Against All Odds

by Marian L. Jasper

  Bea said to Rachel that she would be back later after she had Judith’s cradle in place and also told her that she was getting her bed ready for when the doctor let her leave the hospital. Rachel was looking very much better and there was contentment in her face, which surprised Liza as she had just lost both her parents and her older brother.

  Charlie carried the cradle over to Bea’s quarters and put it in place in the main bedroom. When Charlie had left, Bea asked Liza what she wanted to tell her as she felt it was obvious that there was something on Liza’s mind. Before she could answer, Ada appeared with cakes for a snack. Liza knew that Ada had really arrived to give her moral support as she tried to point out to Bea some, unfortunately, necessary questions.

  “We’re all sitting comfortably now,” said Bea. “What do you want to say, Liza; although I think I know what you’re going to ask me?”

  “I know that you are growing to love these girls, Bea and I don’t want to see you get hurt, I really don’t, but do you know if Rachel and Judith have family somewhere because if they do, we may well have to arrange for them to be reunited with them,” said Liza.

  Ada said that the colonel had said the same thing. “We could always ask no questions and hope that nobody comes forward to claim them, but you would always be looking over your shoulder, praying that nobody would turn up to claim family ties to these children. Once they were older then the choice would be theirs to live where they liked, but whilst they are so young, it would be a gamble for you, Bea.”

  Liza was so pleased that she had not been the one to explain in detail the heart-breaking disadvantages of what Bea really wanted in her life.

  “It’s something that you and Marshall will have to discuss, Bea,” said Liza. “I’m not going to ask Rachel if she has any other family, I’ll leave that to you to make the decision and you know that everyone around you will support whatever you decide. Unfortunately, I know what Gabriel will say and he will probably ask you if you want him to find out what he can about the children and then have to somehow salve his conscience if your decision is not to look into their origins.”

  “Marshall will want to do what is right, and I will want to do what isn’t,” said Bea. “I know you are right because I know that even now it will be really hard to let the girls go; it would be even harder the longer they are here.”

  “How has Marshall reacted to having a readymade family?” asked Liza.

  “He’d heard what had happened to the family and he wasn’t at all surprised that there was a baby in the house. He was a little surprised when I told him that I would like to keep the little one permanently and also her sister. He just smiled when he went through all the disadvantages and then he went through all the advantages. You know that we have always wanted a family, and through my stupidity, that wasn’t possible,” said Bea and Liza put up her hands indicating that she didn’t need to know more.

  “I do hope that this works out for you both, Bea,” said Liza, “but what you must realise now is that should the worst happen and the girls have to go to their own family, you have opened yourselves up to considering adopting a child or two in the future. There are many children out there who need love and affection.”

  “You’re right, Liza. When Rachel feels a little fitter in a day or two, I will ask her about her family, and I would be grateful if both you and Ada are with me when I do. I think she might talk about her family with you there,” said Bea.

  “Of course, we will be with you if that is what you want, but I’m not so sure that she would want us there. Her trust is in you,” said Liza.

  “It isn’t yet, Liza, it is in you. She knows you held and loved her brother when he died, and that meant a great deal to her,” said Bea.

  “You are looking after her baby sister and that should also mean a great deal to her. But we’ll do whatever is needed, won’t we, Ada?” said Liza.

  ***

  Whilst Liza was with Bea, Tom took the opportunity to ask Dr Steele about some of Liza’s background.

  “Have you any records on Liza’s previous medical history, doctor. I know you realise that I will be taking over the care of her when I come back and there are one or two things that I would like to check on and perhaps take advice on whilst I’m in New York. I’m not happy at the way her pregnancy is going and I can see that Patrick is extremely worried about her. In fact, I don’t think that I have met anyone who isn’t worried about her. Zelma mentioned an attack, is that directly responsible for why this pregnancy may not be going well?”

