The Light of Love

[Light]

Go ahead, Mrs. Barnes! Just a little bit longer, we're almost there. -I encourage as the woman sighs by throwing her head back with exhausted forces.

The Duchess of Barnes is a young girl with little time married to the Duke of Barnes, who unfortunately is having difficulty bringing to the world the first heir to the duchy due to the small structure of her almost childish and skinny body. The passage of the child is being somewhat painful and complicated for the woman due to the large size of the baby, who most likely inherited the body composition of the father, a large and burly man.

Mirna, one of Mrs. Barnes's maids who is assisting me in the duchess's labor, wipes the missus' face with a damp cloth that is dripping several drops of sweat because of the continuous effort.

Let's try something new, Mrs. Barnes... Time is ticking and the baby could have serious complications if we don't remove it right now. - I say leaving the position that I'm between your legs and I get up.

What else could be done that I haven't already done? I can't take it anymore, I'm weak, Luz! I can't at least give my husband a child. She cries with a bare voice and my heart squeezes as she listens to her sorrow.

Listen, Mrs. Barnes. You are a strong and brave woman who will bring this child to the world in great health. And I'm here just for that, to help you in the process. -I encourage you, because I know that mind and body work together, one without the other is a waste of time. Do you trust me?

She mumbles faintly and I feel it with a little smile.

I've been with other women who had difficulties at the time of delivery like you're also having, so I've acquired a method that hasn't failed to this day and that's what I want to try. Do I have your permission?

Of course, I'il do anything to see my son born. -she consents and I prepare myself by taking the necessary place to proceed.

I sit behind her and wrap her huge belly with both hands massaging her with some pressure.

I'm going to absorb all the pain you're feeling at this hour, okay? I'm going to take everything for myself so it doesn't suffer. You're just going to have to worry about pushing and pushing while I scream, you understand?

Yes, I get it.

- Just focus on that and nothing else, there's no one on the scene but the two of us. - I'm going to make her focus on the situation.

Mind and body working together.

You can lean your head on my shoulder like this... ...and I'm going to help you settle in the best position. Are you ready? - she agrees and I keep going. - One, two, three and...

Then I scream, she screams, we scream in pain as I forge a movement down her belly with my hands as if i were kicking the child out of my own womb. It's as if I'm really feeling the pain in its place, taking for myself the task and suffering of that little woman who is fighting hard to give birth to her heir.

I don't know how long, but she can do it. Mrs. Barnes shatters into a convulsive and emotional cry that shakes her entire slender, faint body in my arms, as she finally hears the stridently loud cry of the red, wrinkled little package in Mirna's hands that has just received it in the midst of her legs.

It's a boy! -the maid exclaims radiantly to the missus with the little wrapping in towels. - He's a man, an heir, Mrs. Barnes! -the woman repeats again with genuine joy as the duchess stretches afoita to take the baby in her arms.

I beg my head to have Mirna take my place, not relying on the duchess's physical stability after so long in that situation. As soon as we switch position, another maid comes up with a new basin containing hot water, replacing the old one already stained with blood. I open the box That I always carry with me for work and from there I remove the utensils I need. After cutting the umbilical cord permanently by separating mother and child, I breathe the nose and mouth of the child with a small apparatus (in the shape of a pear that exerts pressure when tight thus performing the suction), a magnificent invention created by my mother many years ago, clean the remnants of the dirty blood and the placenta, I wrap it in a towel and deliver it into Mrs. Barnes's anxious hands.

Thank you, Luz! -she thanks with tearful eyes attached to the child in her arms. - My little baby I love so much!

I've only fulfilled my mission, Mrs. Barnes. - I shake the skirts of my dress when I get up. I hope you and your family will be very happy with the arrival of this enlightened child. May God keep looking after you and making you fertile. -I wish with a smile of happiness on my face heading towards the exit, where I end up coming across the Duke of Barnes who is about to enter the enclosure.

Even though he knows it's not right in this situation, the man approaches his wife and son in a few strides with his eyes completely watered, after all who would stop him? He's a duke, well! No one is more powerful than him in this house. Your will would never be thwarted.

With the feeling of mission accomplished and a huge peace and happiness instilling my heart for the new sacred gift received by the couple, I follow to the kitchen of the ducal residence, where I meet some cooks who seem anxious for news of their duchess.

He's a strong, healthy boy. -I announce and the women explode in celebration of the missus. -I want to leave only a few recommendations for the duchess's feeding, since this was a labor that required a lot of her energies.

Of course, child. Tell me everything she's going to need. - the oldest of them soon makes her willing to write down what I have to say and so I do.