Juliet

Juliet

Chapter Two
Birth

Aunt Sophie and James stood around the now closed door, wondering what to do. The sudden departure of their companions had left them speechless. Aunt Sophie chewed on her bottom lip in thought. She knew she had to help Juliet, yet not how. Juliet had made it clear that she wanted no home with anyone and no one else’s say in what she should do. Master Karen seemed in similar thought, though his mind kept drifting to the fact that Juliet surname meant.

“A caged bird,” he whispered. “But what is her cage, the children? Her inability to leave here?” James pondered. Aunt Sophie didn’t answer, but she had a feeling that James wouldn’t for all his learning figure it out. Juliet had declared to her love for whoever the father was, and that sat heavily on her mind.

A knock at the door stirred them from their thoughts. Aunt Sophie paused before opening it, wondering who it could. She highly doubted that Juliet would have returned so quickly, if at all, and Elliot would have called out to her in his deep voice. The hand kept knocking, and finally with a sigh, Aunt Sophie opened it to reveal John Edwards, the village leader.

Mr. Edwards glared at her in disrespect, as he did to nearly every person not native to the town. He hated foreign influence in the town his family helped found. He acted like royalty in Denton, demanding all the citizens follow his rules, though most just laughed in his face. He was only village leader because of his ancestors help in the founding, otherwise, he probably would have been called the town’s drunk or fool.

“Aunt Sophie,” he said, glaring even harsher with his murky green eyes when he saw Master Karen in her house. Master Karen, out of good manners promptly ignored the stare and sneer on John’s face. “I have come to ask about the slave girl that you have taken in.”

“She seems to not have liked my hospitality and has left,” said Aunt Sophie, returning the glare. No matter how old she was, Sophia Green was not one to back down from any fight, no matter her opponent.

“Then may I assume you know something about her?” he asked.

“Aye, that I do,” she said. “But its no business of yours what I know about her. If you are so worried, go and find her yourself. She isn’t too hard to miss.” Aunt Sophie hoped he wouldn’t take up that suggestion, as Juliet may bare her fangs on him as she had on the Coachmen, and John’s temper was famous around these parts. She could see his face turning red at her refusal.

“So is she truly an ex-slave, or is she an escaped one?” asked John. “For if she is an escaped one, we might have to return her back to...”

“Now listen here John Edwards!” screamed Aunt Sophie. “Here in Iisk, we don’t practice such a vile act as slaving. I have no idea who she is or how she came to be here, nor will I bother the child about it.” Though she knew half the things she said was false, she had no intention of letting John Edwards take any advantage of the young girl.

“Aunt Sophie,” said John. “She must come from somewhere. I shall demand that she tell me where she is from, her name, and her former master. Then I shall write to the Ambassador in the capital and give him all the information we have on her, and then he can do with her as he wishes.”

“Sir,” said Master Karen, finally building up the nerve to speak. “The young lady in question has no desires to give out her information to anyone, and even a smaller desire to ask for assistance from Lord Whitney.”

“I could care less what the little tramp wants,” he said. “She is a child and a slave, she is use to not having a say in her own life. I will not let her leech off the good people of Denton!”

“Or perhaps you know that she must mean something to someone,” said Aunt Sophie, noticing the greedy gleam in Mr. Edwards eye. It was a known fact that the Edwards thought themselves above common farmers. Mr. Edwards like the drink and gambling table a little too much, while Mrs. Edwards happen to have an eye for good cloth and finery. Neither of them were satisfied with what they had. “She wears a pretty silk dress, and she was given that purse. You know she must mean something to someone.”

“She isn’t a member of this community or even this kingdom,” said John, denying nothing that Aunt Sophie had accused him of. “I will not allow a foreigner into my village. Good day.” With that, he turned and left her porch, and Aunt Sophie spat after him and slammed her door.

“That son of dung-covered ass!” She hissed at the door. “Bastard to the core. Thinking he can make a penny or two off a girl. Bad as though Sabaanins that enslaved her.” She spat on her own floor in fury.

“But Madame Green, what shall we do?” asked James. “He did threaten Juliet’s well-being, we can’t let that happen.”

“He is nothing but hot air,” she said. “The only thing he will get from that girl is her name, and she admits at least part of it is fake. Too many slave owners in Sabaan to write to them all about her, and Whitney probably doesn’t remember the names of every slave, specially pseudonyms they may be using.”