  Dr Steele paused for a moment and then decided that he would tell Dr Tom whatever he wished to know. He may be able to glean some advice from him now which would help whilst he was still solely in charge of Liza’s medical welfare.

  He told him about the attack and attempted rape of Liza whilst she was carrying a child and the ultimate loss of that child. He went on with how he had been the one to carry her to the hospital but he had to go to deal with an emergency in the field and had left her in the hands of Dr Bridges. The child had obviously died but had remained inside her and Dr Bridges decided to let her die in peace which Patrick had no intention of doing. He called on the help of Ada, Bea and finally Kathy when Dr Bridges refused to do anything to assist and between them, they somehow removed the child.

  “Liza nearly died. The shadow that you saw Liza call upon for the boy the other day was hovering in the room that day and I’ve heard reports that Patrick shouted at it to go away and leave her alone. It seemed like sheer willpower on Patrick’s part that Liza lived and certainly with no thanks to Dr Bridges, who seemed very put out that she had defied him and not died,” said Dr Steele.

  “How long ago was this?” asked Dr Tom.

  “It was around three years ago now. I am very surprised that she has managed to conceive again, I really felt that with the damage that she sustained there would have been no further children, but she confounded us all and this is her second since that time,” said Dr Steele.

  “What do you mean second? She must have lost another one then, when was that?” asked Dr Tom.

  “It was when she was in Ireland just over a year ago. I asked Patrick about that and he blames himself for that miscarriage. Apparently, she got in the way of someone who had a gun and Patrick had to throw her to the ground and sadly, she lost it then. I have no idea why Patrick blames himself as he saved her from a bullet, but there is obviously something more to it than that, but neither of them is saying,” said Dr Steele.

  “So, she’s had two miscarriages and now she is pregnant again and it doesn’t seem to be growing as it should. I’m now not surprised. Matthew seems healthy enough. He’s not Patrick’s, is he?” said Dr Tom.

  “No, he’s not,” was all Dr Steele would say on that subject at present. “Her first child died,” he suddenly announced to Dr Tom. “That was in Ireland soon after her first husband died. I have no idea why that was apart from the fact that she had to deal with the drowning of her husband whilst she was carrying, which probably brought on the birth.”

  “Of course that was James Marchant. There was quite an age gap between them I believe, but the word around was that they were a very close couple,” said Dr Tom. Dr Steele could see a slightly puzzled look on the doctor’s face.

  “Anything else you need to know, Tom, you will have to ask Liza; all I would add is that Matthew was a very normal and relatively easy birth. Unfortunately Dr Bridges has been shouting at Liza that she should be dead and that he was now going to let her die in peace, along with her child. I believe that although the doctor has ranted at many people around town recently, it has been somewhat unnerving for both Liza and Patrick.”

  “So, this is her fifth pregnancy, but she only has one living child so far. No wonder everyone is worrying about her. I know a doctor in New York who specialises in pregnancies and births; I think I’ll have a talk to him when I’m back there,” said Dr Tom.

  ***

  Patrick and his troops rode into the fort jus
t as Liza was leaving with Dr Tom. He rode over to them and said smiling, “Have you done as you were told today, Liza?”

  “Yes ‘Dad’, I’ve been a good girl today,” she said smiling back at him. “How’s your day been?”

  “There was nothing spectacular today. The snow seems to have stopped for a while. The scouts are saying that it’s going to be clear for a few days, so much as I enjoy your company, doctor, your window of opportunity to leave us and reach New York should be soon,” said Patrick.

  “Yes, you’re right. What I thought I would do is make sure Charlie and the ladies know exactly what I want, and I hope you will help me take some measurements in the house tomorrow, Liza. I’ll book my passage on the stage for early the following day. I’m also going to try to draw a small layout of the house otherwise my wife will never forgive me if I don’t give her some idea what she is coming to,” said Dr Tom.

  “I’ll enjoy doing that, Tom. I hope your wife and family won’t be disappointed in the house. It is a far cry from properties in New York,” said Liza.

