The Bargain -- 5 CGW
Reed pulled his truck into the drive in front of the compound and got out, he waved at Sven and told him that he was going to borrow someone for a bit. He motioned for Adam to come to him, Adam arrived and responded; yes sir how may I help you sir. Reed replied; let's have a seat so we may talk together about certain things going on here young man.
Adam was terrified as he took a seat across the picnic table from Reed. Reed was blunt and went for the kill, do you love her boy speak up now. Adam replied I don't know sir; I've never been in love before sir.
Reed smiled and asked; what do you feel when the two are near each other. Adam answered; confusion, happiness, joy and heartbreak all at the same time sir. Reed frowned and said; yep you have it bad don't you son, tell me what you feel when she touches your hand or cheek. Adam responded; I feel my heart racing and light headed sir, she washed and trimmed my hair then she scrubbed my neck and face before she shaved me, she even washed and pressed my clothes so I could hold the newborns last night, what kind of lady does that Sir.
A lady who has met her match my young man, she's met her forever after answered Reed. Now you know that she's going to ask me if she can marry you, but you do realize that I as her father cannot allow that to happen because under our rules a woman cannot marry a man, only a man can marry a woman.
Adam looked at Reed and asked what he meant, Reed replied; do you have a ring for her. Adam lowered his head and replied no sir I don't, I didn't bring but myself to the Promised Land Sir. Well it's a good thing that we have a tradition in my family of passing down of family heirlooms to the youngest daughters then. Reed reached into his pocket and handed three rings to his future son-in-law, these have been in our family for years this are her Great Grand Parents Wedding rings. Hers will fit but I will have to take you to town and have yours enlarged to fit you, son. Now I will tell Inga that I will not give her my permission to marry you and send her to you, you shall get down on one knee, present her with the ring and ask her if she would be your wife forever Son. Adam smiled and thanked Reed for his permission and he would take care of Inga forever.
Reed walked away and called for his daughter to come outside, Inga approached her father, they spoke and she wiped away tears and lowered her head and walked towards Adam crying. She walked up to Adam and started to speak when he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Inga looked back to her father who nodded his head in approval, she jumped into Adam's arms almost knocking him to the ground, he placed the ring upon her finger and she kissed him upon his cheek before running to her father hugging him and showering him with kisses.
Reed hugged his daughter and told her to enjoy life, but had better get home before her mother came looking for him and got into his truck and drove off.
Soon as things settled down the men went back to work, Adam was in high gear pitching the large rafters up to the men on the roof.
Olga was waiting for her husband as he got out of the truck with her arms crossed, Reed walked up the stairs to the house when Olga asked exactly what did he do, he replied I told my daughter that she didn't have my permission to marry that man Adam, not now not ever.
Olga turned red faced and threw her cup towel down and proceed to chastise her husband and no words were spared from her mouth, he just smiled at his wife and said; I love you too my dear. Olga proceeded to tell him that she would not be cooking any more meals in their home for him to eat nor do any of his laundries.
Reed held up his hand and looked at his wife and stated; but I did one thing my wife, I gave that young man Adam my permission to marry our daughter if he was so inclined to do so, but to be careful of her mother's temper. Olga hugged her husband's neck and kissed him telling him that she loved him and his devious ways.
Greta called out from the back room to Olga that she needed help there was something wrong with the baby. Olga and Reed ran to the back room to find Greta standing with blood running down her legs. Reed picked her up and Olga packed her to stem the blood flow, Olga told her husband to get them to the clinic as fast and safe as he could there was lives in danger here. Reed place Greta in the back seat Olga climbed in with her and asked for his phone so she could call Rob at the clinic to let him know what was going on. Olga explained to Rob what was going on and that Greta had attempted to lift something too heavy and there was blood everywhere they were on the way to the clinic as fast as Reed could drive them.
