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It's been two days since he's last seen her. He hears no news from the maids, ladies and midwives. The children are starting to miss her. He's fallen into disarray, praying and drinking by night, comforting the children by day. He deeply regrets their decision, all he wants is for he to be alive. The longer she labors, the more likely she is to perish in childbed.
He spends the day with their children, entertaining them with presents and stories, the younger children think nothing of the underlying tension in the room. It is the eldest who hits the nail on the coffin, "Do you think mommy will be alright, father?"
A large dam breaks inside of him, unshed tears threaten to leave. The children try to comfort him to the best of their abilities. However, it was little comfort to the anxiety-ridden duke. The children keep him in pleasant company until their nannies come to take them for bed.
It was past sunset when news comes, he was hopeful at once, until he entered the room. There he sees her, the first love of his life, sweaty, gaunt, exhausted to the bone and holding a child, their youngest child. "A lovely little daughter," she tiredly says, "She seemed to be a stubborn little thing, coming out."
He was grateful to her for all she has done for their family. "Thank you, for this, Evie." She says nothing but hands him their newborn daughter, he was well versed in this process by now, "She didn't wail at once, but she seemed healthy enough, just a little small."
At once, he was once again he was filled by the feelings of love in his heart, "She has your looks." Their newborn was awake, silently observing the world around her. "What shall we name her, wife?"
"The name we talked about last week." She said, gently taking the newborn back into her arms from her husband. "Penelope Anastasia. Penelope Anastasia Eckhart."
"The name seems fitting for her." He was grateful to the gods above and below for his wife and their daughter to be alive.
His wife was drowsy during the exchange, he thought nothing of it until his realized the sheets have turned red with blood. He screamed as loud as he possibly could for help.
The maids and midwives came rushing in with the family physician. Baby Penelope started wailing in the middle of the confusion. All he could do was calm Penelope and helplessly watch the physician try to save his wife.
She passes that evening, leaving behind a grieving husband, and four young children, who will have had vague to non-existent memories of their mother.
Duchess Evelyn Anastasia Yvonne Eckhart will be sorely missed.