Chapter Four - Part One (13,403 words)

My pregnancy was a very happy time of my life. Elias doted on my every movement; Akiva would not let me help with the bread and Devora traveled from Magdala to be with me. All the while I watched as my belly swelled from the child that grew within it. Every morning I would run my hands over my swollen belly, feeling the way my body was changing. At night, when Elias would lie beside me he would run his hands over the curve of my abdomen, attempting to feel the child beneath. We were both certain the child I carried in my womb was a boy. I was pleased at the thought of providing an heir for Elias. He was equally as pleased with the notion; I could see the delight in his eyes each time he looked at me.

The baby came on a Shabbat two weeks before the Passover. I made Akiva allow me to help with the bread in preparation for Shabbat. We were working the dough when I began having pain in my back. I did not realize that I was beginning my labor pains at the time. Akiva kept insisting I sit and rest my body but I refused. I was going to help her with the bread as I said I would. I could be very hard headed from time to time and no one knew this as well as Akiva. The pains became stronger and my womb released its pre-birth issue. This was when I knew my labor had begun. Akiva immediately led me into the bedchamber and sent one of the servants to Elias and another to the village for the midwife. In that moment I was very thankful for Akiva’s presence. She could always soothe me when others could not. It was not long after she had sent the servants when Elias arrived. He sat with me only a few moments and it became quite clear that he was not able to handle seeing his wife in such suffering. Akiva sent him out of the bedchamber and assisted to me herself. Every so often he would send a servant in to check on my status but he never entered himself. I did not blame him for this as men often have difficulty with such things. Devora arrived not long after Elias and she and Akiva were my comforters. The midwife arrived just before sunset. She had gathered her things and traveled as quickly as she could. She set about to her work and told Akiva and Devora to keep my comforted.