They arrived at the clinic, Reed went to the rear door and lifted Greta and carried her into the clinic Rob met them and showed them to the makeshift OR. It was a mess, Doc did what he could for Greta and the baby, he started first to save the baby if he could and then he would help Greta. Two tense hours later Rob walked out of the room and leaned against the wall in the hallway and slowly slid down it and sat upon the floor with his head in his hands. Two of the young men in the clinic at Reeds instruction help him up and carried him to his office and sat him in his chair. A couple of the ladies from the waiting room came in and helped him out of his surgical gown then rinsed the blood off of him as best as they could.
Olga came out of the surgery room pushing the baby in an incubator and carried him to the nurses' station so he could be watched and cared for and asked for volunteers to care for him throughout the night 10 ladies stood up and said they would gladly care for the baby until Olga and Reed could inform Tommy about his wife.
Reed took out his phone and took a photo of baby Clark for Otto and Tommy to see. Rob was helped out to his Rover; Olga crawled behind the wheel and followed Reed to the compound. Reed called the bishop and informed him of the tragedy and they were headed out to Tell Tommy, The Bishop asked if he and his wife could ride with them to tell Tommy and talk to Inga about her upcoming marriage. Reed said he would he be there in 5 minutes to pick them up.
Reed stopped and picked them up and filled them in on what happened, that Doc Rob did all that any man could do to save her life. The Bishops wife spoke; we may grieve for the loss of a loved one but he has more plans for her in his house, Reed and the Bishop said; Amen. As Reed pulled through the gates he spoke; Bishop we are now entering The Promised Land, things here are different than in the outside world so don't be shocked.
Bishop remarked; I have heard of this wonderful place where others can live without fear or judgment and I'm glad to finally see it for myself. The Bishop and his wife were amazed at the building activity going on and the men there building them. Reed stopped in front of Doc's house; Olga pulled up behind him and stepped out of the Rover and Called Adam to help her.
Clay opened the door as Adam carried Rob into the house followed by Olga, He placed him on the bed Clay started wiping down his face as he mumbled, I tried my best, I couldn't help, the baby is doing good and passed out. Clay asked what happened to Rob at the clinic today, Olga replied stay with him and I shall speak of this later but now I must speak to my son.
The Bishops wife walked into the bedroom and over to the baby's bed and saw a wonderful bundle of joy sleeping, is it your child here Clay answered yes; he is Robs and my son his name is Clayton Robert, we love him with all of our hearts. The Bishops wife picked up the child and carried him to the bed and laid the child by Rob, and remarked; the love that you and the child have for him is all that he needs to get better now stay with your husband and son it will be fine. She turned and walked out of the room pulling the door behind her.
Reed and the Bishop walked into the house with Otto in tow and told him to have a seat, Inga walked in with Tommy when he saw the Bishop he tried to turn around when his father said they know everything son and you need to have a seat beside Otto we have news for the both of you. Tommy was starting to shake when Reed started to tell them about Greta and the baby, Otto held him close and wrapped his arms around him. Tommy broke down and started to bawl his eyes out, Tommy dried his tears long enough to look at a photo on his dads phone of Clark, and then he started to sob uncontrollably. Olga injected him with a mild sedative just to ease him a little, not too much to harm him or the babies.
Otto was in a trance as he heard the news and then everything went deaf for him. It didn't register on him that the baby was okay and resting at the clinic. The Bishop comforted them as much as he could, he told them that he would hold a service tomorrow for Greta, Tommy was way too emotional to attend the service at this point in his pregnancy and it would be too hard on him. He asked Otto if he was going to attend due to fact that the baby was his and would be coming out there to live with him and Tommy, Otto replied; yes I will attend to represent Tommy and the baby.
Reed told Otto to take Tommy to their room and put him to bed and stay with him and not to worry the ladies would keep him company, Otto picked up Tommy and carried him to their room and placed him in bed. Otto found the Bishops wife to be a fair person the way she handled herself, spoke in kind words and tone. She asked if she would be allowed to visit the babies once that were all there in the compound, Otto told her anytime she wished to visit The Bishop and her were more than welcome there.
