Page 8 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

As the cold wrapped itself around him like an uncomfortable hug, he told himself that he was happy now to focus on his career, to be the best paramedic he could be, to stay single all the way. But a voice deep inside him whispered that having someone to go home to would be nice, especially at Christmas when he’d love to have someone special to kiss under the mistletoe.

CHAPTER5

‘Hold on a moment,’ the midwife said as she moved what Lucy thought resembled a small microphone over Ellen’s belly.

Ellen squirmed. ‘That tickles.’

‘Sorry, darling.’ The midwife smiled but kept moving the microphone, her face a mask of concentration.

Suddenly a loud swooshing sound filled the small room at the GP surgery. Ellen’s smile broadened. ‘Do you hear that?’ she asked Lucy.

‘I do! I hear it!’

‘That’s your niece.’ Ellen pointed at her belly as if there could be any doubt about the baby’s location. ‘Right there.’

Lucy nodded. Lying on the bed on top of the blue paper the midwife had torn from a roll, Ellen looked huge. Her belly rose like a mountain between her breasts and thighs, the skin stretched tight and flecked with feathery pink marks. Her belly button stuck out like a sightless pink eye at the centre of the mountain and Lucy felt a rush of love for her sister. She was going through so much to bring her child into the world and Lucy was filled with admiration.

‘Everything looks and sounds perfect,’ the midwife said as she handed Ellen some blue paper to wipe the clear gel from her skin. ‘There you go my lovely.’

‘Thanks, Sarah.’

‘Need a hand?’ Lucy approached the bed and reached out to help Ellen get a blob of jelly she’d missed, when her belly suddenly changed shape. ‘Ahhh!’ She jumped back.

‘What is it?’ Ellen’s eyes widened.

‘Your stomach is… moving.’

‘What? How on earth is that happening?’ Ellen spoke slowly as if to ensure that Lucy could hear her. ‘Whatever could be causing that?’

Lucy tilted her head. ‘Cut it out.’

‘What?’

‘Teasing me.’

‘The baby moves, honey. It’s quite big now so of course my belly moves. Give me your hand.’ Ellen took Lucy’s hand and placed it on her bump. ‘Feel here.’

Beneath Ellen’s warm skin, there was a shift and then their hands rose. Lifting her hand, she saw what was clearly a foot pushing against Ellen’s skin.

‘A foot!’

‘Yes. Going to be a footballer that one.’ Sarah touched the foot and it slowly disappeared. ‘She’s nice and active?’

‘Very.’ Ellen winced as Sarah helped her to sit up. ‘Kept me awake most of last night elbowing me under the ribs.’

‘That can be sore.’ Sarah grimaced. ‘She’s probably finding it a bit tight in there now so she’s stretching as best she can. It won’t be long and you’ll be able to hold her in your arms.’

‘I can’t wait!’ Ellen grinned.

‘Nor me.’ Lucy swallowed hard as emotion tightened her throat. Her niece was going to be so loved.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if you go a bit earlier than your EDD. Don’t place money on it but you’re carrying quite low now and the head is firmly in your pelvis. Having said that, it’s a first baby, so who knows. They often surprise us and come when they’re good and ready.’

‘As long as I don’t need a caesarean, that’s fine with me.’ Ellen stood up and pulled her top down over her belly. ‘I want my home birth and natural labour and everything on my birth plan.’

‘I hope it all goes the way you’ve planned it, darling.’ Sarah patted Ellen’s hand. ‘Just be aware that sometimes, women need a bit of help. But we’ll play it by ear when the time comes.’ She checked the computer screen on a desk in front of her. ‘Your birth partner is still Billy?’

‘Yes.’ Ellen bobbed her head.

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