“Yes, but he could still write and tell someone of her,” said James fearful.

“There is nothing Whitney can do, and if any slaver crosses the border, the King himself will be in an uproar,” said Aunt Sophie. “Contrary to Mr. Edwards opinion, slavery isn’t allowed in Iisk.”

“He could still harm her though,” said Master Karen.

“Not if I can help it,” Aunt Sophie muttered. “James go out and tell anyone you pass on your way home that I will refuse service to anyone who harms the girl, even if they come to my house dying. And should anyone try to contact Ambassador Whitney or a Sabaanin, I shall pack up my bags and leave with her in tow for Bunt.” James nodded and raced out the front door to do her bidding.

She smirked. Though John Edwards despised her, he still needed her services. If she left, then his people may turn against them. Her job was to help the sick, but were and when she helped them was completely up to her.

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Juliet, in her path for independence, had forgone common sense. She cursed at herself, wandering aimlessly down the streets, pass gawking farmers and shop keepers, who were still shocked to see her in the town. Her glares and growls did little to take away the attention of herself. The only good thing was noone had dare to approach her yet, and she would be pleased to keep it like that.

She hadn’t the faintest idea where to go. She had never planned to stay anywhere, nor even thought about being abandoned by her caretakers. Now she was in a backwater town in a kingdom she had no ties with, without a future. If only she had at least made it to Bunt! Even if she couldn’t cross because of fears, she could stay there in a proper home, and could have seen some of her own people! She grew tearful, and dropped her bags on the dirt road, not caring about the mud and muck. She herself followed soon after and had a good cry, covering her once pretty dress in grim. Not a person came to comfort her, though many stood nearby watching.

‘What wretched people they are,’ thought Juliet. ‘Taking entertainment in someone’s agony.’

Through her tears, she saw someone approach her. She dried her eyes on her sleeve to study him. He was tan and muscled, most likely a farmer. He wore a white tunic and brown vest with brown pants that seemed to stiff to walk in. He wore black boots and a hat that covered dusty blonde hair. His eyes were a swampy green, and his mouth set in a bitter line.

“I was looking for you,” he said. “You have caused me more then enough trouble.” He reached and grabbed her arm, struggling to pull her up due to her weight and her fight. She did not like to be grab by strange men, and her mood was dark enough to almost smack the man.

“Let go of me sir,” she said. He just gave her a cruel smile, seeing the slight fear in her eye.

“I don’t think so,” he said, dragging her away. “I have some questions that I want answering.”

“And I have no answers to give,” she snared back, not caring of her fate. He stopped, spun around and smacked her hard across the jaw three times, till tears welled up her eyes.

“Next time you think better of acting above your station, little whore,” he growled. “Or I won’t think twice about hitting you somewhere besides that pretty face of yours.”

“My mistake,” she growled, not adding the rest.

“Now answer me this!” He yelled, pulling her close so she could see the fire in his eyes. “What is your name?”

“Juliet,” she said with a steady voice she didn’t know she could muster. “Juliet Dovecot.”

“Where are you from?”

“Lanet.” He squeezed her harder.

“What part.” She remained silent. “Tell me who your master is!”

“I have no master.”

“You’re a no good little slave that escaped from her master. No man is fool enough to let a little treasure like you go.”

“Amongst my people I am hideous.” He didn’t believe her.

“I attend to make a mint off of you, the decision is yours how. Either I can sell you back to the Sabaanins, or you can give me your information to send to that damn Ambassador in Eronec, so someone in your family can send funds for us to support you.”

Juliet gave no reply.

“Or I could wait to those children are born and sell them. They may make even more then you. With you as their mother, they will be beautiful, I am sure...”

“Monster!” Juliet screamed, gathering her courage and kneeing him in the groin. Once he had loosen his gripe, she broke free and ran as fast as she could to where her bags laid. Before she could make it, he recovered and grabbed her by her hair.

“Not smart,” he raged yanking back her head, ignoring her whimpers. “You are a foolish little girl, and you are going to be punished for what you did.” He let go of her, and before she could even breath, punched her in the left eye, now that people could see the abuse, a few men moved forward.

“Mr. Edwards,” said a stranger. “I suggest you stop hitting that little girl.”

“What will you do about it Tanner?” He growled at the stranger, before slapping Juliet again.