  “Liza, I’ve seen your house in New York and beautiful as it is, your house here is a home, and the people of the town are so warm and friendly that I know my wife will feel very happy and comfortable here, and the children will be able to blend in wonderfully. No, my wife won’t be disappointed. I’m sure she is going to enjoy every minute and she’ll love organising the house and making it a real home for us,” said Tom.

  “I’ll see you later,” said Patrick as he rode off to sort out his report for the day.

  Tom was aching to ask Liza who Matthew’s father was but realised that it was a subject that was never mentioned. One day no doubt he would find out and he was sure that whoever it was, there was a reason for it.

  The boys were pleased to see their mother and Dr Tom. Gabriel had arrived back early and taken Si home. Dr Tom told them that he would be leaving the day after tomorrow before too much snow arrived. The boys told him that they wanted snow and that they enjoyed playing in the snow, there was a lot for them to do when it snowed and the school would be closed.

  “I’ll just have to give you lessons at home then if it snows, won’t I?” said Liza and the boys groaned.

  Patrick arrived home early and they all ate together after which the boys went up to their room to play for a while before bedtime. Liza and Zelma cleared up whilst Patrick and Tom chatted about the events of the day. Zelma went to her home and Tom decided to have an early night so he left for Gabriel’s house.

  Liza and Patrick sat by the fire for a while, letting the boys have a little longer playing. Patrick looked at her and asked how she was feeling. She said that she was feeling very well.

  “Shall we get the boys to bed and then have an early night ourselves,” said Patrick with a wicked look in his eyes.

  “That sounds like a very good idea Patrick; I think I’d enjoy that,” said Liza.

  Both Liza and Patrick got the boys ready for bed which they found great fun. Patrick undertook to read to them whilst Liza went to bed and waited for him.

  “Is Mummy all right,” she heard John asking.

  “Of course she is, John; she just needs to rest more than usual because of the baby, that’s all. There’s no need to worry about her, but she’d be pleased that you do,” said Patrick.

  “You’re worried about her, aren’t you, Daddy?” said Matthew. “I know because you keep telling her not to do things and you stare at her a lot when she’s not looking.”

  “I stare at her Matthew because I like looking at her. I’ve always liked looking at her. You mustn’t worry about her, she’s being well-looked after and she’s feeling very fit. Goodnight boys, sleep well,” said Patrick.

  When Patrick came in Liza said that she had heard what the boys had said. “Do they need me to go in and see them, just to reassure them?”

  “No, they’ve settled now and seemed quite happy with what I said. I was telling the truth, you know. I do like looking at you and especially in bed when I’ve taken your nightdress off,” said Patrick.

  “Even with my big fat tummy?” asked Liza grinning.

  “Especially with your big fat tummy; I love your tummy,” said Patrick as he ran his hands over it. “Lovely.”

  They spent a great deal of time talking to one another, touching each other, and kissing and cuddling before finally making love very gently. “I love you very much Patrick Kelly, and I thank you for looking after me the way you do.”

  “I need to make sure you are all right Liza, because I don’t know what I’d do without you. I wouldn’t want to go on without you. You know that, don’t you?” asked Patrick.

  “I’m going to be fine but you mustn’t say that because, although I know nothing is going to happen to me, you would have to carry on for the sake of the boys if I wasn’t around. And I would have to do the same, although I wouldn’t want to live without you either, but I would have to,” said Liza. “But we’re getting morbid and we’ve just had such a happy time tonight. We mustn’t let what Dr Bridges said cloud our minds, he was wrong before and he’s going to be wrong this time.”

  “You’re right, of course. Come on, Liza, I’m going to play with you again, unless you’re too tired,” said Patrick.

  “Playing with me makes me beautifully warm and sleepy,” she said as she smiled and moved even nearer to him so that he could reach every part of her.