Reed and the Bishop were outside talking to Sven and Jacob as the bishop was holding little Jake when the Bishop looked up and remarked, looks like you have a new member of the flock coming home to roost. Jacob saw the man staggering towards the homes and replied; I will get a pitcher of cool water for him and headed towards the house, he returned with a damp towel and water for him to drink.
Sven grabbed the young man as he started to fall and sat him on the bench under the shade. Jacob handed him a glass with a little water in it and he downed it and wanted more, Sven told the stranger to take it easy and to cool off first then lay the cool cloth on his forehead. The Bishop saw the clothes that the young man was wearing and knew that he wasn't from these parts of the land; he asked him what his name was and where he hailed from.
He said his name was Kirk and he was from Bolivia, he had traveled far to escape the memories of his past life. I found other settlements but they were always the same, treating the outsider's bad until he ran into a young man at one who told him of a place called The Promised Land where they were kind to others who were called the touched ones and as soon as he could he would travel there too. In my settlement they were called The Whites and they killed them all one day.
Adam spoke; you are safe here we all are Doc and Sven make sure of it. The Bishop agreed and said; you are now home young man your journey is now over. Scott came out waddling with two plates of food for Kirk who was staring at his big belly, Scott laughed and remarked it's just a baby it won't bite you yet.
Kirk stuttered; you have a child inside of you aren't you afraid of what others will try to do to harm you, Scott replied; not here in The Promised Land besides these big guys will protect us here, now eat up we have plenty cooked for everyone I need to check up on the others. And headed back towards the house when he stopped and called out for Peter to help him, everyone turned towards Scott to see him standing there with his pants soaking wet as his water had broken. Helm rushed over to him picked him up and headed to Doc's place shouting all the way, Peter ran trying to keep up with the big guy.
Reed spoke; Bishop why don't you go inside with and watch the miracle of life The Promised Land way, you will be amazed. The Bishop departed to witness this new Miracle of life's arrival into the world.
Scott was standing at the table leaned over Rob was talking his through the process, Scott was whining about that it hurt too much he couldn't do it. Peter was trying his best to calm him down. Scott was being himself -- A Drama Queen. Doc stood up and slapped Scott on his ass as hard as he could and walked away, Scott started to cry and blubber wasn't anyone going to help him have the baby.
Doc flatly said; no young man I'm not; I've got my hands full at this moment with the baby that I'm holding; now walk your ass to the bedroom and lay down for a while. Doc spoke; Peter take your daughter and show her off to the world after Inga has her cleaned up. The Bishop was amazed at the ease of the child's birth, he asked Peter what the child's name was, he responded; her name is Elizabeth Anne. Olga helped Scott to the bed he was still complaining about his pain and that it burned, she remarked; it will be better after I get you an ice pack for your stretched muscles, it still hadn't registered that he had a daughter it was all about him.
Peter walked outside to the table to introduce their daughter to everyone; he walked up to Kirk and told him to hold his new niece, she would be depending on him for her protection in case anyone bullied her in life and handed him the baby. Kirk beamed with pride as he held her and started to cry, promising her to defend her with his life if need be and handed her back to her father. Peter asked the Bishop to bless his and Scott's daughter which he did, Peter asked the Bishop if he wished to carry the baby to Scott and bless them both. He agreed and carried Elizabeth back inside to Scott.
The Bishop walked up to Scott with the baby and handed her to him, whom apologized for his actions earlier and received his blessings, after a few minutes the Bishop took his leave Olga and his wife stayed with Scott and Elizabeth.
Kirk couldn't believe that the birth was so easy for Scott, Peter chuckled and replied; you should have had a ringside seat like the Bishop and I did when Doc walked off carrying Elizabeth with Scott going on about he needed help with the birth of the baby after she was already out of him. Everyone laughed.
Stay tuned for Part -- 6
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