“She can’t hurt anyone John,” said a voice. “Let her go and one of us will take her back to Aunt Sophie’s. Will even lie about how she got hurt.”

“Oh no,” said the man. “I would let that old cunt coddle this little whore. She is going right back from where she came from, child or none, and I will make sure not at a cheap price.”

“Mr. Edwards,” said a voice Juliet knew. “Madame Green has placed this girl under her care. Anyone found abusing her will...” Juliet looked up with her good eye to see Master Karen, looking both frighten and angry.

“You damned scholar,” John Edwards hissed, pushing Juliet away from her. She stumbled slightly, until she was secured in the arms of the man called Tanner. “You can take her beating for her.” With that, John Edwards slammed his fist into Master Karen’s nose, and blood poured out. John was livid. The man next to the one holding Juliet made his way to try and stop him, but someone beat him to it.

Elliot Welsh came storming over and hit John Edwards so hard, he fell to the ground. Elliot’s eyes held an anger never before witnessed by those of Denton, especially not in the normally calm man.

“John Edwards!” he hissed, picking the man up by the collar, and raising him high in the air. “If I ever, and I mean ever, see you abusing any girl again, it will be the last crime you ever commit. I only spare you this time so I can make sure the girl is safely taken care of.” With that said, Elliot threw him to the ground. John Edwards, no seeing that he was outmatched, scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as he can, limping and bleeding all the way.

Elliot didn’t pause a moment. He turned toward Juliet and picked her up bridal style. “Luke,” he said to the man that had previously helped Juliet. “Help Master Karen get to Aunt Sophie’s. Tom,” he called to a boy standing in the background. “Grab her things.” Each person did what they were told without complaint, and all followed him back to Aunt Sophie’s.

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Sophia Green was use to anger and surprise, they were constants in her life. The former was inborn, she knew it, and she spent a good part of the week raging at something or other. The latter came with her job, no matter how many years she was at it, seeing patients still could surprise her.

She had just finished fixing the wrist of a young girl that’s brother had pushed her into their wooden floor, and promptly broke her wrist, when her door open revealing Elliot holding a slightly battered Juliet, Luke Tanner holding a bleeding James, Luke’s son Tom carrying Juliet’s bags, and two more men from town assisting them in any ways possible. Sophia Green saw red.

“How in damnation did this happen!” She screamed, frightening everyone present. “You oafs, tell me later. Elliot, get her into that bed,” she pointed to the room that Juliet had originally been examined in. “Luke, put James on the table.” They both complied without a word.

Aunt Sophie went to examine Juliet first, due to her pregnancy. To her relief, the babies all seemed fine and unharmed, though their mother was another story.

Juliet’s lower jaw was completely bruised now, and starting to swell. Her left eye had already swollen shut. Swearing softly, Aunt Sophie treated her wounds with tenderness, amazed at how calm the girl remained. The fight seemed to have left her for the moment. Once Juliet was patched up, she moved back to the main room, promising to return soon to check on the girl.

James Karen was sitting up on the table now, surrounded by the men, who were slightly joking with him and each other. Elliot was too anger and was pacing.

“The girl will live, and so will her babies,” she said to the room, and all the men let out a sigh of relief. “Now someone tell me what happened.” She then moved on to working on James’s broken nose.

“She met with our esteemed town leader,” said Luke Tanner with a sneer.

“Came upon him grabbing her hair in the road, she seemed to be fighting him off,” said another man, who was named Henry Walker.

“He was crazy today I swear,” said Allen Johnson, the last male in the room. “Busted her eye and then James’ nose.”

Master Karen’s nose was broken, but luckily a clean break. Aunt Sophie set it as best she could, though it still caused pain to the scholar. She rubbed a healing paste on it, and then finally splint it as best she could.

“Why didn’t anyone but James try and stop him!” she hissed.

“We didn’t see the fight beginning,” said Henry. “Only its ending.” They all looked at Elliot, remembering his strength and rage. Aunt Sophie said nothing, thankful that the men had intervened at all as she went about her task.

A knock came as she finished, and Allen Johnson opened it to revel a boy a few years younger then Tom Tanner, looking angry and holding his cap.

“Woman,” the boy yelled at Aunt Sophie. “My father needs you. His ankle is broken, and so is his jaw. Come and be quick about it.”