  The next morning everyone was up bright and early. Gabriel, Si and Dr Tom were already sitting at the table when Liza and Patrick came downstairs. Matthew, John and Zelma were eating breakfast and planning their day which was the last before school started.

  Patrick and Liza joined everyone at the table and helped themselves to the bacon and eggs that Zelma had prepared for them. “I think that I have been rather thoughtless, Dr Tom. I really should have introduced you to Dr Bridges and although he may not realise who you are, it is only right that you both meet. I’ll see if young Greg Long can go and see Mrs Henshaw to ask her when it would be convenient for us to visit him,” said Liza.

  “Yes, I should have thought of that myself. He will become a patient of mine and it would be good to meet him. He may have one of his more lucid moments which would be useful, but if not at least I will see what I may have to deal with,” said Dr Tom.

  “I’ll stop off at the general store on my way to the fort and ask Greg to see Mrs Henshaw and let you know when you can visit,” said Patrick.

  Liza and Dr Tom spent the morning at the doctor’s house taking measurements and discussing what would be needed to make the house comfortable initially. Liza agreed to see all the furniture Charlie was making into place and also to make sure the fires were lit so that the house was well aired before the family arrived. Greg had seen Mrs Henshaw and she had suggested that they visit Dr Bridges after lunch and that he was mentally quite stable at the moment.

  The three boys and Zelma had been invited to tea with ‘uncle’ colonel and Ada and they had been told that they could also see the baby girl that Bea was looking after. Dr Steele had suggested that they might like to visit Rachel if she felt up to visitors. It would only be a very fleeting visit by them so that she was not tired out. The boys were quite willing to do that but as she was ‘only a girl’ they wouldn’t have much to talk to her about. The three boys discussed the visit and decided that if it helped the girl then they would put themselves out for her.

  Dr Tom and Liza looked at one another when they heard this conversation and smiled at the boys’ logic. After lunch they waved Zelma and the boys off in the buggy and they walked up to Mrs Henshaw’s house. Dr Bridges was sitting in what was now his regular armchair. He jumped up and put his arms around Liza and told her how pleased he was to see her. She introduced Dr Tom to him and Dr Bridges said how delighted he was to meet him. He appeared very lucid which relieved Liza greatly.

  Liza went to talk to Mrs Henshaw who was in her kitchen, leaving Dr Tom and Dr Bridges to talk. She asked Mrs Henshaw how she was coping with
looking after the doctor and she replied that he was having fewer moments of irrational behaviour and she was managing to stop him from leaving the house without her.

  As they were leaving the doctor became very agitated and started talking to Liza relatively quietly, he told her that he would make sure that she would be at peace soon and was sorry that she’d had to wait so long to meet her maker, but he would keep her as comfortable as possible and as she was such a good person he was sure that heaven would be waiting for her. He was pleased that she would have her child with her so that they could comfort one another.

  “I blame Patrick for the way you are,” he carried on and was about to go further when Mrs Henshaw led him away and Dr Tom put an arm around Liza’s shoulder and he walked her away from the house.

  “Do you always get spoken to by him like that?” asked Tom.

  Liza tried to make light of it. “No, he normally shouts like that at me, so this is an improvement,” but once again the doctor had unnerved her.

  “I’m sorry that we didn’t leave earlier, but you mustn’t take any notice of what he said, Liza. In his present mental state he fixates on one subject and today I’m afraid it was you. There are no medical reasons to suggest that you are going to have problems; he’s just remembering the past whereas he probably can’t remember what he was doing yesterday,” said Tom. “At least I’ve seen both sides of his character today, which is really what I wanted.”

  “Please don’t tell Patrick. He’s already worrying more than is necessary. I don’t want him to have any more stress as his job is stressful enough,” said Liza.

  “Of course I won’t Liza, but you have to know that Patrick constantly worries about you. If you were to tell him what Dr Bridges said he’d be just as worried as he is now, it would make no difference,” said Tom.