Chapter 71 - The Words Of The Witch

Cora and Miles led Delaney and Vincent into the house. Delaney saw Vincent's limp wasn't good but tried her best not to pay too much attention as he had asked.

They went up a flight of stairs and ended up at the bedroom Delaney recognized from when she had been there after Bernard had lost his hand. There were two sobbing older women in the hall, one being Olive's mother and the other being Bernard's mother.

Delaney and Vincent greeted them quickly, saying they were sorry to hear Olive wasn't well. When the women saw Vincent their eyes widened but they didn't reply, just nodding for them to go ahead into the room.

Just inside the doorway, Delaney paused, not wanting to go forward and see one of her best friends so unwell. She felt Vincent's warm, strong hand take hers though and she looked up into serious green eyes.

Delaney took a deep breath and tried to draw on his strength to make her stronger. She walked into the room and turned to see the same grand bed that had been there before. Only this time, instead of Bernard being in the bed and Olive sitting beside him, the roles were reversed.

Selina and Constance were there along with Cora and Miles. Delaney was surprised to see even Duncan was standing awkwardly by the window. She hurried forward, letting go of Vincent's hand, to gather near her friend.

"Oh Delaney you're here," Olive's voice came out barely above a whisper, "I'm so glad you're here. Look at my beautiful son! Isn't he the most perfect thing you've ever seen?"

Delaney looked down at Olive who was propped up on pillows in the bed. Her skin was pale, almost grey, with dark shadows under her eyes. She looked tired and weak despite her happiness in talking about her son.

In her arms was a little bundle. Delaney bit her lip and tears sprang to her eyes when she saw the little rosy cheeks and pink pouting lips on the perfect face. Her heart instantly melted for the boy.

"Olive he is so perfect," she whispered, fighting back her tears, "He's absolutely the most beautiful baby I've ever seen!"

Olive beamed, "He is perfect, isn't he? Remember what the witch said? She said I would have a son and love him madly and I do! Oh Delaney I love him so much my heart could burst."

Delaney forced herself to smile at her friend before the mother turned back to look at her child.

"The witch said he would make me happy for all my days after," she said peacefully, "She was right. I'm so terribly happy."

A strangled sound came from Bernard and Delaney looked to see the man had his hand clamped over his mouth as tears streamed down his face. Looking up again, she met Vincent's eyes with her own worried ones.

Knowing what she wanted, Vincent stepped over behind Bernard and clamped a hand on his shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. "How about we give the ladies a chance to talk and we can go have a drink to celebrate your new son?"

"You should love," Olive smiled fondly at him, "Go celebrate with your friends." Without hesitating, she looked up at Vincent and smiled warmly at him as well, "Thank you. He needs to have a toast to his new son and heir."

"We will," Vincent forced a small smile for her, "Come on Bernard."

The man got shakily from his seat and followed Vincent toward the door. Miles and Duncan were quick to follow them as well.

As soon as they were gone, Delaney took Bernard's seat. Constance brought a chair over for herself and sat next to Delaney, leaving Cora and Selina on the other side.

"I know you're worried," Olive said quietly to them, "But don't be. I'm not. If I don't make it past this day, I will die after having truly the best day of my life. The only part that makes me sad is knowing I won't have more days with him."

"Olive please don't talk like that," Selina whispered, her eyes as red as Cora and Constance's.

"The witch said my friends will love him as well and always take care of him," Olive continued, "She said he would be happy. I want that happy future for him, whether I'm here for it or not."

Delaney took Olive's icy hand in her own and squeezed it, "You have to fight to get better. We all need you. Bernard needs you too."

"I'm sorry," she smiled sadly at her friends, "I don't know that I have the strength this time."

Delaney felt her tears pour down her cheeks then and the other women did as well. Even Olive had to close her eyes but tears managed to escape anyways.

"Do you remember that big tree we sat under at Vincent's estate and watched the boys fight with swords down below?" Olive asked quietly and the women answered that they did. "Promise you'll take him there one day and tell him about that day."

"I promise I'll have him to Edgewood every year," Delaney smiled through her tears, "And every year I'll tell him the story, even when he knows it as well as I do."

Olive smiled happily at that. "Take him and make sure to introduce him to Win," she continued then giggled, "But perhaps don't tell him about our rule-breaking and sneaking into a men's club until he's older."

The other women all laughed at her words and agreed, working to dash away the tears on their cheeks.

"Take him everywhere," Olive spoke quietly then, "Let him see everything and meet everyone. I want him to have an exciting life."

The women nodded and agreed. Delaney swallowed, feeling her heart breaking.

"Take care of Bernard," her friend said at last, tears slipping down her own cheeks, "He's going to be so very sad. Please don't let him get lost in it. Don't let him be sad forever. I don't want that."

"He'll need help with the baby and the house. He isn't as strong as Vincent or Miles. He needs someone who can be strong for him."

"I'll stay here with them Olive," Constance spoke up from her place, reaching out and taking the woman's hand Delaney released to her, "My mother and sister can take care of the club well enough. I'll stay here and help for as long as they need me."

Olive bit her lip against her tears and nodded, whispering a quiet thank you. "Will you get Bernard now please?"

Delaney was quick to get up and go for the men. She found them downstairs in silence, sipping their drinks. She told Bernard his wife was asking for him and he was quick to jump up and rush away to her.

The other men followed more slowly, leaving Delaney and Vincent alone. Vincent gulped down the last of his drink before taking her on his arm and going back upstairs with her.

Bernard was back in his spot, holding his wife's hand as she told him that Constance would be staying with him. Her words were coming slower and sleepier.

Everyone stood and moved to the back of the room, still there for their friends but leaving them to have a bit of privacy.

Delaney held Vincent's hand tight as she watched Bernard and Olive cry together. The man stood to lean over and kiss his wife, running his hands over her hair to pat it in place.

He climbed onto the bed with her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her cheek and whispering sweet things to her as they looked down at their beautiful son.

Olive grew quiet and Bernard kissed her and kept talking to her. He was telling her how much he loved her when she closed her eyes and took one last breath.

A pained sound came from Bernard. Delaney's hands flew over her mouth as she gasped. Vincent pulled her to him and held her against his chest where she buried her face and wept.

"I'm sorry my Love," he whispered against her hair, "I'm so sorry."

When she was able to calm herself enough, she turned to see Constance was holding Bernard as he cried. Delaney went to the other side of the bed and gently lifted the little baby from his mother's arms where he had rested for the last time.

Selina came to her side as the baby began to stir, waking up. Delaney told her to quickly tell a servant to get him a bottle. Selina nodded and dashed off to do it.

In her arms, tiny Benjamin awoke at last, as if he somehow knew something wasn't right. He squirmed for a moment before opening his mouth to cry.

Delaney looked down at the beautiful baby in her arms, now crying for his mother. It wasn't fair. He had such a wonderful mother but had only been able to have her for such a short time.

Now, the son that Olive had learned about so long ago from a witch, the one she had loved so deeply and would make her so happy, was all alone. His mother was gone.