“I’m not going any where you little bastard,” said Aunt Sophie, putting away her supplies. “Your father deserved what ever he got and more.”

“You’re a healer,” he sneered at her, coming into her house uninvited. “Your required to help.”

“Not to someone who beat a woman in the streets, then turned and struck a man for attempting to stop him,” said Luke Tanner. “You go and tell your mother she better be fixing him, if she ever wants him to walk again.”

“And if I don’t,” the boy said.

“Well then,” said Luke, towering over him. “I will have to teach you a lesson.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” the boy spat back, not noticing Tom sneaking up behind him, and grabbing his shoulder till too late.

“I would,” said Tom, scaring the boy and causing him to run out the door at break neck speed. “Little prick.”

“John Edwards,” she ranted, fixing a cup of tea to take to Juliet. She finished in silence as the men talked about other things that didn’t interest her, before she moved back to see the girl.

Juliet was up, though she shouldn’t have been. Her ruined gown had fallen to the ground, and she was currently changing into another one, this one blue silk embroidered with dragons. She also held a pair of matching slippers and two blue and silver hair ribbons.

“Your doing better,” said Aunt Sophie, setting the cup of tea down. Juliet didn’t reply but finished dressing. Her bags were open on the bed. One held ten or so gowns and matching ribbons for them. All of them were light colored silks and of good quality and make. The other bag held about four pairs of slippers, five pouches, and two boxes that seemed to hold cosmetics and jewelry. Juliet noticed her gaze, but did nothing. Once done, she closed them.

“You were right about be well provided for,” said Aunt Sophie, who had never seen such finery before. The girl’s master must have been from a good household to provide such luxury for her. Or maybe it was common for a slave to have such things? She mentally slapped herself for thinking of the girl as a slave. She wasn’t one anymore. She was just a lost and scared little girl.

“You may think me a fool,” said Juliet, placing her bags on a table, “but I am not so foolish as to think I can live off of charity.”

“No one has offered it,” said Aunt Sophie. “I merely told you that you can stay here until you have your children, then you can run around all you like. I won’t let you hurt those babies.”

“Do you think I meant to!” Juliet turned.

“By the way you are acting, I can’t tell,” said Aunt Sophie. “You have the guts girl and maybe the smarts, but you are acting like a child that hasn’t a care in the world.”

“You know nothing of what I have been through already,” snared Juliet, who started to shake in anger and weariness.

“Get to bed,” said Aunt Sophie, “And drink this.” Once Juliet was in bed, Aunt Sophie made her drink the tea, that would hopefully have a calming affect on the girl. Juliet reluctantly drank.

“I would never hurt my children,” said Juliet, over the brim of the cup. “If I didn’t want them, do you think I would still have them?”

“I never claimed you didn’t want your children,” said Aunt Sophie. “Just that you aren’t taking care of them. This is the second time today you let your angry get the better of you.”

“So I should allow men to beat me into submission!” she said, slightly raising in the bed. “I wouldn’t think you were one ma’am for telling women to obey men.”

“I’m not,” said Aunt Sophie, wondering how this girl was able to figure her out in a short amount of time. “But you seem to naturally provoke...”

“A Coachman that charged me too much for a ticket and slapped me at least once a day, a man attempting to rape me, and another wanting to sell me back to Sabaan or my homeland,” Juliet growled. “I have a feeling the men I provoke aren’t known for their cool thinking and demeanor.”

“Probably not,” said Aunt Sophie, knowing it was true enough for John Edwards. “But you won’t be leaving this house until after you have had those children.”

“Fine,” said Juliet, much to Sophie’s surprise. “I am use to cage Madam Green. Until I have my route of escape fully planned, I will remain in your cage.”

“Good enough for me,” said Aunt Sophie, leaving the room, noticing that the tea was doing its job and that Juliet was nearly asleep.

She closed the door and noticed the men and boy were still waiting for her to explain the outburst they had heard.

“She’s sleeping,” said Aunt Sophie. “And she will be staying here for awhile. Now can anyone tell me why John Edwards is after her, I know he is a bastard but this is even foul for him.”

“Tom,” said Luke. “Take Mary home to her mother then go home to yours.”

“But Da’” said Tom, “I want to...”

