be thankful you’re not the one lugging around all this weight,” said Marty.
Clark’s long strides easily closed the gap between them. His hazel brown eyes twinkled with delight. He reached up and caressed her cheek. “I’m thankful God saw fit to bring us together.” Then he gently placed his hand on her belly. “And I’m thankful for this life we’ve made together.”
Marty tilted her head and smiled. “I’m bigger than old Gertie was when she carried her calves.”
“You’re just as beautiful now, as you were the day I met you.”
She lifted a hand to her lips to cover a smile. “Is that a compliment? The day we met, I was wearing clothes I had traveled in for days, and the rain left me with sopping wet hair.”
They laughed together. Oh, gosh, how she loved him. A contraction squeezed her stomach, and she gripped his hand.
Clark knitted his eyebrows. “Do you need to sit down?”
Marty pinched her lips together, but shook her head no. She released a deep breath. “This baby isn’t due yet. My body is just getting ready.”
“Well, hopefully, we have a bit more notice this time.” Clark pulled out a chair and helped Marty sit. “I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
She waved him off. “I need to make supper soon.”
“Why don’t we let Missie do that tonight? You look tired.”
Marty felt tired, too. She didn’t recall her first pregnancy being so taxing, but she was older and raising two kids. Though at thirteen, Missie was growing into a beautiful young woman.
After a delicious supper, Missie cleared the table. “I’ll wash the dishes tonight, Mama,” Her gaze fell upon Clark. “Then I’ll tuck Aaron into bed and read him a story.”
Clark smiled. “Thank you, Missie. I think it’s best if your mama and I say goodnight early.”
He offered a hand to Marty, and they walked into their bedroom. Nestled in the crook of Clark’s body, Marty drifted off to sleep. But it didn’t last long. In the middle of the night, strong contractions woke her. Suddenly, the bed felt wet.
She shook his arm. “Clark. Clark.”
“Mmmm…”
She shook harder. “Clark!”
He blinked a few times. “What?”
“My water broke.”
Clark lifted onto his elbow. “You’re having regular pains?”
“Oh, yes.” She grimaced when
another contraction clutched her middle. “No-time-to-get… Sarah.”
How could this be happening to her again? When she went into labor with Aaron, it came quickly enough that there wasn’t time to get their friend Sarah, who had delivered Missie. Clark and Marty had only known each other for about six months. After she screamed at him more than once to get out, as the pain increased, she realized there was no way she could deliver the baby all by herself and begged for his help. His calm demeanor and encouraging words eased her through it, despite the embarrassment.
“God, please help us bring this baby into the world safely,” she said.
Clark arrived with Missie, plenty
of hot water, extra blankets, and his sheers from the barn.
“How can I help?” asked Missie.
“I feel like I’ve done this before,” said Clark. Marty glowered at his attempt to lighten the mood. He cleared his throat. “Keep hot water on the stove, and make sure you watch Aaron if he wakes up.”
“Yes, Pa.” Missie, a horrified look on her face, escaped out to the main room.
Clark plumped Marty’s pillow and took a seat in a chair next to the bed. “We’re old hands at this,” he said, lifting her hand up to his lips. “And in a while, we will get to say hello to our newest little one.”
Despite the pain, seeing the sheer joy shining on Clark’s face pleased her. She nodded. “Let’s pray all goes as smoothly as last time.”
“God is always with us, Marty. You know that.”
As the time passed, and the contractions strengthened, Clark told her stories of their times together. How he first prayed for God’s guidance in asking a young widow to marry him for the sake of his daughter. His amusement at finding a bloody axe in the yard the first time she made fried chicken. His joy in finding her in the middle of the snowstorm, and the relief in seeing her open her eyes the next morning. The disappointment of dropping her off in town the following spring when she decided to head back East, and the excitement of finding her note telling him that she didn’t want to leave.
Every part of her body seemed to ache, and each new contraction brought with it renewed waves of pain. Marty’s long blonde hair, hung in sweaty strands around her face. “Push,” she panted. “Need to push.”
Clark nodded and kissed her forehead before getting ready to help bring their child into the world. Though he said nothing, Marty could see his lips moving, and she knew he was praying.
The time dragged on, but just like when he helped deliver Aaron, Clark stayed calm and encouraged her through the pain.
“One last push, Marty. Come on now, you can do it.”
She inhaled as deeply as she could and screamed as she pushed. Behind her closed eyes, she could see stars as the most excruciating pain ripped through her. She fell back against the pillow and panted. Seconds later, she heard a slap followed by a tiny cry.
Clark got right to work, cleaning the baby and wrapping it up. He turned to an exhausted Marty with a wide grin that split his face. “We have a son!” He laid the baby in her arms. “We have a son,” he whispered in her ear.
Once they were ready, Clark opened the bedroom door. Missie, with Aaron sitting on her lap, looked up with wide eyes.
“Come see your new brother.”
Carrying Aaron, Missie rushed in. “Oh, Mama, he’s beautiful!” She leaned over so Aaron could see.
“Baby,” he said.
They all laughed.
“What’s his name?” asked Missie.
“Arnold Joseph,” said Marty.
“Arnold Joseph Davis,” said Clark, rubbing his chin. “Little Arnie it is.”
“Oh, Pa, really?” said Missie.
“Should I start calling you Melissa now?” Clark teased.
Missie rolled her eyes. “Hello, little Arnie.”
Clark hugged Missie and Aaron as Marty snuggled the newest Davis member closer; a powerful love washing over all of them.
Copyright Cheryl C. Malandrinos –
All Rights Reserved
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