Kirsten's Journal: Book 3: Reidar & Kirsten in Missouri (The Hansen Series - Martin & Dagny and Reidar & Kirsten)

by Kris Tualla

  Perhaps I have a faulty recollection. Children will do that at times, remembering their parents as they want them to be, not as they are.

  Pappa, however has not changed since last he was here. In fact, I believe there is a lightness in his step that was missing before. After our last discussion, the fact that I am not, after all, so damaged as to never be able to bear a child seems to have lifted a great weight from his shoulders.

  While he has never again mentioned that fraught conversation, there is a special twinkle in his eye when he smiles at me and no one else is looking.

  ~ 1787 ~

  February 8th

  I have not taken time to write to you, dear reader, because my days have been filled so pleasantly. I have never been happier than I am today, in my own home, with my beloved husband by my side, and both Pappa and Mamma sitting across the table and sharing our meal.

  I have grown so very large and heavy with the child inside, and I am certain it is a big, strong boy, judging by the bruising of my ribs and the weight on my bladder.

  There is no midwife in Cheltenham as yet, but Addie assures me that she successfully helped deliver her mother of several of her younger siblings. Bea has said she will come as well, and of course my mother will be at my side.

  In the nighttime, when we are alone in bed, Reid has told me how animals give birth. How they relax and breathe deeply until it is time, and then they strain and push the babe out, often with manure accompanying the infant.

  I was horrified, of course, at that thought. But what will come, will come, I suppose.

  February 9th

  I have been experiencing cramping this afternoon. Reid used his pocket watch to time the pains. They are regular, ten minutes apart, and growing stronger. Reid has gone to fetch Bea, and Addie is upstairs preparing the bed. No one is rushing—my mother assures me there is plenty of time, yet—but we shall certainly see our son soon.

  February 11th

  First of all, I must say that I have never been through such a painful, difficult, and exhilarating experience in my entire life. If men were forced to give birth instead of women, I am certain the human race would have died out with Adam and Eve.

  Secondly, yesterday afternoon Reid and I welcomed into the world our son, Nicolas Reidar Hansen, born on February 10, 1787.

  As I held him in my arms for the first time, I could not understand how such a big, wiggly creature ever could have grown inside my body, much less exited the same—and yet here he is in all of his blue-eyed, flaxen-haired perfection.

  I am overwhelmed with love for the husky little fellow, and though it is initially painful to put him to the breast (Mamma and Addie both insist this is temporary and will soon abate) he latches on with gusto.

  Reid is strutting around like the damned rooster (whom I have restrained from killing only because he keeps the chickens under control) and I have never seen him so pleased. Of course, he had said he wanted a girl, but he came around in the blink of an eye once he held little Nicky in his arms.

  March 24th

  Mamma and Pappa began their journey home yesterday after a tearful farewell. I hate saying goodbye, because the obvious situation hangs over our heads. And yet its resultant question is never spoken: will we ever see each other again?

  I hug my son to my breast and tuck myself under my husband’s strong arm, and remind myself that this is my family now. And I would not trade them, or my life in Missouri, for anything.

  ~ 1788 ~

  May 27, 1788

  I absolutely cannot believe it, and yet I am certain. I am pregnant again. Nicky will not be an only child. I wonder if, when I tell him, will Reid cry again?

  I cannot wait a moment longer to find out.

  THE HANSEN FAMILY TREE

  Sveyn Hansen* (b. 1035 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  ***

  Rydar Hansen (b. 1324 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Grier MacInnes (b. 1328 ~ Durness, Scotland)

  Eryndal Bell Hansen (b. 1327 ~ Bedford, England)

  Andrew Drummond (b. 1325 ~ Falkirk, Scotland)

  ***

  Jakob Petter Hansen (b. 1485 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Avery Galaviz de Mendoza (b. 1483 ~ Madrid, Spain)

  ***

  Brander Hansen (b. 1689 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Regin Kildahl (b. 1693 ~ Hamar, Norway)

  ***

  Martin Hansen (b. 1721 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Dagne Sivertsen (b. 1725 ~ Ljan, Norway)

  Reidar Hansen (b. 1750 ~ Boston, Massachusetts)

  Kristen Sven (b. 1754 ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

  Nicolas Hansen (b. 1787 ~ Cheltenham, Missouri Territory)

  Siobhan Sydney Bell (b. 1789 ~ Shelbyville, Kentucky)

  Stefan Hansen (b. 1813 ~ Cheltenham, Missouri)

  Kirsten Hansen (b. 1820 ~ Cheltenham, Missouri)

  Leif Fredericksen Hansen (b. 1809 ~ Christiania, Norway)

  ***

  Tor Hansen (b. 1913 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Kyle Solberg (b. 1919 ~ Viking, Minnesota)

  Teigen Hansen (b. 1915 ~ Arendal, Norway)

  Selby Hovland (b. 1914 ~ Trondheim, Norway)

  ***

  *Hollis McKenna Hansen (b. 1985 Sparta, Wisconsin)

  Kris Tualla, a dynamic award-winning and internationally published author of historical romance and suspense, writes with a fast-paced and succinct style. Kris started in 2006 with nothing but a nugget of a character in mind, and has created a dynasty with The Hansen Series and its spin-off, The Discreet Gentleman Series. Norway is the new Scotland!

  Kris is an active PAN member of Romance Writers of America, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime, and was invited to be a guest instructor at the Piper Writing Center at Arizona State University.

  "In the Historical Romance genre, there have been countless kilted warrior stories told. Well, I say it's time for a new breed of heroes. Come along with me and find out why: Norway IS the new Scotland!"