“Now Tom,” said Luke. Aunt Sophie had forgotten all about little Mary Miller and her busted wrist, she was still sitting in the corner, looking slightly frightened about the happenings around her. Tom reluctantly took her good wrist and escorted her out the door, much to the girl’s pleasure. Mary, as were many young girls, were sweet on Tom.

“John Edwards is broke,” said Luke, once Tom was gone. Apparently, not that many people knew it, as it was news to Aunt Sophie, Elliot, and James.

“He’s gambled or drunk away all of his earnings about, “said Henry. “He owes all of us a sum of money and owes more to others. No tavern will take his tab anymore, they know he isn’t good for it.”

“The Misses can’t even go shopping,” Luke finished. “The shop keepers know about her husband, and refuse her business. If John doesn’t come up with some money soon, he will have to sell his farm and go into debtor’s prison.”

“So he hopes Juliet can make him some money?” asked James, in a strained voice, as his nose was still aching.

“Aye,” said Allen. “Just look at her. She wears silk, noone hear can afford that. She is a beauty, and surly she must be loved and missed. Even if her master gave her up originally, he may want her back, especially he didn’t know she was with child.”

“Or her parents have some money they can pay to keep her safe,” said Luke. “She has been gone from her home for four years, her parents must miss her, if they are alive.”

“And even if they can’t pay, her King or Ambassador might be able to,” said Henry. “They are desperate to try and free every Lanetet slave.”

“Poor girl,” said James. “Stuck so far from home with people trying to make money off of her freedom.”

“What freedom,” said Aunt Sophie, speaking from experience and her limited knowledge of the girl. “She just keeps trading cages. She has probably never been free in her life.” Noone had anything else to say.

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Juliet was a girl of her word, and stayed in the small room at Aunt Sophie’s. Yet, she made a small demonstrated that she wasn’t going to stay a moment longer then necessary. She bought land and raw materials and hired men to build her a house, near the end of town proper. She had sent for cloth to make samplers to hang in Aunt Sophie’s house so that men and women could see her skill.

Aunt Sophie had to admit, Juliet was very skilled with her needle and scissors, though after only a week of practicing difficult stitches to showcase her talents, she moved on to making smaller clothes for the babies to come. The majority of her day was spent in the bed, sewing diaper after diaper and shirt after shirt. Everything was white, as the sex and number of the babies was still uncertain and Juliet didn’t want to have not enough for a child or too much. Though, Aunt Sophie told her, there was no such thing as too much clothing.

James came by often to visit with them, leaving Juliet a book to read or paper to write letters to her friends with. Juliet wrote a few letters to the Sabaanin widows and the men and woman from Bloj, who in return sent her letters and small gifts. She received one letter from Melissa, the Sabaanin girl she had warned not to marry, saying that she had returned home and found another boy who her father approved of and they were set to marry. Juliet wrote no letters to Lord Whitney or to anyone in Lanet. And her letters proved nothing else. Everyone addressed her as Juliet or Miss Dovecot, and it seemed none of them knew anything about her.

And Juliet’s secrets remained unknown. Aunt Sophie didn’t mind, she knew that if Juliet every wanted to talk, she would listen. Juliet seem to know she would eventually tell her story, but it was too soon to speak it. Gossipers gathered around Aunt Sophie’s porch to talk about the girl, some good, others bad. After her fights, some people claimed she was deranged or touched by the devil. John Edwards was out and about again, walking with a cane and a crooked jaw, swearing about the girl every chance he got.

Juliet gave no sign of anger, and seem to calm down. Aunt Sophie knew that she was unhappy with her current lot in life, but there was little to be done. Her house was almost finished and furniture built.

Elliot hadn’t visited since the first day. The Spring planting was coming, and he had to prepare. Elliot employed two boys to help him, but he was mostly alone. There was so much to do to be done in time. Or so he told Aunt Sophie, but she knew different. Elliot feared being around pregnant women and young children because of the fates of Carrie, Anne, and his unborn son. Though he had no reason to feel guilty, he did, and the burden of their deaths was a heavy one for him to bear.

Two and a half months passed quickly. Aunt Sophie went about her normal business and had gone to visit a few farms to check on the new animals, leaving James Karen to watch Juliet.

James was good company for the girl. Juliet had at one point or another had a formal education, and could actually understand all of James complex thoughts and theories, and sometimes add to them. Their conversations were pleasant. Though James was normally soft spoken and shy, around Juliet he blossomed, knowing that at least on some level she would understand him. And Juliet was never one for shyness and loved to be heard and talked to above the level of an infant.

