Conor sighed: he had been expecting bad news like this, but even so, it was a disappointment.
"That's what I'd been fearing... how long do you think it'll take to repair the legs? Because I might only have another week or two here... anyway, have you got any more jobs for me to do in that time?"
"I can try to get it done in a week...maybe two. I just can't promise how well they'll work." the blacksmith said. "As for work...you're fine. You got a wife to keep an eye on anyway...the book was enough."
"Well, it's probably best if you don't rush," Conor suggested. "Better to do a good job now, so that he doesn't have to come here again in the future. Oh, and, I forgot to mention last time... would it be possible to give him bigger legs? I don't think he enjoyed looking like a child... might be one reason why he tried to scrap himself..."
"I doubt that would really help...he'd still look like a child." the blacksmith said shaking his head. "I have my hands full just trying to repair the ones he has..."
"Okay, well... just do your best," Conor requested. "Anyway, I must dash. See you later..."
Conor waved frantically - and then sprinted back home, as quickly as he possibly could. This time, he made it in a little over an hour - although, since he'd run most of the way, he was completely out of breath.
He then knocked on the door, and waited anxiously for either Cheryl or Jocelyn to answer it...
It took a while but finally Jocelyn answered the door. She looked a little panicked. "Oh good! Cheryl's been anxious for you! She's having the child..."
Conor gulped, and ran straight for the back room. He didn't have much energy left at all; however, since this was such an urgent matter, he managed to find a little bit more from somewhere.
Once there, he found Cheryl lying on the floor, obviously in intense pain. He felt rather guilty about not being there with her earlier - but, he hoped his arrival now would at least make things easier for her.
"It's okay, love..." he whispered, as he sat down next to her. "I'm here now..."
"Its about time..." Cheryl groaned taking Conor's hand, and squishing the heck out of it.
"I'm sorry...." Conor whispered. "I came back as quickly as I could... but I promise you, I'm staying by your side the rest of the way..."
Unfortunately, Conor soon started shaking too. Cheryl had spent the entire week preparing herself for this long, painful process; however, he was completely unprepared. Working through those accounts had done absolutely nothing to help him...
The birth was long...and Cheryl hadn’t expected all the pain. She screamed till finally a little baby popped out into the flowers.