Epilogue

Five Years Later

L ittle Freddie came waddling into his parents' bedchamber. “Mama, my horthie’s leg boke off.”

“Freddie, show it to your Papa. Mama can’t fix it for you right now.” Margaret lay in the bed. Most uncomfortable.

“Come here, Freddie. Let me see if I can fix your horthie’s leg.” Muriel reached her hands out to Freddie. “Your mama is not feeling good right now. Let me see what I can do for your horthie.” Muriel sat on the couch with Helen. “Where did Fredrick go?” Muriel asked to no one in particular.

“I sent him to get more bedclothes. You would think he would be a bit calmer after Freddie, but I think he is worse now than when Freddie was born.” Dr. Haynie gave one of his great, hardy laughs.

“Chug?” Martin’s pet name for Muriel. He had been looking for her as if she would be anywhere else than with Margaret.

“I’m in here, trying to put Freddie’s horthie’s leg back on. Would you look at it for him?”

“Let me see your horthie, Freddie.” Martin reached down and swooped up Freddie with the horthie in his hand.

“Martin, where is Lester?” Muriel concerned for their little son.

“I thought he was right behind me.” Martin turned to look towards the door. “Les – where are you?" Martin saw his little son struggling up the stairs. "Get in here, son.”

“I sorry, Papa. I drop my horthie down de stair. I got it.” He held his horthie up for his Papa to see. Martin smiled down at him. Such a sweet boy.

“That is good. You need to be careful on the stairs, son.”

“Aunt Chuggie, what wong with Mama?” Freddie pointed to his mother from the arms of his Uncle Martin.

“She is really tired. She needs to rest.” Muriel answered.

“Down. I want down.” Freddie squirmed.

“Alright. Wait a minute.” Martin set him down.

Freddie waddled over to his Mama. “Mama, you tired? You feel bad?” He had the cutest little pouty face. “Doc’er Hayie here for you?”

“Yes, Poppy.” Margaret bit out.

“Can I ho shou, Mama?” Little Freddie's sweet little request. He arms extended as he opened and closed his fingers.

“No, Freddie. Not right now. I can’t pick you up.” Margaret tried to be as sweet as possible.

“Is that what he means when he says he wants to ho shou? He wants you to pick him up?” Helen asked.

Margaret, struggling to speak. “Yes, I guess he has heard so many people say those words to him, he thinks it is what to say when he wants you to pick him up.” The horsemen and their ladies – their close-knit family of friends – all let out a singular ‘ahh’ at little Fredie’s sweet request. It would be a phrase carried on through their group for years to come.

“Is that not the cutest?” Helen grinned at Freddie. “Freddie, come here and I will hold you.” She held her arms out to him.

“I want Mama ah ho shou.” Freddie frowned.

Henry and John started into the bedchamber. “Fredrick is right behind – wooo,” Henry exclaimed as he saw Margaret’s knees bent and her legs spread with Dr. Haynie's large body blocking the most awkward view. Henry used his hands for blinders as he moved toward Muriel and Helen.

“Holy heavens. Is the entire audience in here to take a look at my wife’s…loveliness?” Fred barked at the horsemen with a handful of bedclothes.

“Interesting word for what you call it, Fredrick.” Henry goaded Fred. Not exactly the best time for teasing Fredrick.

"Perhaps, it might be best for us gentlemen folk to step out?" Jonathan suggested, looking rather peakish himself.

“Exactly. Thank you, John! Aren’t these events usually reserved for the women, Dr. Haynie?” Fredrick peevishly insisted.

“Most typically, but I haven’t found it to be the case with either the Claymonts or the Windhams. I think she is getting close. It would be helpful to have the room a little more quiet.” Dr. Haynie suggested.

“Come on Chug. You probably need to wake our little one for a feeding.” Martin coaxed Muriel to come with him to feed their newest, little Muriella Claymont.

“Helen, will you stay here with me, in case Fredrick passes out again?” She strained out.

“Of course I will,” Helen answered so lovingly to her dear friend. She walked over, picked up a washing cloth, and began to wipe Margaret's brow.

“I did not pass out.” Fredrick obstinately defended himself.

“My love, you most certainly did.” Margaret bit out. Dr. Haynie confirmed. Fred ignored him. He walked to the head of the bed, still holding the bedclothes.

“Ginny, I love you so much. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You even look sexy lying there. My friend is getting excited simply thinking about it.” He so wished he could hold her.

“My love, we have company. Tell your friend he is going to have to wait. I’m a little busy right now.”

“Alright, Margaret, start pushing.” Dr. Haynie cued. Helen helped to hold Margaret's head up and continued to dab her forehead as she pushed.

Fred walked back to the end of the bed. “You are doing wonderful, my love.” Fredrick stood close to Dr. Haynie. “Oh, Ginny! I see the head. It has light hair.” He stuck his head around to look at Ginny. “Blonde hair? How odd.”

“Here it comes, Margaret. I think one more good push will have it.” Dr. Haynie encouraged.

Helen supported Margaret’s back as she pushed as hard as she could. Suddenly, they heard a smack and a tiny cry.

“Give me one of those bedclothes you have in your hand, Fredrick.” Dr. Haynie ordered. He cleaned the baby off a bit. “Margaret, Fredrick, you have a baby girl.”

Fred walked back to the head to the bed. “My love, we have a girl! A girl…a girl? Oh, my! A girl.”

“Helen, move. He is going to hit the floor.” Margaret shook her head. “I best not have another one. He may break his neck.”

The baby continued to cry. The entire group piled back into the room. “Throw the bucket of water on Lord Fredrick. He did it again.” Dr. Haynie ordered as he laughed his wonderful base baritone laugh.