But today wasn’t a good day. Juliet was listless, not wanting to stay in her bed. She was constantly up and down. Her girth was large and heavy, and she couldn’t move very well, yet she was busy with something or other from the moment she woke up. To James dismay, she had moved on to cleaning the dinning and main area of the house, when he heard a high pitch cry.

“Miss Dovecot,” he came running, fearing she had hurt herself, to see the girl looking scared and standing in a puddle of water.

“Master Karen,” she whimpered. “I am about to go into labor.” James frantic mind didn’t know what to do. He guided the girl back to her bed and laid her down.

“I will be back soon,” he said to her, as she clutched at his arm. “I have to get Madame Green. Please, I won’t be gone long.” Juliet nodded her consent and the man rushed for help.

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“Mr. Tanner!” screamed James as he rushed into the blacksmith’s yard, yelling above the banging sound of the hammer, metal, and anvil. “Mr. Tanner! Mrs. Tanner! Thomas!”

“What is the matter Master Karen?” asked Mrs. Tanner, as she came out the door to feed the chickens.

“Its Miss Dovecot,” he panted out. “She is in labor but Madame Green is at the Jackson’s farm.”

“Luke, Tom!” came Mrs. Tanner’s shrill voice. “Get out here!” Her husband and son came rushing out to see the strange picture of the woman with the panicking school master. “The girl is going into labor, and Aunt Sophie’s at Steven’s farm.”

“I will ride and get her,” said Luke, moving to the stable with great speed. “Katie, go with James back to the house, and Tom, fetch Elliot.” Tom nodded and was off, so where Katie and James, as Luke quickly saddled his horse and rode off.

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Elliot’s gave a groan as he stood up. He had been planting those seeds all day, and the bag was straining his muscles while the sun beat his brow. The boys were stumbling over their work too, not wanting to give up to prove that they were capable farmers too. Elliot was a hard man to compete with in the line of work, he was strong and determined, two traits needed to be a farmer.

His mind turned briefly to Aunt Sophie and her houseguest, as it often had during the last few days. He knew Juliet’s time would soon come. He pondered visiting the girl in a day or so. He hadn’t been to see her in her entire stay in Denton pass the first day, and he wondered if the girl even thought about him. He could only use his planting as an excuse for so long before the real reason came out. He liked the girl, he truly did, though he barely knew her. She had a spirit that was undaunted and a will that couldn’t be beat. She was determined and fierce, something too few women where. Looking off toward Aunt Sophie’s house, he saw a figure running toward him. He studied it for awhile, until he recognized it as Tom Tanner. The boy was running frantic, his brown hair stuck with sweat to his head, and his hat had been lost ages ago. His black eyes darted about searching for something. Finally seeing Elliot, he ran toward him.

“Elliot, Elliot!” he screamed. “Juliet is in labor and Aunt Sophie isn’t near!” Elliot heard the scream.

“Stay here Tom, I will ride for town.” He hollered back, running to get his horse that was tied to the fence. He quickly untied him and rode to town, cursing himself for waiting so long to make this journey, and praying Juliet was alright.

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“Hold on dearie,” said Katie Tanner, holding the girl’s hand. “Help is on the way.”

“I can’t,” cried Juliet. “I can’t.” Her contractions had started, though labor was far off. Though she was use to pain, this was too much for her to bare.

“You have too,” said Katie. “Your babies are about to be born, you have to be strong for them.” A hour or so had gone by since Katie had arrived to help with the birthing process. She had sent James out in the hall, as he wasn’t much help or much of a comfort to Juliet at the moment.

“Where are they?” Juliet asked.

“They are on their way dear,” said Katie, knowing not what else to say. The door burst open, and Elliot entered.

“How is she?” he asked, moving to Juliet other side, surprising Katie. She had figured he would wait with James, given that he had been avoiding Juliet for the past few weeks or more. Even in conversation, he didn’t like to talk about the girl.

“Not good,” answered Katie. “She needs Aunt Sophie and soon. I can only help so much.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” asked Elliot, scared. Katie shook her heads. They could only wait. And wait they did for about another two hours, while half the town gathered around hearing Juliet’s screams and pleas. The door finally opened revealing a frazzled Aunt Sophie and Luke.

“Everyone out,” demanded Aunt Sophie, rolling up her sleeves and moving toward Juliet. “Katie, you stay, I may need help.” Katie nodded, as Elliot reluctantly left the girls side.

In the hall, Luke sat with James, Henry, Allen, and a few neighboring women who had come to offer help in any way. The women tried to be useful by making a late lunch for everyone and boiling water or fetching herbs for Aunt Sophie. But nothing seem to help.

Hours passed and night fell on the town of Denton, and still there was no sign of the babies. Elliot closed his eyes in pray. Juliet’s screams blended in with those of Carrie’s from long ago.

“Carrie please hold on.”

“I am sorry, I can’t”

“Carrie, please.”

“Tell Anne I love her.”

“Carrie!”

“I am sorry Elliot.”

“Carrie! Carrie! Carrie!”

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“Come on Juliet,” said Aunt Sophie. “Only a few more pushes to go.” Juliet’s screams had long ago stopped being about words, and now where merely sounds, but she complied. Katie’s hand was red and swollen from where the girl squeezed with all her might. “You are almost a mother.” Juliet pushed, harder and harder, until finally a head popped out and then a body.

“It’s a boy!” said Aunt Sophie, trying to cheer on Juliet. “A healthy baby boy!” She cut the cord and handed the child off to one of the women that had come to help. More pushing, and a second boy came, then a third, a fourth, and finally the last child. Juliet’s last scream echoed, and finally the task was done.

“Five sons Juliet,” said Katie. “You have five beautiful sons. No wonder you were so big.” Juliet laughed, it was over.

“Are they healthy?” she questioned.

“Yes,” said Aunt Sophie, relieved. “Very healthy and stubborn. Just like their mother.” Juliet gave a cry, as each boy was cleaned and then handed to her.

“Alastor,” She said to the first. “Sage, Casper, Jayden, and Tristan.” She said to each boy in turn. “My five joys, my five treasures.”

Aunt Sophie and the girls smiled, each holding a baby and cooing while Juliet started to feed Alastor. Aunt Sophie held the middle one, Casper, and studied him to find some clue as to who his father was. He had his mother hair, that was for sure. His skin was not quite Juliet’s in pallor, yet not as tan as her’s. But the boy’s eyes, a true gold that she had never seen before. His eyes revealed that his father had to be from Sabaan, but nothing else.

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Once the babes where all fed, the women presented the men with them. Every man gave a silent pray as they held the newborns. Juliet sat proudly in her bed, constantly reaching for a gurgling baby and reminding everyone their names. She seemed able to tell her babies apart, while no one else, even Aunt Sophie, could.

“A mother knows,” she said, holding Tristan, who James had just called Sage.

“Are they named after your family?” asked Katie.

“In Lanet, we don’t name children after family members dead or alive,” Juliet said. “So not to confuse the Angels that watch them. I named them names that I liked as a child.”

“So none are after their father?” asked Luke, Juliet gave him a long stare.

“They are Lanetet, and mine,” she said. “There father no longer matters.” Though Aunt Sophie could tell he still did, if not to the children, then to Juliet.

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Days passed, and Juliet was still at work sewing, and now dying, clothes. She took another Lanetet tradition, of deciding a color for her children at birth.

Alastor, who was a fiery one, constantly fighting though seldom whining, was given red. Sage, quiet and studying every thing was given green. Casper, who seemed to be the most cheery of the quints, was given the color yellow. Jayden, with the strongest limbs, was orange. And the baby of the group, Tristan, had blue.

Juliet glowed as a mother, and she had a constant stream of visitors to see her and the babies, all except for Elliot, who again made scarce.

After six days, Aunt Sophie was about to march over and demand to know what the hell was going on when Elliot appeared with five newly carved and painted cradles for the babies.

“A gift,” he said, unloading them and setting them up in Juliet’s room. Juliet was thrilled, and gave Elliot a kiss on the cheek that made the man blush. No woman had touched him since Carrie.

Juliet delicately placed each bundle in the cradles, kissing each one and saying their names in her sing-song voice.

“Alastor, Sage, Casper, Jayden, and Tristan.” She sighed, once they had fallen asleep. “Mommy loves you all.”

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Author's Note: Yes, finally the birthing. More about Juliet will come in later chapters, but the next few chapters will just be about her life in Denton with her children and the town's thoughts about her.